Saturday, July 25, 2009

Why red light cameras just don't work! (click here for report.)

As you may or may not know Crestwood is once again taking up the bright idea of "red light cameras" in our town! This was the bright idea of the revenue enhancement board, and is now being championed by Mr. Jim Eckrich as a "revenue enhancement" program!

If you look at the Board meeting schedule you will see that the Police Chief is going to give a power point presentation to the Board reference same next Tuesday. Now at first blush you may think well good, but is it? Our City is already on the National speed trap registry, and the cameras will cement this like nothing else.

I thought we wanted to bring shoppers into Crestwood (else why the tax holiday,) not drive them away (which all these items will surly do.) And by the way if you do a study on these programs as I have you will find the only people really making money is the camera company!

In my opinion this is a very ill conceived idea which will be a great detriment to Crestwood from the day it goes into effect, and I am asking my Alderman to vote against it. How about you?

Tom Ford

No. 652

Thursday, July 23, 2009

What does the "tax foundation" think of "tax holidays," and why dosen't our Board know this?

In the not to distant future Crestwood will allow another "tax holiday," which has been touted by "His Honor," and Board President Mr. Pickle as being the savior of Crestwood!

I am still trying to understand just how a "tax holiday" is going to do Crestwood's coffers any good as gas prices are on the rise, unemployment is way up, and very few are spending for anything!

I believe Mr. Forrest Miller said in the Call that this is the worst retail environment since the great depression ( I don't know about that, but apparently he does,) and others are complaining as well.

Now, when we give up this "Tax money" as per our leadership, how long will it be before the City fathers come back with another "TAX INCREASE" on the ballot? Well, at any rate, click on the header and see why "tax holidays' are historically a bad idea, because this one will be as well.

Tom Ford

NO. 651

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The next BOA meeting on July 27, 2009 will contain the second reading of the "dreaded carport issue!"

Ladies and gentlemen, I know we all want a beautiful view when we happen to gaze into the neighbors carport, but is that realistic? What we have here is a "neighbor v neighbor" issue that has been brought to the attention of the Planning and zoning board, who have decided to make a Federal case out of nothing!

As it stands now, we have laws on the books reference "car ports," when we can take out the trash, and when the cans must be out of public view. Can anyone really tell me that this "new ordnance" will change anything? I say it will not! We have a code enforcement officer, heck we have two of them who can, and should enforce the ordnance now on the books, but apparently they rarely do.

I look at this silliness as the "nose of the camel getting a bit further in the tent!" I have young neighbors who have small children, and have their outdoor toys on their carport. Are we to consider them to be "scofflaws" because the little kids want to ride on their toys?

What we have going on here is at best silly, and at the worst ridiculous to say the least! Folks, we have many more worries than "car ports," may I suggest that the "P&Z board take them up and quit trying to layer law on law just for the sake of looking "busy!"


Tom Ford

NO. 650

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

O / T, and not Crestwood, but can we afford to continue this lunacy?

Are We That Stupid?
(author unknown)



OH! Now I understand!!! You think the war in Iraq is costing us too much? Read this: Boy, was I confused. I have been hammered with the propaganda that it is the Iraq war and the war on terror that is bankrupting us. I now find that to be RIDICULOUS.



I hope the following 14 reasons are forwarded over and over again until they are read so many times that the reader gets sick of reading them. I also have included the URL's for verification of all the following facts.





1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year by state governments. Verify at:




2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens. Verify at:



3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens. Verify at:



4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of English! Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.0.html>



5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies. Verify at



6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens. Verify at:



7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens. Verify at:



8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare & social services by the Americantaxpayers.

Verify at:



9. $200 Billion dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens. Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html>



10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that's two and a half times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular, their children, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US .

Verify at:



11. During the year of 2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our Southern Border also, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from Terrorist Countries. Millions of pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana, crossed into the U.S . from the Southern border.. Verify at: Homeland Security Report: Congressman Michael McCaul : Home



12. The National policy Institute, estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41and $46 billion annually over a five year period.' Verify at:



13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances to their countries of origin. Verify at: http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm>



14. 'The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One million sex crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants In The United States.' Verify at:

The page cannot be found





The total cost is a whopping $338.3 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.



