Where Art the Star of the Christ?

Opportunities abound to serve our neighbor.  Whether live or in the realms of the dead serving our fellow beings is an eternal commandment.  There is service to be had in funerals.  There is service to be had in holy temples.  There is service while working among your peers.  There is service even on the very streets on which you walk.  One of the plainest evidences of the living Christ in our lives is the very fact that we can still exercise our conscience and choose to serve others.

Our eyes are opened in the book of Matthew 2:2 when the wise men approached king Herod concerning the Christ:

"Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

When Jesus Christ was born one of the first lessons we are given is the principle of action.  These men accommodated their belief in the stars, and exercised faith which laid the foundation of their taking action to travel far to see the King of the Jews.  They traveled far and followed a star which served as a beacon, a clarion call to the world that the Christ is born.  We fall short if we fail to ask ourselves if we would take the trek to follow a brilliant star in search of a king.  

Yet, one of the greatest lesson from the birth of the Savior is found in Luke 2:12:

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

Why?  Why were the angels so articulate and careful in their words of the environment of the Savior?  A king is normally assumed to be born of temporal signs of nobility with gold, silver, fine linen and concourses of servants standing guard.  Instead, these shepherds in the field had revealed to their senses the humbled circumstances of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In this, there is a great lesson to be learned.

Because each of us inherently received the Light of Christ at our commencement into this world we are also given a great promise.  Great blessings are to be received and enjoyed if we but search out the Christ through service to others.  The angels gave us the blueprint for happiness in service and in finding Christ.  They gave us the means by which to search for happiness.  It is in the humbled environment of the world around us that we may find the living Christ in our lives.

When we donate to our local food pantry with no thought of reward do we not receive Christ in our hearts?  When we visit the widow and fatherless do we not share and receive the light of His spirit?  If we go out of our way to find the homeless and destitute that their needs may be succored, should we not assume that the edified feelings in our hearts are the reassurance of the embrace of our eternal Father in Heaven?  Just as the shepherds, when we hear of the babe in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger are not our hearts drawn low yet lifted in rejoice that even the King is born below all men?  God loves all men of all faiths.  His beloved son in the flesh, His firstborn in the Spirit, teaches us even from the birth of Jesus that we are our brother's keeper.  Salvation comes from the efforts to uplift one another in service.

Gold, frankincense and myrrh were offered to the King though only a babe in a lowly manger.  Undoubtedly, even the shepherds who came from their fields offered something as well.  In the eyes of God is the offering of gold any more qualifying for salvation than perhaps the presentation of old sheep's hide which a shepherd may have used to keep warm at night?  I dare say not.

Our service to others need not be planned in a spectacle of great array.  It is in the small things here and there that make the greatest impact on the hearts and minds of men.  It is in the giving of even a sock.  It is in giving a can of soup to the hungry.  It is in visiting the lonely in the rest homes.  Among the greatest modes of service is in the word of mouth.  It is in consoling and reassuring through the spoken word.  It is in true sincerity of conversation.  

In essence we are called and commanded to be ministering angels to each other in our neighbor's time of need.  We are His tools for succoring the poor and downtrodden.  Let this be among the greatest lessons taught by our Lord Jesus Christ even from his humbled birth.  Let us follow the star of Christ by serving our fellow brethren and sisters of the world.

To Serve and Love Your Neighbor

For what purpose is there so many people living out their lives on this little blue speck in the immensity of space?  What is the worth of just one?  These kinds of questions have plagues mankind since almost the beginning, yet with all that we know and with all our modern technology we are no closer to the answers as a species than we were all along.  There is another question I would like to propose.  Why is there an inherent satisfaction, an enrichment or fulfillment of spirit, when we take the effort to help someone else?

I have a customer that I deliver to twice a week.  She is 81, lives alone and suffers straining paranoia.  She has less than minimal support from her son and her DHS (Department of Human Services) worker is less than stellar in taking the extra step to help her.  She pours her reason for living into her cats.  They are the basis for her emotional welfare.  The environment is extremely unsanitary.  It is very demoralizing for any sick individual to hang on to the need to be independent and hold close that which matters most to you, while knowing at the same time that you are becoming less and less able to care for those things let alone your own well being.

