Vieste Must Resign
by Alan S Freemond, Sr.
Jackson Township
It is time for Vieste to resign from its relationship with Dearborn County. Additionally it is time to have the individual who hired Vieste to resign and give us a rational explanation as to his/her choice of Vieste.
One of the most remarkable acts on the part of Vieste is that the four companies related to the work in Dearborn county that has been proposed were donators to Frank Linkmeyer’s campaign for County Commissioner. This was particularly strange in that Linkmeyer’s opponent was a graduate engineer, and holder of a degree in business administration. I personally have nothing against Mr.Linkmeyer who was most gracious in defeat. However:
There is Level 5 Engineering a company that one would assume would appreciate working with a county commissioner whose education is listed above. They preferred to oppose him.
Then we have London Witte an accounting firm who one would assume would appreciate being about to deal with a county commissioner who holds a degree in business administration. They preferred not to do so. They opposed him.
There is PSA Dewberry Engineering who also opposed an engineer for county commissioner. This company has 36 offices in 16 states. What made this large company oppose an engineer/MBA candidate in favor of a less qualified candidate?
There is Jungclaus-Campbell a construction company who one would assume would prefer to work with an engineer as a county commissioner. But no they too opposed him.
Each of these companies donated 500 dollars to oppose the engineer MBA candidate.
The question is why did they do this? Did they prefer obfuscation by working with less experienced commissioners? Did they wish to hide things during their tenure in Dearborn County? Were they told that donating to oppose this engineer/MBA was the cost of doing business in Dearborn County? Were they aware of their opponent’s education and successes? Did they even know him?
It is not uncommon for companies to donate to the election campaigns of candidates on both sides of the political spectrum. These people did not even pretend to do so. They went straight against Ralph Thompson who is their peer. The sum of money that these four companies donated was significant, 2000 dollars. The opponent, the engineer/MBA was reduced to using homemade campaign signs and collecting 1,5, and 10 dollar donations from working people.
This all makes no sense what so ever unless there is a crony like relationship between the local Republican Party, the administrators, and appointees of Dearborn County and these above 4 mentioned companies which plan to be feasting at the Dearborn County trough. Did the Lawrenceburg Chamber of Commerce and/or the DCDEI influence these companies into opposing the more qualified candidate? Did anyone of those 4 companies know Ralph Thompson’s education, did any of them simply know him?
I have sent an email and/or faxes to the 4 companies asking then who recommended that they oppose the engineer/MBA candidate. Of course none of these companies answered my query.
Now one might ask why must Vieste step down along with the companies that they have brought into Dearborn County? Essentially it is because of their poor judgment.
Did they pay to play by donating significant sums of money to oppose Ralph Thompson or did they wish to avoid working with a county commissioner who is knowledgeable in their own fields? If there is another rational explanation I would happily be so informed.
Because of all of the above we are dealing with poor judgment and since these people are going to spend taxpayers’ money and be paid by our taxpayers we have a problem. The resolution of this exceedingly poor judgment is one simple thing; Mr. Camparato, his company and the three others companies that he has brought into the county must resign right now.
I would think that the County Commissioners would agree with this analysis.
Whether the central committee of the deteriorating Republican Party of Dearborn County, the DCDEI and the Lawrenceburg Chamber of Commerce agree or disagree with the above is immaterial.
Alan Stanley Freemond, Sr.
Tanners Creek Farm
Jackson Township
Dearborn County Indiana
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30 comments:
One bright spot…after the next Commissioner’s election, there will be two Commissioners that were not supported by Vieste, et al.
And, of course, Cary Pickens, and other local officials of the Dearborn County Republicans, cannot in good conscience, support any Republican candidate that publicly supported a Democrat in the last election.
I am sure, Mr. Pickens would resign first, before supporting such cronyism over principles exhibited last election.
Speak up Mr. Pickens!!!
Cary, lead by example, not by back-door, back-office, enticement and inducement, selling your soul to the “highest bidder!”
Shiny-tie Johnny Nugent also publicly supported the Democrat last election.
Cary, you are looking more like a steer than a bull!
Grow a couple!!!!!!!!! Or step down!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a sick old man with lots of time on his hands.
