"Crestwood's finances turn a 'critical corner,' Myers says"
Please click on the header to be directed to this weeks edition of the Call for the story by Mr. Burke Wasson!
Information on the BOA meeting was not available at press time.
Tom Ford
No.190
Information on the BOA meeting was not available at press time.
Tom Ford
No.190
posted by Crestwood Independent at 18:28
182 Comments:
If I undertand what Mr. Myers is saying, two of the three funds are running in the red. Doesn't the Charter require the Ways and Means Committee to advise the Aldermen of this and offer to them, their suggestions on how to return these funds to the black?
Alderman Miguel should take the front seat on this as he has in the past and stop the spending now before it is too late. Also, maybe its just my impression but did anyone else get the feeling that Mr. Myers wants to spend the money from the recent property tax increase on the current budget short fall and not to reduce to loan to the bank like the voters were promised?
Previous blogger, just asking - did you get that impression from the article or from the last board meeting? Hopefully the city will stick to its guns and use the new tax money for debt reduction only.
I think that the new CA just wants to have the bottom line look good at the end of the year. If there is any surplus, it should have been used for items desparately needed, such as police vehicles, communications equipment, etc.
Using percentages in a powerpoint presentation is just a moral booster for the public. No actual numbers were presented the first quarter (understandable since income would not be fully reflected for that period), but at mid-year actual numbers should have been addressed.
I think that in the past (prior to the previous CA/Police Chief) no actual numbers were presented and look where it got us?
Since the new CA has been here, there have been no financials provided to the public. (without directly requesting them anyway)
I can see why the mayor does not want the actual numbers provided. When the major fund balances were presented on a single page, he had trouble understanding that!
Regarding the TDD board; I don't understand how he would not approve something that "smells" when he does not understand the procedures and is not a "numbers person". I heard that he made a comment regarding the other city representatives on the TDD board would not vote any other way than he would.????? I think they would have a much better understanding and insight than himself.
Think about it. Smoke and mirrors.
8:48AM Blogger... Are you saying you prefer the format that our ex CA\Chief used? He gave us numbers all right... $500,000 spent on legal fees, $800 month BMW Allowances, $100,000 Accounting Software that couldn't count and another $100,000 in severance for him and is "Finance Director" Ms. Madrid. I don't think we need any more these type of numbers.
At least the numbers were there to view, for those who can interpret them. Of course there are others that can't - sorry for them but I for one would like to see the individual fund balances and the amount of funds used for the line of credit. I don't think it is as rosy as depicted.
If people get confused with "all the numbers" - too bad. Others would like to have the budget income and expenses not just percentages.
And yes I loved the one page accounting summary of the major funds. Not very hard to understand and can readily see the income/expenses of each fund and the balances/projected balances.
Fellow bloggers, your thoughts please:
"Maybe its just my impression but did anyone else get the feeling that Mr. Myers wants to spend the money from the recent property tax increase (Prop S) on the current budget short fall and not to reduce to loan to the bank like the voters were promised?"
I have not been able to attend the previous two board meetings, so I don't know if he gave any indication of spending income from Proposition S on anything other than debt. Do any of you have any idea?
The campaign for Prop S made promises that its income would be used for debt reduction. Does anybody see it going another way?
Westfield flashed Crestwood (and particularly the mayor) the "delightful digit", aka "the bird".
5:47 blogger,
And to what do you base that premis on please?
Tom Ford
Was it "the bird" as a parakeet or "the bird" as an cockatoo?
Ah yes, the mind is a very strange thing indeed! We see, and hear what we want to see and hear.
Never mind that what you thought you heard, is not what was said, nor what was done! Only in the shadow of the mind will it morph to what you want it to be!
I'm disappointed that there hasn't been any postivie progress on the part of Westfield. I thought our Mayor was going to form a relationship with them to ensure progress? What is happening to that mall? We were promised a new theater and renovations YEARS ago.
And to all the former bloggers, I agree that the first time information was put out there about our financial condition WAS under the previous administration. The administration before that saw fit to keep everyone in the dark. I hope that Mr. Meyers and Mr. Robinson continue that form of public dissemination of information.
Westfield is not in the business of "going out of business", so I believe we shall see some renovations to the old girl sooner, rather than later.
We do have to face the fact that the "Mall" is land locked, and as such needs very big drawing card to get folks to come there.
A Macey's store, or a Bass Pro Shop, or a really fine up-scale store can go a long way to making that happen.
The mayor, or the BOA, or Westfield alone cann'ot make this happen, we all must return to the "Plaza" for our shopping so that Westfield can see Crestwood is behind their project. If we do that in sufficent numbers, Westfield will get it done from there!
Tom Ford
Westfield should get Crestwood's backing, BUT we should not give away the store (pardon the pun) to get the plaza redeveloped.
Plazas such as Crestwood are based on an economic model that was popular and lucrative from the late '50s to the late '80s. One stop shopping such as the big box stores along with internet sales have become the latest models.
Westfield must do something very innovative to revitalize the plaza.
What that should be, I do not know. But what I do know is that the city should use a balanced approach to help Westfield.
The mall is going to require a MAJOR reconstruction. It is a dinosaur and has significant problems that can't be easily overcome. First, it is not on interstate highway. Bass Pro won't touch it with a ten foot pole. Second, it is landlocked. The creek runs behind it and Watson and Sappington lock it in form the other directions. Third, most of the parking is in garages that are crumbling… this is the reason why Somera didn’tbuy it. Parking garages cost major $$$$.
A small TIF, TDD and CID for Kohl’s caused an uproar. Some thought the TDD at Sam’s was too much. IF the Mall can be fixed, it won’t be cheap and the City needs to be prepared to expect a major assistance package request. Folks this isn’t the 1970’s/1980’s when Crestwood was the only game in town for people to shop. If the request is too much, then we need to find another source of revenue besides sales tax to run our city or eliminate some major service. We’ve let somebody else pay our bills for too long. The free ride is over and wee better get used to it.
Kirkwood has an open area outside that hosts live bands on Thursdays (assume only in the summer) Many folks were bringing their lawn chairs, etc. to join in the fun. Why can't Crestwood Mall do something similar? Also have access to shops from the outside, along with inside access(like before huh?)and host such events outside for the public. Make it like a "small village" shopping area. Just an idea.
Poster 2:40 7/28/06,
That is in part what former mayor Jim Robertson and then CA Greer wanted to do at the intersection of Watson and Grant. But the Pearl of the Crestwood business area, the Creston Center, stopped that idea over the issue of eminite domain. So, three years later the Creston Center still isnt fully rented out, the rest of the area is someday going to be developed for an old folks home in part,and is now a empty parking lot while Kirkwood marchs onward and we sit still and slide backward. Thanks to the forward thinking from the majority of those who elected our current mayor and aldermen Megiel & former alderman Maddox who didn't want to (all from ward three!)
use ED on the poor little folks who owned the Creston Center.
Yeah, I know, the former mayor is accused of doing something very bad and Greer used his City provided car allowance to buy a BMW instead of a Dodge pickup truck and the Swim Club is evil, but none of that address's the question of what could have been in Crestwood vs. what is there now. Are you happy now? This ought to bring the nut fringe out in defense of the Ward Three Holy Trinity (robinson, miguel, maddox)if nothing ever will! Their defense will only be attacks on others to deflect the fact that they were wrong on this issue. The proof is in the empty stores, crumbling parking lot and now fading paint on the "new look Creston Center".
Deed's that have been done should no longer be an issue, or as my father would say, "Who cares who killed Hitler as long as the SOB is dead"!
In my opinion we need to find some common ground and work with the elected officials to move this City forward.
" eliminate some major service".
That isn't going to work folks, Crestwood needs all of our employees, and all of our services, else why have a Crestwood in the first place?
I would give the Westfield folks some breathing room to come up with a viable plan. I believe they can, and will do it!
Tom Ford
Some residents in Crestwood believe that the mall can be renovated and saved. Let them put THEIR money where their mouth is and set up a company to issue stock to raise money to buy and renovate the mall. If they are so sure the mall is viable as shopping center, they should also believe that selling stock to bring back the Crestwood Mall to its former glory is a winner of an idea. Any true believer entrepeneurs live in Crestwood?
Mr. Ford,
You want us to forget the past deeds when poster @ 3:35 presents their position on what has happened in the past? Then why do you allow and in fact support with your own postings those who attack the Swim Club/Kohl's/Greer for their past actions? You want us to find common ground? Well how about this for common ground, the intersection at Grant and Watson is an and will be an eyesore unless the city leaders take it apon themself to offer a redeveloper the way of making it in to something we can be proud of, and that does not mean a DuPoint (newpaint) overhaul of the Creston Center. It means that to have something like Kirkwood has the complete lot must be included in a redevelopment even if it means a TIFF/TDD/TID. Does the politcal leadership of our city have the guts to do this? What have they done about the development at Old Sappington and Watson, nothing, that's what. The fact is they have no idea of what to do to turn this Cities retail area around expect to blame Greer & Fagan! Has Miguel had one idea that has improved one business in our city or opened the door to a new tax producing business? Can you say Salavation Army Store.
Sorry Mr. Ford, your plea for forgetting the past is much more than just being two faced, it is showing a lack of knowledge of the past.
Sorry, I do have a very good knowledge of the past, and I see the problems much clearer than you ever could. I only wanted to suggest we all forget it and move ahead.
However, if you wish to remain there, let's discuss the "swim club", the TDD, and why this is an issue today! While we are at it, let's look at the past C/A, and the past administrations and find out why were broke today!
Crestwood has been in the grasp of failed "leadership" for far to long now. You had your chance, you blew it, and now it's going to be fixed!
From where I stand, you can either lead, follow, or get out of the way! I think Alderman Miguel, and the present leadership are doing a great job of reparing what your crowd failed to do, so get on board, and let's move Crestwood forward, or stay in the shadows and complain, your choice!
Tom Ford
I'd be glad to follow Miguel, if he ever started to lead instead of stall. Name one thing he has started ad finished that has helped our retail, just one thing.
