Life in Fairfield Iowa

By Mark Newman, Courier staff writer

FAIRFIELD — Heavy rains led to raw sewage entering the environment Thursday.

The city of Fairfield bypassed more than 877,000 gallons of wastewater after receiving 2.75 inches of rain Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

The bypasses occurred Wednesday night, then wastewater overflowed again from midnight to 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

Discharges flowed into Crow and Cedar creeks.

City crews cleaned several sites Thursday, and areas where wastewater had overflowed were limed.

Looks like a YES, watch for the proof.
You will see in an upcoming council agenda the RE-ANNEXATION of the pet subdivision Deer View Estates.
Mr. John F. Brown has not followed the process as outlined by the state code. He has not followed the law in at least the last 4 annexations. Further, you would see, if you bothered to look it up, that the last 4 annexations have not been recorded at the court house OR filed with the Secretary of State - both required steps!
The known bungled annexations also include; Saint Mary's Church (near Suburban Heights), the DOT maintenance building site south on Hwy 1 and the new hospital (now under construction). Perhaps there are more, look it up and let me know!!

Fairfield city administrator, John F Brown, was recently accused of not discharging the duties of his office. A letter to the editor of the Fairfield Ledger outlined several of Mr. Brown's shortcomings. Subsequent to the printing of this opinion piece, Mr. Brown was accused of harassment against the writer of the letter. (I guess the truth hurts)

Mr. Mayor (Edward Malloy) spent a good bit of the next morning in the HyVee Deli, trying to convince the letter writer to drop the harassment complaint against the mayors beloved city admin.
How touching it is to have the Mayor stand up for an unsatisfactory city employee? Malloy obviously doesn't want to deal with the problem employee and he doesn't want the world to know that Fairfield has a bunch of "dirty little secrets". Atta boy!

Continuing to "do the right thing" for the citizens, the progressive Fairfield City Council puts their foot down against sidewalks in a high-end subdivision.
punch line: they are still ignorant of the actual law and the lots don't meet the minimum size requirement.

City council waives sidewalk requirements for subdivision
By: Lacey Jacobs, Ledger staff writer
04/10/2007

Failure to incorporate sidewalks in the Deer View Estates Subdivision cost the developers council approval once, but Monday night, the preliminary plat passed with sidewalk requirements waived. During the Fairfield City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to annex the subdivision's land into the city. The council later voted 5-1 to waive a sidewalk requirement and again unanimously to approve the preliminary plat. Deer View Estates developer Kent Whitney and Jerry Long of French-Reneker Associates Inc. returned to the council with a restrictive covenant addressing the sidewalk issue. An addition to the subdivision's covenant states that if the council does not waive sidewalks, the homeowner's association will install sidewalks "within 12 months of the completion of sidewalks on streets that are contiguous to Deer View Estates Subdivision." Long said the property owners would pay for their own sidewalks. However, Whitney asked that the requirement for sidewalks be waived pursuant to Municipal Code Section 19.28.040, which allows the council to do so, if the lots meet size requirements. "The smallest lot out there is lot number seven," councilman Daryn Hamilton said. "I calculated it up today and it's 0.57 acres, which equates to 24,829 square feet, and in the ordinance it says 'of at least 20,000 square feet and a width of at least 100 feet.'" Because the smallest lot meets the minimum requirements, Hamilton moved that the council waive sidewalks.......

For the complete article, see the Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Fairfield Ledger.

Look for the part about repaying the stolen money and/or paying a fine..............oh, he didn't have to? I think an employee of the people, hired to enforce the law should at least be held to the same standard any punk kid. No check that, they should be held to a higher standard, as they are put in a position of power and authority sworn to uphold the law, when they break it themselves, the book should be thrown at them.
Another of example of cronyism in the jewel of Iowa.

