"...Stand Together and Publically Request..."

My title this evening is an excerpt from emails from Chris Breedlove in which among other things, he asked all three candidates to stand together on the biomass issue.  My response is included in the following text.
 
It is now up to John Burger and Terry Seitz to agree to stand united. 
Please read on for the above title in context...

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From: Chris Breedlove
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 3:17 PM
To: Mack Steffen
Subject: Re: Biomass forum

Thanks Mack... I'll see what I can do ASAP.

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Dear Christopher,

In turn, thanks for your response to my email.  I am completely

agreeable to standing together with John and Terry to politically ask
there be no vote on the present biomass until after the election of
the new mayor and city council.  My position is to still hold a
referendum.  At the last joint meeting of the USB and city council,
our city attorney stated there was no statute requiring a referendum
vote on this matter.  However, the statute does not imply or state
that the City of Jasper cannot put it to a referendum vote.

I believe John Burger pointed this out in one of his statements to the

media.  If the what I have just stated as 'assumed facts' are valid as
stated by John, the referendum need not be binding on the city (I have
not personally vetted the statue for my interpretation, nor John's).  
I realize 'assumed facts' is an oxymoron, but I have used it for lack
of more accurate phrasing at this time.  Any referendum on this
proposed contract approval will, at the very least, give all opponents
and proponents to indicate their personal preference.
 
There is a logical reason why the city is trying to rush the biomass
contract through prior to the end of the year.  I have not
definitively put my finger on it; however, I believe the reasoning
must be stated by the city.  It would help tremendously to understand
the why the city is attempting to rush this through.  I still hold the
belief that it is a deal or walk proposition.

If you would be so kind to set-up a press conference and a possibly a

resolution for the mayoral candidates to sign to the effect that we
stand in solidarity against any vote on the biomass prior to city
elections in November, it would be greatly appreciated.  Please let me
know if Terry and John are receptive to your idea.  You may count on
me to be involved and supportive of this united stand.
As an attempt at using my sense of humor and attempt to leave everyone
with a smile, Christopher, I hope you are not emailing while driving!

Respectfully,

Mack

Jeffrey Mack Steffen
mackformayor@psci.net

http://www.mackformayor.com/

http://mackformayor.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/MACK-for-Mayor/
812.482.7025

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From: Chris Breedlove
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 10:13 AM

If the current mayor rushes the occurrence of any forum without consideration of giving citizens ample time for review, or even sitting a date that is mutually desirable, then his insincere intentions will be revealed;  the current mayor wants to ram through an agreement in July and early august irregardless of the will and participation of citizens, or the expressed desire of all three mayoral candidates.

I recommend that all three mayoral candidates stand together and publicly request that any vote on biomass happen only after the election of the new mayor and city council. 

Please read below the message I sent to Alan Johnson; it reveals the reasonable concerns currently disregarded by city leadership:

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To: Alan Johnson

From: Chris Breedlove

Thank you for being willing to moderate discussions between the city and citizens.  I have always found you to be professional and fair on such occasions.

There are several concerns with the vague guidance provided by the mayor and Wayne concerning the forum on biomass.  Rock Emmert may or not be available to meet with you on Friday; I am currently out of town and will be on out of town on Friday as well.  As I mentioned Tuesday, concerned citizens (Mrs. Habig and Rock and others) are meeting with House Rep. Todd Young concerning this same topic.

It appears that Wayne and the mayor are set on a forum and vote on the matter occurring in July.  The mayor alluded to a tentative date that may or may not still be in effect; this is an example of a failure of mayoral leadership to be transparent to and considerate of citizens.

To discuss any forum before any decision is premature.

Too many citizens will be unavailable in July, and with such a short notice of time, several concerned citizens will have been intentionally excluded and ignored by city leadership.

Just as the city desires more time to conduct "due diligence,"

citizens deserve ample time to review any pending lease agreement and terms between the city of Jasper and Jasper Clean Energy Center before any series of forums.  A few weeks notice of a rushed single forum is not adequate time for citizens to fully participate and be prepared.

Reasonable and sensitive consideration by the moderator and city leadership is requested on this point.

Moreover citizens are still awaiting a "community in conversation"

with Jasper Clean Energy Center.  Citizens reasonably expect that Jay Catasein and the JCEC board be at any series of public forums.

Citizens also ask for disclosure of DCADC minutes of when the DCADC publicly endorsed the JCEC proposal through the Herald.  We understand that yourself, the mayor and some members of the USB are a part of the DCADC.  We are asking for unedited DCADC minutes where the DCADC public position concerning the JCEC proposal was discussed.   We would like to know who voted in favor of that recommendation and who abstained, and the full minutes that reveal that DCADC decision to go public.  We are simply asking for goodwill transparency in this matter and we are making no accusations.

Any series of forums needs to ensure maximum participation of all involved and reasonable time to review items.  We expect that as a fair moderator that you too will insist on the same things mentioned above.

Out of respect for the hundreds of concerned citizens I have included them in this email.  Please pardon my text and mistakes, as i have sent this email from my phone using one thumb....

Thank you again Alan.

Chris Breedlove

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On Friday, June 24, 2011,  <AJohnson@vinu.edu> wrote:

Chris,

The City has asked me to moderate another public forum on the biomass

issues and they will hold a meeting on Tuesday to establish the date,
location and format. I don't believe they will be inviting public
comments at that session.

After I have an initial discussion with the City officials to set the

objectives and parameters I will contact you to arrange a meeting with
some of the opposition leadership to clarify our roles and
expectations. My goal is to lead a civil discussion to ensure that the
issues of concern are clearly and succinctly communicated and heard.

I'll be in touch.

Dr. Alan Johnson, Dean

Vincennes University, Jasper Campus
850 College Avenue, Jasper, IN 47546
812/482-3030      Fax: 812/481-5960