Gravette Mayor Predicts 10 Percent Cut In 2009
Last updated Friday, September 19, 2008 9:05 PM CDT in News
By Caleb Fort
THE MORNING NEWS
GRAVETTE -- Mayor Bill Howard said he will ask city departments to cut back their 2009 budgets by 10 percent.
For Gravette, which has struggled with low sales tax revenue this year, that probably means a reduction in services, Howard said.
The library has cut back its new book purchases -- the small 2008 shelf is mostly empty -- and all city departments are operating on reduced budgets.
But that won't be enough if next year's revenue is the same as this year's, Howard said.
Howard estimated the city will end 2008 having spent $1.3 million to $1.4 million. He wants that cut to $1.2 million in 2009.
The city's biggest problem is in sales taxes, which fell short of estimates by about $133,000 as of August. Howard blames that on new tax laws and a slow economy.
Howard said he will ask his department heads to make those cuts in their budget proposals, he said.
"Some of them ain't going to like it, I'm sure," he said. "But if the money's not there, there's not much choice."
Department heads said they don't know how they can make more cuts.
Kimberley Gibson, the library manager, said more cuts will mean fewer books, fewer programs and a possible reduction in hours.
The library already has cut back on purchases, and relies on donations to pay for speakers and story times, Gibson said.
One example of the library's already strained situation is in its reference room, where the encyclopedia is 13 years old.
"When you've got people coming in to study for school or for college, you just need something more recent," said library specialist Debra Meek.
Melissa Williams, a single mother of two, was using the Internet at the library on Friday. She said she would hate to see the library's budget shrink, because she uses the books and Internet connection "to stay in touch with the real world."
"I really think the library should be a No. 1 priority," she said. "It's really important for people who can't afford computers or books."
Junior Hartley, the director of public works, said he does not know where he will make cuts. His department has stopped new projects this year.
"We've really cut to the bare bones," he said. "We're just down to maintenance," such as patching streets.
Police Chief Trent Morrison also said he does not know where more cuts can come from. His department has put a mileage cap on police cruisers and held back on training and vehicle maintenance.
Planning Director Darren Warren said he has stopped using city vehicles, and buys his own fuel for business trips.
"I guess I'd rather just pay for my own gas than have them see me spending $30 of city money on it and getting rid of my job," he said. "I guess I don't really mind."
Warren also makes changes to planning maps by coloring in areas with a marker instead of printing out a new map.
Terry Gosnell, the city's building inspector and code enforcement officer, got rid of his office phone and uses his personal cell phone for work.
"I'm just trying to help out," he said.
At A Glance
Gravette Budget
• Gravette Mayor Bill Howard said the city will have to cut its 2009 budget by about 10 percent, or $130,000 to $140,000.
• The cut is to make up for a sales tax shortfall of more than $130,000.
• City department heads, who have already made reductions this year, said they might have to reduce services to meet the mayor's goal.
Source: Staff Report
Reader Comments (45 comment(s))
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ozarks wrote on Sep 20, 2008 8:04 AM:
" and take their kids to school in. I would think the only workers in a small town is in public works. I would think that department migh have a need for their money but they are usually the first thing cut and the last thing funded. I didm't see anything from the clerks that might work in city hall? How many work there and what is that department heads responce? How about parks? Does that little town have a parks department? But, my hats off to the mayor for his efforts. Not something you see in a small town often. "
Empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:19 PM:
" Ozarks would be correct, if only Ozarks were either informed or cared to investigate or elaborate. Opinions are fine but the truth is not quite what we are hearing. As a concerned citizen of the Gravette area I have been watching this situation closely. What wew have here is a case of mismanagement, nonmanagement and attempts at covering up an attitude that goes so far beyond th classic "laissez-faire" as to be completely negligent. Past city council meetings have been a mixture of sparring matches between a lemmingesque city council the Mayor and certain unnamed citizens who also might have little else than their own interests at heart, and likely those interests are in the realm of personal enrichment rather than the growth and prosperity of Gravette. "
Empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:30 PM:
" Frequently one has heard around Gravette that the Mayor is "out of touch", "hasn't the foggiest", "can't be found", "has no answers", "can't remember what he said yesterday", "is incoherent" or any number of epithets generally giving the impression that he doesn't really give a rip about anything other than just inhabiting the post. Only when accused by thinly veiled comments by a citizen who has apparently been attempting to influence Gravette politics (the budget in particular) of either mishandling or misappropriating city fund did the Mayor respond with any thing remotely resemblem a person of office. In fact for months the statement of the Mayor cancerning the budget could be summed up in the words "everything is fine" or that revenue was doing OK. Some people have speculated that the "turf war" between the current Mayor and this citizen had to due with personal animosity or with the direct financial interests of the unnamed citizen. Who really knows but those two. What we can discern from city council meetings and talk amongst city managers, workers, council members and other citizens caught up in this mess is that there have been a number of urgent decisions delayed past help and a number of very poorly made decisions which likely have significantly affected the Gravette tax renenue in a negative way. "
Empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:44 PM:
" A few examples might be in order:
Gravette has long been known for having quite a July 4th celebration. Every July 4th for years literally thousands of Gravette citizens and those from surrounding areas gather around sunset to watch what has been quite a good show. The show put on by Gravette was comparable to that of even some of the larger communities in NWA such as Siloam Springs, Bentonville or others. This was a source of pride and enjoyment in the Gravette community. Now, Ozarks might say that getting rid of the July 4th show was a good thing and as a single mother she would advise us all to buy our own sparklers and wave them around and congratulate ourselves on our cleverness. But, my perspective is that nearly every single person attending those celebrations went to the numerous retail establishments IN GRAVETTE to obtain chips, candy, drinks, ice, hotdogs, hamburgers, buns and while in Gravette walked the downtown district and got their hair cut or done and went to eat at Sonic or the other restaurants, got gas and heaven forbid even bought fireworks. Now, I don't remember if any of the fireworks stands were in city limits but every other item I mentioned would have been purchased in Gravette city limits and so would have generated revenue. But since Gravette didn't have one, all that money went to Siloam or other cities for their show. "
