Questions for Mayor Ockomon - June 2010

Why are we totally doing away with the 4th of July parade? Down size it, take out some of the nonsense make it smaller and also be picky about who you let in. Maybe some groups that so positive things for the community. Then next year if things get better go back to a bigger parade. Clean it up so to speak....

TODAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR IT ....IT DOES COST A LOT TO PUT THE PARADE ON EACH YEAR....WITH THE COST OF THE INS SO HIGH AND TO PAY THE COPS ALSO OTHER THING...

Mr Mayor why does the City of Anderson currently forbids me & all of the other "city dwelling" homesteaders from keeping a couple of laying hens?

 Mr. Mayor when is the city going to wise up and start working with the school system instead of against them?

 For years the parks dept. has held a strangle hold over Memorial field and the softball complex on the southside. Memorial field is home to Anderson's baseball team and the Southside sports complex is home to the Indians softball team. Both are an embarrassment. The city will not let either team work on the field. These are 2 of the worst fields to play on in the state and they will be what the lone high school in the city will be using for the school season. What an embarrassment for the schools and the city. 

 Somebody should mention to the Mayor that top notch schools and facilities bring people who bring businesses which bring jobs.

 It is time for the elite at City Hall to push aside their egos and work with the schools to try and stop this city's down slide.

I know that I am not involved here, but I would like to say what I know about that.

The city has tried on several occasions to sell Memorial Field to ACS, but it comes with a huge bill that ACSC cannot afford to take on (repairs to the field and the bleachers).   That bill is probably getting paid down pretty good, but at this point, ACS cannot afford to pay anything for it and the city can't afford to give it away, probably, but now might just be a time to begin new talks on it.

As for the maintenance on the fields, I believe that is a union issue.  You know, if work is assigned to a union member, then you cannot have someone else do it.... However with the downsizing of the Parks department, this may be a perfect time to renew those discussions as well.

 I am sure that maintenance will gladly give up taking care of the fields to the respective teams. There is a lot more to maintaining a proper field that mowing the grass and taking out the trash. The city has done a horrible job of taking care of the facilities and they should be called on it. I know that Memorial has some substantial debt that comes with it. But the fact is if the city wants AHS to use the field to showcase the city then take care of it. If they won't take care of it then let the baseball team do it. The softball complex. They need to tear it down and start over. It is terrible. Kids will get hurt trying to play on that thing.

  I do know that Greg Graham and T. Tackatt have over ruled R. Chamberlin and had the rest rooms fixed and some work done on the press box at Memorial. This has long been over due. As far as taking care of the playing surfaces the coaches and players will do it. And they will do a good job.

I have spoken to both the coach and the maintenance man at the Parks dept about this.  Common sense would say that you are right about the city giving up the maintenance of the field, however, as of about a year ago, that was not the case.

I agree with everything you are saying...unfortunately, you and I are not the final decision maker s on this one.

You're not going to try to take credit for the Colts' return to AU, are you Kris?

But you won't do anything with a big empty GYM.... hmmm  guess they don't cost anything

 And what does this question have to do with the topic? If you want to bash Mrs. Jones start your own thread and have at it. You don't need to get on every thread and say the same thing.

 Speaking of the topic.... Can we find out if the city is having any luck selling the old GM properties? 

 How about if it is possible for the city and the police department to take low level security risk prisoners and but them on work details to clean up areas of the city. Painting, picking up trash, trimming over grown weeds and such. Have them mow the parks since we have had to cut back there.