Crestwood Board of Alderman meeting 12/14/05
Ladies and Gentlemen
Last night I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Board meeting, reference the budget for 2006, and quite a meeting it was. The room was full, and then some, and we were treated to several speakers, some of which knew the financial problems of the city, and some who just thought they did.
Mr. John Foote made an excellent, and impassioned plea to the Board to balance the budget, and he had a clear and concise method of paying down the debt using existing funds from the defeasement of the GO bond from the police station. At that suggestion, City Administrator Greer told him it wasn't legal to do it the way he suggested, but offered no other solution. Shortly there after Mr. Greer conversed with the City Attorney, and then advised Mr. Foote that neither he or the City Attorney were sure if it was legal or not! Interesting that these learned Gentlemen could not give us an answer on the spot, after all isn't that why they get the big bucks?
We were then treated to a rather raucous rendition of things that were not so by a Gentleman, by the name of Dr. Brophy, who waxed eloquently visa a vi the budget going up, when in fact it is going down! This was a natural error, as he stated that he received his information from the paper. He told us that he had attended the workshop, and knew he was right, but I sat two seats away from him, and I heard a different budget that he did apparently, since I saw it to be lower, albeit not much, but lower, none the less.
A fairly simple question was asked of our Director of Finance, Ms. Madrid, who seemed perplexed most of the evening, and never really came up with an answer to the question, even though she did discuss the subject at some length. She then, also conversed with the City Attorney, sat back down, and said nothing further while I was there.
Now we come to the Board, who, in my opinion, fumbled around trying to convince each other that the budget was "Great", but sounding like they would like to go back to square one! Mayor Robinson did a great job of explaining that we are down to the nubb's, and could not go any lower, and that's why we need a tax increase, and Alderman Miguel was right on the money explaining the funds, and how to fix them, but the rest, looked like a target in the crosshair's to me. It was clear (to most of the audience), that most of them were nervous about this budget, but did not wish to break lock step with the C/A.
The "Oscar" of the night though goes to Mr. Trueblood who extended a "carrot" to the audience in the form of a "Citizens commission for budget review". Three citizens rose to praise him for his leadership, and foresight in this most important matter, and thus, in my opinion, "drank the Cool Aid"! As you may know the Charter does not permit anyone but elected official's from looking at the books, so therefore, the
commission would be rendered impotent, and we would be adding another layer of bureaucracy to the already burgeoning level we have now. Mr. Trueblood, I applaud your deft handling of this matter, you are much better than any of us have given you credit for!
At this point my eyes were glazing over, what with all the numbers, and the posturing going on, it was time for me to head for the tranquility of home base, sure in the knowledge that my City, (the one I have lived in so long), has a burning need to work hard to change this mess, get behind our Mayor,and bring us back to the vibrant City it once was!
I have said it before, and I say it again now, these are serious times, we need serious people, and we sure don't have them in place now! I implore you to find a candidate, support him, or her, vote, and let's stop this foolishness before it's too late!
No.36
Last night I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Board meeting, reference the budget for 2006, and quite a meeting it was. The room was full, and then some, and we were treated to several speakers, some of which knew the financial problems of the city, and some who just thought they did.
Mr. John Foote made an excellent, and impassioned plea to the Board to balance the budget, and he had a clear and concise method of paying down the debt using existing funds from the defeasement of the GO bond from the police station. At that suggestion, City Administrator Greer told him it wasn't legal to do it the way he suggested, but offered no other solution. Shortly there after Mr. Greer conversed with the City Attorney, and then advised Mr. Foote that neither he or the City Attorney were sure if it was legal or not! Interesting that these learned Gentlemen could not give us an answer on the spot, after all isn't that why they get the big bucks?
We were then treated to a rather raucous rendition of things that were not so by a Gentleman, by the name of Dr. Brophy, who waxed eloquently visa a vi the budget going up, when in fact it is going down! This was a natural error, as he stated that he received his information from the paper. He told us that he had attended the workshop, and knew he was right, but I sat two seats away from him, and I heard a different budget that he did apparently, since I saw it to be lower, albeit not much, but lower, none the less.
