From: Ken Fudge
Columbus
The Republic recently ran an article regarding Mayor Lienhoop’s “To Do List.” Our city has its share of problems, and money should be spent on programs that are effective and produce results, not vanity projects.
Columbus can grow by keeping the property taxes down, making it safe by supporting our law enforcement and fire department, and empowering our citizens to select good careers that pay enough to take care of their families. At the top of Lienhoop’s list, it would have been nice to see support and quality maintenance of the amenities that we currently have instead of spending more money for ones that serve the few or ones that our community loses interest in.
The railroad overpass is listed as one of Lienhoop’s accomplishments. His administration has stated previously that the automobile industry is cyclic. Supposedly now is when the trains running through Columbus would be at its highest. However, my conclusion is that by the time the overpass is finally built and open, the train traffic will have slowed down to an occasional train. Curious; I wonder if this is another move by the city to appease Cummins and their employees’ commuting frustrations.
The second accomplishment mentioned is the substance abuse program. I attended the city council meetings involving ASAP and the hub. I found both of these short of fulfilling what is needed. I feel they empower the addict to live but do nothing to cure the addiction. In my opinion, the medical and pharmaceutical industries brought this epidemic to life and should be held at the very least partially responsible to make it right. We had pharmacies and doctors prescribing opiates in Columbus at alarming rates. Instead of partnering with the hospital to build a sports center, the city and the hospital could partner to form an in-house rehabilitation center to treat our citizens.
As I look at the waterfront project the current administration is putting together, I am concerned that it is unsafe, unnecessary and not fiscally sound. I understand the need for removal of the dangerous low head dam and erosion control for the west bank. However, all structures Lienhoop wants to put in the river will have to be cleaned of silt after each high water period. The river is also full of deadfall, which creates undertows and dangerous currents. The in-water attraction does not have any supervision or rescue protocol. People drowning creates a liability for the city and, subsequently, the taxpayer. Furthermore, the attraction can only feasibly be used a few months of the year.
When Lienhoop first made it public he wanted to increase the city’s payments to the Economic Development Board, he stated that they wanted to bring aerospace, pharmaceutical and call center jobs to Columbus. I have not seen any of these type of jobs become available but yet multiple trips have been taken overseas.
Maybe we need to go another direction to produce more diversified employment.
