Congratulations to the new B.O.A members!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, Please allow me to congratulate the new Alderman, and especially Mr. Chris Pickel, who put forth an excellent campaign! We all know that in the heat of battle several sentiments come forth on both sides, but today is the day we must put aside our differences, and work together for Crestwood. To those who voted, and worked for me, thank you, to those who voted for Mr. Pickel, thank your for voting your beliefs.
Crestwood needs all of us working toward the same goal's if she is to prosper, so what say we do that, get behind Mayor Robinson, and the new board, and move forward.
The Crestwood Independent will remain in effect for ideas, suggestions, and the news and views of Crestwood, so please use it, it's your site.
Tom Ford
Ward Two
No.115
Crestwood needs all of us working toward the same goal's if she is to prosper, so what say we do that, get behind Mayor Robinson, and the new board, and move forward.
The Crestwood Independent will remain in effect for ideas, suggestions, and the news and views of Crestwood, so please use it, it's your site.
Tom Ford
Ward Two
No.115
posted by Crestwood Independent at 09:21
53 Comments:
Dear friends on the blog--now that the election is over, I bid you farewell. I have enjoyed sharing your paranoia, negativity, toxic resentment and consipiracy theories. But, alas, it is time for me to move on because my attachment to the blog was bordering on obsession. And to take a page out of Mr. Ford's book,I will leave you with quote that really sums up my feelings--"if you lie down with dog's, you get up with fleas" I am feeling a bit itchy--so I must say--BUH BYE
Very sincerly yours,
Yawn
Glad to see you want to move forward, but the comment regarding "excellent campaign" is just another example of how you position yourself. Previous comments indicated you believed differently.
It's good to see that the people of ward 2 did not get fooled by the firefighters union. Fool me once, shame on you--fool me twice, shame on me. They fell for it with Roy, but they didn't fall for it again. The people of Crestwood value and respect the firefighters that protect our city. They don't respect a union that tries to come in and trick everyone into voting for a candidate by bringing people in from all over, encouraging them to wear their jackets and other apparel that indicated they are firefighters....well done citizens of ward 2.
I believe that the citizens now believe Crestwood needs money since the increase in taxes has been approved. Too bad this revelation was not last year by the current mayor. We would be really out of debt and moving forward. As it stands today, even with this increase, the General Fund still cannot afford to pay for our current level of services. Now what?
Congratulations to both Mr. Pickel and Mr. Bland...perhaps there will be some balance on the board after all. Keep an eye on things boys, two more years and hopefully we will have a real Mayor. Until then, keep your eyes open.
How I position my-self? How is the view from the cheap seats?
When you put up your $5.00 to run for office I will be impressed, until then, continue to be negitive if you will, but you only hurt Mr. Pickel!
He who is elected can be re-called you know!
Tom Ford
Ward Two
Proud member CCFR,
Gee, Tom, no bitterness there eh? Not even one full day in office and you are threatening to recall the man the voters chose? One would think you would take some time to think about your behavior-American citizens prize their right to vote and maybe we don't like elitists like you telling us you know better than we do what is true and right. Your little kabal turned people off with your constant hatred and personal attacks on anyone that disagreed with you. After all, the rest of us are capable of thinking for ourselves! Matey.
You mean we can recall Roy? Where do I sign?
The election seemed to have run smoothly until I saw a bright orange flyer that was distributed in ward one. It said that darryl wallach was for eminent domain. I'm sure I've seen several articles quoting him otherwise. That didn't seem fair.
So now we have two great friends from ward 1, two great friends from ward 2 and one friend of Tom's in ward 4 - so simply math 5 against everything the mayor will say and 3 for him "maybe". If I were the mayor, i'd probably a take this job and shove it type.
Gee wiz folks, I don't remember saying anything about a re-call, I said it could be done, not do it.
Now to get to the election results. I am very happy that the new B.O.A. is in place, and prop "S" passed! Crestwood needed our support.
I think we all want to see this blog used as a tool to share our ideas, with each other, and pick up some knowledge. The election is over! Let's stop the personal attacks, and get back to the message.