May 24, 2004
Ex-policeman pleads guilty to theft charge

Former Fairfield police officer Cameron Cooksey pleaded guilty this morning to charges of stealing $1,484.59 on two occasions from the police department's evidence room while he was an officer assigned to investigations.
After hearing arguments from Thomas Henry Miller, special assistant attorney general for the state of Iowa, and from Cooksey's attorney, Matthew Cunningham, Judge E. Richard Meadows entered a deferred judgment, placing Cooksey on probation for a period of three years.
The deferred judgment means that if Cooksey complies with the terms of his probation, the record will be expunged and he will not have a felony on his record. Cooksey, 32, was charged with second-degree theft, a Class D felony which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $7,500 fine.
Before the sentencing, Cooksey told the judge he regretted his actions and apologized "to my family, the police department and everyone that I've disappointed."
Cooksey had pleaded not guilty at his Feb. 23 arraignment and changed his plea today.
At the beginning of this morning's hearing, the judge asked Cooksey to describe the events that led to the charge of theft being entered against him.
"I took some money from the evidence room," Cooksey said. "... I was an investigator at that time. I was responsible for filing evidence and logging evidence."
Cooksey said he took approximately $1,164 from the evidence room on one occasion and approximately $320 on another occasion. He told the judge he could not remember the exact dates.
Because an audit was going to be done as a result of policy changes in the police department, Cooksey said, he reported himself on Dec. 9 to avoid an investigation. He told the judge he went to police chief Randy Cooksey, who is also his father, to explain what had happened.
Because of the two men's family relationship, Randy Cooksey did not participate in the ensuing investigation.
Meadows questioned Cooksey's motives for coming forward if he did so only when an audit was about to take place. Cooksey said he wanted to avoid an investigation which would have affected the entire police department.
"It wasn't that I didn't want to get caught," he said. "It was that I didn't want to see an unnecessary investigation go on throughout the whole department because of what I had done."
Copyright © 2004, Copyright Fairfield Ledger

Fairfield cop pleads guilty to stealing

Tuesday, May 25, 2004, 3:45 PM
by Seth Johnson, KMCD ,Fairfield

A former Fairfield police officer has pleaded guilty to stealing evidence money. Cameron Cooksey will be placed on probation for three years after admitting to stealing nearly 15-hundred dollars in evidence money. Cooksey was arrested in February after resigning amid the investigation into misconduct. Cooksey will undergo a substance abuse evaluation due to his history with alcohol. He must also be required to perform community service and pay court costs. Cooksey's father Randy is the Fairfield police chief.

You won't find this in the tourism brochure!

Fairfield facing $10,000 fine for wastewater violations
06/14/2006

The Fairfield City Council was informed Monday night that the Department of Natural Resources has proposed a $10,000 fine and an administrative consent order against the city for failure to adequately enforce industrial compliance with wastewater discharge from 1986 through July 2005. According to wastewater superintendent Ken Goering, "the proposed fine was from a lack of documented concern to work with the respective industries to assure they were in compliance or proof that financial actions had been taken against them to encourage compliance." City administrator John Brown clarified the violation is in regard to industries discharging more than their limit into the wastewater system. "[The city's] discharge is not impacted by this at all," he said. Violations noted on the consent order include the city's failure to submit a monthly operating report for The Dexter Company and Fairfield Aluminum Castings Company for June of 2005. It also records effluent problems with Dexter exceeding nickel, zinc and chromium limitations prior to 2006. However, Goering said Dexter has come a long way, and he expects the upcoming installation of a new plastic cone shaped tank to precipitate out metals will help resolve the problem. He also noted that Dexter has been very up front, cooperative and pro-active in attempting to get the matter resolved. Because the DNR is satisfied with the city's 2006 operations and because of Goering's attempts to work more closely with local industries, Goering hopes the DNR will consider reducing the fine, so that the money can be used for further sewer maintenance.

For a complete story, read the June 14 Fairfield Ledger.

>> For a copy of the consent order including the laundry list of violations email me!<<

Labels: corruption, DNR, Fairfield, fish kill, heavy metals, Pollution, sewage, violation, wastewater

For the second time in recent memory a citizen is killed walking in an area without sidewalks.