Yoy may not believe it, but the vote by him to have the Salvation Army be allowed to open a center will help that entire center.
I know, no tax's, but what about the traffic?
Tom Ford
what brilliant leadership....I am sure that the salvation army store will help attract plenty of other upscale retailers like Bass Pro Shop or Talbots or Saks Fifth avenue. I am sure they would want to share a STRIP MALL with ALdi and Salvation army. Thanks Jerry.
Tim, is that you?
Aaaah yes, let's have our wonderful TIF Commission give a huge tax break for another developer. That should help Crestwood immensely, as it has done in recent years.
Fellow blogger, you are quite critical of Mr. Miguel. Name some of the aldermen you think have helped the economic condition of Crestwood.
Yes, I'd like to thank Jerry. He saved the city quite a lot of money with his studies and deliberations of the city's finances.
Where are the public apologies from those who got Crestwood into this mess?
"Bass Pro Shop or Talbots or Saks Fifth Avenue" What did Robertson and Fagan do to attract these retailers? What did former aldermen do to attract these or any retailers? Why did they focus on Creston Center while so many other storefronts remained vacant? Why did they focus on the expensive retrofit of city hall and the police building while they had to borrow money to keep the lights on at city hall? Why was Greer given two jobs? Why was one man, who was not elected, given so much power? Why did the city spend hundreds of thousands on lawsuits it could not afford? Where was the accountability?
No Don and Sue Maddox, it is not Tim. Is that you?
Just like the blogger said would happen, instead of facing the position that was taken, those who support Miguel eta. attack the poster, Greer, Fagan and anyone else they can. Never once answer issues at hand, just attack those who bring up the issue.
How about the complete pre-Miguel Board who worked along with Matt Conley to bring the City Sam's for a start? Or doesn't that count because it is before you where even aware of there even being a Board of Alderman in Crestwood?
The reason for the focus on the WHOLE intersection where the Creston Center just happpened to be squating was it the most open underdeveloped piece of realestate in the City, just as it is now. Plus a TIF would not cost the City as much $ as the location was in the annexed part of the City. If you, as an earlier poster wanted, what Kirkwood has, well you are going to have to do what Kirkwood did, or you can write posts how bad Greer, Fagan, Robertson were and look at the fading paint and empty stores of the Creston Center and its neighbors, you can watch our population decline and you can wait till H*LL freezes over for any new retail tax producing business to open and stay open in Crestwood.
Wait for Gordmans to close after Christmas, you will still be waiting for some leadership from the guys you defend without reason, who will you blame that on, Fagan, Greer, Madrid, Robertson?
Who gets the credit for the brand new Walgreens, Las Margaritas, Shop and Save, Renewal by Anderson and Meal Makers? Is it Robinson or Miguel? Or is it evildoing previous administration? I think the credit belongs to to the Kohl's development, the new traffic flow patterns and ultimately the Crestwood Swim Club for being courteous enough to move their pool to make way for the Kohl's parking lot.
Thank the Crestwood swim club for being courteous enough? Good Lord, now have heard it all!You mean thank them for moving out of a blighted broken down hole in the ground apraised at $88,000, to a new pool worth at least $850,000? How "benevolent"!!! Nice try, but no cigar!
Thank God Jerry Miguel is looking into this one, and so will Armstrong Teasdale, and the TDD board before any more of our tax money is given away!
"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning in your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
~ Morrie Schwartz
Think about it folks.
Tom Ford
Who gets the credit for the brand new Walgreens, Las Margaritas, Shop and Save, Renewal by Anderson and Meal Makers? Is it Robinson or Miguel?
Step away from the Creston Center...Who does get the credit for this one?
If you are going to judge the accomplishments (or lack thereof) of Aldermen Miguel and former Alderman Maddox, then you need to use the same criteria to judge their peers. I see no reason why these gentlemen should be singled out for criticism.
As a Ward 3 resident, I believe Alderman Miguel and former Alderman Maddox have done an exemplary job of scrutinizing the city's spending. Moreover, it is not the aldermen's job to generate retail revenue; that responsibility belongs to the city's economic development specialist.
Martha Duchild
TIME TO LIGHTEN UP A BIT!
1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just leave me the he#l alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire.
3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.
6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
17. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
22. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
With thanks to Jacque Stock!
Tom Ford
Atta boy Don! see the link for stories from Fairview Hts.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/metroeast/story/D26B750D4F44FA54862571BA00132FF1?OpenDocument
"Who gets the credit for the brand new Walgreens, Las Margaritas, Shop and Save, Renewal by Anderson and Meal Makers? Is it Robinson or Miguel? Or is it evildoing previous administration? I think the credit belongs to to the Kohl's development, the new traffic flow patterns and ultimately the Crestwood Swim Club for being courteous enough to move their pool to make way for the Kohl's parking lot." HUH?????? Sure. I'm waiting for the tooth fairy, Jimmy Hoffa and Elvis to appear at the Swim Club if you think that the Kohl's development and the swim club helped bring new development. Oh, and I forgot - the earth is flat and the moon is made of cheese.
How did the Swim Club get almost 8 times its value to relocate? And while that cost was paid by THF, it was surely paid for by the taxpayer...unless you believe that the swim club brings in new development, the revised curb brings in better traffic patterns, and Robertson's Sunshine award brought in the sunshine. By the way, Hoffa and Elvis love the swim club.
I heard that Sam's or the developer approached Crestwood, not vice versa. Crestwood literally fell into that development.
Why are you are so upset about the Creston Center? You must live near it and was hoping that the apartment - condo development would have been built.
"How about the complete pre-Miguel Board who worked along with Matt Conley to bring the City Sam's for a start?"
WRONG. Some on the board (Fagan) wanted to go with the Sansone alternative and Fagan voted against the Sam's development. Check the minutes.
"Or doesn't that count because it is before you where even aware of there even being a Board of Alderman in Crestwood?"
Previous boards were notorious for their rubber stamps. Previous members were and are notorious for blaming others.
"The reason for the focus on the WHOLE intersection where the Creston Center just happpened to be squating was it the most open underdeveloped piece of realestate in the City, just as it is now."
WRONG. What about the Office Depot/Sports Authority complex? Two huge vacant stores. The intersection where Creston Center is located may be underutilized, but several businesses operate there along with Value City. The other development has two huge empty hulks.
Furthermore, it was entirely outrageous that Crestwood was going to give a subsidy for apartments and condos.
BOA meeting minutes:
http://www.ci.crestwood.mo.us/docs/agendas_minutes/boa/2006_07_11/06-07-11.pdf
Tom Ford
Minutes of the 7/11/06 BOA work session! Please note that the swim club may well be excluded from the TDD. Also note that THF expected to be reimbursed for the purchase through the TDD!
Cut and paste to your browser.
http://www.ci.crestwood.mo.us/docs/agendas_minutes/boa/2006_07_11/06-07-11%20work%20session.pdf
Tom Ford
Well then maybe the city doesn't own half of that parking lot....
But wait, did not the pool people state that the "deeded the lot for a dollar"?
There seems to be a convient lack of memory when it comes to what the swim club did, and when. I think if I were a member, I would plan to get my check book out, and cut a check today to reimberse THF, cause the TDD sure dosen't look like it will! And it should not! However THF is not going to be happy when your "deal" falls through, and they will look for recompence. As they say "You bought your ticket", you knew the chances, and now the chickens have come home to roost!
That will be a topic of interest at the August 27th board meeting, no? Pleaase don't forget, if you can't be there, give your proxy vote to the four people on the mailer, Lord knows they will need your input on this "matter"
Sorry everyone, but the previous administration DOES get the pat on the back for Walgreen's, Shop 'n Save, the Mexican joint, and any other new business that comes out of the redevelopment of that piece of property. Furthermore, the administration before that gets credit for Sam's and Kohl's. This administration has brought us NOTHING, except an old folks home.
Want to know why everyone is so upset about Grant and Watson? Let's see....a new type of development for the entire South County area that features condos, attached homes, and loft apartments above businesses. Now, what does that attract? Let's see....families, business, high-income singles. And what does that attract? More business, people wanting to fill the Applebee's center, and eventually spilling up toward....you guessed it, the mall.
What will Robinson's brilliant plan bring? Folks dying, literally, to get out of Crestwood. Oh, and let's not forget our much-shoplifted, embarassment of a store, Value City.
So, no, it isn't Trueblood, Maddox, or Greer, but one of those residents out there that actually looked at the plans for the center to go in at Grant and Watson, that knows we got screwed.
Oh, and don't forget to add to that, the previous administration had a firm commitment to redevelop the property at Old Sappington and Watson, across from Barnes and Noble, and was publishing the active progress on that property.
Where is the information and the progress on that now?
As posted previously, most of the new development was started WAY BEFORE this administration! As the mayor has stated these things take time. Years in fact. These developments were in the planning for years. NOT JUST DURING THIS ADMINISTRATION. If you think differently, you are incorrect. Check the Crestwood web site and read for yourselves.
The past administration talked about putting financial penalties on the owner of the property of the old Sports Authority property area for not filling the vacancies. He was not actively pursuing tenants because he was still getting paid for the empty buildings! I guess since the mayor and the owner are somewhat buddies, that is now a dead issue.
"Furthermore, it was entirely outrageous that Crestwood was going to give a subsidy for apartments and condos.
2:26 PM, July 29, 2006" That would have been maybe the best thing that could have happened at that location. I do think that a developer could be found to utilize the property in that fashion in conjunction with leaving the Creston Center right where it is.
Mr. Ford, your link to the BOA meeting minutes referencing that Crestwood Swim Club is not included in the TDD is correct. Where the Crestwood Swim Club resides is not part of the TDD and never was. The property owned by THF (now Kohl's parking lot) is included in the TDD. Period. What part of that don't you understand????????? THF owns that property. Why do you try and mislead people about this? Even if for some reason that land is not included in the TDD, THF is the only loser here. Not the city and not Crestwood Swim Club.
