Having read the local paper concerning our council meeting from last night I must question whether they are reporting the news or doing an editorial.
Because I question the Mayor spending your tax dollars foolishly with the paper while we have put a hold on charitable donations, it seems the News Tribune will take every opportunity to cast me in a bad light, even if it means being less than truthful about what takes place at our meeting.
If that’s what it takes for them to feel good about themselves, fine. We all know you can’t fight against those who have barrels of ink and a monopoly on the news to boot. I would hope that we , as a Council, someday have our meetings available on cable access, like Ottawa, so the people can hear and judge for themselves, what really goes on.
The quote in the paper was inaccurate which stated that I was against a leaf pickup program. One only needs to read what I stated here on November 8th to know the truth. If the public wants this service than we should service them. I questioned the “cowboy mentality” that Mayor Jeff decided to employ. No conversations with the Council about doing this, committing to using a piece of city equipment which was not built for this type of activity, and then spending $6500 without council consent.
Net result, we end up with one piece of equipment damaged and we decide to spend $15,000 on a 12 year old leaf vac that probably is worth closer to $5,000. But the paper would have you believe that I don’t care about the taxpayer, only me. I will let you decide….who has your interests at heart and who really is just about making themselves look good at someone else’s expense (literally the tax payer).
If you went by the paper’s recollection of what took place you would not know that our Superintendent of Public Works, Sam McNeilly, was totally against the leaf pickup program and stated as much on the floor at the meeting. He had warned the Mayor that the original choice of equipment he picked was not meant for that application . That didn’t matter to Mayor Jeff and end result we damaged the street sweeper and were forced to rent equipment at an exorbatant price.
For the sake of all of you who put their leaves out to the curb, I hope the weather cooperates and we are able to pick them all up before the snow flies. I also want you to know that the city employees were put in a tough situation by the lack of planning by this Mayor and are doing a splendid job given the circumstances. Many have shared their thoughts with me, and have stated that we need a more defined format going forward. I agree.
A closing thought….those who have known me in public life know that I will always be honest with them. I do not practice political correctness and maybe some will take exception to that. I have always told you what I think both publicly or privately. There are those who may not like my answers from time to time, but there is no one who can question my honesty. After all that has happened with elected officials on all levels of government due to their lack of integrity, you tell me ….what do you prefer?…..I thought so.
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Pam Broviak commented on your post:
“I was surprised to find out your city would buy a machine that old. We are in our last year of doing this (next year will be contracted out) and our machines are constantly breaking. But we do have a fully staffed/equipped mechanics shop. Even so the breakdowns cause us to get behind & you only have so much time between leaves falling & snow falling. Plus I wanted to add the actual cost is so much more than the machine. It is the labor, fuel, repair costs, and disposal costs. (Thanks for letting me add that I asked someone in the business how much a machine like yours would cost since it is used and was told about $2500. I realize people want this service, but once implemented it has high costs – much more than is being represented. Plus other services are put on hold while crews are picking up leaves. In the ‘burbs there is little choice but to pick them up since there is a burn ban here.)”
Mr. Schroeder,
Back when this blog was started you tried to point out the positive aspects of our town, when you felt others in the council meeting were down-playing the city. Yet in these last two blogs (and others) it appears you are just as guilty downplaying what Mayor Grove and some of the other alderman are trying to do. Example is the leaf vaccuum.
Mayor Grove was the first to assume responsibility on the misuse of the sewer vac in the council meeting. Like the Trib you failed to identify that in your blog. You also chose to look at this from the glass 1/2 empty standpoint rather than 1/2 full. Leaves are being picked up. There is less burning in the city. And people now have 3 options to choose from on how to get rid of their leaves. Funny how the towns around us all had leaf vaccuums these past years, and La Salle did not. I firmly believe the citizens applaud the Mayor for finally taking action, while you and Mr. Green seem intent on tieing his hands and fighting him the whole way. Start being positive as you told others to do early on. Attitude Mr. Schroeder is the key to this city recovering. Start showing a unified council. One that can work with compromise and creative input from all involved
As for the News Trib accurately covering your comments on whether you wanted the leaf system or not…I felt they did. When confronted by Mayor Grove with a straight question, you danced like a chicken on a hot stove. You came across as being more interested in a dog park than leaf pickup. Are you serious about where your priorities are at?
Finally one last thought…I too thought of former Mayor Washkowiak’s name for the road to the watewater plant. But then I realized where that road was going, and I thought this man deserves a much more prominent road than one going to a wastewater facility. You downplay the Trib not accurately covering you…I think they were trying to do you a favor in not mentioning who suggested his name. You were just too full of yourself to recognize that fact, and had to step in it on your blog. No pun intended. Maybe they should call it Schroeder Street, or Green Hill. One name has plenty of “S”‘s in it to remind everyone what goes on up there, and the other depicts what fertilizer can do for our grass.
Dear Interested Citizen,
Mayor Grove took responsibility for the misuse of the sewer vac because he was the only one who authorized its use for the wrong application against the advice of our superintendent of public works. It appears from what you have said you were at the meeting. The Mayor, on his own, decided to have a leaf program, rent a leaf vac, and initially have the public call for appointments. He had months to discuss his desires with the council and gain their approval. He chose to go it alone. That is not leadership, that is dictatorship. Had he acted as a Mayor and worked with his council we could have saved the city money. Service at any cost is not my motto for good fiscal responsibility. As to a united council, we are. We all believe in whats best for the city not whats best for the Mayor regardless who that person is at the time. The council exists for the purpose of being a balance to the Mayor’s powers. The majority rules.
I have agreed and disagreed with the Mayors I have served with based on the issue not the personality. I am not nor have I ever been a part of a fan club. That’s not why I was elected.