From the Fairfield Ledger

Man dies after being hit by van
01/29/2007

A 46-year-old Fairfield man died Friday evening from injuries sustained in a single car-pedestrian accident.
James Edward Lamb, 200 N. 28th St., Lot 85, was walking in the westbound outside lane in the 2300 block of Burlington Avenue when he was struck by a 2002 Chrysler van driven by Robert Arthur Snow, 78, of Packwood.
The Fairfield Police Department responded to the accident at approximately 8:46 p.m. Lamb was transported by Jefferson County ambulance to Jefferson County Hospital and later died of his injuries.
Estimated damages to Snow's vehicle are $3,000.
No charges have been filed in relation to this accident. With the assistance of the Iowa State Patrol, it remains under investigation.

http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=17779555&BRD=1142&PAG=461&dept_id=142778&rfi=8

National radio talk show host, Bruce Williams, discusses the Fairfield City Council and Mayor's (and the City Administrator's) actions concerning the subdivision & sidewalk ordinances.... you be the judge


If file doesn't load click here:

Fairfield, Iowa - The city of 2 standards - and a GREAT PLACE

The honorable(?) Mayor supported the passage of 2 subdivisions presented after this declaration... One was owned by councilman at large Myron Gookin...... surprisingly, it did not pass even with the presentation and pleading of the city's favorite engineer, who also happens to have designed another high end subdivision in the city that exists without sidewalks, illegally.

If video doesn't play try here:




Fairfield, A GREAT PLACE!!

 

 

but I'm almost 10 years old, so no car can hurt me!!!!!! 

Another of our many "invisibly gated" neighborhoods. I hope this young mother lives long enough to give the little troll some real community values.

That dog knows it wants to get out of the street, but master doesn't want to walk in the neighbors grass.

It wouldn't be polite.
 

Hit the streets kids............. 

For sure no coward here. This guy is jogging in the street (no sidewalks, you know).

Gutsiest move I ever saw! 

It's a car horn Jr.

Why do they keep honking daddy?

'Cause we are walking in the street.

Are you stupid, daddy?

I guess so, maybe when you grow up you can live in a town that cares about it's citizens. Keep your diaper on, I think there will be a sidewalk in a few more blocks! 

Or should I just count on getting pasted
by the approaching traffic?

Grasswalks rule on West Jefferson. 

I give, you win City Council.

We don't need any more sidewalks, what could I have been thinking?? 

What's that truck doing on our
sidewalk?!? 

Another "target rich" environment.

"Too close for missles, switching to guns!" 

Line up on this pair, no sidewalks for blocks
however, this is only 1 block from our trail system.

Can't blame them for using the street,
it's kinda sloppy on the GRASSWALKS today.

West Jefferson is the best place to mow down a small family. If you time it right, you can score their freshly purchased groceries!

Nice neighborhood.
Nice houses.
Nice streets.
Nice street lights.
Nice yards.

Next slide please. 

So much for all the niceties!

Keep the kid on the outside as an early warning device!!!!

Can you get group rates at the Hospital?
What about the cemetery??

Another example of a sidewalk dieing on the vine.

I don't think we can save this one..... doesn't matter, it doesn't "go anywhere" 

This is the ONLY sidewalk on the east side of D street between Fillmore and Madison.

Why should you care?
Washington Elementary school is at the corner of Madison and D.
I guess you shouldn't care.

I'm more concerned with finding out what this poor sucker did to be forced to put in the ONLY SIDEWALK on a "block" that is ONE-HALF MILE LONG. Measure it for yourself, stunning!
Is this a version of the "scarlet letter" - or a more permanent tar and feathering? 

Watch out for the downed basketball hoop. Forget that, watch out for the garage that is built where the sidewalk should be!!

Does that make it public property? I'll be bringing my lawnmower over tomorrow.

