Written By Angela Flood

Marking Their Territory

Over the last few months, since a relatively new council was sworn in, we have watched from a distance to observe the dynamics. It’s been an interesting experiment. There is very little cohesion, with each person taking on their own, personal agendas; with no one making real forward movement for the people in Lafayette.

Recently, this head butting has culminated in a new topic of the day. The council, after some debate, passed a resolution to include a charter change on the November ballot. This change would eliminate the ‘spending limit’ currently in our charter. We have our own thoughts on why this is a bad, bad idea. But, that is for a later letter.

While those attending the council meeting definitely realize the city has misrepresented its need for the change, there are ways to go about this that are inclusive of citizens. And, without making Mayor Heisler look like a bull in a china shop.

He has chosen this format to mark his territory. Rather than asking why the code is not being enforced against Councilor Bob Cullen; Or filing charges against the city administrator for making financial transfers without the Mayor’s authorization; Or working on the overcharging that is going on for the water / sewer fees (even though they have already proven the money is not needed); Or even returning citizen phone calls. Mayor Heisler has made this gesture to show that he knows what is best. Maybe he thinks that he carries so much weight here that everyone will just vote no because he does not believe in the charter amendment. Didn’t we have that with Mayor Leard? Didn’t Chris promise change, access and accountability?

We will all have to see how this thing spins out. For our part, we are still working for access. Next month, we have asked the council to present an agenda topic for digitizing and providing documents to citizens. Let’s see if it actually makes the agenda. Let’s see if Mayor Heisler actually shows up to the meeting. Let’s see if we can get these ‘representatives’ to stop marking their corners in the freshly decorated council room so the stench will stop emanating from city hall. Wouldn’t that be a change for the better?

Next council meeting is August 13, 2009 at 6:30 pm. Come join us so you can see our life in Lafayette.

Written By Angela Flood

Sad but true.

Just replace senator with councilmen.

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

‘Welcome to heaven,' says St. Peter. 'Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you. ‘No problem, just let me in,' says the man. ‘Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity. ‘Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,' says the senator. ‘I’m sorry, but we have our rules.

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator raises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. ‘Now it's time to visit heaven. ‘So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

‘Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.’

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: 'Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell. So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

'I don't understand,' stammers the senator. 'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?

‘The devil looks at him, smiles and says, 'Yesterday we were campaigning....Today you voted.'

Council meetings coming up 7/14/2009, 7/23/2009, 8/13/2009

Such is our life…in Lafayette

Here’s the credit link – too bad it is our actual life here, instead of just a joke of the day

http://www.ajokeaday.com/

Written By Angela Flood

Oh No! It’s a WATER CRISIS – LEVEL 1.

At the May, 2009 Council Meeting, Jim Anderson (Lafayette’s Facilities Expert) told the council that Lafayette needed to go on a Level 1 Water Crisis alert. This would limit people to watering their lawns every other day. Only two of the councilors voted against this (Leah and Chris P.). They suggested that people be made aware of the situation and ask them to help out the community by being more aware of the water they were using. The others didn’t even ask a question (Bob, Nick, Dean). They just voted the way the CA told them to.

It’s amazing then, that the watering going on at city hall (programmed by said expert) was going on June 16^th, 2009. Apparently, we are conserving so they don’t have to. Isn’t that usually how it works here though?

What is further amazing is Dayton, who we share a water source (see the Dayton – Lafayette water treatment facility) is not on any restrictions at all, and does not foresee a need for it.

Apparently, that 18 inches of documented snow, the two new wells and the high humidity and torrential downpours we have been having have just evaporated.

Or maybe, it was just the thought that the City Administrator knew she was going to get her first real dose of discipline in her annual review (since the likes of the very wonderful Marianne Mitchell) and wanted to get her licks in now.

Such is our life in Lafayette, Oregon…

Written By Angela Flood