Friday, June 22, 2007

21 June 2007 DCRSD Meeting Notes

The following notes are provided in an effort to record the transactions of the meeting without editorial comment, except clarification of events.

21 June 2007 Dearborn County Regional Sewer District- DCRSD Meeting Notes

Present: Chairman, Hankins, Fehrman, Enzweiler, Pruss, Holland, Dennerline, and Maxwell
Also Present: Quinn, Engineer, and Benning, Secretary, Doug Baer, Health Dept., 5 residents of Serenity Ridge (first part of meeting only), Jerry Jacobsen and Ralph Thompson.

Meeting started at 7:00 PM in the Basement Break Room/Sewer District Office. Crowded and without recording device.

Meeting Notes
Meeting Notes for June 7, 2007 approved (Several people were talking and it was difficult to determine who moved and seconded).

Serenity Ridge
Mr. Quinn proposed to have the project the second week in July. An estimate of the construction cost is $55,000. He proposed they do the project and DCRSD pickup the balance. The project is permitted to the end. He suggested bidding on July 16 and advertising for two weeks. TQ will do the pre-bid meeting early in July. The question was asked if the funding has been secured. DCRSD will need to either collect funds or get written agreement with residents for participation by July5, 2007. 11 residents have committed out of 19. Cost to residents will be 1/19 of the construction and design costs, plus the cost to the owners for the grinder pump, connection, electric and abandonment of the septic system. London Witte has not finished the rate study. Need to send a letter to all residents to participate and connect or face the consequences. DCRSD hopes to start with the eleven and fund the short fall. Projected cost $65,000 with engineering and legal costs. Residents will face about $4,000 in costs for grinder pump, etc. For existing septic systems less than five years old the rebate is based on a maximum of $4,800 per State statute. The formula uses the number of months the system has been in use divided by 96 (noted by the members that this is not five years) multiplied by $4,800. This applies only if the system is deemed functional by the health department. (Most of the systems are approx. 2 years old.) Mr. Baer indicated time will be counted from start of use not permit date. If the residents opt out now, it will cost significantly more in 3 years. If opt out they will divid the cost by the number of residents and as others join rebate to cost to the early joiners.
Residents present wanted firmer costs.

Prebid meeting to be July 16, 2007 and bids due August 16, 2007. Construction to start in September and the expected to last two months. The IDEM permit is in hand.
The monthly fee is to be based on TTW(?) water bill. Exact hasn't been determined and will be by agreement with LMH, expected to be about twice the water bill. The residents will be DCRSD customers since they are outside the LMH CTA.

Hook up will require an upfront fee paid by the residents. Several residents commented on this being a large sum. They cannot afford it. Having trouble with developer.

DCRSD will send a letter with the connection cost estimate to all residents (Serenity Ridge and Tranquility). Residents may have to get a bank loan or second mortgage. No mode for DCRSD to finance. The residents again expressed concern. Baer indicated he had proposed an Indigent Owner Fund to Council; but, got no backing. The Indigent Fund would require residents to have two turn downs by financial institutions to then apply to the Fund. Then an assessment and Lien would be placed on the Owners' taxes over a period of years. Cost would be paid back at 10% interest. Hankins suggested Owners contact Council members as to why nothing was done with this plan.

DCRSD used the list of residents supplied by Beth Oleary (?), which has not been checked with the Assessor's Office. Benning to compile a current resident list from the property records.

Copy of permit was sent to L. Lehner. Not sure why, perhaps because she was prior Board Attorney.

LMH Contract

The LMH Contract was presented for review (copy not obtained), they are waiting for the London Witte rate study. Kramer needs to review agreement.

Tom Quinn provided proposals for Bid services and Construction Observation. $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. Asked for hours, he indicated 60 and 40 respectively. Hrezo also will provide proposals.

Stewart Road and Cole Lane
The project is finished and the check is being held by the Auditor pending the Punch List completion. Application #5 for payment is for $6,935. The prior check also has not been released ($20,022). Enzweiler moved to release prior check and pay final check. Fehrman seconded. All in favor.