The link provided for the work session does lack additional information. Why, I don't know. The comment was made that THF is fully aware that they might not be able to get reimbursed for the "parking lot property" (old Crestwood Swim Club). What does that have to do with Crestwood Swim Club? THF made the decision that they HAD to have the additional land for parking and they purchased it. If they cannot get that amount included in the TDD, that is THF's problem. Get over it!!!
To the first blogger - I believe that Mr. Myers believes that since the recent property tax increase will be to pay the debt owed to Southwest Bank, it will not be an issue and the bank will just "renew" those loans, knowing that there is income set aside to retire them and them only.
Alderman Miguel stated that he saw (in some documentation he received) that the loans to Southwest Bank will be addressed in August. Something to the effect that the city will be shopping around to make sure the city is getting the best deal. I don't see how another bank, without history with the city, will even consider that undertaking when two of the major funds are in the red, even if the tax increase income will be entirely directed to that debt.
As far as stop the spending now before it is too late; I do believe that the CA stated they meet with the department heads to see where additional savings can be made. I believe this has already been done and staff has stated they are at bare bones. No MAJOR savings (reduced expenditures) can be enough and still maintain services as they need to be. Just take for example, the state of the vehicles, etc. that the police department utilizes. Or the amount of overtime because lack of staff. Those are major bucks! The spending that has been brought up in last year's budget weren't expensed. They were in the budget but never expensed. 2 police officers, automobiles for the police department, communications equipment, etc. Those were all expenditures (spending)in the budget that the BOA chose NOT to execute because of the lack of funds in the General Fund. Those are just a few of the that were in the budget approved but not spent (expensed).
To the 12:21 AM blogger, do you really believe that THF is going to stand by and "loose" money?
It looks to me that THF thought all of their expenses (including the pool buy out) would be paid by the TDD, no? Now how, or why would they have gotten that impression?
Your right on one thing though, the City is not responsible, so let's wait and see what happens.
Tom Ford
"Oh, and don't forget to add to that, the previous administration had a firm commitment to redevelop the property at Old Sappington and Watson, across from Barnes and Noble, and was publishing the active progress on that property."
If it was such a "firm commitment", where is it now? The only thing the previous administrations seemed committed to was to spend 14 million to retrofit city hall and the police station.
Get over it and start thinking about the all the good things that are happening in Crestwood as far as development goes---development that you can thank that same administration and staff for expediting. Jerry Miguel and his ilk are so busy trying to find something that is scandalous they are going to drive away and developers...way to go on trying to undermine THF's investment in Crestwood. That's the way to attract business! AlRIIIIIIGHT.
Jerry Miguel has served Crestwood very well. If more aldermen were as discerning and careful, perhaps Crestwood would not be in this financial condition.
Oh, and THF has an investment in Crestwood, and we taxpayers helped THF do so.
Do I understand you to say the Jerry Miguel should turn a blind eye to the TIF, TDD, CID structures?
We need more like Jerry who will stand up and say no to spending our tax monies on seperate political sub-divisions with limited (in our lifetime) returns to Crestwood.
The posts of 10:17 7/29, 10:21 7/29,
12:21 7/30, and 9:30 7/30 should be required reading for all who live in Crestwood. Thank GOD someone out there with a computor hooked up to the internet has the brains and guts to put on this blog the history most of this blog's readers and it's owner either refuse to believe or are flat not aware of.
Now if Steve Birmingham of the Journal would take the time to check out what the poster has said, and had the honest guts to report it, maybe, just maybe,some of you who like the current mayor want to "bring Crestwood back" would see that he is completely unfit to do what he said he would do if elected, other than to get rid of Greer and Madrid. If that is what is meant by bringing Crestwood back, then his mission is over and he can retire wrapped up in his flags of glory. Because as one poster already stated, the Mayor and Miguel can not and will not move this city forward becasue they are too busy bring it back.
OK previous blogger, at the end of Fagan's administration, Crestwood was practically 20 million in debt. If you want to go back to that ... then I just don't know what to say.
Out line for me Mr Foote, the 20 dollars million in "debt".
2:40 and 3:35 PM bloggers on July 28th. Comparing what we have to what Kirkwood has is ludicrous.
Ask the people in Kirkwood what they pay in taxes compared to us. We were governed for years by those who boost about our low tax rate. Anything to keep the tax rate from going up especially because of our old senior citizen population. Several aldermen to this day were only afraid to chance it for fear of loosing votes.
Loosing their vote was much more important than what was good for the community as a whole.
Hindsight is 20/20. If I could, I would live in Kirkwood tomorrow and pay the extra tax for all they have. They did things right. Not us! The aldermen never wanted to accept change; they might get criticized for being too liberal. Well time waits for no one and while we were spending good money that we had at that time to have a big street improvement program that ate up all the money in the bank to make our citizens happy, Kirkwood was thinking far ahead of us.
We had a bunch of idiots who only cared about their tiny ounce of fame for being aldermen. Let's don't shake up the residents for heaven sake and raise our taxes, even when we had the lowest tax rate of all in St. Louis County for years.
Lots of things occurred along the way to get us where we are today, and at the top of the tree are Fagan, Robertson and Greer. Why shouldn't we point our fingers at them? They were suppose to protect us and took an oath to do it! They were foolish and only cared about themselves.
Maybe we just ain't fixable. But if we don't get fixed, it would be just like the several individuals on this blog who will look no further than their nose to blame it all on this administration. It's too bad they can't go back in the history of Crestwood and see how this all evolved in the first place.
So everyone thinks Kirkwood is utopian, A? lets read some of this weeks letters to the Times reference how happy Kirkwoodians are.
The grass is always greener, no?
Cut and paste to your browser, or click on the link on this site.
We are what, and where we are, so lets make the most of it.
Tom Ford
http://timesnewspapers.com/mailbag/index.html
Yeah, the only thing Kirkwood needs to be a "top shelf" city to live in is the Creston Center, now that's a first class business area if there ever was one. Makes me proud to have it on the eastern gateway of our fair city for all to see as they drive by new Salvation Army Thrift Store, the empty Pier One store, the soon to be empty Gordmans store and the dryed up Mall.
Glad business development is # 1 on the mayors list of things to be done next.
Is that you Carol?
Don't like living near Value City or Creston Center? Move.
"Out line for me Mr Foote, the 20 dollars million in "debt".
2:45 PM, July 30, 2006
14 million dollar police station
3.5 million dollar debt
Two funds in the red
-round up close to 20
By the way, do you know your favorite mayor robertson spent $10,000 on office furniture?
And no, this wasn't Mr. Foote, so don't put your foot in your mouth
-sorry, couldn't resist!
Are we forgetting that we have a much praised Economic development specialist who is susposed to in the forefront of this business development?
Am I wrong, or is she not the responsible party to bring business to Crestwood?
I remember when the Las Vegas trip was on and many of you said just send her, we dont need the Mayor or the C/A, what's changed? Answer, NOTHING!
Your guy lost, so Roy Robinson must be bad, right? Well your as wrong, as wrong can be. The Mayor, and the C/A are doing a wonderfull job of picking up the pieces left by the last crew, and they will continue to work at re-vitilizing Crestwood, with your help, or without it!
Tom Ford
Just a comment - there will always be the voice of the public.
That does not mean that all comments and perceptions are accurate.
Talk away.
Well said. Your statement puts everything in perspective.
CA Myers inadvertently admits the purpose of the article when he says what he wants to get across is that the finances have turned the corner. Pure propaganda with no facts to back it up. The junior FBI agent should research the article he wrote about how to pass a tax increase - bet you'll find these weekly placed articles are no accident - not even news really - just pure propaganda. More appearance over substance - just like the mayor.
Blogger at 10:11 July 31st
You are so smart, if Mr. Meyer says we turned the corner and you disagree, tell us why? If you feel we need backup material with this administration, it's nothing compared to the manure fed to us by the likes of Fagan, Robertson and Greer! But you seem to have swallowed that up pretty good. Hmmm. Amazing!!!!!
Since you dislike the mayor so much, tell me what Tom Fagan would have done that would have been so much better? Keep Don Greer and his paramore in Crestwood? Maybe give them both a raise? Condoned Greer's antics after hiring Ms. Madrid with his sex in the office escapade? Funny how people only see what they want to see!
Greer knew that Mayor Robertson was a bad, bad boy! How did he handle it with the board of aldermen? He and the board members chose to cover it up and just let him resign with some "bull chips" story to protect him. Everyone on that board of aldermen including Tom Fagan knew the truth. But after all, Robertson made Greer the city administrator and police chief. He would never suggest that the truth about the whole issue be told. And the board of aldermen, the pillars of the community went right along with it. Then had the gall to appoint Mr. Robertson to the TIF Commission as a reward for his wrong-doings.
So, Blogger at 10:11, July 31st, you seem to think information
on these aforementioned individuals doesn't need to be forthcoming, but Mr. Meyer's statements on the recover for Crestwood are not above reproach?? Do you live in a cave?
If you feel the previous antics by previous mayors, aldermen and city administrator were any way to govern a city, I pity you.
Most honest, sincere and God fearing people in Crestwood considered it an abomination. Those who can separate the truth from lies at least.
wow---the anger and disgust practically drips out of the monitor...sometimes it is the people who are so outraged about morality, ethics, behavior of others who have their own issues...Jimmy Swaggert anyone?
I'd say poster 11:04 needs to get their RX refilled, fast!
Myers admits there are shortfalls in the budget. It is up to the Ways and Means Committee to present to the Aldermen what actions should be taken to bring the budet back into balance.
That Miguel and The Mayor and Mr. Myers are a part of that committee makes them 100% accountable for the results. Not Greer or Fagan or anyone else, this is this committees problem and it came about on their shift.
Deal with that fact!
