To the Editor:
First and foremost, we like living in Belle. We moved here by choice in 1997 and have no reason to leave.
It appears to me that the city of Belle has an abundance of unresolved issues that just get shuffled from one pile to another. What frustrates me in council meetings is we are given a detailed agenda for the meeting.
The first thing the mayor does is start marking off the items he doesn’t want to address. I feel he needs to state why he doesn’t want to discuss it. I think all line items on the agenda should be addressed or explain why it is being deleted or tabled.
I have noticed that some line items are tabled and do not resurface on future agendas. In the Aug. 8 council meeting during the Department Head Reports, when the mayor gave his report, sad to say, he neglected to mention that after the July 11 meeting they hired Lewis to maintain public works systems.
I think such a position being filled would have been a topic to discuss since the DNR had sent letters to the city about their lack of having a certified operator. I had to read this in the (Maries County) Advocate. Sometimes, I leave a council meeting feeling like a mushroom (feed organic fertilizer and keep in the dark).
Please take time to read Jacob Warden’s article in the Advocate on page 2, dated Aug. 9, 2023. The city does seem to stumble from time to time on how the Sunshine Laws should be adhered to.
Now positive thoughts.
No. 1. I feel that Marshal Coborn is doing a very good job in his efforts to clean up the less than desirable areas in the city. He has taken on a huge task. Unfortunately, not all landlords in the city feel a need to keep their properties compliant with our city ordinances.
No. 2. I totally agree with the proposed changes to the nuisance ordinances. I would like the council to consider including the landlord receiving a notice and ticket since he is getting revenue from the property. I would ask the council to have the intestinal fortitude to pass the proposed changes and be on the side of your citizens that desire a town to be proud of.
Thanks,
Delmar Branson
