A little more on why Partisan versus Non-Partisan Elections would be a really tough sell here in Vienna. At least for the first Election. We would of course have to do like P'burg and have Districts and then anyone who wanted to run would have to be a member of some party and have various positions on issues.
First flaw would be that we would using the current bunch as an example have the seven Council Members all piled up in two or three Districts at best. The Mayoral and Council Recorder should run at large as in theory they are representing the whole City? Again, not the case today. Everything is a "bubba" vote.
Can any of you see this bunch approving a Partisan set up? Hell no, would automatically break the Clique that has and is doing so much harm to Vienna with their very, very "bubba" politics. The last thing they would want is to have to face off against each other and worse yet give a couple of "outsiders" a chance to do something for the City.
But, this would force those who are sneaking around right now and doing the "litmus" testing of who is a Republican, Democrat or whatever instead be in the open? Plus if it Partisan, the same "litmus" testing on Abortion could be out in the open. This would yet again as we have done Nationally and even the State level, I think every year since 1973 talk about it openly. I said the other day, I do not think a Non-Partisan Election should be an undercover Partisan one? And one should be allowed to keep their personal opinion on Abortion to themselves also until a true public discussion is needed.
If we want the discussion, let's do it, forums, coffees clutches, beer fests; talk it up and get the official position in the open that way. Although, the recent removal of the Candidate signs and erecting of Anti-Abortion signs on City Property may well have settled that thought?
Does that mean the current Council is made up of Liberal Democrats? NO; Mr. Rapp is very much in the mold of Mr. Obama. High Taxes, Massive Spending and Governance by Executive decision. One difference only as I have pointed out before. Mr. Obama is ruining the Country at the macro level; Mr. Rapp is ruining the City at the micro level. Some of the rest wear different degrees of spots.
So if you want a third Obama term vote in Ms. Clinton. And we can have the Obamalite second term with Mr. Rapp. Nothing will change for this City for sure. Think twice- Vote once.
Mr. Hasbargen's support of the Bond Levy for the BOE has little in that is not self-serving. The moment I read the very first paragraph "On Nov. 8th, the Wood County BOE will provide an opportunity for our community to make a lasting difference for the Students in Wood County"; my mind was made up for me. If one is too spoon feed me some crap, at least put some imitation sugar on it.
I seldom agree with Mr. Mullen on much of anything; but his Viewpoint was pretty much spot on. We should at no time be borrowing money to do repairs on our buildings via a Bond. Some sort of very short term contractual agreement would be more in order. To pay interest for about 15.5 years is a bit of a financially irresponsible decision. The roofs themselves may well require maintenance themselves in 15 years. This Bond as much as may have been truly needed should have covered some very major construction projects only.
And the brouhaha over closing Waverly School to insure the State portion of $10M in shared costs can easily be qualified as iffy in that the BOE can refuse the money if the school is truly usable albeit not as heavily attended as some may want? I listen to the comments on the kids being on buses for up to 45 minutes a few weeks back due to road repairs in one area as "far too long and unacceptable". What will be the same for those Waverly kids? What additional inconvenience for those parents who feel safer driving the tykes themselves? Is there no cost to those efforts? I am for the best and most efficient use of Tax Dollars in any effort put out by a Government Entity; but this one seems to have an odor to it? Seems a few things left unsaid for the kids best interest? It has been said to never look a gift horse in the mouth. Well folks, you don't want to be behind it either when it lifts its tail.
Just a few weeks back, there was a move afoot to close Neale and Greenmont with a consolidation at the Vienna School site. Now in the list of Schools to get new roofs are Neale and Greenmont. Someone seems a little full of poo poo? And some people I think, got scammed by this BOE? They are a bit slick by half when dealing with the Tax monies they so flippantly throw around. So those two Schools are safe from consolidation for the next two decades or so while the new roofs wear out?
And I was surprised to hear the Williamstown Council Woman and the Principle trying to get the Voters there on board for the Bond? Too much pressure for what is supposed to be the greatest thing since Tapioca?
Noted the City put out a Budget and Finance meeting for 8:30, 1 November in City Council. Now this for those of us who have been paying attention is the Early Voting time start here in Vienna. That meeting is not going to take place and will most likely NOT happen before the Election on the 8th? The Budget and Finance meeting was moved to the VUB complex on 60th St @ 8:30 A.M. on the 1st.
The City Council meeting Thursday night should be interesting for reasons made obvious the other day. I for one expect all kinds of "you are wrong" stories to be told. More on that later. It was very, very interesting. Mr. Metz got his expected award as noted two weeks ago. And Mr. Skogstad did a wonderful rendition of Kumbaya praising the City Council for the great job they did over the past 8 years he has been Counsel. It was noted the City now has $5 Million piled up in its account. Yet, it can NOT find a miserable $80K to give the Home Owners some Property Tax Relief. Yet the greatest City Council in the State?
My wife advised me that when she was out this morning (Thurdsay; she just remembered in the P.M), she noticed ALL the Abortion Signs and the Candidate signs are now down at the corner of 9th St. and 13th Ave. So now everyone has been censored? Only in Vienna folks; only in Vienna. '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).