Crestwood resident reflects on the "Blog", and the up-coming election!
I have been reading the blog for as long as its been in existence and quite frankly, I never even knew the word blog . However, it is a wonderful tool for people to voice their opinions. We need everybodys opinions if were ever going to be able to find solutions to all our problems. I find that I am like a whole lot of people who basically do not even like the word politics. One thing that greatly concerns me is that we have lawyers who want to become aldermen. I feel that in Crestwood we have had our share of incidents where lawyers have caused us a good deal of grief, either in becoming involved in lawsuits or charging us exorbitant fees for things weve not been privileged to know exactly what the fees were for. But of course, thats just my opinion. As a very educated man told me, lawyers dont write the laws, they only interrupt them. So when we get lawyers who want to become aldermen and find out that these lawyers have gone to college with each other or their wives and are great personal friends, how can they keep their interpretations objective? I also believe a lawyers job, if his firm has a healthy business, could not possible have time to do his aldermanic position justice. In reading Mayor Robertsons resignation, he admitted that these two jobs were too much to handle. And I agree. If we have a good, civic minded lawyer who really wants to help Crestwood, why not volunteer as City Attorney and save us all that money. Thats where a good lawyer would really be doing Crestwood a service.
The reason Im writing this is because as we get close to Election Day, Im concerned that many of our voters just might be voting for all the wrong reasons. We recently asked people why they had so and so's sign in their yard, and the replies were, We dont want to make anybody at church mad at us. I would think were voting aldermen in because of what they tell us they will do for Crestwood when they are sworn in. There are so many things that have happened in Crestwood since I moved here (7 years ago) I dont know how anyone can know the truth about everything. For awhile I was reading several hours a day five days a week just to catch up. I will tell you, its complicated but not impossible if youre as determined as I am. Im amazed at how much people dont know and if we dont know and dont care to find out, then we get exactly what we deserve.
Growing older has quite a few benefits. We have the time to dedicate to fact finding. We have seen mistakes and have seen how they could have been avoided. I agree that the mistakes of the past cannot necessarily be changed, but if they are not acknowledged and admitted to, how can things ever be changed. A good example of someone stepping up the plate was Tim Trueblood, who spoke (I am told) about past errors and in doing so earned every listener's respect.
I for one say Atta Boy, Tim.
And speaking of ATTA BOY, probably many of you know that this is one of McDonnell Douglas Aircrafts much repeated slogan. One awe shit wipes out a thousand Atta Boys.
And that expression brings to mind my dear friend Patrick Jim Murphy. Jim has worked tirelessly for the good of Crestwood. He was instrumental in helping the group that call ourselves Crestwood Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility stop the leasing of Westfield while the ill fated 14.6 million police facility was going to be built. How did it ever happen that our then C/A and Board of aldermen did not figure out we couldnt possible have afforded this project - to say nothing of not having the need for such an elaborate building. So how easily were our aldermen led by the garden path? And still some of them Still Will Not Admit to being part of it. So if the Alderman still left on the board after April 4th continue to think they are not guilty, what would make them do anything different after the election? So come on people, lets give Jim credit for all his many Atta Boys!
Thank God, next Tuesday, the 4th, we as a free people can go to the polls and vote any way we want. Im just going to be thankful I have the right to do that. In Ward 1, I know my man can do the best job for us because he helped stop the new 14.6 million police facility and he caught the errors being made in the budget, so Darryl has already proven himself to me.
So my hope is, we'll bring down the good old boys club and have people with the courage of their convictions become our new aldermen. Please use your consciences to vote for men who are qualified. Not those who have buddies at church or the swimmin hole. Also, please put your opinions on the blog. Nobodys going to bite you if you say something they dont agree with. For Heaven sake, dont be ashamed to sign your name to what you believe in. If you are going to put something on that you are ashamed of, it's probably your good common sense telling you not to do it in the first place.
Think about it, Pray about it, and finally Vote about it. Thank you,
Faye Clark
A Crestwood Citizen for Fiscal Responsibility
No. 102
The reason Im writing this is because as we get close to Election Day, Im concerned that many of our voters just might be voting for all the wrong reasons. We recently asked people why they had so and so's sign in their yard, and the replies were, We dont want to make anybody at church mad at us. I would think were voting aldermen in because of what they tell us they will do for Crestwood when they are sworn in. There are so many things that have happened in Crestwood since I moved here (7 years ago) I dont know how anyone can know the truth about everything. For awhile I was reading several hours a day five days a week just to catch up. I will tell you, its complicated but not impossible if youre as determined as I am. Im amazed at how much people dont know and if we dont know and dont care to find out, then we get exactly what we deserve.
Growing older has quite a few benefits. We have the time to dedicate to fact finding. We have seen mistakes and have seen how they could have been avoided. I agree that the mistakes of the past cannot necessarily be changed, but if they are not acknowledged and admitted to, how can things ever be changed. A good example of someone stepping up the plate was Tim Trueblood, who spoke (I am told) about past errors and in doing so earned every listener's respect.
I for one say Atta Boy, Tim.