Speaking of the Ways and Means committee, when will they address the shortfall in the budget. Both first and second quarterly reports indicate that the budget will NOT be balanced at year-end. If they are the ones responsible, they had sure meet soon. Anything proposed to the BOA usually takes several meetings to discuss before any action is decided upon.
blogger 12:46 PM, July 31, 2006
Were you living in Crestwood during the Robertson and Fagan years?
Yes blogger at 12:46 were you living in Crestwood during the Robertson/Fagan Years? Also as far as getting a RX refilled, I wasn't commenting to you as I stated at the beginning of my comment. I was replying to the blogger at 10:11 who was questioning Myer's statement about the city turning the corner. I was making a comparison. Maybe you should be the one to get a RX filled; one that deals with confusion and dilusions. I am dealing with the facts.
and what facts did myers give to back up his story that the city has turned the corner? if the accounts are still in the red - what corner is he exactly saying has been turned? I can't believe that a comment about myers' latest story in the press elicited such a tirade about greer. I didn't say a word about greer. I just don't like being fed propaganda in the guise of a news story. is there ANYTHING that can ever happen in the present or future that can be dealt with on its own merit without having to be compared to something greer did? honestly, you hatred and inability to move forward seems an awful lot like the Hezbollah position in this current war. sheesh - move on. deal with today!
Blogger at 11:26 - so my words "dripped from your monitor". Re my blog comment at 11:04. Well get a rag and wipe it off.
I guess you think that this small midwestern municipality should just shrug their shoulders at the antics of the previous leaders of this community? Is that what you mean?
I say that people shouldn't get by with hiding behind big titles such as aldermen, mayor, or big shot attorney. Titles shouldn't allow people to get by with things and shine like heros at the demise of the rest of us that are just ordinary people. And this is exactly what we had in this city in 2002,3,4. Robertson, Greer, Fagan were a part of that.
Had someone other than a titled individual done what I outlined in my previous comment at 11:04 which you seem take exception to, they would be hung out to dry and stoned in Crestwood Plaza.
All people in this town should be treated equally. Some that should be laughed out of office, were smoozed out of office while others were criticized and persecuted for trying to do what was right. These acts of indecency, coercion, mismanagement, to name a few have no place up at city hall and they happened and a lot of people got hurt. While board of aldermen members stood by and protected the executors rather than the victims.
The only way any of what I stated in my previous blog, is if these things happened to someone someone in your family or a family member of one of the board of aldermen members at that time. Then everything would have come out in the papers instead of being covered up and lied about.
Thanks you for your consideration in this issue. What is wrong will always be wrong and the perps should be made accountable not the victims no matter who they are.
3:05 blogger. How do you know you are being fed propaganda? Beware who you get your information from. What I am saying is that you are asking for back up from Mr. Myers but you and no one else ever asked Mr. Greer and his dumb side kick finance person to back their figures up. Such a stupid state of affairs - money affairs, playing patty cake on city time plus all the good people who were too smart to keep around!!!!
Why did you not check him out and make him accountable. You wouldn't recognize propaganda if it hit you square in your face!
Now we are in this mess and you expect this administration to fix everything overnight. You want back up material and are fearful of this and that, it seems. Where were you when we never knew from one day to the next if we had enough money to keep the city running? Where were you when Don Greer, Tom Fagan and Robertson wanted to build a 14 million dollar policy facility?
Now Mr. Myers comes in and you want him to sign everything in blood because you are afraid of propaganda NOW?
Excuse me while I throw up!
Did you ever see the articles from Wood River and the mess Don Greer made over there? We got what we deserved and now its time to move on but make no mistake it ain't going to change over night if ever.
I flipping dont believe it! Mr. Ford ask's for things to move forward and as soon as someone asks a question about Mr. Myers that is current we have the baby brains of Crestwood found in poster 5:20 7/31 bring up Woodriver as if it had anything to do with current events. Talk about one track minds full of hate, this jerk poster takes the cake
I'd like some cake. Carrot cake if you have any.
Has anyone else bothered to truly look into Mr. Myers background and his lack of success at his previous multitude of positions, none of which ever lasted long?
Speaking for the few of us that have, let me tell you how Mr. Myers is described by previous employers. He is described as a "Dog and Pony Show", with little to no substance to back it up.
Furthermore, just take a look at this man's job-hopping during the course of his career.
We should ALL be asking for him to back up what he says, and be careful about what words he chooses to use.
I'm appalled that the number of you who were soooo interested in Mr. Greer's dinner dates, and even had the time to look into his past, haven't bothered to do so with who is here NOW.
So Blogger at 6:02 and 6:40. My answer that you took exception to was in response to the blogger at 3:05 and not you. He talks about propaganda and back up information from Myers! So you flipping don't believe what? I made a comparison about what the blogger at 3:05 said and compared it to what we had before with the previous CA, so get off your high horse buddy! I too want to go forward like Mr. Ford.
More power to you if you want to look at Myers past, go for it blogger at 6:40 PM. If you want to talk about his past, do it. But he hasn't even had a chance to get going. Don Greer had what? 18 years? I am doing nothing but making comparisons. You expect Myers to back everything up! I am saying you should have been that vocal with Greer. The Board of Aldermen had that responsibility and did nothing. Sooooooo if you want to climb on Myers back, you won't hurt my feelings but it's funny that you are so ready to talk about his background when you and nobody else bothered to look at Greer's. We shall go forward, but if you think for one minute that it means not remembering the ashes we came from, forget it. Why should it anger you if Greer's name is brought up unless you were also in his fan club? You took my remarks out of context when they were meant to answer someone else's comment.
So you can flipping believe what you want and try to be offensive in your remarks but maybe you need to take a break. I was answering a blog comment. So put a sock in it. Maybe when someone references a certain blogger, it might be a good idea to read the original comment before you climb all over others.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Job-hopping is not uncommon anymore in municipal politics, so practically any candidate for City Administrator will have held several posts and varying positions. The days when administrators and city managers held posts for long periods of time are coming to an end.
Time will tell. I would like to know if Mr. Myers wants to use Proposition S money for spending instead of debt reduction.
Good Grief, just listen to yourselves.
In my struggle to get through it all, I ponder: Do I even want to live in this town? Are there more bad guys than good guys? Is the Crestwood Swim Club filled with cream? How long is the ghost of Don G. going to hang around? Has the new guy even had enough time to impact? Can the city be saved? Are all ex-Aldermen and Mayors and City Administrators of Crestwood bitter, filled with rage and running on empty? Is there no joy in Mudville? Are we upset because the proposed and defeated $14 Million Dollar city hall retrofit did not happen making our line of credit = $17.5 Million rather than $3.5 Million. Or is the sigh of relief loud and clear? Are we - MAYBE - turning a corner? Maybe not doing a wheelie, but maybe showing some signs of progress/hope/etc.?
In the reading, it appears one Mayor pulled in all the development, the other drove it all away, and of course visa versa. Really, I will need to think on that one for awhile. Imagine what we could have if the old and the new pulled it in together. You know, worked like a community, one that has a Charter and is incorporated. You know, big people.
Creston Center, the so called Harlem of the city, which according to some of the posts about all the business leaving (being driven out by Mayors), could end up the last man standing. Now wouldn't that be a kick in the head? A ghost town save the corner of Grant-Watson. Long live Creston Center.Just imagine what Jonathan Browne could do with this parcel, if of course, the "former" leaders had required him to live up to his agreement by Sam's Club first.
Webster did not want Mills in as a developer on Lockwood and apparently neither did the intelligent of Crestwood want them at Grant-Watson. Webster in fact had an organized committee which worked to defeat it. Voters in Webster voted "no." Crestwood gets queasy over TIF's and wanted to develop this parcel with long term benefits. Not mixed usage - skillful usage. Say, affordable homes.
While we are dissecting the new regime's every move on this blog site, we are dealing in tom-foolery. We have evidence of past mistakes. The jury is out on the present. Hold onto your BVD's folks. Get out of your corners and try cooperation.
Aldermen who do not wish to participate in fair play, have no place on a community board in a community filled with this much dissention. They need to lead, work as a team and fagedabout out the Don G., the Tim, the Tom, the Jim, and hopefully the Kellyburr. Forward thinkers, all. Righteo!
Give it all a chance. Quit embarrassing those officials on the BOA, who are trying to run the city,. Quit putting your 3rd string on this blog site to stir up trouble, and invite the kiss of death. You are like a cake that falls and no one wants to eat the poor thing. Go Away. Start a new town. Far Far Away!
poster 7:27, Dear Baby Brains,
For the record Greer was not CA for 18 years so to ask about his record in that position for that lenght of time once again supports the claim made earlier about your IQ. Leichlighter was the CA for most of the past 18 years and beyond and Greer was made police chief by him and the votes of the then Alderman, one of which was Roy. No isnt giving Myers a chance, but does to do so mean in your shallow world, do not ask questions? Mr Ford himself quotes President Ragan "trust but verfiy", isnt that good enough for you?
For the record, poster 6:02 never once used the G word in their post,
thanks,
John
Poster 8:07 PM, July 31, 2006 - to call someone Baby Brains is quite mature.
Why don't you go to your favorite store, Value City, and get something for yourself. You might feel better and it may put you in a better mood.
Just got back from shopping at Value City, did I miss much?
Didn't Mr. Meyers become C/A by a 8-0 vote?
Now, he can help make things work or move on. If he or anyone else up there dreams of spending the Prop S money on nonsense and other than paying off the debt, then you will have a lot of company with your complaints. It's just that right now they are premature. So make your list and check it twice.
I fully expect a complete breakdown with no blue sky henceforth or you and I should make some noise. Just not now.
DonGee and his merry band of boardies and the ever present ready-maid saw the train coming, and just kept spending. They knew full well revenues were down, and kept on spending. They had every opportunity to make the cuts (as done by the new administration) needed to bring things around, but kept on spending. They saw the empty stores, and lack of traffic and kept on spending. They saw the Mall shrink, but kept on spending. They rented a suite in the Mall to move the offices into while the $14 M. dollar city hall was rebuilt,which project never got off the ground thanks to resident petition, and still kept on spending. They ignored Ald. Miguel when he wanted to defuse the bonds 21/2 years ago (but guess what, ended up passing that 8-0 up the road) imagine eating that crow! They purchased new office furniture, let DonGee trade his police car in on a BMW and then gave him $830/Mo to run it 6 blocks to work and kept on spending. They purchased a new software program that didn't work, and kept on spending, they produced 3 major lawsuits, and kept on spending. They created a spreadsheet budget that defied gravity.
