CLINTON —
I would like to thank Councilmen John Rowland and Paul Gassman for standing up for all the residents in this city.
By requesting the state of Iowa to take a closer look into the dealings of the city of Clinton they have shown that they do want to be accountable to the citizens.
I, like many, believe the sewer and solid waste is only a beginning point and I believe all the financial records should be scrutinized.
It’s amazing that a town the size of Clinton could have the distinction of having the highest sewer rates in the entire state, soon to be possibly the highest in the whole country.
It’s not a new problem but a problem that has grown and been given lip service for many years, now ballooning to a point it can no longer be ignored, hid under the carpet or passed along in the form of increases.
It’s amazing also that they cannot muster the date to intelligently estimate the cost of garbage collection or find a way to bill even when given the approval to charge an interim flat rate.
It appears they’ve also chosen to give up the thought of charging with a tipping fee (the one that was sold to us as better than sliced bread) ultimately abandoning all the equipment and software purchased for that purpose.
We’re more than a year into a PAYT (Pay As You Throw) system and they never charged a dime and doubtful if they have even established a complete list of customers to bill.
Has anyone been told what this system cost just for hardware, let alone the total estimated revenue lost? Back to the sewage system, has anyone been told the true cost of the sewage treatment facility along with all the associated piping, lift systems, etc. let alone what the additional costs of operation and maintenance?
These are only two of the critical items pending in our city. Not to mention lawsuits, EMS billing and accountability or lack thereof. How much have we paid out in legal fees and/or legal settlements? It appears there are many more.
I don’t know if resignation is the solution, though right now it does sound like a viable path. I don’t know that all the council should be held to the same level as some have tried to be the voice of reason, only to be out voted by a group seemingly with little business sense and making decisions on emotion other than facts and common sense.
I believe now we have two councilmen that have shown true leadership and want this city to get back on a path of openness, accountability and become a city united instead of divided. This will take time and some new thinking, some rethinking and some courage to say “no” to spending until such time our finances can be corralled and regain the fiscal responsibility we should demand.
Darold Charnoski,
Clinton
Opinion
READER'S LETTER: Rowland, Gassman stand up for residents
- Opinion
-
- A few issues to be resolved This past week was once again rumored to be the last week for legislators at the Statehouse, but while many of the major budget bills were agreed upon, a few of the most stubborn issues remain to be resolved. The House and Senate have now agreed on h
-
LEVINE: Preparing for another child
With a little more than a month before another child occupies my home, it's becoming more apparent every day that my daughter is ready for her first sibling.
-
Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
Herald's chicken lady says farewell
Our lives are like the chapters of a book. Each crisp page we turn is like a new day in our lives.
-
LEVINE: Access to information vital in society
When a Clinton County judge ruled in 2012 that the Clinton City Council violated the open meetings law, it sent a direct message to current City Council members that operating in secret would not be tolerated.
-
Mayor gives reasons for not signing Humane Society agreement
The agreement that was approved by the Clinton City Council at the April 23 meeting between the city of Clinton and the Clinton Humane Society went into effect Tuesday without the signature of the mayor. With any action the City Council takes the ma
- Dutch Days reflects community steeped in tradition It started back in 1974 with a Dutch dinner organized by the Fulton Community Christian School women's auxiliary. In the years that followed, the dinner continued and the event grew into what is now known as Dutch Days, expanding to include downtown
-
READER'S LETTER: Help letter carriers 'Stamp Out Hunger'
Every year the National Association of Letter Carriers joins with its local community food banks to coordinate the nations' largest one day food drive. More than 1,400 branches across the country participate to help feed the hungry. With every bag,
-
LEVINE: Health issues still a concern for residents
The health of Clinton County residents represented a mixed bag in the annual county rankings. On one hand, the county is making progress in health outcomes. On the other, the county is declining in health factors.
- Make sure the humane society agreement stays in place I would like to thank the Clinton Herald for all the local and national news coverage. I would like to encourage our mayor to accept the proposal from the Clinton Humane Society. We need to make Clinton a safe place for our family and our families pe
- More Opinion Headlines
