A great tribute to Firefighters everywhere, Thank you!

This was just to good and to patriotic not to post here. It's rather timely I think as this discussion looms on retaining our Men and Women.

A lot of remarks have been placed on this blog about my being "tight with the Firemen." Well, guess what, I am! My friends, until you have stepped through the door of a burning building, or helped to pull survivors from a car that is on fire, or for that matter brought back to life a two year old that choked on a sliver of a hot dog you have no idea the intensity of their job's.

We all think of Police and Fire as a necessary part of the budget, but they are rather more than that. They are the ones who will do whatever it takes to save you, no matter what the personal risk to themselves. They are the ones who face that crazed criminal in your house, or the fire that threatens to leave you homeless, and Mame your children, and, yes they are the ones who will be there in seconds to save your loved one if a heart attack should strike!

Am I "tight with the Firemen, you better believe it, I have been there, I have seen their act, and believe me, it's a darned good one!

Please click on the header for one of the best artists rendition I have ever seen.

Tom Ford

NO.429

Green Park un-happy with the Mehlville FPD!!!

When, and if you get the "paper" please note the article on the front page titled "MFPD statistics rebut reduced staffing claim" by Green Park officials!

The gist of the story is that the Green Park Mayor and all but two Aldermen sent a letter to Mr. Hilmer bemoaning the fact that their ambulance protection has dwindled as of late, and there not happy!

Mr. Hilmer has sent out some "statistics" in an attempt to prove this is not so, and he has garnered the full spin machine of the "paper" to back him up. Now we all know what "statistics" are don't we? In case you don't it's a group on numbers put together to benefit the side that put them together, plain and simple. For instance, you could say that you house was hit by a flash flood, and it was my fault. I, on the other hand can use the numbers to "prove?" you wrong, as it was outside a known flood plain, but you get the idea.

One thing is for sure though, Green Park is not happy, Mr. Hilmer thinks they wronged him, and the "paper" has ridden to the defense of the "Conservatives conservative" Mr. Hilmer!

This is just in time folks! Now more than ever you can see why we do not need this "Trojan Horse" at the gates of Crestwood!

Tom Ford

NO. 428

What American accent do you have?

This is a fun little quiz for you and the family! I received this from the Wallach family, and I thought you would all appreciate it.

Try it, it pinned me to my "home" region flawlessly. (just click on the header for the short quiz.)

Tom Ford

NO.427

Mehlville fire board courts Crestwood?

Is it me, or does anyone else find it strange that the Mehlville fire board continues to speak to the papers reference their proposed take over of out Fire Department?

By now they received the letter telling them were not interested, and yet the three on the board continue to tell us how lucky we would be via the Post Dispatch (click in the header for the story.)

Mr. Hilmer, MS. Stegman, and whomever else is on that board seem to like to "try their case in the papers!" Why you say, well because they know they cant win with us, so they attempt to portray us as victim's, and UN-informed, by using the papers. This reminds me of the lawyers for the Menendez brothers who asked for mercy since their clients were "orphans," forget the fact that they shot their own parents!

To the Mehlville fire board, what say you wait till Jan. 08 when the Town Hall meetings start and then attend the Fire Department one and tell us up close, and in person what your plans are? Failing that, well fish off another dock friends, as we have a very fine Fire Department here, and we don't need one that has a "help wanted" sign out 24 / 7!

Tom Ford

NO.426

Problems in Sunset Hills development circles?

This is interesting folks, it seems as though if your a Mayor of any community in south county your going to be disliked by someone!

I thought that this was a done deal for the new office/condo project, but alas, up jumps the devil in the form of TDD,CID's, and whatever!

Now the natives are very restless, the Mayor (of all people) is being slammed, and darn if it's not starting to sound like Crestwood!

For the "rest of the story" please click on the header to be directed to the South County Times story.

Tom Ford

NO. 425

Happy Thanksgiving Crestwood!

Happy Thanksgiving

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP
THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED, THE DARK MEAT AND
WHITE
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.
SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR
AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.
GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.
I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.

I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING,FLOATING INTO THE
SKY
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.
BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES....
HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP,
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS, MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.
Happy Thanksgiving.


(Written by a friend!)

Tom Ford

NO.424

For the "Baby Boomers" amoung us!