So unless and until you can defend this kind of incredible derelection, then go sit beside that pool and sip the koolaid of choice. Cause no matter how you slice it, that group did not promote peace and prosperity. They are just lucky driftwood did not blow the Fagan/Greeries flat out of town.
To all those who have misgivings about the city administrator's assessment of Crestwood's funds: You are cordially invited to attend the board of aldermen meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
During the agenda item marked "Public Comments" you are free to ask whatever questions you want of the administration.
"During the agenda item marked "Public Comments" you are free to ask whatever questions you want of the administration.
11:07 PM, July 31, 2006 "
Sometimes. This mayor and previous have been known to "hurry along" commentators. Even if you ask the questions, you may not get the answers.
Blogger at 11:30 if your concern is great enough, then you will persist with your questions till you are satisfied.
I don't think giving up before you've even started is going to get you the answers you seek.
Blogger at 8:07 July 31st. I'd rather have "baby brains" than no brains at all. Don Greer was City Administrator for at least 15 years so chastise me for a 3 or 4 year era. You want to get specific on me to lessen my credibility, have at it? But I have a right to my comments just as you. You are definitely one of the new young breed that think they know everything! Talk to me when you have lived in Crestwood for over 40 years and have seen the best and the worst. Until then, I suggest you have a brain scan to see just what's up there in your head.
Thank you.
Blogger at 11:02 July 31st. Thank you for your precise words. You are so right on and make more sense on this blog than most. You stated the facts as they happened and no one can dispute them. I give you 100% for your honesty and telling it like it is. You are definitely a fair and just person.
9:24 PM July 31st. Thanks for your assistance with the name calling. Things get pretty steamy on this blog and I can also get angry. However, I will consider the source on this one. I am sure it comes from a smart mouth young man who sits on the dais and spends his time on the blog instead of finding a job. He will never change and resorts to his 8th grade mentality when he gets angry. I thank you for coming to my defense. People would rather do that then admit they are playing politics.
It ain't a big deal any more to me!
I just consider the source.
I, too, consider the source/s of the blogs which are based on vengence and hatefulness. Rather than irritate me, they confirm the fact, seen in an earlier blog. That is, "It appears ex: Mayors, Aldermen,City Administrators, pool members and ex-Alderman's wives are filled with venom? Ready to strike,lambast, criticize, throw darts, vomit tribal verbage, and whine? These miserable, unhappy, wretched and displaced people need to find a new bench. They were not fit for municipal life. They contributed nothing but disaster. Their lackluster performance in their city positions set the city back years. They don't want to get along. They don't apparently want the city to thrive. Best we just let them flail away and deal with their acid reflux. The team we need to handle the present struggles has no place for those whose judgement is so poor that they think supporting a city employee, who thought he was chariot ready Napoleon, is life's greatest adventure. Ah, the big Kahoona! Actually we have grown to expect and recognize their nonsense and consider them history. The ultra yadies, yawnies, poolies, boardies, churchies and the ex-ies are mere trities. In the anals of history, they will go down as jokies. Several of the present board have every opportunity to stand clear of this bunch of roaches. I hope they do. Their city needs them.
12:22 August 1st blogger. I am in total agreement with you. I loved every word you wrote and how you wrote it. It was not only brilliant but right on target. I applaud you. I specifically like "Chariot-Ready Napolean. Fits him to a "T"
I really like Value City. In fact, I'm going to write their corporate headquarters and ask them to stay in Crestwood and possibly expand.
Hey, blogger at 1:41, you do that. Let's get an expanded Value City on every corner and a chicken in every pot. According to some dense-head with their shorts in a knot, the present admn. is emptying out all the retail establishments in the city. And if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell over Gravois Creek. Value City in the meantime just hangs on and on and on and may prove to be the star of the city's rebirth. Glad you like it. I iinvision on that corner a coffee shop, a lipo section center, a chiropractor,an eyeglass store, and a store to recycle ex-politicians; perhaps a nail shop, affordable trailors, a laundramat, a clinic for pin heads, and even a spot to go for an attitude adjustment - now that would really be a golden opportunity. Don't you agree!
Yea, Value City, the only remaining store in Crestwood according to thunder mouth, Chairman of vented spleens.
What on earth will we do when the Get Rich on Highway 66 theme has to detour around Crestwood because it has vanished. Ah, Wilderness!
poster 10:29, forty years in crestood in no way makes you right.
is anyone else reading this blog sick and tired of the old crowd who brag how long they have lived here as if it gives them some special rank in the order of things?
i know i am because they refuse to admit owne up to when they are wrong, like sayig greer was c/s for 18 years.
"Glad you like it. I iinvision on that corner a coffee shop, a lipo section center, a chiropractor,an eyeglass store, and a store to recycle ex-politicians; perhaps a nail shop, affordable trailors, a laundramat, a clinic for pin heads, and even a spot to go for an attitude adjustment"
Just think if that did happen! You could get a caffeine boost, an adjustment, new eyeglasses, visit former aldermen, have your nails done, your clothes altered and cleaned, visit some friends, and come out with a better attitude. All at one corner! Wow!
Living in Crestwood for 40 years is a marvelous accomplishment. There are many who have, and the ones I am proud to know are very special people and they do have a special rank in the order of things and are right a lot of the time about things.
No, I am not tired of the old crowd, I am tired of the "crowd" that recently stunk up city hall. The one led earlier by a Mayor who had to resign (look into this no longer mysterious resignation sometime)and was replaced by a plastic lawyer type with aspirations far beyond his scope. The one whose disheartened followers now holler foul having themselves caused the stink.
Yes, these longtimers are a special rank in today's transient world, this kind of stability stands tall and speaks well for the community. I am sure these residents are also tired of things of late, and sorely disappointed.
40 years from now, I doubt the memories will be quite as solid covering the years we have just suffered through. How does one compare the likes of a troupe of clowns with past leaders and people who guessed wrong when estimating the reign of Stalin-Greer as 18 years. I doubt it was intentional. Don't you? If this bald/fat/manipulator pushed buttons for 18 years, Crestwood would be the Lost City of Atlantis. Count your blessings.
2:35 PM Blogger. Sticks and Stones Kiddo. You can't hurt me by your remarks. However, before you critique my words, you might want to spell check a few of your own,Buddy. You must have gotten too excited because you made a few boo boo's in your comment and it suggests you might want to take a class in spelling. You want to nit pick instead of saying something that has meaning? Go ahead and keep making yourself look stupid. Maybe it's because you're a rebel that you speak with forked tongue. Try putting a civil tongue in your mouth and get smart and stop making fun of people who have been around a little bit longer than you. And stop being a cry baby about it! It's a dead give away to who you are!
Some day when you have been around as long as I have, maybe just maybe your won't be so smug and stop acting like a idiot teenager.
Some of us get older but we are wiser.
Bravo 4:26 Aug. 1st. I applaud you for telling it straight! I use to be proud that I was a Crestwood resident for over 40 years. Now, these worms come out of the woodwork and try to make me feel bad. Boy does that ever tell you that the blogger is young and stupid! The blogger has a problem with my comments but has no problem mouthing off theirs.
I hope other seniors are willing to speak up on this blog and set these young ones back a few steps. Because the day will come when they, too, may be old.
Thanks
Here is some math for the angry old timers. You have been here for 40 years. Don Greer was her for 18 years? Why weren't you crying foul for the last 18 years. Don Greer was here almost 50% of the time you were here. You are not as smart as you think you are.
To the 6:15 blogger: Be nice to you elders for goodness sake! If a person has been here for 40 years, he/she deserves the right to tell it the way they see it, no?
Most of the "seniors" in Crestwood have more time in the voting line that the citizens do in the chow line (a little Navy lingo there,) and as such have earned the right to sepak up!
I think that if you wish to disagree, do it with some respect! In God's good grace you may find your self there some day!
Now, I am just a kid (64,) compared to some of our citizens, but, I do know that a treasure trove of knowledge exists there, and I for one would like to share in it.
How about the rest of you?
Tom Ford
To the 6:15 8/1 blogger
Seems to me the angry old timers to which you refer can't hold a candle to you. Your anger is so out of control you don't even make sense. Sorry, bub, but these old timers "are" as smart as they think they are. They are rescuing our city. You will never qualify for their fraternity. As to why they did not cry foul sooner. Well, nice people seldom can imagine the depth of depravity in people they are supposed to trust, especially in municipal or religious venues. The chubby little Champion of Houdini tactics and his ugly wench pulled the wool over eyes for a while, but voters did turn the fan on in the nick of time. Frankly, if these old timers had to look back 40 years and they saw what you see when you look in the mirror, they would realize a wasted life. Now slip that in there between the ice cubes and buzz off.
Blogger at 6:15 August 1st. You ask why since I have been here so long that I didn't cry foul regarding Mr. G? Another stupid remark and some more of your idiotic banter. MY REASON: BECAUSE WE ELECTED ALDERMEN WHO WERE SUPPOSE TO PROTECT THE WELFARE OF CRESTWOOD. THEY NEVER SAID ONE WORD, THEY NEVER QUESTIONED AND THOUGHT GREER WAS WONDERFUL. I WASN'T UP AT CITY HALL BUT THEY WERE. WHERE WERE YOU? STICKING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND? YES, THESE WONDERFUL ELECTED OFFICIALS SOME OF WHOM WERE ALDERMEN FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. ASK THEM WHAT THEY WERE DOING WHILE MR. G. WAS CREATING HIS DYNASTY RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSES? THEY TOOK AN OATH! NOT ME? ASK THEM WHY THEY SAT ON THE BOARD ALL THOSE YEARS AND DIDN'T DO THEIR JOBS. THEY ARE THE ONES THAT LET IT ALL HAPPEN, EVERY SINGLE ISSUE, AND EVERY SINGLE DISASTER.
