Oh, there’s mudslinging in Hickman! It’s not the candidates so much, and for that they are to be congratulated. You would expect a little mudslinging in this day of negative campaigning. No, here in Hickman it’s the local newspaper editor.
Sure, newspapers are entitled to endorse a candidate(s). But let’s do it on a positive swing rather than a negative. That’s what Hickman could use, a little community unification. We all know Hickman is struggling, a community definitely divided.
According to the editor’s article, two candidates are running “for themselves and not for the people of the city.” Why would a candidate do that? For the big bucks? Highly unlikely although the positions are paid. For the extreme gratitude of the constituents, I would doubt that. Maybe the featured candidates are trying to get to the bottom of the issue of nine office personnel that have come and gone since late 2005. Does that seem a bit odd to anyone? That doesn’t sound like a very strong administrative staff as claimed by the mayor in his recent campaign flyer.
The editor accuses Steve Parker of costing the city taxpayers big bucks regarding the old downtown buildings. Excuse me, who cost the city what? State Auditor Mike Foley reported that the City had illegally moved the buildings. The City Administrator had allowed them to be moved without following the proper procedure. Anything and everything that a government entity can no longer use needs to be offered for bid to all citizens, fair and square. After all, we all paid for everything with our tax dollars. The property belongs to us as taxpayers. And if there was no wrong doing on the part of the city (as they claim), then why did they insist the buildings come back for demolition? If the buildings were junk and of no value, then why did Harlans want them anyway? How is Steve Parker solely responsible? He sounds like a scapegoat, particularly at this time of election when he is running for the office of mayor. How convenient for those opposing Mr. Parker.
As far as the Peter Rabbit issue, the city council drug this issue on for over a year. They continued to put this issue on the agenda and haggle over it. The city council and mayor cost the taxpayers all the money. Their indecisiveness in dealing with this issue was one of the major reasons.
There is nothing funny about any of this. Legal wrangling does cost everyone involved. But really, should Mr. Parker have to apply for a conditional use permit for keeping hot dogs in his freezer? (What happens if the council votes to deny his application?) The city seems to use the defense that anyone who does not agree with them is guilty of wasting tax payer money. Sounds to me like the city officials are the ones who are being stubborn and vindictive.
The voters of Hickman can continue to allow the council and mayor to use their tax dollars for frivolous vendettas or they can vote in new members for some fresh and common sense approaches.
October 25, 2010
September 4, 2010
Creating a Legacy in Hickman
A local newspaper publisher reported that “Legacy can be defined in many ways, and that’s so true in what’s going on in Hickman today politically and legally.” I suppose he is referring to a political legacy by the number of candidates we have interested in Hickman government. We certainly can be proud that we have several worthy candidates that have registered for the office of mayor and city council persons. But I’m not sure what the publisher is referring to “legally.” I hope he is not referring to the law suit that the Hot Dog Guy has had to file against the City of Hickman.
Sure it is unfortunate that these matters have had to go as far as the legal system, but what choice do we have when we have a different opinion than that of a government entity. Should we just lie down and do whatever the bureaucrats tell us to do, even though we don’t feel it is just? Thankfully, we live in a democratic society where we can openly voice these differences. The Hot Dog Guy feels he is being singled out unfairly for keeping frozen hot dogs in his freezer in his own home.
Some have said that all he needs to do is to apply for a Special Use Permit, pay $100, and this would allow him to carry on with his business. His business is selling hotdogs from his portable cart in downtown Lincoln. It was even told in the local tavern by Mayor Hrouda that he offered the Hot Dog Guy a reduced rate, $75 for the permit. How could that work? Anyway, the only problem with a Special Use Permit is that it has to be voted upon by the Hickman Planning Commission, who then makes a recommendation to the Hickman City Council. The Hickman City Council then votes on the matter themselves whether or not to grant a Special Use Permit. So what happens if the boards do not vote favorably to allow the Hot Dog Guy a special permit? That’s the question. I’m afraid Mr. Parker would be unable to keep his cart or hot dogs in his home here in Hickman. Then what? This doesn’t sound very encouraging to anyone interested in coming to Hickman to start a new business, does it?
Sure it is unfortunate that these matters have had to go as far as the legal system, but what choice do we have when we have a different opinion than that of a government entity. Should we just lie down and do whatever the bureaucrats tell us to do, even though we don’t feel it is just? Thankfully, we live in a democratic society where we can openly voice these differences. The Hot Dog Guy feels he is being singled out unfairly for keeping frozen hot dogs in his freezer in his own home.