A fairly simple question was asked of our Director of Finance, Ms. Madrid, who seemed perplexed most of the evening, and never really came up with an answer to the question, even though she did discuss the subject at some length. She then, also conversed with the City Attorney, sat back down, and said nothing further while I was there.
Now we come to the Board, who, in my opinion, fumbled around trying to convince each other that the budget was "Great", but sounding like they would like to go back to square one! Mayor Robinson did a great job of explaining that we are down to the nubb's, and could not go any lower, and that's why we need a tax increase, and Alderman Miguel was right on the money explaining the funds, and how to fix them, but the rest, looked like a target in the crosshair's to me. It was clear (to most of the audience), that most of them were nervous about this budget, but did not wish to break lock step with the C/A.
The "Oscar" of the night though goes to Mr. Trueblood who extended a "carrot" to the audience in the form of a "Citizens commission for budget review". Three citizens rose to praise him for his leadership, and foresight in this most important matter, and thus, in my opinion, "drank the Cool Aid"! As you may know the Charter does not permit anyone but elected official's from looking at the books, so therefore, the
commission would be rendered impotent, and we would be adding another layer of bureaucracy to the already burgeoning level we have now. Mr. Trueblood, I applaud your deft handling of this matter, you are much better than any of us have given you credit for!
At this point my eyes were glazing over, what with all the numbers, and the posturing going on, it was time for me to head for the tranquility of home base, sure in the knowledge that my City, (the one I have lived in so long), has a burning need to work hard to change this mess, get behind our Mayor,and bring us back to the vibrant City it once was!
I have said it before, and I say it again now, these are serious times, we need serious people, and we sure don't have them in place now! I implore you to find a candidate, support him, or her, vote, and let's stop this foolishness before it's too late!
No.36
posted by Crestwood Independent at 17:25
26 Comments:
I might be able to offer a new perspective on the proposed new real estate tax.
Let’s say I’m an alderman, a citizen, even the city administrator or the finance officer. Let’s say that I know a real estate tax increase is going to be introduced a week or maybe just a few days from now at a highly public meeting where there will be a lot of questions. I might say to myself “I betcha at this meeting, everyone is going to want a lot of answers! They may even want figures!”.
So I look at the agenda, see the proposed tax increase as written.
Then I think to myself, “I’ve also heard that they want a sunset on this tax.” So I sit down and work up the real estate tax figures seven ways from Sunday.
When I attend the Board of Alderman meeting, I have so much workable information that I assist my colleagues in deciding. I allow the citizens to walk away with a good, clear understanding of what's involved. And I lood professional!
That’s because I did my homework. That’s because I knew that the information was going to be requested.
In Crestwood, that doesn’t happen!
The only person to have solid figures (AGAIN!) was Alderman Miguel. And he credited a persistent Darryl Wallach with supplying him with this information!
Why is it that the only person interested in working those figures is not even sitting on the Board! Not even employed by the city? Shouldn’t Ms. Madrid or Mr. Greer have had this work done?
It seems to me that they are the two people in Crestwood who have done the most to damage the finances and the reputation (professionalism, PLEASE!) of this city. Now buck up and fix it!
We should all insist that these two fine examples of unselfish professionals get the numbers done BEFORE the meetings! And quit wasting our time!
Congratulations, Mr. Wallach, in setting a fine example of what should be done!
A point that I forgot to mention was the strange lack of comment from Alderman Kelleher, reference the budget! I was wondering if Mr. Kelleher might have been Ill, we have allways heard from him in the past, and , while I could only stay till 8:30PM, I heard nothing from him.
Alderman Kelleher, please tell me that your silence was due to an illness, and not because you haden't, yet read the budget, or worse yet, that you don't understand it! Because if that's the case, the resident's of Ward two deserve better representation than that, don't you agree?
Mr. Jim, please do us all a favor, and get involved in the every day workings of the City, do what you signed on to do, and represent the good citizen's of Ward two, or, if you no longer wish to serve, resign, and let the resident's move forward with someone who does!
Mr. Kelleher did make one rather odd statement. To his credit, he just couldn't keep it in any longer! He told us all that the voters last April had made it clear when they voted NO on Prop 1 that they wanted a reduction in services.
If this is the only comment he has to offer, we can tell his true understanding of what the voters are telling him is of his own making. He has but one agenda these days. His own!
