Sunday, November 27, 2005
Well, It's a Done Deal
The recount is over. Congratulations to Mr. Evans and his crew for a job well done. Hopefully the City of Monroe can continue to move forward but with a little less arrogance and a little more grace. I hope that Mr. Cappuccilli with this fresh city council will be more inclusive and more open with a fresh perspective. The word is some of these folks are already attending classes and conferences to better inform and prepare themselves for their upcoming new responsibilities.
Councilperson Compora has made the paper a few times lately, on purpose and not-so-on-purpose. I can only hope that Ms. Compora will put her personal feelings aside and represent the city and its citizens respectfully and professionally as she was re-elected to do. It may help to remind her that 2,320 citizens did not vote for her re-election so perhaps she could be mindful of the rest of the city's citizens who are not her neighbors.
The last council meeting seemed a little more subdued. One piece of business they discussed a little and then voted on was the $700,000 bonding issue that the DDA "recommended." I have a bad feeling about the DDA's "recommendation" to put the DDA in debt for 20 years when have not seen a financial statement in around two years. It seems odd to me that seemingly responsible business people would commit the taxpayers to such a large debt without seeing the books and just taking the word of the mayor and our city staff that its OK.
It also seems a little odd to me that the projects proposed didn't make the top of the list of the suggested projects in the mayor's community visioning process that was held last April. Know what was number one? Parking deck. (A close second was an upscale restaurant - well, that's just about to come true - in spite of, not because of the city.) So, if the community's input was important and the participating citizens were truly thinking of their hopes and dreams and expectations for our downtown (and the "evil" merchants were hopelessly outnumbered) why are we going into debt for these particular projects?
The project that I have the most problem with is the Altrusa Park expense. This is a little park that will accomodate about 50 people or so on a good day and they want to put in bathrooms (they'll have to be handicap accessible, of course) which will take up even more space and will they be locked or unlocked and who's cleaning them? (How are we doing with the bathrooms at St. Mary's Park regarding accessibility and cleanliness right now, by the way?)
This project reminds me of a teenage boy with his first car who puts all his money into a cool paint job and a stereo instead of making sure he's got the money for the next car payment and insurance.
Oh, and since the City (Port of Monroe) is now the happy owner of the old United Furniture building on E. First perhaps they could consider putting the public bathrooms inside that building instead where perhaps it could be more accessible and user-friendly (especially in the winter).
So tell me again how much economic development this particular project is bringing to downtown to warrant such a large financial commitment for so many years? Wouldn't a parking deck to address the community's parking negatives about downtown investment be a little more appropriate and beneficial to encourage investment than another "cute" cosmetic project? Do you want to invest your life savings in a business in downtown because the DDA/City dumped a quarter of a million bucks to dress up that little hole in the wall (I thought our professional planners don't like holes in the buildingscape?) or would you feel better about the city finally seriously addressing parking with the expected tax income from the MB&T project?
Altrusa Park, such that it is right now, was developed as a project by the non-profit service group. Why couldn't it be possible to partner with them and/or other non-profits and interested parties to improve that area?
Why can't we work together in this community instead of bouncing off of each other?
Councilperson Compora has made the paper a few times lately, on purpose and not-so-on-purpose. I can only hope that Ms. Compora will put her personal feelings aside and represent the city and its citizens respectfully and professionally as she was re-elected to do. It may help to remind her that 2,320 citizens did not vote for her re-election so perhaps she could be mindful of the rest of the city's citizens who are not her neighbors.
The last council meeting seemed a little more subdued. One piece of business they discussed a little and then voted on was the $700,000 bonding issue that the DDA "recommended." I have a bad feeling about the DDA's "recommendation" to put the DDA in debt for 20 years when have not seen a financial statement in around two years. It seems odd to me that seemingly responsible business people would commit the taxpayers to such a large debt without seeing the books and just taking the word of the mayor and our city staff that its OK.
It also seems a little odd to me that the projects proposed didn't make the top of the list of the suggested projects in the mayor's community visioning process that was held last April. Know what was number one? Parking deck. (A close second was an upscale restaurant - well, that's just about to come true - in spite of, not because of the city.) So, if the community's input was important and the participating citizens were truly thinking of their hopes and dreams and expectations for our downtown (and the "evil" merchants were hopelessly outnumbered) why are we going into debt for these particular projects?
