Celebrate the return of normalcy

News of new sewer improvements for Gallatin isn’t likely to make the front page anywhere except in this newspaper. Press releases issued by elected officials routinely trumpet so many things that they are commonly ignored by editors or viewed for what they are – thinly disguised self-serving political statements. And, let’s face it, nobody gets excited about sewers …unless they don’t work or, worse, you don’t have it.

But there’s more to this story you should consider.

Plans to improve Gallatin sewers were, well, stinkin’ up the place. Years ago Gallatin proved to be the Guinea pig for a treatment plant design that failed to live up to its billing. Modifications ensued and the treatment plant does function. But there’ve always been worries about heavy rainfall pushing extra water through the plant which upsets the bacteria balance.

When the state offered CDBG money, the switch to a more traditional lagoon system was on the planning board. At first the discussions revealed conflicting opinion on where to locate the lagoons, not to mention the difference in land prices. Then the arguments focused on whether Gallatin could afford to execute any sewer plans.

Pressures were real. Gallatin finances went to pot (as every pothole in our streets today verify). The CDBG money came with a “use it or lose it” deadline. Voters were wondering whatever happened to the bond issue they approved. And folks still without sewer service felt betrayed once again.

Only animal control rivals sewer service as the most ongoing, unanswered need in Gallatin. I can remember Mayor Tom Gallagher walking a political tightrope, trying to explain the choice of gravity flow sewer lines to the nursing home north of Highway 6 rather than service lines (with expensive pump stations) along West Grand. I recall citizen petitions from reasonable home owners whose patience had (understandably) worn thin.

I know I’m not the only one who occasionally detected a faint but noticeable odor here and there while driving around town. Although it was years ago, I vividly remember driving a business prospect to a particular place in town. It was hot and dry in August, and I really didn’t want to explain the moisture in plain view in the ditch.

Truth be told, almost immediately after voters approved the sewer bond issue it became apparent that engineering projections were off. There still wouldn’t be enough money to fix everything promised. The first improvements sliced off the planning board were replacement lines for problem spots in the alleys around the business square. As more cuts were made. Plans got fuzzy. Then, as time slipped by, it became apparent that Gallatin didn’t have the cash flow to even take advantage of the CDBG grant and low interest loan opportunity already approved.

Now, that would really stink!

When times get tough, fingers start pointing. The jury’s still out on whether the natural gas system will prove to be a fiscal asset. But it certainly is blamed for all of Gallatin’s financial woes, despite a series of decisions preceding it. Even now there are those who suggest that Gallatin should renege on its financial commitment to developing the natural gas system.

Turmoil at city hall actually closed avenues for possible solutions for the sewer system. Agencies other than the Missouri Department of Economic Development put Gallatin’s sewer project on the shelf until circumstances changed (if that reality occurs with tight money and turmoil, what happens when there’s actual default?). And we’re not just talking sewers here. The state does not allow any additional CDBG funding to a community whenever an existing CDBG project is unfinished — and almost every major improvement for Gallatin has, to some degree, used CDBG funding in recent decades.

Gallatin was at a crossroads with its future at stake, and few of its residents really understood it.

You cannot understate the job Mayor L.B. Davis and his aldermen have done. They stood in the gap when expenditures broke away from revenues. They resolved issues by sticking by tough decisions. They brought stability and assured better continuity in Gallatin’s future by establishing the office of city administrator and making a good choice in Jason Helton. And confidence in Gallatin returned.

Federal dollars now coming into Gallatin through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development is a result of renewed confidence in Gallatin. This week’s announcement comes primarily because of improving city finances and the installation of a city administrator.

No, everything’s not suddenly hunky-dorey in Gallatin (is it ever?). It will take a long time for Gallatin to crawl completely out of its financial crunch; the picture still isn’t rosy. We’re seeing arguments at city hall about how the numbers should be stacked in which accounts and, as always, how the money is spent (and, yes, if we want better streets, we’re probably going to have to pay more taxes). But — thank heavens — that’s normal.

That’s what we have to celebrate. Gallatin is getting back to normal, at least in the eyes of the decision makers in the state and federal agencies that can do the most to help us. And so, when you consider all the alternatives, sewer improvements for Gallatin really are something to get excited about.