Letters July 30

Thursday, July 30, 2009 - 11:43 am

Nothing good heard about mayor

I am totally for the recall on the mayor.

For many reasons. I have lived in David City for almost four years now and haven't heard any positive feedback about our mayor. I have been to a few city council meetings in which I believe our mayor has downgraded the citizens of David City. We elected the mayor to be a positive voice for our community and to guide us to be a great community. Really what has he done for us, except call us HILLBILLIES and MOBS.

Spend the money, in which our children will be paying back or raise our taxes. But Joe Johnson needs a raise. All he wants is another posting on his resume.

What about our city workers that don't get raises because of our budget. Seems really unfair.

As for Steve Gaston, he is a smart man for starting this process. It should have been done a long time ago. As a follower I can respect him and discuss issues with him and not feel like I am being downgraded.

I am a mother of six children and a small business owner. I am respected by my customers and my children. I want a positive community for these children and my customers.

But of course David City is the laughing stock of the state. I have customers that ask me what is really going on, I tell them I don't know where to start.

As for the mayor he has done some good but what cost to the citizens. A few businesses have come to town but only under his guidelines. Now he is burning down houses and has worked on the D Street Project started many years ago.

Let's not forget about the DCPD. Where was the planning on that situation? I am for keeping the police department though I would like to see better reorganization of the police force.

Sure the recall will cost money but we the taxpayers have spent $59,418.95 at Olsson Associates Inc. for surveys. Also $3,765 on attorneys fees fighting private citizens' claims. One was lost in court and the other is still unsettled. This is all public knowledge. What about the "No Recall" sign in an appointed city councilman's yard?

Editor's note: Because of an editing error, the attorneys fee cost mentioned in this letter was incorrect in the published edition of The Banner-Press. The newspaper apologizes for the error.

Joy Fountain

David City

Mayor should work for all

As those who live outside of the city, we are perplexed by the reaction to the

"Recall Trowbridge" campaign. As with all recall campaigns there's backlash in support of Trowbridge. But has anyone noticed those doing the supporting with the lawn signs and the letters to the editor are the social elite of the city?

If he's doing such a good job as mayor for the WHOLE city why are there not others, not just business owners, members of the Arts Council and the medical community supporting him? This leads to the question of just which base has the mayor been catering to, the upper 10 percent of the city or the other 90 percent who are doing more than their share to support the city coffers? Just because they do not own businesses or have advanced degrees does not mean that the 90 percent is less important. What's Trowbridge done to deserve this support besides being a member of the business community?

It's been pointed out this recall will cost more taxpayer money, but whose money was to be spent with the consolidation of the trash business into one provider? This is how monopolies happen.

Also with the push to consolidate the police and sheriff's departments who's paying for majority of the bill? It's been forgotten that not only the city tax bills will be affected, but also county residents will be. We've heard more regular people concerned over losing their police protection and response time than those who support the consolidation. But like most people in David City and Butler County we don't run in the "right" circles. It's time all tax brackets of David City and Butler County are treated fairly not just those with more political clout or should we say more money in their bank accounts. It's more than obvious Trowbridge cares more about the minority than the majority of those he represents.

Thanks

Alvin T. & April Smith

Do they know the harm?

Is it possible that the people who are promoting a recall of the mayor really don't realize the harm they are doing to this community or is it simply that their own personal dislikes are more important to them than the long term stability of the town.

I understand that personalities clash and opinions and agendas differ. I also understand that better tact and diplomacy could be used on all sides. But I do not see how anyone who cares about the economic future of David City can put their own likes or dislikes ahead of the reputation of the town. We can only appear to act like foolish children when the Lincoln and Omaha papers broadcast our disputes. Which of our children will wish to come back and make this their homes in a town that doesn't care about community pride and economic stability.

What I have not seen or heard is the positive agenda that this group of citizens has for the future growth of this community. I have not seen any hidden agenda from the current mayor or city administrator. Everything has been above board and their agenda for the improvement of the infrastructure and economic stability of our community has been positive. I would like to know specifically which of the actions they have taken are offensive and I would like very much to hear what those who have been offended would offer as an alternative.

There are many ways to exercise our rights, express our opinions, and influence our governance. The right to petition for a recall should be saved for very dire and drastic circumstances. Most assuredly every city administration acts in a way that upsets someone, but the proper place for that to be addressed is in the scheduled election which occurs in only 16 months.

Please think carefully before you sign a petition.

Beth Klosterman

Don't lose real issue

Don't let the real issue get lost. This started because the dissolution of the police department was hidden in an attachment rather than on the front page of the agenda. It seems odd that if the plan all along was to build a new building, as has been stated, then: 1) in June why was the emphasis on the white board totally on relocating in city hall; 2)why was no hint of a plan brought forward at that time (a simple statement that there is a plan to build would have sufficed); 3) why was the sheriff brought in to give a presentation: and 4) why was the plan not shared (least of all) with the chief of police? There is a communication problem. What concerns me is, what else don't we know about?

