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Dear Editor,
I read with great interest the front page article “Council: Heated discussion over trees” that was published in the Tuesday evening Breeze Courier. After review of the City ordinance 3858 which was approved August 20, 2018 I feel that the Mayor overstepped his authority. Section 3-2-4-J of the City Code addresses the use of the Utility Tax monies that are placed into the so called “Ward 5” Common Maintenance Fund. “All monies to be expended from the Common Street Maintenance Fund for any proposed project from time to time must first be presented, debated and voted on at a Street and Sewer Committee meeting. If such vote results in a positive recommendation, then such proposed project and proposed expenditure of funds from the Common Street Maintenance Fund shall be presented to the City Council for consideration and vote.” It appears that this procedure was not followed. Rather than take this issue back to the Committee level for discussion it was placed on the City Council agenda for approval to use the Common Fund rather than use Ward 1 funds.
Merrium-Webster shows the definition of the word “Ordinance” is as follows: “a law set forth by a governmental authority – specifically : a municipal regulation”. In this case it appears that the “law” has been broken. Compare this action to one who runs a stop sign. You will reprimanded for breaking a law if you are caught.
After review of the City Code, the action taken by the City Council regarding the issue should be considered null and void as proper procedure was not carried out. To further com- plicate the situation, why is the project being bid after the fact?
Thank you to Aldermen Driskell, Skultety, Bryant and Dorchinecz for standing up for the people of Taylorville by voting against this use of the Common Street Maintenance Funds. This fund was set up to assist ALL WARDS with any unforeseen expenses. The reason for the ordinance wording is to protect the funds from being used for nonessential needs.
Martin Vota
Taylorville
Dear Editor,
I love watching the summer and winter Olympics and cheering for our athletes. There were a few American athletes that I did not want to see win medals.
First, Megan Rapinoe and her purple hair and her soccer team should have worried more about playing the game instead of making a political statement. Before playing Sweden the entire team took a knee during the National Anthem and then proceeded to lose the game, 3-0. Rapinoe said they took a knee in support of Black Lives Matter. Then, they got beat by Canada. A team that the U. S. women have never lost to. Nice job, Megan. You and your teammates couldn’t score a goal in two games.
Gwen Berry, a track and field athlete, finished 11th out of 12 after making a political statement. She dishonored our flag, National Anthem and country earlier. Then you have Raven Saunders in the shot put. She said she would swim across our border if they tried to take away her medal. Go ahead and start swimming across the Rio Grande. Before you get into the water tie that shot put to your ankle.
Congratulations to ALMOST ALL of our medal winners and athletes. The ones who don’t like the United States of America can go represent a different country in the next Olympics.
I would like to be able to turn on the TV for a whole day and not hear someone from the left blame something on racism.
John McAvoy, Jr. Taylorville
