Case and Point- Public Input
Pierce Co. Herald writer Sari Gordon wrote-
Rick Talford of Elmwood voiced concerns during the public input portion of the board meeting about rodent traps and police relations with the media. The board explained the police chief does not communicate with the press without prior board consideration. Kris Talford asked for and received clarification on the number of parks in the village (four). One park does not have formal development plans in place, nor does it have waist facilities and therefore is blocked to vehicle and camping traffic.
The Village Clerks Unapproved Minutes-
Rick Talford asked about the mole traps that kill being used in the village and ordinance 7-1-21.
After a brief discussion President William Stewart asked the Village Clerk to check with other municipalities regarding mole traps and add the item to the October Board Meeting agenda. Mr. Talford then asked why the board was not allowing the Police Chief to do any interviews with the news outlets. A brief exchange ensued with President Stewart explaining that just as in any company the village employees are required to go through their respective committees for approval before publishing an article or granting an interview. Kristina Talford asked how many parks the village has and if camping was allowed in the park along the river. Susan Dzubay responded that the village has four locations designated as park space. At this time only two are complete and when funding is available the other two will be developed. William Stewart stated that Butternut Park has a camp ground that is available for anyone who is interested in camping in Elmwood.
The Elmwood Citizen by Rick A. Talford-
Rick Talford (resident)- asked the Board why the Ordinance on killing animals within the Village Limits was not being upheld anymore. The Chief was once controlling this, but was told to stop. The Ordinance has a zero tolerance for killing or harming animals whether on Public or Private property within the Village limits.The use of Mole Kill Stakes continue even with complaints against them. The Ordinance only allows live trapping, without any harm to the animals.
Bob Rupakus- "well I have to admit, I use mouse traps at home....."
Rick T.- "We are not talking about mouse traps, Bob."
Bill Stewart then asked to make it a bit more clear on what was being questioned.
Rick T.- I explained that the use of spike style kill stakes where being used, and the policy created in Nov. 2005 was to create a no tolerance to any form of kill or wounding style traps. This was due to some activities on the
water way that had become a problem because they believed they where ok on private property.The only allowable trap was for live traps to get containment to remove the animals. There are other alternatives to killing
the animals, such as spreading lime to get rid of the grubs they eat. Every year they are a problem, but only a few use kill style tactics to get rid of them.
Bill S.- then stated that this was good to question, and the board would do some research on what other communities are doing about these devices, and there use in their communities.. He then added that it could be placed on next months agenda.
Rick T.- I had one more question as well. I have been told that our Chief is not allowed to have any style interview with the media, without first getting an OK, from the Village Board's, Police Committee Head Bob Rupakus. I was wondering why?
Bob R.- After mumbling under his breathe, so it was hard to hear him. He stated
"There is Information, that We do not want released."
Rick T.- These where interviews to go over what he has accomplished over the first year of being here. If these individuals are interested in doing the interviews, they are not going to want to wait weeks for a decision.
I do not see what the problem would or could be. Common sense would tell him not to release confidential information.
Bill S.- It is just like any other employee, they must have permission before they speak to any media. There are people that may take offense to what is being reported or written. The simple fact of it is, that it must come through the committee first.
Kristina Talford- then asked how many parks there where in the town.
Bill S. then responded by asking her if that was a statement, or a question.
Kris T.- then asked again how many parks where in the community?
Susan D.- replied to her, stating " Four".
Kris T.- then asked "Why the park that is located on the east side of town, was always locked up, instead of allowing the use."
Susan D.- responded by explaining that the park is only been named for the park plan that was required for them to get grants if they ever became available. otherwise the park would stay as is. This was just designating the area. The other parks are by Genesis (on the west side), and Vet Park (behind the Library), and Butternut (on the South side)
Kris T.- then asked "Could the area still be used with tents for watching the wildlife .
Bill S. then stated "Anyone can walk back in there, and would not be considered trespassing. There could not be tent use, due to no waste facilities are there"
Susan D.- then added "You can enter the area from near the Talford's Adopt-A-Hwy sign on Public Ave., there is a beaten path that goes back into the park area and along the river.
Rick Talford (resident)- asked the Board why the Ordinance on killing animals within the Village Limits was not being upheld anymore. The Chief was once controlling this, but was told to stop. The Ordinance has a zero tolerance for killing or harming animals whether on Public or Private property within the Village limits.The use of Mole Kill Stakes continue even with complaints against them. The Ordinance only allows live trapping, without any harm to the animals.