If you have a message that you wish to be posted on the blog such as "Congratulations to the new B.O.A. members!!!", send it to me. and I will put it on verbatum. if you wish to post it under comments, do it the same way as you have been doing.
In order to stop the attacks, I will be reviewing the comments under the message daily, and from now on, any personal attacks on the messenger (whomever it may be) WILL BE REMOVED!
Again the election is over, if you have ax axe to grind, call the person, and tell them about it, if you try to do it here, and it's personal, It's gone.
Tom Ford
Ward two
Anonymous said...
Mr. Ford - if someone posts an anonymous comment - can it be traced back to the person posting? Just trying to get the facts.
8:52 PM, April 03, 2006
Please respond.
Request for information:
Anyone know if Alderman Breeding really did ask for and get a 3 month advance of his pay as Alderman last fall?
Speaking of aldermanic pay.... perhaps instead of talking about police and fire pay and whether or not we can give employees raises, how about eliminating the stipend that the alderman and mayor receive??? This is a voluntary position, as with those filled for other boards in the City. Those folks don't get paid. How about asking the mayor and board to contribute their paychecks to help fix the city's condition?
Come on, Alderman Breeding would never have asked for an advance while at the same time voting for the budget cuts and for the tax increase to be placed up for election
If this was correct, why hasnt a newspaper said something about it?
Has anyone seem this so called comparison sheet between the ward 1 candidates. I can't believe that Mr. Bland would deliberate tell people that Mr. Wallach said if it can be so easily disputed. Of course the day after the election, it don't matter what anybody said about the other one, cause you can't change it. right?
To answer the question on tracing. it can be done, but not by me. The ISP would have to do it, but I doubt they would since it involves all sort of privacy issues.
I like the idea of an all volunteer B.O.A., as well as the Mayor's position, at least ubtil the debt's are paid off. I am on P & Z, and we are not paid, so?
I kave one of the Bland flyers you asked for, and it clearly shows at least two comments which are not correct (see Suncrest Call today.) If you want a copy, give me a fax number, or stop by.
Tom Ford
Ward two
Aw come on. Alderman Breeding would never accept a pay advance as the check(s) would probably have to be approved and signed by Hizzoner, Boss Hog. It would also probably be illegal without a formal authorization vote by the board of aldermen. Naw, it could never happen.
Alderman Breeding is one of Crestwood' upper class with a high paying job at AB. Certainly he isn't blue collar.He wouldn't need pay advances from Crestwood taxpayers. Maybe you should ask Alderman Breeding, your alderman and the Mayor about the pay advance the next time you meet them. This must be one of those famous Crestwood myths that Alderman Breeding is always talking about. On the other hand Alderman Breeding sure seems to vote to support the mayor's position a lot.
I heard the same thing, that Alderman Breeding asked the Mayor for an advance in his pay for personal reasons. Someone should look into it. Not only should this NOT be done during a time of financial crisis, but doesn't the Mayor putting money in Mr. Breeding's pocket, put Alderman Breeding's votes in the Mayors?
I don't think everyone should be dismissing it so lightly....ask for some financial tracking for pay to the alderman.
A year ago we were all sitting here saying the same thing, how could Roy get elected when he 'misrepresented' the facts up and down to prevent a fourth defeat in his bid for mayor. We were asking ourselves....can there be a recall because of this? I don't think Bland or any of the candidates have done anything out of the ordinary for 'politics', be it in Crestwood or anywhere else.
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I like the idea of an all volunteer board and mayor as well. How come we were laying off employees and talking about cutting services, yet these people were still drawing their salaries?
how much did Roy Robinson's custom "reserved for Mayor" parking sign cost?
Any one can go to city hall and request from the city clerk the copies of the signed checks of any elected offical...If denied they can get them under the freedom of information act, like the lawyer's bills were secured.
If there
PLEASE do so. I think you will be VERY surprised by what you find. But even when you have the proof in your hand, you probably won't believe it. i wonder whether the missouri constitution addresses whether cities can give pay advances? maybe you can check into that now that you don't have all that grueling research to do on civil servants.
What's this? Someone coming to the defense of an alderman who is not Miguel or Maddox?
