I read with interest the letter from Mayor Allan Kauffman (Feb. 6) concerning his position on the Goshen Housing Authority (GHA) crisis. Also, I read Wednesday’s front page news story concerning the Goshen City Council meeting and the result of the council voting 6-1 for approving Mayor Kauffman’s request to bailout the Goshen Housing Authority by an infusion of $571,000, utilizing some of the city’s $4.7 million Rainy Day Fund.
As per the information provided by Mayor Kauffman several facts emerged. First, it is the responsibility of the mayor to appoint the GHA board members and it was the responsibility of the GHA board to hire the director and it was the responsibility of the director to hire the employees needed to staff the GHA for operating purposes. Second, it was the responsibility of Mayor Kauffman to request and monitor the GHA through the requirement of an annual report to be provided to him by the GHA.
Apparently, Mayor Kauffman either did not request the GHA to provide him with an annual report or if he received the report had not been adequately monitoring the GHA’s operations. Undoubtedly, this is part of the reason for the continued misappropriation of funds by the Housing Authority and the resulting $571,000 shortfall.
To date, the director and the employees have been fired and the board has been replaced. As far as I know, the director and any former employees have not been prosecuted or charged with any crime for the misappropriation of funds.
It appears that if our mayor had been doing his job adequately we would not be in this dilemma and he wouldn’t be asking for $571,000 from the city to save the GHA. The red flags were there but ignored.
— Susan Hochstetler
Goshen
Letters to the Editor
Mayor ignores GHA red flags
- Letters to the Editor
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Goshen sidewalk crowding is the new cruising
I’m writing in response to the article in The Goshen News (May 16), entitled “Way Paved for Sidewalk Ordinance.” To recap quickly: The older people (business owners, the Establishment, “The Man”, the 1 percent) in Goshen don’t like the younger people crowding the sidewalk during First Fridays.
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A 'compassionate conservative?'
You’ve all heard the term “compassionate conservative” used by liberals. They called George W. Bush a compassionate conservative, among other things. Have you ever noticed how liberals love to label people?
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Partisanship OK in Congress, but not in other elected offices
During the primary election season there was much discussion regarding whether bipartisanship is a positive or negative attribute as it relates to the work of the United States Congress. When I speak to students, I often mention the vital role of partisanship within the legislative branch of government.
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Elkhart County community's help appreciated
On behalf of the Child And Parent Services Board of Directors, staff and the families we serve, our heartfelt thanks go out to the generous people of Elkhart County.
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Why not just close Main Street?
I thought Goshen spent millions of dollars just a few years ago to widen and increase Third Street to two-way traffic and make Fifth Street a two-way street so that traffic flow on Main Street would be greatly reduced. So, why can’t the Goshen City Council address the problem of the number of people at First Fridays by closing the downtown section of Main Street for one afternoon/evening per month and allowing people to congregate on the street?
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Sponsors help First Fridays thrive
Last month, more than 150 volunteers, 30 city staff members, and 16 sponsors donated time, talent and treasure to make the event a success. First Fridays simply would not exist without the good will and hard work of many individuals coming together.
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Proving Rush Limbaugh wrong?
We can confirm that President Obama has officially broken Rush Limbaugh’s heart by achieving the success that Rush wished against. Remember after the 2008 election when Rush famously hoped our new president would not be successful? Well the evidence is insurmountable that Mr. Obama has gotten the best of Rush.
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Shelters should neuter animals
This letter is on the subject of neutering animals, especially cats.
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Mourdock is bought and paid for
It is sad to watch, but once again the Tea Party has been duped by big business and banks into supporting causes and people who will do harm to the rank and file in the Tea Party.
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America cannot afford another Republican president
Remember 2001 and how President George W. Bush inherited the biggest federal surplus in postwar history? The Congressional Budget Office even projected the federal government would be debt-free by 2009. The country was in terrific fiscal shape to deal with any crises or emergencies in the future, even ready to handle the retirement of the Baby Boom generation.
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