The "ways and means committee" meeting report!
Per every ones request I went to City Hall today and listened to 1:59 minutes of the meeting on 10/17/07. Many thanks to our outstanding City Clerk for working with me on this!
The synopsis of the meeting is as follows, The City Administrator (C/A) advised the Mayor that several Alderman visited with him prior to the meeting to discuss how to report to the Board. The Mayor advised the C/A that this was not proper, as he was not present.
Alderman Miguel, and Foote discussed the budget with Mr. Miguel being adamant that the budget be balanced! It was mentioned that we may see a shortfall of two hundred thousand (more or less) that would need to be covered by our surplus.
The loss of revenue from the Plaza was discussed, and the consensus was that it could be made up by other stores (Macy's,) and may not be a problem. Mr. Miguel suggested a plan "B" if that was not the case.
The thirty thousand was discussed, and IT will go to the Board tonight for consideration, but no final deal was made on it.
There were further housekeeping items discussed, and the money for two new vehicles was requested to be cut back to one, however they are still both in the budget. A new sound system was discussed, and may be voted on tonight.
All in all it sounded to me like the folks up there have a very good handle on the budget, and I heard nothing that would concern me at this time!
The tape I listened to is a "preliminary" raw copy, and has not yet been approved as gospel by the Board, so we shall wait and see if there is further.
By the way, if you wish to listen to the tape, I have it on CD, so please contact me.
Tom Ford
NO. 405
The synopsis of the meeting is as follows, The City Administrator (C/A) advised the Mayor that several Alderman visited with him prior to the meeting to discuss how to report to the Board. The Mayor advised the C/A that this was not proper, as he was not present.
Alderman Miguel, and Foote discussed the budget with Mr. Miguel being adamant that the budget be balanced! It was mentioned that we may see a shortfall of two hundred thousand (more or less) that would need to be covered by our surplus.
The loss of revenue from the Plaza was discussed, and the consensus was that it could be made up by other stores (Macy's,) and may not be a problem. Mr. Miguel suggested a plan "B" if that was not the case.
The thirty thousand was discussed, and IT will go to the Board tonight for consideration, but no final deal was made on it.
There were further housekeeping items discussed, and the money for two new vehicles was requested to be cut back to one, however they are still both in the budget. A new sound system was discussed, and may be voted on tonight.
All in all it sounded to me like the folks up there have a very good handle on the budget, and I heard nothing that would concern me at this time!
The tape I listened to is a "preliminary" raw copy, and has not yet been approved as gospel by the Board, so we shall wait and see if there is further.
By the way, if you wish to listen to the tape, I have it on CD, so please contact me.
Tom Ford
NO. 405
posted by Crestwood Independent at 17:25
45 Comments:
Thanks Tom!
What was your understanding of the claim that he (mayor) sets the agenda not the BOA?
How do you feel about his claim that aldermen meeting with the CA with out he being there was incorrect?
Tks again for your great service to our city
The way I heard it is that the C/A sets the tone of the meeting, not the Mayor. In my opinion that would be the correct thing to do to move the meeting forward.
As far as the meeting without the Mayors knowledge, well it's not only the Mayor that had no idea that this was taking place, but all of us as well!
How about we try to stick to the idea of "open meetings" and let all of us know what's going on? Was it incorrect? Well, yes and no!
In my humble opinion if were going to have these clandestine meetings we had better have the City attorney clear it first.
Tom Ford
I just received a call from St. Elizibeth church wanting to interview me reference the City and the church!
Is this interesting, or what? It seems that they are interested in the direction that the City is going in as well as the church.
I will do the interview, and I can't wait to see how the "seperation of church and state" (no such thing in the constitution) is played out here.
Ward Two politics has always been dominated by the folks from the church, so this will be an eye opener for me!
Tom Ford
a quorum is 4 aldermen, so 3 can meet without the mayor or city attorney giving their blessings or being there.
There is still the right of free assembly on our Consitution, that the Mayor can not over rule.
