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Where were you?Posted Friday, February 27, 2009, at 6:24 AM
I attended Thursday's council meeting regarding the wastewater billing increase and I will be darned!
There was a public notice about this meeting and yet, it was me, a reporter, the council, the CPA's and the Brazil Water Utilities employee and at the end, Brazil Chief of Police Dave Archer. Where was everyone? Does no one read the notices or paper? There have been so many to e-mail me and speak out in protest of such an "unnecessary" adjustment, but yet, you see who was there. I hope to see you all at the city meeting March 10, but I will tell you this. I am steamed! This could have easily been prevented had the two former mayors of this wonderful town really cared about the citizens. That's right everyone. Truth is, they knew the worked the work needed done and they were aware of the simple word called inflation. I was shocked that the citizens of Brazil had not had a single increase in their rates since 1996 for sewage/wastewater! 1996? Oh my gosh! You lucky people! Where I come from, there is an increase if not year, definitely every other year! Thanks to your formers mayors, you now have a wastewater system that is desperately in need of repair. What is desperately in need of repair is the difference between poop in your yard or drinking water versus clean water and yards. Pumps are rotted and have been welded to maintain usage. They can no longer function properly in the condition that time, rust and erosion has whittled down to one boil advisory after another. Lines are rusted, bursting and backing up and some citizen's yards have become cesspools. Also, the manhole issues where sewer gas is emitting such a horrific odor that the homes near it are unlivable must be repaired for their health and safety as well. Oh, I am sure Mayor Bradshaw will be demonized because she is forced to make such a huge increase in order to simply get our system back into shape. That is such a crock! If you're mad, get mad at your three former mayors who were aware of the situation yet did nothing about it. I don't know about you all, but I am willing to cut my cable channels back or spend less on the non-necessities so that I have my little boy go out and play in the yard without that "bubbling crude" that isn't oil at all ... it's our neighbor's poo. I was there. I saw the council and Mayor Bradshaw's passion and intellect shine. They spoke on behalf of you, our kids and me. It was beautiful and as you read this, they are thinking of ways to handle things without hurting our wallets if they can. As you show up for that meeting on March 10, consider this: Mayor Bradshaw and the council do care about we the citizens of this wonderful town and I would suggest to you that you please show up on March 10 and hear the ramifications of those who preceded our current mayor and why this is happening to us now. Karen Meister can be contacted at ksframeofmind@yahoo.com. Comments Showing most recent comments first [Show in chronological order instead] |
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Yes, she has Jenny. I contacted her today and she confirmed that indeed not only has our town engineer gone to Washington D.C. to meet with Senator Ellsworth in order to procure funding for Brazil, but that Brazil has also put in an application for the stimulus funds as well.
Thanks for your comments!
KM.
This was in today's Indianapolis Business Journal
I hope Mayor Bradshaw applied for some of this grant money.
"Sewer, water plants to get $122M in stimulus
State officials are drafting plans to spend nearly $122 million in federal stimulus money to clean up Indiana's aging, overflow-prone sewers and upgrade its drinking water systems. Although federal agencies are still fine-tuning details of how the nation's $787 billion stimulus package can be spent, Friday was the first deadline for communities seeking money set aside for sewer or drinking water systems. Indiana cities and towns competing for a share of that money had to submit applications for the projects they hope will get stimulus funds. Officials expect to have a final tally today of how many applied for the aid. Full Story"
Welcome to the City of Brazil, located in picturesque Clay County in the great State of Indiana in the greatest nation of the world, the United States of America, Karen!..............LOL!
This is the place where I tell you most people think of today instead of planning ahead, not only here but just about everywhere. People also tend to look at how much a project or a fee costs without considering what they are going to get out of it or for it in the long term. Most of us, myself included, tend to let other people worry about things until we decide to get involved. Then, if you concentrate on one thing, you cannot possibly be involved in too many others, not and have a life of your own....LOL. I am disabled and don't have a job but even I don't have the time to attend every meeting of every political entity that governs the daily functions of the city and county.
I got involved in the schools. That is not the first project that concerned me, but you were not in the area when the Justice Center was built. We had problems with that project, too. We did need a new jail but not exactly what we have now. There were costs that could have been avoided, problems with contractors, and problems with workmanship. After that project, when the schools released the $56 million dollar figure, I started asking questions. When my questions were not answered, I started the research into the school corporation. Now, I'm pretty well fully involved with the schools.
The City of Brazil has an old worn-out water system, along with roads, sidewalks, and other things that need repaired. Someone stated that politicians have a rough time of it as they are chosen because of their popularity then put into a position where they should do unpopular things. That is about the size of it. Many times, what needs to be done for the public isn't what the public want you to do. Now, the current city administration is in that position with the water system, it has came to the point where something has to be done! Looking ahead, we not only need to fix the system, but we also need to plan our fees to keep it in repair and plan for the new system to be replaced several decades from now. That was what I see with the schools. In our schools, we need to cut our operating costs so that we can afford to educate the students and we need to accept the fact that our schools and school corporation will change to do that. The City of Brazil changes constantly, too. Laws change, sometimes requiring change. Life is ever-changing.
