Issue 1

 Close To The Red Vest

                                By Tim Stocks Candidate for Mayor

                                     Issue 1  October 20, 2017

 

"Committee, leaders: site ideally suited for project". That was the headlines in last week’s Independent-Register by Editor Ryan Broge. The article was referring to the proposed new location for a Senior/Community Center on 23rd St. Maybe it's just me but the piece makes it seem as if this site is a "done deal", or at least the Committee, consisting of Doug Pinnow (Mayor), Ellyn Popanz, Nancy Sutherland, Dick Benesh, Jodi Kail, Dean Braund, Karna Reicks, Sharon Wolter, And Lisa Huntington (Alderperson) is not considering any other locations. I was concerned by the lack of mention of costs or mention of taxpayers having any say in the matter. Another disconcerting detail was the budget request of Mayor Pinnow (Senior/Community Center Minutes Monday, September 18th, 2017) for $10,000 to fund grant application work. Since grant requests are “location specific” the mayor evidently believes this is a “done deal” too.

With so many unanswered questions I was compelled to send the following email to the Senior Center Committee sitting alderperson and copied to the mayor: On October 7

Alderperson Huntington,

Concerning the Senior/Community Center proposal. Will the proposal be on a referendum this spring?  If so which one: February 20, 2018 – Spring Primary or April 3, 2018 – Spring Election? 

Did the committee ever consider the Old Middle School Building and why was it dismissed? Was there any record of inquiry of condition or cost to repurpose the building performed by this committee?

Thank you for your attention in this matter. Tim Stocks

To date I have not received a reply to this email. As you can see I have concerns about the thoroughness of the Committee's work, the lack of public knowledge of their work, and the speed at which they are going forward without taxpayer’s approval.

A shout out should go to the Audit and Finance Committee… from the July 18, meeting minutes: Strommen made a motion to recommend to the council to deny the request for $50,000 down payment for the senior/community center project, AND to instead put the senior/community center project to referendum on the spring ballet.  Huffman seconded.   Yes, read that last sentence again. I think one can easily deduct who knew what and when they knew it…everyone but the taxpayers!

Ladies and gentlemen…”get ready to RUMBLE”.