For me it is a harrowing thing to live with.  I love to serve others yet justifying the time spent in the care of this woman is becoming more and more difficult to justify to those in the chain of command.  As usual in many of my discharge of service I go and do knowing full well the risk to my employment, health and cost to my company.

Each and every time I am faced with the opportunity to serve someone less fortunate I always ask myself what would Jesus the Christ do?  Would He turn away or do a half-hearted job in His service to others?  Absolutely not!  That is the objective of this article today.  To whom is our allegiance and to what God do we serve?

What is the worth of one soul?  Any soul.........

I am reminded of two scriptural passages from the Bible that illustrate or hint to the worth of every being.  They are as follows:
1 Peter 3:18-20

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

Which some of whom were disobedient in the days of Noah, while the long-suffering of God waited, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."

If we are to take the principle of what Jesus Christ would do then we must acknowledge that the Master loves the sinner as well as the disciple, equally.  He afforded all the freedom and liberty of eternal progression.  Through the Infinite Atonement or sacrifice of our Advocate, the doors have been rent and the way is no longer forever shut for our entrance back into the arms of the Eternal Father in Heaven.  If we have proven worthy we will have then fulfilled our design and the plan set forth for us before the world was.

So, if this woman who lives in such a destitute environment is before me no matter how many times as one who is in need - then who am I to deny her the respite of mind that my services can provide?  Am I greater than she?  Did not the only sinless Man sacrifice for her exaltation as well and equally for my own?  Her happiness is paramount every bit as mine through my service to her.

1 Peter 4:6

"For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."

My God how great thou art!  Is this not a key principle of being judged equally?  Whether an honest philanthropist or a thief, we shall all be taught key principles of eternity that we may all be individually judged.  We will be judged according to our deeds in the flesh, but we shall also be judged according to "God in the spirit" or with that knowledge we are taught whether here or in the hereafter.  Only then can the true depth of human intention, joy and even strained regret be manifest.  Then shall the healing begin.  If we are all to be judged with a common knowledge coupled with our mortal actions,then perhaps we should take extra care in how we treat or neighbor.

Many sects hold that there is no progression beyond the grave.  That our mortality is the end of all growth.  To a degree I agree.  There is no reincarnation and our mortal probation is the only one we've got.  Yet learning goes on.  As it says above in the sixth verse the gospel was preached to the dead.  Oh Father in Heaven there is such solace to be felt in that statement!

Every soul has such a great worth to our God that even the sting of death cannot hinder the willing heart to learn further, and eventually accept principles and precepts unto his own salvation.  Learning continues beyond the grave and it is due because of the immense love that God has equally for each and every one of us.  The opportunities presented us to serve others are a test and a blessing for us to advance each other toward the throne and arms of the One who truly knows and understands us to the core.

If you have the desire you are called to the service.

If you are an employer you are endowed by that mantle to use the powers of discernment to assess the needs and intentions of a potential employee.  If you are so inclined to succor those needs then do so.  Your happiness is intertwined with their's.

If you are a neighbor and you see someone's needs flourish before your eyes, will you be as the one wearing a crimson hat too afraid or embarrassed to help?  Be a peculiar person and change the world one act of kindness at a time.

Regardless of any fear or threat given us in life our primary duty and responsibility is to serve one another in love and kindness.  Trust in that selfless service to truly set you free.

Shenandoah Iowa Iron Mike a Clarion Call to the World

In our community of Shenandoah in southwest Iowa we have a unique structure, a priceless endangered species which we call the Iron Mike.  Shenandoah is reported to be the last community in Iowa to still have such a structure.  The Iron Mike is a fountain made for horses.  It is a standing structure with a large basin about four feet off the ground and extending toward the street.  This basin was used to water horses when the men came to town back in the days of the horse and buggy.  What can we learn from these types of old objects that may now be forgotten and in adverse condition?

In a recent city meeting our mayor noted a publication about our Iron Mike and felt that we should do all we can to preserve this structure.  That got me thinking about the things we hold on to, and the unsung ties and connection we have to objects of our past.  Not only do I support preserving the Iron Mike, but I also go a step further and hope it is seen as something more than just a relic of the distant past.

