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As the former mayor of Oak Creek, I have finally had enough.
Frankly, I'm getting tired of being degraded by the people in this town who can't tell the difference between fact and fiction. This latest attack on me (printed in Sound Off) just reiterates how gullible some in Oak Creek can be. Can they honestly believe these things happen overnight?
We knew our water system needed upgrading and began working on this funding through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in February 2001. On July 20, 2001 (after many meetings and much correspondence) we received a letter. The letter said the town of Oak Creek has been included on the FY-2002 eligibility list for Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund funds. The reason the town is included on this list is so that the town is in a place to borrow money in the future should it desire to do so. It is part of the process for projects to become eligible to borrow money from this program.
Along with this letter was an application to apply for a $15,000 grant to do the engineering study, which we applied for. In September 2001, the Department of Local Affairs certified our need for financial assistance and we received notice that we would be awarded our grant as soon as funds were available.
If anyone is interested in facts, all of this is a matter of public record; or, if unavailable, I still have my copies. How far along on this loan would the current administration be had we not worked on it for a year? I say kudos to former Public Works Director Chuck Wisecup and former Town Manager Ray Leibensperger; they contributed much more than the public ever gave them credit for.
During my term as mayor, we started this WPCRF financing process, received a $100,000 grant to get the Parker water pump station up and running, changed the filter beds in the water plant and paved Colfax from Bell to Moffat. This may not seem like much, but until you sit at that table and make decisions that affect an entire town, at least check the facts before you judge.
Praise Mayor Cargo Rodeman all you like, but do it on merit. I'm proud of what our board did get accomplished and we did it without alienating any other governmental agencies. I learned a long time ago not to bite the hand that feeds you.
And while you're passing out praise, it may do you good to remember that there are six other members elected to your board. They are all in a thankless position, trying to make decisions that affect approximately 850 people, and the only input received is from the same group of 50 or fewer residents who seem to be half for and half against whoever is in office at the time.
I would like to suggest that the good people of Oak Creek get off their apathetic backsides and take a little interest in their town government. Half of the registered voters weren't even interested enough to go to the polls. I am not a politician and I never claimed to be -- I was there and took the job when no one else wanted it.
Being a volunteer public servant is not an easy endeavor. I researched every decision I voted on, and I always welcomed factual criticism.
Debbie VanGundy
Oak Creek