Tyler
Williams read a brief introduction and an open letter to the voters
of Wilmington from Paul Hunter.
Begin
Transcription.
Open
letter to the voters of Wilmington. For over 25 years I have
participated in and observed many versions of our city's government.
In my considered opinion the present team is the best of the bunch.
The people who are making change happen are too modest to toot their
own horn so I will do it for them.
Starting
with Chief Weyand, a true professional and certainly the best we have
ever had.
I
have little operational knowledge of Fire, EMS and Treasury
operations and so will not speak to them. A standout on this team has
been Lori Williams and she is darned near irreplaceable.
In
Brian Shidaker we have a mission centered public service director
dedicated to serving the public needs. In his short time in the
position he has been the driver in updating the street repair
schedule among other accomplishments. One, by this summer South St.
will be drivable again. Two, the new road access for one of our major
employers, Ahresty, is also to his credit. Three, personnel changes
have created a more mission centered supervisory staff in the service
departments. Four, the previously mismanaged and delayed sidewalk and
bridge connection from Southridge- Highland to Holmes school has been
put back on track by Brian with the Mayor’s help. Five, after years
of empty rhetoric, actual cooperation with the county is gaining
ground. The County Commissioners and the city are investigating ways
to lower landfill tipping fees with his participation. Six, curbside
recycling will be augmented by adding a revamped cardboard component.
Seven, positive action to eliminate wasting treated water due to
over-flushing. Eight, there was an early stumble on zoning
enforcement but that is now up to speed.
Marian
Miller, council clerk and assistant to the Mayor is the key to the
day to day operations of the city and the functioning of the city
council. From job interviews to answering questions from the public.
Some would say that she is the most important person in city
government and I agree. Marian typifies the better way of governance.
No secrets and no hoarding of information.
The
organizing principals and staff selection of the Mayor has set the
city on a course for success. He had the humility to realize that a
new, younger less politically encumbered group of council people are
in place and that he would work with them to meet goals he had set.
If he drifts off course Marian is there to provide a nudge.
A
“better way” City Council has provided leadership in all areas of
government. Rather than set back and rubber stamp handed down
legislation, as was past practice, this group has proposed solutions
to long avoided problems. One, along with the Mayor the 2017 budget
was the smoothest operation for many years and required no special
meetings to pass the legislation. Two, did not invoke the emergency
clause to limit public and council input on important issues. Three,
after open debate and with the help of a proactive civilian
committee, council faced up to the need for new revenue if the city
was going to survive as community. (See streets).The voters responded
yes. Four, after several years of misallocation of the so called bed
tax revenue, council held several public hearings, weighed the facts
then voted to divert a portion of the revenue to deserving entities
without affecting the Visitor’s Bureau’s mission. Five, council
tackled the very contentious issue of water fluoridation by first
placing a non-binding resolution on the fall ballot. The voters
supported the concept by good margin. Public hearings were held and
thanks to Council President Riley, near unending public comments were
allowed during council meetings. After taking in
information
from all sides of the issue council decided that the preponderance of
evidence indicated that the greater good would be served by adding
fluoride to our drinking water.
Quite
a year and a half for a “better way" council and administration.
Thanks
Paul
Hunter
