I copied and pasted this from one of the other topic headers because you must of been busy being interviewed by Fox and CNN last night and didn't get this new post header up yet.


I though Matthew Jackson was the star of the show last night. To be quite honest he actually knows more about whats going on in this City than any new candidate running and I don't think I would get any argument from even the current council on that.  Dredging is critical as we know we have bought all the equipment even built a brand new building to work out of on the river.  The question is who do we have do the work.  I think we should have professionals doing the job its nothing against our City Staff at all they are for the most part very good workers.  I would like to see the cost incurred to the City in real data compared to what a professional bid would be.  I don't think it would be to far apart and it may qualify as a shovel ready project which would take a huge burden off us.  Time is critical we all know this needs to be put to rest asap!  I just think we would get "more bang for the buck" with a professional experienced dredging crew.

Matthew,

Listened last night, and I agree with Doug, you had a good handle on the facts of city government.

It is hard to have a "conversation" when you have just three candidates let along seven wanting to get their points out with limited time, but you did good.

Yes, I agree a couple of candidates were far to "windy" in talking last night.

Here is my answer to the question that Kris had asked earlier. Sorry Kris it has taken me a while to get back to you, but I have been extremly busy with work and campaigning.

As you know, I have said that I would be open to studing the possibility of creating two inner-city elected council seats (with the council still only having seven positions) out of an area that would cover the area between Lake Shore Drive, 22nd Street, Pershing Road and Fairview/Oakland Avenues. Adjustments could be made, but the basic area covers what I think is the "inner-city".

That is the limit at this time in what I would support as a "hybrid" form of council.

Going to electing 7 in districts with 3 at large is to close to an aldermatic form of government that I oppose where the "big community picture" would most likely be lost. Having to many "council voting blocks" can lead to fights over limited city resouces and then nothing gets done to move the whole community forward.

I don't know if my answer is what you wanted to hear, but that is how I feel at this time.

I always try to be honest when asked questions even if it might lose me potential votes because of my views on topices. I don't play the game of  "giving the answers" I "think" people want to hear to gain votes, because once someone gets elected, the problems start because voters will remember what has been stated in the past.

Pat,

Thanks for  answering my question and being so honest.  It's not necessary that you totally agree with my point of view to get my vote.  I'll keep working on you and change your mind anyway  :-)

Best of luck Tuesday!

I haven't listened to the entire radio interview(s).  When I get some time, I'll give them all a listen.

Kris

Hey Pat and Matthew as well,

Would you answer one for me as well?   What stand do you take regarding the current noise ordinance?   As you are probably aware there is a group trying to lesson the severity of it  or take the teeth out of it in my opinion.  This is an important to me and a number of people I know who live in the inner-city neighborhoods where this problem is at its worst

Thanks

Sue

Good evening Sue,

I strongly support the city's present Noise Ordinance and would not support "watering it down".

Thanks Pat, I figured that may be the case just had never asked.     Sue

Sue - as much as it I sympathize with the people who listen to loud music (frankly, I think some music simply begs to be “turned up” - and I wouldn't be surprised if I'm not guilty of exceeding the noise levels every now and then...Just being honest!!!). Even so, I don't think the ordinance is unreasonable. I'd listen to options City Staff could put forward that would make the first offense not quite so painful ($500 and impoundment of the vehicle), and if given a solid option I'd relax the penalties a little. I do not support repealing the ordinance, but I would entertain the thought of not impounding the offending vehicle on the first offense....

Matthew,  I do know where you are coming from -  being completely honest as well - there been nice days I’ve been in my car and thought,  “dang girl, you are going to get pulled over and how embarrassing would that be since you’ve been such an active proponent of this ordinance!!”   J  And I would be lying if I did not admit that especially as a kid and young adult I was bad bad bad about this too probably worst than most.

 

But I’m going to suggest you re-listen to the council meeting of 1/5 and Shad explaining the background  and details on this ordinance.  The manager explains the difference between a city ordinance and state law regarding teeth - the state can keep your drivers license and Shad said the officers actually have some lee-way as there is a state law $75 fine and a local ordinance.   The info on it from city staff and Wendy show they ALREADY use community service work and offer it as an option in hardship cases.

 

This is kinda a role reversal Matthew but I think those opposing it need to come up with a plan with teeth the “stop the noise” as Foster said - not city council -and present that.   All I’ve heard from them so far is to remove the car towing from it and increase the fine and only fine the driver.   The problem comes with getting the money from the driver who often is not the car owner, has no money, and could care less…. The state takes their drivers license the city does not have that power.  Now this is not about the money but if there is no consequence it is ineffective…. The purpose of this ordinance being set up like it is was to make a big impact with little effort.  And pretty govern by word of mouth.

 

My concern is - not that far back - folks already fought this battle - it was already studied and thought through - and they came up with this solution that has helped.   I really do not want to have to fight it again…..  It’s pretty easy to find people who are mad because they or their kid got fined to complain about it and that is what is happening now.

 

Sue

Sue...Yup...That's why I'd "entertain the thought" of changing the ordinance, but I'm not in favor of repealing it outright.

Can you be more specific as to how would you be willing to change it?  

Removing the car towing part and the fine toward the car owner as is being suggested by DeAngelo or some other way?

Sounds fair Matthew - thanks for expanding it.    

Regarding the Mayor race I missed it last night as well was out eating too - just what I needed NOT to be doing!!  Will listen to it some time this weekend

Sue

http://herald-review.com/blogs/rollcall/?p=41#comment-32   I thought this blog entry by Ken Lowe was just too funny!!  lol

McCrady was on the money in his comments at the business expo the other day.  And Ken really got this right!!!

As a community we really need to come together - we don't have agree on everything - but we need to come from a ground of mutual respect.   Whoever wins - I'd really love to see some unifing and reaching out to the other side some good sportmanship and giving the other side credit where credit is due. 

Actually the passion people have could be real strenght  for Decatur.  We can go far but we really need all hands on deck! 

Sue

That is a very good article and very funny and VERY TRUE!  I linked to his blog from mine a few weeks ago.  I've been following his articles.  He's a gifted writer.  It's also nice to get a point of view from someone new to the community.  It's refreshing.  Ryan McCrady is also very refreshing. 

Kris

Matthew and anyone else,

This current Decatur Municipal Election is really one for the books, with Matthew, other candidates and myself playing leading roles  through all the "twists and turns" of trying to stay on the ballot , because we just want to serve the community that we live in to help make it an even better community now for those of us that live here and for future generations.

But I am afraid that the deep divisions between different segments of our community that have been created by this elecion will take time for the healing process to take place for our community to move forward and it won't be easy.

Healthy community discussions on the issues that face the people of Decatur are surely welcome, but when the discussions turn into heated debate between community groups and turn distructive, the community loses.

So I hope the healing process begins on Wednesday, April 8th with everyone putting the community first and not their personal agendas.

I second that, Pat!

Well said! Pat

Good Luck