West Aurora Project
Met with Noel and Rollinger(?) about the trailer park treatment plant sale. Each party will have the plant appraised. DCRSD to use Don Petit(?) and trailer park to use Tom (???). Approx. 8 acres available. TQ indicates approx. 1/2 acre needed for Phase I for holding tanks and sand filter. Also need access and easement. The advantage is the acquisition of the discharge permit. Cost to acquire and improve?
Dennerline moved to use Petit for the appraisal, Fehrman seconded, all in favor.
Fehrman: Woolpert recommended a treatment plant; but, that advice wasn't good. But, need to proceed with a treatment plant.

TQ provided two proposals, one for plant design and joint with Hrezo for distribution. The proposal to cover High Ridge Rd., Oak Circle Dr., Timberview Dr., Huesman Rd., US 50 between High Ridge and Huesman. Baer wants to add Sharon Dr. and Hoffman Rd. Randy (Aurora ) has given DCRSD Huesman Rd. to reserve capacity for the Industrial Park. Approx. number of houses 340, including 100 for Ameritech (new development at Gabbard Estates). Plan to put lift station in "Dead Man's Hollow"to serve 44 houses in Highridge. TQ recommended replacing house laterals.

Plant capacity 100,000GPD. includes 100 EDUs for industrial park. At 85,000 GPD usage, will need to look to expansion. Cost for plant and property approx. $720,000 with Ameritech building pump station. Distribution $1,600,000(?). Goal is $10,000 cost per house. These numbers do not include Grinder Pump, abandonment, etc.
Estimate for design and Bid $116,000 and Construction Observation $30,000 to $40,000.
Is was suggested that DCRSD buy or bid Grinder Pumps and sell or assign to Owners to save cost to Owners.

The project needs to be funded before taking action. Need Council approval. Or go to Lawrenceburg or Bond Bank. Will need permit in place to even approach for a loan or bond. Will need to show a project, estimates & permit and a loan payback period. Currently don't have the money for the project; but, have enough for design and permit.

To issue a bond would take a 3% fee. Dennerline said "better to hire a kid out of law school to work on it."

Enzweiler suggested RFP for these projects.
Need to proceed for permit. Have enough for Quinn's proposal.. Asked that Quinn Engineering proposal be held confidential (once a proposal is presented in a public meeting, it becomes public information; but, I have not included the proposal amount).

Maxwell Discussion

Mayor Hedrick (Greendale) talked with Maxwell earlier in the day, regarding negotiations with VRUC. Maxwell: "If I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me." Doesn't understand why VRUC thinks DCRSD can provide a cheaper rate than Greendale. Greendale is charging 2.18(?).

Lehner was working for HVL. It would take $2.5M for DCRSD to get HVL effluent to Lawrenceburg. DCRSD cannot be cheaper than Greendale. Bittner pressed to deal with DCRSD. A shoving match between Greendale and HVL over peripheral properties. DCRSD may have to pay some attorney in the future with SDRSD. He would prefer to get in a room with SDRSD and the cities and perhaps Dillsoro, St. Leon VRUC and LMH to see i f they can move in a unified manner, before they have to bring in attorneys. He has had discussions with Mr. Butler. Need to try to get together. "If I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me." The cities do not understand the County's needs. They see things looking out versus he seeing things looking into SDRSD.

He wants to get six items.
1. Provide service at least cost possible.
2. Clean up High Ridge.
3. Absorb LMH - they need a government perspective.
4. Supplement St. Leon - Buy capacity for future development beyond St. Leon.
5. Resolution at Hidden Valley Lake.
6. DCRSD needs to control it to take care of the County.

He wants 2 of the 5 seats on SDRSD. If money works, then get the money and buy in. He wants some control. The city rate payers need some protection.

Maxwell: "If I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me." SDRSD for years didn't do anything about Stewart Rd. or High Ridge. Because of DCRSD, SDRSD has changed their approach about areas outside their CTA. Every time DCRSD has approached SDRSD and obtained an agreement the (SDRSD) members go back and renege. Back to political and turmoil. Mel Davis (Lawrenceburg) made sense. He would not stand in the way of the County. (Someone said) DCRSD hasn't annoyed Mel Davis yet.

Hankins: " DCRSD won't go away. That won't flush."