Gravette has long been known for having quite a July 4th celebration. Every July 4th for years literally thousands of Gravette citizens and those from surrounding areas gather around sunset to watch what has been quite a good show. The show put on by Gravette was comparable to that of even some of the larger communities in NWA such as Siloam Springs, Bentonville or others. This was a source of pride and enjoyment in the Gravette community. Now, Ozarks might say that getting rid of the July 4th show was a good thing and as a single mother she would advise us all to buy our own sparklers and wave them around and congratulate ourselves on our cleverness. But, my perspective is that nearly every single person attending those celebrations went to the numerous retail establishments IN GRAVETTE to obtain chips, candy, drinks, ice, hotdogs, hamburgers, buns and while in Gravette walked the downtown district and got their hair cut or done and went to eat at Sonic or the other restaurants, got gas and heaven forbid even bought fireworks. Now, I don't remember if any of the fireworks stands were in city limits but every other item I mentioned would have been purchased in Gravette city limits and so would have generated revenue. But since Gravette didn't have one, all that money went to Siloam or other cities for their show. "
Empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:54 PM:
" And how about the library:
I want to preface my comments by saying that I do not blame the previous librarians nor would I say I am entirely sure "everthing" the current librarian does is perfect. But, I will say that anyone who has been around since before the current libray manager will certainly recognize that it isn't even the same place anymore. The curent library manager has turned a musty old building whos collection of books and tapes might not even compare favorably to my own to what we could describe as a REAL library. While GRavette's library does not have the facilities or the resources of others like those in Fort Smith, Fayetteville or Bentonville it is a RICH resource for improving the Gravette Community at its core, that or its literacy, its social fabric and its connection to world. One might be suprised, obviously Ozarks will be, to hear that there a a large number of students from the local schools who leave school to study at the library. They can either go home, wander the streets or go to the library. Ozarks might prefer the to wander the streets in an instructure environment so that "the village" can deal with them, but I'm betting that parents, teachers, and the GRavette PD would prefer them in the Library. "
I want to preface my comments by saying that I do not blame the previous librarians nor would I say I am entirely sure "everthing" the current librarian does is perfect. But, I will say that anyone who has been around since before the current libray manager will certainly recognize that it isn't even the same place anymore. The curent library manager has turned a musty old building whos collection of books and tapes might not even compare favorably to my own to what we could describe as a REAL library. While GRavette's library does not have the facilities or the resources of others like those in Fort Smith, Fayetteville or Bentonville it is a RICH resource for improving the Gravette Community at its core, that or its literacy, its social fabric and its connection to world. One might be suprised, obviously Ozarks will be, to hear that there a a large number of students from the local schools who leave school to study at the library. They can either go home, wander the streets or go to the library. Ozarks might prefer the to wander the streets in an instructure environment so that "the village" can deal with them, but I'm betting that parents, teachers, and the GRavette PD would prefer them in the Library. "
Empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:03 PM:
" What do they get there? They get an atmosphere of supervision, discipling and learning. You'd be suprised how many kids go there hoping to swap emails or update their facebook sites who end up cracking a book and discovering literature or the arts because they ahve to wait their turn for the use of the computers. Not only this but when they do get on the computers, the library uses contant filtering software to insure it is difficult to happen onto objectionable content. The kids are safe there and educated there in many more ways than if they were wandering the streets.
How about the adults?
There are people who are file their taxes, research novels they are writing, take college courses online, manage stock portfolios, and run online businesses from the computers provided at the library. Many, if not most of these are disabled or retire persons and very restricted incomes. If they didn't have this their quality of life would be much reduced. Imagine if the potentially hundreds of people that derive portions of their incomes or educations from this resource were to move away because the library could no longer provide the services. Hmmm. might be even less tax revenue. "
How about the adults?
There are people who are file their taxes, research novels they are writing, take college courses online, manage stock portfolios, and run online businesses from the computers provided at the library. Many, if not most of these are disabled or retire persons and very restricted incomes. If they didn't have this their quality of life would be much reduced. Imagine if the potentially hundreds of people that derive portions of their incomes or educations from this resource were to move away because the library could no longer provide the services. Hmmm. might be even less tax revenue. "
Empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:14 PM:
" And the library staff:
Some of the most pleasant and helpful people you could hope to know. They do their best on already thin budgets to provide a much more couteous service than what you get in the larger libraries. These people know your name, they remember you you and genuinely want to know how you are doing when they ask you how you are doing. They bend over backwards to help you. And the library manager herself is quite passionate about providing whatever she can to help area residents have the services they need.
It's not just the library either. Why, I even remember a story about the city planner that Ozarks would like to get rid of (Let's not even comment on the stupidity of the idea of trying to grow a city without planning it). A gravette citizen and his son were on their way back from Bentonville and ran out of gas just a mile or two from teh Hiwasse gas station. They set out walking and it was very cold out. Darren Warren happened to be on his way back into town, maybe from lunch, with out hesitation it seems he stopped and asked if he could help and spent the next few minutes helping the stranded father and son get out of the cold, get gas and get to the station. "
Some of the most pleasant and helpful people you could hope to know. They do their best on already thin budgets to provide a much more couteous service than what you get in the larger libraries. These people know your name, they remember you you and genuinely want to know how you are doing when they ask you how you are doing. They bend over backwards to help you. And the library manager herself is quite passionate about providing whatever she can to help area residents have the services they need.