This site gives that Alderman too much credit, he has no agenda, not even his own. He is a designated distractor. Anyone who voted for this person has surely come to realize his limitations. The people of Crestwood voted against Prop 1 because of people like this guy, whose idea of leadership falls in the category of rookie goomba! Remember, he supported that god forsaken 14 M Dollar complex while Crestwood was staring down bankruptcy. Pray tell, on whose advice did he vote to lease space at Westfield? But, then we know that don't we? At what point in time do his theatrics cease to be cute and the reality of his liability, responsibility and accountability set in? Did he really imagine in his wildest dreams residents would rush to the polls to add more bucks to the basket to be squandered? Does he really think people voted for less services? Does he not know, he is one of 5 reasons Prop 1 failed? Best pay attention, pal, and get that budget balanced and cut off the strings going up your back. Perhaps you should remember what we are not likely to forget, your demeanor, your politics and your reasoning are not up to snuff. A good idea now is to either resign to spend more time with your family or align yourself with the reality that the crowd you hang with does not carry the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. Listen up to the "good" advice afforded you by those who have it and drop out of the I Love Friction Club. It's leader is losing his fizz along with his hair and getting uncomfortably vague. Get out while the getting is good! The City You Save May Be Your Own! Maybe even the neck!
Sounds like Crestwood Aldermen are having 2nd thoughts about the advisability of passing a budget based on spreadsheets supplied by the un-kosher alliance of its City Administrator and its City Finance Officer.
Imagine That!!!
Better Late Than Never!!!
Well, not exactly. Not soon enough. Getting from Point A to Point B left the bank with city property as collateral and the residents filled with mistrust. Not exactly poised to graciously vote in a tax increase. Watching 5 Ward Reps continually slime the community with their politics is nothing short of pathetic, and just look at what they have accomplished along with former so called city fathers. Scarry isn't it? What a reputation to live down. Long live Term Limits! Bring on a new City Administrator ASAP and leave the light on for some financial expertise up there.
Pray that ALL next April's candidates for office steer far clear of the antics and histrionics of those who have had their head in the sand and their hangers on who take up time at meetings with pure nonsense.
Crestwood is in dire straits
Crestwood needs "all" Aldermen to respect the constituancy
Crestwood needs leadership who can supply a code of conduct
eliminating sexual harrassment suits, unseemly staff cozies and out of sight legal bills
Crestwood needs to have background checks on staff especially those whose history repeats itself. Crestwood needs a City Attorney who is clear on the law and neutral.
Crestwood is fortunate to have a constituancy alert enough to recognize the need for a new Mayor and put their faith in the 2 conscientious aldermen from Ward 3 who are watching the store assisted by some very astute residents. But 2 Aldermen and a Mayor cannot do it alone. Residents will probably be asked to reach in their pockets to help city coiffers, but first they should reach for the phone and have a nice chat with the Aldermen who have become an embarrassment to Crestwood. If they don't shape up, it's time to ship 'em out.
Let me get this straight, T. Trueblood, Alderman Ward 2, suggested a "Citizen Oversight Commission to Review the Budget," when in fact this can only be done by the board. Wasn't he also recently quoted in the paper as saying a tax increase could not likely happen without the support of the "Citizens Committee for Fiscal Responsibility" (whose legwork prevented a $14 M. Dollar city hall from becomming collateral?") What is the BOA for, decoration? Once upon a time when Crestwood was picking up speed on its slippery slide into debt, Alderman Miguel suggested an oversight committee, at which time he was told by the infamous Wisenheimers on the board that the "Board was the oversight committee." Well Mr. Alderman, which line are you going with?
An earlier blogger mentioned facetiously how "deft" T. Trueblood was, he and his fan club of 3 who brought their pom poms. Well I think a better word might be "daft."
Excuse me, you said Don Greer, City Administrator, advised Mr. John Foote that his suggestion to pay down the debt using existing funds from the defeasement of the GO bonds was not legal, but offered no alternative. Then decided after the fact to confer with the City Attorney; At which time the City Attorney advised neither were really sure if it was legal or not. Gotta Wonder. (1)Is this Greer person a lawyer, and if not why would he even open his mouth? (2) Why didn't this Greer person do his conferring before disputing Mr. Foote's word, (3) Why is it the City Attorney never seems to be sure of anything? (4) Is it possible Crestwood needs skills these two tag teamers cannot provide? Rising from the ashes will not be easy with the limited capabilities of these beautiful minds.