Another close one. We almost allowed sidewalk to be installed across the street from another school. If this gets around our leaders will be wearing dunce caps. 

A wise citizen takes advantage of the relatively small reasoning power of the canine and uses the pooch as a buffer between them and the oncoming traffic.

Ahead on the left you can see someone mowing their grasswalk. Neatness counts!

Click the picture to enlarge.

If you have to walk in the street, I guess you should be able to park on the walk. 

A place of worship, nice wide welcoming sidewalk.... right off the street. Time to give thanks for making it to services with all your parts.

Here a thoughtful citizen has repaired his walk. This will make a much safer passage to the basketball court/parking lot that lies just ahead.

Since the city owns the property to the back side of your "sidewalk", wouldn't that hoop be on public property? Let's go shoot some hoops!! 

A reasonable person would expect a sidewalk at the elementary school.... wouldn't they???? 

Very little (none) public sidewalk. 

The contractor that created the curb on the drive to our new law center knew what was supposed to happen. They made a spot for the sidewalk, just like they do IN EVERY OTHER TOWN they work in, the difference? The other towns actually install the sidewalk.

It's tough to see, but up there a block or less is the end of the road for a "sidewalker". We are now promoting "streetwalking"

Public facility - public "grasswalk" - if it's safe in front of the Law Center, it must be safe in front of my house! 

Ahead on the left, a city park complete with a skateboard facilities. At the end of the block to the right access to the trail system.

Gosh, when you put it like that, I can see why there are no sidewalks here.

Never mind. 

You must be prepared with alternate routes to travel safely in this town.

Or increase your life insurance and hit the streets.

Does Jeep sell shoes? That grassy hill is going require more than your Crocs and 2 heel drive baby.

2 HEEL drive - get it? I kill me, but not as much as walking in the street kills me!

Don't trip on the dot, that's a dangerous panel.

This one has me stumped. Is this a public sidewalk? It springs abruptly from a grasswalk, and then seems to end at the house - let me know.

When we finally get a reasonable piece of sidewalk, we park on it. Well, at least they aren't killing the grass. 

If we had shorter blocks, most of the sidewalk would touch. With the exception of the "good" parts of town and they are exempt from the burden of the concrete walk. 

Like a chunk of iceburg, this section of sidewalk has broken away and floated free.

Floating aimlessly in a sea of grass, be steadfast little walk and you will someday be mated to a continuous sidewalk system in city that cares. There I go dreaming again! 

I've been getting some feedback, all has been positive. Okay - I got one response from someone who will remain nameless, for now.
He was not trying to make friends. He has not been mentioned or alluded to herein. I'm not sure what's bugging him, but for someone in his profession.....he should try to keep his emotions in the vault.

FYI - no sidewalk at his house - SURPRISE

Our little blog is getting viewed worldwide, I think it may cause many cities to start removing sidewalks. Fairfield is, after all, admired widely, and if we can do all we do, with all this grass, why can't Chicago???

I agree with repairing the sidewalks. I don't agree that we have all the sidewalks that we need. (City Council - doesn't see the need for anymore)
Did this property owner get the screws put to him? You tell me, that's a few hundred dollars worth of brand-spanking-new sidewalk. Where the hello does it go?

I guess you need to get up quite a head of steam as you forge onward to the grasswalk that lies ahead. How much did that yokel have to spend on his sidewalk????????
Lets see... about a hundred years ago he threw down $2 worth of grass seed, nice trade!

I hope these folks appreciate the city's efforts to make it safe to navigate to their front door, cause you ain't go'n anywhere else Buckey.

Nice new walk, once again, no follow through. 

One of our esteemed councilmen says of this lady "if she gets hit while in the street, it's her fault" afterall, there are sidewalks on the OTHER side of this busy street.
I suspect that when confronted with the choice of crossing the street (at the break-neck speed she moves) and facing traffic for a block or two to her destination (or the next piece of sidewalk) the safe bet is to do a little bumper dodging.

