Was called by a lady on Tuesday who I thought was going to cry? She asked me what I would do about the drug problem here in Vienna? I said that there was little that could be done for the users in West Virginia. State has few options; County even less and Vienna has nothing. She asked about the dealers; I said they were going to jail. May not stay there, but they would go.
She than explained what was going on in her neighborhood and how the local Vienna Police were doing nothing when she called. Would come and talk to the people; tell them to stop and away they would go and with in a couple of hours, business as usual.
She said she was concerned that the past two Mayors (Nohe, Rapp), had no control over the Police. I assured her they had absolute control and did NOT want the notoriety of how bad it is in Vienna. I would like to say more here, but do not want to put her in any sort of jeopardy; not from the Drug folks, but from the City. She does not need that mental anguish for sure.
I noted to her about the red car I have seen three (3) times; twice involved I believe in drugs and once in dealing to others to sell? Brought it up in City Council meetings and no one was even interested in a follow up. Figured it was because it was me but now suspect it will be anyone NOT connected here?
I clearly told the lady that if I got elected, within 72 hours of taking office, I would have whomever was still saying they were real police officers here with a warrant in that home and busting up whatever was going on. I mean it; we have law and order problems here and have had for years.
But as an "Atta boy" to the Police department, we did have our semi annual drive through last week. I usually only see a City Police car when it starts following me somewhere on Grand Central for a few blocks. I am obviously a very suspicious character.
Hang tough neighbors, I will help you in 2017 !!!!
Did have a bit of good luck yesterday. Received a settlement from a class action suit that was brought against one of the big Mortgage companies. They got nailed for excessive charges on their loans. Was only a few hundred dollars, but as I am prone to say; it is MY money, not theirs.
Cannot even remember actively getting into the suit? Could have gotten picked up as the lawyers went through all the applicants for a given period of time?
And the County is finalizing the Budget for 2016- 2017. A flat budget with no money for raises. That is too bad; there are people who work in the real world here in Wood County who my sources tell me have not had raises for some years. But seems no sympathy from the County Commission for them? And the issue on raises into the departments is surprising to me? Seems the Commission has in actuality little or no control over many of them?
Some one leaves; use their salaries for raises. Two years or so later back for a new body as the work cannot get done? The County Tax Payers would be far, far better off if the Commission controlled what if any increases would be made. And the issue on Health Insurance; go to Vienna, they know how to keep Premiums flat or pretty much so. Lot of pointers there I would suspect?
Still again, I have little sympathy for the State or County if they can or will not pursue collecting from those who refuse to follow the Law. Seems there is little active pursuit of the seven hundred (700) plus vehicles in Wood County that are using plates from other States. Not thousands per vehicle, but for sure a lot more than the zero the State/ County is getting now? If any Government Employee be they Elected or Appointed can or will not do the job, they need to be replaced. Lot of good folks would love to have to suffer with what is paid/ provided today.
Was glad to hear that P'burg eliminated wording that required them to destroy tapes of meeting in 30 days after the meeting held. Now are to be kept for a much longer period. As I have noted before, those tape are the truth on what is happening in a meeting; not the sanitized, white washed pap that is sometimes put out by, say Vienna. The tapes would make you all livid; the written notes put you to sleep.
Can understand the brou haha over closing some schools. In most smaller areas, people so easily get connected to certain institutions over a period of years/ generations. Schools are an obvious example. Sadly with the ever diminishing availability of funds, maintenance has been ignored, reduced or ran a distant third to wages and benefits.
I have looked at Neale School many times as I went to the local store, library or just drove by. Often wondering on why it is in that location? Seems is an unsafe area for the kids to readily get across the street there with all the traffic whizzing by in the mornings and afternoons? But suspect as a two lane highway in the day and far fewer cars when built that maybe time caught up with it. As an aside, I have often wondered why a pedestrian overpass was never built to aid in getting across that street easier and safer for the tykes? See them in many other places here in the U.S. and overseas. This could for sure be an idea if there is a NEW school built up the street.
It would have cyclone fencing sides and top to insure no one got stupid and tried to climb up and over. We all know how that would turn out. Yet, would allow good visibility to anyone near it so the kids using it would have lots of safety via visibility when using it. And of course usable by the Adults. I am pretty sure I will not get much leverage on the idea, but I do have some visionary ideas. Not all limited to taxes/ spending. I am proud of my Public Safety concerns too. 'nuff said.
(Paid for by the Candidate- Lawrence J. Wilson for Mayor of Vienna).