Some have said that all he needs to do is to apply for a Special Use Permit, pay $100, and this would allow him to carry on with his business. His business is selling hotdogs from his portable cart in downtown Lincoln. It was even told in the local tavern by Mayor Hrouda that he offered the Hot Dog Guy a reduced rate, $75 for the permit. How could that work? Anyway, the only problem with a Special Use Permit is that it has to be voted upon by the Hickman Planning Commission, who then makes a recommendation to the Hickman City Council. The Hickman City Council then votes on the matter themselves whether or not to grant a Special Use Permit. So what happens if the boards do not vote favorably to allow the Hot Dog Guy a special permit? That’s the question. I’m afraid Mr. Parker would be unable to keep his cart or hot dogs in his home here in Hickman. Then what? This doesn’t sound very encouraging to anyone interested in coming to Hickman to start a new business, does it?
Hickman Church Has to Remove Sign
You may have noticed that the Hickman Presbyterian Church had put up a sign along 68th on the Kubik property (about 2 miles north of town), with the Kubik’s permission of course. But maybe you did not notice it, because it wasn’t up very long, perhaps a week. The County had allowed the Church to put up the sign with the disclaimer that if someone complained, the sign would have to be removed. Word on the street is that someone “anonymously” called the Hickman City Office to complain about the sign. Who is this person anyway? No, we have it on good authority it wasn’t Steve Parker! It was reported that the City Office personnel told the caller that the sign was not in Hickman’s jurisdiction. Then, the City Office took it upon themselves to call the County and make the complaint. What??!! That makes no sense. The HPC congregation is very disappointed, to say the least.
In addition to reporting the Church sign, a complaint was made about the T & C Bait Shop sign. This business is located in Hickman. That sign has been in the same location for the last three years. There is no reason to complain about these signs unless someone is just being vindictive. Both signs were located on private property with the property owner’s permission.
In addition to reporting the Church sign, a complaint was made about the T & C Bait Shop sign. This business is located in Hickman. That sign has been in the same location for the last three years. There is no reason to complain about these signs unless someone is just being vindictive. Both signs were located on private property with the property owner’s permission.
August 18, 2010
City Council Acts on Anonymous Letter
An anonymous letter was received by the Hickman City Council on April 5, 2010. Usually an unsigned letter is considered “unofficial” but for some reason this Board and the City Administrator felt they needed to give this piece of literature (I’m using that term VERY loosely) some merit. Even using the City’s own terms, when a document is not signed, it is considered a “false reporting document.” I’ve read this letter; it’s poorly written, filled with numerous misspellings, ramblings, and incoherent sentences. In this letter, several prominent residents are accused of stealing, being dishonest, being sexual predators, selling drugs, not paying taxes, etc. What a waste of time on everyone’s part. But for some unknown reason the City is following up on it. Maybe because the writer did compliment the City Council and Mayor! The writer even comments how the Mayor always helps their family.
Another part of the rambling of this piece of work was to accuse Steve Parker of Steve O’s Dogs of running a commercial business from his Hickman home. Steve did sell hotdogs on the sidewalks in designated areas. He has a license from the City of Hickman, as well as the City of Lincoln to do this. Steve has a professional self-contained cart that cooks the dogs, just like you see on the streets of New York. You can often see Steve in downtown Lincoln on the sidewalk selling the dogs. So now the City has bombarded Steve with inquiries and accusations, so much so that he has had to hire an attorney. He has long ago stopped selling hotdogs in Hickman, it was too discouraging dealing with City Officials. Talk about wasting more tax payers’ money. But could this be some sort of revenge on the City’s part? You know that Steve was one of several people who questioned the City’s giving away of those downtown buildings. He also supported keeping Peter Rabbit in his pasture. You really have to wonder!!?
Another part of the rambling of this piece of work was to accuse Steve Parker of Steve O’s Dogs of running a commercial business from his Hickman home. Steve did sell hotdogs on the sidewalks in designated areas. He has a license from the City of Hickman, as well as the City of Lincoln to do this. Steve has a professional self-contained cart that cooks the dogs, just like you see on the streets of New York. You can often see Steve in downtown Lincoln on the sidewalk selling the dogs. So now the City has bombarded Steve with inquiries and accusations, so much so that he has had to hire an attorney. He has long ago stopped selling hotdogs in Hickman, it was too discouraging dealing with City Officials. Talk about wasting more tax payers’ money. But could this be some sort of revenge on the City’s part? You know that Steve was one of several people who questioned the City’s giving away of those downtown buildings. He also supported keeping Peter Rabbit in his pasture. You really have to wonder!!?
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