And speaking of ATTA BOY, probably many of you know that this is one of McDonnell Douglas Aircrafts much repeated slogan. One awe shit wipes out a thousand Atta Boys.
And that expression brings to mind my dear friend Patrick Jim Murphy. Jim has worked tirelessly for the good of Crestwood. He was instrumental in helping the group that call ourselves Crestwood Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility stop the leasing of Westfield while the ill fated 14.6 million police facility was going to be built. How did it ever happen that our then C/A and Board of aldermen did not figure out we couldnt possible have afforded this project - to say nothing of not having the need for such an elaborate building. So how easily were our aldermen led by the garden path? And still some of them Still Will Not Admit to being part of it. So if the Alderman still left on the board after April 4th continue to think they are not guilty, what would make them do anything different after the election? So come on people, lets give Jim credit for all his many Atta Boys!
Thank God, next Tuesday, the 4th, we as a free people can go to the polls and vote any way we want. Im just going to be thankful I have the right to do that. In Ward 1, I know my man can do the best job for us because he helped stop the new 14.6 million police facility and he caught the errors being made in the budget, so Darryl has already proven himself to me.
So my hope is, we'll bring down the good old boys club and have people with the courage of their convictions become our new aldermen. Please use your consciences to vote for men who are qualified. Not those who have buddies at church or the swimmin hole. Also, please put your opinions on the blog. Nobodys going to bite you if you say something they dont agree with. For Heaven sake, dont be ashamed to sign your name to what you believe in. If you are going to put something on that you are ashamed of, it's probably your good common sense telling you not to do it in the first place.
Think about it, Pray about it, and finally Vote about it. Thank you,
Faye Clark
A Crestwood Citizen for Fiscal Responsibility
No. 102
posted by Crestwood Independent at 17:42
72 Comments:
Let me get this straight - you still support your mayor AND jim murphy? How is that possible? I saw murphy speaking against Mayor Robinson's tax increase at the town hall meeting. there was almost a physical fight to get the microphone away from murphy. I know you adore him, you look at him in public the way Mrs. Reagan gazed at President Reagan. But use your head - ask yourself how can you be in favor of the mayor and his tax increase AND still support murphy's delusional rantings in opposition to the tax increase? Seems you are the last to realize murphy just used you to oppose the tax increase last year in order to keep the taxes down on the multiple homes he owns in the city. If you truly support the mayor's tax increase, you must realize murpy is not looking out for the best interests of the city. So which is it? Is murphy the savior of crestwood or robinson?
So the previous blogger says you can't be in favor of the tax and still
have consideration for Jim Murphy because he is against it. That's just what
is wrong with this town. If you have a difference of opinion than others,
that means your friendships with those who oppose you are terminated. People
are so afraid of defending their right to be different that they won't even put
a sign out in their yards for fear of retaliation from neighbors who differ
from them.
This open forum blog isn't called "crestwood independent" for nothing, yet
almost no one has the guts to sign their names. Mrs. Clark doesn't have to
answer to you or anyone else for what she believes in.
Everything isn't black and white in case you don't know about what life is
all about. We have to coexist with one another. There have been many comments
on this blog where people have sounded off on those persons who are put in
responsible positions who make us angry. We may say things that are
unprofessional about them, but no one should be put up against a wall to make a choice
about who they like or dislike; or made to feel guilty saying so.
I don't think that Mrs. Clark should even answer your silly question. If you
want to dislike Mr. Murphy, that's your call. But he has done a lot for this
community and that is my call. It doesn't mean that I agree with everything
he says. If you want to put up walls because this person or that person isn't
agreeing with you, but refuse to give them any credit for all of the good
things they have done, don't get angry with people who have a different opinion.
So what that he got up and spoke and nobody listened. I am sure that has
happened to him in his political career. What have you done for your city lately?
It takes dedication to speak what you feel is right in front of those who
are nay sayers but that is everyone's first amendment right.
I think that Mr. Murphy and I do agree on the fact that it is hard to put the
past transgressions of the previous administration behind us. The people who
are responsible for getting us in this hell hole, have never admitted any
wrong doing and two have been paid very well for dragging our city into a
financial chaos. Lawyer fees could have paid off the National debt. It makes me sick
but Don Greer was never questioned and things that were not right were never
checked out. I know it makes me crazy every time I think about it and it
should never ever be forgotten. Some on the board of aldermen at that time, did
not do their jobs. The only problem is that these people will never admit guilt
and will never have the courage to say so.
Enough with the Jim Murphy story. He wasn't well received - so what! He is
not perfect but he has put himself out there for us for years. Let's stop
hammering away at the things that are nothing compared to what we have ahead of
us as a city. We need people who are about the citizens not another bunch of
politicians talking out of both sides of their mouths to make themselves look
good; leading Crestwood down the primrose path to destruction. Let's go
forward from here.
Well, we may speculate on who the savior of Crestwood will be, but we know one thing for sure, it's not you!
Please tell us what a coward who will not put their name on this blog has done for Crestwood lately?
Jim Murphy has earned the right to speak at any function he chooses to. You, on the other hand haven't paid your dues, and you haven't done a thing for Crestwood, other than whine!