It's not just the library either. Why, I even remember a story about the city planner that Ozarks would like to get rid of (Let's not even comment on the stupidity of the idea of trying to grow a city without planning it). A gravette citizen and his son were on their way back from Bentonville and ran out of gas just a mile or two from teh Hiwasse gas station. They set out walking and it was very cold out. Darren Warren happened to be on his way back into town, maybe from lunch, with out hesitation it seems he stopped and asked if he could help and spent the next few minutes helping the stranded father and son get out of the cold, get gas and get to the station. "
Empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:22 PM:
" I think he was a member of the US armed forces reserve of some sort and from what I hear he was friendly and comported himself with honor and duty befitting not only a memebr of the US armed forces but also as a servant of his community. Now, let's think about this young man and what he can do to help Gravette grow and prosper. Recently the county largely completed a large water delivery project allowing city water to be distributed to divers place in the county. Before Mr. Warren got there, I believe, bids went out to maintain these sections of pipe and in return the bid winners would get the revenue from the water bills. From what I understand Centerton was allowed to win the bid to within about a mile or so of Gravette's eastern boundaries. This effectively prevents Gravette from expanding in that direction very far, if at all pat it's recently annexed lines. I'll just about guarantee a young man othis type would have endorsed and used whatever inlfuence he had to get Gravette to do whatever was necessary to win the bid there. I'll tell you, whatever Mayor passed this up should be hauled in for absolutely neglecting his job. "
Empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:34 PM:
" To wrap this up:
I don't really thing NWAOnline has the storage space to hold all my comments so I'll comment only a little bit further.
Ozarks, I think that you probably would have a different attitude if your employer requested that you drive to Little Rock or fly some where or make hundreds of dollars of phone calls and then refused to reimburse you.
What you also fail to mention, Ozarks, is that some of the city departments have some large ONE-TIME expenses related to their budgets that have little to do with operating budgets. When calculating actual operation expenses for next year the city should not be counting these. Oh yeah, they have to be paid for, and maybe they shouldn't have been purchased in the first place. But remember it was the Mayor who was defending them just a few months ago acting like he was defending several of the departments from undue cuts by a city council panicking for no other reason than because some other citizen with a number of financial and physical interests in the city, particularly, downtown was leading the council around by the nose with misleading budget analyses. Trust me, I say some of his letters accusing the Mayor. And though I think the Mayor has not been doing his job, I also know enough accounting to know that this citizen was misrepesenting numbers to scare cooperation. "
I don't really thing NWAOnline has the storage space to hold all my comments so I'll comment only a little bit further.
Ozarks, I think that you probably would have a different attitude if your employer requested that you drive to Little Rock or fly some where or make hundreds of dollars of phone calls and then refused to reimburse you.
What you also fail to mention, Ozarks, is that some of the city departments have some large ONE-TIME expenses related to their budgets that have little to do with operating budgets. When calculating actual operation expenses for next year the city should not be counting these. Oh yeah, they have to be paid for, and maybe they shouldn't have been purchased in the first place. But remember it was the Mayor who was defending them just a few months ago acting like he was defending several of the departments from undue cuts by a city council panicking for no other reason than because some other citizen with a number of financial and physical interests in the city, particularly, downtown was leading the council around by the nose with misleading budget analyses. Trust me, I say some of his letters accusing the Mayor. And though I think the Mayor has not been doing his job, I also know enough accounting to know that this citizen was misrepesenting numbers to scare cooperation. "
Empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:38 PM:
" to correct above : I "saw" his letters.
This certainly is NOT a case of a Mayor just trying to keep "on the pulse" of the city budget. Maybe a Mayor trying to figure out what went wrong while he was napping or paying attention to other things. OK, I am being urged by my spouse to stop writing, so I will. "
This certainly is NOT a case of a Mayor just trying to keep "on the pulse" of the city budget. Maybe a Mayor trying to figure out what went wrong while he was napping or paying attention to other things. OK, I am being urged by my spouse to stop writing, so I will. "
ozarks wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:48 PM:
" WOW! That is information over load. First Empiricus all I can go by is this new report and it doesn't include any information like that. In fact it shows you have a beef with someone and because this article sheds a good light on your mayor you want to attact me for someone wnating to get a hand on the budget. And like any place, as soon as any one in leadership makes those under them pull back on spending tax funds all that are department leaders paint everything black.So, because you didn't shoot off fire crakers, that was your mayors fault? You look and the towns you mentioned and you will see they are not all city doings. Chambers are a good point of contact to do that since you thing it is good for business? How much should a little town spend to draw a few to by ice cream? $3 or $4 or $5 K. Seems to be tax money not spent well. So, what is you beef about the fire creackers dude? I actually don't appreciate some like you wanting to put words in my mouth. I can do that myself. I will have to read the rest of your long winded answer and get back to you. The only thing I know about Gravette is that you have a problem with the mayor and I think I might see if I can find him and have coffee and get his side of you ramblings. "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:25 PM:
" Ozarks,
Maybe I wasn't clear. I'm sure I was but maybe not.
I have a problem with the person I mentioned making accusations against the Mayor and using as evidence of such, highly questionable numbers he claims to get directly from the city budgets. Having seen his numbers and the way he presented them in the city council meetings they were unfair attacks on the Mayor. This individual specifically used detailed budget items for YTD expenses and extrapolated the end of year expenses based on such with little regard to the one-time-expenses I mentioned previous. He then used YTD revenues, typically lower during the first quarters for most communities I believe, to extrapolate an extreme picture of budget shortfalls. He then quoted the Mayor saying everything is OK and questioned his honesty and/or his abilty to mange the budget or even his knowledge of the budget. The person mentioned only backed off when the Mayor invited the city attorney to the council meetings to hear the accusations and petitions to remove or somehow censure the Mayor. So here I am not atacking the Mayor but I am in defense of him based on the unscrupulous methods used by this opponent of his. "
Maybe I wasn't clear. I'm sure I was but maybe not.
