16 October 2007 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes
Present: Hughes, Chairman, Thompson, and Fox
Also present: Pickens, Auditor, Ewbank, Attorney, and Messmore, Administrator
A uniformed police officer was present.
[NOTE- Commissioners were not speaking up and the microphones were not picking up from the audience’s perspective.]
An executive session was held at 3:30 PM Commissioners took no action at this meeting regarding that meeting. Subject was: complaints from the highway dept. workers.
Harold White- 21166 Kuebel Road at the intersection with Fox Road wanted commissioners to clarify the deed for his property and the road that was moved about 30 ft onto it back in 1965. He said he wanted commissioners to pay for his land or he wanted to close it off. Later he indicated that he was 70 and wanted the property straightened out so his children wouldn’t have any issues.
Thompson motioned and Fox 2nd to table this until the county Hwy Dept could do further research. Ewbank will then send a letter to White concerning the county’s position on that issue.
Gayle Pennington presented the general procedures with the online tax information site. Apparently realtors, bankers, and appraisers have to go to a 2nd site after they exceed the 30 parcel per day limit on the taxpayer site. Then they have to pay about $2 per look-up and the rate goes down if there is a large volume of parcels. The parcel project will solve this but she thought it was 2 years out. Pickens has been getting information and has about 4 GIS companies who will be presenting to him. They indicate they can have it all online by July if they start in January.
Commissioners said their citizen complaints are basically that they want to know what the rates will be. Pickens said that everything is at the state now and we are waiting for them to send the rates- “we are currently at their mercy- if they have such a thing.”
Weights and Measures was consolidated into the Building Inspector’s Office for 2008 in the county Budget.
Messmore said- County Auction will be held Sat Oct 27 at the Emergency Mgmt Building at 10 AM. There are nearly 20 Crown Victoria and trucks for sale, office desks, etc. Items deemed worthless will be discarded. Pickens told Messmore to toss the old computer monitors. Listerman warned him that it couldn’t just go into a dumpster. Pickens said- just put them on the bottom- first in, last out. [NOTE: Can’t Solid Waste help handle this hazardous waste?]
Commissioners signed the letter of recommendation that Vieste wanted as part of their termination agreement was prepared by Thompson and reviewed by Ewbank. Pickens will send the letter after Messmore gives him Vieste’s NEW ADDRESS- they’ve moved. It reads as follows:
To Whom It May Concern:
On September 12, 2006, the Dearborn County Board of Commissioners (“County”) engaged VIESTE, LLC to develop a Comprehensive Capital Program Management Plan for the County.
Phase I of the project included an assessment of immediate, mid-term and long-term capital requirements for the County. An audit of the County’s financial processes, along with alternative funding strategy recommendations, was developed and submitted by VIESTE and the County’s financial adviser, London Witte. The comprehensive plan that was developed by VIESTE would potentially be a piece of the economic development plan for Dearborn County.
Due to the lack of political consensus within the County, it was the joint conclusion of the entire team, that the County government needed to step back and reevaluate the direction the County should take for a Financial Master Plan and for Economic Development within the county.
This is Dearborn County's acknowledgement that Vieste and its team has performed within the original Service Agreement and provided a Financial Master Plan for the Country's future. The County has instead chosen to reevaluate its current and future direction and financial plans.
Sincerely,
Jeff Hughes, President Dearborn County Commissioners
Rick Fox
Ralph Thompson
Polling locations were signed off on for the Nov elections.
Todd Listerman- Transportation Director gave a 13-minute report.
1. Commissioners signed the letter (prepared by McCormack and Listerman) to INDOT regarding the I-74 bridge rehab and requested INDOT look at the projected growth in that area so they would increase the capacity of the bridge, rather than rehab it at their current level.
2. Listerman showed commissioners the new safety shirts and hats purchased at reduced rates by tacking onto INDOTs purchase agreement.
3. The aerial bucket the county purchased was thoroughly described to commissioners- cost was $89,495.
4. 4. Council approved funding for spreader boxes and related tools.
5. Hwy is finishing patching and preparing for winter maintenance.
6. The old nuclear gauge was sold to Christopher and Associates for $2500 and paperwork sent to INDY regarding its transfer.
Pickens- claims and minutes signed
Messmore had nothing to add.
Ewbank- said the county was named in the suit over the light at HVL along with Macke and several of his companies. County is named as it is on county property and they have been “unjustly enriched” by having it (without payment)
Ewbank said there was also a tort claim notice as there is a lapsed letter of credit and the county didn’t keep a better eye on Macke.
Ewbank brought up the sewer letter status at Thompson's request- saying there was a court case pending in St. Leon over the same issue as to whether the county ordinance or state ordinance prevails. He said we will await that court decision before going further with a letter. Pickens asked Thompson if he’d gotten any call back from Indy on this- (Thompson had met with legislative assistant on this issue) Thompson said No- he would discuss that with Pickens later. [NOTE: Eibeck- one of the parties being sued by St. Leon- said no court date was set yet. This issue has been dragging on for a long time. It would appear the county is using this as an excuse to drag their feet also. Who is protecting the county residents?]
