Politically Incorrect

Two days ago I commented on an email in which I was informed that Jasper was not the only city funded arts program in the Midwest. In the present 21 Issues listed on my website regarding issue number 10 – Arts and Cultural Activities. In the text for this issue I stated “The knowledge I have gained recently, finding out that the JCAC is the only city in the Midwest with a city funded arts program, saddens me. Jasper should not be spending the citizen's money to facilities and programs used by only a fraction of the community. “.

I stand corrected and publicly apologize for my error. The fact is that Jasper is not the only city in the Midwest with city funding for the arts. Bloomington, Indiana has had long standing city funded arts programs for many years. I apologize to the writer of the email, David Dudine, for my misstatement. I will be changing my website to reflect the correct information. I vetted David’s information by contacting the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

I continue to stand behind my belief the City of Jasper should not be spending the citizen’s hard earned money to fund the Jasper Community Arts Commission (JCAC).

Also in my post of 06/27, I asked readers to ponder how I received this misinformation. The answer is it came from Terry Seitz at the mayoral primary forum held on April 18, 2011 at VUJC.

I am guilty of hearsay which is unverified, unofficial information gained or acquired from another and not part of one's direct knowledge. I pride myself in paying no attention to hearsay. I was gullible in believing all local candidates would speak facts and truths at the forum. I'm much too trusting. I truly hope I have once more relearned my lesson – verify so called ‘facts’ before passing on second-hand information.

I’m increasingly become more aware ‘politics is politics’, even at the local level.  However, I hope to break that mold.  I will not continue the ‘politics as usual’ in Jasper.  You, the citizens of Jasper deserve an honest, straightforward, mayor who will espouse facts.  Please accept my public apology for having restated an untruth.  I pledge to the people of Jasper not to do it again.

Mack

Follow the Leader and the Jasper Community Arts Commission

First I’m happy to lead the other two mayoral candidates to a decision on the present proposed bio-mass plant, as well having taken the lead on creating a dialog with the public by way of monthly debates.  I believe everyone knows where I stand on Jasper building a new Library.  I expect my opponents to follow suit by also stating their opposition on this issue.  I must state that I can’t understand why Mr. Seitz thinks this year’s Strassenfest is more important than the election of Jasper’s future mayor.  That said, I can only logically think Mr. Seitz is looking for the November election to get here as fast as it can.  I will let my readers to determine why, but I will give everyone a hint.  Perhaps ‘The more you know’ is what worries Mr. Seitz.

I believe The Herald picked up on the 231 by-pass issue I raised which was addressed to the primary candidates during last October’s forum held at VUJC.  I had publicly first heightened awareness on this issue in the local newspaper, The Herald, as they ran an article relating to my announcement to run for mayor of Jasper on the independent ticket.  There will be more for the opposition to follow.  Please keep abreast of my publicly announced positions and those rendered in subsequent posts to my blog.

I truly hope the Republican and Democratic candidates continue to follow my lead as your next mayor.  One would not expect them to completely get out of the political scene altogether.  I would expect and appreciate their support.

As I end this writing I want to apologize for a mistake I may have made concerning Jasper having the only publically funded community arts program in the Midwest.  I received an email from David Dudine informing me “It (sic) is simply untrue that Jasper is alone in having city funded arts, as your web site states.  Bloomington also has had their Arts Commission for many years.  The city even hires artists to produce public art for the city.” 

I haven’t vetted this information, but once done I will admit I was wrong, if so, and will remove that particular reference about the JCAC from my website.  Regardless of whether Bloomington has a city funded arts program, I will continue to believe Jasper should not use public funds for the few at the expense of the many.  There are enough wealthy individuals in this city.  There should be no need for all of the public to foot the bill for programs not attainable by all of the citizens.  Public art is a different matter.  If the majority of the people of Jasper vote for public art, I would support our citizen’s decision.