I have a problem with the person I mentioned making accusations against the Mayor and using as evidence of such, highly questionable numbers he claims to get directly from the city budgets. Having seen his numbers and the way he presented them in the city council meetings they were unfair attacks on the Mayor. This individual specifically used detailed budget items for YTD expenses and extrapolated the end of year expenses based on such with little regard to the one-time-expenses I mentioned previous. He then used YTD revenues, typically lower during the first quarters for most communities I believe, to extrapolate an extreme picture of budget shortfalls. He then quoted the Mayor saying everything is OK and questioned his honesty and/or his abilty to mange the budget or even his knowledge of the budget. The person mentioned only backed off when the Mayor invited the city attorney to the council meetings to hear the accusations and petitions to remove or somehow censure the Mayor. So here I am not atacking the Mayor but I am in defense of him based on the unscrupulous methods used by this opponent of his. "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:35 PM:
" My problem is not so much with the Mayor and his performance, per se, but that this article seems to be presented as a simple news item. Local persons involved in or witnessing this situation have been alternately heartened and confused. The wild claims of the Mayor's accuser had many of these city manager up in arms in his defense as he stated that revenues were fine and projected to be adequate. They felt he was supporting them and recognized the eccetricities of his accuser's arguments and knew how to deal with them effectively. Some cuts were requested and teh managers understood and complied as well as they could and the Mayor seemed satisfied, at first. Now his optimism is seems to have been forgottn. Drastically trimmed budgets are being forced to be trimmed yet further. And it is the Mayor now saying there is a problem when just a couple weeks/months ago he was adamant all was well. Now, THAT I have a problem with. Curious anomolies aside, was his accuser correct if not in his presentation and strict adherence to facts but in his conclusion? While the Mayor was claiming all was well, was there actually a problem? Why? Did the Mayor know there was and was hoping allay fears whiule trying to figure a way to make it all better or was there, as his accused alluded something more nefarious going on? "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 4:48 PM:
" As for the "crack" about firecrackers, are you missing the point on purpose? We're talking tax revenue here. Have you been to our July 4th show? I'll tell you that the ball fields out there are PACKED! Literaly thousands of people are there. Not only that night but all that day the town is full of people like it rarely is except just before and just after a parade. Cookouts in backyards near enough to see the show. All that processed meat, drinks and condiments have to be purchased and Marvin's IGA has some of the best prices and better cuts of meat than WallyWorld. The chip shelves at both Marvin's and Dollar General are bare. The cooler cases and the three convenience stores show empty spaces. And it's not just hot dogs and sodiewaters that get bought either. Use you imagination. All that money went elsewhere this year. And all that money that usually comes from Maysville, Sulphur Springs, Decatur, Gentry and even the larger towns and friends and families meet that night for fun, family, friends and a good show, all that money from Bvill, Fville, Rogers etc. failed to show this year too. Other celebrations have been pared down this year as well. You might not think of Gravette having much of a tourism economy but, everything helps and a few thousand$ on firecrackers creating good will, and several days of increased revenue helps not only the tax revenue but the viability of local businesses. "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:04 PM:
" I'm not griping because I didn't get tosee firecrackers but becasue people complain about low revenues and then take steps that will lower them even further.
Some people only shop in Gravette because they can stop by the library too. Twenty more minutes and they can be at WalMart and a bigger library but they stay here and spend here. Parents hoping to augment their own or their children's education deserve a good functioning Library with useful full time hours and trained personnel. Not everyone can afford a PC and Internet.
For a while Gravette seemed to be replacing some bad old sidewalk and those without vehicles were able to get around easier. But that improvement has slowed or stopped and there are still important areas on the side of a busy highway that are dangerous to walk on. We have a lot of people in town who walk to work and to shop in town. Some roads are is need of patching and another winter will make them need to be replaced rather than repaired.
Capping police mileage threatens our puiblic safety.
Parks in disrepair and rickety, failing, broken and dangerous parkbenches are a danger too. Kids can, have and will get hurt.
When these things as well as others a termed "luxuries" it make one wonder what the necessities are. "
Some people only shop in Gravette because they can stop by the library too. Twenty more minutes and they can be at WalMart and a bigger library but they stay here and spend here. Parents hoping to augment their own or their children's education deserve a good functioning Library with useful full time hours and trained personnel. Not everyone can afford a PC and Internet.
For a while Gravette seemed to be replacing some bad old sidewalk and those without vehicles were able to get around easier. But that improvement has slowed or stopped and there are still important areas on the side of a busy highway that are dangerous to walk on. We have a lot of people in town who walk to work and to shop in town. Some roads are is need of patching and another winter will make them need to be replaced rather than repaired.
Capping police mileage threatens our puiblic safety.
Parks in disrepair and rickety, failing, broken and dangerous parkbenches are a danger too. Kids can, have and will get hurt.
When these things as well as others a termed "luxuries" it make one wonder what the necessities are. "
ozarks wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:15 PM:
" You know, since my comments were on this article that I found well written and you want to go off on a erambling that makes no sence, I will respond this one time. So get this: You are involved in small town politics and that shows. You are either a department head that has to cut a budget or an alderman that has climbing the political ladder to big town mayor. Now, what I read from your long winded statements is this: First you sure don't have you little towns best interest to get on here and blow all the negitive statements. There are ways to handle things and getting on this bolg to air your frustrations does not make this reader think highly of you little community, just based on your statements. Second: to call indicate others say to you that the mayor is out of touch, negligent, can't be found or has a clue. That had nothing top do with this artical and if I were the mayor I would infact find these kinds of statements a liable. Foe you to offer unnamed citizens as proof of anything is silly son. Since I have not read anything in this paper about your meetings has nothing to do with me. I don't live there. I was trying to make a positive comment about your little community. I retrack anything positive if people like you are running around that little town on a witch hunt... "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:23 PM:
" Please don't forget the points of my rambling long-windedness.