We live in a very divided world full of mischief, corruption, poverty and strife.  Man still serves to strip man of his possessions, dignity and even life.  The world of politics have found new purpose in polarizing the views of nations.  Governments excel in providing a disservice to its people and openly seek to make them naked of their liberties and freedoms.  Even among our cities we are greatly divided.  With a growing population filled with technology and disturbing social issues it is ever difficult to rally the people to act in a positive manner as one.  All but gone, the days when entire communities would find positive thinking in the future of their communities.  Now, projects in the millions of dollars hover in the minds of its citizens causing contention and backbiting.  The degraded state of morality has skewed the minds of our young into paths of uncertainty and and ill-progress as an industrious people.  We have failed to find those things in common from which to draw strength as a people and move us along with a degree of unity and peace.

There was a time when Americans looked to the Constitution of the United States as that one unifying tie that made us who we are at the root.  In addition, the Declaration of Independence was that token that we can stand apart, hold true to our faith and be a moral and competitive people.  We took pride without offense in “in God we trust.”  We observed the Pledge of Allegiance each morning in grade school, and knew it was what we Americans do both in honor of the sacrifices made on our behalf and also the potential in the prospect of what we can become.  Unfortunately, those times are quickly fading into the shadows of the past and its vital meanings lost in the annals of historical accounts and personal journals.

There is great value in a group of people finding strength in that which they have in common.  For a community it can be an old building, a piece of art, a historical marker or even certain successes of the community.  Something from that community that conjures fond feelings from the vast majority of the people can serve as that unifying epicenter from which to draw strength, to be unified as a people and look toward the future with a positive attribute.  

Horses drew strength of water from the large basin of the Iron Mike.  People of all ages drew the sustaining strength of water from the small basin on the back of the Iron Mike.  Likewise, though not in working order, people of Shenandoah can draw a renewed perspective of strength from that old Iron Mike.  Perhaps the Iron Mike should be preserved and even dedicated by the City of Shenandoah for the city of Shenandoah.  Perhaps something as old and rusted as the Iron Mike can serve as that token, that link to the past, that binds us together as citizens of Shenandoah.  Perhaps with a visible edifice we can see the issues we face in a new light.  Perhaps without suspicion and vice we can once again look upon each other and our leaders as honest brothers and sisters working toward the common good.  

I challenge all communities to diligently seek out that prize of the community which the people can rally around and find cause to be unified.  Never before in history have we been more connected globally with the aid of technology.  Yet, never before in history have we as individuals felt more isolated and alone.  Vast majorities of us have dissolved or clouded over that original WiFi wireless connection we have to our God.  We are at a crisis point where we thirst and seek for identification and purpose.  Nobody but you can heal the wounds between you and your God, but as a community things can be done to raise your identity as a citizen and unify you on common ground with others of your community.  

I invite you in your own communities to find your own “Iron Mike” whether tangible or intangible.  Find that wellspring of strength that the people can draw from.  No one need surround themselves in loathsome negativity at all hours of the day.  Instead, gain strength that the yokes of our time are shared on the backs of many others in your community, and that as a community you shall not only survive but exceed expectation, prosper and finally realize that goal in your pursuit of happiness.

I reflect on that old Iron Mike.  I contemplate how many horses have found rejuvenation from that spring.  How many of them found new strength to return their masters to their homes so that they can prosper their families and property.  I contemplate the silent contribution the Iron Mike offered in the progress of not only Shenandoah but communities and areas roundabout as people came from near and far with their horses.  I wonder about the happy memories made as children drank from the other basin, played and prepared with their families to either go to town or retire back to their homes.  

It is interesting how something as small and insignificant as a watering hole can have a huge growing affect down the road.  As communities find their own “Iron Mike” they to will find the affects growing in new and positive directions as the people realize that they can function and coexist as one in cause and one in nation.  

Preserve the past that a bright common future can be assured.  That’s the Iron Mike challenge!

