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Afterthoughts

Ligaments attached

While talking about possible funding streams, a group of elected officials mentioned grants from the USDA. Not knowing what requirements that agency might have for its dollars, one of the officials asked, “Would we need a meat processing plant in the basement?”

Parking solutions

The City of Warren isn’t the only government with a parking problem. During a discussion of courthouse parking problems, one participant said “someone brought up putting meters in the lot.” That sentence was not even finished when another participant said, “It was a joke. It was a joke.” So, for those hoping for metered parking at the courthouse, better luck next time.

Dry material

A county commissioner suggested that the group’s meetings, including work sessions, could be recorded and made available to the public. While the newspaper encourages that kind of transparency, the idea did meet with some resistance… from the person who suggested it. “It’s not the most interesting podcast ever.”

Thirsty?

After being sworn in to a new government post, an elected official explained that he was having to assimilate lots of new information. “The first week was like drinking out of a fire hose.”

Negativity

A web developer wanted to ensure succession planning. As he spoke about who could take his place, the developer said, “If I get it by a bus…” He then explained that he felt that phrase was somewhat overused and perhaps too harsh. “It’s kind of negative,” he said. In his three page proposal, he gave a gentler view. The organization “should find at least one outside agency that can potentially fix the site in the event of an emergency or the death of” the developer. Much better.

Mistaken identity

During an explanation of why the Warren County website needs an overhaul, a county commissioner gave an example of some of the problems on the site. “It’s going to say (Commissioner Chair) Cindy Morrison and there’s a picture of Steve (Vanco, former commissioner).” What’s wrong with a picture of Steve?

Reporter proximity alert

Some agencies are wary of the press. Others are more accepting. Some new life-saving equipment in Warren County seems to come prepared to warn its bearers when reporters are around. The new automated external defibrillators purchased by the Warren County Sheriff’s office talk users through the whole process. After a while, the message simply issues reminders about how to get the process started again. Or, maybe not. “Press. Press. Press. Press…”

Action items

The first item facing a board of elected officials was “Intergovernmental Transfer.” That’s a pretty bland, governmenty sounding thing, but, maybe that depends on whose voice you hear saying it. For example, if the voice is dramatic enough, as it apparently is to one elected official, it takes on a different ambiance. “It sounds like a Denzel Washington movie.”

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