CLARIFICATION POST

Ladies and gentlemen, I don't want there to be any confusion about my post earlier today (January 28) regarding the October 28 vote of the City Council (at the request of the City Manager) to issue $8,400,000 in Certificates of Obligation (COEs). These funds are supposed to be for water and sewer system improvements. After interest payments for 20+ years, the total amount will be well over $10,000,000.

The team of Jeff Darby for Nederland Mayor, Jeff Ortiz for Nederland, and Britton Jones for Nederland City Council (Team DOJ) WANT Nederland to have reliable water and sewer services.

The problems we have are that City of Nederland leadership:

1. Failed to give the voters detailed information about the plans and the need for the money (including the need to borrow the money instead of paying it through money we already have in the bank).

2. Issued COEs instead of putting the question before the voters in a bond election.

3. Neglected to give the people of Nederland clear enough information about the whole thing. I happened to learn about it at the City Council meeting on January 27, and then dig through City Council Meeting Minutes for last year today.

My wife and I have three wonderful daughters. They are in their 20s and out of the house. Our youngest and her husband gave us our first grandchild in October. However, 20 years ago, having three little girls was pretty dramatic. If I said this to them once, I said it 100 times:

"It's not what you say that gets them mad at you, it's how you say it."

The same is true with this situation with the City Manager and City Council:

"It's not what you did, it's how you did it."

Trust the people, and they will trust you. Team DOJ will strive to earn your trust by trusting you.