The Mayor was telling city managers eveything is OK.
Someone accused the Mayor of being ignorant of the situation or complicit in mismanagement.
Now the Mayor is trying to cut 10% ON TOP of previous requested cuts.
This article only reported the latest 10% cuts; it did not report the accusations, the Mayor's denial there was to be budget shortfalls, the Mayor's changing stance, or a lot of things so all we got was a puff piece making the Mayor look like a beleaguered hero with greedy city managers angry they have to cut bloated budgets. This article looks like someone's attempt to get ahead of the bad press that is sure to come once details start getting aired.
Then we have people online saying libraries are dead and not needed, streets don't need to be kept up, police to patrol, parks mowed, park benches repaired and that revenue generating community events are about as useful as a moist gross of Black Cats in the hands of a pyromaniacal 8 year old.
I admit the hyperbole is mine but something needs to be done because neither the Mayor nor his detractors or the council are giving it to us straight and I rail at them all until they come clean.
Gravette has come a long way the past few years. It shouldn't go backward! "
The Mayor was telling city managers eveything is OK.
Someone accused the Mayor of being ignorant of the situation or complicit in mismanagement.
Now the Mayor is trying to cut 10% ON TOP of previous requested cuts.
This article only reported the latest 10% cuts; it did not report the accusations, the Mayor's denial there was to be budget shortfalls, the Mayor's changing stance, or a lot of things so all we got was a puff piece making the Mayor look like a beleaguered hero with greedy city managers angry they have to cut bloated budgets. This article looks like someone's attempt to get ahead of the bad press that is sure to come once details start getting aired.
Then we have people online saying libraries are dead and not needed, streets don't need to be kept up, police to patrol, parks mowed, park benches repaired and that revenue generating community events are about as useful as a moist gross of Black Cats in the hands of a pyromaniacal 8 year old.
I admit the hyperbole is mine but something needs to be done because neither the Mayor nor his detractors or the council are giving it to us straight and I rail at them all until they come clean.
Gravette has come a long way the past few years. It shouldn't go backward! "
ozarks wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:25 PM:
" I come to this understanding by your own negitive statements. You need to be true to your school, town, state, and nation. No matter, you show you have a beef with the guy that is mayor. Now, I have read about the circus in the papers of Sulphur Springs and Centerton, but not of your little town. I am not going to blame all of the folks in your town for you negitive attitude. You sound as if you need to move some place else because if you are elderly you are going to give yourself health problems. But I am assumimh from you writing that you are a younger person and know better than others. I see it like this, the fellow that is your mayor was elected by those in your town and you must not represent those that voted for him and put him in office. Being negitive as you are is not going to bring your little town together. It will only divid your community. You have to learn to work with those that you don't always agree with and find common ground. Reach across the isle sort-of-speak. You are blasting your town on a blog. Shame on you. So, since he was elected in a fair election, I would assume you are blasting those that do support him? Okay to your libray. You need to understand the libaray is a dinosur. Do you haver any data.... "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:35 PM:
" Ozarks,
Do you not read?
All I want are answers.
The Mayors changes his stance. Why?
Someone was trying to get the Mayor removed. Why?
That someone attempted to do so with questionable means. Why? What was in it for the Mayor's accuser?
I'm not a manger, I'm not the Mayor, I'm not on the council now am I personally or professionally involved in the politics any more than any local resident would wish to be. I have no position in the city either volunteer or paid have never nor likely willever atempt to hold elects or represented office.
I ahve no axe to grind and bear no grudges against any one in the area.
But there are irregularities here. Answers are not forthcoming. Most Gravette citizens will only notice that one day the Library closes and it won't open again. They'll be a party to a law suit against the city for broken playground equipment or benches. Businesses will lose patrons and/or refuse to move in because city services and roads are not kept up. We'll notice that police cars will be randomly parked on corners and driveways, rarely moved and having no police in them. And suprisingly tax revenue will sink even lower. School millages will suffer, that giant new shiny school will begin to fall apart and those who can will move away.
I don't want that to happen to Gravette. "
Do you not read?
All I want are answers.
The Mayors changes his stance. Why?
Someone was trying to get the Mayor removed. Why?
That someone attempted to do so with questionable means. Why? What was in it for the Mayor's accuser?
I'm not a manger, I'm not the Mayor, I'm not on the council now am I personally or professionally involved in the politics any more than any local resident would wish to be. I have no position in the city either volunteer or paid have never nor likely willever atempt to hold elects or represented office.
I ahve no axe to grind and bear no grudges against any one in the area.
But there are irregularities here. Answers are not forthcoming. Most Gravette citizens will only notice that one day the Library closes and it won't open again. They'll be a party to a law suit against the city for broken playground equipment or benches. Businesses will lose patrons and/or refuse to move in because city services and roads are not kept up. We'll notice that police cars will be randomly parked on corners and driveways, rarely moved and having no police in them. And suprisingly tax revenue will sink even lower. School millages will suffer, that giant new shiny school will begin to fall apart and those who can will move away.
