Politics 101

With the mid-term elections less than 24 hours away, this might be a good time to reflect on how politics should work, whether it's on the local, state or federal level.  For most people, politics is not something you really think about when everything seems to run smoothly and it doesn't interfere with your lifestyle.  You go about your daily life, and pay your taxes every year.  You have faith in your local politicians and trust them to spend your hard earned tax dollars in a responsible manner.  When voting time comes around, you evaluate how your government representatives have truly represented the will of the people in their decision making, and served the needs of the community.  If you are satisfied or dissatisfied, you have the power to reflect that in the voting booth.  That is a very important privilege that we should not take for granted. 

Over the last few years, many Polk City residents were not very happy with the direction that some city officials had chosen for the city.  Taxes and fees were ever increasing, with nothing to show for it.  Roads were in disrepair, public works needed extensive repair, aggressive spending decisions were made, based on future expansion that did not materialize.  Desperate attempts were made by city officials to lure in future developments by waiving impact fees which will be very costly to the citizens.  Citizens started to speak up, criticized the previous administration, and questioned their decisions and leadership.

Joe LaCascia listened to his neighbors in Mt. Olive Shores North, where there was unrest brewing against the aggressive annexation practices of the city, using water and sewer access as a weapon.  He stepped up and promised to represent his community when he was appointed to fill McMannagan's term on the city council.  Trudy Block, who was a part-time resident in Polk City at the time and still resided in Chicago, organized citizens in a petition drive to fight the sewer expansion which would have put a heavy burden on the already heavily taxed community.  Mike Blevin became very vocal and confrontational at the council meetings and challenged the City Council to be more responsible for their actions.  Don Kimsey also took the initiative and thought he could make a difference along with the other new council members. 

Joe, Trudy and Mike were very vocal in their criticism of the previous administration for being sneaky, underhanded and irresponsible.  They preached the need for TRUTH, TRANSPARENCY AND A GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE!  What happened to all these promises once they assumed these very important positions?  They were all talk, and have not lived up to their promises.  How can they walk in their communities and face their neighbors without feeling guilty that they let them down?  Council persons Nancy Adorno and Mike Blevin seem to have been intimidated by the repeated One-on-One Meetings which Mrs. Trudy Block has held with them after she first became Interim City Manager.  Minutes of these meeting are not found on the city's public website.  What was discussed at these meetings?  Council persons Adorno & Blevin have consistently voted with Mayor LaCascia and Vice Mayor Block.  If they do present questions, they are typically just asking for clarification or issue a statement in support of the Mayor's & Vice Mayor's positions.  This administration is choosing the same path as the previous administration by choosing to spend unlimited tax dollars on litigation, planning future expansion and continuing spending on a "TEMPORARY WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT", and approving future borrowing to increasing the existing $10.4 Million debt.

The only councilman worthy of sitting in that seat is Don Kimsey.  He truly has the best interest of the people at heart.  He is challenging the others to do the right thing.  Don can walk tall amongst his neighbors and be proud that he is truly doing the great job he promised to do for his constituents.  He has not lost touch with the will of his electorate.  The people deserve representation, and the public should continue to put pressure on the council members until their decisions reflect the will of the people.