This should not be about personal vendettas. It's about right and wrong and what was done was wrong. That's it-it's wrong. Nearly every member of the public who sat in that council meeting in June was stunned at what was happening. I believe the public trust has been violated. It was deliberate and intentional.

Before Mr. Gaston filed the recall petition, there were many rumblings in the community to recall the mayor. Mr. Gaston was the only one who had the courage to actually file it. The personal stake he has, is in the community in which he lives- the community in which we all live.

The personal attacks against Mr. Gaston are distasteful and uncalled for. As citizens we have the right and obligation to draw upon the system to correct wrongs in government and he is merely exercising that right. The name at the top of the petition is irrelevant - what is important are all the names that follow. A recall should not be about personality conflicts, backgrounds or who dislikes whom. It should be about the issue and, as Mr. Gaston stated, the lack of trust and confidence in a city leader. The trust has been broken.

Remember, option nine will still be on the agenda in September. Thank you.

Carol Brehm

Exemplify government at its best

City elections last fall were contentious. I decided to assess City operations by attending meetings to obtain facts firsthand. I don't care to rely on rumor, hearsay, or incomplete information. I attended all Council and committee meetings since January.

Few people attend Council meetings regularly. Most citizens seem content with allowing their elected officials and the professional administrator to handle day-to-day business and plans for the town's future. Issues move slowly through the city government system and laws provide ample time for research and discussion. I expect Council members will "do the homework" to study their briefing information and get questions answered before the meeting. The goal is fruitful discussion, rational defense of positions, and minimal delays.

I am opposed to any recall of Mayor Trowbridge. Recall laws are designed for serious infractions of public trust. I do not feel the reasons listed in the recall petition in any way rise to that level. Disagreements about policy proposals do not equal "lack of communication" or "complete lack of confidence" in the Mayor's leadership.

The established method to replace leaders is called "the next election." Perhaps our current disagreements could have a positive impact. Citizen interest is high right now. Can we keep it that way until the next election? Can we ascertain the facts of issues, avoiding the grapevine's hearsay? Can we attend meetings to listen and learn? Can we contact Council members and the Mayor, expressing needs, opinions, and encouragement? Can we run for office or actively support capable candidates? Can we choose to work together for the future of our families and our town? Let's demonstrate how a town can cooperate and reach solutions. Let's settle differences without a recall and be an example of local government at its best!

Carolyn Yates

A cartoon show

Mayor schedules forum. Of course the forum was set before any contact with Mr. Gaston.

"If you accept this invitation, please RSVP" Dana Trowbridge.

"Those who hatched this recall effort wish to hide in the shadows and remain anonymous." Dana Trowbridge. "There will be no answer."

But we are going to have a presidential type debate with two stools and an independent moderator and a small panel to sort questions.

The writers of Sponge Bob couldn't make a better cartoon show.

Mike Draper.

Recall belittles community

I rarely resort to writing public letters to the Editor but I feel it is necessary at this time. The recall effort is such a negative thing for David City and cannot be in the best interest of this community. Being in city government is a huge donation of time and effort on the part of those who choose to give their service to represent us. I feel it belittles us as a community to resort to this embarrassment to a lifelong resident of David City. Additionally it speaks very poorly of our ability to resolve issues responsibly as a city government. Please think long and hard before you sign the recall petition. Jack and I certainly are not interested in bringing this kind of negative media attention to David City.

Sincerely,

Gayle Eberly

Does the end justify the means?

To the citizens of David City who think I am behind the recall, you are dead wrong.

I may agree with the attempt to stop the mayor's antics but I did not help organize it. Also, I did not know Steve Gaston until after he filed the petition.

When I visited with (City Administrator) Joe Johnson, (City Attorney) Jim Egr and newspaper editor Larry Peirce about a a personal matter, I stated I would never initiate a recall as it would divide the community. Well here we are and yes, I'm also embarrassed for the people of David City. However, who really started and continues to fuel the unrest? It was not the recall that cause the unrest but the other way around. It started a long time ago before the recall. Those of you who are asking why should have been at the council meetings that I attended. Maybe you could ask the leaders of the following groups how they have been treated when dealing with the mayor or his city administrator. Start with the 911 Emergency Services (not yet solved!), the fire department, Butler Public Power District, the Ball Association, Butler County Board of Supervisors, local contractors, the fireworks vendors, the Sheriff Department dispatchers and numerous other citizens all since he took office.

Some of the Mayor's actions at meetings have been publicly inappropriate and belittling, including cursing, yelling and shaking a finger. Gross intimidation tactics not only at citizens who but at fellow council members who first asked informational questions of his agenda are not uncommon.

Why the unrest and lack of confidence? Do your research please! When the leadership is combative you get a trickle down effect whether it's a school principal, church minister, business owner or sports team. Sooner or later the entity will collapse if things do not change.

When we talk about economic development, the major employers we have had for a long time may have questioned coming to an atmosphere like this. We have unquestionable health and clinic facilities, beautiful park and recreational facilities and wonderful retirement residences, none of which were achieved with the current tactics. If the citizens are happy with what is going on, the petition will fail. Do not shoot the messenger. Again, does the end justify the means?