The project that I have the most problem with is the Altrusa Park expense. This is a little park that will accomodate about 50 people or so on a good day and they want to put in bathrooms (they'll have to be handicap accessible, of course) which will take up even more space and will they be locked or unlocked and who's cleaning them? (How are we doing with the bathrooms at St. Mary's Park regarding accessibility and cleanliness right now, by the way?)
This project reminds me of a teenage boy with his first car who puts all his money into a cool paint job and a stereo instead of making sure he's got the money for the next car payment and insurance.
Oh, and since the City (Port of Monroe) is now the happy owner of the old United Furniture building on E. First perhaps they could consider putting the public bathrooms inside that building instead where perhaps it could be more accessible and user-friendly (especially in the winter).
So tell me again how much economic development this particular project is bringing to downtown to warrant such a large financial commitment for so many years? Wouldn't a parking deck to address the community's parking negatives about downtown investment be a little more appropriate and beneficial to encourage investment than another "cute" cosmetic project? Do you want to invest your life savings in a business in downtown because the DDA/City dumped a quarter of a million bucks to dress up that little hole in the wall (I thought our professional planners don't like holes in the buildingscape?) or would you feel better about the city finally seriously addressing parking with the expected tax income from the MB&T project?
Altrusa Park, such that it is right now, was developed as a project by the non-profit service group. Why couldn't it be possible to partner with them and/or other non-profits and interested parties to improve that area?
Why can't we work together in this community instead of bouncing off of each other?
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Concerning Linda Compora, she must be given the benefit of the doubt. When Smith the Younger and the writer were over investigation what her interest in rezoning properties near her home might be, we did stop to get a photo of her hateful signs. She did come out and read my assumed shortcomings after she called the police. She claimed that I called the police on hospital helicopters which are totally false. Smith the Younger asked me if I got a photo of Linda screaming with her mouth open. Of course I did as that was her mode at the time.
See
http://historicmonroe.org/signs-of-monroe/linda-compora-sign.htm
http://historicmonroe.org/signs-of-monroe/linda-compora-2.htm
Linda may have read some letters to the Editor of the Monroe Evening News by Douglas Rousselo, Cindi Shankle, R.N. and Jenna Denher two of which assumed that I was hostile to helicopters flying over our house. These assumptions are totally false and that made made clear in Charlie Slat’s excellent article which requires three months of excellent investigative reporting. Charles article was written clearly in plain English. It stated that I had no objections to helicopters flying over our home. Dislike for the helicopters as an advertisement for other hospitals was stated by Dan Wakeman. The writer agrees with Mr. Wakeman on all points. I do hope that nurse Shankle does a better job of reading patents orders than the newspaper!
See http://historicmonroe.org/hospitals/heli.htm
Let me say that John Iacoangeli was a decent Mayor. Unlike some of his predecessors, his administration turned down a liquor license for a non conforming store in a residential neighborhood. City Government got my attention when Clarks Market was converted form a non conforming grocery to a liquor store. Would you like to know how Mullin’s Market became Anthony’s Party Store – I would. Someone had to lie when filling out the paperwork because is site is zoned residential.
http://historicmonroe.org/signs-of-monroe/mullins-market.htm
Indeed, some projects ought to be put on hold such as the street reconfiguration at Front and Third as well as Altrusa Park. We need to see where we stand and what is required to reduce taxes.
I know bumpouts can challenge fire trucks and engines. I do wonder if the one in Mason Run Development meets all codes to house a high-voltage transformer vault.
http://historicmonroe.org/north-of-river/mason-run.htm
Respectfully
David Alkire Smith the Elder
See
http://historicmonroe.org/signs-of-monroe/linda-compora-sign.htm
http://historicmonroe.org/signs-of-monroe/linda-compora-2.htm
Linda may have read some letters to the Editor of the Monroe Evening News by Douglas Rousselo, Cindi Shankle, R.N. and Jenna Denher two of which assumed that I was hostile to helicopters flying over our house. These assumptions are totally false and that made made clear in Charlie Slat’s excellent article which requires three months of excellent investigative reporting. Charles article was written clearly in plain English. It stated that I had no objections to helicopters flying over our home. Dislike for the helicopters as an advertisement for other hospitals was stated by Dan Wakeman. The writer agrees with Mr. Wakeman on all points. I do hope that nurse Shankle does a better job of reading patents orders than the newspaper!
