By Vern Holmquist
I went to the Mt. Angel City Council meeting on March 2. Yep, I sat through the whole thing. Didn’t learn much. Was warned I wouldn’t – of course, I can blame part of that on a hearing aid that does not distinguish between rattling papers and the muffled voices responding to the questions. I could make out the “ayes” but the “nays” were difficult to hear. Of course, that may have been because there weren’t any – the council seemed to be agreeable on every issue.
There was some discussion as to where money was coming from to do whatever the council wants to do, but not much discussion as to what they want to do.
I don’t recall any new projects, not one pothole-fill, nor sidewalk installation was scheduled, mostly it was just money to cover the annual change of administration and training of new city personnel.
I for one will miss those shining Irish eyes, you know who I mean. Government comes at a price but then life goes on, at a price. While considering the cost of hiring a professional worth his salt, thinking about what it costs to fire one should cross the councilors’ minds as well, but thinking a year ahead may not be a requisite.
Newspaper accounts have given some hint as to the council’s dissatisfaction with now-former administrator Jim Hunt. It seems to be about a recorded conversation. I suppose our new mayor wants to keep this under his hat so as not to embarrass one of his councilmen, rumor has it there seems to be more than one recorder involved. I guess that’s what lawyers are for.
Meanwhile, our great Oktoberfest team in cahoots with our Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce racked up another success. Paying homage to a sausage did not seem to me to be the most exciting thing to do – a sausage? Well, I scootered over to the Wurstfest shortly after noon Saturday and was amazed to see how many people had arrived ahead of me. The Oktoberfest Building was full. So it was more than just sausage, however you wished to eat it, on a stick, on a bun or dipped in cheese fondue – good eatin’ no matter. There were candies, silly hats, some serious gift items, wine tasting and what goes best with German sausage, German beer, of course. And let’s not forget the bands that supplied continuous happy polka music.
Wurstfest was one heck of a party and has all the credentials to become an annual celebration. Does this town know how to throw a party or what?
Now as much as I enjoyed the party, it did bring on some misfortune for me. That cheese fondue was so good I went back for seconds, or was it thirds? I thought this does not look too hard to make so I bought a fondue pot, the right cheese as called for in the recipe, Eric was kind enough to give me the right wine, spices and I followed directions. What I ended up would be more suitable for retreading my scooter tires. My garbage disposal nearly choked on it. Do you suppose Eric knows something about cooking I don’t? So much for a planned romantic evening.
I really can’t sign off without mentioning the White House tribute to Stevie Wonder. I think we have a president for all of us, my faith is unshakable, and in these troubled times it has to be.
