The Real Republican Meltdown

BY GARY L. SNYDER

I can’t help but wonder if Huntington County will survive the impending Armageddon approaching us on May 4.  You know, you see it all around now.  As the May 4^th primary approaches, we are witnessing a truly remarkable event:  The “Real Republican Meltdown.”

We’ve grown accustomed to Mayor Steve’s quirky little statements, and he didn’t disappoint at last week's Common Council meeting, “Huntington is the poster child for the TEA Party undercutting local government,” said the Mayor; as if all his problems would go away if only people wouldn’t question his authority.  Just a word of advice TEA Party fan, you may start to be compared to terrorists.  

I know, we already know about the Mayor’s mental lapses.  And for the most part, this article isn’t about Mayor Steve.  It’s about the other “Real Republicans” starting to implode.  Queen Bee Pam Updike verbally accosted an individual for not supporting her husband in front of onlookers at the same council meeting.   One more item on last week’s council meeting:  While we appreciate all the work the fire and police do for the community, and I mean that sincerely, it’s not about you.  It’s about the taxpayer.  If you want the trash fee so bad, pass a hat and let all the city employees pony up ten bucks.  City employees are there to serve the public; we are not here to serve you. 

Next up is “Wife of Terry” threatening someone because of a perceived comment on this site.  FYI, it was someone else who broke the story of “Wife of Terry” driving the police car.  Let’s not forget “Husband of Vicki” and the scandalous past he is trying to hide from the public. What are we up to, Day 50 of “Huntington Held Waiting”?

Let’s not forget about F. Tom Wall's scandalous and very tacky campaign.   To this day, F. Tom Wall has yet explain why he asked the Animal Control Officer to “not do anything” with the dog bite reports filed by some high school cross country runners and their coach.  Was it because the daughter of a county councilman owned the dog?  Did the county councilman ask Tom to intervene? Although I have to admit, if F. Tom Wall loses the election, we are stuck with him for the next two years in the courthouse.  Double-edged sword I guess?

As the election grows closer, it seems the “Real Republican” posse meltdown is just starting and they may finally be starting to realize they are losing their grip on power, and it is starting to show!

Comments

[Who knows why?]

City employees have taken more than enough cuts. They have lost over $1000 this year in pay and benefits. The city was asking for residents to pay $120 a year...Time for the tax payers to pay their part. It shouldn't all rely on the employees.

[Stewart Griffin]

A city government job is not an entitlement program or a personal jobs bank for family members. You tend to forget that. As Mr. Snyder stated, you are here to serve the public, not the other way around. Huntington has a bloated goverment filled with family members of elected officials and other city workers. Maybe, just maybe, if there wasn't so much nepotism in Huntington government, there wouldn't be the financial troubles facing the city.

[Not an insider]

Nepotism/cronyism is the problem. Period. Unless that is publiziced until we puke and the voters rebel nothing will change. There are plenty of good qualified folks out there that would give anything for a city or county job with great benefits or to serve in an office where they could make a difference. Unless we point fingers at the connections that run this county, we are eliminating qualified but unconnected people from doing an outstanding job.

The system here in Huntington is corrupted and it isn't good for anyone except those involved in the corruption.

[Unwilling To Pay Their Own Way]

How about all you skinflints start taking care of finding your own water, getting rid of you own sewage and garbage and policing yourselves as well as tending to your own fires and medical emergencies and keep all your moldy money?
I'd lay money that many of those posting their pontifications here about what public employees are and aren't and what they should and shouldn't make and whats wrong with Huntington County are probably some of the biggest users and abusers of public services. Once you've ruined it all, call yourselves for help.

[Stewart Griffin]

Unwilling

You act as if all city employees are doing this work out of the kindness of their hearts. They are paid nicely for the jobs they are hired to do. Again, city government jobs are not an entitlement program. The public is not here to serve these employees. They are here to serve us. Your comments show that sense of entitlement, we pay them with our tax dollars and if they have an issue with performing their jobs, then I am sure we can find some of Huntingtons 12% (really about 20%) unemployed that would love one of these entitlement jobs.

[Unwilling To Pay Their Own Way]

No, SG, I am pointing out that many posters here think public employees SHOULD perform these jobs out of the kindness of their hearts. Gary, who is supposedly our new news source, calls for city employees to sacrifice and then its pointed out what EVERY city employees HAS already sacrificed. And, your household and others refuse to match these citizens $1000+ sacrifice with $120. Deadbeats all.

[Willing to pay a fair tax rate]

All posters seem to be missing the point. Huntington has one of the highest, if not the highest tax rates in the state. Not all of the tax rate is due to the city expenditures. However, until the city understands how their expenditures stack up against other cities they will have a tough time arguing increases in income taxes (LOIT) or fees (trash...excuse me service). Unfortunately the city had to hire outside help to figure out this mess (Umbaugh) but hopefully it will help guide the decisions made on whether there needs to be further cuts or fee increases.

[Stright Shooter]

Nepotism would mean the county corners wife working for the county health department and his college age son working summers for the parks department. And the corner is now running for county commissioner.

[Houston we have a Problem]

This is part of the problem.
The Town of Andrews under the Leadership of Kathy Juillerat as Clerk, now our Auditor, is in the top 1% of the highest tax rates in the State of Indiana. Now she oversees Huntington County Budgets and now we have a budget problem in the County "huh". Her husband, son, and daugther inlaw all have government paychecks. Now we have a appoited County Concilman who used to be our part time Auditor wanting to be the County Assessor. His son draws a City Paycheck. Not long ago his Daughter worked in the Auditors Office under his direction. While he was our part time Auditor he gracily paid mileage to himself while attending classes all over the State of Indiana to to receive his Assessors Certification. Gary needs to get copies of his Credit receipts while he was Auditor, I bet he a great time on our buck. I am sorry but these people need to find another Career which does not involve us paying their wages, hotel rooms, and trips to French Lick. The taxpayers need to demand that our elected officials stop nepotism and useless trips. By voting for either of these characters we will only prolong our suffering. In closing and just anouther reminder the City of Huntington is in the to 10% of the highest tax rates in the State of Indiana. Wonder who is in charge there.

[Less]

Houston...

You say Huntington is in the top 10% of the highest tax rates....please provide your source for this information.