I support Roy and the City's tax increase because I understand it is necessary. I appreciate and respect Jim Murphy because he had the insight to stop the unnecessary spending on a 14.6 million dollar police facility. Jim has tried to explain that when people misuse public money, rushing to give them more to spend without knowing if they will handle it wisely is the issue. The fact that Jim has managed his money well and owns more than just one home proves he understands how to handle money. I'll admit I think highly of Jim Murphy and Carol Murphy and Jimmie Murphy. You can imply something more but it just won't fly. The ridiculous choice of words such as 'savior' for Crestwood. Neither man would aspire to that position as they are both Christians and are happy being humble servants to the Citizens of Crestwood. Both of them and I know what the true meaning of that word is. Vote your conscience and get off the bandwagon. It has a weight limit.
Faye Clark
Ms. Clark, the person who said such ignorant things about your friendship with Jim M. I'd bet my paycheck its a jealous female. It's well known in Crestwood how hard you and your husband have worked to clean up the mess and some of us are proud of you for your efforts. My advise to you is ignore the ignorant. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. Probably the person cutting you is the fat girl who works at the swimming pool. I've heard her make snide remarks about you before. Not to worry. You are a winner, she is not.
Don and Faye Clark have been gems to Crestwood. Without their hardwork and dedication, Crestwood would be in quite a fix. They consistently move forward and work for a better community. Community involvement is not easy. You can read this blog and realize how much tension there is in this town. Whoever wins the election, and whether Prop S passes or fails, this town needs some healing.
To 6:37 (a.k.a. anonymous #1)
I support Mayor Robinson but I DO NOT support Proposition S. I guess I don't fit so nicely into your world.
To the previous Blogger:
I respect your feelings about Prop S. However, how do you propose we pay off our debt. Please consider this, if additional cuts have to be made, which service do we cut first? Police or fire? If it is Fire, tell me which of the three Fire depts (Fenton @ .767, Affton @ .939 or Mehlville @ .855) you would chose? I like to think Crestwood @ .441 is a pretty good option.
Forget about the fact that the city is in debt. If our city tax was 70 cents per hundred wouldn't that still be cheaper than the rates the previous blogger stated? I live in the annexed area and would be paying Affton the .939 rate today not to mention the 1.067 on my Personal Property. So Crestwood annexation was a sweet money deal for me.
Very important question? Who was the man sitting next to Char Braun at the town hall meeting. Was he a fireman? If not, who put him up to trying to stop Mr. Murphy from speaking? Someone knows who he is, more than likely someone set him up to harass Mr. Murphy, we need to find out his name and who put him up to this. Step up to the plate if you know. If we collectively cannot identify a man who sits front row seat at our town hall meeting, maybe we need to get sharpened up!
His name is Joe. He doesn't know Char Braun. He lives down the street from me. He's a nice guy but doesn't like the fact that a positive meeting turned negative. He said it's no offense to Mr. Murphy but he hates the book Mr. Murphy gave out and wishes that the city he moved into would not have sponsored a negative speaker. I don't know that I agree since all sides should be heard. He is thinking about running for Alderman.
Foolish writers and readers are created for each other.
- Horace Walpole (1717 - 1797)
"You can't polish a turd Beavis, you'll only get crap on your hands. Huh huh huh huh huh! "
-Butthead (Mid 1990s')
Hopefully that will lighten the mood a little!
Does this story remind you of politics in Crestwood?
History of April Fool's Day
Many of the ancient cultures such as Romans and Hindus and the medieval Europeans used to celebrate New Year's Day on sometime near the vernal equinox that could range from March 20th to April 5th. In the Julian calendar, April 1st was designated as the New Year's Day and was so celebrated till 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII ordered the adoption of the new Gregorian Calendar, which specified January 1st as the New Year's Day. However, due to slow communications and resistance of people to change their traditions, many people continued to celebrate New Year's Day as before on 1st of April. Scottish only adopted the new calendar in 1660, Germans, Danish and Norwegians in 1700 and English in 1752.
Many French resisted the change and neoiites dubbed them as fools and played pranks on them. They started sending them on 'fool's errands', sent them the fake invitations for parties and tricked them into believing something false. The victims were called 'Poisson d'Avril' or 'April Fish' as the naïve fish gets caught easily and children would often tag of a fish's picture on someone's back.
http://www.thefoolsday.com/april-fool-history.html
Please don't be like the resistant people in the story above. Don't be labeled a fool.
Be respectful of each other.
Couldn't help myself, here's another example of Crestwood politics.
Framing The Victim
If you live in a hostel or a dormitory, this one is a must. This is a sure hit, especially to teach the bullies.
Choose your victim.
When everybody is outside, exchange everybody's articles including yours except the victim's such as placing somebody's books on other people's tables, placing someone's clothes in other people's boxes and closets, exchanging the identity cards of the students, relocating the alarm clocks and pen stands of the people.
Alternatively, you can prank everybody except the chosen one. Prank yourself too.
Exclaim surprise and anger like everybody else and point out that the victim has not been pranked or has misplaced things.
Naturally, people will take him to be the prankster.