Now if there were 4 aldermen there, that's another story, that's covered by the Sunshine law. Something that all govt. bodies in Mo. have to follow, regardless of what their City Attorney or mayor says.
To my knowledge, Aldermen can meet with the CA at anytime (barring he has the time) but may be restricted from meeting with department heads. I think that was to limit the amount of time it would take out of the department head's work schedule, nothing more.
"The loss of revenue from the Plaza was discussed, and the consensus was that it could be made up by other stores "
You have got to be kidding me????? Anyone else second that? I'm in shock but then again......consider the committee members.
Consensus, my foot, that was the mayors position, the other members didn't agree with his crack pot economics. In fact he chewed Miguel out pretty good for simply asking if there was a plan B? Roy came unglued over the question, but the real reason is, Roy is hiding from us the fact that he knows as others on the BOA do, that Macy's is closing in he 1st quarter of 2008. Miguel's question was correct, what is plan B?
Where is all the chatter regarding the Ways and Means committee????? Seems to me that this would stir up quite a bit of concern. I guess only if it is NOT about the mayor or his lack of expertise in the accounting area.
Has anyone put the pieces together about Ms Brown (or is it Mr) and the up coming filing. Frank and Roy step in it again :)
I read today's CALL and it is very clear to me that the lack of chatter is due to the Mayor's
supporters being embarrassed by their man's lack of manners or foresight regarding plan B.
Plan B Alderman Miguel for mayor in '08
Oh come on Tom. The C/A can meet with the Aldermen anytime he wants as long as there is not a Quorum. Sounds to me like the Mayor got his feelings hurt. Just another attempt to control everything.
From a friend who is a professor at Florida State. A bit off topic, but think about it as it relates to Crestwood ploitics.
Tom Ford
From Greek and Roman mythology to the Revelations of John, philosophers have placed different meanings to the Four Horsemen: Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. Each successive generation of humanity has found it's own "meaning" both in the riders and their horses. Perhaps we can put some new spin on the Horsemen through careful analysis and apply it contemporaneously.
Pestilence rides the white horse: from the Greek, ίππος λευκός (híppos leukós), "The White Horse." Pestilence is represented by white, the colour of pureness, sweetness, light, and peace. I propose that pestilence, in our modern culture, represents the "doves" or "peaceniks" in our midst, weakening our moral fibre and draiing us of the will to fight in self-defence. The peace-at-all-costs mentality reduces humanity to slavery -- not of the Master but of the mob.
War rides the red horse: from the Greek, ίππος πυρρός (híppos purrós), "The Fiery (Red) Horse." War is represented by red, the colour of leachery, immorality, violence, and promescuity. I propose that war is actually civil strife, rather than Global conflict, and represents the uprising of the few who hold onto moral foundations slaughtered by the masses who are committed to sins of the flesh.
Famine rides the black horse: from the Greek, ίππος μέλας (híppos mélas), "The Black Horse." Famine is represented by black, the colour of decay, degredation, apathy, and anarchy. I propose that Famine refers not to an environmental disaster -- either caused or inadvertant -- but to the lack of care, skills, and desire to farm caused by the leachery of Pestilence and the desolation of moral fibre by War. It will not be that the soil will not grow food but that no one is to be distracted from carnal pleasure sufficiently to stir themselves to toil in fields.
Death rides the "pale" horse: from the Greek, ίππος χλωρός, θάνατος (híppos khlōrós, thánatos), "The Green Horse, Death." As can be seen from the original Greek script, and its literal translation, "Death" does NOT ride a "pale" horse at all but IS itself a green horse, named "Death." The horse, if literally interpreted, has no rider but is the final harbinger of the collector of souls (Hades), who follows the horse's passage. I propose this is the final stage of human devolution into tribalism, murder for entertainment ("thrill-kills"), and debauchery. Without law or morality -- a sense of right and the willingness to punish wrong -- society dies of its own illnesses: . All that is left is to sweep up the leavings and start again.
