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.
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