Citizens ask for apology from Hillsboro mayor WATCH THE VIDEO
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Two Hillsboro women say that an apology is owed by Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink over comments he wrote in a letter to the editor of an area publication. Zink said that he is entitled to his opinion, and that he will not apologize.
Christine Kerley and Cheryl Irwin addressed council during its October meeting Tuesday regarding a letter that Zink had written in response to an editorial he said criticized the city over a recent increase to the city's sewer rates.
During council's August meeting, Kerley questioned council on the sewer rates and why the city felt there was a need for the increase. She also brought in statistical data and said she had spoken with the Ohio EPA. Kerley said that in the years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009 the city had not made reports to the EPA on residential sewer rates. She also said that the average family was going to spend $1,600 on water and sewer.
In August Kerley stated that the average family in Hillsboro will pay $1,039.50 in sewer alone, not including water, which adds $514. "So the average citizen, or family, is going to spent $1,600, roughly, on water and sewer. That is more than what most citizens pay in city taxes," Kerley said. "That's more than what citizens pay in gas to heat their homes if they're on a budget plan. That's more than I pay to heat my home in gas. Gas is expensive. Why is my water so much money?"
According to Kerley, Zink wrote, "I've lived in Hillsboro for over 70 of my 74 years and believe the usage of my family can be considered average. I've never spent $1,600 for these utilities. The reason the town hall meetings were called were to inform interested citizens of the EPA mandates and the intended increases. They were not called to appease Mrs. Kerley or any other person."
Kerley told council that the figures she reported were based on statistical research.
"Statistics are just that: Estimates of what it could be," Kerley told council. "I also took an average of the three bills I had already received from the city in regards to the water and sewer."
Kerley said that at an average of $118 per month, was $1,416 per year, with the 15-percent increase added in, was approximately $1,628. She said that she spoke to neighbors and found that average usage was costing $1,300 to $1,500.
"This is where I got the proof and true facts, not inflated facts as you stated," she said. "I need to address my rights as a citizen in this city, state and nation. It is the right of all citizens to stand before you, as I am tonight, and speak my opinion. Be it the facts or opinions, I feel you are criticizing my right to come before you and question the decision of the city. Belittling a citizen who chooses to speak their mind is not only unprofessional, but against the law. The Constitution allows me to have the freedom of speech. I did not come to the meeting with vulgar comments or express profanity or rudeness. I presented your council and departments facts. Facts that were found in a google search in about an hour. I would appreciate a formal letter to the editor for apology for calling me out in public. I never sought publicity, nor did I need it. I just want our government to be held accountable for their actions, and if it means that every council meeting I stand up before you, as I am now and address you as I am, then I will. It is my right."
In September, council voted 5-0 to pass a resolution approving a 15-percent increase to sewer rates over three years. On Aug. 23 council held a town hall meeting where approximately 40 Hillsboro residents turned out to discuss the city's construction of the $17 million- wastewater treatment plant, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency mandates that made the upgrades to the plant necessary, and the grant dollars that have been secured to go toward funding the plant improvements. In 2008 council voted to freeze sewer rate increases until they saw what sort of funds they would have available. According to council's utilities committee chairperson Dave Shoemaker, the base rate after the increase is $25.42. If council had not frozen the increases in 2008, base rate would be $43.30.
Following Kerley's statements, council president Lee Koogler said that he had not followed what had transpired in the media, and that regardless of what had happened, "You do have the right to address council and we're certainly happy to give you that opportunity."
Irwin then addressed council on her "personal disappointment in our mayor. Shame on you. What was the point in just trying to call her a liar. As you can see from the replies to your letter, you were incorrect and you obviously do owe her an apology."
Irwin said that her disappointment goes beyond Zink's statements and the city's recent actions. She brought up the city's 2008 action to close the former safety building, which housed the fire and police departments, the purchase of a modular home to house firefighters, the lawsuit over an attempted purchase of the former Union Stock Yards property, and the construction of a new fire department police stations. Irwin referenced a report from McCarty and Associates that estimated costs of bringing the safety building up to code at $178,414. The total aforementioned issues and construction, she said, have cost the city $2,976,686. She also stated that the city should not have engaged in litigation with Parker Hotel owner Jack Hope in an attempt to "get the Parker House hotel torn down."
"We the citizens have watched too many mistakes being made without stepping up to monitor the performance of our city leaders, and we have let it go on far too long," Irwin said. "Christine Kerley has helped us realize that it is time we stand up and hold each one of you accountable. I plan to do just that, and I hope that each person in this room will stand with me."
Following the meeting, Zink told The Highland County Press that he lives in the city, pays the same taxes, and that he has the same rights.
"I feel I have an opinion, the same as any other taxpayer," Zink said. "The column mentioned Mrs. Kerley, and I referenced her name when I was correcting what (the column) said. I haven't seen anything that tells the average use of Hillsboro, compared to other cities. The bottom line is, the wastewater treatment plant was mandated by the EPA, and we have received $7.1 million in grants and a zero-percent interest loan. I feel like I have a right to make an opinion, like everyone else, and I'm not apologizing for my opinion."
