Councilman's Column by Jesse Alber

First, let me offer an apology to my fellow council members. It is fair week. Market Beef Weigh-in was scheduled to start at 7:00 pm at the Webster County Fairgrounds. Because I was helping my son and nephew weigh in their steers, I was about 10 minutes late for the meeting and possessed an unflattering aroma. I am sorry. It had been a very long day. In this column, I would like to discuss four items that received attention at this months council meeting; the invitation by Cassie Ivy to either the Mayor or a council member to submit a periodic column to the Blue Hill Leader, the unfortunate need to raise utility rates, a penitential incentive program to entice a deputy to reside in Blue Hill, and illegally parked vehicles. Former Mayor Russ Willems used to submit a monthly column to the Blue Hill Leader when the paper was owned and operated by Lee Ostdiek. Cassie Ivy requested that the practice be renewed, either by the Mayor, a council member or even by rotating the column between members. I strongly believe this is a personal choice of the Mayor (or council members). I do not believe the council should commit itself as a body or request the Mayor commit herself to such a column. It was perfectly appropriate for Ms. Ivy to approach the council with such a request, but I believe she could have approached the Mayor or any member of the council individually because any column would be the opinion of the member presenting it and not of the council as a body. Just as this column is my opinion alone and cannot be deemed to reflect the views of the council as a whole. Mayor Schunk made no commitments to the column nor did any member of the council. Mayor Schunk said she would "consider" submitting a column but appeared to show some reluctance. Comments from council members and citizens suggested that submitting the article may not be a good idea because it would "open her (the Mayor) up for criticism". I strongly believe this is a choice the Mayor should make on her own but if the Mayor were to decline because she feared criticism or the open evaluation of her opinions and positions, I would be extremely disappointed. The Blue Hill Leader does have permission to republish this column if they see fit, in whole or any portion thereof. This is not the right time to raise utility rates. The economy is stagnant and unemployment is nearing double digits. We are all tightening the grip on our wallets and purses and trying to make the most out of every dollar. This is a decision that I resisted for many months and still have some second guessing even now. However, the rates at which we purchase electric power, not to mention other expenses, continue to rise at a much faster rate than our own. Even with the increase, Blue Hill utility rates remain more than competitive with other communities in our area. This rate increase, scheduled to take effect with the August 15 meter readings, replaces rate increases that had been scheduled for later in the year. The electric fund routinely continues to see expenses exceed revenues and is seriously in jeopardy of being "flat broke" by 2010. Utilities Manager, Mark Kumke, suggests that this needs to be one of many rate increases that need to occur over the next several years in order to maintain solvency in the fund. Ron Wilnerd of Contryman & Associates has scheduled July 22-23 to assist Blue Hill with the 2009-2010 budget. I strongly suggest that residence share their fiscal concerns with city officials prior to that date. I strongly believe that it is time to make some significant changes in the allocation of expenses. More than 1/3 of elected officials compensation, a significant portion of city employee salaries, publishing of meeting proceedings, streetlights, and much, much more is all charged against the electric account. Future utility rate increases are still a potential, but they can be curbed significantly by reallocating many of these and other expense away from electric and to other municipal accounts. Miscommunication led to inactivity on the discussion of a potential incentive program to entice a deputy to reside in Blue Hill. However, during discussion, strong opposition to any incentive program whatsoever was voiced by residence in attendance. Some discussion is still scheduled to occur with Webster County Sheriff, Troy Schmitz, but the direction of any type of initiative to provide for any changes in how we provide security for our citizens again appears to be grinding to a halt. I would like to make more progress on this issue. I am not confident that the City is currently meeting its security obligations to its citizens. Yet again this month, the city council devoted time to discussing illegally parked vehicles around town. I am so tired of this issue. It has been discussed over and over. The majority of the issues arise from unlicensed vehicles parked on street right of way which would include streets, alleys or terraces. Other vehicles are licensed but are left unmoved and unattended for months, even allowing weeds to grow up around them higher than the vehicle itself. The remedy is very simple. Please move your unlicensed or unoperated vehicles or trailers off of municipal right of way and on to your private property. I strongly believe that the council will soon begin having violators towed and impounded.