If you happen to know who she is, I would love to talk to her. Send me her name ffsidewalks@gmail.com
I promise I won't hurt her, but I may buy her a strobe light to wear on her head.

You'll have to trust me on this one. A jogger just went out of frame on the right. He was in the street, well of course he was, a jogger on a sidewalk doesn't make the cut in these precincts.

No sidewalks here either, I know, I know, broken record.

On the right, the exclusive "invisibly gated" community of Kodi Circle. Kindly check your logic at the gate. 

When driving near the Country Club, always be on the lookout for flying golf balls.............and pedestrians. There are no sidewalks 'round here, this is afterall, an exclusive neighborhood and I'm not sure I should even be driving here without a membership card!

Remember you can always click the picture for a larger view.

No sidewalks within blocks, from here nearly 1/2 mile to the nearest one. Honest - check it out yourself, just watch out. 

Aww how sweet, a mother walks her children (is that a double stroller?), down the street, THE STREET?? - Oh yes, silly me, it's Fairfield - ever try to push a stroller through a yard? I don't recommend it.
FYI - no sidewalks on either side Daryn. In fact, heading that direction she'll never find a sidewalk. Ahead is probably the second most populated area in town without walks, (Park Place subdivision being #1)

The council has stated that they will look into sidewalks on West Jefferson. (but not until after the all the walks in the 5 wards have been painted)

I guess there is no reason to consider anything here, (West Burlington) it's obvious that no one walks in these parts. Besides, there's a plenty wide street to share with a couple a 18 wheelers!

The council has not made any mention of sidewalk consideration here. They are now saying they MAY look at installing new sidewalks IN 5 YEARS. In other words, far enough into the future that hopefully most of those vocal buggers will have died or moved on!!

Living in a nowhere land.


This is a real dead end (sidewalk). It is certainly not a dead end street. (like that would matter)

I guess I left my chain saw in my other pants, better hit the street. 

huff, puff, wow those steps were tough, especially when I had to duck under the limbs. Well at least I made it, now on to my destination......DOH, I guess this wall of bushes, trees and weeds, makes those steps seem pretty lame. 

 

Once again, almost made it all the way to the end of the block. Follow through seems to be a problem around here! 

Where did that danged walk go, it was here about 10 years ago. 

If you look very closely, you can see a sidewalk that is merely a ghost of it's former self.
This walk goes waaaay down there, and over that hill. I suspect the cemetery board will
die when they get haunted by the white-dot guy.

You have to look very closely, it's just to the left of the street, and in such poor condition, it has nearly reclaimed it's grassdom.
Click the picture for a larger version.

Look, a sidewalk sprout, with a little ferilizer and some moderate watering, by spring, this could be a full grown sidewalk. Congratulations to the happy new parents. (property owners) 

Remember, walking in the street here is not only considered safe, it's encouraged! 

 

Dang, I thought I had you on that one, you got it, of course, a GAP!

Are you getting tired of this yet? 

Grass is good for some, gravel for the Man. 

This handicap ramp will get you started, now lock in your heels and go "off road" 

Sonny, this is the WIDEST sidewalk I've ever seen, I could do some wheelies and really cut up on this baby! Yee ha

Wow, I hope that guy inspects my walk, must have been break time. 

I like the blind inspector best. Wait till you see what the other inspector failed, look below.

I'm no good at math, but my calculator says that's more than 4 pieces.

Watch yourself buddy, don't take a header on that panel. FAILED 

The inspectors liked it, but even I think grass would be better here for sure. Take it out!

Be on the lookout, missing sidewalk. Last seen in my front yard. 4 inches tall, 4 feet wide, 60 feet long. I don't really want to find it, it's easier to run the lawn mower than the snow shovel. 

Of course you passed silly, you are grass.

Fairfield, the home of the "Grasswalk" 

Doesn't pass the rules, but passed the inspection......

One part missing to full depth, for shame. 