I will let the readers know tomorrow if Mr. Dudine’s facts are correct, and if I am guilty of misinformation, I will publically apologize.  Also tune-in tomorrow to discover where I received the misinformation regarding the JCAC being the only publically funded arts program in the Midwest.  Until then, I will give you a helpful suggestion – dare I say one of the other two candidates may have stated this information publicly prior to me picking up on it?   Yes.  Make your pick.

Mack

Circumventing Dirty Politics

I was bemused by Mike Eckert's statement at the October 2010 mayoral forum that he was happy to see no dirty politics in the mayoral primary.  This was not a belief I held as I sat in the audience, and was proven correct after the last minute political assassination by "The Committee To Re-elect Anyone But Raymie Eckerle".  My having to sit in the audience was a political ploy in itself.  I will comment at another time concerning this.

I am going to avoid twelfth-hour dirty politics attacks by my mayoral candidate opponents by anticipating their movements and eliminating any destructive ploys on their part.  I believe artfulness will trump attempts to deceive and destroy.  I have been in governmental politics less than four months and have already realized the local Democratic and Republican parties will resort, and have resorted, to dirty politics.  Unfortunately, as I was recently a member of their party, I believe the hatchet jobs done thus far have originated in the Republican camp.

Some readers my not be aware of the mailing that went out on the weekend prior to last November's Tuesday primary election.  This was a two page attack on Raymie Eckerle which was to say the least, unfair.  It was also cowardly as, whoever "The Committee To Re-elect Anyone But Raymie Eckerle" consists of, they failed to identify its member or members.

I have nothing to hide and challenge my opposition and any individuals to step up to the plate now and express their concerns and have the courage to identify yourself or group.  As I announced in my first political ad which ran in The Herald yesterday and will run Monday and Tuesday, I want you, the voter, to know me as an individual.  As time restraints make it difficult for me to post daily, please check back from time to time for my discussions on my character, difficulties with the media, updates on biomass, the library, city meetings, and other new happenings and more.

Mack

Jasper Utility Service Board and Bio-mass; Jasper Library, and Local Media

Yesterday I posed the questions of whether I was a fence sitter, a flip-flopper, or both.  Here is an email I sent today to some of our city officials, which I hope will clarify my positions not only on the proposed bio-mass plant, but also on the the library issue and lack of media coverage of the issues facing Jasper:

I am vehemently opposed to the city’s current biomass plant proposal.  There are way too many unanswered questions for the city officials and the people of Jasper and Dubois county to make an educated decision of worth versus risks.  I am opposed to the city hurriedly trying to get this contract signed this year, much less, by the end of July.  I will actively support all those opposed to the current power plant proposal.  This said, I must say I am in favor of an air-quality acceptable bio-mass or other alternative fuel power plant in Jasper’s future.  There is a distinct difference in my positions for this proposal and for any future proposal.  Any city proposal of this magnitude must be left to the voters to decide via referendum.

I am also in favor of a clean air ordinance.  However; again, I must qualify this statement also.  Very briefly, first, after looking over the proposed ordinance, which I admit I only read portions of it, I am fearful that requirements within the proposal may violate personal freedoms and liberties.  Secondly, the proposed clean air ordinance appears to be very technical and needs explanation in terms in which the ordinary citizen can ascertain the facts and form their opinions.  With knowledge, the people of Jasper as a whole should have say over what goes in, or what should go out of the proposed ordinance.  This appears to me to need as much study and public input as the bio-mass plant should have received.

...I will use this opportunity to address the news media’s part in disseminating information on the bio-mass and library issues, not to mention Jasper’s mayoral election.  I witnessed the chastising of the media by one speaker who spoke at the 06/20/2011 USB meeting regarding incomplete, misinterpreted, or lack of information presented to the public.  I must also have to chastise the media for their past lack of diligence in addressing all of the issues important to Jasper’ citizens. 

I personally do not recall a mayoral election in which so many important issues face the City of Jasper.  It appears that the media either does not care, is incapable of caring, or is being told not to care about the important issues that face Jasper and its citizens.  I am attempting to get monthly dialogues among the candidates for mayor initiated so that the citizens of Jasper can determine who best can lead our city into the future.  I am urging our media to get involved as a civic duty to their readers, watchers, and listeners.   All opposing views on any important issue whether pro or con must be fair, just, and non-selective.

