Editor:
In reply to Fay Smalley’s comment that it would be nice to hear from a previous commissioner who worked on the road department maintenance building project, I would like to clarify some of the comments made in all three letters to the editor dated Aug. 14.
Mr. Henry’s article need no clarification and was extremely accurate, except for one item. The actual cost of stopping the maintenance building project was a little more than $300,000 (look at the bills paid in this matter. They are public record.) paid out by the three commissioners (Nolte, Nielsen and Engelkemeier) who had a personal agenda to stop this project. This was done for personal reasons, not reasons to benefit the taxpayers of this county. Those taxpayers deserve more from their commissioners and received nothing in return for the money wasted by the three of them.
Fay Smalley’s article is also very accurate and I felt my response was invited by a taxpayer in this county. Thank you for asking for my input.
Now, in response to Mr. Engelkemeier, who once again has not told you the complete facts! To start with, a study was completed in regards to this property (this is our current maintenance and recycle complex) being in a flood plain, and this property is not in a flood plain.
You are welcome to ask for a copy of this study: it is also public record. The creek on the west side of the property did come out of its banks in 1995, but did not flood the property.
The prior county road superintendent had the vision to build a silt pond on the northwest side of this property to assist in handling overflow water from the creek. This has vastly improved any water situation in regards to flooding. By the way, we are currently 16-18 inches of rain above our annual rainfall average this year. Did we have some water in the low area of the property? Yes, but the wheels of the tub grinder were not under water, and yes, the roads department moved it to the east side of the property as a precaution.
As far as funding this facility is concerned, the board prior to the one I sat on initiated putting $75,000 a year in the budget for 10 years. The board I sat on simply enacted what was intended to happen, and that was to build a new maintenance facility. The board I sat on approved the expenditure of the $750,000 to complete the project. We did so with complete studies and vision as to the needs of the roads department.
This money was budgeted and carried forward for 10 years, and this facility would have been completed without raising taxes for our taxpayers.
The boards prior to this one had vision and put a plan in place.
The board I sat on bought 27 acres of ground where the current roads office and recycle center are located, and paid $3,000 an acre for it. This board want to throw away another $82,000 because of their personal agenda, and purchase more property that will assuredly cost $10,000 to $13,000 per acre.
One final note, the board I sat on had the vision to build another complex on the west side of the county to assist in any needs that would occur.
It was our intention to take care of the needs of the entire county, not just the east side.
The money wasted ($300,000) to stop this facility would have paid for a facility on the west side of our county. Hopefully, come November, we can rectify these unnecessary and wasteful decisions the three commissioners have made in the last year and a half.
Bob Clancy
Former Cass County Commissioner
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