Mayor Hooker's first "City Chat" at Mom's Snack Shack on February 20th was attended by approximately twelve people. All in all, it was a pleasant first meeting with the Mayor. He cleared up several questions that have been previously asked or mentioned by some Creswell residents.

In fairness to the Mayor, we should mention he was not in office when a number of decisions were made that have prompted some questions, i.e.; the water treatment plant and the new City Hall. Questions still persist as to the manner in which the city hall construction was approved.

Another question pertained to the size of the water treatment plant. Mark Shrives, the City Administrator, mentioned that very likely the planning of this water treatment plant took into consideration the Foster Farms chicken plant that has since left Creswell. They would have had a tremendous need for water. Roy Robinson, who attended the meeting, previously worked for Foster Farms and seemed to know quite a bit about the water situation. The Mayor admitted the water rates were high, but didn't have any suggestions regarding the lowering of these rates. We have heard from some, that refinancing could be a possibility. There was no one at this City Chat that had ideas to that effect, if in fact that is a possibility.

There were questions about street repair, the sheriffs hours of operation and the neighborhood watch. Mr. Shrives was aware of problem streets and explained they were being worked on. He went on to explain the sheriffs hours of operation. While Creswell has about eighty hours of Sheriff's presence per week, the hours are not announced for good reason. They rotate these hours on a regular basis so as not to announce when they will be on duty. He also mentioned other Sheriff's in the area stop by their office at city hall to use the county's computer providing even more city protection. The question of having our own city police department was answered by the Mayor. He too had a question regarding that possibility when he was first elected. Evidently, it would cost even more than the three hundred plus thousands that it's now costing to contract a Sheriff' from the county. Evidently, the liability insurance of having your own department would be far above what the city is now paying. He mentioned the neighborhood watch program was slowly coming along.

We believe the question was asked and answered on how to get an item on the city council agenda. Mayor Hooker and Mark Shrives both answered parts of this question. Either the Mayor by himself, or three councilors can ask to have an item put on the agenda, that was good information.

Ruby Miller asked if the city could use a different moderator for the next candidate debate before the election. The Mayor and City Administrator made it very clear the city has nothing to do with that debate. Mr. Shrives said the city's community center was for rent to any citizen or group at a nominal fee and a returnable deposit if the hall is left as it was found. Ruby felt the past "debates" appeared biased in the questions and reporting. Frankly, we couldn't agree more. In talking with Ruby after the meeting, it was her idea to have several people question the candidates. Possibly people with experience in several areas. Evidently, people sent a number of questions to Ms. Hollyer last election that were never asked. Ms. Hollyer in her newspaper also appeared biased toward certain candidates. It would be a pleasant change to have some Creswell Citizens ask the questions. Of course Ms. Hollyer will be welcome to attend this next debate.

It was a cordial meeting and the food was good at Mom's Snack Shack. Thanks to Bob, Mom's owner for the use of the room.

He mentioned the city would continue to pay for the Rick Dancer communications infomercials to enhance economic development. Again, we have to ask, how many jobs has this expensive program created? While Rick Dancer is a credible, dynamic person, he once said while running for office, "It's not right to charge tax payers for a process they can not participate in." And yes, the taxpayers are paying for these infomercials. Maybe Mr. Dancer should interview the remaining skydiving business owner or maybe the one who had his hangar confiscated by the city after being put out of business, a hangar that cost him $160,000. Yes, get the money that was owed to the city, but why not give him the remainder? That would have been the right thing to do.

Maybe he could interview the couple who built their dream home on the airport only to have their airport access increased some 3,000 percent. The first increase from $25.00 per year to $180.00 per year was reasonable and consistent with what the state charges at other airports for the same privilege. But to have raised this fee to $740.00 per year, based on false information, has put a hardship on an already heavily taxed property.

Maybe a bright spot in the Mayor's Address was a page taken from the Eddie McCluskey play book. On any given morning you could have had breakfast or a cup of coffee with Mayor Eddie at the local Dari Queen, now the Rocket Inn. Our mayor has announced that on the third Saturday of each month he will be conducting what he's calling a City Chat at the Snak Shak restaurant. We have to say that is a positive departure from, in part, "Citizens are free to have general conversations with myself or anyone on the council, but they will not be conversations discussing the day to day administration of the city."

While this is a positive toward discussions with the mayor, why not have the right to discuss issues at the city council meetings? At present, during the public forum, a citizen can get up for his or her three minutes to speak and after that, this council can pass resolutions to spend taxpayer's money with NO input or discussion. You can not raise your hand during these spending sprees and have a say. With only twelve to fifteen people in the audience, what harm could there be to let them speak? If there are a number of people who care about a particular issue, then have a special meeting on that issue to get their input. On the positive side, maybe this could be the beginning of more communication for the people of Creswell.

This editor says, "A newspaper is the first citizen among citizens." Maybe it should be, but her paper is not the first citizen in this town. How nice that would be if it were true. She goes on to say, "I can provide accurate information for the community." We don't know how she can do that without talking to people on both sides of the stories she writes. It's our understanding, Ms. Hollyer has NEVER talked with either skydiving business owners, one who lost his investment of $160,000 when the city confiscated his hangar after putting him out of business. She has never talked with the remaining skydiving owner who is struggling to stay in business. She has never talked with the people who had their airport access fees raised some 3,000 percent. She did write a long story about two individuals who don't pay city taxes as if they are trying to get away with something.

Second, the FAA sent a letter saying, "Ms. Joelle Briggs has never spoken with the article's author Helen Hollyer." Why would this editor go so far out of her way to ruin people's lives? She should be working to help people enjoy living in "her" community.

Did you hear her say "It's soulless without the human connection." This woman has ignored every request to come and sit down with the people she is writing about and never responds. She refuses the human connection she is talking about. Could she be soulless? We think maybe she is. Does she not listen to herself?

You would think there would be some disappointment by the mayor and council that only fourteen people (out of 4,700) showed up to the first City Council meeting of the year. Maybe they were relieved, people that show up usually have concerns that are seldom resolved.

It's amazing that the mayor said we should come to meetings and participate. Here are the rules for "Participating." Public Forum , Maximum time 30 minutes. Speakers will be limited to three (3) minutes each. The Council will not engage in any discussion or make any decisions based on public comment at this time; however, they may take comments under advisement for discussion and action at a future Council meeting.

So much for a fresh start

Is this really his idea of participating? Why not let an audience member raise a hand and ask a question about the discussion at hand, that's participating.

Creswell Weather

---

HEALTHY LIVING
We are fortunate to have our very own Wellness Clinic. Visit this site for great health information.

---

Viewpoint Yours And Ours Write Viewpoint, We Are Interested.

---

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We would like to hear your suggestions.

Creswell Airport

options

This is an unofficial site.