I don't want that to happen to Gravette. "
ozarks wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:37 PM:
" taken by someone that is unbias as to how your the facility is being used? Nice to have. Needed? No it is not. Kids don't go to the libray and I bet if you looked you are operating that for 25 elderly folks. Kids use computers, iphones, blackberries for information. Not the little local library, sorry to have to tell you that. You tell me how much time a year do you spend and the libray doing reserach, reading or even checking out a book. I think I can rest my case right there. As for having an employee driving to little rock or pay for hundreds of calls. Hey dude, you are Gravette. Why are people driveing to Little rock or making hundreds of call. That don't add up. I could go on but the bottom line is, you have a problem with the mayor. Okay, that is your business. But becasue this paper prints a story about cut backs and we are all cutting back. Maybe you have a silver spoon in your mouth but most of us taxpayers weren't. We have had to work hard for what little wealth we have and I appreciate any elected official that makes those that spend our money watch the budget. I hope you are not an alderman because you cast a bad lioght on your littl;e town and your sure are showing you don't care about taxpayers money. You have a few things to learn. Are you building an impire? "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:37 PM:
" Sorry, meant to say
"I'm not a manger, I'm not the Mayor, I'm not on the council NOR am I personally or professionally involved in the politics any more than any local resident would wish to be. I have no position in the city either volunteer or paid have never nor likely willever atempt to hold elects or represented office. " "
"I'm not a manger, I'm not the Mayor, I'm not on the council NOR am I personally or professionally involved in the politics any more than any local resident would wish to be. I have no position in the city either volunteer or paid have never nor likely willever atempt to hold elects or represented office. " "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:41 PM:
" Ozarks, you really do not read well do you.
I used an "unnamed citizen" not as prrof but as an example of how muddled this situation is.
This person attacked the Mayor, and did so in a way I find reprehensible. "
I used an "unnamed citizen" not as prrof but as an example of how muddled this situation is.
This person attacked the Mayor, and did so in a way I find reprehensible. "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:57 PM:
" Also, I happen to know what goes on in the Library because my children use the Library often. I have numerous friends and family members that one or the other are at the Library at least once a week.
I myself on a very few occasions have been there either in the mornings or in the evenings, and have witnessed the Library usage. It is very much a different place than it was a few years ago when you could go a whole day sometimes and have only a handfull of people show up.
You don't even want to get me started about my "silver" spoon!
My childhood was spent in a home with no AC. I didn't live in a place with AC until I left home and joined the military. I can remember using an outhouse because dad hadn't finished installing the indoor toilet. I remember my mother crying in the night saying something like "What are we going to feed the boys tomorrow." In college (paid for by me and not by any family member)I got kicked out of class because I was a veteran (in the professor's vernacular an "imperalist baby killer") and felt the government (at any level) should be fiscally conservative rather than a nanny state, and this although my academic performance was, in a word, stellar! I have been harrassed for being "too honest" by employers. And I provide for a family with hard work, honesty and integrity. "
I myself on a very few occasions have been there either in the mornings or in the evenings, and have witnessed the Library usage. It is very much a different place than it was a few years ago when you could go a whole day sometimes and have only a handfull of people show up.
You don't even want to get me started about my "silver" spoon!
My childhood was spent in a home with no AC. I didn't live in a place with AC until I left home and joined the military. I can remember using an outhouse because dad hadn't finished installing the indoor toilet. I remember my mother crying in the night saying something like "What are we going to feed the boys tomorrow." In college (paid for by me and not by any family member)I got kicked out of class because I was a veteran (in the professor's vernacular an "imperalist baby killer") and felt the government (at any level) should be fiscally conservative rather than a nanny state, and this although my academic performance was, in a word, stellar! I have been harrassed for being "too honest" by employers. And I provide for a family with hard work, honesty and integrity. "
ozarks wrote on Sep 23, 2008 6:03 PM:
" Geez, this has gotten so far from the article it is silly. Have a good day and hope you can get over your hard feelings toward others. As for me, you have convinced me to stay away from your little town and spend my money else where. "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 6:20 PM:
" RE Library:
Nothing better than a book you can turn the pages of.
The Internet can be so biased as to be useless unless you have substantial abilities to be properly critical about its content and sources. It's useful but is truly not a mature information source, but is getting there.
RE bad attitude:
Shoot yeah I have a bad attitude about what is going on. I see people not being completely forthcoming on issues so the people of Gravette can make informed decisions.
RE Got it out for the Mayor:
I do not know the man. Might have caught a glimps of him outside the City Hall one day, but not for sure. I do have numerous trusted sources saying both mean and nasty as well as very positive things about him. I have heard/read the comments of city council members, heard friends and family members of city managers and saw an email and the "call to action" petition of one of his detractors concerning budget anomalies. I also understand that some people in those city meetings may have made recordings or taken notes which demostrate the contradictory positiions the Mayor seems to have taken as well as the attacks by his detractors.
RE Libel:
The Mayor is a public figure. Libel is a very narrow legal topic not applicable here. I have not accused him of anything other than apparently changing positions and hoping he'll explain why "all is well" then "the sky is falling." "
Nothing better than a book you can turn the pages of.
The Internet can be so biased as to be useless unless you have substantial abilities to be properly critical about its content and sources. It's useful but is truly not a mature information source, but is getting there.
RE bad attitude:
Shoot yeah I have a bad attitude about what is going on. I see people not being completely forthcoming on issues so the people of Gravette can make informed decisions.
RE Got it out for the Mayor:
I do not know the man. Might have caught a glimps of him outside the City Hall one day, but not for sure. I do have numerous trusted sources saying both mean and nasty as well as very positive things about him. I have heard/read the comments of city council members, heard friends and family members of city managers and saw an email and the "call to action" petition of one of his detractors concerning budget anomalies. I also understand that some people in those city meetings may have made recordings or taken notes which demostrate the contradictory positiions the Mayor seems to have taken as well as the attacks by his detractors.
RE Libel:
The Mayor is a public figure. Libel is a very narrow legal topic not applicable here. I have not accused him of anything other than apparently changing positions and hoping he'll explain why "all is well" then "the sky is falling." "
empiricus wrote on Sep 23, 2008 6:32 PM:
" A town is not worth the dirt it is sitting on if its residents aren't willing to rise up and defend it and to ask its elected leaders to let them know how their town is being managed. I think it is worth it to fight to find out why these things are happening. This is a good decent town and needs to remain so.