While a bit off topic when it comes to Crestwood (maybe not,) I sill thought this was worth the band width!

Just click on the header to be directed to the animation!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Tom Ford

NO. 423

How much do you know about Thanksgiving?

Take the Turkey Quiz by clicking on the header! I got 12 right, how will you do?

This is a bit of holiday fun for the kids as well, so have at it!

Tom Ford

NO. 422

Mehlville fire plan, "thanks but no thank's!"

Below is a resume of last night's BOA meeting reference the Mehlville FPD proposed take over. I want to personally thank Alderman Pickel for getting the ball rolling on this "gesture" by Mr. Hilmer, ET AL!

In addition I would like to add the fact that our Mayor, Mr. Roy Robinson has personally come out against this proposal as well, and said so last night!

Does he have a plan? Well I guess so, in fact his plan is to keep home rule in Crestwood where it belongs, and not in the hands of some FPD that couldn't care less about us! Is it me, or does anyone else find it strange that Mr. Hilmer would send this proposal to the local papers? Since when sir do they make the decisions for Crestwood?

Mr. Hilmer, the next time you have a bright idea for my city, please run it through the chain of command (you know the fire chief, C/A, Mayor, ETC.) and not the local paper, as the "paper" has a negative 3000 rating in this town! Until then please take your engine houses, your ALS trucks, your one ambulance, and yes your Dalmatian and fade back into relative obscurity!


"Under new business, Alderman Pickel brought up the proposal by Mehlville to take over Crestwood's fire protection. He said he received a lot of calls from residents concerned over the issue. Frank Myers told everyone that a letter is going out today (Wednesday) thanking Mr. Hilmer for his offer, but that the budget for the 2008 Crestwood Fire Department has already been set. He also said the city was happy with its fire protection and the offer from Mehlville came unsolicited. Furthermore, the letter (from Mr. Hilmer) was sent only to the mayor and board of alderman. Neither Mr. Myers nor Chief Kestler received the letter. It was also mentioned that the board will host town hall meetings in January, February, and March to discuss city services."

Tom Ford

NO.421

This makes a lot os sense to me, how about you?

From a friend in Texas who chose to send it to me via E-mail

Thanks John!

THE LAW IS THE LAW



So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words"under God" to be on our money, or spoken in the "Pledge of Allegiance" then, so be it.

And if that same government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions.

I would like to think that those people have the American public's best interests at heart.





BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?


Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot post His Commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the Government and its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life.

I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the US Supreme Court to be in session on Christ mas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break." After all it's just another day.

I'm thinking that a lot of my tax payer dollars could be saved, if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter. It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct. "
In fact....


I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshiping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day....

What do you all think????


John B. Houston, TX.

Tom Ford NO. 420

Both the Steelers and the Rams win, WOW!

The Crestwood Independent and Linda celebrate yet another victory!

Tom Ford

NO. 419

Wow, a group of local Liberals band toghether to "refute the local blogs!"

Saturday, November 10, 2007
Our Favorite Blogs
In an effort to keep our readers informed about South County politics, we urge you to visit the following blogs:



South County News - Operated by failed Mehlville School Board member (he was defeated by a strip club owner) Mike Heins. Heins spends most of his time blathering conspiracy theories about Call Newspapers publisher Bill Milligan.


Crestwood Independent - Operated by failed Crestwood aldermanic candidate Tom Ford. Ford is another Call Newspapers hater who is the darling of the Crestwood fire fighters union.


Mehlville Fire Protection District Information - Operated by Local 1889 president Bob Strinni. The state of the district seen through the eyes of the incompetent union bosses.


Enjoy!

Posted by TruthDetector at 9:08 AM

The only problem with these "paragons of truth" is the fact that they do not allow a response! Well, neither did Joseph Gobels! Great job my friends, when you allow a response, I will refute you!

Tom Ford

NO. 418

Let's compare the Mehlville FPD wth Crestwood for a change!

In the hope of helping understand the Mehlville offer, I post the following for your consideration.

ISO Certification: Both Departments are.

ALS manned trucks: Both Departments have them.

Training up to date: Both Departments are fully trained.

Ambulance service: Mehlville has one, Crestwood has two assigned by Abbott.

Ambulance billing: Both Departments bill the user for services not covered by insurance.

