For those who have not seen the INMAN REFERUNDUM FOR PROGRESS Face Book site, I must state my opinion. As most of you know, I am a life-long resident of Inman and have lived within the City Limits for 20+ years. I attend Council meetings and have served on the City’s Planning Commission for 6+ years. At the August 12 Council meeting, three city residents voiced their opinions and concerns on this referendum. The focus of all comments was the funding of a City Manager or new employee to bring businesses into the city. Two Council members said there needed to be a new employee, one said it was not needed, and two are against this proposal due to funding issues. Council is showing no unity on this topic. Council members had no specific information on where or how to fund this new City employee other than reallocation of funds. With a current balanced budget, how can reallocation be accomplished without loss of services or raising taxes? Mention has been made of using Hospitality Taxes but, to date, Council has used very little to promote the current businesses other than a few billboards. A Council person said that once the referendum passed, then details could be worked out and might take six months to a year. My open comment to that was, “Voting yes before having the information in hand is like giving Council a blank check”. Another question asked that night, “What if the City Manager isn’t a “fit” for Inman? Do we pay out his contract and lose that money?” Council has talked of changing the form of government for several years and I am disappointed they did not have an action plan in place with figures and job description before bringing this before the city residents. The referendum vote is scheduled for November so let’s hope all information is available to Inman voters prior to the vote. We all have had concerns and questions for years when the Mayor or Council don’t like how things are being done and accuse one another. This is just human nature. If Council members think something needs to be done to bring businesses into town, why did they not do something before now? They have always had that option and did not use it. I say hire a business recruiter under a contract basis and he/she is paid for work accomplished. I say leave the form of government as is for now. In the future, when business picks up, then funding might be available to hire a business manager. Now just doesn’t seem to be the time. REMEMBER, the mayor and council are voted in and can be voted out. Hiring another employee isn’t going to change much but a business recruiter can. My last comment for this post is my disappointment in the fact there is no unity seen at Council meetings. A Councilman mentioned in the last meeting that a strong Council would prevent future Mayors from coming into office with their own agenda. From where I am sitting this goes for Council members as well. They all came into office with their own agenda and, so far, it hasn’t been to revitalize Inman. Council’s agenda should be the City’s Comprehensive Plan written by Planning Commission with input form City residents, merchants, and organizations. I don’t see them following that agenda which they approved and adopted in 2012. We need a unified Council before we give them the strong Council form of government. Now, think about all I have said. I am a city resident who loves Inman and wants the best for our city and know you do too. Talk to your Council members, do your research, know what you are voting on in November. For me, my vote will be NO.
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 00:22:40 +0000
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