Rest depends on the kind of group you have.
http://www.thefoolsday.com/april-fool-arts/framing-the-victim.html
Isn't finger pointing silly?
Is it true that Faye and Don Clark are members of Crestwood Smart Growth Alliance, Crestwood Fiscal Responsibility and Propositio S Committee?
Does Faye and Don Clark own a business in Crestwood or are they commercial real estate agents?
http://www.edabuse.com/6_benifits.htm
http://www.timesnewspapers.com/stories/20030725/crestdevelopment.html
http://www.timesnewspapers.com/stories/20050624/petition.html
I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with typewriters.
- Frank Lloyd Wright
Ham Strung
Claim: Exchange between legal secretaries over the whereabouts of the makings of a ham sandwich leads to both being fired.
Status: True.
Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2005]
KATRINA NUGENT 9.39am: Yesterday I put my lunch in the fridge on Level 19 which included a packet of ham, some cheese slices and two slices of bread which was going to be for my lunch today. Over night it has gone missing and as I have no spare money to buy another lunch today, I would appreciate being reimbursed for it.
MELINDA BIRD 9.55: Katrina, There are items fitting your exact description in the level 20 fridge. Are you sure you didn't place your lunch in the wrong fridge yesterday?
KATRINA NUGENT 10.06: Melinda, probably best you don't reply to all next time, would be annoyed to the lawyers. The kitchen was not doing dinner last night, so obviously someone has helped themselves to my lunch. Really sweet of you to investigate for me!
MELINDA BIRD 10.14: Katrina, since I used to be a float and am still on the level 19 email list I couldn't help but receive your ridiculous email - lucky me! You use our kitchen all the time for some unknown reason and I saw the items you mentioned in the fridge so naturally thought you may have placed them in the wrong fridge. Thanks I know I'm sweet and I only had your best interests at heart. Now as you would say, "BYE"!
KATRINA NUGENT 10.15: I'm not blonde!!!
MELINDA BIRD 10.16: Being a brunette doesn't mean you're smart though!
KATRINA NUGENT 10.17: I definitely wouldn't trade places with you for "the world"!
MELINDA BIRD 10.19: I wouldn't trade places with you for the world... I don't want your figure!
KATRINA NUGENT 10.21: Let's not get person (sic) "Miss Can't Keep A Boyfriend". I am in a happy relationship, have a beautiful apartment, brand new car, high pay job...say no more!!
MELINDA BIRD 10.23: Oh my God I'm laughing! happy relationship (you have been with so many guys), beautiful apartment (so what), brand new car (me too), high pay job (I earn more)....say plenty more... I have 5 guys at the moment! haha.
Origins: Once again, access to immediate communication has contributed to a bit of mayhem in the workplace. The e-mail contretemps reproduced above was the real thing and took place in September 2005 between two secretaries employed by the prestigious Australasian legal firm Allens Arthur Robinson at their office in Sydney, Australia.
The pair's e-mail spat was forwarded to colleagues at Allens, who copied it to rival firms, including Mallesons, Phillips Fox and Gadens. Soon it was sweeping the city's legal and financial offices, drawing comments from employees of Westpac, Deloitte, Macquarie Bank and JP Morgan. The two secretaries who had descended into slinging words at one another were fired by the firm..
Communication by e-mail comes at a price often unrecognized by those it makes fools of until it becomes painfully obvious after the fact — its informal nature can lead to breakdowns of ordinary civility that occur almost in the blink of an eye. Thanks to the speed with which views can be exchanged, casual back-and-forths between co-workers can turn nasty very quickly when — one person's dander having been raised by the other's misphrasing of a request, piece of information or proffered bit of advice — a recipient reacts in anger and zings back a deliberately antagonistic response. A recipe for disaster comes to fruition when both parties fall into the deadly pattern of reacting in knee-jerk fashion to one another's communiqués rather than choosing to break the cycle by not replying or by letting a day or two pass before sending a follow up. As tempers heat up, the exchanges become less mannerly and more vituperative, with each party's efforts to get the last word or put the other in his place leading to further descents into unprofessional behavior.
In the Nugent/Bird exchange, notice how as tempers frayed, the interval between e-mails shortened: A somewhat defensible request for reimbursement for pilfered sandwich makings (at 9:39 a.m.) was initially met with what appears to be potentially helpful information (9:55 a.m.), but once the discussion between the two clerical workers degenerated into the opening round of unpleasantries (10:06 a.m.), the e-mails were shot back and forth in response to messages that had barely been read, let alone digested, considered and weighed by the combatants (10:14 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 10:16 a.m., 10:17 a.m., 10:19 a.m., 10:21 a.m., and 10:23 a.m.). Neither party permitted herself time to reflect on what was happening, choosing instead to escalate the situation by continuing to lash out in anger.