The End
Thank you blogger at 8:11 Aug. 1st.
You are very smart and got right to the point. I always knew that getting old wasn't the greatest thing that could happen to anybody, but I never thought that there were people that could make us old timers feel so small and worthless. The one youngster that commented on this blog smacked of a "rebel without a cause". That one really got me! I guess that being a good citizen, paying your taxes, and speaking your mind is only for people who are younger than 65. Well, it is really way past my bedtime and I just drank my glass of metamuchill so I guess I better put on my Depends and say Good Night!
A lot of these same aldermen pointing fingers at Leichliter voted to give him raises on a regular basis.
Well, I guess all the old timers will be running for office next April since they are the only ones who know it all. Let's see them put their time in serving the rest of us and see how they handle the issues the City is facing. I for one will only vote for those who are over the age of 65 from now on, if anyone that age runs.
It's so easy to get the oldtimers in an uproar! I hope that when I am that age I am not so angry.
Blogger at 8:24 Aug. 2nd. What makes the old timers different from you is that we know we don't have all the answers, all of you wise guys think you do! We may not run for office, but I pity Crestwood if you run. You'll try to pass an ordinance to exterminate anybody over the hill. But I would rather be over the hill than under it like you! I wonder if your parents and grandparents know how you feel about the old timers. You should cherish them while you have them. They also put in their time in this world. I think you should stop now. I get your point and your sarcasm. Enough said.
8:56 am Aug. 2. No it isn't easy to get us old timers in an uproar. In fact, we learned a long time ago that you don't get anywhere with anger and dicension. This loopy blogger at 8:24 am just smacks of disrespect and to hear the anger pointed at just older residents is unfair and so like him. I call this guy Mad Max. He is always mad on this blog. I think I know who he is. And he is the only one I know who is young and has too much time on his hands this early in the morning. Everybody else that young has a job and is at work at 8:24 am. He is angry all the time and always reverts to his anger when he is cornered and knows he is wrong. Most children are like that.
11:00 am Excellent point. It shows our elected officials just "followed along" with everything and didn't do their jobs. Then after the new guys came in, they compounded the problem and put us in the soup. Now we have a chance to reclaim our city, and those people who were asleep for all those years do not have the guts to say they were too complacent, lazy and didn't protect Crestwood. If they would have done things right, they would still be governing this City. Pure and simple. Crestwood residents had to do their jobs and take matters in their own hands.
haha you old people are straight out of animal farm ""All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." thanks for the laughs. your old-timey religion of hatred and venom is so yesterday! no wonder this town is circling the drain - cities must attract new residents in the form of young families to survive. You certainly would make them feel welcome now wouln't you!
10 A.M. 8/2 Blogger
If that is how you feel about Crestwood, pray tell what are you doing living here? Unless of course you are a closet oldtimer who majored in drain circling.
Frankly, you would be more at home at Animal Farm than anyone I know. Did you read what you wrote? Do your friends know about your secret life? You poor thing, so unhappy, so angry, so fit to be tied. But, oh so entertaining.
My neighborhood is multi-aged and everyone likes it this way. We call it mature. You may want to look into this kind of lifestyle. It is quite rewarding.
No way do you make anyone mad. You are the funniest blogger I have every read. Keep up the good work funny man. It has a tendancy to make me feel a lot smarter, wiser and nicer than I really am. Nothing wrong with that.
Thanks for the lift I get when I read your psoitively charming blogs.
Tell me, do you plan to continue living in Crestwood? It would seem you would be so much more at home in a psycho ward. But, I would miss you.
P.S. Were you dropped on your head as a baby?
To the blogger from 10:00 AM, August 02, 2006
I bet you are really ticked the condo idea got nixed. Don't you worry. I'm going to ask Value City to expand its store. Enjoy:)
Wow, I come out in support of the Crestwood Gray Panters, asking them to run for office based on all the insight and knowledge they have shared with us on this blog and I am accused of sarscam and general bad manners. I guess I learned my lesson, the only safe thing to do is to sit back and let the "oldtimers" run and fix all our problems. Is there nothing someone under the age of 65 can do to please these people?
Mad Max
4:27 Blogger Mad Max What a big sore head you are. Are you also prejudiced again Jews and Blacks - Oh I see only if they are over the age of 65? What does you mother and father say about your bad manners. I am sure they are reaching that age soon. What about your grandparents. Do you ever see them or does your parents feel as you and perhaps keep them locked in a closet! What a shameful and horrible person you are to feel that way about people.
There are good and bad in all people and so far, I see nothing good in you.
Good, good. Expansion is good. Especially since this store, according to Merry Sunshine, seems to be the only one left in Crestwood, the rest having been run out of town by new breed renegades. We could make Creston Center an outpost for the Pony Express and sell Sasperilla.
But then, there won't be room to build the old folks home for the old timers.
Maybe we should just glaze over the city and make it a giant ice rink.
Or, those of you so desperate of late to downgrade every living thing in town could move on over to Fairview Heights where the living is easy and the climates ideal. That is if you have the courage to try and sell your house here having trashed everything and everybody in town who cares.
However, if your group is large enough, you could buy us all out and try very hard to repair all the damage you have done.
What do you think? Can you do it? No, then why don't you work on that For Sale Sign in your yard and move on. Who's going to miss you?
Blogger at 10 am. I think you should take a break at 10 am instead of making stupid remarks about people on this blog. Maybe have a 10 am drink. Fix yourself something that will make you mello. A vodka perhaps. You are your own worst enemy. What should be done with people who get old? Well, maybe you are a supporter of the big dictator - you know the one who killed all the jews. Or maybe Joseph Mengala - he tried to make a perfect society. Maybe you can have your genes cloned and people in the next century can reap the ravages of your progeny.
You stink!
4:27 PM Why does there have to be a war between young and old? What makes you think that opening your horn mouth about your resentment of old persons, just makes the young people you represent look foolish. I have friends and family that are of all ages, children, teens, newly married, young parents. Why are you on this crusade? You have rambled on this blog for so long, I doubt whether you even know anymore your original purpose for commenting. Heavens - learn anger management or get out of Crestwood.
We just got rid of one tyrant.
I got questions for the person on this blog site who despises senior citizens. At what age were you disowned?
You know I always thought that stink in the air in town was industrial.
But now I know better.
Youth is the time to study wisdom; old age is the time to practice it.
-- Jean Jacques Rousseau
Ah yes! The youth of Crestwood VS the senior citizens, what a great idea! To devide the masses, to create class envy ( the old, and the young.)
Is it me, or will we need all of our citizens to pull through the mess that was created by (fill in blank?) I think we shall need all of us, what say you?
"When you are one and twenty, if you are not a liberal, you have no heart. When you are one a forty, if you are not a conservivitive, you have no mind."
Winston Churchill
Think about it!
Tom Ford
Double Wow, I have not tryed to dis the seniors in Crestwood with my heart felt comments about needing their leadership and skills as our elected officals. Why oh why am I being misunderstood on this matter?
I have not once suggested that death camps be set up for the seniors yet I am compaired to Jospeh Mengala. I not once called any senior citizen a tyrant, yet that is what I am labeled.
What I do find ironic is the oldest member of the Board of Aldermen comes under constant attack on this blog with not one senior citizen rising to her defense. To parphrase another poster, "some senior citizens are more equal than other senior citizens" Or does that offend?
Mad Max
I sure wish somebody would get brave and name this (vodka drunk). The hints gave me this idea, there are so many of them. I think if the writer knows who this alcoholic is you should try to help. We've had alcoholics in public office here before and they caused us more grief than some know. Making a drunk person angry will only make them behave worse.
Triple wow, now I am being accused of being a drunk, all because I asked for the senior citizens of our city to help us out. I thought with age people became less angry and mean.
Mad Max
Mad Max - Blogger at 6:18. My comment at 4:51 8/2 was an answer to the comment from the blogger at 10 o'clock. Read it and maybe you are looking at the wrong comment. My comment at 4:51 on 8/2 was specifically addressed to the blogger at 10 am.
The comment at 10 am on August 2 states, "ha ha you old people are straight out of the animal farm".
Not very nice. If it was you that made that comment, what you do expect others to think, that you are a nice person?
If you sent it, read it again and if you still think that it didn't deserve my answer, maybe you should watch what you say.
How can we be sure the Citys finances have really turned a critical corner after reading what the Mayor and Maddox are quoted as having said in this weeks CALL?
Unfortunately, previous blogger, we can't be sure.
I would like to see a line by line expenditure comparison from last year to this year. If something like this is done, we can compare spending and actual income. From what the mayor said, this will not happen.
It seems he has forgotten that it was those voters concerned about Crestwood's numbers that got him elected and supported him.
Boy oh Boy, one meeting, one article and the roaches all come out. How long was the short bald fatty allowed free reign with the undecipherable books - one meeting, one article? I don't think so. How long was he given the benefit of the doubt? Don't you think it a bit early to start sharpening the swords? Opinions were expressed at the meeting, the CALL reported on it, now give the board time to digest it and time to decide what it is that will work for us. If you can get beyond politics and are genuinely concerned, then put together a reasonable question or two and address the board and the city administrator. This is the way good government works. Surely you care enough about your city to leave the darts at home.
I'll leave the darts at home when the mayor leaves his darts at home.
I wasn't happy with previous administrations, but I will not be quiet when this administration disappoints. I won't follow blindly.
And as far as digesting, the board can digest all it wants. But what was said gave me an upset stomach.
What was said is water over the dam, I think we should all go to the next BOA meeting and find out what's really going on here.
Was it "mis-articulation", or was it meant to be said?
Tom Ford
Based on the tone of the mayor's voice I doubt if it was a "mis-articulation".
