IT IS APPARENT THAT THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN THIS COMMUNITY IS THE ROADS! NEARLY HALF OF OUR RESIDENTS VOTED TO PAVE THE ROADS ON THE LAST ELECTION! Why then, did our board not regroup, collect information and get this back on the April ballot?? Not having enough time is an unacceptable reason. This is one example of why people in this town are dissatisfied with the performance of our officials!

Re: Roads on April Ballot

Lynn -
Many folks in town say that, conversely, more than half of the residents in town voted NOT to pave the roads. They do not want to see the road paving issue ever again, and some have asked to board to prevent a road paving issue from ever being on the ballot! (Of course the board can not prevent such).
Historically, the board of trustees has sponsored the last two road paving issues and placed them on the ballot (once as a bond issue, and once as a special improvement district). As you know, both of these ballot issues were defeated. As stated in recent town meetings, the board has indicated that they do not want to convey the impression that the only reason they are in office is to repeatedly cram a road paving initiative onto the ballot. Since improvement districts of any kind can be submitted by petition of the residents, the board stated that any future paving ballot issues must be initiated by a petition from the residents.
This winter, Pat Kooi (with assistance from many other residents including myself) lead an effort to get a road paving initiative on the April ballot. To allow the paving to be tax-deductible for some (many residents requested this criterion), the issue was to be presented as a General Improvement District. Unfortunately, there was not sufficient time between January and April to satisfy all of the legal hurdles, and that really is the only reason. I believe Pat is regrouping to get this on the November ballot.
Hope this helps,
JZ

Excuses

JZ,
I understand your desire to excuse the board from the MOST important issue in this town (with the unincorporation initiative hanging in the balance). However, your first point deals with the vocal MINORITY. At least 90% of this town want the roads paved! It's a matter of ''how''. You've heard them! You've been to the meetings! As a responsible board, it might have been prudent to poll the residents as to how they would like to proceed. A simple survey could have been formed to provide the board with the information they need. The entire board should have been working on THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THIS TOWN!

It is apparent to me that lack of communication between ''The Board'' and ''The People'' is the main problem and is why so many people are upset and angry as to how this town is run. Did ''The Board'' ever communicate to ''the People'' that the roads issue had to be initiated by a petition by the residents? You can bet if ''The People'' knew,(at least 50%) this initiative would have been completed and on the ballot! To assume residents will attend board meetings is unrealistic and it has to be obvious to ''The Board'' that very few attend. To assume residents don't want this kind of information is irresponsible. To rely on timeliness of THE COMMUNIQUE is ridiculous. But there are ways to get information to ''The People''.

I do not accept the excuse that the board does not want to be known as a board to cram a road paving issue on every ballot. It is their duty and responsibility to find out what ''The People'' want. We are divided into wards. We have trustees that are supposed to represent each ward. Find out what we want, get the information in a timely manner (before election deadlines) and then ''The Board'' can justify election cost. It's time ''The Board'' SPEAKS and COMMUNICATES with ''The People''.

I applaud the effort Pat and you have put into this issue. I would like to help as you proceed . I am deeply disappointed, however, that a more concerted effort was not made to get this on the April ballot!

90% in favor of paving roads?

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