Above referenced:
http://www.snopes.com/embarrass/email/ham.asp
This party is great to consider being in office...
http://www.lemonparty.org
I can answer this for you as Faye said after that 'dootsie' comment about how she looks at Jim Murphy, she decided not to go on anymore because she says 'you can't cure stupid' Faye just turned 72 and she & Don moved to Crestwood to retire to a nice quiet peaceful community. They were part of the original Crestwood Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility and to quote her either you're for responsibility or irresponsibility. Which are you. No business ever, just two hard working people who saved their money to retire here but then they heard about Don Greer wanting a 14.6 million dollar police facility and that got them going, didn't it get you going? Or are you one of our 'liberal' borrow and spend people. I'll bet your going to have a hard time finding something bad to pin on them. But good luck, it seems to be the best game in town right now.
Hi Joe. So if it was you at the meeting tues nite, why did you feel you had the right to get up into Murphy's face. If you'd read what he passed out, it's a collection of facts. Now if indeed you decide to run for alderman, unless you get into the habit of reading all the facts, then you will be uninformed. Some of the facts in crestwood are negative, almost $600,000 worth of receipts from lawyers with no explanation of what the money went for. Everyone has the right to know this, yet we can't get it and any alderman worth his salt would not quit trying till he got the facts. It's like the saying goes: the messenger gets shot!
In his face? Not quite! Try again. Somebody should have got up sooner and told Jim that he was doing a good job of clearing the room. I commend you Mrs. Maddox, for standing up and challenging the apparent "icon" that is Jim Murphy. I was getting out of my seat to leave when he started to yell at her, so I figure I'd stay just to see how far he would go. I am emmbarrased to think I used to look up to this man. We all know about these legal bills Jim. That was the PAST administration. Fagan, Robertson, Greer, and a few others. For the most part they are gone! Let Roy do the job that I voted for him to do. Besides you are the one that said I should vote for him. As far as public speaking goes, you used to earn an A+ in my book, but now you're getting nothing but an F-!
To the previous blogger, get a life! Take your bitterness and hatred elsewhere.
He who is of calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age, but to him who is of an opposite disposition youth and age are equally a burden.
Plato, The Republic
Greek author & philosopher in Athens (427 BC - 347 BC)
$600,000 in lawyer bills? Is this true? Who got the money? What was this for?
Edward R. Murrow:
A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.
Percy Bysshe Shelley:
Fear not for the future, weep not for the past.
Yes, $600,000 to lawyers in the past three years. Jim Murphy passed out a green colored brochure at the Tuesday meeting. It had every invoice number for the services and the description for the charges was "for services rendered'. It is true that it happened before Roy. Does that mean we just forget why there was no description of what the services were for. Maybe if we get that, we'll also get the "WHO" the ordered and paid for these expenses. This booklet is what got 'Joe' upset. How can anyone be afraid of finding out the truth? My guess is when the truth comes out, somebody is going to be proved to have had his hand in the cookie jar!
To the chief blogger: Who do you think wants to read all the crap about cartoon characters and joke type things. We're talking serious business here, we don't need to cushion the blows if we're dealing with adults. What ridiculous waste of my time. I'm gone, I'll read The Call, it's slanted, but at least they're talking adult stuff.
Don't forget to visit their office to get your side printed. You got them on speed dial?
The chief blogger respondes: Yes, you should cushion your blows! That is what is known as polite conversation. I have seen those that forget polite conversation in their attempt to make a point. What you term as jokes and "cr%p" are actually stories about life that points out juvenile behavior and it's consequences. Some people post here using juvenile behavior. Important issues are indeed discussed here. Healthy and inquisitive conversation. A learning experience if you will.
Some that post here are addicted to the strife of it all. the funny part of it is you may be seeing those that are attacked here in a social setting or business setting and be extremely nice to them. That is the point! Treat others as you would like to be treated. Talk business and politics, but be adult and respectful. The ramifications of being juvenile are pointed out in the stories. Some posters end up looking juvenile and foolish. I don't believe for a minute that you'll quit posting on this blog.
If morality is offensive then those offended are immoral.
the chief blogger additional comment: I had to come back and clear one thing up. When the above blogger refered to jokes I'll let you know that the one abour polishing a t%rd was not mine. I don't know who did that. That was crude and I would not do that.
Regarding this blog message, Jim Murphy's appearance at the meeting, and
those who think the past cannot be repeated.
The money spent for lawyer fees is only being recanted over and over again
because most of us can't believe that the Mayor and aldermen at that time, who
accepted stewardship for the citizens of Crestwood, let it happen.
Now we have an election where people who can help turn the tide may not be
elected and candidates who seem to want to make excuses for the previous mayor
and the aldermen could be elected and we could have more of the same rebellion.
Several of these candidates assisted the previous mayor and had allegiances
with him and his board members. The mayor will never be able to go forward if
this happens since everyone knows that Tom Fagan and his followers hate the
mayor - to this day.
Jim Murphy as well as so many others feel compelled to keep reminded the
citizens, who have so many other things to worry about, that they can't loose
site of what has happened so as not to repeat it by electing the wrong people.
The previous board or mayor were never asked for accountability and they
should have been asked. We are talking about a humongus amount of city money
going out to lawyers as well as a 14 million dollar police facility and more.
Don Greer had a field day with this town and we let him do it. The lawyers at
that time definitely were reaping and we were going in the hole! Jim
Murphy's material shows it in black and white. Seeing it in black and white is
different than saying it and it would make any person sick. If you care!