Maxwell continued, "If I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me." Meetings with Council led to Woolpert. Greendale has offered 2 seats for $4,500,000 to buy in. If DCRSD bought in and restructured, he wouldn't care as long as problems are solved. How do we solve the problems. Greendale won't help Aurora, because they squandered their money, how do we get Greendale to help the County.
Randy (Aurora) has told DCRSD to build the plant and use it for a lift station in the future. Now - NO sewage through Aurora. Cost will be a lot higher to send to Aurora. SDRSD can do everything DCRSD can do. DCRSD shouldn't be involved with HVL.

Maxwell: "If I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me." DCRSD can TAX and nobody can stop it.
There was a discussion of the history of the Board, including the reason for going County wide was to avoid costs for Metes and Bounds description for each new area to be added, so take it all and save cost. When DCRSD went county wide they set up fear with the other groups. They felt bounded in by DCRSD.

If LMH became part of DCRSD, their rates would go up. Tucker has to be absorbed; however, they can probably leave it till it fails and then take it. For the long haul, take Tucker and then take it Metropolitan, like Hamilton County.
Need to start discussions again. Need to get lines in the ground as cheap as possible.

Dennerline: Was told to start small and expand. Got advice from Nugent. Start with High Ridge and the development (Gabbard Estates??). and expand. It has become the Health Board's problem, because DCRSD projects have been stopped. The situation is the same as when DCRSD started.

(General discussion:) (Several speaking at once.)
????: HVL intended to build a plant. Parvin Price helped with that. To give them (HVL?) room (to grow?).

Maxwell: Want to get them in a room.

Hankins: 30 or 40 in a room like herding cats.

Fehrman: DCRSD's 100,000GPD proposal being considered.

Doug Baer: DCRSD cannot tax.

Dennerline: When he was Commissioner tried to get special tax for sewers and got shut down.

Maxwell: Then take TAX to Council -- and Commissioners.

Dennerline: Talked to Draper - he (Draper) wants large price for land.

Fehrman: DCRSD hasn't turned away any subdivision yet.
????: Then issue of lagoon cleanup. Apply to Superfund for cleanup.

Hankins: West Aurora RFP to be handled by Enzweiler.

TQ will turn over plans for Stewart and Cole to Aurora. Not as-builts. As-builts by????. Want a set of plans in the DCRSD office. 60 days for the turnover to Aurora. 60 days has started????
Get the people from Stewart St. to also go to Council about Indigent Fund. Call it "Connection Fund", not Indigent Fund. Feels Serenity Ridge residents can go to the bank to refinance. Stewart Rd. residents cannot. Refer it to Council.

Hankins: "Dump it on the politicians."

Maxwell to work on "Sewer Summit". Fehrman to assist.

Budget Request

Need to submit budget request by July 2, 2007. Dennerline: Use last year's budget plus 10 %. Dennerline moved to use last years plus 10%. No second.
Baer provided budget list for review. ????: Add $50,000 for engineering and $50,000 for legal. and acquisition cost?

Moved to approve budget at discretion of Mike Hankins. Second ?????. Approved.

Hankins formed a budget committee to meet Monday afternoon, June 25, 2007 with Dennerline and Pruss. Baer and Benning to attend also. For budget submission to Council. Seconded by Fehrman. Approved.

??? moved for Enzweiler to do RFPs for West Aurora Project. Seconded by Dennerline. Approved.

Adjourned at approximately 9:05 PM.

submitted by:
Ralph Thompson and Jerry Jacobsen
Washington and Lawrenceburg Townships

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

PS,
During the meeting,when the Board was discussing the territorial sequel between VRUC Greendale and DCRSD, it was stated. DCRSD's present stance against Greendale serving the 3 subdivisions on state line road was impeding housing development in Dearborn County.... not promoting development.

JSJ

Anonymous said...

Is it even the role of sewer districts to promote development? I thought they were utilities to serve the public. Either they can or can't depending on previous committed resources or costs to serve the area.
When sewer boards become the tools of developers- the public will pay- thus the discussion by this DCRSD board- about TAXING the county residents to pay for sewers. All because someone wanted to make it easy- and declare a county wide district.
Tell me this wasn't part of the original "plans"
"Get a gun and shoot me if I'm wrong." Is Maxwell serious?
CC

Anonymous said...

"When sewer boards become the tools of developers- the public will pay-..."

Development should follow reasonable and affordable (for all the tax-payers) infrastructure!

Not the other way around!

