Tax information hot off the City web site, or why isn't it up to date?

Once again please click on the header for the "latest" tax information (2003!) from the Crestwood web site.

I know they are busy up there doing what Cities do, but I am being asked to shell out another .35 cents per hundred of assessed value with information from 2003!

Now, you and I know that things have changed since then, but what if I were part of an aspiring family who was looking for a City to move to from another State, and I opened this?

We paid a lot of money for that financial software (over $140,000.00 I believe,) so why arn't we doing something with it? I also know that "one page" reports seem to be all the rage now, but could we fire up the computer and come up to "real time? I for one would like to see a City P&L statement (you know the one you give to the bank) before I will vote for ANY tax increase!

Folks, I have no intention of trying to influence your vote here (all of you are much to smart for that,) but as for me, I will be voting negative until, and unless I see something that shows me I'm wrong.

An open letter to our leaders: Gentlemen, August 5th is not that far away. You do not have that much time to convenience us were wrong, so I would get going, or plan for a landslide defeat! While I am at it, this City is represented by nine individuals, duly elected who should be respected by everyone on that Dias. Please no more of the unfavorable remarks about fellow elected officials from the Dias! These are serious times, and they demand serious leaders to bring us through them, so let's get moving!

Tom Ford

NO. 517

For our Crestwood Men and Women serving overseas!

Please click on the header to be directed to a video honoring our Men and Women who are overseas insuring our freedom as I write this.

You may or may not know Crestwood has troop's in harms way, and this is but one way of honoring them. No it's not for the squeamish, but it is reality, and it will show you the sacrifices these outstanding people are making for us.

We all owe these Men and Women a heartfelt "thank you" when they return to us, and for those that pay the ultimate price, no amount of our respect will ever be enough!



Tom Ford

NO. 516

Did you know there was a carnival at Crestwood Courts this past weekend?

I didn't until I saw the Ferris wheel and the rides set up on Saturday morning. In fact when I mentioned it to my wife (so we could take the Grand kids) she called the Crestwood Police dispatcher to ask when it opened, the dispatcher didn't know there was one there either.

I am sure you have to pull permits, and safety inspections for that sort of thing, and I am just as sure that was done. My question is what didn't the police, know about this in case of emergency, are we communicating department to department as we should be?

The real question here though is why wasn't this promoted in town via the Crestwood Connections, or the City web site, or the "paper?" Nit picking you say? well maybe, but there are several restaurants, and stores that may have benefited from an out of town draw, people wise (and they produce TAX revenue.)

Please don't try to tell me that we need an "economic director" for that sort of thing because WE DON'T! I think we missed a good chance to introduce Crestwood Court's, and pick up some "extra" cash to offset the planned retail tax holiday.



Tom Ford

NO. 515

Meet Michelle Obama! As promised, here is her bio from their web site.

Please click on the header to be directed to the site that will give you a heads up on the background of Michelle Obama, presumptive Democratic candidates wife, and possible first lady.

Again, this is for your information, and should be used (as is Cindy McCain's) as a method of better understanding the candidates for the top job in the Country!


Tom Ford

NO. 514

Not about Crestwood, but very interesting to say the least!

No matter where you come down on the Presidential race, you should know all there is to know about the candidates to make an informed decision. To that end I will post, from time to time, bio's on the candidates, and their wives for your information, starting with Cindy McCain.

This is an interesting article as not much was known about her. She was on Leno the other night and it was an interesting interview. It turns out that she is a character as she is or has been a race car driver and is also a pilot. She flies John around the country to his rallies. After hearing that about her and reading this I now have a lot of respect for her. This information is confirmed by Snopes.

Election 2008: Cindy Hensley McCain has been disparaged as a trophy wife, a Barbie, an heiress with fancy purses, even the Paris Hilton of politics. But there's more to the picture than meets the eye. Yes, Mrs. McCain is the perfectly coiffed blonde standing dutifully behind the Senator during his speeches. And yes, she wears stylish clothing and carries a Prada purse. And it's true she doesn't say much. But feminist critics who write her off as a 'stand-by-your-man' shrinking violet are selling her short. In many ways, Cindy McCain stacks up sturdier than Hillary Clinton or Michelle Obama. And she'd make a more impressive first lady.

