Scary Scary Stuff

Tonight's meeting only lasted an hour, more like it should. Sad, but attendance was down.

Say Budget....it is that time of year again..believe me only from experience is this a process I don't care to deal with. I am sure things have changed since the days of doing everything on paper and it had to be duplicated at that. Now as with progress, everything is done online. Was a little confused over statement about not sure where last years budget is, but I am assuming it is somewhere on the computer. Once again, the software program seems to be an issue.

Brandon informed everyone that the storm drain project is coming along and that he is working on some quotes for road repair.

I was surprised to hear that there are still a few homes in town that have not hooked up to the sewer. There was talk about putting liens on properties, but was pleased to hear the board say they would like to work with these people and find a solution.....there was actually compassion shown and I like that.

Heard this little ditty yesterday and I will say this is hearsay, gossip whatever you want to call it...the Robinsons have water in their shop but no bathroom, for some reason they got a sewer bill for the water....that doesn't fly with me. If this decision was made by the Board, shame on them...when was that meeting held?? My next question is this...if people have a pool house with a bathroom, are they paying two sewer bills or one? Maybe that should be looked into. This will definitely be brought up at the next meeting...to be continued.

There will be a caucus held on Thursday, August 19 at 7:00 pm to replace board member Rick Stookey. Rick resigned back in May, but it has taken this long to get the process rolling. I have not heard any names of those interested in the position...

and that my friends....is scary, scary stuff..

We're Sinking

Unfortunately, I worked late tonight and didn't make the first 45 minutes of the town council meeting.

The meeting was held at the Lions Building because of the discussion with the Area Planning Commission. What questions I heard, were good questions, some repetitive. Someone asked why would we want to join the Commission when we don't have any problems in town. This is where the problem lies. We have had single family homes that have been turned into triplexes and the neighbors don't like it. I get that, but I don't want to have to ask someone permission to be able to do something to my property. A questionnaire was discussed to see what members of the community think of the Area Plan Commission, but at the end of the meeting nothing was resolved.

Once again Rick Stookey was not in attendance at the meeting. Like I said, I missed the beginning of the meeting, so I am not sure what was said about this. The question was asked where and what is going on with Rick Stookey? The board said they were not sure what was happening. I can't figure it out....It is like "Where is Rick Stookey"???

On a sad note, the pizza place has closed and I heard that there are possibly two other businesses that are thinking of closing their doors. I went into the grocery store last week and it saddened me to see what it had become....I am sure people don't frequent it, that is very obvious when you walk in the door. Sad because that is why people came to Leesburg, not anymore. Not sure what the answers to these problems are and I don't think our town council knows either.

So, as someone said last night...."We Are Sinking"

Jumbled up Mess

First things first...where was Rick Stookey tonight? The council members stated he would not be at the meeting. Rick told me on Memorial Day, he had resigned. So, I am confused as to what is going on. Maybe they are buying Harold Jones some time to decide on whom he should appoint. I mean really, can it get any worse???

The Area Plan Commission was in attendance and did a little presentation on what they can do for the community. Lets just say, there were a lot of people not happy. Bottom line, the next board meeting will be held at a larger venue where the residents of Leesburg can voice their opinions on the matter.

Early in the meeting, Tanya Wood struck quite the nerve of council member Moore. Tanya had heard some rumors and was trying to figure out if they were true about some appropriations. Moore grabbed the gavel and slammed it down. I believe Judge Joe Brown would have been proud. He thought she was attacking our current clerk treasurer and maybe in her own way she was. End result here, his outburst was an embarrassment.....

Brandon Queen was named as our new street commissioner. He is a young pup....my fear is that he will not be man enough to stand up to Moore and Jones and that he is impressionable. I hope he realizes that Jones and Moore may not be the best role models.

So I end this entry with the same words used to describe the software program that the town is using....

"Its a jumbled up mess"

Another One Bites The Dust

I am totally amazed that Leesburg keeps hitting the front page of the Warsaw Times Union.

Here is the story:

Last Monday, May 17, council member Tom Moore fired, yes folks fired, Ed Riordan. As far as I know, Tom gave no reason for the firing, but I was not there. On the front page of the WTU last night, it tells of a special meeting that was held on Monday, May 24, terminating Ed's employment. Did Tom have the legal right to fire Ed on May 17 and why didn't that part of the story make the paper?

