Was listening to one of the talking heads on TV today (21st) and he has said several times he is from West Virginia. The conversation was about the dishonesty and deceit of one of the Candidates for the Presidential Primaries. He noted that it was just like the Politics in his State with the Politicians lying all the time to the people on how it will get better if they just wait. How good things are just around the corner. And how they never really get better. I am going to have to agree with that guy. Nailed it on the head. Coming from outside some eight and a half years ago, I have a much different outlook than those who have lived here all their lives and try to believe the woof woof and rah rah fed to them. It is exactly that folks, woof woof and rah rah.
The City Council Meeting on Thursday was interesting and actually quite sad. For the five (5) City Council Seats, there are two open seats for Mr. Azinger and Mr. Stephens. There are at this point I write this (9:22 PM on the 21st), only three candidates to fill those seats. Plus of course the Incumbents. I do not see yet where Mr. Bibbee or Ms. Smith have filed, but they will, give a day or two more. Is an interesting thing that when Mr. Thornton resigned, there were nine (9) people who came out of the woodwork to run for the seat. Now two (2) open seats and only three (3) people? I am suspicious that is why the filing fees may have gone up. Freeze people out who don't have quite the amount to pay for filing and cuts down on chances an incumbent will lose as no competition? Welcome to Democracy in action. And since it seems a new requirement, I am suspecting it may have come out of our new Senate and Republican controlled Legislature? To maybe stop non Repubs from running? After all, most of the voters I think are Democrats? And they have bought into the "milk and honey" put out for the past 80 years. And yes, I know the Vienna Council is non-partisan but all have their preferences.
The requests from those who did presentations were as I have noted for everything except a new kitchen sink. The requests run into an easy three Million dollars or more. Some of the items of course have merit; others are for sure iffy unless one looks at them out of the corner of their eye and not straight on? A lot don't pass the smell test? Seems the intent is to turn the City in a seven day a week Circus. Is very nice to do things for the people, but how many are not from Vienna and just riding our horse? Taking care of our own is good, but we need to insure we are not just expanding for other locales that are using us to avoid spending their money? Or maybe they are just smarter than we are?
The so called Administrative Assistant, one Ms. Kern performed admirably as the City Cheerleader taking up most of the time it seemed for the presentation on those areas that were carved out for her to work in. She is hardly an Administrative Asst., any longer as she was hired to work in that capacity a couple of years back and then it seems moved into her current position affiliated with Mr. Thornton in local Community Event functions. After about 30 minutes, Mr. Rapp finally reined her in.
I have to question her meandering on about that fence around the Neal Cemetery? It seems that it is some sort of Tourist attraction because of it antiquity? The fact or alleged to be the resting place for the deceased from five different Wars is somehow relevant; I don't know? Many Cemeteries are the final resting places of Veterans from many conflicts and are to be cherished and respected for those people and of course as that of anyone else blessed to be laid to rest by those who loved and at least respected that right for them.
The every year comments it seems on the lack of trustees to care for the plots as far as mowing and the cleaning up of garbage that seems to end up in them is a little curious to me? It is also said that their are no family members for most of those resting there? Than may I ask who is putting the flowers on so many of those plots? They are for sure not growing there? If it is the City doing it, I would question that expense other than the normal Holidays like Memorial, Fourth of July, Veterans day?
I am going to suggest that if this Cemetery is so special for some reason and beyond the ability for the "Trustee" to care for it why not this?
1. Has a real search been made to locate the current families of those laid to rest there? In the family plots in Oregon, the families, are each charged $5.00/ year to be used for the usual maintenance such as mowing, grounds cleaning and trimming cleaning up fallen or cutting the broken branches of the huge trees in the Cemetery. In order to remove any issue before we moved to the Philippines in 2004, I just gave the Cemetery Group a $500. check for maintenance in what they called an in "Perpetuity Payment". Should last theoretically forever no matter any other relatives caring?
2. If no one actually found who has any interest in those resting there and I know that is far too often the case based on who was showing up each year at the Group's yearly meetings where my family plot is located and if it is such a historical Cemetery, why does the City not just annex it as a City Property and take over everything up front and in the open? It seems that too frequently, too much is done out of sight and sound so to speak? Protect the Cities past and respect those who have passed; their future. That being of course laid to rest and being showed dignity and respect.
3. See about having it designated a "Historical" site and encourage funding from those sources?
Having again sat through two of the dog and pony shows that are put on for anything that is glitzy and seems to be part of the never ending Circus that goes on in Vienna, I am beginning to ask "why do we have to apparently keep up with the Jone's"? I truly do not care what Belpre, P'burg, Marietta or any other city puts on. That is their thing and God Bless them one and all. I was taken a back when it was put out to allow another $2500. for more decorations.
And the requests by the Parks Department for a $75,000 dollar Storage Building (30' x 50'), for the Xmas Decorations it has responsibility for was interesting? What is happening with the 40' x 60' area in the new Storage Shed at the Public Works Complex scheduled for Xmas decoration storage at a now $350K cost?
Living by some folks who each year now try to out do each other is a turn off very frankly. Christmas should not be just about decorations, presents, huge meals. It used to be about also the Birth of Jesus Christ. I know that we cannot celebrate any Religious aspects anymore on a Governmental level. But it doesn't mean someone has to inventory what another City does and than try to keep up or out do them? Vienna is unique and should present those things that make us that way.
Since there is actually no place where an "outsider" can see the total of the items and costs that are being asked to be funded; it is hard outside of the City Council/ staff itself to know what is needed or not? NOTE: I just said "NEEDED" not "WANTED". If just half of what was has been requested so far is approved, there will be huge wastes of dollars as usual. I have said many times the City will budget into every expected dollar of revenue versus actual needs. In simple terms, the City will spend all it can get its grasping little tentacles on.
And because Ms. Kern put on her yearly show, there are still several Departments in the City be they large or small that have yet to give their presentations. That has been moved to the 28th along with all the outside agencies that come for donations.
As an aside, when the Library Head made her presentation, it was all about what we have done; what we are going to do. Yet, I did not hear where she ever asked for a single penny of funding or increase in funding. Implied that there was a potential reduction in State funding because of nightmare that is the State Budget. But not a penny from the City. I am suspicious again, that her request may have went through one of the Library Directors' to the City Council? Maybe not as the Library really like the City is fat on money.
Will just watch and wait for more serious Council Candidates from Member to Mayor to hopefully show up. This is the year for YOU folks to take back YOUR CITY. 'nuff said.