Saturday, November 28, 2009

Sound familiar? "All politics is local." Tip O'Neal

Thanks to our excellent historian Ms. J. Stock for this piece!


Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a
desert. Congress said, "Someone may steal from it at night." So they created a
night watchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then Congress said, "How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So
they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write
the instructions, and one person to do time studies.

Then Congress said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks
correctly?" So they created a Quality Control department and
hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports..

Then Congress said, "How are these people going to get paid?" So They created
the following positions, a time keeper, and a payroll officer,
Then hired two people.

Then Congress said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they
created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative
Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.

Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation for one year and we
are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost."

So they laid off the night watchman.

NOW slowly, let it sink in.

Quietly, we go like sheep to slaughter.

Does anybody remember the reason given for the establishment of the DEPARTMENT
OF ENERGY.... during the Carter Administration?

Anybody?

Anything?

No?

Didn't think so!

Bottom line. We've spent several hundred billion dollars in support of an
agency...the reason for which not one person who reads this can remember!

Ready??
It was very simple...and at the time, everybody thought it very appropriate.

The Department of Energy was instituted on 8-04-1977 TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON
FOREIGN OIL.

Hey, pretty efficient, huh???

AND NOW IT'S 2009 -- 32 YEARS LATER -- AND THE BUDGET FOR THIS "NECESSARY"
DEPARTMENT IS AT $24.2 BILLION A YEAR. THEY HAVE 16,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND
APPROXIMATELY 100,000 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES; AND LOOK AT THE JOB THEY HAVE DONE!
THIS IS WHERE YOU SLAP YOUR FOREHEAD AND SAY, "WHAT WAS I THINKING?"

Ah, yes -- good ole bureaucracy.
AND, NOW, WE ARE GOING TO TURN THE BANKING SYSTEM, HEALTH CARE, AND THE AUTO
INDUSTRY OVER TO THE SAME GOVERNMENT?HELLOOO! Anybody Home?


Tom Ford

NO. 698

Friday, November 27, 2009

"Economic Development? Commission" (click here for the audio.)


Well, OK now that the commission has been "validated" by Alderman Foote, when can we expect some "development?" I was just wondering as the Mall people, (as the mayor has said) were responsible for the Art wing, and not the commission.

I am reminded that the commission has canceled most of it's meetings for whatever reason for some time now, and I find it hard to believe that all this expertise exists especially if they are not meeting.

May I remind Alderman Foote that we all live in Missouri? A little less patting on the back, and a little more action if you please!


Tom Ford

NO. 697

Alderman Jeff Schlink proposes "Robert''s rules of order" (click here for the audio.)

An excellent move by Alderman Schlink to "tone down" the meetings through an ordnance requiring the use of Robert's rules of order was proposed at the last BOA meeting. I know this has been voted on before, but it was never put into the form of an ordnance, so now it can be.

In my opinion this ordnance must be voted on if we are to have any civility at all at the meetings. I am surprised that the Mayor seems to think it's a good idea, and I thank him for that declaration.

Good job Mr. Schlink, now if the "usual gang of four" will just wake up,(notice the nay vote?) we have a chance here!


Tom Ford

NO. 696

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving Crestwood!



This year when you give thanks for all your blessings, please take a moment to thank our young men and women in harms way. Were it not for them, and those who went before them we would not be enjoying this holiday as a free Nation.

May God bless each of you and your families, and see you through these trying times, and may God bring home all of our forces safe and sound.

Tom Ford

NO. 695

Sunday, November 22, 2009

From "Parade Magazine" today, "Can art save a mall?" (click here)


With thanks to Alderman Wallach, I am posting this for your review in case you do not get the Sunday paper.

Interesting to say the least, but a monthly rental of $100.00 is not going to so much for Crestwood's coffers. The letter is from a theatrical group who has asked me to help with the heating (I have,) and is asking anyone else to contribute if possible. If you do, please send your contribution to the address on the bottom of the letter, or call them.

I Thank you in advance for your help.

Tom Ford

NO. 694

Friday, November 20, 2009

"Robinson's rules of order!" Click here for the audio!



After (or before) you hear this please read the excellent editorial by Mr. Mike Anthony of the SunCrest Call. This audio is from the BOA work session, and is an exchange between Alderman Jerry Miguel, and Mayor Robinson.

Please see the link to the Call on the right side, click on it and go to opinions.


