![[Brazil Times]](http://www.thebraziltimes.com/images/nameplate-small.png){kind=small}
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Read comments (19)
 |
| Eric Vanatti [Order this photo] |
![[Order this photo]](http://thebraziltimes.mycapture.com/mycapture/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return%20to%20site&backurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebraziltimes.com%2Fstory%2F1454419.html&thumbpath=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebraziltimes.com%2Fphotos%2F11%2F64%2F64%2F1164645-S.jpg&previewpath=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebraziltimes.com%2Fphotos%2F11%2F64%2F64%2F1164645-L.jpg&pricingsheetid=1599){kind=link}
A reserve police officer is no longer enforcing just the law.
On Tuesday, Brazil Mayor Ann Bradshaw named Eric Vanatti the Interim Planning Administrator.
Vanatti, a reserve officer with the Brazil City Police Department, is the temporary replacement for Michele Altman, who resigned Aug. 11.
"I had been working with Michele for about a year and Ann felt I was the best qualified to temporarily hold the position," Vanatti said. "While the city is finished accepting applications, they don't want to put the permanent replacement in too quickly."
He added that the city is wanting to make sure they find a qualified replacement who has knowledge of local and state ordinances.
However, Vanatti is not acting as a placeholder.
"Since Michele resigned, some residents have gotten the idea that they can do whatever they want until the permanent replacement is named," he said. "However, we are continuing to enforce the ordinances and working on our projects as usual."
One of the major issues the Planning Office is working on is the presence of unsafe and abandoned buildings in the city.
"Criminals tend to hang out in abandoned buildings and we are trying our best to at least get them boarded up with the recent criminal activity," Vanatti said. "We also want to get the buildings secure because they are also classified as arson risks."
Vanatti, who recently graduated from ISU with a bachelor's degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice with minors in public administration, political science and psychology, is also attempting to regain the faith of residents who may have been treated wrongly in the past.
"Previous administration was a little harsh in the code enforcement aspect," he said. "We are wanting to reconstruct the way we are doing things in order to make things more citizen-friendly."
He is encouraging all residents to call the office with complaints about properties and wants to ensure everyone that he will do all he can to serve their needs.
"Even if they feel they have been ignored in the past, residents should call if they find something that needs to be done," Vanatti said. "We are now keeping a call log so we can make sure that everyone who calls in is attended to. Elsie Hawkins handles most of the administrative duties in the office and there is always someone in the office to take calls."
Monday was the final day to submit applications for the position. The city received more than 20 applications and will be starting interviews today.
To contact the Planning Office, residents can call the direct line at 446-0050 or Brazil City Hall at 443-2221.
I think Eric is doing a great job. At least the town is starting to get cleaned up. I was getting tired of looking at all the trash in Brazil.Eric you keep doing what you have been doing and then maybe one day Brazil will be a great town again.
I have to give credit where credit is due. Eric took care of the house next to mine, we had talked to two prior people in that position and always got the run around. He came and looked at it and is getting things done... and quick!!! Thanks Eric keep up the good work
wow.. I really don't understand how you go from reserve police officer to being in the planning office? I really think Eric needs some more crendentials than what he has. I guess as long as he gets stuff done while he is in the position it is fine by me
-WHYINBRAZIL
Two easy ways to fix the issues you are having. 1. move far far away
2. run for mayor and fix it!
Funny to condemn the ones on the forum talking about the issues, stating having a real life, but do not forget you took the time out of your real life to post. Eric will do a fine job, I am sure.
I find this to be hilarious! Eric will be the next Administrator even thou he has no knowledge of the job. LOOK people its City Hall...it does not matter how well you do something or what you know. Its all WHO you know and how well you kiss up to them. City hall is just full of backstabbing, lies, and major egos. Trust me I know what Im talking about and Im very glad not to be working there anymore. There is noone there out to see to the best of Brazil but only their own agenda...and getting their picture in a small town news paper.