Respectfully,

 Mack

Jeffrey Mack Steffen

Lifelong Jasper Resident and

Independent Candidate for Mayor of Jasper

“The Uncommon Candidate for the Common Man”

www.mackformayor.com
mackformayor@psci.net
812-482-7025

Jasper Utility Service Board and Bio-mass - Shock and Awe

First let me state that although I am an advocate of an alternative source of energy for Jasper and I still support the possibility of a bio-mass plant.   BUT, I definitely DO NOT SUPPORT the current bio-mass proposal and definitely the time frame. I believe NOT NOW;  NOT THIS YEAR.
The USB (Jasper Utility Service Board) resorted to Shock & Awe at last night's utility meeting.  As I sat in the audience, the more I had an overwhelming feeling of fear (shock) come over me.  The meeting created a sudden disturbance of my mind, emotions, and sensibilities (awe).  As stated in my blog of 06/19/2011, I felt the impending disaster (if done this year) was indeed, purely political in nature as I said "Everything in life is political. How true I have found this to be. As a novice in politics, I am learning all governmental entities are corrupt. Yes, even at the local level. If it is determined a contract be signed with Twisted Oaks prior to the November election, it is for the benefit of the Democratic and Republican politicians, not for our citizens."

I do not know most of our city officials personally, and do not want to imply anything individually, but will say our city government operating as a whole has been unseemly, incompetent, and as one speaker put it last night, "guilty of lack of due diligence" when it comes to rushing through THIS alternative energy plan.  Adding to the rush mindset of these officials is their need to take advantage of federal 'grants' before they expire at the end of the year.  Federal money, or really, just another piece of your dollar will be going to help fund THIS power plant.  One can only tear a dollar into so many pieces.  I believe the vast majority of  U.S. citizens realize adding to our federal deficit is irresponsible.  This is based on national poll results.  Our federal government is going bankrupt and our spending and our national debt continues to skyrocket.  Doling out more federal monies to ill conceived planning will not helping the U.S. economy, nor will it help our local economy.

Last night's decision/direction of the utility board apparently takes the heat off of the entrenched candidates of both the Democratic and Republican parties.  Not only did they surprise everyone in attendance with the bio-mass time line, insult to injury was added by the utility board proposing gas rate increases for Jasper's citizens.

We, the people of Jasper, cannot let THIS proposed bio-mass contract to be signed, sealed, and delivered down the throats of Jasper's and Dubois County's citizens.  We should demand the City of Jasper's officials to stop any further consideration of THIS  very unwise direction.  I am urging all the people to get involved immediately and press for all information and have your questions answered by city officials.  I am taking up Pastor Christopher Breedlove's cause to stop THIS proposal and hope you will too.

I certainly would like to write more at this sitting, but am pressed for time.  Please come back again tomorrow when I will let you know more about the meeting I attended last night.  By the way, did you know your gas rates are going up.  Yes, you will be paying - I believe the percentage was 19% - more for gas utilities?  What's another $8-$16 a month though?  We can just add this increase to the $50 - $60 more added to our taxes if the library referendum passes.  And what is it going to cost us for THIS power plant conversion?

Am I a fence sitter?  ...a flip-flopper?  Please check back for further information about this, and the meeting about the other THIS.

Mack

Jasper Utility Service Board and Bio-mass - Part 2

 Posted by independent candidate for mayor of Jasper, Mack Steffen

Today I finish my discussion on an email sent to the mayoral candidates by the Rev. Dr. Breedlove.

Included in the email from Pastor Breedlove was a link to an email sent by him to the Jasper Utility Service Board and the Common Council.  This link below is the article (email) posted by the Dubois County Free Press on June 14, 2011. 

Along with the link, the email contained two sections:  "Reasons to be concerned about biomass" and "Specifically you can lead now by helping citizens".  My opinions are expressed for each point in each section.