There is always someone to blame for the current situation, but pointing fingers and mouthing words doesn't solve the problem. It is not where we are or how we got here that is important. What is important is a solution to the current problem that will lead to fewer problems in the future. In the schools, we have about forty years before we will have to build a new elementary school but when we do we will be faced with replacing all of the elementary schools within twenty years. It is the same problem that we have with the water system. No one wants to pay for it; they just want it fixed without spending money. In poor English......IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!!
First, let me say thank you taking the time to reply to these posts. Second, I would like to make it perfectly clear that I like the mayor as a person and think that she does care about the town of Brazil. But, I think you are walking into the room backwards when you drop the ball on the previous administrations when she was part of the same administrations that are being criticized. I think you can go as far back and Norval Pickett if you want to pass the buck. I think the next several administrations were just trying to dig out of the holes he dug. But they did the best they could with what they were dealt. Unfortunately this mayor is going to have to pay some debts, like the water tower, that are left over. But again, she knew about them long before she became mayor. I'm sure Kenny Crabb didnt expect to have to replace all the sidewalks in town due to a lawsuit, but he did.
Now to answer your question, yes myhusband I have called the mayors office about some of the above issues , primarily, the CITY dump that is right here in our neighborhood. I guess the best way I can answer that issue is, the trash is still there.
Note: Kenny Crabb is a very nice man and was a great educator, but his worse fault was that he might have been too nice. He tried to please everyone and couldnt. If Mr. Crabb dropped a candy wrapper on the ground I dont believe it was an intentional act. Unfortunate maybe, but consciously, I dont think so. I know that when he was the principal at Forest Park Elem he would go out every day and help the kids raise the flag and they had "crews" that he helped clean the playground. But this is way off the subject, so....
Your characterization of past Mayor Crabb is way misguided. Maybe he wasn't the best politician, but having retired from I don't know maybe 40 as an educator, NO ONE cares for the people (especially kids) in this town more than Mr. Crabb. If the administration should be looking ahead, what about the fresh water lines in this town that are roughly 100 years old. Are we now making arraingements to have them replaced?
Oh and just to clarify, I am new to the meetings and just becoming involved. Anyone who is willing and kind enough to take time out to email me about past administrations and experiences, I am so open to learning. That is how discretion is born. Knowing both sides and then choosing wisely from the knowledge gleaned.
Thanks for your comments and please teach away, my ears are WIDE OPEN!
KM.
I care,
Have you ever called Mayor Bradshaw? I am just curious as I have and my issues were resolved and this was before I started blogging. I was greeted warmly and with, dare I say, affection, then asked what was needed and action was quickly taken.
I don't know what part of town you are located in, but I have heard some dogs barking all night too and you're right, it's annoying as all get out.
I am sorry to hear that you are so discouraged, and I would hope that you would give Mayor Bradshaw a call and a chance to hear your grievances and then help you out where she is able. I get the impression that Mayor Bradshaw is the genuine article. She has grown up here and she seems so dedicated to doing what is right even when it makes her not so popular for doing it. What can I say? I like her chutzpah!
Her number is: 812-443-2221. Give her a call and see what can happen. What harm would it do now? If you are planning on leaving anyway, maybe no matter what happens, you are inevitably going to have to go due to financial concerns but at the very least, give her a shot to help.
Thanks for your comments, I do enjoy reading them so much. I hope it all works out for you.
KM.
Well just to clarify, I am not a Bradshaw Basher, but I do get tired of everyone blaming previous administrations and ignoring the fact that she was part of the "previous" administrations. Why did she not address some of these problems before? I love Brazil and therefore when I do move it will still be in the 47834 zip code. But I have lived here long enough to know that even if you go to these meetings, the end result is the same; they are going to do what they want to do. I attended a meeting this past summer about the sign ordinance and was so frustrated. They come up with these ridiculous laws about signs and then allow Mario to block half the sidewalk. I know this is off the subject and beating a dead horse, but that is what I mean by; they are going to do what they want to do.
In the end, I cant afford to live where I live. My vehicles are beat to death, my water bill is crazy, the dogs that bark 24 hours (another problem that seems to get swept under the rug) and the neighbor who uses his yard as the city dump. I hate it, but that is the sad facts. You cant beat city hall, but you can be beat down by them.
Karen, I was also at the meeting. In order for citizens to have an active part in the community people need to attend the meetings. It's a shame. Thanks for the great blog.
-Eric Vanatti
Thanks for your great comments and I need to address my emailers. I hope you will understand the answers based on my references. I have promised to keep you all anonymous and WILL ALWAYS DO SO unless otherwise requested.
1. Since I did not live within the City of Brazil prior to Mayor Bradshaw, I cannot offer you any reasons as to why the former Mayor's chose to keep the rates the same. That decision was an odd one to me as I don't know how they couldn't have known that there is "payday someday". Just based on inflation alone the increases could have been incremental and therefore, less stressing to those on fixed incomes. I don't know...I am as confused as you are. Thanks for your email! (That should cover about 6 of you! Lol.)
