Former councilman supports road project

William M. Lackermann, Clinton, former city councilman
Letter to the Editor

December 21, 2006 12:47 pm

— Pam Graboski conveniently did not mention all the streets that have been installed with assessments, i.e. 13th Avenue North, Second Avenue South, Eighth Avenue South and North 11th Street. These assessments affected a lot of people who had to come up with a lot of money in those days.
I know as I was assessed approximately two months’ salary. The result of these assessments and paving of the streets opened up areas for new housing and developments that have been a great asset to our community.
A developer of a housing area has to put in streets and sewer before he can sell lots and homes.
The cost of these improvements are passed on to the buyer of the lots and homes. This should have been done when 18th Street was put in. Ten or 12 years ago the city of Clinton tried to pave South 18th Street, but it was met with the same objection that Pam Graboski now set forth. If it had been accepted, the assessments would have been a lot lower than they are now. Using the same tactics, they were able to get one councilman to vote with them and the project was not approved due to the requirement of a unanimous vote.
We are facing the same problem now. Councilman Mike Kearney, when campaigning for his council seat, made a promise to support the people on 18th Street. I question where his duty and obligation to the city of Clinton is. As a councilman his first and main obligation is to the city of Clinton. He should support what will benefit all the citizens, not just 15 or 20 people to whom he made a “campaign promise.” His second obligation should be to citizens of his ward and last to the individual of his ward.
I am 100 percent for the concrete paving of South 18th Street. I would ask all the citizens of the city of Clinton to call or contact Councilman Mike Kearney and express their opinion on whether the assessment should be approved. If this paving is not done then the city of Clinton should list this street as an unimproved street and give services accordingly.