Thought I was done with my "Let the Truth Begin" series when the City Council again covered their alleged malfeasance and lack of Fiscal Responsibility along with the VUB? WRONG.
Have been noticing some comments that the Sewer/ Water Rates are going up 50%. That is not true and hope it was just hyperbole? Hyperbole= "exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally". There will be a large Percentage Increase of 47% for Water and 30% for the Sewer, but are not going to increase by 50%. in actual dollars.
I was also surprised to see that the Vienna Planning Commission is having a meeting on Wednesday the 1st of November at 7:00 P.M. These meetings are usually on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. In November that would have been the 7th if it followed usual habit?
So why has it been moved you ask? Maybe because the VUB is going to discuss extending the Sewer System up Rosemar to Rosemar Gardens at their meeting at 9:00 A.M.? So is it now time for Rosemar Gardens to annex into Vienna? Has been in the works for a while if not just sewer? Could the issue on the VUB be the annexation and than the moved Planning Commission Meeting to begin as noted to start the process? Or does the Planning Commission have to approve even just a Sewer Line Improvement? I don't go to those meetings, but it is almost as damaging to the City and maybe more so than the Budget and Finance Meetings.
Or, could it be the first step to rezone Johns Manville? Let us see who is going to pay what for those acres? Trick or Treat may be so apropos for this meeting?
Or maybe nothing, just a peculiarity? We'll see bye and bye.
There is too my knowledge NO overview by just Citizens of the City on the Planning Commission. Noticed where Mr. Miracle is supposedly still on the Planning Commission as he has been for some years. If so, he is still getting his $100/ meeting stipend to raise his right hand on command. He would NOT have gotten it as a Council Member starting this year. Maybe that is why he abstained on the last two Pay Raise Votes in December? I was wondering what the Carrot was that enticed him to do that?
I have advised some folks to be very alert to what the City does on its meeting schedules. It will change dates and times to meet an agenda, not necessarily something that would be in the best interest of the Community. This coming month November appears a bit shady in that respect.
It is a thought on my part that ANY group that gathers in the intent to pursue a common goal needs to work together? If it allows itself to begin to form into sub-groups in order to undercut the efforts of others, it is doomed to either failure or become active but irrelevant.
Any information that it puts out, has to be vetted. The charts in the Public Notices and Agenda, were the same ones I spoke about last week. They are informative, but remember folks, we had a rated increase in June 2011 that Mr. Rogers 'fessed up too and I noted the either 2014, 2015, or 2016 Rate Increase when we all supposedly got switched from 1/2" or 5/8/ to 3/4" connections and the either $2.50 or $2.30/ month increase in connection fee (Read Service Charge).
I am going to suggest that the City "break" that amount out of the Water Charge IF that is the only place it is hidden and list it separately? Notice I said IF above. That is because it would not be put passed me that part of the Charge was also in the Sewer Line on the bills? The simple fact that there is such a big todo on the old Fire Fee and the still somewhat Police Fee plus the Storm Water Fee, Recycle Fee and the Utility Tax is more like smoke and mirrors?
Here is another point if I may? IF and I repeat IF the Connection Fee is IN the water usage line, HOW can the City charge us about 150% in Sewer charges? Thought Sewer was based on Water Usage? Sounds to me like they are over charging us BIG time. Think we are getting screwed and not even a kiss. Take Connection Fee ($6.89), out my latest bill of $12.40 for water and I have just $5.51 remaining. 150% of that would be $8.27 NOT the $18.90 I am looking at- getting the idea?
I think someone had best explain how we can be charged for a Connection Fee as part of our water usage?
Now allow me this on the esteemed Mr. Conley. At the meeting on the 26th, he was raising all kinds of Hell about the Rate Increase and how unfair it was. Mr. Elam said he had only been on the City Council for three months and in March up popped a Budget for approval.
Okay, I will start with Mr. Elam; in March, the Budget that you and Mr. Conley approved was the yearly rubber stamping of the City of Vienna Budget. This has NOTHING to do with the VUB Budget that you and Mr. Conley voted for in JUNE 2017. That is where you two should have been screaming like banshees and voted a resounding NO to show the folks the stones who could/ should be proud to have. Sorry Charlie, you are not going into the Tuna Can this time either. Sounded like Rappite excuses to confuse the issue.
Now, Mr. Conley, you are all the time talking about lowering costs and reducing this, that and the other. I have advised before Sir, you screwed the pooch in June with a resounding YES vote on the VUB Budget. It is and has been for years nothing more than another rubber stamping as with the City Budget; maybe worse if the Truth is known.
It has become common knowledge that you are going to run for Mayor in 2020. Well, I am so into Integrity, Morals and Ethics than when someone 1. Can not tell the Truth on just how many campaigns they have ran (said two, actually three); 2. Could be said to have browbeat a neighborhood lady to remove one of my signs (Campaign Violation Mr. Cool), and followed the Rapp/ Smith line of repeating a part of a comment to make me look different than I am?; 3. Appeared to have been involved in a Conflict of Interest by giving those Poles/ Stakes to the Gold Star Memorial and then gets a sole bid contract for the bed on the new truck chassis? Seems a bit of a lack of Integrity, Morals and Ethics? Course that would fit you right into same shoes as Mr. Rapp wears.
So all I can advise the folks is to start paying attention to what people are doing. If not, you will end up with the same damn mess you have now. Different music, same lyrics. They are not being straight with you and appear a bit shaky? 'nuff said'.