Thursday, April 26, 2012

Debt and Immorality

Chuck Colson died last Saturday- He was one politican I admired,  because of how he turned his life around and the many good things he did because of his conversion. I had wanted to do a blog on his life and this video; but in hearing last nights news- I want to focus on his video and the big mistake East Wenatchee may  be making- since you may be bailing them out. Remember- this video was made in 2010 and the debt was 130 trillion- it is now 2012 and has quietly reached 200 trillion!
When on council, I always pushed better roads. I fought to re-instate the 25/75 split for street department that was removed in East Wenatchee  budget several years ago so they could fund sprint boats and other non street projects. I fought leasing vehicles.  I also was told Leasing was the cheapest route for police cars; until last year when we paid off our police vehicle leases and saved over $6,000 in so doing?  I fought to fix 10th st. and was disappointed the local Tranporation Improvement Board removed the grant to fix that street up only to give those funds to Link and several county roads. When I asked mayor why- he said that they figured it did not need improving and others needed it worse? 
Yesterday I heard on KPQ, East Wenatchee wants to borrow 6 million to improve 10th Avenue, because its only a 1% loan? No mention of how to pay the loan off, when the present 5 year budget plan already is short of funds in two more years? No mention that the finance director and most elected officials will no longer be in office when the bonds are still due and taxes will have to be raised per the 5 year budget plan? No mention of how many years til this loan is paid off? No mention of closing costs, administrative fees or if loan funds could go for other budget areas to end the year looking better? (still no teamster union agreement reached?)  No mention why no grant funds will be used? No mention that debt is ruining this country and  the WSDOT spends almost half of its yearly budget it receives to pay off debt- not new projects?  No mention that we are spending 11 million on other street projects including 15th St. that is being overlaid simply because it is "bumpy" where they tore it up several years ago? No mention 10th st. runs in front of the Mormon Church where several city officals are members? No mention if any local match from budget will be used on 10th st, or if this project falls under the "turn key" engineer projects that are done and sitting on shelf, or if it will go to bid for that too? No mention that the city is still paying off debt for 3rd St. street loan when the mall expanded many years ago and if all that loan went only for 3rd st. project?

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