Are we THAT stupid? If this doesn't bother you then just delete the message. If, on the other hand, it does raise the hair on the back of your neck, I hope you forward it to every legal resident in the country including every elected representative in Washington , D.C . - five times a week for as long as it takes to restore some semblance of intelligence in our policies and enforcement thereof.

Folks we cannot afford to continue this welfare program for people who do not obey our Constitution, our laws, and who do not wish to become law abiding citizens of this great Nation! Face it we have our citizens to look after, and I guarantee that is this foolishness continues our children and grand children will be the ones to suffer!

An addition by the Ghost of Tennessee Ernie Ford, click on the header for same!

Tom Ford

NO. 649

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Click here to read the OP Ed by Mr. mike Anthony! That's a bingo if ever I read one!

As you look at the editorial you will see some basic truths being revealed that are un-deniable! For instance we have Mr. Miller taking credit (this weeks Call) for things that are clearly outside his scope of power (see last post.)

But it doesn't stop there! No indeed, now we have the Board President, Mr. Chris Pickel showing "selective indignation" when it comes to the Police board. He is "outraged" by the "insult," that the other Alderman would have the audacity to question the "authority" of the Police board, Please!

Mr. Anthony asks the question where was Mr. Pickel when the Civil Service Board wanted to launch an investigation? Good question! Does anyone have any idea when Mr. Pickel will answer that one?

I believe "his honor," Mr Chris Pickel,should tell the non elected board members that they should start understanding that while we all appreciate their service`, they do not make policy for Crestwood, The Board does!

If you are a "board, commission member," and you want to make the laws, run for Alderman in your ward, failing that, go to your meetings, ask your questions, and let the duly elected Board do their job, minus the inane rant's!


Tom Ford

NO. 648

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Please click here to read a letter from Mr. Forrest Miller reference the "Economic development board."

Folks, I had a letter printed not too long ago in the "Call," which precludes my sending in a response to the letter by Mr. Miller for another three weeks, so I shall post it here.

Mr. Miller, I have read your letter reference Mr. Nieders comments in the paper, and I understand you need to protect the board on which you serve. I have a few questions that I would like to ask of you reference same.

!. You stated that you and the board "backed the TIF program" What
exactly did you and the board do to make that happen?

2. You said that you had meetings with the owners of Watson Square,
Sappington Square, and Crestwood Square. I assume you have
Minutes of those meetings to back up that statement, no?

3. You stated you "brought new ideas" by conducting an "in depth
Survey" of our citizens ideas and needs (I was never contacted,
And I have lived here for 40 years!)

Mr. Miller, I assume you know that the "economic development commission is but a "advisory panel, nothing more, nothing less," and as such reports to the Board of Alderman, who make the final decision?

Mr. Miller, I am from Missouri as all of us in Crestwood are, so if you would be so kind, can we have some factual, hard evidence of the work you say has been performed on behalf of Crestwood? "Show me" that, and I will better understand your letter, because as of this writing, I am having a bit of a problem understanding where you are coming from.

Tom Ford

NO. 647

Saturday, July 04, 2009

"Acoustics," Stars and Stripes Forever!" (click here.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! Please turn up the speakers, click on the header, sit back and be entertained by an different, and wonderful version of John Phillip Sousa's "STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER!"

Tom Ford

NO. 646

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence?

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men

who signed the Declaration of Independence ?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,

and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;

another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or

hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes,

and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants,

nine were farmers and large plantation owners;

men of means, well educated,

but they signed the Declaration of Independence

knowing full well that the penalty would be death if

they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and

trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the

British Navy.. He sold his home and properties to

pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British

that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.

He served in the Congress without pay, and his family

was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,

and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,

Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that

the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson

home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General

George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed,

and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.

The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.

Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill

were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests

and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his

children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and

silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

I hope you will show your support by telling this to as many

people as you can, please. It's time we get the word out that patriotism

is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer,

picnics, and baseball games.

While this was not written by me, it is still a very moving piece, and it begs the question, why can't we ALL get out to vote? That seems the least we can do considering what these men wen't through to give us that right!

Tom Ford

NO. 645
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