The inspection consistency has come into question. I wonder why. 

 

 

Another gap in the system, there are walks again behind the evergreens straight ahead. 

Look at the very bottom - grass then 2 responsible property owners supplying sidewalk for the community. On the top side another "grasslander". These are the only sidewalks on this larger than normal block. 

If your legs are long enough you can simply step from this side to the sidewalk supplied by the kind soul on the far side. Can you see it? Remember, click on the picture to enlarge. 

Seems to be a common theme 'round here. 

Who put that tree there? I guess I'm not wanted around here.  

Ahead behind the trees on the right and farther back on the left are apartments. Only about 60 people live back there, no reason for any walking around here. 

Going nowhere? This is your sidewalk! 

Here you can see the Community Childcare parking lot and 6 feet of grass "sidewalk" on each end. Never mind that the bushes obstruct 3/4 of the sidewalk that has been installed.

Daddy what's that?

Q: Isn't enforcing Ordinance 519 (requiring sidewalks in subdivisions since 1968) a separate issue from getting all sidewalk safe?

A: If we are to believe that the purpose of this is to increase safety and reduce the city's liability, then you cannot separate them, having kids (or anyone) walking, skating, biking in the street does nothing to enhance safety or reduce liability. If fact, I suspect that this move to "enhance safe passage" that intentionally ignores long standing city code, exponentially increases liability. I wouldn't want to be defending the city in the next lawsuit for a pedestrian fatality in an area void of sidewalks.

Q: Sidewalks in subdivisions don't serve as much public good, why would anyone want them?

A: Sidewalks in subdivisions many not serve as much public good as other areas. This argument is rather hollow. The streets in those same subdivisions don't serve as much public good either, but what would you say if we took them out? Remember this is a safety/liability issue.

Q. Who would benefit from a subdivision (cul-de-sac) owner's sidewalk but him?

A: Stop for a moment and visualize your own house, on any street you wish. Now look at the lawn out front, make a list of benefits that you (as the property owner) would enjoy by having that concrete strip across your front lawn. I am serious, just jot down a few. (can you think of any? - please let me know what they are) It is painfully obvious that the beneficiary of all sidewalks are your fellow citizens, you install and maintain them for the benefit of others, not yourself.

Q: Is it practical mandating new sidewalks where they don't already exist and wouldn't it be harder defending it than the present matter?

A: We have been led to believe that it is about safety, not the practicality of the implementation. The current process is "not practical" either, but we are told stand back, "it's for safety" and "liability". Sidewalks are for the public good, if the council chooses to only fight the battles (legislate) where they get the least resistance, they perpetuate the oppression of the less fortunate.

Q. Wouldn't there be an even bigger community uproar and it would cost much more than our present undertaking?

A: No added cost involved - property owner pays, just like the current program. Bigger uproar? Perhaps, an ever larger safety and liability problem solved, absolutely.

Q: Wouldn't the average cost to an existing sidewalk owner of getting it up to code be much less than it would be to put in an entire new walk?

A: It may be less in many cases, however, they have installed (or purchased existing) sidewalk and shoveled, and maintained it for years.(many have) This is no justification for the absence of walks @ the neighbors house! Throwing up cost as a reason (to dismiss the real and complete solution) misses the real purpose of sidewalks.

Q: Can the city council simply ignore a law and not enforce it?

A: The council can get away with not enforcing a law if they can reasonably demonstrate that they did not know it existed. At the time they are informed of the laws existence, they can no longer ignore it.

Q: What if they continue to ignore it?

A: They would be guilty of malfeasance.

Sidewalks: Not in my front yard!

_____

If man was supposed to walk,

he would have been given legs (and a sidewalk)

______

Sidewalks: the poor man's grass

_______

Save a sidewalk: burden a middle class citizen

_______

Sidewalks are for sissies;

Real kids play in the street

_______

What's shorter than a council person's attention span?

Their sidewalk

_______

Sidewalks: the other white grass