Face it, the zealous pro-development members of the board, want infrastructure, no matter the cost, to follow their developments, no matter how much "leap-frogging" around the County is involved!

The Sewer Board’s number one concern should be “Public Health,” not, how do we get sewers out to a farm a realtor/developer just purchased at a “good” price. A good price had, because the previous owner did not have the “political connections” to have it serviced by sewers!!!

NH

Anonymous said...

Dearborn County Public Tax-payers’ monies, has become a seemingly ”BOTTOMLESS BENEVOLENT FUND” for a hand-full of ”CONNECTED” realtors, developers, bankers and lawyers!!!

The impending elections are greatly anticipated by those of us who believe that Public Officials should serve all the public and not simply be tools of the influential few!!!

Anonymous said...

”Copy of permit was sent to L. Lehner. Not sure why, perhaps because she was prior Board Attorney.

Some tentacles don’t easily disengage!

Anonymous said...

Present: Chairman, Hankins, Fehrman, Enzweiler, Pruss, Holland, Dennerline, and Maxwell

Fehrman, Dennerline and Maxwell's development biases are fairly patent. Two, shamefully so!

What do the other Board members do for a living?

And Benning? Secretary? Political patronage?

Anonymous said...

"If I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me." Wasn't there a police officer present at this meeting?

Anonymous said...

"If I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me."

With Thompson’s election and probability of other “Thompsons” unseating other “tools” of the realtors/developers, it would seem that Maxwell is becoming a bit “suicidal!”

Maybe he needs a little neck and back rub from Secretary Benning?

Anonymous said...

Doesn't Benning work, as a realtor, for Fehrman?

Anonymous said...

"Dennerline: Was told to start small and expand. Got advice from Nugent."

If Nugent's advice was to "start small," then good for Johnny!

Problem with Dennerline, when he heard "start small," that just meant that he would have to start at servicing his trailer park and Board Member Brett Fehrman's propose subdivision...leaving current health problems, such as High Ridge, for a later time, when they can think bigger!

Board Members' development and business health, must come before public health, don't you know!

Anonymous said...

"Board Members' development and business health, must come before public health, don't you know!

Or at least the "charade" or “pretense” of public health must be promoted later after the immediate needs of the Board's personal and business interests are met!

Anonymous said...

"If I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me."

Empty talk on Maxwell's part!

Now, if he said:

"GRAB A WOODEN STAKE AND A MALLET!!!"

You would know that Maxwell is talking some serious stuff!!!

Anonymous said...

After dealing with this same group of men over the years,Maxwell knows his creditability has reached an all time low. He knows he has to try and inpress them with some kind of guarantee. like"if I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me". I have to give John Maxell credit he has learned over the years this group of men don't think Johns worth the price of a single shell

Anonymous said...

"I have to give John Maxell credit he has learned over the years this group of men don't think Johns worth the price of a single shell..."


Bearing in mind the price of ammunition, Maxwell is the safest man, ethically and morally lost, nervously wandering our once honest county, in a sea of well-armed still-honest men!

Anonymous said...

Hankins: " DCRSD won't go away. That won't flush."
Maxwell: "If I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me." DCRSD can TAX and nobody can stop it.

Who do these people think they are? They seem to feel they are above the will of the people.

We need to clean house at DCRSD.

Anonymous said...

"Who do these people think they are? They seem to feel they are above the will of the people.

"ABOVE AND BEYOND THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE."

Anonymous said...

How can a group of people come together like this when they were not elected in the first place by the citizens of DEARBORN COUNTY?The best solution for this board is to disband this sewer board now! I remembered an old wise man saying once, ONE BIRD IN THE HAND IS MUCH BETTER THAN TWO BIRDS IN A BUSH ! We dont need any more sewer boards in DEARBORN COUNTY THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD DAY!

Anonymous said...

Maxwell to work on "Sewer Summit"…. Fehrman to assist.

Two more qualified daddy's kids having never existed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Being ever so gracious, the inept twins, waived their per-diems, per the prior unwritten understanding, that the County foot the entire, complete and total bill for any and all infrastructure costs realized by above aforementioned two, relative to any and all subdivision and or industrial park, etc, etc, etc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

"If I'm wrong take a gun and shoot me." Wasn't there a police officer present at this meeting?

Who ever said that our local constabulary is incapable of exercising restraint?