Your loss if you don't want to come and see our town while it still has something to offer.
Maybe if you came to the well run library, watched happy children in the park, heard and felt the oohs and ahhhs at the fireworks display, witnessed the dedication of our police and fire crews as they protect us, saw the results of a job well done by our road crews you would see that they already do so much to make this town worth living in. But they do so with resource already shortened. They all go the extra mile. Now, after being told it's all OK, then getting cut they are getting cut again.
Whether it's the Mayor, the council or other interlopers, Gravette citizens have right to know what is going on, but they are only being told part of the story, and that story keeps changing. "
Your loss if you don't want to come and see our town while it still has something to offer.
Maybe if you came to the well run library, watched happy children in the park, heard and felt the oohs and ahhhs at the fireworks display, witnessed the dedication of our police and fire crews as they protect us, saw the results of a job well done by our road crews you would see that they already do so much to make this town worth living in. But they do so with resource already shortened. They all go the extra mile. Now, after being told it's all OK, then getting cut they are getting cut again.
Whether it's the Mayor, the council or other interlopers, Gravette citizens have right to know what is going on, but they are only being told part of the story, and that story keeps changing. "
ozarks wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:08 PM:
" What ever. Glad you have a soap box here. You might want to relocate cause that place is not good for your health. Just don't move to Rogers please. Glad you could tell all you don't like that mayor. Not sure what your stance was with the aldermen or women? But, if you want to blame one person for all your woes, I guess that is why he makes the big money. Good luck. "
phall wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:16 AM:
" I am the unnamed citizen empiricus is referring to. My name is Patrick Hall and I am a citizen of Gravette who is happy to receive calls/emails from anyone interested in further discourse in this matter. (479)790-7296 sirpatrickhall@ gmail.com . As mentioned, I am heavily vested in the town of Gravette and I will confirm that I am motivated in a manner that is appropriately selfish. I think it is easy to argue that there is no such thing as a non-selfish act and I would assert that in this case, my selfishness to live and work in a community that is on a track for continued prosperity and financially solvent is not a bad thing at all. Please consider the possibility that my goal from the beginning has been to achieve awareness and move toward solutions in a diplomatic way. The means by which I have worked toward that goal have been respectful. I have attempted on numerous occasions to meet with Mayor Howard to discuss and have generally been met with contempt, while members of the Council have met with me graciously and seemingly share concerns (though I will certainly not speak for any of them). Simply, this city has difficulties that need to be worked through and I think it would be silly for anyone to apologize for trying to raise awareness / concern if they were in a position to do so. Doesnt the very concept of democracy "
phall wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:16 AM:
" As an example to show that my efforts are not skewed toward negativity, a thorough review of the 2007 Actuals reveal a loss (or a dip into dwindling reserves) of $170,372.93 for the City compared to Mr. Howards recently published loss of $189,922.78 . These reports should be readily available at the City Hall and are the very same as those presented to the Council by the Mayor. The difference is attributed to having to reconcile multiple active accounts with a summary of the whole city compared to a summary for just the General Fund (i.e. Cemetary/Parks/Streets). My concern is rooted in a desire for transparency, not to perpetuate negativity. The danger comes as the same misconceptions are made when presenting historical / Year-To-Date information and then making decision and projections based on the flawed summary. For instance, Mr. Howard recently presented a projection for 2008 showing an anticipated loss of only $5,246.73 when a careful review of the same, taking very much into account for one-time expenses, reveals the loss will likely be closer to $140,000 . Isnt that enough of a difference to at least take a second look at how in the world Im coming up with that? What if I AM correct? Its not about me trying to preach gloom & doom folks, its about agreeing on facts. "
phall wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:17 AM:
" The Agreed-Upon Procedures Report for Gravette, years 2004/2005/2006, prepared by the Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit: www .legaudit.state.ar.us/AuditReports/Cities/2006/GravetteCityof200620052004.pdf
As shown in this report, its hard to argue that there is a trend for this communitys government to be too lax when it comes to our finances and the accounting of them. Mr. Howards figures for 2007 and what I think could easily be anticipated for 2008 only go to serve that trend. As for me, I dont think its an easy sell to call my efforts reprehensible or even attribute them solely to an interest inpersonal enrichment. Im simply trying to call a spade a spade. Again, I think democracy gives each of us that right and responsibility.
It may come as no surprise to either of the others who have commented here, but I have filed to run as an alderman here in Gravette. I hope to be a small part of an effort to bring a renewed sense of fiscal responsibility to our fine city as well as a renewed confidence in the direction of our local government and our community as a whole. "
As shown in this report, its hard to argue that there is a trend for this communitys government to be too lax when it comes to our finances and the accounting of them. Mr. Howards figures for 2007 and what I think could easily be anticipated for 2008 only go to serve that trend. As for me, I dont think its an easy sell to call my efforts reprehensible or even attribute them solely to an interest inpersonal enrichment. Im simply trying to call a spade a spade. Again, I think democracy gives each of us that right and responsibility.
It may come as no surprise to either of the others who have commented here, but I have filed to run as an alderman here in Gravette. I hope to be a small part of an effort to bring a renewed sense of fiscal responsibility to our fine city as well as a renewed confidence in the direction of our local government and our community as a whole. "
justinnkim99 wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:29 AM:
" wow...I've never had a harder time understanding the debate above...first of all,..someone needs to utilize the library and learn to spell...make correct sentences and learn to make sense..
second..I've lived in Gravette for almost 19 year's...and I've NEVER even set foot in the library...when we wanted to study in school...we generally did that with friends..or at home...
If something needs to get cut...the library would be the first thing I"d cut...NOT the parks and recreation department..or PD.