In the "Reasons to be concerned about biomass" section one cannot dispute 2 of the 4 points addressed in the Rev. Doctor's email text, as they appear to be factual and indisputable:

• The release of particulate matter (PM) would spike an already compromised ambient air space and put lives and the health of nearby residents at a greater risk;
• we are in a non attainment classified area for PM; a biomass power plant would likely hinder local Dubois County Industry (Jobs) growth. Read Dr. Steve Hopf's letter;
• the use of federal dollars adds to the national deficit;
• a significant growing number of physicians, healthcare providers and citizens specifically oppose further negotiations with Catasein's Twisted Oak.

How much the release of particulate matter would put the lives of the nearby residents and the citizens of Jasper at risk is open to debate. The statement that the plant would likely hinder local job growth, lacks confidence in the truth or existence and is not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof. It is factual that using federal dollars adds to the national debt and a growing number of people oppose the plant.

I have addressed The Rev. Doctor's section titled "Specifically you can lead now by helping citizens", after each point as indicated in my viewpoints below:

·  Advocate for a  clean air ordinance 

MACK's VEIW:  The Healthy Dubois County groups clean air ordinance proposal definitely needs what I have coined as the IdTEC process, which is to Investigate, Discard or Implement, Test and Monitor, Evaluate, and Conclude.  But, yes, I would advocate for a clean air ordinance if the ordinance would not have adverse effects on our economy and our citizen's rights.  However, from my brief scan of the proposed ordinance (if it were planned to be enacted basically as it now reads) I found I would not be supportive of this proposed ordinance as a whole. 
·  encourage City leaders to reveal to date how much money has been spent by the city of Jasper on feasibility studies, outside consultations, negotiation expenses, and contracted attorney fees related to the power plant conversion to biomass (The Herald reported on expenses related to the library, the same should be done about the biomass issue);

MACK's VEIW:  I am in total agreement.
·  ask city leaders to slow down this matter until after the November election;

MACK's VEIW:  I am perplexed by this point.  The city leaders do need to 'slow down' to ensure getting it right, but the November elections are not relevant.  I discussed the political ramifications in my previous post on this subject.  Politics cannot be a factor in determining what is best for Jasper's citizens.

·  ask city leaders to reveal who would be serving as the board members of the Jasper Clean Energy Center; ask current and future city USB and Common Council leaders to sign a pledge stating that they will in no way serve on the JCEC board or seek to financially benefit by any means from JCEC; - MACK's VEIW:  The city should reveal how many members and in what capacity they would be serving on JCEC board if feasible.  I need more information on the pledge logic.  I believe the financial gain issue will (must be) covered by conflict of interest contracts.
·  ask city leaders to specifically and publicly speak to the growing list of physicians, health care providers and citizens for clean air and that are opposed to Catasein's Twisted Oak biomass proposal.
MACK's VEIW:  Yes, to more and continued information and discussion with all citizens of Jasper and Dubois County.  Physicians and health care providers should be listened to and valued for expressing their professional opinion.  However, I do not believe members of this group should have more weight in their personal decision making than any other citizen.

I also want to comment on Dr. Norma Kreilien's article or letter, also in the Dubois County Free Press  http://www.dcfreep.com/i-will-move-my-practice-if-this-agreement-is-approved-by-my-city-government/    Dr. Kreilien stated "I will move my practice if this agreement is approved by my city government."  My apologies Dr. Kreilien, but in my opinion, her public outrage is silly.  She should be even more concerned about your patients if the plant is approved.  I am not a physician; however, I think Dr. Kreilien's position on leaving her patients 'high and dry' may be a violation of the Hippocratic Oath if taken by Dr. Kreilien.  A couple of excerpts from the oath are as follows:

"I promise that my medical knowledge will be used to benefit people's health. They are my first concern. I will listen to them and provide the best care I can. I will be honest, respectful and compassionate towards patients. In emergencies, I will do my best to help anyone in medical need."  .



 Rather than move from our great city, Dr. Kreilien would do best by considering passage as an emergency for her patients, and her professional judgement should, indeed, not be influenced by political pressures.  If Dr. Kreilien wants to move, she should move as a private citizen, not as a disgruntled physician.

