July 29th - The Council directed staff to post a map showing the projected floodway on the Fillmore City Hall web site. I'm not finding a map on the city's web site?

“If you wait until after the map is final, then you pay about twice as much, and it would be about $1,200 a year” depending on the value of the property, he said. “I think you can pay about half of that if you get it before the map becomes final.”

I'm guessing this will only be good for the first year and your second year will be adjusted to the higher rate?

Rapp said officials’ goal is to fix the levee by raising it about 6 feet. “And once it’s fully retrofitted and certified, then FEMA will acknowledge that and ... remove the flood insurance requirement,” he said.

And this money will come from where? Does Fillmore have a fairy godmother?

Tom, it is time for the new City Council to step up to the plate and show their huevos. When Steve was Mayor and Cecilia was still on the Council they flew to Washington D.C. to try and address this concern. Their efforts resulted in substantial changes in the approach that FEMA took on the Levee issue and resulted in a portion of the city being taken out of the floodplain. From where I sit, it appears the new city council has been very passive on this issue and have just idly sat back and waited for the sledge-hammer to fall. They were fully aware of the issue and the concerns when they were elected, but the issue did not even warrant getting on their 32 item list of important goals for the City!

How do you spell incompetence?

Too busy chasing their tails...trying to correct the problems that the WWB majority caused...but not succeeding...not quite sure if that actually spells incompetence but it might explain it a bit... Another example of folks running for office who didn't understand the totality of the issues facing the City, chose to focus upon a couplathree issues, actually getting elected...forgetting the original couplathree issues... and taking one step back and sliding back three cuz they immediately alienated their support network...

Makes sense to me...

Good Lord, Maude..."and the hits just keep on comin!"

Tom,
We are experiencing some follow through issues, the map being just a very small example.
If the base of the levy is sound enough the engineering and construction to add to the height will be greatly reduced.
Where the money will come from has yet to be even discussed at any level. I'd like to hope that federal funds would pay for the retro fit.

And yes, we have serious issues to deal with, this being one.

I'll take my licking for not bringing this forward as a city goal. I should have done that for sure. Then again since we never ranked our goals and never completed the process perhaps it's not to late.

Steve Conaway

First and foremost I’m not looking to place the blame on anybody and to be quite honest I’m pretty fed up with all the finger pointing from both sides. I see more effort being placed on who’s at fault than how can we come together as a community.

I’m going to guess that even if the money was sitting on the table right now, it would take ten or more years before it was completed. The initial cost of the flood insurance if purchased prior to the deadline will only be realized in the first year. Upon the policy renewal the higher rate will be charged. I think it is extremely important that the map be completed ASAP and the households affected be notified so that they can do their best to budget for the additional expense.

I know the city is holding the meeting but I would like to see a bilingual flyer. The flyer shouldn’t be fancy; this doesn’t deserve a tri-fold high gloss effort. Then perhaps the local Boy Scout troop could earn a little money distributing the flyers. I don’t know if that’s possible but if it was I’d be willing to donate to the effort if it was. The majority of the people in this area are disconnected from what’s going on. I’m truly concerned that their only notice regarding this requirement is going to come from their mortgage company or landlord.

Yes, I live in the flood zone.

Tom, I like your thinking---
""I’m pretty fed up with all the finger pointing from both sides. I see more effort being placed on who’s at fault than how can we come together as a community. ""
Yes - I think that's the best path to take now. I remember the devastation of the floods when I was in 9th grade, 68 or so, and again in 77-78. I also remember the first time my kids saw a good rain! They went crazy, because for the most part of 10 years, there was no rain. You can sure get used to that dry Sespe river bed, cant you? But how many remember feeling terrified at seeing this ugly, roaring raging mass of brown water keep rising and rising, taking with it, homes, bridges, orchards and everything else in its path. I still can feel the devastation, of watching families lose everything, friends you'd grown up with. I sure hope the levy will hold, and that it will be improved and strengthened.

