As written last evening.
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I could not get wireless access tonight in the council chambers. The diagnostic showed that I was connected with the city, but the city wasn’t connected with the Internet.
There’s something poetic about that.
I can fully envision the Verizon Wireless man shrugging and saying, “yep – it’s a dead zone,” and fleeing for more hospitable climes.
The work session was in progress at 6:45 p.m. when I walked in. Mrs. Benedetti was chairing in Dan Coffey’s absence, but then he came in, as did Pat McLaughlin.
President Coffey said that there must be something in place to “guarantee” (his words) that any new development won’t result in things going wrong in existing developed areas.
7:15 pm: Jeff Gahan scolds Coffey when Coffey begins the public hearing on the EDIT funding proposal for stormwater by asking whether it was to reimburse flooding victims. Gahan urges him aloud to “read it … check it out.”
Gahan explains that the bottom line is that the stormwater had no money but the Rainy Day fund has $1.3 million, so it should go to projects.
But he immediately contradicts himself (“I stand by that”) that certain “special” cases could still make the case to the board for cash. He does not provide criteria. Gahan repeats that he wants funds to go to projects and also that prime sufferers not be forgotten.
Benedetti: Tort claims will go to insurance company.
Gahan says he knows that, and now twists again to say that he wants corrective project money only, to the storm board, and that the council won’t have control over its use.
Confusing, indeed. Apparently the council is to have its political cake and eat it, too, which is par for the course.
Meeting begins at 7:33 p.m.
Minutes approved without complaint.
Peggy Baas from the Kentuckiana Celtic Foundation appears first to discuss the pre-concert portion of the festival on August 22, a flyer for which was handed out.
Public communications
This week, I’ll skip over the public speaking details because so many of them are going to be similar to what we’ve heard the past few meetings. If someone says something out of the ordinary, or for noteworthy quotes, I’ll list them.
“We’ve had willy-nilly development.”
“We have to control the run-off and the development.”
Ooohh ... Fox-41 arrives to sensationalize the proceedings.
Speaker three gets emotional.
“The problem’s gotten worse … I’ll sell my home cheap, and you can use it for a catch basin.”
Speaker four cries, too. This could get maudlin quickly.
“It’s not fun … we need help.”
Television camera captures the emotion, the work session discussion, which was fairly earnest and constructive. That's the way it works, and there is plenty of emotion for capturing.
Question: “Can we use FEMA funds for these areas?” (Translation: Can the Federal government bail us out?)
Mayor England: “We’re doing it now.”
Speaker number five says a study is not needed, and he takes about ten minutes to make the point: “I’m willing to help, and I won’t charge them a nickel.”
(Voice behind me says, “no more building above us)
“We put England in there, and England ain’t no better than he (Garner) was.”
He now explains his garden and that of his neighbor, featuring green beans and ‘maters. Rather charming, almost Mayberry-like. Steve Price is enamored.
(Coffey interjects: “The bottom line … EMC had the contract … in fairness to the mayor, he went and got the contract back so the city could do the work again.”)
Jason Hublar, the fellow who has been chatting with the FOX camera girl, has started the Falling Run Creek Group, and says that the mayor’s office first told them it was the people’s fault for throwing things into the creek, at least until the television crews began coming out. He graphically describes the sort of sewage debris that oozes up. It's disgusting, for sure.
“The city has enough money that this sort of health concern should have been taken care of the first time it happened.”
“I don’t even like to let my dog outside. It has to be made a priority.”
Describes what will happen when they contact the EPA, not to describe flooding, but to describe human waste all around. Compelling.
“I’m standing here talking right now … if it doesn’t change after this, we’re going to keep going with it.”
Speaker number 7 describes the possibility that e coli bacteria is in her dirt. How can a test be done?
“What’s in our yards?”
“We’re depending on you …” And she doesn’t care about previous governments and their records. She teaches elementary school and makes the point that we can petition government. She’d like to tell her kids that everything worked out.
We’re at about 30 minutes of public speaking time. Speaker number eight reads two letters from people who couldn’t attend.
Mrs. Baird: Does not agree with a tax increase. She likes Steve Price’s idea to charge more to pick up large items of trash. Confirms downtown growth and an impending increase in the tax base. Take a deep breath and wait it out. Says that the city’s taxpayer’s don’t want a tax increase. Several people behind me mumble disagreement with this. I disagree, too. She hears what she wants to hear, and from those she chooses to listen to.
Next guy brings his child to the podium and speaks about how his children are losing their childhood, and the council should do something about it.
I believe we’re at number 10 and 11.
A woman along Green Valley (I think) says that erosion threatens venerable trees, and she has a erosion report that shows the destination for these falling trees to be the creek, which will flood people behind it. Trees are on the edge of the creek, and they used to be 15 yards away.
Says that no one from the city has come in spite of promises to do so.
8:28 ends public input.
Coffey addresses the crowd: “A real eye-opener” … grandstands to the crowd and doubts whether we need new city hall and “parking garages” – shameless display of pandering. “We can’t allow this to go on now that we know.”
One of the classic Coffey pander-thons.
Coffey now begins blathering about accountability and forming new committees to insure accountability. The talking point for the Luddites will now be that we cannot move forward on any front until we can “guarantee” no further damage to these people, as opposed to “them” people.
Exactly how can Coffey "guarantee" anything?
Another speaker comes forward to get emotional and say that never before has water been an issue. Twice within a month she was surrounded by water.
“Pray to God it doesn’t rain hard until August 7” (when flood insurance kicks in).
(end part one)
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