Editor, Times-Union: Decisions, decisions. So many to make in the next four years. Who will be the wise one? I went to the airport meeting the other night thanks to Tony Miller, who brought it to my attention with his half-page ad. It was worse than standing room only, many didn’t even get in the door and as Mr. Thallemer said at the end of the meeting, “It’s hotter than hell in here.”
I’m not writing this for the sake of argument, but Mr. Zale said in that meeting “closing 100 was never an option!” Really? From News Views on 12-4-2010 I quote: “The extension would necessitate the closing of CR 100E.” Gary went on to say he had interviewed Dane Miller and his response was “Certainly, it creates an inconvenience, but people will learn to live with it. Two months after 100 East is closed, people won’t even think about it anymore.” Mr. Zale, that sounds to me like it was an option.
Now here is another problem, continuous flooding. The residents on Sunset Drive are being held hostage by new infrastructure, the DNR and the dam problems in North Webster. No. 1. Any new infrastructure especially north and east of Pike Lake runs their water shed into Deeds Creek which flows directly into Pike Lake. No. 2. DNR says they can’t clean the Tippecanoe River (which is the root of this entire problem) because of an endangered clam. To me it is totally unacceptable putting a clam’s life ahead of humans and their home and is too ludicrous for words. I’m still trying to figure out how to get these valuable clams to pay our property taxes. We are losing our shoreline due to this flooding but our taxes remain the same. No. 3. Each time North Webster gets an overabundance of water, they open their dam and dump a huge amount of water at once, severely flooding us.
Why does the DNR think this is a sane decision? When corresponding with David Nance IDNR Division of Water on 3-27-2009 he said, and I quote: “The only really proven way to consistently reduce local flood losses is to remove the risk by elevation or relocation.” (Jack it up or move out.) How many people can afford to have their home elevated? And it’s obvious driving down Sunset Drive homes aren’t selling because of this flooding.
This also puts an enormous burden on the street department budget, filling and hauling sandbags, salting ice in the street, putting up cones and barricades and numerous hours of overtime during a real flood. If you’ve complained about the wrong size garbage can, road closures or whatever, that’s a shame. These street department workers are the best you will find anywhere.
Yes, the newly elected officials have many decisions to make. Who will be man enough to make the right ones? The only legacy I will remember of the past mayor is photo ops and big spending. Maybe someone needs to refresh my memory.