I agree - if these guys don't bring any "plans" to the meetings, we won't have anything to shoot at! I hope they haven't realized the only reason we didn't recall all of these puppets is so that we would have someone to blame for all the financial problems in the April election for the Board! This sure is going to be fun!
Let me get this straight, according to the majority of the posters on this blog the City Administrator is bad, the City Finance Office can't do her job, the City Attorney because he doesnt go along with what the Mayor wants even if the Mayor (gasp) is wrong now has a bulleye painted on him, and only two of eight aldermen are worth keeping because they go along with the Mayor? Sounds to me like this blog and its posters have the one solution to all the city's problems, and thats do only what Roy the mayor wants. Thats a real OPEN GOVERNMENT for you!! Maybe the real solution is to disband the BOA and fire all the deptartment heads and let the Mayor become KING and run the city. That way it will save a lot of money with no dept heads or staff to pay, just King Roy and his puppet master jim Murphy would be running the place, what a brain trust that would be. And this on a blog that is the offical mouth piece for someone running for a elected position.
What a joke.
Even though an alderman has already been nominated for an Oscar, I want to nominate Alderman Miguel for Best Supporting Actor. You have to admit, his filibusters ("I just need MORE INFORMATION") through this year have been priceless to us. At one point, the only thing that kept me from showing my delight was the knowledge that we had to appear to be serious about the situation to string these buffoons along until we launch our campaigns for their seats in April. There were a couple of times I thought they just might get some action through, but we prevailed in the end! Any intelligent alderman would've realized what we've been up to long ago, but then who ever said these guys were intelligent? I just can't wait to fill those seats so we can really ruin their reputations forever!
Alderman Miguel does indeed deserve an Oscar, if not a medal of honor. When we annexed his area to our city, we hit the jackpot with his leadership and insight. Aldermen Miguel and Maddox, of Ward 3, are the "sounds of reason" along with Mayor Robinson on Crestwood's Board of Aldermen.
However, as for Oscar Material, hands down gotta give that one to Trueblood, whether it is comedy or tragedy is yet to be determined. Act 1: Although it was not on the agenda for the meeting, forced a vote for President of the BOA and then having winked at his buddies on the board won the position. This guy is smoooooth! Act 2: When he jumps out of his seat, almost rolling off the dais, to grab a copy of Robert's Rules of Order and start thumbing through the pages to find a way to lambast the Mayor. (Best Supporting Actor in a role: His wife, who seems to have developed a need to waste time at meetings with her own crusade as yet unknown) Act 3: A loud NO vote on almost everything even though its just an automatic passing of a bill for the books.
Others on the board, including the City Attorney just seem to be "following orders," unable to make their own decisions or buck bad advice.
Time for a change of "scene."
To the poster who thinks this site is a joke, thanks for participating! We welcome your ideas and thought's, as that's why the site was created. We need to have a public discourse here in Crestwood if we ever expect our problems to be solved. Just keep it clean, as this is a family site, and let your ideas for Crestwood flow!
So, welcome to the site, thanks again for your contribution, and why not attend one of the Ward Two meetings over the next few month's, who knows, you just may agree with me, and end up voting for me! (If your in Ward Two that is).
Tom Ford
Welcome worthy blogger to the real world. Your points are well taken. You have definitely picked up on the game plan as prescribed by the majority of Crestwood residents. Join the club. The club of problem solvers, money savers, open government,integrity and independent thinkers. I don't recall ever hearing Mayor Robinson proclaim he wanted to be King. Don't think he wants to tweak the Charter. Last time I heard, he wants to save money in the best ways possible; so your suggestions hold some merit. As for brain trust, well who can dispute this idea, look what controls the board and what their legacy will be. This, kind blogger, is not a joke.
It sure it good to see a 2nd opinion rearing its head on this site. For awhile there I was thinking maybe they were at a loss for words. You see, it was going around - your basic "rumor" mill thingy, that one of the Chief's told the other Chief to tell employees not to read this blog site. So much for open government.