That is one big concern of Jim Murphy's as it should be. Don Greer was
allowed to do whatever he wanted and up until this point in time, I have seen no
one come out and say as much so that the people in this town can hear it. If it
is said a thousand times, you will never get any of them to admit it and what
is worse they don't feel responsible.
What is said is that in order to get rid of Don Greer, he is rewarded along
with his ????? who didn't know how to count 1 plus 1. So Greer gets rewarded
and we never get one, honest and truthful response from any of those who made
him King Almighty in the first place - Tom Fagan and his Faganites who thought
Don Greer could lead us to the promised land.
We should all be angry; we should all be up in arms over it. One man was
allowed to come in and create a mess because that administration didn't mind the
store. Now we all suffer for it. But if you say something or ask about it,
people get angry at you and me and even make excuses that "it was in the past".
Had you or I done that to the city, it would be the biggest story that ever
hit the South County News.
Sandy Grave
I heard that the majority of the $600,000 in lawyer fees got paid to one law firm.... One that Don Greer and former Mayor Robertson have CLOSE ties with. Why were they being paid so much.... to hide what?
Alderman Trueblood stated at Ward 2's breakfast meeting that had he REALIZED the impact of LOSING almost 1 million dollars per year to the surrounding communities a part of the Hancock Amendment - 10 YEARS AGO - he would have and SHOULD HAVE proposed changes to the budget to offset that.
The city continued on the same budgetary couse and without those adjustment and that 1 MILLION DOLLARS in VITAL REVENUE the city went into debt.
It's very simple to see why there was a budgetary surplus in the 90's ..and with excess spending on legal bills and BMW's and expensive office furniture how we ended up in debt!
It's that simple!
We lost a million a year, we are losing 3-4% sales tax income on average per year, and there was some abuse, at the least negligence, in not facing these issues.
Had we had during those times, a financially cognizant leader in this city, we would not be facing this debt. We certainly should have had a reality check before the breakdown occurred.
Now Crestwood is in the position of paying off that debt and finding ways of stabilizing their income needs for the future.
Alderman Trueblood was, thank goodness, willing to admit missing the ball 10 YEARS AGO!
That is why Prop S is so vitally important.
How else are we to correct the problems that others made. Honestly, had they recognized these problems of losing a million a year, we would have had higher taxes years ago to keep from going into debt.
We can do nothing but recognize in hindsight that we have to stabilize the finances of the city. Any more delay will cost even more money in the form of higher interest rates at the bank. At least Mayor Robinson stated that Prop S will give them the ability to shop around for the best interest rates because they can guarantee the income to pay the loan.
Sandy, only one leader has admitted having some degree of guilt. I think that's the best we are going to get!
Albert Einstein:
The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.
Which financial institution does Char Braun work for in St. Louis?
Has her company made any money on selling the bonds for our multiple TIF's and on the bonds for remodeling the WhiteCliff Park?
John W. Gardner:
Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all.
"Hocus Pocus, Sixth and Locust...HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" Herman Munster, 1964
"Take my wife...PLEASE! I take my wife everywhere but she finds her way home!" Henny Youngman
People tell me that Senator Edwards got picked for his good looks, his sex appeal, and his great hair. I say to them, 'How do you think I got the job?
-- Dick Cheney
Relative to the Tax Increase on the April 4 ballot in Crestwood, the ballot language for the proposed 20/100 tax increase on the April 4 ballot in Crestwood is far too vague. It states, in part: “for the purpose of paying off any loans or indebtedness, eliminating any encumbrances of city owned property, providing sufficient funds for cash flow to remove the need for a line of credit, and thereafter providing city services to the residents of Crestwood …"
Please note it does not state for the “sole” purpose of paying off “current” debt nor does it define “any.” Presently Crestwood has a 3.5 M dollar Line of Credit with city property as collateral. Could the April 4 tax increase ballot language be construed up the road to “include loans, indebtedness, or encumbrances” on NEWLY ACQUIRED CITY PROPERTY and DEBT? It is a known fact the "excuse" used to build the citizen halted $14 Million Dollar City Hall retrofit was that "residents voted for it, wanted it, needed it." A result of complex, vague and misconstrued ballot language. Is history going to repeat itself? Can I be assured it won't? How?
Paying off debt on NEW acquisitions and loans with the new tax dollars could also be defined as providing sufficient funds for cash flow to remove the need for a line of credit. If this would occur, it could pose a need to expand the 7-year period. I fail to see where “verbal only promises” translates to “pay bills first and foremost” or will prevent expanding the parameters of the tax increase to accommodate a return to tax and spend. It simply does not guarantee “which bills” or give assurance to voters there is no wiggle room for the use of their money. Strict adherence to a continued no spend zone "coupled" with the election of a fiscally intensive and less political board is the best way we can be "assured" of the promise of providing city services to residents and security for our employees. Residents need ballot insurance that does not compromise the intent of the tax increase and assurance that history will not repeat itself in Crestwood. An enviable tax rate is exactly why many of us remain in Crestwood and why cities incorporate in the first place.
