Town Government

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11 years 9 months ago #18203 by Siscowet
Town Government was created by Siscowet
Had my last meeting as our Town Chairman tonight. After 6 years on the Board and two as Chairman, time for someone else to take the reins. Anyone here ever gotten involved in running a Town? It was enjoyable most the time stressful sometimes, but I felt I gave back by doing it.

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11 years 9 months ago #18206 by mlotziii
Replied by mlotziii on topic Town Government
I've been to a few town meetings. As a utility engineer designing water and wastewater facilities I'd often have to prepare reports and presentations for towns to review.

Always loved the people I met in small downs and helping with the infrastructure challenges they faced.

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11 years 9 months ago #18207 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Town Government
:usa: I commend you for both serving and moving on to have someone else serve. Most politicians, even local, don't understand the fresh perspective part.
I also think local government is little by little being hog tied by federal regulations. I volunteered to run for county supervisor but with my platform of refusing to participate in federal mandates real support disappeared rapidly, they knew I was serious and most thought me to "radical", and liked their pet programs. :huh: :side: :whistle:
I still harass the republican party every two years at caucus and convention time. So few people actually show up that I end up a delegate to the state convention every time, only missed one since 1988. They changed the party rules after the last round when we Liberty minded people swamped them from a grassroots level. Now the delegates will be appointed by County campaign chairs instead of voted on by their neighbors. It seems like a minor change in an archaic system on the face but the sole intent was to prevent real people from getting involved and "pushing around" the establishment. I'm going to have to work hard to ever be a delegate again. I love to be told I can't do it! :usa:

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11 years 9 months ago #18209 by Siscowet
Replied by Siscowet on topic Town Government
We are more hamstrung by our State's mandates, than Federal mandates. The State takes more money away from us every year, yet limits what we can do to maintain our infrastructure by not allowing us our fair share of revenue. Unlike them, we can't hide our shortfalls by creative book work. We just have to tighten our belts. Our share of taxes collected is about 5% yet we do the most to positively impact our residents lives. The rest goes to county, school districts, and our vocational education system in our state. And unlike them, we are not allowed to raise our taxation rate. In our case, the Feds and State and County, have plenty of money. The lowest level of government, the Towns are financially being starved to death. Yet we are the ones who really listen and work with the individual residents. I will get off my soapbox now. :soapbox: :whip:

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11 years 9 months ago #18213 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Town Government
:I-agree: perfect examples of why our founding fathers decided they needed a government close to the people........society is at fault as well, most expect more from government than a neighbor, not how I remember my Grandfather living. :twocents:

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11 years 9 months ago #18215 by et1911rph
Replied by et1911rph on topic Town Government
I have not served in local community government but I have lobbied every year with a group of independent pharmacy business owners in Washington D.C. I REALLY do not like the fact that we must do this but big Pharma has more permanent lobbyists on Capitol Hill than we send one day each year.

These are all small business owners that do their best to make their voice heard. In a decade of doing this I've learned that Congress is run by 20 something to 30 something legislative aides. If you don't have a bunch of bucks you better have a GREAT 30 second pitch that gets their attention.

I guess that I fit the definition of insanity - I keep doing the same thing expecting a different result. :banghead:

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11 years 9 months ago #18225 by Siscowet
Replied by Siscowet on topic Town Government
I was a member of big pharma for 32 years. Hated the last 10. I lobbied in Washington, and still do at times, but not for them, they need their power reined in. I lobbied for conservation issues relating to protecting undeveloped tracts of land as well as for invasive species and chemical contaminants protection for the Great Lakes, including pharmaceutical discharge. Didn't make me real popular. When you see fish changing their gender due to exposure to endocrine disrupters, it gets one worried. Independent pharmacy owners were always the best to call on. They knew the score. et1911rph you can be proud to be one.

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