Two Hillsboro women say that an apology is owed by Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink over comments he wrote in a letter to the editor of an area publication. Zink said that he is entitled to his opinion, and that he will not apologize.
Christine Kerley and Cheryl Irwin addressed council during its October meeting Tuesday regarding a letter that Zink had written in response to an editorial he said criticized the city over a recent increase to the city's sewer rates.
During council's August meeting, Kerley questioned council on the sewer rates and why the city felt there was a need for the increase. She also brought in statistical data and said she had spoken with the Ohio EPA. Kerley said that in the years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009 the city had not made reports to the EPA on residential sewer rates. She also said that the average family was going to spend $1,600 on water and sewer.
In August Kerley stated that the average family in Hillsboro will pay $1,039.50 in sewer alone, not including water, which adds $514. "So the average citizen, or family, is going to spent $1,600, roughly, on water and sewer. That is more than what most citizens pay in city taxes," Kerley said. "That's more than what citizens pay in gas to heat their homes if they're on a budget plan. That's more than I pay to heat my home in gas. Gas is expensive. Why is my water so much money?"
According to Kerley, Zink wrote, "I've lived in Hillsboro for over 70 of my 74 years and believe the usage of my family can be considered average. I've never spent $1,600 for these utilities. The reason the town hall meetings were called were to inform interested citizens of the EPA mandates and the intended increases. They were not called to appease Mrs. Kerley or any other person."
Kerley told council that the figures she reported were based on statistical research.
"Statistics are just that: Estimates of what it could be," Kerley told council. "I also took an average of the three bills I had already received from the city in regards to the water and sewer."
Kerley said that at an average of $118 per month, was $1,416 per year, with the 15-percent increase added in, was approximately $1,628. She said that she spoke to neighbors and found that average usage was costing $1,300 to $1,500.
"This is where I got the proof and true facts, not inflated facts as you stated," she said. "I need to address my rights as a citizen in this city, state and nation. It is the right of all citizens to stand before you, as I am tonight, and speak my opinion. Be it the facts or opinions, I feel you are criticizing my right to come before you and question the decision of the city. Belittling a citizen who chooses to speak their mind is not only unprofessional, but against the law. The Constitution allows me to have the freedom of speech. I did not come to the meeting with vulgar comments or express profanity or rudeness. I presented your council and departments facts. Facts that were found in a google search in about an hour. I would appreciate a formal letter to the editor for apology for calling me out in public. I never sought publicity, nor did I need it. I just want our government to be held accountable for their actions, and if it means that every council meeting I stand up before you, as I am now and address you as I am, then I will. It is my right."
In September, council voted 5-0 to pass a resolution approving a 15-percent increase to sewer rates over three years. On Aug. 23 council held a town hall meeting where approximately 40 Hillsboro residents turned out to discuss the city's construction of the $17 million- wastewater treatment plant, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency mandates that made the upgrades to the plant necessary, and the grant dollars that have been secured to go toward funding the plant improvements. In 2008 council voted to freeze sewer rate increases until they saw what sort of funds they would have available. According to council's utilities committee chairperson Dave Shoemaker, the base rate after the increase is $25.42. If council had not frozen the increases in 2008, base rate would be $43.30.
Following Kerley's statements, council president Lee Koogler said that he had not followed what had transpired in the media, and that regardless of what had happened, "You do have the right to address council and we're certainly happy to give you that opportunity."
Irwin then addressed council on her "personal disappointment in our mayor. Shame on you. What was the point in just trying to call her a liar. As you can see from the replies to your letter, you were incorrect and you obviously do owe her an apology."
Irwin said that her disappointment goes beyond Zink's statements and the city's recent actions. She brought up the city's 2008 action to close the former safety building, which housed the fire and police departments, the purchase of a modular home to house firefighters, the lawsuit over an attempted purchase of the former Union Stock Yards property, and the construction of a new fire department police stations. Irwin referenced a report from McCarty and Associates that estimated costs of bringing the safety building up to code at $178,414. The total aforementioned issues and construction, she said, have cost the city $2,976,686. She also stated that the city should not have engaged in litigation with Parker Hotel owner Jack Hope in an attempt to "get the Parker House hotel torn down."
"We the citizens have watched too many mistakes being made without stepping up to monitor the performance of our city leaders, and we have let it go on far too long," Irwin said. "Christine Kerley has helped us realize that it is time we stand up and hold each one of you accountable. I plan to do just that, and I hope that each person in this room will stand with me."
Following the meeting, Zink told The Highland County Press that he lives in the city, pays the same taxes, and that he has the same rights.
"I feel I have an opinion, the same as any other taxpayer," Zink said. "The column mentioned Mrs. Kerley, and I referenced her name when I was correcting what (the column) said. I haven't seen anything that tells the average use of Hillsboro, compared to other cities. The bottom line is, the wastewater treatment plant was mandated by the EPA, and we have received $7.1 million in grants and a zero-percent interest loan. I feel like I have a right to make an opinion, like everyone else, and I'm not apologizing for my opinion."
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