Anonymous said...

Oh, we need development, don't ya know! More and more and more development!


"Development" that will overburden and overtax both contemporary and projected infrastructure. Leaving the tax-payers with a multitude of problems that will take years and millions to resolve!

More, more, more development!!!!!!!!!!!!

The tax-payers would save a lot of money and grief, if they would all just chip in and buy Maxwell and little Brett a savings bond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Let us not forget, what little Brett said, with a straight face mind you, that we need to get going on his subdivision, which would help pay for our new jail!


A subdivision, that in reality, was going to require the spending of more and more tax dollars to service than the taxes that would be gained from subdivision!

And this imbecile is in a position of some authority in Dearborn County!

Geesh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I remember little Brett, Maxwell and Boss Hogg Dennerline, coupled with their twitt-ess of a board attorney, when they thought with the likes of Vera Benning in public office, they could do anything!

I have a friend who lives near little Brett’s proposed subdivision. Because of his set-back from the road and the number of hills and gullies, it would have cost him close to $40,000.00 for grinder pumps, line and excavation!

Did he find a sympathetic ear on the Board?

Hell no!

He was told he could get a low interest loan to pay these costs of what in reality was subsidizing Brett’s costs of his proposed subdivision and providing sewer to Rodney’s trailer park!

These are the kind of absolute cretins that are running this County!

Anonymous said...

And what in the hell is the idea of "GRINDER PUMPS?"

In other communities, these are devices to be used only as a last resort, in almost emergency situations!

In other communities, grinder pumps and pressurized lines are the exception and not the rule!

Here, they are rule and not the exception!

These sewers, on the cheap, are going to cost us greatly in the near future!

Anonymous said...

"Let us not forget, what little Brett said, with a straight face mind you, that we need to get going on his subdivision, which would help pay for our new jail!"

I know, this is kind of a "back-handed" compliment and defense of Brett, but, I think he was and is stupid enough to believe his subdivision would be a "tax-positive" entity.

Anonymous said...

"And what in the hell is the idea of "GRINDER PUMPS?"

We must all know the "First Law of Plumbing."
I live down hill from the sewer line, therefore I have a grinder pump to get the sewage up to the sewer line.

Anonymous said...

"We must all know the "First Law of Plumbing."
I live down hill from the sewer line, therefore I have a grinder pump to get the sewage up to the sewer line."


To a sewer line none of us needed...

...but we must subsidize our local realtor/developers, musn't we!!!

But, of course, you already knew that, did't you?

The Second Law of Plumbing:

EFFLUENCE FLOWS DOWN FROM BOARDS WITH FAR TOO MANY CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS AMONG ITS MEMBERS!!!

Anonymous said...

Would someone please enlighten me?

When did this sense of "entitlement" set in for some of are local realtors, developers, bankers and lawyers?

Why is it they feel "entitled" to money they did not earn (money in fact, earned by each and every taxpayer of this County), to finance their businesses and lifestyles?

Is this a first or second generation of realtors, developers, bankers and lawyers who seem to foster this "entitlement" mind-set?

Anonymous said...

Boy!!!

The "entitlement" question, surely put a stop to any "zealous pro-growth" postings!!!

Anonymous said...

Tell me where the development is in Dearborn County. Show me where it is, tell me how it is out of control and tell me why you are so selfish.

Anonymous said...

Have you seen 50?

Bright?

Further, it is not just about development, it is about your absolute corruption, in your quest for your developments...

...it is way you want to steal, via operation of law, from the taxpayers, to finance your developments

...it is how you try to game the system, in order to coerce your neighbors into subsidizing your developments...

...it is how you do your best to close out the public, from discussions concerning the public's money, relative to your developments...

...it is about secret societies, such as the DCEDI, that you empowered, to do your closed-door, back-office dealing for your developments...

...it is all about your entitlement mind-sets, when it comes to "other peoples' money, to finance your developments!!!

YES, YOU SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF REALTORS, DEVELOPERS, BANKERS AND LAWYERS ARE THE "SELFISH ONES!!!

Anonymous said...

OH, I FORGOT TO ADD, I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE ADDED TO TONIGHT'S "AGENDA":

HAVE A NICE DAY!

BUT I WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT TILL NEXT WEEK TO GET ON THE "AGENDA!"

