Costly remedy for flood defense

sounds like some people should have NEVER moved or built homes in the flood plain!!!!!!!

Sounds like your a rich snotty ***hole that probably used to live in Dupo or Cahokia but now your better than everyone else because you have money now.

I'm with "Hmmmmmm"... flood plains aren't meant to be built upon.

here_you_go wrote:

Sounds like your a rich snotty ***hole that probably used to live in Dupo or Cahokia but now your better than everyone else because you have money now.

Nope...None of the above. I am just a snotty ***hole that has COMMON SENCE and knows better than to invest all my money in a dump down in the bottoms!!!!!!!

Well...you're partly right.

.......Of Course I am

And you are also a snotty a**hole who can't spell common sense. Ha ha.

Oh....but the last laugh is on you!!!! Apparently you don't get humor. May I suggest you RE-READ each post. Starting with "here you go". Don't hate me cause I'm smarter than you....Hate me 'cause you no I'm WRITE!!!!!!!!!!

FYI: The above spelling and grammatical errors were done intentionally so that I (and others) could have a good laugh...that will last as long as this post remains!

What if I hate you for an altogether different reason?

Wow, you sure are one dim bulb.

Listen to you people. Nevermind the 150,000 or so residents but, 80 percent of the jobs in this region are in a flood plain, the town of Sauget, Granite City, those are just two towns where many jobs lie. Are not supposed to protect those jobs either. Just because your board is being sued by a developer for screwing up Columbia Crossings, doesnt mean that development in other areas of the flood plain dont need to be protected

Please see my first comment......

Effective Tuesday morning, I have resigned as editor for the Columbia, IL news page for Topix. The current system which Topix provides—giving editors responsibility for news submissions but denying them the ability to moderate forums—has led to a site that, in my opinion, poorly reflects upon both my personal reputation and that of my employer, the City of Columbia.

I began editing the Columbia page upon my arrival in Columbia at the end of March, hoping to be of service to others by helping to more widely distribute news and information, and I believe that the Topix site over the past few months achieved that goal. As the flow of news increased and became more consistent, additional readers were attracted to the site and some of them began using the reader forums. I regret I did not more closely examine what was being posted or, in particular, learn what limits Topix places upon its editors. As a long-time blogger, I assumed—and, I suspect, most of my readers still assume—that editors are also forum moderators; after all, it’s our names up there on the pages….

So I really didn’t pay too much attention to the content of the forums until about two weeks ago, at which time Topix made a major design change that made the forums equally as prominent as the news items. At that time, I began to see offensive comments being made and tried to delete them—to no avail; subsequently and, I believe, as a result of the lack of any real moderation by Topix, the forums have become increasingly offensive.

I am an advocate for both inclusivity and civility in public life; in my opinion, you cannot have one without the other. While I may often disagree with some opinions, I believe that I owe other citizens respect equal to what I expect to be accorded. Whatever policy direction Topix tells itself it is encouraging, its decision to separate news from comments, and especially its failure to provide moderation for comments, is a poor one that will drive responsible editors from their site.

To those who may have found the news on the Topix site informative and interesting, I offer my apologies. I have established a new blog (http://illinoiscolumbia.blogs pot.com) for anyone who would like to continue to be informed about Columbia without the offensive comments that are becoming the mainstay of this poorly-managed service.

does anyone know if the maps have been redrawn yet?

If the levees aren't repaired and one breaks at a water level high as 93, 255 will be under water, you may not be able to get to your jobs, and if Sauget goes under who knows what could happen with all the chemicals underground there, and those chemicals would run downstream. Could contaminate the drinking supplies, possibly even condemn the whole area. Look at the whole picture, it will effect all in the area in one way or another.

I went to the 9/21 Columbia board meeting out of concern for our levees.There were many there opposing the big box stores,and thats alright,people should get involved.It was a comment from the owner of the local hardware store that irked me.He said that it was 'stupid to build in a flood zone'.This coming from a guy that built several houses for profit in the flood zone,opperated a business there,and now,since he is no longer there,insults us that live here.He wants to be protected from the 'big guys',but has several stores in other cities that likely compete with others there.I choose to live in the american bottoms because our government promised 500 yr levee protection.Im in good company.Most of Southern Illinois biggest Industrial and Commercial companies have located here. Now,some people like this guy,and the current majority of the Columbia board,wish to break that promise by letting the levee system be decertified.To protect their own selfish interests,they would throw those columbia citizens in the bottoms to the wolves.If they can't stop Columbia Crossings by a not honoring signed contracts,stop them with F.E.M.A.,and the hell with those that live there.Right now those citizens are requesting de-annexation.Columbia loses either way.The bottoms will be developed one day,just as Chesterfield and Earth City has.It will be poetic justice when Columbia loses the opportunity to benefit from it.Columbia can't have it both ways.Either they settle with Grewe and honor the signed contracts,or one of two things will happen.Columbia Crossings becomes the Crossings at Prairie DuPont,or a levee will be constructed just south of I-255 seperating the two levee systems.Either way,Columbia loses.And as far as the developement in the 'high ground' is concerned,a whole series of lawsuits can be unleashed on Columbia involving the lack of actual storm water retention on current and past developements.This is just my opinion of course,but something to think about.

So to piggy back off of the last comment, how funny is it going if that area is annexed by Dupo and a Lowes and Target and Shop N Save for example go there. Are people still going to support the high priced market place, Shady Creek Nusrsery and the Hardware Store or are they going to drive down the road and get everything cheaper and putting these companies out of business anyway. So I agree with Dupo fan that columbia will suffer either way, and it will be over a measly .25 percent sales tax. Think of one thing Columbia people, how high are your taxes going to go, to pay off the lawsuit that your wonderful politicians or going to lose for your town. I am sure it will be more than .25 percent. It will also be more money than those previously mentioned stores pay in tax revenue annually.

[QUOTE who="Think of one thing Columbia people, how high are your taxes going to go, to pay off the lawsuit that your wonderful politicians or going to lose for your town.[/QUOTE]

EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!!!!!!!!
FYI: Columbia Just WON the law suite....Bye Bye Grewe!!!!!!!!!! Next is the Mayor!!!!!!!!

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories...

Wow...maybe they can get the levee thing straightened out now.If not...the problem still stays the same.It would be a great relief if the lawsuit was settled.Thanks for the info Big Dog

While it would be a great relief, it doesn't mean there isn't going to be development down there. It means Grewees suite was frivolous.

I guess it also means that what the Mayor said all allong about the MDA not being bindging yet...I think there was an analogy to a skeleton and the meat were agreeements yet to come...was true. He didn't mislead anyone at all.