Area knowledge: Crestwood wins hands down!

Response time: Again, Crestwood has the edge of being centrally located (2-3 Min.)

So what's the difference you say? Well here's where we separate the two! Let's say you live on Coffee Dr. and the Mehlville ambulance is in the far south side of their area. This can be the difference between watching your grand children grow up, or not! Sure they have all ALS equipped trucks, right? Well, yes they do, however if no one on the truck is qualified to use it (only a few are,) well your back in deep trouble!

I have also noticed that the calls on Crestwoods south side (where we border Mehlvile FPD) are responded to by a Crestwood pumper truck, Mehlville FPD only sends the ambulance. Why is that Mr. Hilmer, you say you have the resources, the man power to save us all, yet you call us for "mutual aid?"

Now let's move into the cost of this, and, what I believe is the real reason behind this move. First of all, Mr. Hilmer said that he can save us $200,000.00 per year, but can, and will he really do that? In a word, yes, for the first year! Right after well sell off the equipment, fire the 40+ year old firemen (who have protected us for many a year, and will have no chance to be hired by Mehlville,) the worm will turn! AND THEN THE COST WILL RISE!

I can hear you now, "Say it ain't so," Well sorry folks it is as predictable as the fact that the sun will come up tomorrow! Look around you at the Cities that have disbanded and moved to a FPD! Sunset Hills pays $1.09 per hundred of assessed value for the Fenton FPD, and the list goes on!

Now as to "why us?" Well believe me it's not out of the goodness of Mr. Hilmers heart that he proposes this "good samararten" idea, not in the least! You see, Mehlville must expand to continue it's growth pattern (and finances.) Not only that, but a FPD is like a "fiefdom" where the king has an insatiable appetite for more land.

The "why us" part comes when a FPD smells blood in the water! These guy's look at a City having difficulty, and pounce on it like a cat on a mouse, telling us what they can do for us, what they do not say is what they will do to us!

Now to continue my thoughts on this, I ask you why in God's name do any of us wish to sound the death knell for the people who are willing to place their life on the line for us every day? Do any of you really think that a 50 something firefighter will be hired by Mehlville at the same pay scale when they can get a rookie just out of firefighter school?

Folk's, we have firefighters who live right here in Crestwood, they pay taxes just as we do, and as for me, and mine, we salute them, and thank them profusely for the outstanding job they have, and will continue to do!

Tom Ford

NO. 417

Breaking news! Please watch the "You paid for it" segment on 2 news tomorrow night!

It seems that LARRY SALCI, Metro CEO, referring to Elliott Davis has made a remark that is not only wrong, but reflects on how he feels about the local citizens! What he failed to realize is that the camera was still running, and thus the remark is preserved for posterity!

Now Larry, if that's how you feel about us, how about your immediate resignation so you can find a job that you can fit into? How do you feel about the phrase " You want fries with that?" That said tho, I am not all that sure you can Handel that!

Your going to love this one folks, so please tune in!

Tom Ford

NO. 416

We have a "published author" on the Crestwood Police Department!

Ladies and Gentlemen, The November, 2007 edition of "Uptown Magazine" has an article named "confessions of a gridiron junkie," written by officer Mike Ford published on page 16!

It would appear that our police officers are more than just a bunch of "pretty faces!"

Congratulations, Mike, you made us all proud!

Tom Ford

NO. 415

Mehlville Fire Protection District want's to take over Crestwood!

This is one of the worst ideas I have heard since I moved to Crestwood! They say they can save us $200,000.00 per year by replacing the Fire Department, but what you didn't hear was that they will add between $.70 cents to a $1.30 to your property tax bill every year!

These guy's want to expand, and to do so they must take on new areas! Well, if we let them do this I guarantee you that the exemplary service we are used to will disappear, and so will some more of your fund's!

Don't believe me? Well start by asking Alderman Roby what happens when a FPD moves in. I am sure he will tell you what we saw in North County, where they got lost from time to time, or arrived late to a serious medical emergency, thus relying on a police officer to do the best they could (with limited training,) to save a life!

If you look at the savings only (which will disappear the following year,) wow! However, if you love your family, as most of us do, you will reject this out of hand!

Call City hall, the Mayor, and your Alderman, tell them this is not needed now, or ever!