It would be very interesting if we truly find out who wrote the rfq for the "local" newspaper. Vieste responded to an rfq that looks awefully fishy. Can Bryan and staff come up with such a glossy rfq?
Appears to me....Vieste or someone with Vieste helped write the rfq that they knew was only going to be in the local paper.
"What a sick old man with lots of time on his hands."
Context?
Maybe Pickens, Beckley, Rozow, West and all the rest, can dust off their often used canard they spew out last election, that Thompson is only supported by a small but vocal minority and not the rank and file.
Such a “Vocal Minority” that the Dearborn County Republican leadership could not field a Republican candidate to oppose and win against Thompson without resorting to supporting the Democrat, in a vane attempt to split the vote!
“Vocal Minority” is the buzzword and exhortation spout forth by the DCEDI and their posse, for any one group, or groups, who may oppose their decrees and dictates. No matter how overwhelming in numbers these “Vocal Minorities” may be.
The DCEDI are nothing more than back-water, Boss Hogg, goober autocrats.
As a fellow dearborn countian concerned with the future of this county, Mark Branaman's past dealings are quite troublesome to me, however, I do not think it is fair to jump to alot of conclusions as Mr. Freemond is doing.
It should be noted that Mr. Freemond himself dontated over 2,000 dollars to Thompson's campaign, which is the total of these 4 companies. This is alot more than the "15, and 10 dollar donations from working people" as Mr. Freemond suggests. I can only assume that these companies are all multi-dollar companies (again troubling) that to them 500 is a drop in the bucket. Should we watch to see how Mr Freemond will benefit from his support of Thompson??????? His tirades make it clear that anyone donating to candidates should be watched to see how they profit.
It is not uncommon (or illegal) for a company to support only one candidate. My company does this alot. I work in Cincy and chose to live in this wonderful county. Therefore, Mr Freemond obviously does not know what he is talking about and any weight rational people are giving to his comments on here should be ignored.
To sum up, maybe Vieste should go, or their contract terminated. Not because of any wrongdoing, just that thier ideas are not what we want.
”His tirades make it clear that anyone donating to candidates should be watched to see how they profit.”
Maybe, Freemond just donated to the best qualified candidate.
Someone other than a rubber stamp for either side of the development issue.
As far as "15, and 10 dollar donations from working people," many of the folks that I know who supported Thompson may not have donated "hard" cash to his campaign, but they did spend their own "hard" cash on homemade signs and banners in support of Thompson.
Compare the number of slick, store bought signs, Linkmeyer utilized, as compared to the homemade signs supporting Thompson, designed and constructed by his “rank and file” supporters.
Now back to Freemond’s main thesis and query of this article (that you deliberately ignored through obvious, palpable and conspicuous obfuscation), which remains, despite your noticeable efforts to pay no heed to, a query still particularly and predominately relative and requires an a direct, frank and unequivocal answer:
Did they (Vieste, et al) pay to play by donating significant sums of money to oppose Ralph Thompson or did they wish to avoid working with a county commissioner who is knowledgeable in their own fields? If there is another rational explanation I would happily be so informed.
Personalities aside, this is the fundamental inquiry stipulated to by countless taxpaying citizens of this County.
...a query still particularly and predominately relative and requires an a direct, frank and unequivocal answer:
It is at this point in the discussion where the DCEDI and Vieste send forth their quisling foot soldiers to characterize anyone not in lockstep with the self-appointed, select few, who fantasize that they administer all that is valuable and prized in this county, with allegations and denunciations, typically throwing in the phrase: VOCAL MINORITY.
”I am a conservative not a republican…”
A Dearborn County Conservative is to a Dearborn County Republican…
What a woman of virtue is to a lamp post leaning street prostitute.
To sum up, maybe Vieste should go, or their contract terminated. Not because of any wrongdoing, just that thier ideas are not what we want.
I'm sure that Vieste is nice to stray dogs too.
Vieste and their cohorts in the DCEDI, if they are such "innocent" parties, why do they bulk so when pressed to open their meetings to the public?
Therefore, Mr. Freemond obviously does not know what he is talking about and any weight rational people are giving to his comments on here should be ignored.
Ok, everyone! The self-anointed, self-appointed and self-described benefactors of all things praiseworthy of Dearborn County have spoken!