Fox thought that if we are restructuring the highway dept- and a foreman’s job is eliminated maybe the county could still pay him the foreman’s wage and call him a back-up foreman. They could freeze his wage till the other county workers reached that level and then he could continue at their rate. Thompson asked Listerman to draw up a formal plan for this for commissioners to look over. Council will have to redo salary ordinance if this is to happen. [NOTE: It seems that the county is having trouble with setting limits. And commissioners are having trouble handling worker’s complaints. This is a dangerous precedent to set- they need to look at this from all angles.]
Hughes- wants drainage issues checked with Sugar Ridge and also the fire depts. to decide on lifting the ban on burning.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
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29 comments:
Messmore had nothing to add.
And the obvious pokes its head out of its conspicuous and hollow subordinate cavity!
"Ewbank said there was also a tort claim notice as there is a lapsed letter of credit and the county didn’t keep a better eye on Macke."
Dearborn County Taxpayers, expect no less in the future as our Development Flunkies in Political and Public Office, give Development Interests a "blank" check to do as the please!
to do as "the" please!
the = they
Would Ewbank give me a Benning to clean my keyboard?
It would appear the county is using this as an excuse to drag their feet also. Who is protecting the county residents?]
Defending County Residents who are not "politically connected" realtors, developers and county attorneys?
Wow!
So many tough questions this Tuesday Night!
Maybe we need to "memo" Jim West on these questions?
Did I really type that?
Someone, check me for Alzheimer’s!
Ewbank brought up the sewer letter status at Thompson's request...
And we all may break here for our customary and routine shower to sluice off the accustomed Ewbank slime...
Ewbank has no intention of allowing a no-forced hook-up letter. His partner Kramer is the attorney for DCRSD. A "former" associate, Leininger, is the attorney for the citizens being sued by St, Leon to force their hook-up.
Oh what a tangled web they weave.
Have they ever just stepped back and looked at the inherent unfairness of the forced hook-up process?
"Apparently realtors, bankers, and appraisers have to go to a 2nd site after they exceed the 30 parcel per day limit on the taxpayer site. Then they have to pay about $2 per look-up and the rate goes down if there is a large volume of parcels. The parcel project will solve this..."
Why was Pennington there? Did the realtors, bankers,and appraisers complain taht they had to pay fo their BUSINESS info?
The purpose of that entire presentation was unclear. The commissioners said they were wondering about rates on the taxpayer's bill- not rates charged to the realtors, bankers, and appraisers.
"Have they ever just stepped back and looked at the inherent unfairness of the forced hook-up process?"
No matter how far they would step back, all they will still see is dollar signs!
Ewbank, Kramer and Lehner need to have no more direct and taxpayer sponsored involvement in our public affairs!
To them, their involvement in County matters is simply an opportunity to grow their practices and business portfolios, with no concern for the taxpayers!
"Thompson said No- he would discuss that with Pickens later"
...I thought serial meeting were...oh...that only applies to "others".
Serial meetings?
Seeking advice and input does not constitute a serial meeting.
Did Thompson utilize a series of communications, directly or through intermediaries, to discuss, deliberate or take action on any item required to be considered at a public meeting.
You know, like how the DCRSD was set up and enabled and the way the DCEDI had privately directed the public's business.
Have you noticed since the ban on serial meetings, the DCEDI's public funding has all but dried up?
Why, because discussing such funding "needs" in the daylight, out in public, makes Jim West and his two Commissioners very nervous!
...I thought serial meeting were...oh...that only applies to "others".
The very fact that you are so uneducated as to even what a "serial meeting" is, made you and yours such easy marks for those who used you to get to our dollars!
Pickens told Messmore to toss the old computer monitors. Listerman warned him that it couldn’t just go into a dumpster. Pickens said- just put them on the bottom- first in, last out.
I guess the laws are just for the "little people"
The anti's are so selfish.
Your boy is doing exactly what you all cry about, Cliff.
The anti's are so selfish.
The "anti's" are selfish for not wanting to waste taxpayer (our) dollars on personal pet projects of a few development interests…
…but these same development interests and their servants in public office, paint themselves as some how grandly magnanimous for their seeming never satisfied ability to spend our money to line their pockets!
And please, explain to all of us just what “serial meetings” consist of?
Just like with the DHMO hoax in scientific circles, perpetuated by similar dingleberries such as those in the "employ" of our local development would-be kings and queens, that illustrates how the lack of scientific knowledge and an exaggerated analysis can lead to misplaced fears, these development lackys are trying to redefine a term such as "serial meetings" into something it is not, to carry on with their petty and backwoods smear campaigns against all those who are not on their "Development Masters" payroll!
