St. Louis count down clock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Count down to the New Year!

Happy New Year!

Tom Ford

NO. 268

May you have a blessed and happy New Year

Please click on the header for a card for Crestwood!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Tom Ford

NO.267

Some very interesting information from the Kirkwood E-News, check it out!

Ladies and gentlemen, please click on the header to be directed to the City of Kirkwood E-News newsletter.

They have all sorts of interesting information on there including how to calculate your taxes, and animal control!

The thing that interests me most is the animal control issue! It seems that Kirkwood (as do most other cities in the county) does not have a full time animal control officer (they use the county!) That said, we have an animal control officer that is going to be full time. Now I question why we need that position in the first place as our neighboring communities use St. Louis County.

We have all read the pending ordinance (written, I am told by the animal control officer,)allowing her to enter our homes in a warrentless search, for whatever! She is also an advocate of raising the license fees, and placing owners in jeopardy of large fines if they do not comply with her wishes!

There is to be a "town hall meeting" on these ideas in the near future, and I suggest we all be there because if we allow this, well what's next? I would remind you of the old story of the Jew who was picked up by the Nazis, the neighbors said they weren't Jewish, so what does it matter. Then they came for the Catholics, and they said I'm not Catholic, what does it matter, and then they came for me, and there was no-one left to save me!

Come to the meeting, whenever it is, and tell the leadership, this is not acceptable in Crestwood!

Tom Ford

NO.266

This weeks edition of the Suncrest Call!

Wow, Crestwood dodges the bullet this week, but Green Park is on front street!


Tom Ford

NO.265

City strife in Wildwood over a new City Hall!

Wildwood is the City that gets $900,000.00 in tax revenue from us because they have no "shopping Centers" and we are "more fortunate" don't you know!

Could it be they no longer require our help, or is this "City welfare" garbage going to continue? I for one think it's time to pair up with Fenton, and get this thing repealed before they build a joint larger than we were going to, thus "dissing" Crestwood with our own money!

Please click on the header to be directed to the story in the Post Dispatch.

Tom Ford

NO. 264

MERRY CHRISTMAS CRESTWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please click on the header to be directed to the History channels site that will give your, and the kiddies the "History of Christmas"

Happy holidays to all!!!!

Tom Ford

NO. 263

This weeks edition of the Suncrest Call Newspaper!

Ladies and gentlemen, please click on the header to be directed to this weeks edition of the Call. Once gain Mr. Burke Wasson has demonstrated a fair and honest approach to reporting on the Crestwood budget, and you will find his article on the front page!

Inside, on the editorial page is the weekly editorial written by Mr. Mike Anthony, who as you may know I rarely agree with seeing as how we are on opposite sides of the political spectrum! NOT SO THIS TIME!!!

I read, and re-read his editorial on the use of Anonymous as a nom de plume, and I must tell you that I agree with him 100%! Those of you who read this blog know that I will always sign my name (and print my picture,) when I say something on here, and that will never change!

That said however, we do have a large amount of posters who wax eloquently and resort to name calling without being willing to use their own name on the post. Mike got me to wondering why that would be, as they all seem so passionate in their writings. Could it be because they really do not have the courage of their convictions to tell all of us who they are? Or is it that they just want to take "cheap shot's," without fear of reprisal?

As Mike said, a blog is, by nature a haven for "Anonymous" writers who feel the need to speak, and I understand that. However, if your going after someone, please have the courage to sign your name!

Tom Ford

NO. 262

Khol's TDD meeting set for 9:00 AM on Tuesday, 12/19/06

Please plan to attend the meeting of the TDD commission at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, 12/19 (City Hall chambers,) There should be some interesting points concerning the parking lot issues that have been in the forefront this past year.

This is a great chance to see your government at work folks, so why not attend if you can.

Tom Ford

NO. 261

The 2006 NORAD Santa Claus tracking link!

Ladies and gentlemen, please click on the header to be directed to the North American Air Defense Command site entrusted with the job of tracking Santa Claus on his Christmas Eve rounds!

I am sure the little ones will enjoy this site, as they can follow the track, and have some idea when Santa will arrive at their house!

Since I have been both naughty and nice this year I have no idea what to expect, but hey, it was a ride worth taking!

Merry Christmas, and a happy new year Crestwood !!!

Tom Ford

NO. 260

This weeks issue of the Call ! I direct you to the story on "strategic planning!"

Ladies and Gentlemen, I thought we were through with the idea of having Mr. Lyle Sumac return to collect another $8 to $9,000.00 from the City coffers, but no! I direct you to a story by Mr. Wasson that tells us some of our Alderman think we need him so they can "focus" on the needs of Crestwood!


Now, I am not the brightest bulb in the harbor, but it seems to me that he has given them idea's, and that should be giving them the direction to take next year as well, without resorting to spending more funds to get him back. I have attended many of these type's of meetings, and they are wonderful! However, you have to use the information given (as our Aldermen have,) to insure success.

In my humble opinion, the Board can do it with local "work session's," and if they need a "team leader," well we have some very qualified citizens to do that job.

If you agree with me that this is a needless expense please call your Alderman and voice your concern, because $9,000.00 would buy a lot of equipment for police and fire!

Click on the header as usual please.

Tom Ford

No. 259

The 12/12/06 BOA meeting!

Would someone who was able to attend give us a report please?

thanks,


Tom Ford
No. 258

This weeks issue of the Call! Good articles by Burke Wasson!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, please click on the header to be directed to this weeks edition of the SunCrest Call!