The Four Horses of Apocalypse -- the four harbingers of death -- can be interpreted as:
Liberalism: liberty without responsibility.
Communism: from each who will be productive; to each who won't.
Anarchy: murder as entertainment.
Apathy: the abandonment of the individual will to survive.
Well, that's my theory... and my rant for the day.
Things really are bad when someone finds fault with an alderman meeting with the CA. I remember aldermen having many a meeting with CA at Malone's.
How come the Mayor can meet with the police chief down at malone's in the evenings alone? Isn't this a conflict of interest?
Also, why has the mayor been so hush hush about being taken out of malone's a few weeks back late at night by our own Crestwood paramedics?
Yeah, why have no rumors sprouting up if it had been Fagan picked up at a bar?
Why no talk about the Police Chief hitting a deer with his City provided car after a meeting with the Mayor at Malones?
Is that what all the closed door meetings up there are all about, how to keep the public in the dark about the Real Roy?
Tom,
I am sure that it will be an eye opener for the folks at the church as well seeing you walk in. Now why would a church think you have any inside information on what is going on in the city when you don't even go to Board meetings, you don't sit on any boards and all your information is derived second hand from your cub reporters. Have you cleared this with the Mayor?
Is this a paid appearance? Why don't you have the mayor go?
Why does it only cost the city of Sunset Hills $958 per person (budget expenses divided by population) and in Crestwood it is $1,142 per person????
Older community (buildings, etc.)?
More roads to maintain?
Take a look at Sunset Hills web site. Gives more information to citizens than Crestwood's. ALL boards and committee meeting minutes are posted. Not just the BOA meeting. Try getting Crestwood to get you Ways and Means meeting minutes posted! (very important meeting but....) They also give you BOA meeting minutes within days after the meeting. (drafts of course) At least the citizens aren't 2 weeks behind on the information.
9:38 PM blogger: I have no idea! First of all, I am a Missouri synod Lutheran, not a Catholic, so yes walking into that church would be novel for me!
Second, why bother with me when you have noted luminarys such as Adlerman Pickel who is a member, and surely knows more than I do?
I await their call, and the interview. I will tell you that it never happens I won't miss iTom Ford
4:42 PM, October 24, 2007
I don't think Jerry Miguel will run for mayor. Any ideas as to who will?
9:38 PM, October 24, 2007
You may want to call St. Elizabeth's. They want to interview Tom, so they can answer your questions.
I think the letter from Roger Anderson indicated the following.
1. The Murphy machine no longer supports Roy.
2. They have heard that Bland, Pickel or Roby may run for mayor.
3. Letter was their method of knocking the three down in the public eye.
4. The Murphy's will support and back Miguel for mayor.
5. Post 5:50 was done to draw out name of any one else who may be thinking of running.
6. Mr. Anderson is a very close friend to the Murphy family.
Nothing wrong with any of this, just a view to what is going on behind the scenes. Imagine how Roy must have of felt when he read Rogers letter, he knows he has lost him and the Murphys in this upcoming election. Should be fun to watch.
6:19 PM blogger: The Murphy machine? Is that anything like the swim club / St. E's Machine?
I had no idea that the Murphy's were so powerfull! Thanks for telling us, wow!
Tom Ford
stronger and you have seen it in action first hand.
6:19 blogger
Wow, you are one know it all aren't you? All the parties you have mentioned, you are personal friends are you? Well, for one thing the Murphy's probably are too smart to tip their card and there is no way they would have revealed any of your proclamations. And, by the way, I'm sure they have a lot of friends. Mr. Anderson is a resident who cares. Don't blame him for an opinion. He has that right, as do you and I.
I love the part about the 3 you think want to run for mayor. Think they best try to get things under control as aldermen, get a little more of a handle on our situations.
Get the politics out of their system as they begin to realize the extent of our problems and how they can help.
Why don't you quit trying to drum up trouble as it is so clear who you are. Crestwood has plenty of issues and has for some years, now. What possible reason do you have for constantly trying to plant dead seeds. You are the unhappiest loser I have ever read. You make all the people you mentioned with such hate (Mr. Anderson, the Murphy's, Roy) look like saints.
