Laubach Has My Vote!

I am a registered Ward 3 voter and Mr. Laubach has my vote!

He appears very impressive on his answers,I like that.

Registered voter Ward 3- I read Mr. Laubach's responses to the questions asked. I liked the answer on Section 8 of reducing the number to the correct level, accepting no more vouchers and realizing that Section 8 puts a strain on the city. I also liked his comments about using private money for the downtown area and his response to gaining revenue for the city. I respect his military service except for the Army Guard part, of course, and IF he maintains his comments/answers listed here, he will have provided a refreshing change from the Marconiman. I will support Mr. Laubach also ---UNTIL he changes- IF he changes his tune once in that Council seat. Then, I will vote to purge him like I want Marconi purged.

Welcome Adjuster!

Mr. Laubach- You favor the elimination of the ward system. If the ward system is eliminated, do you think that if all councilmembers are from one ward- say the 3rd, that they will make an attempt to service the other wards as well as someone who lives within that ward? This may be one area where we disagree. Furthermore, if you eliminate the ward system, you set the city up for the MMF powerplay of control of the candidates from one ward and strengthen their ability to oversee their agenda through their puppets on council. If we place people on council who will resist the MMF influence and they act on behalf of the people for a change, perhaps we'll reduce the impact this little group has on the "direction of ruination" of the city. Through council, we can also control an out of control city manager and her merry men. She needs to be directed by council as to what is best for this city. Her current agenda is polarizing and damaging to the city and her priorities are out of line. She needs to change. If not, she needs to leave- now.

Leo, Vietvet,

You all whining about this doing away with the wards currently 4 of the 7 Council Persons live within walking distance of each other and I don't see where the second ward that everyone is worried about is suffering.  We are about to spend close to $75-100 Million  over the next 5 years in basically the second ward between Section 8 housing and funds provided by HUD.  I don't see any other ward getting that kind of funding.  Everyone hollering about the end of the world coming if we do away with the wards and make council cmaller sounds, a lot like chicken little and the sky is falling.

wasteful- and if we do away with the ward system, don't you think there is a chance that most/all winning candidates will come from the 1st or the 3rd Ward? And, if most do come from one ward, perhaps prone to ignore the rest of the city's areas? - OR - at the very least, they would not have the feeling of "ownership" for those areas outside their home port? Result: the folks in the 2nd and 4th Wards may end up feeling alienated and think they have no representation on Council, eliminating one very important funtional reason for Council's existence- service to ALL areas of the city. Furthermore, you know as well as I that the 1st and 3rd Wards are where the majority of the people who vote live and where some of the powerbrokers of the city reside. How convenient it would be that majority voter numbers, candidates and the "network" in place are in the same area to enable the MMF/powerbroker to control their puppets and continue their ruination of the city. With no wards, they'll be assured that they will maintain their dominance by keeping it "all in the family" and they would have no resistance at all from anywhere in the city. JMO

Vet did you not read any of the above posts!  Most of the Council Members now come from the 1st and 3rd ward.  Is the 2nd ward being ignored by any of them....NO.  Is any other ward going to have $75-100,000,000.00 poured in to it in the next 5 years in the form of Government aid.....NO.

The poor operation of the city has everything to do with the lack of common sense, lack of correct priorities, mishandling of financial matters/incorrect spending, wrong direction and secretive agenda set forth by the MMF/powerbrokers in this town guiding the Council puppets on the direction they want this city to take. The city manager and those working for her are doing the bidding of the powerbrokers through the Council. The people on Council are not making the decisions, the small group of behind the scenes MMF people are. The city not progressive.- Agree 100%. The 2nd Ward is not being ignored AT THIS TIME because that is the ward that the city leaders are using to bring revenue into the city. Prior to the federal money coming in, the 2nd Ward was an afterthought. No "compelling reason" (Mike) to consider them important. They were constantly going to Council and asking when the city was going to put some effort into their area as they are the entryway to the city from the south. The 2nd Ward still wouldn't be considered important by city leaders if not for this money. Fixing the streets/infrastructure in all areas of the city,- absolutely! Change in leadership-viewing the city as a whole- good concept, hope it happens. Citywide leadership- never happen without wards. Without ward representation, all council members will be from the same areas and will not put a fair effort into administering to all parts of the city. JMO

Alrighty then. We'll do it your way. Let's get away from the POSSIBILITY- that's POSSIBILITY, of not having all people represented in all areas of town by doing away with the ward system. Only then, will we see who is correct here. Otherwise, we are both just guessing, aren't we? Gotta go do chores now. This is going nowhere. Good talking to you.

Spider if the HUD fund request goes Through 2nd ward will get the bulk if not all of the $20 Million and then you have the $11 Million for Section 8 plus Public Housing monies etc. , with the Bulk of that going into the 2nd ward for the next 5 years that is going to be about $60-75 Million.