Check out my thoughts in video:

Tisovec Slovakia Visits Shenandoah Iowa 2013

We've just concluded a visit of just under a week by our good friends from the city of Tisovec in Slovakia.  A delegation of eight comprised of educators, businessmen and parliament members visited Shenandoah in 2013 and celebrated it's annual Shenfest festivities.  It was an outstanding week and highly productive in our advancing efforts of the Sister City program.  Here is a brief run down of their activities as a group.

Early the next day after arriving late at the Omaha airport on Tuesday they headed to Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska.  Tisovec has ties with this university and has helped one of the delegates earn her degree in education.  They had a wonderful visit and headed back to Shenandoah in the afternoon.

Upon their arrival we had a tech meeting with two Shenandoah school instructors.  The meeting centered around the progressing project of joining the school systems of Tisovec and Shenandoah through an interactive medium platform on the Internet.  A test website was presented and emails were exchanged among instructors to grant administration access.  This will allow express rights for Shenandoah and Tisovec educators to allow privileges to students to access this platform and interact with each other.  This is a Google website and also access will be extended to a Facebook page.  My fear was the language barrier but to my astonishment there was great discussion among all and there was elevated enthusiasm.  This meeting was a vital piece in establishing a connection for the younger generation of our two school systems.
VIDEO ENTRY 1
A busy day laid ahead for the Tisovec delegation on Thursday.  They toured Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) and BioProcess Algae in the morning and ended up at the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital (SMH) for a tour as well and lunch.  They thoroughly enjoyed the energy production displayed at Green Plains and were intrigued with the algae production and it's many applications.  The hospital setting was also well received by our Tisovec delegates.

To finish off the tours of the day they visited Lorimer Farms west of Shenandoah.  Since agriculture is a rich source of life here in Southwest Iowa it was befitting to get them acquainted with the Iowa farm setting.  This destination was also well received with curious eyes.

That evening we had an official "Welcome to the City" at the amphitheater of the Shenandoah Public Library.  After some tasty appetizers and some wonderful art displays by local talent at the school, we collected there for introductions and a welcome from the Mayor of Shenandoah.  This event was concluded with a spectacular vocal music presentation by another student at the Shenandoah High School.  She sang the American National Anthem.  She wanted to sing the Slovak National Anthem but the language barrier had her stumped.  In it's place an audio recording was played and all stood in deep respect and reverence.  It is important to note that after the program in the Library a couple educators from Tisovec enjoyed watching a young girl play an interactive game.  If only that very young girl knew the impact that simple act was having on those around her.

After the Library reception we took the delegation to Godfather's Pizza.  Pizza is a must in America!

On Friday they visited the schools.  They liked how the schools are in close proximity.  They visited the Turnbull Child Development Center (TCDC), Elementary School, Middle School and the High School.  They had lunch at the High School and visited some more until a little later that afternoon.
VIDEO ENTRY 2
We met back at the May Center at the High School for our first round-table discussion.  It was here that we started to open up and get some feedback on the events so far.  Many things were shown that they expressed they can take back to Tisovec to ponder over and share.  We as Shenandoah residents shared with them how we achieved several goals through an initial vision decades ago.  One of the things to gather from this meeting is how we might form a common dream for the partnership of our two communities.  Once that can be established we may then work on how to bring that dream into reality.

On Friday evening 37 people gathered at the Wabash Winery for dinner and entertainment.  Attendees included the Tisovec delegates, host families, Shenandoah Sister City committee, Shenandoah City Council and other influential people.  Many formal remarks were expressed including an official invitation from the Mayor of Tisovec to attend their 680th anniversary in July of 2014.  On dishes graciously provided by the owners of the Winery we ate a delicious dinner catered by Hy-Vee Food Stores.  We were then treated to several songs performed on a harp.  The dinner was perfect, the weather was perfect and we all had a great time.
VIDEO ENTRY 3
Saturday went well.......for the most part.  We all congregated at the Shenandoah Safety Center for the fireman's pancake feed.  It was very well attended despite the rain which lasted till noon.  After the rain subsided tractors, marching bands, convertibles, fire trucks and parade floats began lining up.  VIPs of the George Jay Drug Company were the grand marshals as they were celebrating their 125th year in business in Shenandoah.  The anxious delegates from Tisovec were honorary grand marshals.  They did well but I bet they couldn't wait to escape the public eye.

