Now as you know I have been critical of the maintenance program in Vienna on its assets. And this vehicle is for sure an asset. The real problem is if this guy has to go in hot pursuit, having a headlight out is very, very dangerous. Now in the day, before a driver was allowed to take a vehicle out, it was a requirement to do a walk around to check items like headlights, brake lights, turn signals and so.
This is even a requirement for many private companies to insure safety issues for the Public as well as the company are kept to an absolute minimum. Understand will not have a replacement light in the Police car but would hope whoever the mechanic is (if their even is one), would have a replacement on hand at the maintenance shop (if we have one), as many of the vehicles are from the same manufacturers. Maybe, the constant turnover of the vehicles every six years is such, that it would be too expensive to have common replacement parts?
Sadly, the refusal to allow people to freely speak at City Council meetings has now spread to the City Web Site. Seems one asked questions on how to achieve access to the Speaker's mike at City meetings, and is now no longer able to submit any comments. I specifically asked if anything was said that would be out of order? Was told NO, just asked some questions. Not only can you be stopped in the meetings; you can be apparently blocked on the web sites? This on top of what was noted that one can no longer contact a Department directly, but must go through the IT Manager (and probably Mr. Rapp), before any comments/ questions can be forwarded?
This City Administration seems to becoming more and more like a Fascist Entity, the closer we come to the Election? If this is what you folks want; a silencing of the Lambs so to speak, than you know who to vote for. If unfettered access to those Department heads who WORK for you is wanted; I am asking for your vote. And for the record, it is not me who got cut off from City Web Site. I knew better a long time back.
In a comment concerning the presentation of the planned Gold Star Memorial set up at City Council meeting on 22 September. Mr. Rapp made a comment that the City was proud to be asked to accept the Memorial. When the representative from the Foundation spoke, he noted that the Foundation was honored when the City approached it to put one in Vienna. I know that Mr. Rapp pursued this Memorial and not the Woody Williams Foundation asking if it could put one in the park. A couple of us had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Casey (grandson), on an issue concerning the Memorial.
Yet another example of how the Truth gets twisted to serve an agenda. Even at the expense of a very Patriotic and how well the intent of the one is, supporting the Gold Star Memorials. As has been shown time after time, Mr. Rapp will use anyone and apparently anything for a prop in his agenda? I wonder if he has ever gotten honorable attention without having to screw someone or something else? The Truth will out in time. But the last four years does not bode well for the "Truth".
His comments that City money was not used for the Memorial to that point was also twisted to cover the Truth. Who are the workers building the site up too now getting paid by? I thought they were City Employees? I do not believe they are working for free? And the equipment being used has a price attached to it? But what has been noted before, the cost to the City in wages and equipment is not added into any cost. This of course can result in far lower costs on a project, be it he Memorial or all the work at the VUB Complex. Either other needed work was NOT getting done, or we have too many employees?
It has been said that volunteers from the local Trade Unions will do a lot of work on the Memorial; but they are not there yet.
As I wandered the highways and byways of Wood County, I had a most interesting conversation on the upcoming Election for State Senator. I have asked before what Mr. Ashley was promised to get him to run against Ms. Boley in Pleasants County instead of running for the seat he had been appointed to fill when Mr. Nohe jumped ship for a real money job & benefits in Wood County?
Now we all know there was one helluva brouhaha when Wood County ended up without a Senator of its own. We have two in the District, but somehow Wood County Elitists had somehow got the idea that one of the two seats was reserved only for Wood County. Now with our population, we should probably end up with one via the voting booth? Not necessarily as Mr. Tomblin proved when he appointed Mr. Ashley from Roane County. At the time I noted he had done it to try and roll the West Virginia Senate back to the Democrats in this election. He may succeed as some are not too happy in who we have for a local candidate. The local Republicans seem so determined to cut wages and lose jobs in order to fatten the bottom line for their bubba's they will do just about anything to get one of their own elected? If you are paying attention, we are seeing we are a little thin in who we have?
In any case, I found out what was supposed to be the reason that Mr. Ashley was willing to step down from Wood and go against Ms. Boley? Seems the good lady was going to retire but the establishment talked her into another pull at the harness. Remember, she lost in her home County but was re-elected because of the Wood County Voters. Now the supposed deal is that she will serve maybe a year or at best a year and a half and then retire? Anyone want to guess who the movers and shakers are going to appoint to fill her empty seat? I would be willing to bet a $1.00- 2.98 that it is Mr. Ashley?
All the more reasons for elections be they Special or Regular; Primary or General. The folks just seem to keep getting screwed round after round. I REFUSE to believe you folks are so damn dumb you can not elect who represents you? I do not know Mr. Ashley other than by sound bite/ picture or paper. But if he or ANY person is afraid to face the voters, than that person is probably not worthy of the job.
The more I watch, the more I learn on how we the common folks are unable to Vote wisely. 'nuff said'.
I am asking for YOUR Vote. "Change is in the Air".
(Paid for by the Candidate- Lawrence J. Wilson for Mayor of Vienna).