News from the "front," or the BOA meeting and a "FOIA" request.

Once again we see the "forceful" hand (in this case mouth) of Alderwoman Duncan chastise the Alderman who dared to question a "special counsel" for the CID at Pulaski Bank's building venture! Ms. Duncan appears to be the new puppet of our leading ventriloquist, "His Honor," as she has been speaking up for a couple of meetings now.

Ms. Duncan, we elected the BOA members to actually debate the issues, ask questions, and get to the bottom of things, not to be a rubber stamp for the Mayor! I know this will disturb you in as much as you seem to be able to do nothing else but that, however, try thinking for yourself for a change. If that cannot be accomplished, well do what Ms. Beasley does and just sit there!

Pulaski Bank bought their ticket when they for-closed on the developer, they are big kids, let them take the consequences as I and a lot of others in Crestwood are sick of giving our support to a failed developer, or their bank!

Now to the F.O.I.A. form I submitted for the cell phone records of Mr. Eckrich's department. It seems that we provide a tax payer funded cell phone to "Nicky," who is an assistant of Mr. Eckrich's. Now when I asked for the cell phone records to see what our time was being used for I was told (after it was ran by Mr. Rob Golterman) that the City does not keep cell phone records! Gee, I wonder why not as the funding for said phone is paid for by US.

Petty? Small change? Perhaps but it does go to the lack of real accountability as to where our tax dollars are going.

MEMO to Alderman Foote: The next time you tell us we need a tax increase remember this! Also Alderman Foote, it would appear that your statements saying that we have cut everywhere are a bit of the Blarney, no?


PS: A tip of the hat to the committee in charge of "make a difference day" for having the good sense to not use the City as "collateral" this year for the newspaper layout billing (last year the City got the bill.) That's what we want to see it done from now on.


Tom Ford

NO. 822

Scientists find "liberal Gene." (click here for the story!)

I knew all along that it had to be a mental problem, and now scientists are on the trail of that very same Gene in Liberal DNA!

No, this is not a joke, so..................

Please click the header for the story.


Tom Ford

NO. 821

With the fast approaching elections, I thought this was worth the thread. (please click here for the video.)

I think this is spot on, and I thank Tim Hawkins for his satire.

Remember, "All politics is local." Tip O'Neil (D)

Tom Ford

NO. 820

Alderman stand firm! From the Call article by Mr. Evan Young (Please click here for the story.)

A great big bunch of KUDOS to the four Aldermen who stood firm to oppose this corporate give away. I also would like to congratulate Alderman Foote for having the courage to abstain, thus canceling any further chance of "His Honor" voting in favor of it.

I noticed that Alderman Pickel feels "we" have duped a business developer. Just who is "we" Alderman Pickel? Who, if anyone told this developer that this was a sure thing? Please give us the name or names of the City officials who "promised" this would go through? And why that was said in the first place?

I also happened to notice the not so thinly veiled threat of legal action by the attorney for the bank, and I wonder what he knows that would have caused him to make that statement? One thing is for sure if a lawsuit is forthcoming, we will find out exactly what happed, and I hope why.

As the Bard may have said if he had seen this, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to..........."


Tom Ford

NO. 819

Crestwood 2011 budget to use "reserves" to balance it "AGAIN?" (click here for the Call story please.)

Ladies and Gentlemen, the draft copy of the Crestwood 2011 budget is ready for review. Mr. Young of the Call has done an excellent job of breaking it down to where the layman (and perhaps "His Honor") can understand it.

One thing that strikes me is the fact that once again we will "dip into the reserves," and do some fancy transfers to balance the budget.

Is it me, or do I remember Mr. Eckrich telling us that the last transfer had been made, and we wouldn't be doing that again? Ah yes, the old Wimpy trick, " I will gladly pay you for a hamburger Tuesday that I can have today."

I hope Mr. Eckrich is right about is projection, I really do, because one hiccup, and were back into the same old pattern we saw under Mr. Grier.

(PS:) Would Mr. Roby please tell us why we should be funding a duplicate service` such as animal control under the circumstances?)


Tom Ford

NO. 818

The Arnold Rotary Club is sponsoring the Viet Nam traveling wall 10/13-17 (click here for the story.)

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a very moving tribute to our armed forces who have given the last full measure of devotion to America. If you have never seen the Wall, I ask that you make time to do so during the Arnold, MO. Visit.