2. My concern was greater that this City is always so vocal about things that go on and that there were not more "butts on the benches" at the meeting. I know there is a City Meeting as well where the CPA will explain this issue, but I was just sure that someone out there in the City may have had a better solution or helpful idea to avoid such a hit. These are the times I wish I had become an Engineer. Lol. I know a few plumbers and I wonder (because I know NOTHING about plumbing) if they could have heard what the CPA said about repairs and thought, "Hey wait a minute!"... Oh well, just a thought. Thanks for your email!
3. This is specifically for the "Bradshaw Bashers". Why have you all not called her yet? I'm telling you, she will sit down with each and every one of you and explain exactly why she is doing what she is doing. There is a Council involved here as well and the concern that ran through that meeting last night was phenomenal. All across the table from Pat down to Joe were looks of concern and deep thought as they pored over each and every document presented to them. There was discussion after adjournment as well. This is a MAJOR issue! One that NO ONE is taking lightly. Do you think they want to see people leave town over this? NO WAY!
Granted, Mayor Bradshaw is faced with some tough issues and I hope that we can as a community look past our anger and seek the reasons why these issues are even happening. Government often runs like this (even up to the Presidency). The new person always has to change, or clean up what the one did before them and the person before them, the person prior. I am sure that Mayor Bradshaw did not get in on her looks and personality alone. She had to have some pretty good stances on issues or the voting ballots would have come out VERY differently. I don't think anyone knows really what a job entails until they are sitting behind that desk themselves. (someone emailed me that about my Senator Lugar Blog and I am sooo glad they did..really opened my eyes!) Thanks for your emails as well!
4. Please understand that I am not a Politician nor am I an expert in anything other than perhaps eating too much or changing diapers while mouth breathing to avoid retching. Lol. Oh! I used to be able to guzzle a beer upside down in my younger days, but that was then...sigh. Lol. (not a small feat for a 6 foot tall chick) Finally, for those last 3 emails, no, I haven't told you all lately how much I adore you all, but I do and someone told me this little ditty years ago about that:
A wife goes to her husband one day and says, "Honey after all these years, do you still love me?" Her husband replied:"I told you on our wedding day that I loved you and I will let you know if anything changes."
Moral of the story: Know you're loved and appreciated until told otherwise. Lol. Thanks all for your emails and keep them coming!!
KM.
In case you didnt know, and I'm sure you did, Mayor Bradshaw was on the city council during the previous administrations. Seems to me passing the buck backwards should also fall in her lap. I didn't attend because I dont really have a problem with raising the water bill. But the sewage bill is another story. I am looking to move out of he city limits and am hoping that I find a place with a well and a septic tank. The $125.00 a month I pay now will be applied to my house payment.
Karen:
Kudos for attending. NOW you will understand even more how the lack of interest in competitive education and literacy in this county bothers me so. Some months it's just Leo and me...More often just Leo as I seem to be double booked some school board nights.
Meeting attendance is only a small part of the issue. It is a reflection in general of what the USA has been doing since the end of the cold war...Living off of last generations' hard work and accomplishments and extending our "credit" only to have us now and moreover our children have to pay for what we've been receiving for so long at reduced cost.
Had we paid as we went all along we would not have the economic nor the educational woes...but that is 20:20 hindsight now.
Time to pony up and start paying for what we should have been paying all along. Does the city of Brazil even HAVE A city engineer to guide elected officials in maintenance of its infrastructure? Without one, officials many times opt to make decisions based on votes only and do in current administration what will get them reelected in the next instead of doing their current job. We see this all they way up the office of the president. Ms Bradshaw has a tough row to hoe if she is going to really deal effectively with this issue but maybe instead of being re elected she will still be able to live with herself and her maker. Something I am not sure how some previous officials have been able to do.
We must change our mindset to appreciate officials for making tough and workable management decisions that will protect our infrastructure and also be wiling to share the cost of doing so.
Karen, this is how we have always done things in this city/county. We have always had a majority of local politicians/board/council members who did not have the political will to take on the tough decisions. Or in those few instances where they did, then there was always public outcry because of the tax/rate increases(which as you say were never raised for years at a time), or with the schools, we had a well-managed minority group that either stopped building programs altogether or at least delayed them to the point of costing even more for a lesser project. And yes, I did support the recent remonstrance for the elementary school project, but that was a different blog.
To be a politician is a curious and tenuous thing. Because by definition (unless you were appointed), you have to win a popularity contest (an election) and then if you are doing your job responsibly, then you are probably doing things that are unpopular. Mayor Bradshaw is in a tough position, and yes this was the making of previous mayors' inaction. But she still needs to do the right thing. I would hope that maybe some grants, or federal funding would assist in these kind of municipal projects.
One way or another, and sooner probably rather than later, something is going to have be done.