! DON’T LISTEN TO MR. FREEMOND!!! HE IS NOT ON BOARD…SO TO SPEAK!!!
GEESH! Now they are delineating and demarcating who has, and who has not, the gravitas to speak concerning County issues!
Pontificating, officious, self-satisfied, vainglorious fools…everyone of them!
The next election cannot arrive fast enough!
“Vieste and their cohorts in the DCEDI, if they are such "innocent" parties, why do they bulk so when pressed to open their meetings to the public?”
ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS. George Orwell
Alan Freemond is allowed to give any amount he wants, for what ever reason he wants. If he wants to donate only because he supports democrats, it is his god-given american right to do so. For Mr. Anonymous to insinuate otherwise is a cheap shot.
However, if any of those 4 companies want to donate money, they can support whoever they want as well, for whatever reason. Thi is a cheap shot by Mr. Freemond. Maybe all 4 of them support republican only campaigns. That is a simple enough reason. Maybe they did not agree with what Ralph Thompsons plans. I dont know, but to assume there was a "pay to play" scheme going on is kind of far fetched to me. Just because someone has an MBA or is an engineer, does not make someone the more qualified candidate.
However, both Mr. Feemond and the Anonymous person are missing the point. We need to stop focusing our efforts of assuming everone is corrupt. We need to focus on ways to keep the high quality of life us Dearbon Countians enjoy. We have some problems that we need to address. Whether it is money for our schools, roads, jails, sewers, etc.
Bringing high paying jobs and income into our county should be a big concern. However, we need to do this in a responsible manner. I dont pretend to know all of the answers, and I dont think anyone else does either.
This is why I do agree that there needs to be public involvement with the Vieste plan.
If he wants to donate only because he supports democrats, it is his god-given american right to do so.
Damning Mr. Freemond with faint praise. Apparently, no one person has a monopoly on “cheap shots.”
Mr. Freemond supported the only true, non-crony, republican in the last race.
Maybe all 4 of them support republican only campaigns.
Another cheap shot.
Thompson was the “republican” in the last election. Vieste, et al, supported the democrat (read rubber stamp) last election.
Maybe they did not agree with what Ralph Thompsons plans.
Like opening up the public process to the public?
Just because someone has an MBA or is an engineer, does not make someone the more qualified candidate.
And the primary opponent of Thompson was more qualified how? Other than being a full time stooge for the DCEDI?
And the general election candidate, a democrat, was more qualified how? Other than being a proponent for unrestrained development?
We need to focus on ways to keep the high quality of life us Dearbon Countians enjoy.
By making plans to build industrial parks next to long time farms and not even having the common decency to involve these people in your plans?
This is why I do agree that there needs to be public involvement with the Vieste plan.
With this we are in complete agreement.
However, it is, and always has been, the DCEDI and Vieste who have made every attempt to cut the public out of the public’s business.
The only reason there is any discussion now of involving the public is because the DCEDI and Vieste have found themselves at an impasse, if not a downright stalemate, due directly to their ham-fisted handling of the public.
"Maybe all 4 of them support republican only campaigns."
Meaning, a democrat is a republican, when such democrat supports giving free and unfettered reign and absolute sovereignty to realtor and developer interests, over the common, average, taxpaying citizen?
You sir, are neither a republican nor a democrat.
But you and your associates know better what is best for the rest of us. That must be why you see no need to solicit our opinions on matters that may have profound affect on our very lives.
You are just so much smarter than the rest of us!
If he wants to donate only because he supports democrats, it is his god-given american right to do so.
How funny!
Your central theme appears to be:
The candidate selected by your “bought and paid for” republican leadership was not elected. The candidate supported by an electoral republican majority...won. And you all just wanted to take the ball and go home! So Thompson did not kiss the rings, or other appendages of those who have so corrupted the party. So he can’t be a real republican.
Again. How funny!
The candidate selected by your “bought and paid for” republican leadership was not elected.
The next DCEDI/Vieste/Dearborn County Republican Leadership supported candidate will have campaign signs, "bought and paid for," with this disclaimer (in small print of course) :
THIS CANDIDATE SUPPORTED BY THE SELECTION NOT ELECTION COMMITTEE OF DEARBORN COUNTY
“By making plans to build industrial parks next to long time farms and not even having the common decency to involve these people in your plans?”