See http://historicmonroe.org/hospitals/heli.htm
Let me say that John Iacoangeli was a decent Mayor. Unlike some of his predecessors, his administration turned down a liquor license for a non conforming store in a residential neighborhood. City Government got my attention when Clarks Market was converted form a non conforming grocery to a liquor store. Would you like to know how Mullin’s Market became Anthony’s Party Store – I would. Someone had to lie when filling out the paperwork because is site is zoned residential.
http://historicmonroe.org/signs-of-monroe/mullins-market.htm
Indeed, some projects ought to be put on hold such as the street reconfiguration at Front and Third as well as Altrusa Park. We need to see where we stand and what is required to reduce taxes.
I know bumpouts can challenge fire trucks and engines. I do wonder if the one in Mason Run Development meets all codes to house a high-voltage transformer vault.
http://historicmonroe.org/north-of-river/mason-run.htm
Respectfully
David Alkire Smith the Elder
If someone is shopping or dining downtown, and they need to use a restroom, can’t they go to the Mainstreet Monroe office?
Oops, probably nobody’s there.
Why not a merchant that they are downtown to frequent?
Where is this park I keep hearing about? I can think of a few vacant lots, but where is there a park?
Oops, probably nobody’s there.
Why not a merchant that they are downtown to frequent?
Where is this park I keep hearing about? I can think of a few vacant lots, but where is there a park?
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Shhhh...All so quiet now... so calm. All must be grand. Citizen76 basks in his glory... all is complete. A job well done. So he thinks.
Something Wicked This Way Comes...
(just remember to play nice, you are being monitored).
Something Wicked This Way Comes...
(just remember to play nice, you are being monitored).
Oh no Monroe stinks again! What happened to the change the feel that things were getting better, know we are back to one hour meetings and the "this is a waste of time" attitudes! Can you say its time for a citizens P.A.C. we want some action an agenda for the next 2 years. Mayor Iacoangeli at least had goals and a "vision" what do we have now? And Citizen76 if you think this is over then you must not have been paying attention. If you think that we the citizens are going to sit back and let the 3 CCC do nothing for the next two years but repair the communication in town then your crazy. Whats the plan? Is there one? We will wait, and yes we are watching...always
I am troubled by the article about the four City Council members having a closed door meeting before the last Council meeting. I believe that if they say that they were socializing, and not conducting City business, then we owe them the common courtesy of believing them. After all, we did elect them. What troubles me more is the fact that Councilwoman Compora would direct her concerns to Mr. Bennett, a Monroe Evening News reporter, instead of asking the four men involved what they were talking about. If she were truly concerned after that, then her concerns should have been directed to the Police Department for investigation. Even more troubling is the fact that at one of the final Council meetings under John Iacoangeli, Ms Compora stated that she would miss the meetings at the former Mayor’s residence. Check the video of the Council meeting and you will see for yourself. She and other Council members met during the campaign at the former Mayor’s house. Did she make an attempt to make these meetings public? Was she in violation of the Open Meetings Act? Does SHE have a guilty conscience? It seems that she is bitter that the new Councilmen were elected, and now she feels that she has to try and catch them doing something illegal. Maybe she is just mad that her motion was not supported at the last Council meeting. It certainly was a motion that did not deserve support, since it is not up to this Councilwoman to make a Mayor’s appointment. He obviously made the appointments to fill the vacant positions with the Council members who he felt would attend the various committee meetings, and would best serve the committees. Maybe she was upset that the language about the Mayor’s car in the so called “ethics policy” was being removed? She went on a rant about the Mayor not deserving a car, when the motion was for removing the section of the ordinance referring to a car. She obviously didn’t read her agenda very well, or she would have seen that the motion was not speaking about giving the Mayor a car. Does she know that the Mayor wants a car? Does she know if the other Council members want the Mayor to have a car? Unfortunately, we may have to put up with this childish behavior out of Councilwoman Compora for another two years, unless she disrupts Council enough to deserve to be recalled. Then we would only have to put up with this type of behavior for six months.