I don't think just because he is not a "numbers person" and has problems with a one page fund balance sheet, means that the actual income/expense numbers should be withheld from the public.
I agree.
It's these "numbers" that can make or break Crestwood!
Good logic on the part of the last several bloggers. What we had before was an abomination! We Crestwood residents, young and old, should be asking is a lot of questions that should have been asked a long time ago.
The only way the people will be able to understand the numbers, is if the mayor and aldermen understand them and are able to pass that information along.
I am not a number person and never have been; but I know what my bank balance is on a daily basis. I know when I need to slow down on purchases. I don't think it is the ultimate sanction of who is a good or bad mayor or aldermen. But it behooves the elected officials to sharpen their pencils and learn.
Admitting that you are not the greatest with numbers isn't the sin, it's not learning them by asking questions and getting information. And someone, maybe Justina Tate, would do a better job at explanations. Maybe she should go to the aldermanic meetings. Make large charts and show them to the audience and explain things. It's called visual aids. Leave them in the lobby so everyone who comes in city hall can see them.
That's where the previous administration goofed. They didn't want questions and didn't want people to see things for themselves. They let things be handled by a maniac and his mindless assistant. We don't need that again.
The mayor is probably tired of all the politics and is also struggling. It doesn't help when he hears nothing but ridicule for trying to put things back together. I don't think he should be racked over the coals if he has a bad day. Wouldn't you? The political garbage in this city will try to "stick it to the man" because they only have political vendettas in their heads instead of the people. They won't change and it probably takes its toll on the mayor. It would me too.
Some advice to the mayor. If he really wants to set Crestwood on the right path, he better call a couple of accountant friends and have them show him how to read reports. He needs to know them backwards and forwards. He needs to develop summaries, visual aids if necessary so he can speak without reservation about the finances of the city. His truck is parked up at the parking lot in his reserved spot everyday. He should spend less time back slapping and more time with his nose in a book. Don't tell Justina to make the reports, have Roy do it. That is how we teach kids to really learn something. Dig in. That is how we got in trouble in the past according to everyone on this blog. They let the city administrator do everything right? I am sure that those who voted for Roy expect more from him than just saying "I am not a numbers person" THEN BECOME ONE!!!!!!!!
Ask Alderman Miguel of the Ways and Means Committee to explain the numbers to the head of the W & M Committee, the mayor, who can then explain them to the public.
Don't think he is the one to explain numbers to anyone.....and that's a problem
Did I read the Suncrest Call correctly and Roy is telling us to just believe what they are telling us about the finances? That "they are what we say they are" Can you imagine the complete and total uproar that would occur if someone else tried to tell us this OTHER than Roy. Talk about complete blind loyalty. SAD!
1:44 8/3 blogger. One of the reasons we got in trouble in the first place was that the past administration spent beyond the city's means. It was spending when we didn't have two nickels to rub together. And after it was well known that this spending spree cost us a bundle, they continued to do the same.
Maybe Roy should get into the finances as you say, but at least we are smart enough to now spend less and make due with what we have. I am not saying that he hasn't spent any money, but not near what was being done before.
At least give him that much credit. Who in blazes would be stupid enough to want to build a new police facility and go as far as meeting with the plaza to use as a temporary headquarters for the employees while it was being built. That's what really dumb. If Leichliter started it, why did Don Greer make it worse. The past two administrations pulled this city down so bad it hurt everybody.
So, I hope that Roy or Myers or the Ways and Means Committee or all of the above, do what is necessary to get this settled.
But it should be brought up by someone at the board meetings. That's what they are for. More people should say something then. Why can't we tell our aldermen that we want it brought up at the board meetings and give them the ball. The board of aldermen isn't going to know how we feel unless we let them know.
It's stupid to just yell on the blog about it. If you are upset, your aldermen are suppose to be there to listen to you. Let them earn their 300 a month. What's wrong with that plan?
I am not questioning Roy's spending. I am questioning why they are not being transparent with numbers. Explain it. spell it out completely. Break it down for us. Don't just say "we are were we say we are" Quit going back and criticizing the past administration. yes, they overspent, they fooled around, they had sex on the desktops...YUCK. Thank goodness they are gone. The NEW problem is that everybody is so busy being angry about the past, no one seems to notice that the new mayor can not explain the finances to us in a meaningful way and the folks at Crestwood plaza are emitting a giant smokescreen and not answering any questions directly. In fact NO ONE seems to be answering any direct questions these days.
Under Mayor Robinson an iron curtain has descended on the flow of information from City Hall to the residents. Demand that the iron curtin be lifted and let the sunshine in.
An "iron curtain"? Well whenever I am interested in a subject, I just call the Mayor, or an Alderman. I have yet to get the bum's rush, or be told anything but the truth.
I would try that before you declair the "iron Curtian" has been droped over?
Tom Ford
So the mayor and an alderman has explained the numbers to you. Huh...? Must be one of the elite.
Mr. Ford has anyone provided you with the actual income/expense numbers for 2006? Did you receive them from the mayor? I believe these numbers should be posted on the web site and available at city hall for residents.
The Ways and Means committee consists of the mayor, CA, Alderman Breeding, and Alderman Miguel. Maybe that is why Alderman Miguel did not go into detail regarding his analysis at the BOA 2nd quarter "overview". He is waiting for the meeting Saturday. I doubt if the mayor or Alderman Breeding will bring much insight to the committee, so... I guess the CA and Miguel should be the ones to contact regarding the budget.
Why isn't the Ways and Means meeting on Saturday on the web site under "this week in Crestwood"?
Why don't you call city hall and find out?
Crestwood Plaza: A DEAD MALL???? http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/crestwood_plaza.html
"Why isn't the Ways and Means meeting on Saturday on the web site under "this week in Crestwood"?
8:26 AM, August 04, 2006 "
Good point fellow blogger!
To the 8:26 AM, 8/4/06 blogger, I would love to have them send me the actual figures as I would post them here is a nano second!
I think that's a great idea, and I will E-mail the powers, and suggest it today. When I get a response, I will advise you via the blog.
Until we hear back from them, please go to City Hall, ask for Ms. Kim Cottel (City Clerk,) and I am sure she will let you see them.
I will also attempt to find out what time the Ways and Means committie meets and post it here today.
Great suggestion,s, please keep them coming!
Tom Ford
I wish I knew the answers to all the whys posted by all our fellow bloggers? You have all asked very good questions regarding finance and numbers and budgets. And as most of us know, these questions were not addressed by our previous caretakers. If addressed, they were overlooked.
Because of this, what we in Crestwood have to deal with now can be equated to an agressive desease that has had no treatments to fight it, and because of prolonged neglect, the desease is spreading rapidly. Thus, it has attained catasrophic proportions, just like any aggressive illness. It is darn near an epidemic.
The correct treatments will help rectify the city in time, but it will take twice as long because of the original neglect.
There are so many issues that have been allowed to grow into first-class problems that healing can only happen a little bit at a time. In the meantime, we as citizens want everything to get better now.
I am hoping that we will get the financial confusion and chaos taken care of so that everyone can understand where we are. But it will not happen overnight. First, we should know exactly how much damage has been done. We should be able to assess it and now produce the proper medication to get us on the road to health again.
However, if we want a healthy and prosperous environment, we are going to have to do our part as citizens. We need to go beyond this blog and express the same comments at the board of aldermen meetings. All this bickering on the blog is politics at its worst where one faction hates the other. And that equates to war and while there is war, there will be no peace. You can see in the war in Iraq how people just cannot stop the fighting and how difficult it is to get people to get along with each other for the good of everyone.
This tolerance for hating the other side will get this city nowhere. If we want to stay divided, we will never prosper.
These questions that we need answers too need to be brought to the front lines. Our aldermen and mayor need to know that we want meetings that are delegated to giving us information on our budget and finance issues, charts that we can all understand that show us the percentages and numbers, and people who will tell us straight up what is going on. If it means talking to us like we are in the 4th grade, so be it. Everybody isn't a wizard at numbers. But if we want to know, there should be a way of doing it to keep us informed and the administration needs to find a way.
Thank you.
Blah, blah, blah... YAWN
8:18 P.M. 8/4 Blogger
Just how bad was your childhood?
Will you be able to get over it. Sucking eggs and yawning has given you a bad case of the blahs. We are so sorry.
8:18 PM Aug. 4th. I am sorry you have a case of the blah's. Perhaps another way to put it is that you are blahZA! I've seen wise guys like you before. People who are BlahZA, as you are, really don't give a tinker's darn about logic or trying to find answers to serious problems. You are having too much fun, keeping the walls of discontent up and would never want to find an answer to them so that they could be torn down to rid this town from decension. By your BlahZA attitude, you are a person with no name and are just out there like a Nomad. If someone tries to find a solution to our problems in Crestwood, you would be the first one to negate it because that's your personna.
It's too bad that the only time you are happy is when people use this blog to rant and rave and call everybody names. That probably really gets your blood going.
Have a nice life, my friend, because it's people like you that get nothing out of life and make it miserable for everyone who tries to make it a better place.
ROTFLMAO
WWTDUD!
(What would the Duke's uncle do)
If you don't know the story of the "Duke's uncle", and wish to be enlightened, E-mail me.
Tom Ford
5:41 am Blogger. Back at yah bud. What's the matter? Get up on the wrong side of the bed?
Maybe this blog should be called critics corner instead of "turning a critical corner".
How did speaking about the city turn into talking about Alderman Kelleher?
5:41 am Blogger - be careful of the splinters.
Didn't make much sense to me either. Maybe she could elaborate.
Ok folk's, let's get back on track! We need to be nice here, not cut each other to ribbon's.
There are a lot of problems in Crestwood, and none of them will be solved by insults!
Tom Ford
I agree. I wouldn't put too much stock into these personal attacks. Debate the issues folks.
I agree with 9:34 AM. Comments and statements and personal views are fine but sometimes these things can be biased and products of narrow-minded individuals. Others take things out of context and do it dilberately to shake things up by using words to plant a seed of doubt against the integrity of a blogger which is really not what this blog is suppose to be used for. The people with their yawns, and blahs and underhanded comments, please do something constructive like working on puzzles, or walking your dog, or taking your blood pressure.