Most of Sunday was left up to each host family but we all came together one last time that evening for a barbecue.  We had a lot of food!  IMPORTANT:  We had homemade ice cream!  We had great brats and burgers along with awesome conversation.  Oh, did I mention we had homemade ice cream????

The evening, and effectively the trip, ended with closing remarks and hopes to build on that vision for the future.

VIDEO ENTRY 4
It was a privilege to mingle with our Tisovec guests once again.  Truly the water depths nor politics can divide us.  Taken from an inspired mind I would just add this.  If there is a bridge to build....."We Can Do It!"

Urban Improvement and Shenandoah Iowa City of Energy

Many communities spend millions of dollars just trying to spruce up their downtown area.  In fact, they may even opt to use Spruce to spruce up their communities.  Larger communities aside it is evident that most smaller populations are shrinking.  Some faster than others.  Maintaining and growing their numbers increasingly requires innovative ways to catch the eye of not only individuals and families but also industry.  The community of Shenandoah, Iowa, has taken the charge to do just that.  Shenandoah is nestled in the southwest Iowa corner far from any interstate highway.  It's not even a county seat and yet it remains competitive and offers great business incentives.

 Downtown improvement was key in the minds of not only the City Council but also the Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association as well as other public and private entities.  The first impression of any visitor is usually the one that sticks most prevalent in their minds when they think of your community.  For this reason and also for the sake of future growth the city of Shenandoah, Iowa, has taken on a tremendous change over the past fifteen years.  Many of the large scale projects involve using a useful method called TIF or Tax Increment Financing.

There are many out there that shame using TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds, but in smaller communities this is one of those innovative ways to manage improvement.  When responsibly handled, TIF funds can be a great asset in the arsenal of community improvement and urban revitalization.  In all fairness, Tax Increment Financing is highly criticized due to minimal oversight and misuse.  Again though, when properly managed it can be a great asset for communities already limited by State and Federal funding and are anxious to raise the standard for their downtown blighted areas.

Shenandoah Urban Renewal Project

Art in Back Parking Lot of Successful TIF Funded Hotel

It really takes a team effort for a community to address it's betterment.  It takes close watch on the expenditures the City Council undertakes.  It also takes smart spending especially when interest rates are low.  Debt by and large is not a good thing, but when considering community improvements certain debts become necessary and timing is everything.

Cosmetics are also important to a betterment project.  Art has always fascinated people and it can be a useful tool in raising the interest of a community.  A preferred method is to use local artists and perhaps school classes to depict, in art form, the history of the area and town.  This creates a pictorial historical view of the community for any commuter passing by.  Shenandoah has done this many times and even utilize the Wabash Arts Camp to supply the artwork.

Utilizing large areas with art is inviting and instills an automatic "value" on that area.  The photo to your right is the corner sight of the Sentinel, a local newspaper.  The building was brought down and in it's place became this parking lot, break area with gazebo and this beautiful mural of what stood there.  This is a productive use of space instead of standing empty buildings or an unkept lot.  The photo above shows the back parking lot of the downtown Shenandoah Inn & Suites.  This hotel is among Shenandoah's greatest successful TIF projects second only to the Shenandoah Safety Center.  The hotel also uses artwork for the enjoyment of it's patrons.  Improvements like this are clean and makes an area not painful for the eye to walk through.

Try depicting local history.  Does your community have a history of railroad?  Magnify whatever your history is.  For Shenandoah we've got deep roots with the railroad as well as with the Pioneers of the mid-nineteenth century.  Shenandoah has successfully tied the past to the future in pictorial form.

Shenandoah is also a historic nursery town.  Henry Fields and even Earl May had their beginnings right here in Shenandoah.  Both were highly competitive  and even took their field of play to the airwaves.  Both were radio transmission providers and personalities.

Among the greatest of current interest is the BioProcess Algae facility.  Bioprocess is an emerging renewable energy market that is blooming right here in Shenandoah.  It is currently the only algae production facility directly tied to an ethanol plant's (Green Plains Renewable Energy) output of 98% pure carbon dioxide.  This useful waste is necessary in the perpetuation of the growth of algae.  So promising is this industry that BioProcess Algae won a $6.4 million grant from the Department of Energy for drop-in biofuels for military jets and ships.