I am just amazed at the arrrogance and the politics that are being played out in Leesburg. I have been told that this is reminiscent of 1982. Back in '82, when Tom was on the council, he fired that street commisioner too. What is it with Tom firing street commissiners??

I feel that we need to get the word out and have as many people as possible come to the council meetings every month. The haughtiness of the new council members is sickening.

This is Leesburg.....not Jonestown or Mooresville.

Put a Muzzle on It

The board meeting was fairly long tonight. Discussion about the sewer system and the new storm drain, but the discussion was needed. Seems there was a change in the engineering plan and it will cost another $30,000 with the storm drain project. At the end of the day, it is a $1million grant and everything should work out fine for the storm drains.

The town will be getting a website, does that surprise anyone??? Think about one of our new board members, his services are free though. I agree with an email address for the clerk treasurer, there is so much communication from the state, but I am not sure how many people will actually go to the website. I guess time will tell. They are looking for a domain name, may I suggest we don't use Jonesville.com, just my opinion.

Another meeting with good attendance. Guess who showed up???? Mr. Ellis, I don't believe he knew who I was until one of the board members answered my question starting with "well Carolyn". I don't believe I have seen a head turn that fast since the Exorcist....

As for Mr. Ellis, I have never heard anyone talk so much and say so little. Actually at the meeting one of the Kammerer men finally said, put a muzzle on it.....

So, that is it for the second Monday of May.

Patient and Neighborly

I went to the town council meeting tonight. As predicted, we lost our clerk treasurer. I am sure she has made the right decision. I applaud her for dealing with all of the ins-and-outs of the sewer project. A new clerk treasurer will be appointed. Mmmm, I wonder if the new boys on the block have someone in mind????

It was a pretty normal meeting. Questions regarding the sewer, storm drains and grants. Proud of one member of the community for questioning the board on a rumor that would effect his business. The council members assured him that this was not the case. We shall see. Why do I say we shall see? Well one of our new council members and this business owner have had a difference of opinion for quite some time. I think as a community we need to stay on top of this issue and not let arrogance run this town.

The good news is, the meeting was well attended. I believe that if we continue to attend these meetings, that the council members will know that we are not going to sit back and just let things happen. They wanted change, I say we give them change.

A positive note tonight, the announcement of the Memorial Day parade. It will be held on May 31st and starts at 10:30 a.m. If you have never attended the Leesburg Memorial Day parade, you should. It is what community is about...

I will end this with the closing words of one of our council members last night.

Be patient and neighborly.

Shame

I recently wrote a letter to the editor because I was annoyed by a letter I had read about Leesburg. It wasn't the first time I had read this person's letters, but this last one pushed me over the line. I told myself I would write my letter and would not play any petty he-said, she-said games. I would write one letter and be done, regardless of any letters that may be addressed to mine.

I must admit, this is harder than it seems. There was a letter to the editor in last nights paper titled "Shame". When I read it last night, it made me proud of the letter I had written. I am still not clear why this couple questioned my ability to have written my own letter, nor why they assumed someone put me up to it. I can guarantee you no one put me up to it, no one had to.

It was obvious this couple has not read all the letters to the editor this person has written, that is unfortunate for them, but such is life.

I am proud that after my letter was in the paper, I had people call me and stop to tell me thanks for your letter, it said everything that needed to be said.

So, there is no "Shame" on my part, maybe there should be "Shame" on theirs.

Changes

The month of March was a more like a lion than a lamb. Two town council members resigned and two new members were appointed. The two new appointed members are Doug Jones and Tom Moore. Both men are long time Leesburg residents and business owners.

I keep hearing that we need change. Don't get me wrong, change is a good thing, my problem is, I am not sure how these changes are going to take place. Budgets are continually cut and the last time I knew, money doesn't grow on tree's.

Unfortunately, with the newly appointed council members we will lose our clerk-treasurer. I could go on about why we will lose her, but anyone that has lived in Leesburg for any period of time will be able to figure that out. By the way, did I mention our two new council members are Doug Jones and Tom Moore....

On another note, it looks as if the Leesburg Elementary school is coming along, the Leesburg Lions Club just held a well attended fish fry and I do believe Spring is in the air....