Tom Ford

NO. 414

RAF career game, some fun for young and old alike.

Could you qualify to be a "load master" on a supply aircraft? Just click on the header, and find out!

By the way this is a great way to keep the kiddies occupied, so have at it mom's, and dad's.

Tom Ford

NO. 413

Off topic, but well worth reading and reflecting on.

"President Bush did make a bad mistake in the war on terrorism. But the mistake was not his decision to go to war in Iraq. Bush's mistake came in his belief that this country is the same one his father fought for in WW2. It is not.

Back then, they had just come out of a vicious depression. The country was steeled by the hardship of that depression, but they still believed fervently in this country. They knew that the people had elected their leaders, so it was the people's duty to back those leaders.

Therefore, when the war broke out the people came together, rallied behind, and stuck with their leaders, whether they had voted for them or not or whether the war was going badly or not.

And war was just as distasteful and the anguish just as great as it is today. Often there were more casualties in one day in WW2 than we have had in the entire Iraq war. But that did not matter. The people stuck with the President because it was their patriotic duty. Americans put aside their differences in WW2 and worked together to win that war.

Everyone from every strata of society, from young to old pitched in. Small children pulled little wagons around to gather scrap metal for the war effort. Grade school students saved their pennies to buy stamps for war bonds to help the effort.

Men who were too old or medically 4F lied about their age or condition trying their best to join the military. Women doubled their work to keep things going at home. Harsh rationing of everything from gasoline to soap, to butter was imposed, yet there was very little complaining.

You never heard prominent people on the radio belittling the President. Interestingly enough in those days there were no fat cat actors and entertainers who ran off to visit and fawn over dictators of hostile countries and complain to them about our President. Instead, they made upbeat films and entertained our troops to help the troops' morale. And a bunch even enlisted!

And imagine this: Teachers in schools actually started the day off with a Pledge of Allegiance, and with prayers for our country and our troops!

Back then, no newspaper would have dared point out certain weak spots in our cities where bombs could be set off to cause the maximum damage. No newspaper would have dared complain about what we were doing to catch spies.

A newspaper would have been laughed out of existence if it had complained that German or Japanese soldiers were being 'tortured' by being forced to wear women's underwear, or subjected to interrogation by a woman, or being scared by a dog or did not have air conditioning.

There were a lot of things different back then. We were not subjected to a constant bombardment of pornography, perversion and promiscuity in movies or on radio. We did not have legions of crackheads, dope pushers and armed gangs roaming our streets.

No, President Bush did not make a mistake in his handling of terrorism. He made the mistake of believing that we still had the courage and fortitude of our fathers. He believed that this was still the country that our fathers fought so dearly to preserve.

It is not the same country. It is now a cross between Sodom and Gomorra and the land of Oz. We did unite for a short while after 9/11, but our attitude changed when we found out that defending our country would require some sacrifices.

We are in great danger. The terrorists are fanatic Muslims. They believe that it is okay, even their duty, to kill anyone who will not convert to Islam. It has been estimated that about one-third or over three hundred million Muslims are sympathetic to the terrorists cause...Hitler and Tojo combined did not have nearly that many potential recruits.

So...we either win it - or lose it - and you ain't gonna like losing.

America is not at war. The military is at war. America is at the Mall."

From a friend who spent his life defending this great Nation in the Marine Corps!

Tom Ford

NO. 412

Budget, 2008 work session 7:00 PM at the BOA chambers!

Ladies and Gentlemen, This is our chance to show up and demonstrate we care about where the money is going!

I understand that the position of Economic Development Director ($64,000.00 per year) has been removed for 08, and there are other reductions as well.

I don't know if we can come to the floor and ask questions or not, but we sure can " button hole" our Alderman when it's over!

Please click on the header for the notice.

Tom Ford

NO. 411

The interview from St. Elizabeth church.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as promised, I am reporting on the much questioned interview by the Church.

We spent a very enjoyable period of time discussing the role of the the Church in the community, as well as my thoughts on the future. You may wish to calm your fears that the Church may close, as they have no plans to do so!

I came away from the discussion feeling that they plan to be more of a cohesive force in Crestwood by working with the City to bring all of us together!

All in all, a very good meeting, a very pleasant interviewer, and a positive result!

Tom Ford

NO. 410