MAYBE, YOU COULD HAVE JIM WEST SUPPLY US WITH A MORE IMMEDIATE:

HAVE A NICE DAY?

I HEARD HE HAS SOME PULL, THAT THE REST OF US SERFS DO NOT HAVE!

Anonymous said...

These pro-development types would get a lot further with a smile and a handshake, rather than their usual court order and a threat!

Anonymous said...

Impact fees would make these developments more palatable, but of course, why should these development types take money out from their pockets, when they have their in-house, in-pocket, politicians to pick the taxpayer's pocket.

Anonymous said...

You just have to laugh when it comes to our local cache of realtor/developers!

We are selfish because we do not want to subsidize their financial dreams!

I don't think they have a handle on the definition of selfish!

Funny!

Anonymous said...

Right!

We are selfish, because we refuse to change the zoning laws to residential or industrial, where ever a realtor/developer gets a "good deal" on a parcel of land in a rural setting!

Anonymous said...

We are selfish, because we believe the sewer board should concern itself with the public health, and not just be another tool for our local realtor/developers.

Anonymous said...

We are selfish for not standing idly by, while “pro-development” thugs steal and/or run over our candidates’ campaign signs!

Anonymous said...

We are selfish, because we feel that reasonable and affordable infrastructure should precede development. Not the after-the-fact "willy-nilly" fashion of the pro-development flunkys!

Anonymous said...

A realtor/developer calling the rest of us selfish,

Is like,

A leper calling someone with a sunburn,

Repulsive!

Anonymous said...

We are selfish, because we believe development should grow out from existing development, not leaped-frogged all over the County, to suit the needs of the individual realtor or developer, because he can get a "better deal" on "potential" industrial or residential land, next to a dairy farm!!!

Anonymous said...

As you "pro-development" folks lose all of your political and moral influence, just remember a few of the names that helped you to the back of the line.

Here is the short list:

Benning

Lehner

West

Rozow

Ewbank

Pickens

Messmore

Fox

Hughes

Dennerline

Maxwell

Little Brett

And all things DCEDI related!!!

Anonymous said...

We are selfish, because we feel that reasonable and affordable infrastructure should precede development. Not the after-the-fact "willy-nilly" fashion of the pro-development flunkys!

I take it, that forcing someone to go into debt for thousands upon thousands of dollars, to subsidize the sewers for a subdivision for a ”POLITICALLY CONNECTED” realtor/developer, is neither ”REASONABLE OR AFFORDABLE?”

What are you?

Selfish or something?

Anonymous said...

Picture a "tool" like Lisa Lehner, having to represent one of her development clients before a commission or board, comprised of people, she tried to intimate and bully, in her previous incarnation!

Welcome to the back of the line, clients of Lisa!

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the back of the line, clients of Lisa!

Gee!!!

Is there a "grinder" pump big enough to "pump" her refuse of representation?

Anonymous said...

As a symtom of how the development types have no concept of COMMUNITY, notice how Jim West extrapolates from his "small circle" of realtors and developers, to somehow the COMMUNITY!!!

1. Jim West- DCEDI- requested approval to seek funding from Council for Development Study. West asked Messmore if he had distributed this. - Messmore said no. West then distributed folders of his proposal to the commissioners. He said there has been discussion from the COMMUNITY, wanting a comprehensive strategic economic development plan.

Anonymous said...

Re: the post further above saying "Tell me where the development is in Dearborn County. Show me where it is, tell me how it is out of control and tell me why you are so selfish."

The development is in the BANK- the BANK of properties and subdivisions and zone changes already granted to developers but not built out yet. And still the development personnel are asking for more. It's as if they don't see what they already have. And since it's not being built yet it isn't helping the realtors and bankers make money right now. Hence the DCEDI's sense of urgency and feeling that disaster is imminent if we don't allow more development.
Try upgrading your housing stock- building better not bigger. The loans will be the same as it will cost more to build a better quality home, the realtors commissions will increase as they sell better homes and the housing stock in the county will improve to promote a second life remodeling industry to get more uses out of older homes in the future, instead of bulldozing them.
CC

Anonymous said...

”…comprehensive strategic economic development plan.”


This is typically where the “Uniformed Police Officer” makes his manifestation!

