You know. A wise person said to me, several times in fact, get out before it kills you.

I think I will take that advice. Over the last few days, I have had the ugliest words spewed at me from the mouths of people I respected at one time. I have seen behavior come that just made me want say – get a grip.

Then I realized, I need to get a grip. It occurred to me when Darrell and I were talking about the upcoming city council meeting. And, then it dawned on me. That's our 26 year anniversary. Marriage, that is. Not fighting the city. I guess I just decided I am tired of watching people get ignored at every pass. And, I was starting to get angry. Angry is not a world I want to live in. I'd rather live with Hungry. The character from Weight Watchers. He's cute and cuddly.

Darrell had the greatest statement last night. He said, “you know. Citizens didn't vote for me as Mayor. They voted against Don Leard. They didn't know who the hell I was. They just knew they didn't want him anymore.” That's a true statement. It goes for everyone at the council. Most people didn't vote for you. They just voted against the others. That's why Michael won by default. Had there been another choice, that new person would be there. And, with the way are things going here, in a few months and years, there will be new faces, if they choose to run. So, before everyone keeps running to start talking about how you have all this citizen support, remember – they didn't vote for you. They voted against Don.

I have plans to expand what I have learned here to apply to more positive situations. Like, I learned that even though Chris Heisler (and wife, Mary, the treasurer of his campaign) never entered any transactions in their ORESTAR report, as required by law,- and didn't close it, there is nothing the state will do. If a complaint is made more than 90 days after the close of the election, no action will be taken. So, I learned that sometimes people get to do whatever they want, even if its outside the law, and there is no one that will stop them.

Despite the snarky comments, several people have told me I write well and make them think about things. That's about all I can ask for. So, I will be continuing my writing, for a bigger cause. And I will volunteering for an organization that provides small grants to people in our community to help them pay things like their water bill. Do you know the city shuts off about 8 – 12 people a month? I find that unacceptable. But, since the city intends on collecting, I guess I will have to help find money to fund their needs. Isn't it sad that in order to afford basic services, there are people who just assume you should get charity? How about realistic pricing? Wouldn't that be even better?

Darrell and I will be working on the house and polishing the deck. Come summer, we will have a BBQ for anyone interested in joining us for a good time. Since the Mayor's wife likes to point out that we don't have any supporters, it may be a quiet time. That's okay, too. More food for us. If you would like to get an invite when we are ready, let me know and I will send you more information.

I'm thinking of installing a lawn in the front of the house. And maybe we will pressure wash and paint this year. Of course, only on the days I will be allowed to. Darrell is still planning on attending meetings. No video taping though. That way, he won't be distracted with the equipment. He won't be there in Feb, though. That's our day.

And, then, the councilors who give me information to 'research' to distract me can get back to business. Quit bitching at each other and start solving some problems. Stop having meetings in secret. All of you. And since its been explained to me that I am toxic to Lafayette, without me interfering, we can all get back to the business of chewing our water.

A perk of living here? I can go a whole month without durable cleaning on any surface that the water touches. Because the chlorine level is so high, I never have mildew issues. Isn't that amazing?

If you are planning a move to this town, I have to ask – WHY? The cost of living increases so much, not just the really, really high water / sewer rates. But, you have the added expense of the filter systems that must be put in place – either a whole house one or at each source. If you don't, your health will suffer.

The page will stay up. This information will sit here for a couple weeks and then move to archives. We track our usage. We receive between 300 and 500 hits a day. A day! That's pretty good. So, we must be helping some people. We also are leaving it up because we find it hilarious that several state agencies list us as the contact website for the city.

If you have information on our site that we post for you, let us know if you want any changes made.

I would like to thank our supporters (do we have any?) that have always had words of encouragement, donated supplies and energy and just let us vent. We do appreciate your help. And, we aren't going away. We are just working our way up the food chain. Remember, you can change the people all you want; but, if you don't change the rules, things don't change.

If you have any additional thoughts of violence, threatening behavior or just need to hurl some more obscenities and insults, feel free to go to www.getrichfrompublicoffice.com and leave them there. I'm really not interested in listening to it anymore. And, frankly, I've been called worse by better. It just goes to show it doesn't matter how much money you have or how well you appear to live – Money can't buy you class.

For those of you still interested in pursuing matters with the city, and expect to get some forward movement, I have one thing to say:

Good Luck and God Speed

Angela Flood