By BUTCH JOHNSON | Norwalk
Here we are; it is caucus time already. Where did the year go? It would be great to see another good turnout like last year.
We have a lot of issues to run on. I know we are all busy in our lives, but I, for one, don’t approve of the direction the village board is taking for our village.
As Madonna and I walk around this village, visiting with other taxpayers, we wonder how many of us approve of the Main Street turning into an apartment area, with garbage stacked on the sidewalk for weeks at a time.
Another issue: we need to decide if we want to purchase a new squad car. How many of us think we need a police force? We who say no wonder why we see him watching traffic out of town, by the clinic or the church, usually on Sunday or a weekday morning, watching us go to work. Also, Dave sets his own hours, and I also wonder why. Those who say we need him for village ordinances, I look around and wonder which ones. We have been going to the municipal court for a year now. I see the judge, clerk, Dave and an interpreter. Usually no one else. We add up the cost and wonder why.
Another hard subject to bring up, but I feel the board should address the number of village employees and the wages and benefits we hand out. Do we really need a part-time clerk or three maintenance men in the winter? With all part-time employees receiving personal leave and vacation time. Two full-time people are receiving full medical benefits they are not paying part of, costing the village over $20,000 per year. This year was not brought before the board for approval.
Once again, hope to see a good turnout, and I would like to see people of the same opinion as mine volunteer to run. We have a nice village here; it just needs some leadership!