P.S. Chief to Chief, I venture to say that fraternizing by Chief's with political figures and candidates for Aldermen is not exactly a good idea, because small towns tend to know or fictionalize a great deal, and Crestwood has way too much reality to deal with right now, to tolerate this lack of brain trust.
While you are passing out Oscars, don't forget honorable mention to Ald. R. Breeding who after voting YES for the Mayor's appointment of a board member to the Civil Service Board, changed his mind during the course of that same BOA meeting to a NO vote and thus cancelled the appointment citing he did not know enough about the Civil Service board to even vote. What enlightenment or encouragement he received during the course of that meeting,is only an educated guess. This Alderman has been in office how many years now ....? By now should he not know how the city functions, or why it doesn't? Or better yet, what soul took it upon himself to disband the Civil Service Board, thus denying employees their fair day in court, and in the doing more or less appointed himself King? Ald. B. needs to quit vascillating and find a home for his thoughts and votes. A good home.
Well, it sure is nice to see other viewpoints on this blog site. I always have loved a good debate!
But the thing that concerns me is that some of the comments (accusations about Chiefs even!) are so veiled as to be mysteriously reminiscent of a suspense flick.
Is it JUST scary music? Or are there REALLY people who live AND work in this town talking with each other about God-Knows-What?
Come ON!
As has been the case in Crestwood for the last 30 years, there's always something to speculate about, complain about, and accuse people of, but very few people who step up to bat and hit some homers!
Keep hiding behind the curtains and whispering to the actors, Naysayers. Your identity may never be revealed AND you might get your way.
Or then again, the Home Run Hitters might just pull back that curtain and reveal you AND the Truth.
And yes, I too will remain anonymous on this site until The Bitters Ones have given up their Bitter Mission of Destruction, and I can rest assured that the cost for using my first amendments rights isn't a smear on my good character, ridicule, and targets placed on my back.
What a town!
And yes, I blame it on the current sitting board members, the City Administrator who has done nothing but feed his megalomania with your tax dollars, his sidekick, and I even blame it on the ones who won't get up and take action to stop this Baloney!
At least Mayor Robinson stood UP!
And so have more! That deserve the Medal of Courage!
The previous bloggers reference to "Courage" got me thinking. Maybe Crestwood is reminiscent of a movie. But not a horror flick. More like "The Wizard of Oz". Where the Wizard with all his smoke and mirrors is Don Greer, The Tin Man who really needs a Heart is Tim Trueblood, The Scarecrow who really needs a Brain is Kelleher, and the Lion who lacks courage could be either Breeding (who ends every sentence with "I don't know") or O'Keefe (who lacks faith in the voters to support anything). Maybe the Wicked Witch is Ms. Madrid who tries to thwart every financial solution with changes in the numbers to keep everyone off the Yellow Brick Road. And Dorothy is Mayor Robinson who just wants to return Crestwood to Kansas.
That movie had a happy ending!
And all in all, it was just a bad dream!
I know this Greer guy was/is the Police Chief before he became the Administrator. Is this common for these jobs to be held by one person? Seems like a conflict of interest to me.
Does anyone know anything about this Finance Director person - Ms. Madrid? What's her background/qualifications? It seems that we are paying her a lot fo money not to answer any questions.
Does anyone on this site recognize the writer who stated that Mayor Robinson should be King? It seems to me that these are the EXACT opinions expressed by the Suncrest call.
I think there are people in positions of importance in this community expressing their opinions on this site.
It's too bad that their real agenda is signed "anonymous".
So don't be too harsh on a progressive thinker like this Blog's creator for giving an outlet to people's opinions, whatever they might be.
At least we know that he (unlike your so-called OPEN GOVERNMENT) allows people to speak their mind without employing the editing process to keep it from going public.
SunCrest Call - what a fine publication. Mr. Anthony professes to be this outstanding journalist, committed to the free press and the highest levels of journalistic integrity! Talk about somebody whose been used to further an agenda. Why didn’t the Call do an investigation into why former Mayor Robertson resigned? Why didn’t the call do an investigation on the questionable personal conduct at City Hall? The $100,000 accounting software that can't calculate squat.