In agreement, I concur on Tom's thought order. However, as Steve pointed out so well, there are serious issues to be dealt with first. I do not personally feel it is Steve's personal quest in his holding a council seat, to be responsible for the levy flood control goal; there are others in position who should have made the initiative. However, I would like to submit two thoughts for whatever it's worth:

Within the 2006 - 2007 goals for Fillmore, there 18 goals. Now, there are 30-something. Honestly, I have not as yet reviewed the new ones. These particular goals seemed to have been completed and working in a DBO mode, or/and have been adjusted in a carry-over either in part or whole into the new Fillmore goals. Seems like issues have built-up to the point where numerous additional goals have to be established at this current time frame. My opinion is indecisiveness, lack of knowledge, incapability's and most likely problems emanating directly from within the council have created such a large goal-setting standard at this time. I have not (honestly) seen these goals as yet, but with so many irons in the fire and more than double the previous year goals, something administratively is questionable. The goals in themselves may be justified.

The other short item is established within the 2006 - 2007 goals. Item number 3: "Open, Accessible, Responsive Government (70): Identify and fund all aspects of making government more accessible for the community. Update and enhance existing avenues for disseminating information to the public."

Okay. Suggestion: I would appreciate seeing the City Council be the one to establish an immediate updating of business; in addition to the meeting agendas (before the fact), by establishing a presentation on the web under Fillmore City Government, (or the email address), to daily inform the public on the council's business, decisions, proposals, and others matters at hand. Fillmore has the admin staff to do this. If companies do this, and other local governments do it, Fillmore can handle this. We get this news only from the Fillmore Gazette web site (and this is a good thing), but for the most part, it is updated weekly or through comments like Tom's above, and the followup's like Steve made. Sure, like our Daytimer's, if something has to be carried forth to the next day, or the next week, place that in that day's information. The information is brief, honest, not lengthy in content/context, and factual. Right now, seems 7/8ths of Fillmore taxpaying and business community are totally in the dark. Anyway, communication is not as it should be right now.

Tom & Fillmore Native, I can appreciate your being fed up with all the finger pointing. However, Tom Ristau, Bert Rapp, the prior City Councils' and myself had to endure the finger pointing for 9 years (2000 to 2008) and in my opinion it did not stop us from taking care of the business of the city. In fact, I think we did a pretty good job of it. The people who pointed fingers for those 9 years are now the people who are running the city. So my thought is if you can dish it out, you better be darn well ready to take it. In fact, if they cannot take it, then they should not be doing it.

Can you tell me what effort those who are now in power offered to "bring the community together" from 2000 to 2008?

Answer, Roy:

1: No, they should not be doing it. (Ref: Last sentence, para. 1)

2: None (Ref: Entire para. 2)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatfield-McCoy_feud

Tom, I can suspect, very clearly, as most can and have historically witnessed, a giant split in purpose, function, spirit, professionalism, intellect, knowledge, emotions and thought, which has permeated the City Council through the operational capabilities of the WWB enterprise.

Truly there is a definite split of people here. And there is a fight going on, internally.

But, if you compare this to the Hatfield's and McCoy's so objectively, who is supplying the McCoy's with the "guns"? No...wait...I already know the answer to that one, Tom!

Tom, the Hatfield's 'wealth' and 'affluence' were nonetheless apparent (from logging and timber?) as shown in the 1897 photo in your reference. What appears to me as a simple, wooden shack of a house, with a hand-made stone chimney, with the family of Hatfield's gathered outside this alleged 'home', dressed to the Nine's, and with pistols and rifles well in-hand and arm, this family appears more like a large Butch Cassidy cabal.

But, to argue over some durned pig...and this is what started the riot? Never mind the death of one of the McCoy's and the Hatfield that was blamed for it after the war and all (Hatfield was duly in bed; albeit 'sick', huh) got off scot-free. If the pig was more important than the life of the McCoy soldier, well, I can see one thing from your reference:

The Hatfield's and McCoy's were two opposite political factions. I can see your reference right here (it's been dwelling on my mind since the 7th about 7:pm when I saw your post above). I doubt the WWB cabal and the opposition to their political operations (that's the best word I could muster), will get into the feuding as these two families did, and carried on forever after. Well, maybe I'm not so sure about that, either!!

The Hatfield and McCoy feud escalated. Kentucky Governor S.B. Buckner in response sent his Adjutant General to Pike County to investigate the situation. Newspapers from around the country awaited word from Adjutant General Sam Hill to find out "what in the Sam Hill was going on up there".
Perhaps we could get Sam Hill to attend a city council meeting in Fillmore?