It's sunday so calm down.
I reread that post and from what I can tell, that person was talking about flipping. So, is flipping good or bad?
This 7:21 stuff is detracting from an otherwise interesting conversation. I there fore have taken the liberty to remove it so we can all move on!
Tom Ford
Folk's, we have had way to many attacks on the leadership in Crestwood! I am going to place a moritorium on any further attacks of any public oficial, be it the mayor, or the dog catcher!
If you wish to use the persons title or position, ok, do so, but leave the name out of it.
Thanks for your understanding.
Tom Ford
Well now at least the other shoe has dropped and we know the "corner" the city has turned - the "corner" is comingling the funds into one big, corrupt lump sum that will no longer be spent as directed by the residents when they voted. How does it feel? Didn't even get kissed did ya!
3:31 Blogger. 8/6 No, to answer your question, "flipping" is Bad. When the blogger says "flipping" he is just substituting it for the 4-letter word that starts with F that he really wants to say but knows better. Shame! Shame!
9:56 am Aug. 7th blogger. "Bull Chips"! Here's the deal! If you are afaid of this administration and feel they are bad, it's probably because you liked what we had previous to this one. If you think that administration walked on water, go to Fairview Heights where you can get more of the same budget "crapola" and the rest of the Greer self-motivated manure. Otherwise, you can run for Mayor next time in Crestwood, and we can all see how you handle this mess. If you still don't like any of the above suggestions, you can live in the City of St. Louis, maybe Mayor Slay has a place for you in his administration, or live in unincorporated St. Louis County where you are nothing more than a "nit on a nat" and will never be heard at all.
What if the finances didn't turn a critical corner but turned a gradual bend?
Or they could have taken a right oblique, or, aw heck, just give the elected officials some time to work this out.
Go to the meetings, ask questions, call your Alderman, but get involved, or just let things go where they may! If you don't attend any of the meetings, you will have a hard time changing anything!
Tom Ford
Mr. Ford, I don't believe that you practice what you preach regarding meeting attendance and asking questions at the BOA meetings.
What's wrong with the rest of the public get their information from the "cub reporters". That is how you receive most of your information, no?
Give the elected officials time? What kind of time are you talking about? This is August! At least last year more discussion regarding the budget made it to the BOA agenda and most of the time included monthly expenses/income statements. This year not much has been shared as far as income and expenses.The board is not provided enough information to make an educated decision regarding the budget. Hopefully the BOA was provided actual numbers. Percentages just don't cut it.
10:28 AM Blogger. Darn it anyway! If the board of aldermen are not provided enough information, why can't they scream a little to make it happen? Can't they speak up? If we have aldermen who cannot protect us and city money and the percentages and the numbers and whatever else they took an oath to do, they should have never became an alderman in the first place.
What in the world are they all doing up there then, picking their noses? I just don't get it. Why have an election, if we have to do their work.
If the mayor doesn't understand numbers, he needs to learn them. But admitting that it is not his forte shouldn't make him the butt of jokes. Nobody is all knowing but we all can learn to understand.
Knock it off. If you want to hang a person because he is honest enough to tell you his limitations, why prey on it unless you want to humiliate. Of course, that's easy to do when you don't have to sign your name. I am sure there are a few things previous bloggers are not so good at too. But they are so busy having fun ridiculing.
To the blogger at 12:36 PM, August 08, 2006 - I don't believe I said anything about any individual. You seem to have a problem with others comments, but why blast mine? Maybe you have a problem. Stating facts seem to blur your vision of the statement made.
Because dear poster 12:36 if the aldermen speak up and the mayor is against what they are asking for you and other blast them for not working with the mayor.
you want your cake and eat it to, don't you?
1:07 Pm 8/8 You want facts? Tell your aldermen you want facts. You want it placed on the agenda? Let your aldermen know you want it on the agenda and discussed. They can't read your mind! I apologize for getting upset, but sometimes the only person who goes under fire is the Mayor. There are 8 people on that board that are suppose to be listening to us and if all 8 express our views, then they are doing what they took an oath to do. Being an elected official representing people is an honor and privilege. We placed our future in their hands at the polls and it is up to us to make sure they are conveying what we tell them to the mayor and the rest of the elect. If I offended you, it was not my intention. I just get too emotional when many of the questions on this blog are vented here instead of to the people in charge. The Mayor isn't going to know what people really think unless his board tells me. That's all I have to say and they won't know what we want unless we tell them.
3:28 PM 8/8 Why would I blast an alderman for doing their job! But I have never heard my aldermen tell me that. All aldermen have a right to speak up at the board meetings. All aldermen have a duty to express the feelings of their constituents in front of God and everybody at the meetings. Many choose to remain silent. Let your feelings to heard, Bud. Too bad if the mayor don't like it. At least you presented your case so everyone knows what you stand for. Nobody ever said you have to agree with everything the mayor says or wants. However, there is a difference in playing politics and disagreeing for politics sake and disagreeing because it is for the betterment of the community. If you can't tell the difference, then you need to be pitied. That's what is so bad in Crestwood. It's the politician who says, "if I vote yes on something I truly believe in, so and so will be angry and I owe him a favor so I will vote no"!!!! That's playing politics. Or "if I vote yes I will be the only one on the board who voted yes and my fellow aldermen will be angry". That's playing politics. Get the difference?
I know that the Alderman do contact department heads, mayor, etc. when they have questions. Those conversations do not always come out in a public comment during the BOA meetings. Why judge so quickly, regarding their silence during the BOA meetings, when their questions have already been answered. Talk to your alderman, they will back up my statement.
3:59 pm 8/8 Well for the life of me, I can't understand why we have to resort to being apathetic about important things just because they were thwarted before they become public, especially those of extreme importance.
If I were an alderman and I wanted my people to know I tried to get issues corrected, I am afraid that I would have to be the one who took it to the board meeting and let all the other members know about it under "other business". I don't think I could sit back and be silent about something really important. I guess one would have to choose the issues but there is a time for keeping silent and a time for being vocal. The aldermen that represent us need to know the difference. Many things take compromise, but just being apathetic about things of importance merely because they were ignored behind the scenes in their efforts, shouldn't stop anyone from speaking out about it.
Even if an alderman puts out their own newsletter to their own ward people, I would have to let them know that I tried to do everything I could. Communication makes people know they are being heard.
I may be all "wet" but there should be a way of cutting through the bull! People need to know that they are being protected and cared for. To me, I feel that becoming the voice of my people would behoove me to go the distance. I never said it would be easy to do, but people who have too much on their plate to do it right, need not run for alderman! People deserve a totally committed person that will do everything they can to help the people in their ward.
Maybe I am just not being realistic. Anyhow, that's the way I feel.
10:12 blogger: Correct, I do get my information from my "cub reporters", and they do a great job of it don't they!
Practise what I preach? Well no, I don't, do I? I am busy writing, and maintaing this site, serving on the P&Z board, and doing what I can (on this blog, and elsewhere) to help Crestwood, what would you be doing?
This is your chance to be a "Crestwood hero"! Attend the meeting, say what you will, to whomever you will, and let's move Crestwood forward!
Tom Ford
Well most of you must be recent readers of this blog or have shiort memories, just think back about whaty has been written about aldermen who havent voted along with the mayor ans read what has been said about them, then tell me that they havent been doing what the people in their ward wanted them to do. Fact is there is such a pro mayor faction on this blog that unless one agrees 100% with the mayor they get blasted.
The deal about going to 1 check account is a prime example, or the charter changes on the ballot, if the mayor is against it and an alderman doesnt got along with him, njust wait and read what is said about that elected offical for not "working together with our mayor".
I believe that in previous BOA meetings the City Attorney has stated that the funds allocated (by the vote of the public) for the Capital Improvement Fund and the Parks and Stormwater fund can NOT be used for anything else. I assume this mean for NOTHING ELSE.
If expenses incurred in the general fund are associated with a project in the Capital Improvement Fund, then the Capital Improvement Fund is obligated to pay that expense. There is money in those funds to pay those associated expenses. A TOTAL PROJECT EXPENSE in any of the funds (either Capital Improvement or Parks and Stormwater) should be laid out and if any resources/expenses that are needed to complete that project, those expenses should be reimburse the general fund.
7:59 8/8 I can totally understand what you mean about people who support the mayor and what you have to deal with if you go against him. I can also understand what you mean if you are not in agreement with the mayor and how you are perceived by some. That's a sad fact.
But remember, the aldermen got in trouble in the past, for not going against the previous mayors and the previous CA because they weren't watching their backs, realized too late what was going on. What you have to decide is are you going against the mayor because of politics or because you know that what he is doing is wrong. Many on this blog don't care about wrong or right. But many of us do!
Those who name call and back stab the mayor or others for stupid and maniscual issues lag behind and make it hard to stay focused on the important issuesss. This is wrong and what most bloggers hate. They just waste our time. But they are not looking at issues; they are only ridiculing because they didn't vote for this person and won't "throw him a bone" for any reason. Now you have to make up your mind, are you going to state what you feel because it is in best interest for residents; if so, then you can't worry about those who choose to be contrary. Everyone should understand if you explain it and it makes sense. Popularity contests have never made a good alderman, congressman, or president. Let your conscience be your guide but know yourself and ask yourself if you are going against the administration for the right reasons or for political reasons. Many people just can't do that; they won't see it for what it is and to recognize it for what it is.
The "right reasons" seem to be missing from a lot of the posts lately. Remember the past? Think of the future? Which one is working better for Crestwood?
In my humble opinion, I feel we have a Mayor, and Alderman (most of them,)who are working to fix the past problems. Are they right all of the time? I doubt it, but they are trying, and until they stumble, I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
Do what you will faithfull and honorable bloggers, but they need our in-put, our suggestions, and yes, our prayers to bring this City back from the abyss!
Tom Ford
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