See where Mr. Morrisey is really getting a beating from one Mr. Reynolds on the West Virginia Atty., General Election. Reading and hearing some of the comments against him makes me think he will very soon be the other man on the grassy knoll? Myself, I am safe for having killed Colonel Mustard in the Library. Per some, I am not only "Clue"less, but I don't have a clue. (puns intended).
It was noted to me a few days back that the paving job just completed on 19th St, 18th St, and 17th St, going down 9th Avenue was not necessary for repaving. I noted that I had not seen where that stretch was really very bad. Biggest problem was someone maybe running a stop sign? There is a really bad spot at the intersection of 16th and 9th, but I guess that will wait till 16th itself gets paved?
I was asked if I knew why those areas had gotten paved? Now I am not very smart and will be the first to admit it so I answered "NO"? I was then asked if I knew who owned all the little shops in the small strip mall in the Lowe's complex? Again, my ignorance showed as I said; Lowe's? Wrong again.
It was pointed out to me that I should be looking at who was a big sponsor on the Gold Star Memorial? Now I know who some of those are. Donations were made that would be very large for most of us and one can usually keep track of that. So the light went on and I was luckily able to connect some dots?
Than the "anonymous" donor with the $60K for the Senior Center extension? Still can not quite get the story on if it is a "grant" or a donation? No talk at any time I can remember on a grant? I would instead suggest that what I said before might be closer to the truth? It could be nothing more than an in kind campaign donation for Mr. Rapp to help him get re-elected? The Seniors are being told how much they need that extension. I say use the building properly and no need for extension for some years. I would still like to know how many don't go there because of the poisonous attitude from some to the Old timers. We all know how people can be when they get possessive about something whether they get settled into a routine and don't want to be bothered? The building belongs to the City and the City belongs to the Taxpayers/ Residents and Voters. So to me, everyone 65 and older are welcome.
Still not sure why the quid pro quo was to have occurred? It was pointed out to me that before 9th was punched through to the Lowe's Mall there was little traffic in the area. Once the 16th and 9th went to the Mall, the traffic was said to have increased on 19th and down 9th quite a bit? So I will take a guess that ease of access from 19th which is a pretty busy cross town route down 9th into Lowe's mall was a pretty good business idea for those small shoppes?
Paving those three stretches should have cost between $50- 55K? Doing those areas around the VUB building cost about $58K. So it seems out of the $433K for paving this summer, almost a quarter went for just two projects. One that is said to have not been needed it and the other I think a bit suspicious too? The paving up on 60th by the VUB is such that one would have to ask just how much traffic really goes through there? Take out the VUB vehicles and I just don't see any NASCAR races going on there? But it was Mr. Metz's turn to get all the goodies, so he got a spiffy deal. Should be all done up there now, but don't bet on it. Lot of empty space left for new wells and more storage buildings.
Then the issues on the Storm Water Fund began to show too. When the Storm Water Fee started some years back, businesses were assessed a flat $10/ month no matter how much covered property like a parking area they had. Take Walmart and Dutton's Pharmacy; both pay the same. This is apparently what the "sweetheart" was that was talked about some time back but adamantly denied by the City?
Now moving forward, it has been a big subject of discussion for a couple of years at the VUB on the way the Storm Water Finances were going? Simply put, while technically not bankrupt, it is on life support from loans made to it from the City Capital Reserve Fund. It is running a deficit right now of about $80K and going deeper into the hole each month. Supposedly down by about $140K by 30 June 2017 if nothing changes.
Problem is that each time a rate increase comes up it is immediately tamped down by Mr. Rapp. He seems to want no part of telling the Businesses that the fee will be going up based on some sort of a formula using square footage of paved and parking area. Now rather than 'fess up to the folks before the Election, it is preferred to just neglect the truth.
Now the longer this new Storm Water Fee is delayed, obviously the more money to those businesses that are going to get hit with the new rates. Can be pretty substantial if put off long enough. Has been a bonus to bigger customers since it was started and still no end in sight?
This is also when the issue with the rain gardens to be installed by people who are found by that new camera truck to be dumping rain water from their down spouts into the sewer system and than off to P'burg. City running the ad on how to make one but not openly telling people why they will need it. We will still be charged sewage based on water used; just that the City is hoping to save a $1 Million dollars a year in sewer charges from P'burg. Good concept, but no willingness AGAIN to tell the folks the truth. Seems that lying is always preferred on 29th and 60th versus the truth to the folks?
I have brought these up before, but the fact is they will have to be done. No more shortcuts here, just the stones to tell the Truth. I am as upfront on these as I know how to be. No profit for me to lie on it. I will be putting out more on the preferred use of the Camera Truck in the next few weeks.
One more thing that I would like to suggest to you folks. Here is a chance to be part of another way to get news on this area and especially Vienna. We can break the Mayberry chain that is being tied to us all the time. We know that no matter how great our little corner of the World is, it is NOT Mayberry.
We have more going on here besides the Shoplifters being ticketed/ arrested down at Walmart. It is nice to know what is really going on and not just when the Circus is coming to town. So give the following a thought? Help to stop the phony news and outright lies by some. you may be more valuable than you think:
River City News Network September 19 at 8:40am · (Posted here 10:00 P.M. 09/ 22/2016).
Would you like to be a River City correspondent reaching an audience of thousands while gaining experience and providing a valuable service to the Valley?
We are seeking community reporters, investigative journalists, photogs, bloggers and column writers to create interesting content. No experience required.
Email me here (RCNN), or at: [email protected] '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).