While Obama's wife has been hating America , complaining about the war and undermining our troops serving in Afghanistan , McCain's wife has been worrying about her sons who actually are fighting or planning to fight in the war on terror. One, in fact, was until a few months ago, deployed in Iraq during some of the worst violence. You don't hear the McCain's talk about it, but their 19-year-old Marine, Jimmy, is preparing for his second tour of duty.

Their 21-year-old son, Jack, is poised to graduate from Annapolis and also could join the Marines as a second lieutenant. The couple made the decision not to draw attention to their sons out of respect for other families with sons and daughters in harm's way. Cindy also says she doesn't want to risk falling apart on the campaign trail talking about Jimmy who was so young when he enlisted she had to sign consent forms for his medical tests before he could report for duty and potentially upsetting parents of soldiers who are serving or have been killed.

The McCain's want to make sure their boys get no special treatment. Same goes for their five other children, including a daughter they adopted from Bangladesh During a visit to Mother Teresa's orphanage there, Cindy noticed a dying baby. The orphanage could not provide the medical care needed to save her life. So she brought the child home to America for the surgery she desperately needed. The baby is now their healthy, 16-year-old daughter, Bridget. Though all seven McCain children including two Sen. McCain adopted from his first marriage are supportive of their father, they prefer their privacy to the glare of the campaign trail. Another daughter, Meghan, 23, helps him behind the scenes.

Cindy McCain not only cherishes her children, but also her country, which in an election year filled with America-bashing, is a refreshing novelty. She seethed when she heard Michelle Obama's unpatriotic remarks that she only recently grew proud of America . 'I am very proud of my country,' Mrs. McCain asserted.

She also may be tougher than the other women in the race. While Hillary 'thinks' she's come under sniper fire on mission trips abroad, Cindy has actually seen violence. She witnessed a boy get blown up by a mine in Kuwait during a trip with an international group that removes land mines from war-torn countries.

Mrs. McCain also is a hands-on philanthropist. She sits on the board of Operation Smile, which arranges for plastic surgeons to fix cleft palates and other birth defects. She also has helped organize relief missions to Micronesia . During a scuba-diving vacation to the islands, Mrs. McCain took a friend to a local hospital to have a cut treated. She was shocked, and saddened, by what she saw. 'They opened the door to the OR, where the supplies were, and there were two cats and a whole bunch of rats climbing out of the sterile supplies,' she recalled. 'They had no X-ray machine, no beds. To me, it was devastating because it was a U.S. trust territory.' As soon as she returned home, she arranged for medical equipment and teams of doctors to be sent to treat the island children.

Michelle Obama may contribute to CARE, which fights global poverty and works to empower poor women. Cindy sits on its board.

Tom Ford

NO. 513

I just came back from training at St. Louis County Board of elections!

To say the least the training to become an election assistant supervisor at the polls on primary day (August 5th) and for the National elections in November is intense!

The training is hands on with instructors from the Republican the Democrat's, and the Libertarians being represented in a bi-partisan fashion. I learned how to operate, explain, set up, tear down, and fix small problems with the electronic voting machines.

I am very happy to tell you that EVERYTHING done to a machine is bi-partisan, meaning that a representative from the parties must be present at any time that a machine is set up, and both have to agree to the end results (serial numbers, location, date, and time) before a machine is placed into service.

I can see that there is very little margin for error during the voting process (the voter can change his/her vote before it's cast,) and none for voter fraud unless two or more agree to it, which will not happen!

I am not sure where I will be assigned yet, but I am looking forward to understanding the process further, and this is a great way to do it.

The County Election Board is always looking for volunteers, so if your up to it, why not join some of your neighbors in making sure the election's are what they should be, fair, honest, and correct!