Bob Rupakus- "well I have to admit, I use mouse traps at home....."
Rick T.- "We are not talking about mouse traps, Bob."
Bill Stewart then asked to make it a bit more clear on what was being questioned.
Rick T.- I explained that the use of spike style kill stakes where being used, and the policy created in Nov. 2005 was to create a no tolerance to any form of kill or wounding style traps. This was due to some activities on the
water way that had become a problem because they believed they where ok on private property.The only allowable trap was for live traps to get containment to remove the animals. There are other alternatives to killing
the animals, such as spreading lime to get rid of the grubs they eat. Every year they are a problem, but only a few use kill style tactics to get rid of them.
Bill S.- then stated that this was good to question, and the board would do some research on what other communities are doing about these devices, and there use in their communities.. He then added that it could be placed on next months agenda.
Rick T.- I had one more question as well. I have been told that our Chief is not allowed to have any style interview with the media, without first getting an OK, from the Village Board's, Police Committee Head Bob Rupakus. I was wondering why?
Bob R.- After mumbling under his breathe, so it was hard to hear him. He stated
"There is Information, that We do not want released."
Rick T.- These where interviews to go over what he has accomplished over the first year of being here. If these individuals are interested in doing the interviews, they are not going to want to wait weeks for a decision.
I do not see what the problem would or could be. Common sense would tell him not to release confidential information.
Bill S.- It is just like any other employee, they must have permission before they speak to any media. There are people that may take offense to what is being reported or written. The simple fact of it is, that it must come through the committee first.
Kristina Talford- then asked how many parks there where in the town.
Bill S. then responded by asking her if that was a statement, or a question.
Kris T.- then asked again how many parks where in the community?
Susan D.- replied to her, stating " Four".
Kris T.- then asked "Why the park that is located on the east side of town, was always locked up, instead of allowing the use."
Susan D.- responded by explaining that the park is only been named for the park plan that was required for them to get grants if they ever became available. otherwise the park would stay as is. This was just designating the area. The other parks are by Genesis (on the west side), and Vet Park (behind the Library), and Butternut (on the South side)
Kris T.- then asked "Could the area still be used with tents for watching the wildlife .
Bill S. then stated "Anyone can walk back in there, and would not be considered trespassing. There could not be tent use, due to no waste facilities are there"
Susan D.- then added "You can enter the area from near the Talford's Adopt-A-Hwy sign on Public Ave., there is a beaten path that goes back into the park area and along the river.
(It was added that there must be a County Permit received also, such as the one they have
for Butternut Park. Also there is a gate across the entrance there as well.)
As you can see, they do not look the same by far. This is the reason that I have started giving the Citizen view, is the newspaper will give their politically correct version, and the clerk will give as little as possible without offending her bosses. so the Citizen view is the most accurate to the citizens. If a person on the board wants to slander a group of people in the community as bad, then the community should well know this, because they are put in place by the citizens they are knocking. The actions by the board are not always with the best interest of all the citizens by far, but they are in the best interest in the board members own aspects. This is why the low number of people at these meetings means just that much more. The citizens have not been giving their input to keep things in check for all. Corporate business is important, but it is not a backbone of the community, The citizens are the backbone, and everyone should at least have the chance to be part of the decisions that are being made. If someone disagrees with what is being done, they should not be blackballed and discriminated against so easily as it has happened here. My activity with the Board has been the result of some of the members that believe life should be there way only, and anyone that questions that, should be harassed until they stop questioning those in charge. I do not believe in that , and will not allow my kids to be treated that way either, just to get me to stop questioning what is being done. This is my View, and I know that many may not agree, but I will stand behind everything I write, and I have kept records on every meeting I have attended, which our Village Clerk does not even do. (maybe because the law states she does not have to, that is fine, but is destroying the record a good thing or bad when there are developments from those actions , in those meetings.)
--Update for that special request for information wanted on the PG site-
All you need to do, is read through chapters 6 and into seven to be able and determine what documents I claim have not been kept. The request was made, and still to this date has never been filled. So you may be the detective this time, and figure it out. You have many splendid little remarks while questioning, so I think you should be able to figure this one out.
