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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Mailbag: Bill Connors Writes;

(Ed.note: This was a posted comment that I have brought forward for better visibility. Click on the post for the Smart Growth Plan of Evansville and Chapter 6 which describes the Sewage Treatment Facility and the Smart Growth prognosis.)


Common Council Corner; New Sewage Treatment Plant...":

The interesting thing is that when David Sauer of Foth & Van Dyke was interviewed about the future of the wastewater treament plant during the Smart Growth planning process, he said the current plant could handle the increased flow from many new residential subdivisions without any problem. If you look in the section of the Smart Growth plan about the wastewater treament plant, you will read a rosy assessment. But now the tune is different. Perhaps the regulatory landscape changed after the plan was adopted.

Bill Connors
Former Evansville City Administrator

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:32 PM

    Though cliche, the puppet that is the is the city of Evansville is at it again. The Puppeteer has done it again.

    Tell the city how good great grand your plans and developments are, and two years later the city cleans up your mess at the ticket payers expense. Why can't this city look before it leaps. I love a good presentation also, but how about some hard questions instead of Howdy Doody time.

    What positive has come of all the growth of Evansville in the last fifteen years? Are taxes lower, is the small town quality of life improving, is Evansville a better place because of Pleasantville development proposals and Elm Street results.

    I think I'm bringing my seltzer bottle to the next meeting.

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  2. Anonymous4:14 PM

    I am not sure Matt how long you have lived here, but if you have not already you will soon find out that Evansville city officials have never learned from its mistakes. They just keep repeating the same mistakes , again and again. At tax payer expense.

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  3. The following paragraph of chapter 6 of the Smart Growth plan lept out at me when reading it again in the light of the discussions going on at the Public Works Committee:

    "Maintaining compliance with groundwater standards at the wastewater treatment facility is the requirement which will dictate the continued use of the existing facility. The current degree of treatment can be improved if necessary or if required by the State of Wisconsin. The final disposal of wastewater however will continue to be to groundwater through the existing infiltration basins. The City should use
    its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to plan for the potential upgrade of the wastewater treatment process
    prior to discharge to the infiltration basins."

    Maybe the city did not get taken for a ride, as Matt suggests. Maybe the residential development had nothing to do with this issue. Maybe the state toughened up the groundwater quality enforcement, and now the city has to pay to meet the new requirements.

    Bill Connors

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  4. Anonymous12:17 PM

    Bill,

    Getting the facts and praising the city is not my style. Monday morning quarterback Matt always shoots first and asks questions later. I feel I can do that based on what few truths I do know about the city. I use those truths as a catalyst to pessimism and negative sarcasm. I appreciate your legitimate fact finding. I have neither the mental aptitude nor patience to sort all these varied issues out.

    I use my self created role to be a thorn in the side of the city just to keep them on there toes. I give myself no street cred, and I should be taken with a grain of pepper.

    Keep up the facts, I'll keep jumping to conclusions!

    Later

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous1:39 PM

    I am finding Matt, to be hilarious. Which with the sad state of affairs in this town his attitude and style is very much needed.

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  6. I don't see what Smart Growth said several years ago as something that vindicates Sauer on this one (but it does shed some light on something that might vindicate him). What Bill implies is highly speculative. We still don't know whether or not the state changed it's regulatory guidance? We could always ask Dave, However, I've never got a straight answer from the man. Just lot's of vagueness and non answers.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mark is right. We don't know. I was not trying to imply that we do. Someone should ask David Sauer. If he does not give a straight answer, one could demand a straight answer from your alderpersons or Mayor Decker. They should be able to get a straight answer out of him.

    Bill Connors

    ReplyDelete