Green Plains Renewable Energy and BioProcess Algae have been great neighbors and additions to the Shenandoah history and landscape.  They represent not only great employment opportunities but also the future of energy production in the United States and expanding throughout the world.

People for Paws located in Shenandoah, Iowa

It takes great sacrifice on the part of the residents of any community to shoulder the burden of the price of progress.  In the energetic town of Shenandoah a new modern water plant is being constructed.  Though a heated topic among residents and the City Council most realize that the current aging 75 year-old facility needs to be replaced.  The city also realizes that in order to provide good clean potable water to residents and to current and future industry a new water facility must be erected.  This is a very costly venture, but in that priceless Shenandoah indomitable spirit the people shall rise above it and will have a new water facility to be proud of.

Interesting Art on South Face of Remodeled Public Library

Shenandoah is engaging.  It is evident that they care about their community and it's future.  Were it not so we wouldn't have people expressing frustrations or compliments about the decisions of local government.  Shenandoah has it's share of strife and contention.  Yet we know that it is the diverse cross section of our community that makes us great.  It makes Shenandoah a great place to live and raise a family.  It makes Shenandoah a comfortable home for industry new and old.

Is United States Safer Each 9/11?

September 11th is a solemn occasion every year in the United States.  It it a memorial, a memory and tribute to the almost 3,000 whose lives were cut short by terrorist extremists in 2001.  We organize our marches and perform our ceremonies each year.  These things remind us of our allegiance to the dead and our duty to the living.  We were attacked with an agenda to cripple our economy and morale.  As we observe the twelfth anniversary of 9/11 we need to ask ourselves if we have recovered from that terrible disaster.  Are we safer?  Have we learned anything?  Have we taken confidence with our feet shod with liberty and our hands gripped to the shield of freedom?  Perhaps the question should be asked from the other side of the spectrum.  At each 9/11 do we secretly feel the adrenaline rush as we wonder and lie in wait to see if there is something big or spectacular planned for us today?  That statement almost sounds sacrilegious but being honest how can we deny that feeling being prevalent among vast numbers of Americans and perhaps even the world?

My original account of my memories of September 11, 2001, are at TWIN TOWERS.

The purpose of this short post is to ask the question silently, and vocally, to ourselves and each other if we truly feel safer.  There have been several incidences at this anniversary that have led us to a state of constant anticipation each year.  The most recent 9/11 tragedy was the Benghazi violation and murder of four Americans.  It's almost intoxicating and borderline becomes an obstacle from truly observing the deaths of so many people.  Most were Americans and some were not.  Nonetheless, our hearts beat the same.

Have they won?  Their objective may have been grander and we may say we've recovered but at heart we still have that recurring anticipation.  Since 9/11 we've come to accept that we now have enemies which wear no standard uniform and may not have a foreign tongue.  The towers fell quickly but the lasting hours and days without a single airplane or jet in the sky has seared into our hearts that everlasting fear of "what's next?"

It's not meant to be a negative blog post but rather a reflective one.  Perhaps by refocusing our lives in productive manners we'll be able to overcome that anticipation even in the face of what may come.  The best way to honor these men, women and children is to go on, live, be happy, prosper and do all that we can to secure our homeland.  Secure it that tragedies like this may not infect our standard or our resolve to win the fight.  

Shenandoah Iowa Water Plant Still a Hot Debated Topic

Shenandoah, Iowa, is nestled in the southwest corner of Iowa smack dab in the middle of the United States and in the very heart of the budding algae energy industry.  Shenandoah has been battling an aging water plant which now numbers in excess of 75 years of age.  The debate is two-fold and is probably common with any community who has or will yet build a new water plant.  These debates are:

1. Do we need a new water plant?  Originally this was the heated topic.  To help in the public decision open tours were offered and given to many people.  After all, it's their tax dollars holding up the walls.  Many people realized how degraded a 75 year-old facility can get and most agreed that a new water plant is necessary to ensure safe and secure water supply for residents and industry for generations to come.  To this day there are those here and there who still refuse the idea of a new water plant in Shenandoah, and would rather suffer the increasing cost of maintaining the existing water plant.
2. Spending into oblivion!  Now that the community agrees that a water plant is going to be built the focus has turned toward how City funds are being used in the study and construction of the water plant facility.  This is good and keeps city officials in check.  Many now see a lot of dollar signs flying out the window and are getting antsy at how the project is being paid for.  I assure you, we as a City Council feel it to.