11:10 Why are your shorts all in a bunch over my post, re read the last paragraph, nothing wrong with this, will be fun (interesting?) to watch unfold. No one got dumped on, kind of thin skinned are'nt you?
11:10 PM, October 25, 2007
This blogger is part of the 20% that will NEVER be happy.
I'm happy and I hope you are too!
7:46 PM blogger: Indeed I have! Now the question is are we all really sure we need that sort of politics in Crestwood?
Do we really want to be a minature Chicago where the daley (lower case intended) machine controlls everything?
Lord, I hope not, because you see, "Power corrupt's, and absolute power corrupt's absolutly!" As the man once said!
By the way, I havent heard from the Church folks on my "interview," did someone get to them?
Tom Ford
"That sort of politics in Crestwood"? We already have it and you know it, so dont act like you dont know what is going on with Mr. Anderson's letter, and the sudden support of Mr. Miguel on this blog.
Roy is out with the Murphys and now they support Mr. Miguel, it is all ok, but I dont understand why it has to stay below the radar.
Ok then, if that's what you want to believe ...
8:18 PM blogger: Gee thanks! I am glad "it's ok!"
Mr. Andersons letter was written by Mr. Anderson, he didn't ask my advise, nor did he ask if he should post it!
You see, not everything in Crestwood has to be "cleared by the political machines!"
Tom ford
Is Trueblood going to run for mayor? Now THAT would be interesting to watch.
Why don't you call and ask Trueblood, his phone number is in the White Pages?
He's on this blog quite a bit. He can answer here.
Maybe Trueblood wants Miguel to run for mayor. The votes would split between Robinson and Miguel supporters and either Trublood or Bland -whoever decides to run if they run- will win in a three-way race by getting the most votes out of the three.
tHE CHURCH IS INTERVIEWING PEOPLE IN THE PARISH ALL OVER THE CITY--IT IS PART OF A COMMUNITY WIDE EVENT--ACROSS SOUTH COUNTY. DONT LET YOUR HEAD SWELL THINKING THEY ARE SEEKING YOUR WISE COUNSEL....iT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR BLOG
When you are planning on posting your interview with the Catholic Church?
Why is St. Elizabeth interviewing people? Are they planning a parish event or what? The school is closed. Is the church next?
10:59 PM blogger: No kidding sherlock! When did I ever say it did? That was conjured up by you, and others on the blog!
11:04 PM blogger: I will post it if,and when they do it.
11:12 PM blogger: I have no idea, they just called and said they were doing it. Why not call the rectory and ask Father Edward's?
Tom Ford
Trueblood for mayor? Just think of the votes from Ewers drive alone!
Ah Hah! The interview will take place at 6:30 PM, November 1, 2007 at "Ches Ford." Want to attend so you get it first hand?
Tom Ford
Please, I am begging you...stop using big words that you do not know how to spell...particularly French terms or idioms. You really expose your lack of education.
8:47 PM blogger: Gee would you like to be my tutor?
If you got the message, I am happy. I told all of you a long time ago that while you were attending school, I was in the Navy.
I am sorry but I did not have the chance to spend my parents money (they had none) at a fancy school, or eaven a State one, so I am what I am.
I may not hold a degree, as I am sure you do, but I do think I make up for that in "walking around sense!
Now, you will no doubt disagree, if only because you must to save face, but I revert back to a man who taught me what I needed to know to be a man, my Dad (Robert Patton Ford, (deceased.)
His comment? Well, here goes, "You would have to go to school to get that stupid, you coulden't do that by yourself!"
Tom Ford
The Ways and Means committee is required to submit a balanced budget for the BOA. Period.
Who by his own admission is in charge of the Ways and Means Committee?
Mayor Roy.
Maybe that's why it is not in budget. The mayor has made it clear he plans on using part of the nonexpendable fund to offset the difference. I guess the BOA don't have a say in the matter!
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