I’d still like to know how the city plans to notify the affected residents and when? Waiting until an October 22nd meeting gives people less than 90 days and for some this additional expense is going to be a heavy burden.

Tom, who knows when the city will do this, or IF. Isn't this 'Johnny Come Lately" scenario a part of the WWB method of operating and having everyone ending up with a proscribed feeling? When people do not know what in Sam Hill they are not doing, this happens!

Thanks, FN; but Tom, don't wait for Sam Hill to get involved. He, like the triumvirate council and their sidekicks would have to crawl out of the box first. It's going to take awhile. Whatever!

I'll pass this along to Bert Rapp at the City. I agree the more time people have to plan the better.

Steve Conaway

Did all 30 goals for Fillmore in 2009 get accomplished?; Fillmore Gazette, please respond to this.

What is the updating of the levee system? Has any movement be made to upgrade the construction or has the FEMA begun on their plans as yet? Just wondering...

My personal opinion is the city did not achieve all 30 goals, nor did I expect it to. Some of the goals are more "guiding principles" and others are open ended and difficult to measure.

The council authorized a letter to be sent to FEMA asking them to "unwind" recent flood insurance purchases.
I'm not aware of any other work physically taking place on the levee at this time.

City Manager Yvonne Quiring has requested a Strategy Session and is looking to bring a fresh perspective to the council on goals. I'm all for it. The 30 goals were never prioritized by the council and is a work yet to be completed.

Steve Conaway

Thanks for that, Steve. Fast response on your part.

One other question (and I'm not sharpshooting or trying to kill the King with one arrow); does Ms Quiring plan to execute a newspaper (hardcopy or/and website) report on some consistent basis on the state of affairs (such as financial, planning, or construction phases, etc) or plans the City of Fillmore is expected to undertake in the future...or should that be the responsibility of the Mayorship? It is great that Fillmore has such a proactive and interested newspaper and web site to inform us of all that is going on in town on the visual of the City Hall perspective (in that of the Fillmore Gazette), however, all we see is a one-way street here.

The reason I inquire is because I have seen reports such as this put out for informational purposes in some cities around the US, and for that matter, where I reside as well (on a regular monthly basis to inform the general public). Nothing can be held accountable therein, as the reports are simply updating various business planning efforts and goal-setting and where the City is at such a particular - given time. Is something such as this in the modified and realistic goal-setting for 2010?

Ms. Quiring is very much into cross platform communication. She's instituted a weekly intra-city hall news letter so all departments are kept abreast of other work inside the building. I would not be surprised if she didn't tackle a weekly entry on the City Blog once she has set in place her complete transitional plan.

Each council member can chose if they want to add to "Open Accessible Government" through personal communications with the public. The Mayor has no special power or privileges over any other council member. The Mayor is required to represent the will of the council, once that will is known, even if they disagree with it. Same applies to council members. Council members can make themselves approachable in public, or not. They can chose to respond to email, to blog, or respond to questions, or not. I have no problem discussing past actions of the council or items which have been discussed in public.
Elected officials do not give up their ability to speak as individuals, no matter what some think. These are my personal thoughts and I hope you believe your questions to be answered.

Steve Conaway

All questions and thoughts have been appropriately answered. Its up to those instrumental in city government now to institute any form of communication they deem necessary, as I would hope for. A while back, say, over six months ago, Jamey Brooks and I had some website communication; but it ended. I would begin to think he was pressured into stopping the web communication, or decided to do this on his own volition, but nevertheless, I appreciated the commentaries from him. I found it opened the door just a little enough to squeak a peek into his side of things.

Maybe we can see a future website communication link from the City Manager, Steve, or others, somewhat consistently. If I'm in the dark and have gray areas of thought on some items, certainly, there are those residents of Fillmore who feel the same way. We have a need-to-know, right?

Yvonne Quiring's communication linkup with city departments may completely dispel the rattling of the rumor-mill; and all the better for it. I learned one time in OCS in the Air Force (in 1970, after three years in the Army), "Communication is the key to success." I never forgot it, and always found this to be very true, indeed, Steve. Thanks!