You see, those of us who may be desirous of having some say in what is being done with “our” land are branded “trouble-makers” by two of our county commisioners and by a number of folks on our county council.
Those who want to bulldoze “our” land are labeled “forward thinkers” and “saviors” by the very same officials in our county.
It really is just that simple.
Perhaps we are basing our land use decisions on only one factor- economic development, rather than balancing all three factors that are part of sustainable development.
1. Economic
2. Social
3. Environmental
Someone explained that very succinctly to me at the last Master pLan open house.
I'd like to think we will be considering the balance of all those factors as the Advisory Board gets together to decide what to recommend to the Plan Commission for their big Public Hearing.
It's actually a lot of fun to listen to members of the public- particularly the ones who are engaged in the process and looking for solutions.
Christine Mueller
If some of our public officials would at least glance through the above mentioned book, they may see themselves reflected back at them, page after page.
One of the most striking things the book yields is the nonsensically lopsided power relationship between public officials and corporations. The politicians are almost like members of a harem vying for the king's attention, or in this case, a company's favor.
It is like a case study on Dearborn County Politics.
"It is like a case study on Dearborn County Politics. "
I always figured that the "Hooterville Council Meetings" on "Greenacres" was a case study on Dearborn County Politics.
Eb, the loveable hired hand and naive oaf, a take-off on Brett Fehrman.
Brother and sister incompetent carpenters, Ralph and Alf Monroe: Fox and Hughes
Any petty ole bitty on the show: Vera Benning.
The character the entire town found annoying: Craig Beckley.
Oblivious small-town bureaucrats: West and Rozow.
Mr. Haney: Lisa Lehner.
Arnold Ziffel: Any ole hometown realtor/developer.
Foster Brooks style Drunken lout and braggart politician: Well, you know whom that character fits!!!
What about rich "farm wife" Lisa? Seems like a perfect Chrissy!
I heard "Chrissy" and her husband are finacially sound due to their education levels and skills and not due to political connections or nepotism.
And I am sure that really burns those who require both political influence and nepotism to get anywhere in life.
If Chrissy is considered rich...I hope she gets richer...and can afford to spend even more time holding the local political hacks and whores' feet to the fire!!!
Look what happened in St. Leon when we were not paying attention to corruption in local goverment!!!
St. Leon:
As a realtor/developer/sewer board member, St. Leon is Brett Fehrman's dream business model!
"IF CHRISSY..."
Yep, she's a legend in her own mind. Most of us are too busy trying to earn a living and raise our children, to have the time to stick our noses in everything.
"IF CHRISSY..."
Yep, she's a legend in her own mind. Most of us are too busy trying to earn a living and raise our children, to have the time to stick our noses in everything.
"CHRISSY" STICKS HER NOSE IN THE BUSINESS OF THE PUBLIC, WHICH SHE IS A MEMBER OF!
THE SELF-APPOINTED-ANNOITED RULING "BILLY-BOBS" AND "BILLY-BARBS" HATE THOSE RAYS OF SUNSHINE "CHRISSY" AIMS THEIR WAY!
"CHRISSY" OPENS THE SHADES, TURNS ON THE LIGHTS, AND THE "BILLY-BOBS AND BARBS" SCAMPER FOR A DANK, DARK CORNER AND URINATE THEMSELVES IN HORROR...WAILING:
"OH PLEASE! OH PLEASE! DON'T LET THE PUBLIC FIND OUT AND RUIN THIS GOOD THING WE GOT GOING!!!
Thanks Chrissy for all you do. I never knew there was someone so dedicated to our county and community. I don't think your nose is into everything. I think your nose is where citizens of our county needs it. Our officials are money hungry devils and will do anything for status and a dollar under the table.
Apparently, "Chrissy," needs to keep her nose out of what used to be the "public's" business!
Political hacks, such as, Fox and Hughes, have permitted the DCEDI and the Chamber to have sole province over all things county related!
The taxpayers and voters only exist to vote republican or democrat, or whomever the local GOP directs them to vote for in either the primary or general!
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