Seems to me as though once again Mr. Anthony has nailed it. Thanks Mike!


Tom Ford


NO. 693

Friday, November 13, 2009

Tom Ford is a "Scrooge" prototype, three public safety jobs out, dog catcher stays! (click here.)



Now that I have posted a "New photo" of myself according to Mr. Roy Hoffstetter (Who ever that is) I can thank him for my new title! You see Mr. Hoffstetter doesn't believe in, or approve of my commenting on,or watching Crestwood funds closely, or as far as I can see my very existence. That's understandable as he doesn't seem to approve of much as far as I can tell. He thinks I should be "more positive," and I agree 100%, so I am positive we needed the emergency services personnel more that the dog catcher!

Next we have the always vociferous Ms. Mary Wheat chimes in under Mr. Hoffstetter to opine that I am an insensitive wretch, and "we do not duplicate County animal control," no, ours in fact is so much better! She also Say's it's "personal" to her, and I believe it whole heartedly!

Ms. Wheat and her partners in animal control seem to see animals as human, else why would they be so extreme in their demands to retain it over emergency services? Ms. Wheat, do you realize that we could be short handed in "people help?" Does that make any difference to you at all, or would you Rather just forget that part of the equation?
You asked why we are hiring? Well that is to fill a clerical position in accounting (much more useful than animal control,) and filling an existing job.

We still need to remove $32,000+ to balance the budget, and the sane place would be animal control, but no Mr. Eckrich has offered to let the streets go for a while to save fluffy!

I would like to commend Mayor Robinson for appointing a committee to study the animal control issue and make recommendations, as it is the right thing to do. Now if they can just do it minus emotions, I will be happy!

All in all a very interesting Friday the Thirteenth to say the least. In one day I have become the town watch dog, been "swooned over" by Ms. Wheat, and relegated to the position of good old Ebeneezer Scrooge! Not bad for a mean, nasty, wretched, animal hating one eyed old fat man, no?


Tom Ford

NO.692

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

First annual Veterans day celebration, NOV., 9, 2009








Just a start on some of the photo's above. More will be added when the SunCrest call is published.

Tom Ford

NO. 691

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Veterans day memorial set for November 9, 2009 at 2:00 pm at City Hall. (Please click here!)




You are cordially invited to attend the Veterans day wreath laying starting at 2:00 PM at the memorial site, next to the front door of Crestwood City Hall. We all owe a great debt of gratitude to all United States Military Veterans who have insured our freedom since 1776!

This year we are again engaged in a shooting war in the Middle East, and our young men and women are once again in harms way to keep all of us safe and secure, and this will be a way to show your gratitude for their sacrifice.

Please invite any and all Veterans that you know (especially Crestwood Veterans,) and we will be happy to recognize their service!

Folks, Chief Mike Paillou and the City would like to make this a very memorable occasion, and one that will continue far into the future, but we need your help and attendance to insure that will happen, so please attend if at all possible!

UPDATE: The memorial ceremony went very well indeed. The Mayor and Judge Berry both did a great job with their presentations. Mayor Robinson and Gold Star Mother May Chasteen (her son was a marine who lost his life in May, 1967, Republic of Viet Nam) placed the wreath at the marker. A Lindberg elementary School District principal sang the Star Spangled Banner, and a Marine Color Guard presented the Colors. This has been heralded as the "first annual Crestwood veterans day ceremony" and we will be improving on it every year from now on.

Chanel 5 TV was in attendance, as well as Mr. Bill Milligan, official photographer from the SunCrest Call, so I am sure you will see photo's and a TV blurb (tonight?) shortly. When the Call posts them I will place them here for your viewing pleasure.

In all it was a day that made us proud of Crestwood, our armed forces, and our veterans, because you see, "Freedom Isn't Free, and all gave some while some gave all!" May God bless our young men and women in harms way today, and may they ALL return to their families very soon!





Tom Ford

NO. 690

Sunday, November 01, 2009

What would Roy do? Well we have the "non apology" for the "they shoot pet's don't they" remark (click here for the audio) so................



We do know this much, Alderman Miguel requested that " his Honor" apologies to the neighbors reference "shooting family pet's," and if you click on the header, you will hear his response!

The " What would Roy do," or WWRD is an excellent idea, and we shall continue to use it here. Please add to the WWRD files as this should be some light hearted fun for a change!

Tom Ford

NO. 689
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