Where would be the appropriate place to voice my questions?  As someone who previously voted for Darren Driskell when he ran for city council, I feel that I have a right to voice my concerns based on what I have personally observed and wish to have my concerns addressed.  I also feel that the voting public have a right to share this knowledge and demand answers, too.

I for one, agree with you.  This is the perfect forum (pardon the pun) for the sharing of this type of information.  However, I'm been unable to find any shared knowledge - rather, only accusations and insinuations.

Perhaps more verifiable specifics which fuel your ire are in order?  I'm sure that you'd find an audience here if you were more attune to the demands of its readership;  provide details of which you speak of, without which may appear simply as sour grapes, open for interpretation.  Its very possible that through open discussion, both sides may gain insight into motivations which may not have been clear to only a single party.

Quote from: Questions on April 09, 2009, 03:50:44 PM

Where would be the appropriate place to voice my questions?  As someone who previously voted for Darren Driskell when he ran for city council, I feel that I have a right to voice my concerns based on what I have personally observed and wish to have my concerns addressed.  I also feel that the voting public have a right to share this knowledge and demand answers, too.

I for one, agree with you.  This is the perfect forum (pardon the pun) for the sharing of this type of information.  However, I'm been unable to find any shared knowledge - rather, only accusations and insinuations.

Perhaps more verifiable specifics which fuel your ire are in order?  I'm sure that you'd find an audience here if you were more attune to the demands of its readership;  provide details of which you speak of, without which may appear simply as sour grapes, open for interpretation.  Its very possible that through open discussion, both sides may gain insight into motivations which may not have been clear to only a single party.

"You agree, through your use of this forum, that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing,"

I see where you are going, E.  I just think as stated it was kind of in conflict with one of the provisions of registration.

"Let's talk about Mr. Driskell making promises to businesses that never come to fruition because of city ordinances and codes that, in all honesty, Mr. Driskell should know about before making those promises."  Promises to whom?  Any proof? 

"Let's discuss what exactly Mr. Driskell's plan for our city is," Ask him

"Let's chat about the blind eye that people turn to Mr.Driskell's deeds because he is already in a position of "power" and how he has a braggart attitude towards what he can get away with."  I suggest reporting to the appropriate people, starting with the City Manager

Darren R. Driskell has a funny shaped head. 

There.  I said it.

I can think of no action or vote from Councilman Driskell to date that has caused any sort of detriment to Anna.  I personally agree with almost all of the votes he has cast on various issues.

I know the Councilman both personally and professionally.  Standup guy.  Very good character and moral fiber.  I have witnessed conversations pertaining to city business both formally and informally.  Never a sign of impropriety that I have been able to detect, and nothing but the welfare of the city at heart.

Just my $.02

You are right.  I should have stated my concerns in a concise way.  For that I apologize.

Let's start with the broken promises made by Mr. Driskell to businesses due to either lack of knowledge on city codes and ordinances or an attempt to appease everyone with no regard to city hierarchy.

The city of Anna has certain codes and ordinances in place for new businesses.  The ones presented in this example are for replacing gravel driveways with paved drives, adding landscaping to the front of a building, moving the driveways to the side of the building instead of the front to allow Highway 5 the right of way, and allowing for a fire lane to access the fire hydrant so that our fireman can protect the structure and it's customers in case of an emergency. 

 

The business did not want to make these changes.  It would no doubt be expensive and they felt that they were already an established business in town and shouldn't have to meet these codes.  Mr. Driskell initially told them that they had already met those codes.  When it was evident that they did not, he told them that he didn't understand it either.  They would make an exception to the rule.  It was, "No problem.  Don't worry about it."  The P & Z ruled no exemptions.

 

There is also the case of the woman who wanted to put a swimming pool in her backyard.  Because of eminent domain issues, she had to get this approved.  Mr. Driskell told her that it was no problem.  It was said that an exception could get made and it would be no problem. This upgrade was denied and the lady still does not have a pool. I don't expect everyone to know the codes by heart.  However, why would you promise something when you have no control over it in the first place?  Is this conduct becoming of a city official?

 

Mr. Driskell has been heard before and after city council meetings bragging about how he can do anything in this town and not get arrested.  He used an example of running a stop sign right in front of an Anna police officer without getting stopped.  Not only is this behavior dangerous to other patrons of the road, but he bragged about it?  This was not the only instance of bragging about being unstoppable that I have witnessed but a good example of it.

Which one? Micheal Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, or Christian Bale.

You should get your facts straight before posting specifics like that.

And you should counter likewise for an effective retort.  "Nuh-uh" is not an effective argument strategy.  Do you have any knowledge of said events which have been misrepresented here that would shed light on these accusations, or are you simply disagreeing with the assertions congruent with the earlier vague statements?

Quote from: BrassMonkey on April 09, 2009, 05:48:47 PM

You should get your facts straight before posting specifics like that.

And you should counter likewise for an effective retort.  "Nuh-uh" is not an effective argument strategy.  Do you have any knowledge of said events which have been misrepresented here that would shed light on these accusations, or are you simply disagreeing with the assertions congruent with the earlier vague statements?

Quote from: BrassMonkey on April 09, 2009, 06:13:05 PM

1. Hayfitters was unaware when they opened their business that they would require a paved parking lot and that the Highway 5 expansion would require landscaping, and no front of building parking.  The P&Z voted Aye on the action item after a lengthy debate and repeated prodding of Mr. Schwanke, by more then one board member, to work with the Council and Ms. Harlow on a timeframe to accomplish the meeting all of the codes and ordinances of the City and a temporary Certificate of Occupancy to be issued so they could remain open in the interim. 

2.  The homeowner got approval for her pool.  The P&Z (Which Driskell was on at the time) voted unanimously to allow the pool to be built in the established right-of-way.  When the issue came up at the City Council meeting (Where Councilman Driskell was sworn in 3 agenda items previous to this one) the City Attorney expressed concerns about setting a precedence of allowing building in rights-of-way.  Mr. Schwanke, after further discussions (more then a few with Councilman Driskell) was able to move the right-of-way in question 3 feet to allow the homeowner to build their pool.

3. In regards to the bragging, I have never heard anything like that out of the Councilman, so I will not venture a comment on that one.

Nicely done, sir.  And the plot thickens...