Why wasn't Crestwood's Expendable Trust fund used to help decrease the amount of the line of credit, perhaps to the degree that city property would not have had to be used for collateral, or it could conceivably have been used to reduce the 7 year time span.
Noone Innocent Envisions Distrust Everyone Recognizes,
Seeing To Every Variance Envisionable
should be the job responsibility of a good lawyer.
Christopher Reeve:
I think we all have a little voice inside us that will guide us. It may be God, I don't know. But I think that if we shut out all the noise and clutter from our lives and listen to that voice, it will tell us the right thing to do.
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.
9:40 am 3/26 blogger - the $.441 will only pay down debt for quite awhile - it will NOT pay for services. How do you expect to do that when the general fund is almost $1mil in debt? That fund pays the employees that provide the services.
Sugget you ask Trueblood, who apparently was asleep at the wheel. The 1 Million per year we lose to other cities (Hancock Amendment) has been a secret for HOWWWWWWW LONG?? He was an Alderman for HOWWWWWWWWWW long?While this man was massaging Fagan, Greer and Vincent and playing sidekick to Kelle-burr, Breeding and Duwe Do Nothing, he was part and parcel to the tragedy which is Crestwood. He had every opportunity to prevent all this angst. Made himself Pres of the Board (not on the agenda that night)and then went after the new Mayor with Roberts Rules of order clutched firmly to his bosom. How impressive. What a disappointment to those who voted for him and will see him leave office a total stranger. How did this man get roped in? I thought he was smarter than this.
To the previous blogger from 8:30PM - Thank you! For too long, the city has used vague ballot language. While there has been some improvement (e.g. a new police station wasn't even mentioned in the capital improvements extension ballot language several years ago), there is still some editing and clarification to do. When I read "any loans or indebtedness" on the ballot language, I became concerned. Indebtedness could mean a utility bill, stationary supplies, or whatever. From the way I read the language, the city would only be required to pay bills - any bills. The "or indebtedness" phrase gives the city an out.
My additional concern with Proposition S is that it is being sold as a tax with a sunset provision. So was the capital improvements tax back in 1993. I know of no taxes with sunset provisions that have not been brought back to the voters. Once a tax is approved, it is extremely difficult to get rid of it.
We have some of the highest sales tax rates in St. Louis County. For the same product at the same store and at the same price, it is cheaper to shop other areas than it is in Crestwood - thanks in part to tax abatement programs and propositions that have not served us so well.
I know that our real estate taxes our low now, but are we on the road to the highest real estate taxes? True, we are getting a bargain, but for how long?
blogger 10:59, Trueblood was smart enought to know it wasn't the Hancock Amendment that caused the reduction in amount of sales tax Crestwood got to keep but it was the actions County Excutive Buzz Westhold got passed and approved by the State House of which one member was named Jim Murphy.
Nice letter Jimmy, good to see you havent lost your special touch in letter writing. Stop by Barnes and Noble sometime, there is a copy of Roberts Rules waiting there for you to read and learn. After doing so you can teach the new mayor how to use Roberts for his own and the City's betterment. Learning them and using them will make him a better mayor,that is not meant to be a put down, just a suggestion on how he can improve.
To the previous blogger, I've written entries in this blog but not the 10:59 one. You are close though. And it's Westfall, not Westhold and nice distortion, but Jim Murphy did not vote for the sales tax redistribution plan. I'm glad you enjoy my letters. Jimmy
Jimmy, I thought you were taking a break from Crestwood politics. Oh well, there's no time like the present to stab and old friend in the back.
Regarding this blog message, Jim Murphy's appearance at the meeting, and
those who think the past cannot be repeated.
The money spent for lawyer fees is only being recanted over and over again
because most of us can't believe that the Mayor and aldermen at that time, who
accepted stewardship for the citizens of Crestwood, let it happen.
Now we have an election where people who can help turn the tide may not be
elected and candidates who seem to want to make excuses for the previous mayor
and the aldermen could be elected and we could have more of the same rebellion.
Several of these candidates assisted the previous mayor and had allegiances
with him and his board members. The mayor will never be able to go forward if
this happens since everyone knows that Tom Fagan and his followers hate the
mayor - to this day.
Jim Murphy as well as so many others feel compelled to keep reminded the
citizens, who have so many other things to worry about, that they can't loose
site of what has happened so as not to repeat it by electing the wrong people.
The previous board or mayor were never asked for accountability and they
should have been asked. We are talking about a humongus amount of city money
going out to lawyers as well as a 14 million dollar police facility and more.
Don Greer had a field day with this town and we let him do it. The lawyers at
that time definitely were reaping and we were going in the hole! Jim
Murphy's material shows it in black and white. Seeing it in black and white is
different than saying it and it would make any person sick. If you care!
That is one big concern of Jim Murphy's as it should be. Don Greer was
allowed to do whatever he wanted and up until this point in time, I have seen no
one come out and say as much so that the people in this town can hear it. If it
is said a thousand times, you will never get any of them to admit it and what
is worse they don't feel responsible.
