Bismarck holds town hall meeting Tuesday
Officials to present proposed bond issue for wastewater treatment facility
By CHRIS CLINE
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 1:39 PM CST
If passed, the bond issue would pay for a new wastewater treatment facility for the city. Bismarck Mayor Dennis Mayberry said the board of aldermen, the city’s engineer for the project and representatives from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to answer questions.
“We want everyone to come out to this meeting,” Mayberry said. “Our residents need to hear firsthand what these bonds would pay for and why it is necessary to take this direction.”
He said another town hall meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the same location. He also said the city will distribute literature about the proposed bond issue Jan. 19-24.
The city’s current treatment plant is not acceptable, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Sludge and sewage runoff into a nearby stream has prompted DNR to give Bismarck a time frame in which it must correct the plant’s problems.
The proposed new wastewater treatment plant has an estimated price tag of $5.4 million. Currently Bismarck’s population is 1,500. The proposed plant is capable of treating waste from as many as 4,000 people.
In addition to bond proceeds the city would use proceeds from government loans and grants to pay for the new plant.
Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.
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Reader Comments (18)The comments below are from readers and do not represent the views of the Daily Journal
thingsneedchangin posted on Sunday, January 18th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Why didn't they also hire an engineer to look at the possibility of upgrading the present sewage system so the public could have some options. Almost everything is built with the ability to expand if needed. Those elected should be giving us options, not just bringing numbers in. Most bond issues fail because the general public feels they are being pressured into change. Show the need, show the options, and show the benifits.
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things that make you go hmmmm posted on Sunday, January 18th, 2009 at 9:22 am
to everyone with grievances and complaints, why dont you take steps to have the city police, fire, and govornment audited. it shouldnt be too hard and i for one think it would be very interesting.
Lifetime Citizen posted on Saturday, January 17th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Every time there is a bond issue or a mention that a public service cost will increase, people are unhappy. No one wants to pay more than they have to for anything. Me included. But when it is necessary, it is necessary. Our community has always supported our school when it has a bond issue because we want the best for our children. I hope the community will realize how important this is and show up to support our city's growth by voting yes. I am against people making comments degrading our fire department. I have family members on it and if you degrade it you are also degrading my family. What does it take to make the journal stop printing the degrading remarks? We have been subscribers for thirty plus years and this past years, the comment section has been full of degrading remarks. We have never seen it so bad!
S. Creek posted on Saturday, January 17th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Not bad mouthing the City I live in. Just the facts. Sometimes the Facts Hurt but they are still the facts. Call city hall and ask if gas sales are down and why? Call city hall and ask how many people lived here when the old treatment plant was built. and how many now.
Bismarck For Life If you want things to continue on the same path then vote to keep the same city officials. If you want a change then you can vote another way or run yourself. This is the USA and you have those rights.
I choose not to hide behind a screen name so I can answer questions and so my views are known. You will make your own choices in Febuary and April.
God Bless the USA and help us in our times of need.
Bismarck For Life If you want things to continue on the same path then vote to keep the same city officials. If you want a change then you can vote another way or run yourself. This is the USA and you have those rights.
I choose not to hide behind a screen name so I can answer questions and so my views are known. You will make your own choices in Febuary and April.
God Bless the USA and help us in our times of need.
tiredofthebull posted on Friday, January 16th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Zip - i have to agree with you on one item - Bismarck AND EVERY CITY IN THE USA could be better served.. the problem is revenue - cities only generate certain streams of income to cover a multitude of expenses..
They have to be prudent and wise in their choice of how to spend it.
Everyone wants the best police and fire dept... no one thinks about sewer and water and streets.. until your main breaks or your street is torn up...
Govt. from the top down must review budgets constantly, build up emergency funds to save for big unexpected events, and hope they are making the right choice.
They can only work with what information is presented to them... city councils are open to public... why don't more meetings have more people attending?
It's the same as voting - if you don't get involved, you really can't complain can you?
They have to be prudent and wise in their choice of how to spend it.
Everyone wants the best police and fire dept... no one thinks about sewer and water and streets.. until your main breaks or your street is torn up...
Govt. from the top down must review budgets constantly, build up emergency funds to save for big unexpected events, and hope they are making the right choice.
They can only work with what information is presented to them... city councils are open to public... why don't more meetings have more people attending?
It's the same as voting - if you don't get involved, you really can't complain can you?
Bismarck for life posted on Friday, January 16th, 2009 at 9:24 am
So Mr. Creek is this how your campaining,by bad mouthing the city which you live.
S. Creek posted on Friday, January 16th, 2009 at 8:46 am
The city has lost income from its Natural Gas sales because people have switched to electric. Now they try to gain income by wanting to install water meters in the city. This way the water system, something every body must have, can make up the differance. poor descisions in the sale of Gas in the city have made things the way they are. Now Increase the cost of water and people will leave but you will still have a sewer plant that can handle 4000 people. and those that remain will have to pay for it. When we built the last sewer plant it was able to treat the wast for town. Has the population changed much since it was built? I think not! I will VOTE NO FOR THE BOND IN FEBUARY! And I will vote to change the members of the board of aldermen in April. they have lost site of the fact that they work for US the Citizens of Bismarck.
gonewiththewind posted on Thursday, January 15th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Zip, you really need to get a life, buddy! The only thing that stinks around here is you!
Although I'm against the bond issue, primarily because it's something that should have and could have been avoided through regular maintenance, and because the increase in the monthly bill will cause many an undue hardship, I have to face the fact that we are in deep doo-doo.
Anytime the DNR is faced with a serious complaint, it is their duty to investigate it. The City has been fined $10,000 for failure to comply with the Clean Air Act, which also covers our natural streams and rivers, and I'm sure, will continue to be fined until the problem is solved.