Tom Ford

NO.512

A "slight" change of plans for the June 24, 2008 Board meeting!

A while back I stated that there would be a "presentation" of the new Crestwood Court development at the meeting on 6/24! If you were going there to see the new plans, don't, as the developers have withdrawn from the meeting, and advised the Mayor that they are not yet ready to divulge the plans for the site.

I am betting this is a major blow to the Mayor and the Board what with the vote for the tax increase being held on August 5th! Many of the residents I have spoken with were waiting to see those plans before they made up their minds on how to vote on the increase, and now this.

I don't know where you come down on the increase but I would have loved to see what's in our future before the vote is taken, as it either strengthens, or weakens the need in my mind.

Early on I said this all boils down to whether we trust the Mayor and the Board to do the right thing, or we don't! I am afraid it's back to that, and only that, as you will not have the opportunity to see the "future" before the vote.

I have also mentioned "cuts." Well I think that's off the table as I was told we have cut everywhere possible now, in such places as the police department where we gained a reorganized department (two new Lieutenants, one deputy chief, and two sergeants) with the retirement of one officer, and still saved $76,000.00.

I hope we will have a chance before the vote to at least understand what we will have in the future, but if not, please get out, let your conscience be your guide, and vote!

Tom Ford

NO. 511

A bit of humor from Ms. J. Stock to lighten the day!

This is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about St. Louis .

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from October through May, you might
live in St.Louis.
If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't
work there, you might live in St.Louis.
If someone mentions "The Landing" and it has nothing to do with the
space shuttle, you might live in St.Louis.
If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live in
St.Louis.
If you've seen a tornado touch down and ONLY thought "Darn it, I just
waxed the car", you might live in St.Louis.
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a
wrong number, you might live in St.Louis.
If you measure distance in hours instead of miles, you might live in
St.Louis.
If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back
again, you might live in St.Louis.
If you drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard for
some White Castles, you might live in St.Louis.
If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use
them, you might live in St.Louis.
If you take I-Farty-Far to Six Flags, you might live in St.Louis.
If you know what/where the Piasa Bird is, you might live in St.Louis.
If someone says concrete and you think of Ted Drewes instead of
pavement, you might live in St.Louis.
If you know what a TRAM is, you might live in St.Louis.
If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you
might live in St.Louis.
If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and
everybody is passing you, you might live in St.Louis.
If you've ever skipped school, work, or even a court-date because you
had tickets to an afternoon Cards, Blues or Rams game, you might live in
St.Louis.
If you can say the words "Cahokia Mounds" and not think of a candy bar or female parts
, you might live in St.Louis.
If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with
snow, you might live in St.Louis.
If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road
construction, you might live in St.Louis.
If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you might live
in St.Louis.
If you find 10 degrees a little 'chilly', you might live in St.Louis.

Thanks for the laugh Jackie!

Tom Ford

NO. 510

For what it's worth I have been contacted and asked if I would review my position on the tax increase!

As we all know there are two sides to every discussion, and I am more than willing to look at the other side here, in case they have a point.

To that end I am going to meet with Mayor Robinson on Friday afternoon to take a look at parts of the puzzle that I (and we,) may not have seen.

I will give all of you my personal feelings (on the increase) when I emerge from the meeting, as I think I will understand the tax proponents perspective a bit better then.

POST MEETING NOTES: I did spend 45 minutes with mayor Robinson today, and I am going to post here some numbers given to me by him reference the three day "sales tax holiday."

actual 2007 tax revenue: $7,180,363.00
actual August 2007 STR: $927,225.00
average daily STR (AUG): $ 29.910.49
3 day STR (Aug.-2007): $89,731.46
% of total STR in 2007: 1.25%

I understand (from him) that he felt these three days would bring new shoppers into Crestwood, and once here they would return. If that does happen, and our retailers can retain them it is worth the 1.25% gamble. At any rate his decision is grounded in a desire to bring new customers to Crestwood, and now that I understand that, I may well have done the same thing.

