It's been ages since I've attended a Mountain Home City Council Meeting but I finally got to one on Monday May 9th, 2011. This meeting was a good one! The entire chamber was filled with citizens with standing room only. So what was happening?
1. A bunch of kids who joined a local running/jogging program came to tell the Council how great that program is and how it made a positive impact on their young lives. I wish I could remember the name of this running program! I'm sure someone will write to refresh my failing gray matter. In any case, these kids made a great case as to why the city should continue fund this program.
2. Local Program Coordinators and/or representatives were also present to make a pitch for continued City funding. This included Dig-It, The Arts Council, The Visitor Center and Public Transit.
3. No Limits Ministries: The biggest part of the night was taken up by a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the No Limits Ministries (aka church) located in the old Salvation Army building. Former Mountain Home Mayor Joe McNeal and the Pastor of the church addressed the Council. “No Limits” are understandably frustrated by the red tape, and requirements they have run into while trying to open their church.
Short on Council Members:
With Mayor Rist in Washington DC and Councilman Rich Urquidi on an excused absence, that left only Alain Isaac, Geoff Schroeder and Russ Anderson to tend to city business during this meeting. President Schroeder did a great job conducting the meeting and the other two did a good job slicing through the agenda.
What is a little disconcerting to me about this City Council? I can find no fault or a reason to disagree with their decisions. Come on guys (and girl)...this is politics but you're leaving me with no controversies, things to complain about or a reason to write a scathing blog post. What fun is that?
1. A bunch of kids who joined a local running/jogging program came to tell the Council how great that program is and how it made a positive impact on their young lives. I wish I could remember the name of this running program! I'm sure someone will write to refresh my failing gray matter. In any case, these kids made a great case as to why the city should continue fund this program.
2. Local Program Coordinators and/or representatives were also present to make a pitch for continued City funding. This included Dig-It, The Arts Council, The Visitor Center and Public Transit.
- The Visitor Center made a wonderful pitch as to why the City needs to continue funding it.
- The Arts Council did a good job on their pitch.
- Dig-It looks to be just getting off the ground but seems like it could be a great concept for local businesses. Basic premise is “Shop Local” and who can be against that.
- Public Transit made a long pitch for not only continued funding but an increase of about $6000-$10000 for the next fiscal year.
- -- Seems like the company who runs our Mountain Home bus service was making some veiled threats? As a tax payer (for now) I almost resented the pitch they made.
3. No Limits Ministries: The biggest part of the night was taken up by a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the No Limits Ministries (aka church) located in the old Salvation Army building. Former Mountain Home Mayor Joe McNeal and the Pastor of the church addressed the Council. “No Limits” are understandably frustrated by the red tape, and requirements they have run into while trying to open their church.
- The Council made a wise decision to deny the CUP. No Limits hasn't complied with all the requirements the City has heaped upon them. Even though “No Limits” has made strides to comply with these requirements, in my opinion (and the Council too) you cannot just...well “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. Comply first and then let the City approve/disapprove the Conditional Use Permit.
- Even though I am a short time resident, I picked up on some weird nuances or hesitancy from the Council when dealing with this straight forward decision. I guess you have to respect the ex-mayor and explain in-depth why they made the decision to deny the CUP.
Short on Council Members:
With Mayor Rist in Washington DC and Councilman Rich Urquidi on an excused absence, that left only Alain Isaac, Geoff Schroeder and Russ Anderson to tend to city business during this meeting. President Schroeder did a great job conducting the meeting and the other two did a good job slicing through the agenda.
What is a little disconcerting to me about this City Council? I can find no fault or a reason to disagree with their decisions. Come on guys (and girl)...this is politics but you're leaving me with no controversies, things to complain about or a reason to write a scathing blog post. What fun is that?
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