Tom Ford

NO. 817

Coyote found in south county ! (click here for the KTVI report..)

Well folks we must respond to this menace sooner rather than later! I am calling for Ms. Sutton and her band of volunteers to be on a "lend lease" program to St. Louis County animal control before it's to late!

Oh wait, it's Saturday, and Monday is a holiday. Er, can you please wait County animal control?


Tom Ford

NO. 816

Great article in the Call about our commercial tax rates (click here for the article.)

The business community is getting restless my friends, and rightfully so I fear. At the last meeting it was opined that the reason businesses do not come here is due to the heavy tax burden on them.

Now in the wake of the Fletcher's restaurant shuttering their restaurant at Crestwood Courts, maybe "His Honor" will have an answer to this dilemma (so far, so bad.) But wait, we have the always vociferous Ms. Beasley who surly will have the answer, right? (Note to Ms. Duncan, bring hand lotion so you don't chap your hands clapping.)

Were in trouble folks, and the sooner City Hall realizes it, the better.


Tom Ford

NO. 815

"The gray haired brigade."

The Grey-Haired Brigade

They like to refer to us as senior citizens, old fogies, geezers, and in
some cases dinosaurs. Some of us are "baby boomer" getting ready to retire.
Others have been retired for some time. We walk a little slower these days
and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were. We have worked hard,
raised our children, worshiped our God and grown old together. Yes, we are
the ones some refer to as being over the hill and that is probably true.

But before writing us off completely, there are a few things that need to be
taken into consideration. In school we studied English, history, math, and
science which enabled us to lead America into the technological age. Most of
us remember what outhouses were, many of us with firsthand experience. We
remember the days of telephone party-lines, ten cent gasoline, and milk and
ice being delivered to our homes. For those of you who don't know what an
icebox is, today they are electric and referred to as refrigerators. A few
even remember when cars were started with a crank. Yes, we lived those days.

We are probably considered old fashioned and out-dated by many. But there
are a few things you need to remember before completely writing us off. We
won World War II and fought in Korea and Viet Nam. We can quote the pledge
of allegiance, and know where to place our hand while doing so. We wore the
uniform of our country with pride and lost many friends on the battlefield.
We didn't fight for the Socialist States of America, we fought for the "land
of the free and home of the brave." We wore different uniforms but carried
the same flag. We know the words to the Star Spangle Banner, America, and
America the Beautiful by heart, and you may even see some tears running down
our cheeks as we sing. We have lived what many of you have only read about
in history books and we feel no obligation to apologize to anyone for
America.

Yes, we are old and slow these days but rest assured, we have at least one
good fight left in us. We have loved this country, fought for it, and died
for it, and now we are going to save it. It is our country and nobody is
going to take it away from us. We took oaths to defend America against all
enemies, foreign and domestic, and that is an oath we plan to keep. There
are those who want to destroy this land we love but, like our founders,
there is no way we are going to remain silent. It was the young people of
this nation who elected Obama and the Democratic congress. You fell for the
"Hope and change" which in reality was nothing but "Hype and lies." You have
tasted socialism and seen evil face to face, and have found you don't like
it after all.

You make a lot of noise but most are all too interested in their careers and
"Climbing the social ladder" to be involved in such mundane things as
patriotism and voting. It appears that we care more about our grandchildren
than some care about their children. Many of those who fell for the "great
lie" in 2008 are now having buyer's remorse. With all the education we gave
you, you didn't have sense enough to see through the lies and instead drank
the kool-aid. Now you're paying the price and complaining about it. No jobs,
lost mortgages, higher taxes, and less freedom. This is what you voted for
and this is what you got. We entrusted you with the Torch of Liberty and you
traded it for a paycheck and a fancy house.

Well, don't worry youngsters, the Grey Haired Brigade is here, and in one
month we are going to take back our nation. We may drive a little slower
than you would like but we get where we're going, and in November we're
going to the polls by the millions. This land does not belong to the Man
in the White House or to Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. It belongs to We the
People, and We the People plan to reclaim our land and our freedom. We hope
this time you will do a better job of preserving it and passing it along to
our grandchildren.

So the next time you have the chance to say the Pledge of Allegiance, stand
up, put your hand over your heart, honor our country, and thank God for the
old geezers of the Grey-Haired Brigade.

With thanks to "anonymous" who penned this.

Tom Ford

NO. 814