Opinion

By Deborah Vaughan I was only a Vinton resident for a bit more than a year.I, however, taught in the district for over 30 years and feel a strong connection to the community and its well being. Recent events have concerned me. Vinton is worthy of growth, and all the surrounding communities, of which I am part, will profit by its growth. That said, if leadership in the community fails to encourage inclusive participation, growth will be stunted.

A while ago, someone told me that I was a saint, to which I responded knowing that they indeed were not, "It's really not that hard to do the right thing."That is true today. Tonight, the City Council will hold another meeting.  I know that they will all be just tickled pink to see me, (that was in my sarcasm font). I've attempted to share my thoughts concerning the debacle over the most recent appointment(s) at the City Council.

It was like most every weekday morning. The time on the microwave read 7:15 am and I grabbed my daypack containing my lunch, iPad, and work badge which allowed me into my employer’s secure building.I was ready for the 30-minute drive into work.But I paused as I noticed Kodi (featured in my early blogs) slowly approach me and nuzzled his nose between my legs just above my knees.

I have to admit, that this year Christmas has felt pretty non-existent in my world. It hasn't been the merriest of years for sure, at the same time under all the turmoil, our family knows that we have a lot be thankful for. As I try to write something deep and something that will touch your heart for Christmas, I feel like I've got nothing. The year has been full of a lot of trying to figure life out, surviving crazy schedules, lawyers, court, ultimately winning, but realizing what you've lost, but appreciating all the things that you've walked away with are all that really matter in life.

Dear Editor, I am excited to see the interest in The City Council's lack of regard for Iowa laws and City ordinances. Our biggest complaints about the abatement on our property have been the lack of following the proper procedure, not following the Court's orders, allowing the City Administrator and a code enforcement official sign a document under oath that they are “The Plaintiff(City of Vinton) or attorney for the Plaintiff” When we questioned this we were told that has how it has been done for years! And I believe that IS the PROBLEM.

Dear Editor, Can the Vinton City Council do anything right?The web they have woven keeps getting bigger and thicker the more I review what has transpired over the last week or so.  I am amazed at the disregard for printed laws and procedures occurring within the City government.  Not only is there the Mayor’s violation of Iowa’s gender balance law and Ron Elwicks’s abstention which actually was a “yes”, I now believe the method in which Andrew Elwick was appointed to the council was illegal.

“O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!” Walter ScottVinton City politics is currently embroiled in a controversy because the Mayor has blatantly violated Iowa’s Gender Balance law with his recent appointment to the VMEU board. I agree with those who have challenged the appointment, but after my years of living in Vinton, I shouldn’t be surprised it happened because the City has a long history of choosing enforcement of laws that are contrary to their desires.

You were all warned that I would be giving the gift of my opinion for Christmas this year. The United States is the greatest country on Earth. Many are calling for radical change and demonizing the very concept of the freedoms granted to citizens of our great republic. Maybe you don’t think our country is so great right now. I think the fact that the United States has the largest population of foreign born residents, by sheer volume and percentage of population, proves we are still the greatest nation on Earth.

A municipal utility board is arguably the most powerful city board under Iowa law. The power comes from:1. Board members are appointed not elected2. They serve long terms – 6 years3. There is no regulatory oversight as there is for power companies4. The only way to remove a member is by order of a community’s mayor5. They have the power to use money in almost any manner as long as they deem it to be in the public interestFrom the 2018 Audit, the unrestricted cash at VMEU was $8,269,000, or about $3,758 per electric meter in Vinton.

Editor:Great Sound and Fury meaning nothing:  that is what I hear from the Judiciary Committee Impeachment hearings.  Three years of wrangling hearsay twice or more times removed, presumption, assumption, and opinion, but no Treason, Bribery or High Crimes – nothing but hot air less valuable than a bucket of used oats.  The only crime President Trump committed was he beat Hillary who is the true criminal along with George Soros, hierarchy of the FBI, DOJ and CIA.