Next they will paint Thompson as a life-long practicing heterosexual, but how can this be, he is a life-long bachelor as evidenced by his having something called a bachelors degree hanging in his workplace and we all know that those with life-long bachelors degree are just hiding their true selves, which is why all priests are life-long bachelors! Let us not even go into why some nefarious group made him a master of…God knows what…sick…sick…sick! And of course, someone must investigate his interest in diminutive equines, whatever black magic crap that entails!
Serial meeting- as in a series- as in one after the other.
How does- I will get with you later- translate into serial?
How does-I will get with you later- translate into serial?
It just fits the new template Ewbank has provided to his low-brow lemmings!
"Thompson said No- he would discuss that with Pickens later"
...I thought serial meeting were...oh...that only applies to "others".
And of course, Thompson wanted to speak with Pickens in private, because he and Pickens are very likely co-conspirators, after all the support Pickens threw to Thompson in both the primary and in the general election.
Pickens’ flaccid attempts, as local republican party head, to manage his flock, who were taken over by the “true” development party, left Thompson always in Pickens’ debt!
Next, the likely story propagated by the usual development stooges will be that Thompson secretly met with Vera, in an attempt to plan a coup to take over the Dearborn County IN - Public Forum blog site!!!
Na...Na...Na...Na...Na...Nah.
Well what comes around goes around. Was there not discussions on this blog awhile back when Ewbank said that to Thompson about the Sewer letter. People were so quick to say the same things about Ewbank trying to hind things from the public. So since Thompson did the same thing does that mean he is hiding something from the public.
Both times there was probably nothing that is trying to be hidden from the public but sometimes there are things that can be discussed after a meeting.
So next time someone you don't like does the something you might want to think twice before trying to throw that person under the bus.
Ewbank was faulted for his past and present failure to draft a letter informing the DCRSD that if its Board Members should continue on their course of forcing others to pay for the sewers of certain development interests in this County, the Commissioners would hold them accountable.
Considering Ewbank is ass-deep in conflicting interests relative to the DCRSD where he could potentially profit greatly by the unrestrained development brought about making sewers cheap for development by forcing the rest of us to pay for them, it is easy to understand the unease with anything Ewbank does…considering also his actions and words during last year’s Commissioner election.
Without even factoring into Ewbank's own law partner is on the DCRSD's payroll!
Geesh Louise!
Thompson, told Pickens he would confer with him later...period.
Thompson has nothing to be gained by later informing Pickens about whatever “conversation” he had, considering Picken’s allegiances in this County. Such allegiances which don’t run to those who are for “Smart Growth!”
Your need to compare both of these as if they are of the same weight and consequence...leaves you looking quite foolish and politically desperate.
Notwithstand their need to equate Thompson's actions with "Serial Meetings."
More nonsense from these "develoment at any taxpayer cost" hacks to cover up their constant and consistent nonsense and to add more misdirection away from their looting of the taxpayers' dollars.
A Thompson is to a Ewbank as is a Bear is to an intestinal fluke.
Although, Mr. Fasciolopsis Buski may be a bit Insulted by such a lowly and harsh comparison.
A serial meeting is where several members of a Board meet with one after the other or call one after the other to conduct a meeting without ever reaching a quorum and thereby the need to hold a public meeting to take action or prepare to take action.
Taking with anyone not on the same Board cannot constitute a serial meeting, because gathering information from outside sources can not be a meeting to conduct Board action.
I will confer with Mr. Pickens after the Commissioners' meeting to obtain the telephone number of a State Senator on the Ways and Means Committee. If that worries anyone, they have the same right to contact the same State Senator or any other State Senator or Representative.
In fact, I hope every Citizen feels free to contact any or all of our Senators and Representatives with any and all issues of importance to them.
Taking with anyone not on the same Board cannot constitute a serial meeting, because gathering information from outside sources can not be a meeting to conduct Board action.
Serial meetings made life so much simpler for the DCEDI and Vera and the other two stooges!
With out any messy "public" meetings discussing funding for the DCEDI, Jim West could show in front of the Board, ask for taxpayer dollars and the ding-a-ling trio would give it to him. Seemingly already knowing why the DCEDI needed the money and the amount Jim West was asking for was adequate to meet the needs of the DCEDI and of course the taxpayers. Never having to discuss the "boring" basics in a public meeting!
Congrats to the commish's for making the highway dept. all one unit and for making the employees be able to do everthing. So many times I have seen waste by these crews because that part of the job is not in my classifcation. If the employees do not want to play by the new rules get out start drawing your unemployment and let somebody else who needs a job and needs to provide for their family have a chance of geeting one of these jobs.
Now if the commissioners can just resist the temptation to let highway employees get them to try to usurp their boss.
Seems like outside forces are trying to stir the pot.
Seems like a prior highway department director can't keep his nose and rumors out of the highway department. Maybe he wants another chance to screw things up.
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