Love to read the paper online and watch the drama unfold knowing when I turn off my computer...I have a real life!
You are all pointing fingers and accusing others of stupid and petty accusations. I don't think its inappropriate to refer to the Major as "Ann." Its Brazil, Indiana, and its a part of its coziness to be able to call someone by their first name. Respect for the office sounds like you are looking for something to criticize and your grasping at straws for an argument.
Has Eric, I'm sorry, Interim Planning Administrator made any claims that he is planning on staying? I hope he does, I want to see you people get all whiney again...
Oh, and because I know how you all work...I'm not friends with Eric, I have gotten a ticket before, and clean your yard up and you would have to worry about getting citations.
sorry about the double comment, my mistake
I am sure Mr. Vanatti will be appointed UNLESS someone in Ann's family needs a job.
I am quite sure Mr. Vanatti will be appointed unless someone in Mayor Ann's family needs a job.
'
Ariesgirl~
Just like 4u2nv; I have never been cited for anything ~ I just have to wonder why a temporary appointment states changes & future plans for the Planning Adminstrator's Office ~ by the text of the Times article & comments Mr. Vanatti has made on this site; one has to assume that he intends or assumes to be in this office for a LONG term ~ AND just what are you basing his job performance on ~ Mr. Vanatti hasn't proved anything, yet ~ this is a "sit back & watch" situation ~ but my guess is that he will be appointed the new permanent Planning Administrator ~ time will tell~
I for one care about our neighborhoods and what the community looks like and I think Eric is doing a wonderful job! He is very capable of handling the position. I think those of you who are complaining have obviously been cited for some reason. I am sure you are just angry that someone is taking the initative to make you keep your properties clean etc... I am sure your neighbors are happy that Mr. Vanatti is doing his job -- and a good one at that!! Keep up the good work Eric!
Eric states that he had nothing to do with the sign ordinance but I believe I remember reading an article in the Brazil Times with quotes from Eric in refernece the sign ordinance!
Here's a question ~ I don't remember anyone employed with the city referring to the Mayor as "Ann" ~ not even those employed for years with the city refer to the Mayor as anything but the Mayor ~ maybe respect of position is one of the first things that Mr. Vanatti should implement ~
Mr. Vanatti has mentioned many changes & future plans for an office that he is in temporarily ~ is the application process just a way to satisfy the general public ~ maybe Mr. Vanatti intends or assumes that his stay in the Planning Office will be a LONG one ~ his article & reply to comments certainly implies just that ~ I think we all know who our new Planning Administrator is ~ maybe we should all ask "Ann" to be sure ~
Did Michele resign or was it requested????????????
Well put Vanatti.
Hello,
My my name is Eric Vanatti. I just wanted to reply to the comments that were made about the sign ordinance. There may be a misconception about who enforced the sign ordinance. That individual was not me. I actually was pretty surprised that previous administration was enforcing the sign ordinance and wanting to take baker bob down immediately. I would have handled the situation a little different, allowing baker Bob to stay outside until we could get a reasonable sign ordinance together.
As far as the junk cars on peoples property goes, I would like to collaborate with the police department in removing some of these abandoned vehicles. I am able to communicate effectively with the police department to actually get these vehicles tagged. Planning and Zoning will be working with all city departments as a team.
I appreciate the opportunity to post on here and hope that I can work with the citizens of Brazil as Interim Planning Administrator. Please contact my office and speak to me with any concerns you may have.
Sincerely,
Eric Vanatti
Isnt he the one that caused all the problems with the local shops having signs out in front of their shops? Lets hope that Interim means Interim.
Quote.. "Previous administration was a little harsh in the code enforcement aspect"... Unquote
By being a little harsh does he mean that they tried to get the junk cars off peoples properties? Or off the streets where they would sit with flat tires for months on end? or does he mean that he does not want to offend anyone so it will be O.K. for your house/yard to be an eyesore or rodent nursery?
Hey congrats Eric!