BABEL MANIA

aka Ruston, WA Town Council in irregular action. Ever lose your keys or your mind? Ever forgetful of their own ordinances and resolutions they often meet up with themselves, never getting anywhere and always with a surprised look. Did WE really? Constructing their very own TOWER OF BABEL in Ruston. Leaderless they wander in the vast mindless spaces in their very own small world.

When recently a council person had three unexcused absences he should have been replace via an resolution he introduced and had passed aiming at another council person but ending up ensnaring himself. If only law and order applied to the Ruston, WA Town council. Apparently they are immune from their very own ordinances and resolutions.

But most unruly they cannot remember what they just did! With all five less than four years experience as council persons they have a very limited knowledge of past goings on in the Town council. Nor will they allow any public comments during the BUSINESS discussions unless it is a favored person inside the cabal. To be enlightened might also shine a light on the confusion they prefer.

Ruston Town Council meeting September 8, 2009 continued:

Agenda item no. 6 - PEARL STREET ZONING
Jim - Do not amend until 2011. To do so now would be cost prohibitive. We need to move on $5 thousand dollar flags and eliminating employee raises.
*Three of the present council members voted affirmatively for Pearl Street zoning to commercial with three story height limit when they were on the Planning Commission but having restored the height limit they are now voting for residential. This was after spending $35 thousand dollar grant to study Pearl Street Zoning and then Bob and Wayne amending it back to being useless. They still want all the grants they can apply for though.

MAYOR'S TIME
.USDA loan for sewers goes out 30-45 days.
.Thanks Jane Hunt for dedication and work over the weekend.
.Getting up to speed on accounting system.
.Town clerk prepared budget previously on past instructions.
.New budget will be different format.
.Will be able to review building permit online, pay utility bills online and review your account and status online.
.Volunteer fire department very helpful in working on new Mary Joyce Community center.
COUNCIL TIME
Wayne - concerned Tree Committee not getting proper marching orders. Do they need approval not to meet?
Ginger Kryger - Committee is dormant only two members left.
Bruce - Need to add members, bring up to staff level.
Wayne - need to put hold on trees because of street lights.
Bruce - contractor sees no issues nor problems.
Bradley - Thanked Ruston Voluntary Fire Department for unbelievable response when false alarm went off at 3am. Alarm company unable to reach anybody but assured by Ruston Volunteer Department Fire Chief Don Torbet not a problem. VERY IMPRESSED!!!
Jim - nothing.
Dan - absent.
Jane -
.Starting budget process soon.
.Dan A excused or not excused?
.Anecdote- printer repair man detained twice by Point Ruston security and Ruston Police approaching him. Comment was you have good security.
Note: Yes at but what cost? Using half the town budget and with eight officers almost enough for one per block. Is it legal to detain people without cause? Enter Ruston at your own risk.
Adjourn

Final note: It doesn't seem to matter who gets elected/assigned to this council. The mantra never changes. Inhibit all progress where possible. Expect the Town employees to work for subsistence wages. Money is always available off budget for pet projects (flags, flower gaskets).

But no money in budget for Town employee raises. Of course, flags and flower pots increasing light standard costs were budgeted, weren't they? Hypocrisy reigns.

Look for BUDGET FISCAL IMPACT statement they voted for in recent meeting for the flags and flower pots at the next meeting September 21, 2009. Good luck. Nothing ever changes and when it does it is reluctantly. Sad. Long range planning apparently is a no no when you have to constantly vote for the whim of the day.

But it is schocking and unconscionable to subsidize this town on the backs of the Town employees while refusing to raise your own utility rates! And hypocritical to the extreme.

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Wayne Stebner, Dan Albertson, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk/Treasurer, Karen Carlisle
Fire Chief. Don Torbet
Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel
-30-