Well said Mr. Wasson!!!

Tom Ford

NO.257

A few points of safety to think about this Holiday season !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

> Subject: good tips
>
>
>
> Because of recent abductions in daylight hours,
>
> refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency
>
> situation... This is for you, and for you to share
>
> with your wife, your children, everyone you know.
>
> After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to
>
> someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful
>
> in this crazy world we live in..
>
>
>
> 1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest
>
> point on your body. If you are close enough to use it,
>
> do!
>
>
>
>
>
> 2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans .
>
> If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT
>
> HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you.... Chances are
>
> that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse
>
> than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN
>
> LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
>
>
>
> 3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car,
>
> kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out
>
> the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't
>
> see you, but everybody else will. This has saved
>
> lives.
>
>
>
> 4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after
>
> shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing
>
> their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO
>
> THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is
>
> the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the
>
> passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you
>
> where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK
>
> THE DOORS AND LEAVE.
>
>
>
> A. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO
>
> NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun
>
> the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car.
>
> Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the
>
> back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as
>
> the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than
>
> having them find your body in a remote location.
>
>
>
> 5. A few notes about getting into your car in a
>
> parking lot, or parking garage:
>
>
>
> A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at
>
> the passenger side floor, and in the back seat
>
>
>
> B..) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your
>
> car from the passenger door. Most serial killers
>
> attack their victims by pulling them into their vans
>
> while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
>
>
>
>
>
> C..) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of
>
> your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is
>
> sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may
>
> want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a
>
> guard/policeman to walk you back out.
>
>
>
> IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better
>
> paranoid than dead.)
>
>
>
> 6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs.
>
> (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the
>
> perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
>
>
>
>
>
> 7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his
>
> control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a
>
> running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most
>
> likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably ! In
>
> a zig -zag pattern!
>
>
>
> 8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic:
>
> STOP. It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the
>
> serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man,
>
> who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting
>
> women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often
>
> asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle,
>
> which is when he abducted his next victim.
>
>
>
> ************* Here it is *******
>
> 9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her
>
> friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night
>
> before last, and she called the police because it was
>
> late and she thought it was weird. The police told her
>
> "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door."
>
> The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had
>
> crawled near a window, and she was worried that it
>
> would crawl to the street and get run over. The
>
> policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way,
>
> whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her
>
> that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry
>
> recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes
>
> thinking that someone dropped off a baby He said they
>
> have not verified it, but have had several calls by
>
> women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their
>
> doors when they're home alone at night.

This came from my Sister (a Para-medic,) but I have taught the same ideas in S.H.A.R.P. (Sexual harassment, rape prevention program) class every holiday season when I was in police work. Just remember the lion at the water hole never catches the animal that is wary, quite the opposite, it's always the one that is paying no attention!

I wish we could all forget these things, but believe me, all of us must be aware of our surroundings everywhere we go these day's, especially at the Holiday season when were distracted, and the bad guy's know it!

Have a blessed Holiday season, and please be careful.

Tom Ford

NO. 256

The Crestwood Independent completes jury service !!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have just completed my service on a jury (5 day trial,) and I can tell you that it was a very rewarding experience indeed !

While I won't bore you with the details of the trial, other than to tell you that it was a civil action against a local hospital, and I was the jury foreman. I would, however like to mention the attitude of some (not all) of the 40 people called for duty on this trial.

In my time on the planet I have seen some whining and complaining, and flat out prevaricating, but people attempting to get out of a jury slot take the cake ! Is it me, or have we become a Nation of "me first" people ? We heard everything under the sun from the folks who wanted out, from I don't understand English well enough, to I am so important that my job can't be without me for 5-6 days!

Out of the forty, fourteen were chosen by the lawyers to serve, and serve we did, with the exception of one who "just couldn't make it because of weather" (that after a person who lived very close to this person showed up !)on the last day (Friday) of the trial. I am positive the judge issued a bench warrant to pick up this person for contempt of court, and if he didn't, well any one of the rest us would have on the spot !

The jury make-up was a true cross section of St. Louis County with Two African American's, (one male, one female,) five women, and seven men (two juror's from Crestwood !) One of the two alternates made it when the "person" failed to show up on Friday, so their time there was not in vain.

The point of all this ranting is to tell you that if your called for jury duty, go willingly, and please don't try to get out of it (probably won't work anyway with the new guidelines,) as this is part of our duty as American citizens ! Think about it, would you want a griping bunch sitting on your jury (if you ever needed one,) or would you want your "piers" to be there and attentive to your cause ?

Tom Ford

NO. 255

Crestwood public works team performs an outstanding task !!!

Ladies and gentlemen, I left my sub-division this morning with a truck full of ice, and snow! As did many of you I drove around down wires, trees and branches on my way to the court house (I have been on jury duty all week!)

The really great news is that I never once had to drive on a street (until I left Crestwood,) that was not plowed and salted! On the way out of my street I met up with a plow being driven by a man (0650) who was obviously tired, but just as obviously determined to complete his assignment, I stopped and thanked him for the great job he had done on my street!

This is the sort of dedication and hard work our Crestwood employees put in for us every day, and I think we all owe them a vote of confidence, and a thank you for a job well done! So the next time you see a Crestwood employee, take a minute to stop and thank them for their service to our community, it will go a long way, believe me.

Tom Ford

NO. 254