This project has been raging since before I took office as Councilman At Large and continues today on into the foreseeable future.  The debate has not been the stumbling blocks.  We've had some very stressful events and findings that have ratcheted the overall cost of the project.  So far some of these have been figured into the contingency of the overall budget.  #2 still remains and was used as a scepter against my own YouTube video explaining my position on the matter at a recent City Council meeting.

Not all government is corrupt.  There are those of us out there who genuinely want to serve the public.  Were it not so we would have pursued a resolution to raise Council compensation which currently is below the average standard.  We aren't here for money or fame.  We are here because we've been entrusted to make decisions on behalf of the taxpayer as stewards of their tax dollars.  In fact, this most recent Council meeting a resolution to raise compensation fell dead because no Council member opted to even make the motion.  That alone should tell the public volumes as to our intent.

At a recent Council meeting a resident came forth and addressed the City Council as privileged as a Shenandoah tax payer.  He specifically referred to the latter half of the video above.  In it I encourage the public to accept the possibility that water rates may rise in order to secure this water plant.  It's nothing out of the ordinary as most communities do the same with such projects.  Furthermore, in the video I try to establish a possible solution to the burden of the water bill.  

The solution lies in personal finance.  The city of Shenandoah needs a new water facility.  Once that is accepted then the only real avenue toward establishing happiness in your own water utilities bill is your own personal budget.  Where there is a clear necessity, all the complaining in the world will not solve the hardships placed on the tax payer.  This is especially true when complaints are offered but no real solutions presented as was the case at this meeting.  At this juncture the council has heard the rage of "tax mismanagement" and still left with greater knowledge of the options than the resident.  Why?  Because the resident (who has every right under the Constitution of the United States to complain) has not taken the time to attend open forum and public meetings to acquire information and ask questions.  

Anyhow, this resident took great offense to my proposal to help people help themselves in this time of hardship and referred to my video twice in his impassioned argument.  Again, that is his right and I applaud him for taking an action that most would not.  As a response I prepared this blog post and submitted my own video rebuttal:

Yes, water rates must be raised in order to accommodate this water facility.  Water rates were raised once in order to provide a minimal "cushion" to help pay for initial expenses associated with the water project and to claim down our loan from the State.  However, the recent drought and lowered water consumption failed to funnel the needed and planned revenues to carry out this plan.  So now we are here........

At the risk of being shunned completely I will say it again.  Each of us has the power to procure happiness in our lives.  If we make our lives unhappy over the burden of a water bill then we need to take a closer look at the root of what makes us unhappy.  Nobody likes to pay more for things but I do have a few questions for you.  Do you have cable television?  Do you drive so much that you might be able to trim it up each month?  Are you able to scale back that one extra trip to the fast food joint?  Is there anything in your life that isn't absolutely vital to your well-being that you could scale back just a little bit?

If the answer to any of these questions is "yes" then I promise you that if you put this plan into action, you will find a lot more funds available than those needed for a simple water bill.

I don't speak for the federal government and I don't even speak for the State government.  However, as an elected official of Shenandoah, Iowa, I do say with much sorrow that water rates need to be raised at this time.  Yes, the plan does include additional hikes in the future.  These are the hard sacrifices that must be asked on the part of the tax payers of Shenandoah in order to perpetuate this project forward.  We do it reluctantly and we do it knowing it's unpopular.

I have tried to live my life and focus my actions to one ideal:  Any organization that does not require  sacrifice on the part of it's members isn't worthy of it's membership.

Any worthy community is built up by people who are willing to place happiness in their lives and to also sacrifice their time, talents, compassion, counsel and even funds for the betterment of that community.  Shenandoah is a worthy community and we as your elected officials are asking you to accept this necessary project and do all you can to keep this project going.  Do so with an open mind thirsty for information that your decisions may be justified.