Because, by and large, the COMMUNITY gets a smidge antsy when realtor/developer “tools” on the Commission, start showering “Tax-payer” dollars, upon their Masters!

Anonymous said...

"...to promote a second life remodeling industry to get more uses out of older homes in the future, instead of bulldozing them."

Thank the Good Lord, they bulldozed that 1930s "Art Deco" house on the hill on 50!

The "COMMUNITY" was just pining way for a denuded hillside!

Anonymous said...

When the local apparatchiks launch once again into the many benefits of “grinder pump” serviced communities, let them make abundantly clear the real costs of such systems.

It will be residents already serviced by septic systems, who will incur the most, along with any costs relative to monthly sewer rates, the cost of excavation, line, initial purchase of a pump, or pumps, electrical service, cost of electricity and all the future costs of maintenance and replacement of pumps, whose service life is under 10 years, under the best of conditions.

Not to mention the possibility of power outage caused sewer back-ups. Remember the snow and ice caused outages this past winter?

Let the local apparatchiks make these costs abundantly clear!!!

Anonymous said...

"Let the local apparatchiks make these costs abundantly clear!!!"

How "SELFISH" of you to demand "HONESTY" from our local development enablers!

Anonymous said...

Yeah!

You will not see Brett sitting each and every potential buyer of a lot in his subdivision, that, in order to cram homes onto ¼ lots, he had to utilize “grinder pumps” to service their homes.

You will not see Brett listing all the “hidden” costs of such systems to his potential buyers!!!

And if a "Smart-Growth" proponent should mention such costs to his potential buyers, he would label them "SELFISH!!!"

Anonymous said...

WEST:

”He said there has been discussion from the COMMUNITY, wanting a comprehensive strategic economic development plan”.

Read:

My employers are getting tired of paying my salary…they think its “High-Time” the “Tax-payer” incur my costs!

Anonymous said...

The DCRSD is so riff with conflicts of interests.

Even, if, DCRSD members would recuse themselves, concerning items that will profit said members, there is enough conflicts, all the way around, where each conflicted member will vote for the other conflicted member's projects, in a macabre dance of reciprocal collusion!

Anonymous said...

1. Jim West- DCEDI- requested approval to seek funding from Council for Development Study.

Give the scoundrel a couple of Argosy complimentary free drink coupons, then send him on his way!

Unless, the bought and paid for commissioner twins, are willing to subsidize all our businesses, trades and professions!!!

Anonymous said...

1. Jim West- DCEDI- requested approval to seek funding from Council for Development Study.

Remember, Jim West and his cadre at the DCEDI, belong to a "closed-door," "members only" fraternity, established for the children of this County's priviledged "movers and shakers!"

Anonymous said...

"Not to mention the possibility of power outage caused sewer back-ups. Remember the snow and ice caused outages this past winter?"

I envision Fehrman’s answering machine recording to be, after a persistent power outage, leading to raw, human refuse backing up into their “clients” basements, as:

Thank you, for your interest in “Fehrman Sewage Backup Acres, Inc.”

If you are having problems with inconvenient waste seeping up through your drains, please feel free to contact, Dearborn County’s Doug Baer, as it was he who forced our young, and impressionable Brett, to go with “grinder pumps!”

Please see our other MLS listings of grinder pump serviced communities!

Thanks for calling.

And, yes, our son Brett has been a bit of a thorn in our once honest and ethical sides!!!!

Have a great day!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

"Unless, the bought and paid for commissioner twins, are willing to subsidize all our businesses, trades and professions!!!"

Come on Ricky and Jeffrey, go out with a "BANG!!!" before being booted out of office this coming primary season!!!

Anonymous said...

"Come on Ricky and Jeffrey, go out with a "BANG!!!" before being booted out of office this coming primary season!!!"


I kind of feel sorry for Fox and Hughes. You just know that the “ever-compassionate” Ewbank, already had them sign their respective editorials giving all their support to two “Linkmeyer” style candidates who will be running in Fox and Hughes” stead, once they lose the primary.

Anonymous said...

Ricky will be too busy using his position as Commissioner to try to keep a job when Pernod Ricard closes, at the expense of his fellow employees. "Keep me, I can influence the County and I have the ear of the DCEDI and developers!"

Besides, why change now? Worried about getting dumped in the next election?