Thank You for responding and giving public feedback. I am doing my very best, and I certainly did the best I could to prevent the water and sewer rate hikes.

Sadly my best wasn’t good enough, in the end all I could do was cast my “no” vote.

The $18,000 dollar a year copying machine seems to be a myth, however, I don’t have any hard facts here, but I would say that I would not be surprised if it were around $4000-6000 per year.

I talked to a friend in the industry and he said that leasing the machines is not uncommon due to the fact that the copier industry no longer provides regular financing.

Stay tuned I will be posting changes concerning fall clean up day very soon.

Sincerely,
Clint E. Lacy
Alderman, Ward I, Marble Hill

Shrum should have come to the meeting prepared, with facts and figures, and definitely should have known when the City last applied for any related grants. It would be interesting to see his position’s job description.

The resident’s question regarding what will be done with this increase was quite valid. Having had 20+ years of second-hand knowledge (due to husband’s municipal employment) about how local governments should be run, I’m assuming there is a plan, in black-and-white, to refer to? Surely the town’s officials didn’t present an expected price increase without having a solid plan for the use of the funds requested. If there is no concrete plan, then how could the three aldermen, in all good conscience, vote for the increase? In thinking about this apparent lack of forethought or planning, I recall the new well that became rather a fiasco, at least for those of us living on the ‘hill;’ since the city fathers decided to save money and not built the tower as recommended, the water pressure is abysmal, the lime content is very high, and there is an odd ’scum’ left on the top of water that has sat for more than an hour or so.

Additionally: Is it true that MH is paying $18,000 a year for rent on a copier? If so, this should almost be considered a criminal use of taxpayers’ money. From everything I’ve seen when visiting City Hall, there is absolutely no reason to have such a glorified copier. It is kind of sweet, though, to see the employees, who appear to have little or nothing to do to fill their working hours, gossiping and playing with a dog. Seems to me that there should be some sort of Efficiency Study done here.

This water/sewer raise is going to hurt many of us, especially those of us living primarily on Social Security. This past year of rising gas and grocery prices have had serious effects on SS income; raising any taxes or utility rates now is as out of line as anything I can think of. I moved here in the belief (from my very younger days) that small towns cared more than larger cities about their residents and the town’s appearance, and were cheaper in which to live. That’s no longer the case, obviously. I’ll be availing myself of the artesian well water more often, and looking for another wringer washer in order to conserve.

Clint, I’m not sure you will be able to ‘buck’ the Good Old Boy syndrome in Marble Hill, but there are many of us who are behind you all the way. From past articles you have written, you obviously have more intelligence than what Marble Hill residents have come to expect, and I foresee that perhaps being a problem for you, as it will be intimidating to those ‘in power,’ as well as to their friends and supporters.

Don’t give up on us all!

Mary