What is said is that in order to get rid of Don Greer, he is rewarded along
with his ????? who didn't know how to count 1 plus 1. So Greer gets rewarded
and we never get one, honest and truthful response from any of those who made
him King Almighty in the first place - Tom Fagan and his Faganites who thought
Don Greer could lead us to the promised land.
We should all be angry; we should all be up in arms over it. One man was
allowed to come in and create a mess because that administration didn't mind the
store. Now we all suffer for it. But if you say something or ask about it,
people get angry at you and me and even make excuses that "it was in the past".
Had you or I done that to the city, it would be the biggest story that ever
hit the South County News.
Sandy Grave
I have switched my vote for Proposition S so our Mayor and Board of Alderman can purchase a copy of "Pac Man" for their new laptops to mimic how they are "gobbling" up all of our taxpayer money for "no rhyme and reason"!
Instead why not bring in the right Alderman Wallach, Nieder, Roby, and Ford. You can trust them to say "no" to excess spending!
After all, the were part of the group that stopped the 14.2 million expenditure for a new "police facility" we never could have built (paid for)!
Please advise exactly when the new laptops you referred to arrived on the scene. I thought the spending spree was over, or are you kidding. Please say yes.
It's not nice to fool mother nature or the taxpayers.
NO NEW ANYTHING
NO SECRETS
NO SURPRISES
OR
NO NEW TAXES
Don Greer bought the laptops before in left.
I don't know about the laptops, the only new things I saw in roy's office after he got in was two new flags (like the oval office!) and a television set. I'm glad we have a full-time mayor who is retired and can spend his days watching television in his office. How much money did we spend on new furniture for the new city administrator?
Would those be AMERICAN, AND STATE FLAGS?
What would you expect, mr/ms liberal? Good grief, why not? Several of my friends fought and died under those flag's, so what the heck is your problem?
Greer bought laptops.
Wuuuuuuuuuuderful.
Was he spinning straw into gold or what. And they were approved by WHO?
Are they all accounted for?
You know the ones he and his financial genius had in their trunks.
Seriously, can anyone tell me - did we buy new furniture for the City Administrator's office???
No furnishings for the CA. Mr. Greer and Ms. Madrid approved the purchases.
Check, the mayor did approve a furniture purchase for the new ca, and I don't care what anything 'stands for', I don't care if it's flags or laptops, should we be spending money on ANYTHING except our employee's salaries right now?
Did the new CA take the Mayor up on his "offer"? According to the interview in the paper he did not. The previous CA/Police Chief would not have hesitated one minute as evident by the $800/month BMW Allowence.
ask someone, where did the chair he's sitting on and the desk he's working at come from?
ok, where did the desk he working on and the chair he is sitting on cme from?
Moment of Truth, please.
Can't prove this is true, but rumor has it that the 1200.00 black leather chair that was Greers has been given to Kim Cottle. It seems someone must have thought it was too good to leave for Roy to use. Yeah, they are going to work with Roy - when pigs fly.
Well, the "chair", at a cost of $1479.89, is still at city hall (thank goodness), and is being used as we speak!
But, hey, that's old news! If you don't like this type of spending, please elect, Neider, Wallach, Ford, and Roby!
In other words please vote for Mr. Howard, Mr. Fine, Mr. Howard and a player to be named later.
Since you charactarize these men this way, will you be working against them if they sit on the board? Will we be looking forward to many many more years of bickering from you? Or are you ready to work together with these men to secure Crestwood's future? Take a moment to reflect on your own motivations for your actions. Are you really caring about all of us or are you politically motivated for your own selfish interests?
No matter who sits on that board, put your demons aside and work with them. Cooperate! for the betterment of our city.
Word has it there is an outgoing alderman (aka Sherlock) who has enough spare time on his hands to nurture the crusade on how many word darts and clever/cutsie snide remarks can be posted and "inspired" on this site. This parallels his and his Jr. partner's very public conduct on the board and their ability to keep this crusade, with all its easily identifiable players against good sense in government, front and center. All who participate in this round robin of the oh so easily identifiable players and their barrage of bitterness are the sticks and stones that are hurting the city. Their remarks are so trite as to actually become comedic release for those of us who tune in just to see how sophomore they can get with the help of their retired coach. I especially like it when they freak out when they get deserved rebuttal or a receipt in kind for their trouble. They sure don't like it now do they, pal, yawn, dude. If their antics continue to negatively influence this city in the future, they will have a very narrow playing field as the scrutiny will be such that scoring a touchdown will automaticly demand an instant replay and we will all be tuned in and watching.
I agree. Obviously we're talking about Tim and Jim. Hey, that sounds cute...the "Tim and Jim Show!" Don't worry though, one is of to Oklahoma from what I hear and hopeully taking the boss lady (as the neighbors say) with him. Now onto James. Does this guy have a job yet?
Is liberalism a mental disease?
What causes a red complexion? High blood pressure? unresolved conflicts? A bad childhood? Poor toilet training too early in life?
How can a adult respect noone? Is this because they don't respect themselves? Were they raised to think they are so much better than everyone else around them, they don't have to respect anyone?
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