Stories like these would actually require some work and an open mind!
Why bother when you can sit back and have your stories hand fed to you by Mr. Greer and is team!
Folks, I think Mr. Anthony is doing the best he can considering that all his news is filtered through Tim Trueblood, and Don Greer!
Mike. I would remind you of Ronald Reagan's remarks on Liberals!
"It's not that they are ignorant, it's just that they know so nuch that isn't so"
How about an interview so I can tell my side of the story? Heck, if you want Don Greer there, so much the better. the citizens of Crestwood need to know the truth!
Tom Ford
I sure would like to see that interview! Historically, The Suncrest Call has not done much interviewing with aldermanic candidates. They have however posted their endorsements, other aldermanic endorsements, and copious rhetoric from BOA meetings or town hall meetings.
This may be just what the doctor ordered to dispel the beliefs that the Call is biased!
There are lots of ways to learn about our town: attend BOA Meetings, read the paper, read this blog site, ask questions, listen to rumors, and read the Charter and the 2 audits. All in all, they all pretty much boil down to the same thing. Things have been better. It is easily apparent the BOA is a civil disaster. Five Aldermen and the City A. have turned it into a crusade for power unable to do the "grownup" thing. The Crestwood BOA is comprised of 5 programmed people whose politics have proved to be an embarrassment to the city and whose block voting has handicapped the city. I can't imagine 5 aldermen and 2 ex-Mayors in any town dumb enough to be so openly determined to keep a city from moving forward, while the whole world watches. It has been rumored their fearless leader is the City Administrator. Well then, stop for a moment and see where he has led this community? Are you happy with what you see? Do you approve of the aldermen whose idea of governing is to attack the new Mayor and his supporters at every opportunity? Do you like the immaturity and snide remarks they present at each BOA meeting? Do you like the fact that the City Administrator has literally disbanded Civil Service at City Hall, and carefully replaced employees one by one with Disciples of Greer. Do you like that he did not warn the BOA that funds for the $14 M. dollar Police Center were simply not forthcomcing? Do you not know how much of our money he has squandered on plans for this building, the new software package; a $1485 Executive Desk Chair and other new furniture and who hired a finance officer who doesn't know a decimal from a $ sign and whose background seems to be a closely guarded secret - A man whose logic is so poor and his ego so large he thought Crestwood residents would approve of his BMW and its allowance and build him a Castle in which to appease his need for power. There are others in history whose story when told shouted of ways these kinds of transgressions could have been recognized.These warnings should be considered in this day and time. Crestwood Aldermen and political staffers best wise up as they are being led down a path by someone who will jump ship at the first sign of a real "hard place." Better make darned sure this guy and his FO put their John Hancock on the dotted line of the budget if and when it passes and realize whose fault and whose liability it will be if the spreadsheets are in endelible ink. In any other world, this guy would never have been considered for the job, never have been given the chance to lead us into the mess we are in and never have made 5 Aldermen and 2 ex-mayors stick their necks out so far. What were they thinking? Let's hope the good things that are beginning to happen will keep happening dispite these people who need to suck it in and repent or resign. It is now public knowledge that they are a detriment to Crestwood. It would be so much nicer to be nice, to have an open mind, to be a team. But sadly the nice guys are the minority and their voice can barely be heard over the sound of discention.
Why is the background of this finance officer, who apparently has trouble with math, so secretive? Sounds like some digging needs to take place. What did he/she do before being hired by the current CA\Police Chief? Recommendations, resume etc.? Isn't this public record?
The Finance officer's resume may, or may not be "public record". If you wish to find out for sure, just go to City hall, and ask the City Clerk for a "freedom of information" form, fill it out, and sit back and wait. Your answer will be in the form of the resume, or a rejection letter.
By the way, while your at it, request the resume of the City administrator, and see what happens.
Tom Ford
Well, just to put my two cents worth in, visa vi the remark about this blog being "a joke", I should like to post the following remark, from a man who knew a critic when he saw one.
How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct.
Benjamin Disraeli, speech, January 24, 1860
British politician (1804 - 1881)
You may not like it, but you know were right! Crestwood needs change, and soon if we are to become the "place people want to live, in South County"
Tom Ford, Ward Two
Crestwood, Missouri
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