In wrapping-up today's blog, I must say my phone conversation with the Rev. Dr. Breedlove was cordial and enjoyable for me.  We had pleasant discussions on several topics.  I thank Rev. Dr. Breedlove for his informational email and the corresponding links contained within.  Although I have some disagreements with his position on the proposed bio-mass plant,  we also found common ground on others.  We have agreed to disagree in a civil and, hopefully, helpful manner for us and the citizens of Jasper

As always, respectfully to ALL citizens of Jasper,


Mack (Jeffrey Mack) Steffen
The Uncommon Candidate for the Common Man
Your independent and alternative choice for mayor of the City of Jasper.http://www.dcfreep.com/i-will-move-my-practice-if-this-agreement-is-approved-by-my-city-government/

Jasper Utility Service Board and Bio-mass

Recently, June 16, 2011, to be precise, I received a call from Rev. Dr. Christopher Breedlove.  He requested my email address,  mackformayor@psci.net in order to send me information, links, and issues concerning the proposed bio-mass plant.  I was appreciative of the call and gave him my email address during our pleasant discussion on various matters.  Anyone may email with their concerns and questions via my blog, facebook, or www.mackformayor.com or by phone at 812-482-7025.

Rev. Dr. Breedlove had sent a letter to the Jasper city leaders concerning the proposed bio-mass plant in which he stated "Tuesday morning, June 7th, Mayor Bill Schmitt on WITZ radio stated that he would like to have a decision about the Jasper Clean Energy Center made in July".  This took me by complete surprise; I was floored with this knowledge.

Rev. Dr. Breedlove went on to say in this letter "This leaves very little meaningful time for citizens to do their own due diligence on any pending agreement. The process has not slowed down, but it appears that it is being rushed ahead with limited transparency."  I am in agreement with these statements as I am with Rick Stradtner's urging our city officials to slow down negotiations with Twisted Oak.

This brings me to letting the people of Jasper and the city governmental officials precisely where I stand.  First and foremost, I am in favor of the bio-mass plant.  My opponents are calling for more research and modifications.  I support this.  But ask the Democratic and Republican candidates whether they are for or against the proposal, and you will not get a straight answer.  The politicians of the past have a very difficult time giving a simple 'Yes' or 'No' to any question.  The people of Jasper don't need waffling on issues from their candidates for mayor.  They need straightforward answers to where they stand on the issues and then, can explain their positions.  As mayoral candidates we need to realize, unfortunately, one can't please all the people all the time.

Also unfortunately, some citizens do not explore city decisions as being political.  As a wise man I know once told me, "Everything in life is political".  How true I have found this to be.  As a novice in politics, I am learning all governmental entities are corrupt.  Yes, even at the local level.  If it is determined a contract be signed with Twisted Oaks prior to the November election, it is for the benefit of the Democratic and Republican politicians, not for our citizens.  If the Jasper Clean Energy Center proposal is dropped prior to the election by our city officials, which is what I believe may happen, it will benefit these same politicians.  How?  By taking the issue off the table only to resurrect it after the election.

Jasper needs to stay the course at this time.  Very few of the pros or cons have been proven or disproved.  Ask that your city government does not simply throw away money on whims...we are paying their salaries to INVESTIGATE (examine, study, or inquire into systematically: search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail); DISCARD or IMPLEMENT (put into effect, or not put into effect according to or by means of a definite plan or procedure), TEST and MONITOR (the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined); EVALUATE (judge or assess the worth); and CONCLUDE (decide to bring to an end or continue by such).

I have much more to say about this issue, which I am hopeful the people of Jasper will learn prior to the November election.

Read more about Rev. Dr. Breedlove's email to me in tomorrow's post.  I will continue my discussion on this issue and reveal more of the Rev. Doctor's email to me.

As always, and respectfully to ALL citizens of Jasper,

Mack (Jeffrey Mack) Steffen
The Uncommon Candidate for the Common Man
Your independent and alternative choice for mayor of the City of Jasper.