Recall is not such a bad idea.
Linda is now learning the hard way how Councilperson Wetzel felt for the last two years.
Linda has every right to go into council lounge at anytime. Why does she act like a two year old and go running to the parent aka Debbie to break it up? Doesn't she have enough confidence to intervene on her own behalf? She needs to cry to Debbie and the Non-partisan Monroe Evening News?
By my calculations Linda did not win a majority of the vote in the last election. Lets recall her - I assume those who voted against her would support such a move.
I for one would like someone in that seat who can understand the issues at hand, and has a little maturity.
Linda is now learning the hard way how Councilperson Wetzel felt for the last two years.
Linda has every right to go into council lounge at anytime. Why does she act like a two year old and go running to the parent aka Debbie to break it up? Doesn't she have enough confidence to intervene on her own behalf? She needs to cry to Debbie and the Non-partisan Monroe Evening News?
By my calculations Linda did not win a majority of the vote in the last election. Lets recall her - I assume those who voted against her would support such a move.
I for one would like someone in that seat who can understand the issues at hand, and has a little maturity.
APPALLING LINDA !
Did you expect ANYTHING else from Lady Compora?
She makes bigger stinks than IKO. But God love her, she will make the next two years something to talk about! Just as the CCC thought they had it sewn up, our heroine comes on the scene to rattle their cages and turn the focus of any assemblance of a meeting on HERSELF! Vive La Linda!
And what better way to do so than to drag the backdoor gang out front and center! Speaking of recalling her? HOW APPALLING! That's Entertainment!
Not that I am defending the others, we all know they probably had their minds together well before five minutes to curtain call.
Verdicts out on Mr. Martin and ditto to Mr. Burkett who truly would seem to be one to help anyone.
And if I'm not mistaken, wasn't it the Evening News that pointed out Debbie Manns did the RIGHT THING by breaking up the meeting? Now ain't that a kick in the ass?
Here, the council is poising to get rid of her and she goes and does something so right, it's gonna look pretty bad when they give their piddly reason for her dismissal.
And CityCitizen76, we sure miss your wit and candor. I was hoping for another fun poem like the little train ditty you wrote for the past mayor to cover the already exciting but certainly lackluster goings on of our new band of cronies. But wait, I forgot.. this is your team.
I guess we'll just keep watching you kids to see what you're up to.
Instant Karma's gonna get you.
Did you expect ANYTHING else from Lady Compora?
She makes bigger stinks than IKO. But God love her, she will make the next two years something to talk about! Just as the CCC thought they had it sewn up, our heroine comes on the scene to rattle their cages and turn the focus of any assemblance of a meeting on HERSELF! Vive La Linda!
And what better way to do so than to drag the backdoor gang out front and center! Speaking of recalling her? HOW APPALLING! That's Entertainment!
Not that I am defending the others, we all know they probably had their minds together well before five minutes to curtain call.
Verdicts out on Mr. Martin and ditto to Mr. Burkett who truly would seem to be one to help anyone.
And if I'm not mistaken, wasn't it the Evening News that pointed out Debbie Manns did the RIGHT THING by breaking up the meeting? Now ain't that a kick in the ass?
Here, the council is poising to get rid of her and she goes and does something so right, it's gonna look pretty bad when they give their piddly reason for her dismissal.
And CityCitizen76, we sure miss your wit and candor. I was hoping for another fun poem like the little train ditty you wrote for the past mayor to cover the already exciting but certainly lackluster goings on of our new band of cronies. But wait, I forgot.. this is your team.
I guess we'll just keep watching you kids to see what you're up to.
Instant Karma's gonna get you.
I suppose some people find blatant stupidity entertaining.
This is probably why the three stooges and Benny Hill are still popular.
It is not a trait that I find desirable in my lawmakers.
If I wanted entertainment, I would have voted for the previous slate. I want responsible government, less waste, and less rancor.
This is probably why the three stooges and Benny Hill are still popular.
It is not a trait that I find desirable in my lawmakers.
If I wanted entertainment, I would have voted for the previous slate. I want responsible government, less waste, and less rancor.
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