Winona Lake Town clerk/treasurer Retha Hicks' letter of clarification about what the cash balance amount is of the wastewater surplus balance is an example of the existing communication problem.
She said in her letter, "Not once did I denote a $1.5 million balance." So, again, here is the question I suggested people ask regularly in council meetings, "Today, how much surplus is being held in reserve from the sewer money Winona Lake citizens have paid?" If it is not $1.5 million, what is it? Notice how the answer was, once again, not given.
Also, another quote from Mrs. Hicks' clarification letter said, "The council decided the best path for Winona Lake would be to build a wastewater plant." How many Winona Lake residents were ever aware the past council decided, a few years ago, Winona Lake was to have a wastewater plant?
I question this. I would like to see an exact quote from the minutes of the public meeting in which a wastewater plant was approved. Now, that would be a valid clarification point defending the Town building up a large wastewater surplus fund these last few years.
There was no vote in favor of such. When I questioned the holding of a large amount of money from our sewer payments it was always because we needed to have enough for emergency sewer problems, never because we were saving for our own wastewater plant.
Explanations relating to a plant were made after the discovery so much money is being held in reserve.
Google Winona Lake Town to read the minutes of December 22, 2009, and you will see Randy Swanson, supported by Sue Gooding, initiated reducing the sewer rate by $4.
Read Mrs. Hicks' clarification letter to the editor and it appears she is taking credit, saying, "So, I suggested to the council to take wastewater funds and ... Hence, with the rate being lowered by $2 and the $2 not needed for the loans, the rate could be lowered by $4 if the council so chose to do so, which they did."
Her perception of this meeting is the misconception. You know the truth if you attend council meetings for years.
When elected officials do not think true concerned citizens should be treated with respect, it is sad. I feel the council of a few years ago had the same problem Mrs. Hicks often appears to demonstrate of believing people with legitimate questions are irritants to business-as-usual rather than an opportunity to find out which concerns of the public need to be addressed.
Thankfully, the current Winona Lake Town Council does not try to intimidate, ridicule, or belittle citizens searching for understanding.