Please post information on what you find when you ask for the copy of paychecks to the aldermen. This is sure something residents ought to know about. I hope this doesn't get swept under the rug.
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yeah - same self-righteous blowhards that wrote the state constitution apparently:
Article VI, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution which prohibits any political subdivision of the state from granting or lending money to an individual.
I would have thought that those of you with such close ties to the state auditor's office would be aware that payroll advances are frequently identified as violations in their famous state audits. but then, hizzoner has purchased another vote on the board, so you're willin to look the oter way seems to me.
Aah yes! Well lucky for you all, I have some of the answers to your questions! First of all, I don't like being called a 'self-righteous blow hard'. But I do have a lot of hot air. Plus, you don't want to be around me when I've had a few White Castles!
Did Richard Breeding ask for a pay advance? Well, I don't know, but why don't you ask him? I personally would find it hard to believe since the aldermen are not payed all that much. If he did not, then who started that rumor...and why?
Mayor Robinson's 'Mayor Parking Only' sign cost $1,000,000,000,000,000.00. It is made of fine diamonds, gold, and platinum. The post holding it is made of the purest and strongest steel known to mankind. It took workers in South America, Europe, and the far reaches of Asia to procure the fine elements needed to produce it.
Well, now that you know all of this, maybe we can get down to the business at hand. And I hope I made you smile ... or chuckle, or wince, or whatever. But seriously, stay away from me after I've had some belly bombers! Whew!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
More accurate election reporting from this week's (April 7 - 13, 2006) South County Times, page 4, "In Ward 2, Chris Pickel, a member of the city's planning and zoning commission, defeated Tom Ford by a mere seven votes." Must be going for an award in erroneous journalism with two errors in the same sentence.
Wow, "it's in the paper, so it must be true"
Just goes to show you the "total responsible reporting" of todays news! But then what would we expect.
Tom Ford
Someone should call Elliot Davis and ask him to request the paycheck information on the aldermen - should be easy to prove whether Breeding got a pay advance at our expense or not. Anyone have his number?
No need to call him because he is already investigating the swim club. I hear Jay Nixon is also getting involved.
Same song - new verse. Don't you people ever get any NEW ideas?
As of last night the "verse" changed some what didn't it! It looks as though Mr. Davis is looking into the swim club, TDD, and why a private swim club was built with tax monies (TDD)!
A lot of Crestwood citizens think that the swim club should become a public pool! Unless of course the members want to shell out the $850,000.00 given to them in the TDD to pay for it!
What about it members? What if the $850,000.00 is taken out of the TDD as it should be, what then? Who will be the first to come to the party, check book in hand?
Thank you, Mr. Elliott Davis! Keep up the very good work!
Has anyone asked the folks living around the swim club if they would be better off with the pool being public vs. private? Public means a whole new set of rules reqarding attendance...it would most likely grow which would mean more noise for the neighbors.
Better be careful what you wish for, unless of course the wish is for a winning Power Ball ticket!
My question is, when a private home is purchased to make way for a development or road expansion, usually public money is used. Does that mean that the new home should be open to the public? Does this give everyone the right to stop in for example, every morning and have a cup of coffee with the homeowner. Do they get to use their barbecue pit or stop in for dinner. It is really the same thing.
If a home is purchased through eminate domain (God forbid) the home owner is paid by the developer with funds from his development account. In this case a traansportation development district" (to be used for road improvement's, or parking lot's,) included $850,000.00 for a swiming pool, not owned by the city, but a private pool.
Now let's get back to the TDD being for "roads and parking lots". Please tell me how a TDD set up for transportation improvements ends up with part of the funds being used to pay for a private swim club? The property taken was valued at $88,000.00, but that was deemed not enough, so somehow it went to $850,000.00, and 3/8 cent sales tax a Kohls to be used to pay off the TDD!
Notice I said TAX money from Kohls? Well if the TAX monies go to the TDD, what happens to the City, and or the school district? This is a problem which will become a giant problem when they try to sell the bonds for the TDD!
