Do we know enough about local government?

I would like to know how funds are allocated. It seems, at least to me, that little or no money is being used to clean up the town in terms of street/road quality, infrastructure, overall appearance, etc. I have been griping about this for a while, albeit mostly to friends and family.

Concerned from Lakeview/Jr. High Article apparantly doesn't know squadoosh!

As corrupt as government is at any level,
they will not reveal everything.
Say one thing to cover up another.

No I do not know as much as I should, and would like to know more. I live here by choice, and as a taxpayer I have a vested interest in Columbus. Like any investor, you want to know the state of your investment. Detail expenses are reported on a regular basis, but most accounting software allows an income/expense report for broad categories. With that said, it would be nice to see a quarterly summary report. Those reports can be generated with little investment.

The other thing I would like to see is a project list. Not of everything, that just wouldn’t be too practical, but pick a dollar amount of say $25K+. Then list them in planning time categories, 1YR, 5YR, 10YR, 10YR+. Send that report out annually, for example... when the budget is submitted for approval.

Then, it would be neat to have what I’ll refer to as the “hair-brain” ideas list. Like closing the grass dump in the evenings to save $5,000 a year. I’ll assume he had good intentions, just not a good idea. How about the “top-secret” projects like the land between Christopher’s Cove and the new BD plant. That would have been a nice place to extend the arterial to the south and build a viaduct. We the taxpayers got the shaft on that land, and now I understand that we are preparing it for tract homes or something of that nature. I want to know about any plans to sell and/or purchase any city real estate. Seems like a simple list that could be reported quarterly.

Most of the data is already available, and some will argue that I should take the time to find it. My argument is that I think we would want a summary that the community can see. I think it would do more good than harm.

The way I see it, Al Gore took the time to invent the internet. We should start using it. The Columbus Telegram can only report so much. I’ll even go out on a limb and say I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing the city pay the Telegram to submit this data to the public and even manage a few online polls. (polls are nice because it eliminates emotion).

Not about any level of government but their being open and honest would help change that. Of course that does not usually go hand in hand with government, i.e. politics.

Start at the top and have the entire stimulus (Democratic Pork) shown on the internet so us taxpayers that are paying for it know what we were gifted with and not by choice. Too much is hidden, double talk, not alot of trust because they have their own personal agendas and want to keep their pockets lined, and not necessarily for the good of the people.

What I want to know about is why the street department has old equipment.
The Police Dept and Fire Department comes first in the money chain. Andwhy does the Street Department do tree trimming and removal of city trees?
I think there should be a different department all together.

I knew some good would come out of reading these posts. I never really thought much about the land between BD and Christopher's Cove what a great idea that octfoil had.

What was this never considered with the viaduct issue?

I of course have believed we are long past due for the south arterial. That's something that should have been done years ago.

zwiddlez... If my memory serves me right, it was reported by the viaduct committee as being a reviewed location that was labeled as East 6th Ave. It just didn't show up as one of the locations that were voted on. I know it is water under the bridge, and I'll take a 3rd ave viaduct rather than no viaduct, but I think it would have been a better place for one. Imagine a viaduct that lines up with the north arterial and wal-mart, with an option for a south arterial and possibly a bridge over the river. Too late now. My point is, why was it removed from consideration and what are they going to do with this land? I am sure we will find out sometime after the deal is final.

octofoil
I think they plan on drilling for oil there.

I don't know as much as I should but I do know that we're in good hands as long as Chuck "Pickles" Whitney is looking out for our best interest.
What was that? Did I hear someone mention Mayoral candidate?

So there should maybe be a poll about a south arterial.
I agree with others that Columbus is long past due for the south arterial. That's something that should have been done years ago.
Where can we express this issue besides these posts?

TO: Good Ideas Never Work

That's a good idea!

To::::Good Ideas Never Work

You can always express your ideas to your City councilman or the Mayor.
Before you express this one be aware that the south arterial was discussed many years ago. It was one of the 4 parts of a transportation study. The 4 parts were: south arterial , north arterial , internal street improvements and at grade crossings(viaducts). If I remember correctly the south arterial was proposed to go on the dike at Quail Run and was somehow going on the street on the north side of the golf course.The people who had houses on the north sids said NIMBY so the council went on with the rest of the 4 part study.They did the interior street improvements , got the north arterial built and of course you must know by now about the viaducts.I imagine one of these days (a long time from now) there may be discussion about a south arterial..

CORRECTION....The south arterial was to be built on the dike and the residents on the north side of the street " didn't want to look at a major roadway " so they said NIMBY.

Regarding the south arterial... You can't have power and progress without a little pain and inconvenience. I can understand the dismay of a few, but not at the expense of the rest. They could build a nice wall along the side of the road about car high that would cut down on the noise and make it more aesthetically pleasing. That along with trees and its not so bad. Same thing could have happened along east 6th ave by Christopher’s Cove. I am all for helping them make sure we do not significantly impact their property value, but I don't believe the final say should come from a few. If we keep pushing, we will find a way to help improve OUR own city.

Good discussion.

Regarding the south arterial, that just simply should have been done. Im not for bashing the council, but this is an area that leaders have failed. Now with the north "road to nowhere" has started, this land octofoil mentioned really would be a great place for the south arterial to meet the north, and therefore SHOULD be where a new viaduct is placed. I agree with octfoil as well that we need the 3rd Ave viaduct, but any viaduct further to the west of 3rd should not even be considered. It simply causes too much obstruction in town and the 12 Ave viaduct is going to cause more problems than solve. That hideous monster of a thing for pedestrians is the biggest joke I have ever seen for 18th Ave. We all know this leads right into an eventual 23rd viaduct funneling traffic around the schools. Then columbus has 4 viaducts within 30 blocks which I call overkill.

Since the north arterial will eventually link to 81, this would make a great link from 15 to the south to 81 to the north. What has ever come of that discussion of a 4 laner all the way from 81 in Columbus to Sioux City?