I just read an article entitled “Countywide vote slated for July 8” in the June 25, 2008, Record Herald And Indianola Tribune. In that article was a quote from a rural resident that read as follows:
Milligan accused Indianola leaders of running a “stealth campaign” that centers on keeping the upcoming election out of the spotlight. “I don’t have a lot of faith in the folks who are running (the election) Milligan said. “Where are the citizen advisory groups on this?”
I feel a strong obligation to set the record straight for all Indianola residents. To say we are running stealth campaign is simply not true. Please observe the following:
· Between Fire Chief Brian Seymour and I, 20 PowerPoint presentations have been given to groups including the Rotary, Lions/Lionesses, Indianola School Board, Kiwanis, Elks and Warren County Historical Society.
· Two focus groups totaling over 30 residents were enlisted to discuss this project and a methods of paying for it
· There is an information video on cable channel 7 that plays every day at 11:00 AM and 8:30 PM. It starting showing on June 2 so by July 8 it will have been on TV nearly 80 times
· There have been 4 articles in the last 2 months in the Record Herald
· There have been 2 articles in the City Update newsletter
· There have been 4 articles in the Weekly Flyer in the last month
· Over 1,000 brochures/flyers have been handed out to citizens
· There will be an open house at the Fire Department on July 1 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM to show residents the conditions under which the Fire Department has to work—Please come out and join us to see for yourself.
· The city’s web page at www.cityofindianola.com has had building renovation information since the first of June
Stealth??? Oh no, quite the contrary. City officials have worked very, very hard to inform Indianola residents about the need for this building renovation and proposed sales tax to pay for it. We are well aware that informed voters make good decisions.
Again, there is an open house at the Fire Station on Ashland Avenue from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on July 1. Please come by and tour the building to better understand why the renovation is needed. Hope to see you there!!