Oh, and by the way the City bought the parking lot quite a while ago from the swim club, and yes they are working on their own lot, you see there was $600,000.00 in the TDD for the lot repair, but how did a private pool get in on the money, and who knows about it?
I am certain that an angry, bitter person such as yourself would be fit to be tied if someone tried to seize your house by eminent domain. What if you wanted to to relocate to the same location? Guarantee you would not settle for the assessed value. Get off your high horse.
What do you think a fair price would have been for an almost 50 year old swimming pool and land suitable for a parking lot?
enough to relocate and rebuild the swimming pool.
Why would you include the cost for relocating and rebuilding a new swimming pool? Kohl's desired the land to build a parking lot. The fair market value of the land and the improvements should have been the sale price. I (and many others) do not believe the value of land and improvements was worth $750,000. Do you?
SO why don't you try and take down the pool? That is a great idea--Go after all of the blue bloods of Crestwood (an oxymoron--look it up) and all those folks on the cocktail circuit that Tom Ford refers to. Then, the city will have a big hazardous mosquito breeding cesspool adjacent to city hall and lots of happy neighbors who now have a quiet haven for mosquitos (rather than a pool) in their backyard. Then,you and your friends will all be satisfied that you exacted revenge for whatever it is that you are feeling so vengeful about--oops wait a minute--you don't even know why you are mad do you? THen you can go after Richard Breeding...and then don't forget to go after Roy Robinson for going to Las Vegas..oh wait..he is your guy...oops you can't be mad about that can you? Not sure? call your friends and ask them---can I be mad about Roy. What should I be mad about? Then tell yourself that you have to find something to be mad about or else you can't be happy..but wait..you are not happy are you? no
To whom it may concern,
Roy is paying his own way to Vegas. Yes, it is a fact that Elliot Davis is investigating the pool deal as well as Jay nixon now.
Dear 11:59
I simply asked if you think $750,000 is a fair price for the former Crestwood Swim Club property and you failed to answer the question. Was it a fair price and a good use of our tax dollars?
Of course I think it is fair. But it doesn't matter what I think. Just like it really doesn't matter what you and your friends think. Also, it is not your tax dollars Go take up you case with the developer and the city of Crestwood. And guess what, I am not even a member of that pool. I am just a concerned citizen who is vehemently opposed to eminent domain and who is glad to see that the eyesore corner that was once considered an envirnmental hazard is now a thriving business. That is important to the future of Crestwood...A rising tide lifts all boats, matey. Since this is Tom Ford's blog--I will use some pirate analogies.
Dear 10:28
Give yourself credit. Of course what you think matters, otherwise you would not be providing your opinions on this blog.
One futher question, do you think there were conficts of interest involved in the transactions? Specifically, Aldermen and board members who belonged to and or had an interest in the Rosebrook Realty or The Crestwood Swim Club?
Please note: the property was NOT an environmental hazard and eminent domain was NOT used in the transaction.
Eminent domain was threatened and going to be used as the next step to obtain the property. Further, thre was no financial benefit to anyone--other than the developer. And if anyone really truly cared about finding out the actual facts of this situation, rather than harboring misguided resentment at former membes of the board of alderman and other city administrators at the time this issue would have been dropped a long time ago. Why?--because it is a non issue. Instead, for whatever reason, there are a couple of misguided folks with overactive imaginations who have distorted the facts. Specifically the timeline of development, who was involved and who benefitted. The "anti-pool" forces can do all the research they want and initiate all sorts of investigations. If there was no animosity or hidden agenda, why not ask the people who are involved? Simple answer: someone had their feelings hurt and are trying to get revenge. That's what most disuputes boil down to.
Revenge.
You seem to be stuck on the revenge factor in all this discussion. I don't know any of the players, however that doesn't exclude me from being concerned about how my tax dollars were spent (or abused, in my opinion). For me, none of this is personal, an assessment to which you continually allude. I'd just like to see that this abuse of tax money does not happen again in the City of Crestwood.
I think you paint with a large brush, accusing me of taking revenge against people I don't even know. I just hope that those who are soon to be responsible for our tax dollars do a better job looking out for the taxpayer than you did.
oh, okay
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