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Thoughts on the Flood

I feel kinda bad for not keeping my site up to date with the latest flood information. To be honest, that's what the newspaper and media sites are for. I have been keeping informed, by checking with the National Weather Service, and with local media outlets.

To be honest, I have lost faith in our elected officials. After watching the morning press briefings and flood coordination meetings, I don't think that Mayor Dennis Walaker is the one who is "saving our city." To be honest, it's the hundreds of city, county, state, and federal employees manning the emergency operations centers and department heads sitting around that table that are given 5 minutes to speak. THOSE are the people who are keeping your house dry, and keeping you safe. Supporting them is the community of volunteers who are put so much hard work into this fight. In any other city, we'd all be in about 5 feet of water by now I'm sure. The overwhelming support from the community is such a powerful factor.

So why do I hate the Mayor and other elected officials so much? For starters, Dr. Mahoney, city commissioner, keeps wearing that stupid reflective vest. I don't know if he thinks it makes him look like he's been out fighting the flood. To be honest, its almost insulting. Unless he's been at the sandbag production sites directing the dozens of heavy machines around, or out directing traffic like the National Guard, he has no reason to wear it. Take the damn thing off!

Second, our Mayor is not a very good speaker. I have heard from friends who are out of the area hearing Mayor Walaker on the national news, and they ask, "Is he really your mayor?" Yes, that is the person that somehow won the election a couple years ago. If only I could have voted. He didn't save this city in 1997, either. That was done by the numerous city staff and engineers, along with volunteers. He can drive the snow plows, but he sure can't be mayor.

As far as the overall morning briefings, I think for the past few days, Walaker has had to apologize or re-state something he said the day before. Or he's been eating. I just wish I could still stand to watch the meetings. I find myself trying to get the critical information out without getting pissed off at our officials.

Alright, I think that's an adequate amount of ranting for the day. Leave your comments, in, of all places, the comments section. I do read them. In fact, I get a nifty email when you leave one.

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