Since the City chose to ignore the situation until the DNR got involved, the price tag went up. Now, water meters will have to be installed, and the water and the sewer rates will both go up.
I'm guessing a minimum of $40 per month.
They might want to build more Senior apartments, because I'm sure that many will be forced to give up their homes.
Although I'm against the bond issue, primarily because it's something that should have and could have been avoided through regular maintenance, and because the increase in the monthly bill will cause many an undue hardship, I have to face the fact that we are in deep doo-doo.
Anytime the DNR is faced with a serious complaint, it is their duty to investigate it. The City has been fined $10,000 for failure to comply with the Clean Air Act, which also covers our natural streams and rivers, and I'm sure, will continue to be fined until the problem is solved.
Since the City chose to ignore the situation until the DNR got involved, the price tag went up. Now, water meters will have to be installed, and the water and the sewer rates will both go up.
I'm guessing a minimum of $40 per month.
They might want to build more Senior apartments, because I'm sure that many will be forced to give up their homes.
bismarckproud posted on Thursday, January 15th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Over the hill, i get tired of hearing all the bad remarks about bismarck. It doesn't matter what story is in the paper the same idiots have to put down the fire department. I do believe in the constitution and the safety of our country. I have one son on fire department and works for 911 and the other son is in the united states airforce. Now don't tell me about our government and the protection. I will come clean on my name, its roberta ludwig. I have nothing to hide, i'm proud of the guys who are there to protect and serve.
Zip Line posted on Thursday, January 15th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Over the Hill,
People don't want to hear the other side of the story. They just want the rose colored picture.
Full of Bull,
I have spent my whole life involved with the fire department. I have worked around Bismark fire and feel the community could be better served.
S. Creek,
That is exactly the information that the powers that be do not want you to here.
These cities need to plan for the future and put money back for such events. It is time that these cities live within their means.
People don't want to hear the other side of the story. They just want the rose colored picture.
Full of Bull,
I have spent my whole life involved with the fire department. I have worked around Bismark fire and feel the community could be better served.
S. Creek,
That is exactly the information that the powers that be do not want you to here.
These cities need to plan for the future and put money back for such events. It is time that these cities live within their means.
tiredofthebull posted on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Zip- amazing... you really thing that Bismarck mayor would call a meeting, state that DNR had issued a violation of the plant and ask the public to pass a bond issue if it was not true??? WOW!!!!!
Fire dept. first? Didn't they just get a new truck to help the city out a few years ago?
Zip - I spent 5 years on a St. Francoic county fire dept.. I must say most of the time I had the pleasure of working with Bismarck Fire Department, they were pretty darn good...
Why don't you help the city figure out how to fund something instead of complain....
Learn to help instead of complain...
Fire dept. first? Didn't they just get a new truck to help the city out a few years ago?
Zip - I spent 5 years on a St. Francoic county fire dept.. I must say most of the time I had the pleasure of working with Bismarck Fire Department, they were pretty darn good...
Why don't you help the city figure out how to fund something instead of complain....
Learn to help instead of complain...
Over the hill posted on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I have a big problem with everyone telling those who speak out to move from Bismarck. That’s typically the coward’s response. I guess those people are the ones that don’t like feedback or democracy. Maybe it’s not that we should leave Bismarck as much as you want the way of life that was in Iraq. Those who make these statements must not understand the United States Constitution much less government leadership.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
It’s not only our duty to question our elected leaders but our right! The decisions they make are always subject to our views and wishes.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
It’s not only our duty to question our elected leaders but our right! The decisions they make are always subject to our views and wishes.
bismarckproud posted on Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I was wondering why zip line doesn't say his real name also, he has alot to comment on but hides behind a fake name.My son and nephew are on the department and they also hold down a regular job. I think you should either move from bismarck if you live there or just leave our town alone. This is ridiculous i agree firehousewife.
S. Creek posted on Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 at 9:29 am
According to the 2000 census there are 660 housing units in Bismarck. 2.5 million dollars divided by 660 housing unit is approx $3787 per house. The 2000 census states population of 1470. This means every man woman and child could only have to pay $1700 each for this new plant. The 2000 census states approx 20% of the residence of Bismarck live below poverty level. where will this money come from. Residence could cut down on their heat or the amount they spend on food.
Just make sure that this is the best for our community. It is EASY for the city leaders to spend the money that they did not earn and then want more. I encourage the public to come to this meeting let the city eaders now what you want. The City leaders WORK FOR US The citizens.
Just make sure that this is the best for our community. It is EASY for the city leaders to spend the money that they did not earn and then want more. I encourage the public to come to this meeting let the city eaders now what you want. The City leaders WORK FOR US The citizens.
bismarckproud posted on Monday, January 12th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Everytime there is an article in the paper about bismarck i have to read the ridiculous comments from zip line. If you live in bismarck then you obviously need to move, if you don't then leave our town alone. My son and nephew are on the fire department and they protect our community without getting payed. These guys put their life on the line to protect and rescue fools like you. They have full time jobs and do this in their spare time. The journal needs to stop your stupidity. If you feel so confident about everything you write then come clean and say your name.
Over the hill posted on Monday, January 12th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Hey firehousewife, take your own advice. tell everyone who you are before you try and call someone out!
firehousewife posted on Monday, January 12th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Stop already. If you care so much for the department instead of your own agenda, tell everyone your name. This is ridiculous.
Zip Line posted on Sunday, January 11th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Bismark has a sewage problem for sure, but I don't think it is the kind that DNR would be concerned with. If the community wants to make a difference, they need to clean up the firehouse first. The Fire Department brings the city as a whole down.
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