Tuesday, February 17, 2009

BITING THE HAND

That Feeds the Ballot Box

Noteworthy lately is the commission’s reluctance to address crucial issues prior to our municipal election on March 10. Instead of discussing pressing financial concerns, this commission debates whether or not it’s possible to buy a golf cart with windshield wipers. Commissioner Torres, wise well beyond his years and often the voice of logic and reason, dared to point out that most folks don’t ride golf carts in the rain. A consultant is being hired, even as we speak, to do some further research on that subject, and they are looking for a community group, like A2K, to help fund part of the Golf Cart Windshield Wiper Study. (Please laugh here because I’m kidding!)

After all, facing fiscal reality by comparing budget projections to actual expenditures might force serious cutbacks—RIGHT THIS MINUTE. The commission might well have a bead on exactly where IRB stands financially, but if so, they certainly aren’t sharing that info with the general public. Would broadcasting this data at this juncture make budget cuts imperative—BEFORE MARCH 10?

What…are you crazy…cut the librarian right before election time? Wouldn’t that be akin to political suicide since these folks appear to turn out in droves at the polls to support whatever candidate or candidates have two feet squarely in their camp?

What…are you crazy? Put a halt to the USF Study and jeopardize the voter support of those who partially funded it, namely Action 2000? Many of you posted comments to a previous IRBeHEARD article, pointing out that Commissioner Wollin uttered not one peep at the last USF Study presentation on February 10. (I missed it so I’ll have to take your word on that.) Odd behavior, don’t you think, for someone who was one of the biggest proponents of the city financially supporting the study?

What…are you crazy? Suggest that residents not be forced to repay unauthorized loans and provide some relief from sewer and garbage rates that have so many in a stranglehold? Suggesting something so necessary might bring the ax down rather swiftly on a few non-essential items that represent political suicide.

Since facing crucial issues might make the difference between winning a seat on the commission and losing one, the best interests of the community will just have to wait until after March 10 and that’s all there is to it.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Torres is taking on the persona of an empty suit.

He does not fight hard for his postions and caves when his vote is needed to pass an item. Last year's budet is the best example: he voted "no" the first couple of times saying it was possible too much, the voted "yes" when the yahoos figured out State law required a unanimous vote to approve a millage rate increase.

Of course it is hard to be seriousd when the most storied acomplishment of the current city commission is a golf cart ordinance.

Anonymous said...

iam just learning to type on computer at library 4 1st time. I dont think cutting librarian is answer to issues here in indian rocks. we need librarian to turn on computer and load printer with paper and check movies out. if you no longer have librarian than who will do this job, hippie mayor. i would not drive golf cart in rain either, that is a dumb question.