By Rick Uhl
"I personally saw some of the "bullying" actions at the VUB meeting, Sept 6, when it was brought up to look at options besides a one time rate increase, they were shut off. Yes! Just as mentioned, NO Public Forum in City Council Meetings. Lost a right, isn't it illegal for Randy to do that? I also found it interesting, that only ONE VUB Board Member showed up at the City Council Meeting, Sept 14. We're the rest of them still trying to get out of the woodshed for sharing their thoughts"??
With all due respect, Mr. Uhl is a bit off on who was where? Yes, Mr. Eaton made the scene, but never said a word. Mr. Rogers who allegedly was to be back in town on the 13th was MIA again; as were Mr. Barr and Mr. Thorpe. If you remember, I noted that Mr. Barr has been uncomfortable (My word), with how the Budget Process was going which now could easily incorporate into this now so needed rate increase but not necessary had the Adults been running the playground? At the meeting of the 6th, he was again not at ease with what was going on, but in the end got rolled over. Mr. Thorpe started with a NO and in spite of Mr. Rapp trying to talk him into abstaining, stayed with his no Vote. But still, all missing at a crucial point when they could have interjected a point they were with or against? So may I ask this too? Why the Hell are they even on the VUB is they cannot show for meetings and take an active part in what is going to be stuck to the Users of the Community? The Rubber Stamp that goes on in both the VUB and the City Council is disgusting and unprofessional but sadly not unexpected. The City Council is so useless, that we can expect at best a two tier increase but none the less it will happen.
We should just say NO to any increase and let the chips fall where they may. There are people on the VUB and the City Council who need to be removed: Mr. Rapp, Mr. Skogstad, Ms. Smith, Mr. Bibbee, Mr. Leach, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Barr, Mr. Eaton to name just a few who DO NOT represent the Community no matter which grouping they are in? The City/ VUB is in desperate need of people Elected/ Appointed to represent US the Residents rather than just themselves and the City Administration. Folks, we are being sold out and worse to come. Now I am full expecting their defense to be "Well, he just doesn't like us". Sorry Charlie, I don't know them personally and have made little or no effort to do so. I am quite willing to discuss issues with them but as far as helping me mow my yard and a cup of mud, ain't gonna happen.
The Rapp's; Most dangerous people in Vienna today. Have noted it before and can see how as long as they are on the City Council or the Library Board where the people whatever the age are safe from the Progressive Liberal Agenda they pursue.
Ms. Smith; Almost as dangerous as the Rapp's because she is one of his attack dogs. Have run afoul of her several times and have asked several times, what does she have on him to be getting $3- 5K dollar raises just about every year?
Mr. Skogstag: While allegedly the "City Attorney" is alleged to be little more than Mr. Rapp's personal defense Atty., in defending him against the very people who are paying both their salaries. Is many times the seemingly 8th Member of Council and 6th Member of the VUB? It is very common for him to interject himself into issues when there is no legal question on the table, just a forwarding of correcting whatever error, Mr. Rapp is pushing?
Mr. Rogers: Just a wingman for Mr. Rapp to keep the AARP/ Senior Center folks in line and to do whatever is needed to further the Rapp Agenda. I chuckled a couple of years back when a now retired business owner commented in a Council Meeting that he had been on Council for 30 years and has never done anything. I don't know that, only watching them all since 2008?
Mr. Bibbee" Is as useless as Mr. Rogers; another "YES" Vote pretty much on command. Has surprised me a couple of times, but is a sure thing when raises, benefit increases, whatever is wanted to be purchased gets involved. Hard time remembering there is more to Vienna than the VFD. While it is a necessary and seemingly a good group of VFD Volunteers, it is for sure not everything.
Mr. Leach" Went down the drain with me when he said the only reason he ran for Council was the Johns Manville Project. So what the Hell is going to do in a few months when it is sold on the upper level to the big developer?
Than we have Mr. Eaton: who is the common link between the VUB and the PUB. His vast knowledge of the Utility System(s) does us little good that I can see? His comment if I many paraphrase it that everything needs to be financed like in the Bond Obligations so missed the point that we should never have gotten there if he and the other VUB was minding the Store.
Mr. Barr: Has been one of the most and sometimes only one who could smell the coffee and it was burning. Yet, time after time, he just rolls over and votes "yes", which has led us to this point. Does no good to grumble and than do as one is told. Missing the above meeting was a real let down at least to me on his value.
He and Mr. Eaton, while both being concerned (?), still voted "Yes", time after time when it was possible that a different approach would have been reached had they attempted to rein in Mr. Rapp in his Spend, Spend, Spend mentality?
You will probably have noticed I have said nothing pro/ con on Mr. Conley and Mr. Elam. They are mostly unknown factors so far. I have some ideas and some disappointments, but at least they have questioned and voted a bit more for the folks than the rest. But since are still very naïve on what goes on daily, they should be more cautious of what they ask of Mr. Rapp and most especially the City Staff. They will be told what Mr. Rapp allows to be told to them and it may not be what they should be learning?
I am not and will not say they are all bad people in their Personal lives; I don't know that and don't want too. My interest starts and stops with how they represent the City in whatever the capacity? In that respect, they have failed us one and all, miserably to one degree or another.
The warning signs have been out for years in the VUB and the waste of money in the City with nothing or very little back to the People.
TO BE CONTINUED