We discussed many things, not the least of which was the reorganization of the Police Department which I was told has saved $76,000 in total budget expenditure. Crestwood Courts will be discussed at the June 24th meeting, and it will be one of the finest developments in St. Louis when it's completed! That's the good news, the bad news is that the developers are going to want a TIF, TDD, CID to make this happen. How much, I have no idea!

I asked him point blank if we could survive minus the tax increase (.35 over 6 years,)and he told me that we now depend on our businesses to the tune of 52%! Now IF we fall below that number, say 47% there will be a need for additional revenue from somewhere (bank loan,) or tax increase?

I asked about the six year "sunset" time frame on the tax. It's gone to the County printer, so it's in stone! I asked a "what if question," suppose the revenue was back up in four years, would the Board then "sunset," or reduce the tax, he said this could very well happen as the Priop S tax has been reduced by .2 cents this year. We have some things in our favor, White-cliff will be paid off in 2012, and the Kohl's TIF will depart in 2010, and both of these will bring in additional revenue we aren't seeing now.


Mayor Robinson was very forthcoming in his presentation to me, and he told me that he will be glad to meet with any Crestwood Citizen reference the above at any time he is available. I would like to suggest that each of you take advantage of that offer, and make an appointment (as I did) to talk with him about this tax increase in August, or whatever else may be on your mind. I am going to refrain from making a comment on my feeling's reference the tax increase, as I would like each of you to talk to the Mayor, and your Alderman, and make up your own mind!





Tom Ford

NO. 509

On Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 7:00 PM there will be a BOA meeting!

Well yes, we all know that don't we. What you may not know is the fact that Mayor Roy Robinson has VETOED the BOA decision to opt out of the "tax holiday!" This is interesting on a number of fronts!

1. He wants a tax holiday (on three of the best tax producing days of the year,) and he wants us to OK a .35 cent per hundred of assessed value tax increase!

2. He is doing this when the new Alderman from ward two (he voted against it,) will be out of town, thus losing his vote!

3. The BOA will need at least six votes to override the veto (only five will be in attendance!

4. We, the tax payers are expected to anti up to cover this "tax holiday" as usual!

Now, all that said I am wondering what the rational behind this decision of his can be? I discussions with some fellow Crestwoodians, I have come up with a reason, but I will allow you all to come up with the answers.

Believe me folks, this decision is not grounded in anything that will be of benefit to Crestwood, but it will be a vehicle to derail the tax increase in August! What in the world are we seeing here? On one hand we have a group of people who understand what we all face on a day to day basis, and on the other, well, I have an idea, but it isn't good!

To paraphrase Mr. Elliot Davis, get up to the meeting and tell them what you think about this travisty, because "Your going to pay for it!

Tom Ford

NO. 508

A very interesting parallel between Cities! (sent by a reader)

This article is about Sanibel Island, Florida, and the property value in decline! Do you notice any interesting things being done there that we are not doing here? Please click on the header to be directed to the article!

Your comments please!

Tom Ford

NO. 507

How the Government really works!

A cowboy named Bud was overseeing his herd in a remote mountainous pasture in Arkansas when suddenly a brand-new BMW advanced out of a dust cloud towards him.

The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, RayBan sunglasses and YSL tie, leans out t he window and asks the cowboy, 'If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, Will you give me a calf?'
Bud looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, 'Sure, Why not?'

The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his Cingular RAZR V3 cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite to get an exact fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo.

The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg , Germany .
Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses a MS-SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response.

Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-Tech Miniaturized HP Laser Jet printer and finally turns to the cowboy and says, 'You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves.'

'That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves,' says Bud.

He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car.

Then Bud says to the young man, 'Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?'

The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, 'Okay, why not?'

'You're a Congressman for the U.S. Government', says Bud.

'Wow! That's correct,' says the yuppie, 'but how did you guess that?'

'No guessing required.' answered the cowboy. 'You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You tried to show me how much smarter than me

you are; and you don't know a thing about cows...this is a herd of sheep. .

Now give me back my dog.

Tom Ford NO. 506