Column - Yardy Stumble Confounds

Mayor Ron Corbett can't even have breakfast without being served a steaming side of Yardy.

“A guy came up to me and said, ‘You need any help solving that Yardy problem?'” said Corbett, recalling Monday morning at Riley's. “It's interesting how issues can capture the public's attention, and this one certainly has.”

Indeed, the public is using interesting words to describe the City Council's affection for the idea of spending $540,000 on “anti-tip plates” to make Yardy yard-waste carts safer. “Unbelievable” is popular choice.

Corbett insists the council was thinking of public safety, comparing it to sanding and salting streets, although the city has received very few Yardy complaints. Members also wanted to boost a local inventor, Kim Brokaw, who would pay the city back some of its investment once his idea takes off.

Brokaw is a good salesman, maybe too good. Thanks to Rick Smith's reporting, we know he went hunting with Council members Pat Shey and Kris Gulick. The core of his safety sales pitch comes from a survey conducted by Council member Monica Vernon's research firm, before she won her seat. He also gave $399 to Corbett's campaign.

The mayor concedes it doesn't pass the “smell test” for some citizens. Obviously. “My guess is support for the issue is probably waning,” he said.

It's confounding that a council marching toward so many big, critical decisions would unnecessarily take aim at its own foot. Sure, the budget is full of bigger fiscal fish, but this is the sort of symbolic stumble that feeds anger and apathy.

How much shredded political capital can you fit in a Yardy? We'll find out, unless affection yields swiftly to reflection.

Curiously, it raised a red flag only for Council member Chuck “The Colonel” Wieneke. We haven't seen a misreading of public mood this perplexing since our county supervisors sought a fat pay raise. And six of these folks just left the campaign trail.

What part of “don't waste our money” do they not understand?

Imagine yourself explaining this idea to a room filled with taxpayers. I have a hard time believing it would pass that test without Olympic-sized salesmanship.

Brokaw worked overtime to sell his idea, but the council put in no time trying to sell the public on the need for this splurge. It wouldn't have been hard to ask folks if they want a Yardy upgrade. If lots of people do, fine, place your order. If not, kick it to the curb.

The good news is the council has not formally approved any of this, so there's still time for them to think it over and for you to weigh in. There's a public budget hearing March 3.

Come and say something interesting.

Comments: (319) 398-8452 or todd.dorman@gazcomm.com