This past summer our parks/recreation department got cut back and we had the WORST looking baseball field in NWA - it was an embarrasment to say the least...let's keep up and spend our money on something that brings in hundreds of people nightly - at least Monday/Tuesday/Thursday and Friday - and an occasional Saturday for 3 months -and then soccer start's..it's a park that is ALWAYS busy and needs to be a priority in the town..I totally agree that we should have kept the July 4th festivities...the money spent on the firecrackers was money donated by various businesses..Volunteer FF were the ones that volunteered their time to over see the handling of the works...
it's just a sad situation...
FIX THE INTERSECTION DOWN TOWN ALREADY!!! IT'S AWFUL!!! "
second..I've lived in Gravette for almost 19 year's...and I've NEVER even set foot in the library...when we wanted to study in school...we generally did that with friends..or at home...
If something needs to get cut...the library would be the first thing I"d cut...NOT the parks and recreation department..or PD.
This past summer our parks/recreation department got cut back and we had the WORST looking baseball field in NWA - it was an embarrasment to say the least...let's keep up and spend our money on something that brings in hundreds of people nightly - at least Monday/Tuesday/Thursday and Friday - and an occasional Saturday for 3 months -and then soccer start's..it's a park that is ALWAYS busy and needs to be a priority in the town..I totally agree that we should have kept the July 4th festivities...the money spent on the firecrackers was money donated by various businesses..Volunteer FF were the ones that volunteered their time to over see the handling of the works...
it's just a sad situation...
FIX THE INTERSECTION DOWN TOWN ALREADY!!! IT'S AWFUL!!! "
ozarks wrote on Sep 25, 2008 10:34 AM:
" Wow! This just gets getting better and better. So one of you that is running for alderman can be contacted at Sir patrickhall? Don't know if the good folks of that little town is ready for a Knight? That would tell me you sure think a lot of yourself. But never-the-less, good of you to step into the light and ID yourself as to who the skeptic is talking about. I have gone back and read what you have all blogged and there was a lot to say-the-least. I have actually taken a little interest in this blog as as small as you are, you are still apart of the over all picture of NWA and I also have taken some exception to what you folks that live or have lived in Gravette have posted. To the skeptical one (empiricus).. It has taken several reads to understand your postings and if I understand you you don't like the mayor, the aldermen or women (if you have any) or Sir Patrick? Tell me if I have that right. You do though support all city department heads and the water. police, libray, sewer, fire, parks, city hall or any other departments your little town might have and all those that work for the city on taxpayers money? Your support has the smell of bias in some form? You seem to be far too close to those that this artical refered to. So having to cut back becasue you don't have... "
ozarks wrote on Sep 25, 2008 10:52 AM:
" tax base to support an empire upsets you speaks volumes. YOu can only spend what you have. I do agree with justinnkim, the libray should be the first deep cut made if not done away with. I said it before, libraries as we know them will be gone in 20 any way. I bet every school you have in the area has a one. You should have an indepent person agency that has no dog in the fight collect data on how many are coming and going and what is it thaery are doing. If your library provides data, that can not be trusted as can not any other departments that provide dadt. They always lsight data to show the do more than they reall do or have more volume that they really do. Also if your town has any programs that cost taxpayers any money. Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, or First Step programs need to go. They bleed you budgets slowly though requests from towns and schools to donate buildings, untilies, cash requests in small amounts and on and on. I really don't understand why your little town would have a City Planner? That seems weird to say the least for a little town? How much is that person being paid and what is he doing? Sitting at the desk reading newspapers? Also, seems like having a building inspector at this time of extrem down turn is not needed either. That has to be a big part.. "
ozarks wrote on Sep 25, 2008 11:09 AM:
" part of your budget? How much work do you department heads do? I know that small town department heads with 3 to 0 employees seems to sit around and not do much. Seems they find themsleves above getting their hands dirty or patrol or work nights. They are the boss> Not to say you do not find a good boss that works too but 50% of the time you have lazy folks on your parole doing little excpet being the boss and standing by to make a desicion. The build empires by providing data and no one cares to really look hard and it goes on year in and out and small towns spend many dollars of employees not required but onlt keep the boss from having to work or get dirty. So, Sir Partick, you have thrown out a lot of numbers and I would commend you for your research but don't just look a a few things. Look at the entire picture and don't have complaints without fixes. Have all the information. Not be be disrepectful but that is how you come across. Seems you want to be a big man in town and not doing all of the leg work. Now, I do want to address a statement you made.. YOu said you are invested in the town meaning you have a or more than one business or own proprety? So, what you want and what is good for all is unbalanced. You say there... "
phall wrote on Sep 25, 2008 11:17 AM:
" I do apologize for the narcissistic implications of my email address... Very simply, I've had that as my personal email address for many years and it's hard to switch once you have it out there to so many. I just didn't care for adding random numbers to the address and, hey, people remember it! It's kind of a joke that I'm the butt of...and rightfully so! But I just keep rollin' with it cause it's kind of just one of those things.... Maybe now's the time to switch. Maybe: A-Hall would be more appropriate at this point! (Aaron being my middle name) :) "
ozarks wrote on Sep 25, 2008 11:23 AM:
" is "no such thing as an non-selfish act". That tells me you were never a member of the armed forces and watch friends die or give of themselves for all. You are not a parent either I would bet. There are many non-selfish acts and non-selfish people that do things for their churches and clubs everyday. You have a presective that shows you have not done much. You should travel to some 3rd world countries and you will see non-selfish acts preformed by Americans all over the world. So, I take deep exception to that statement. You are correct in saying you are selfish. Please evaluate your position. Look at what you are doing and why. If you are an alderman, you should be working for all. It kind of shows you want to be mayor and I would also bet you will run for that too at some point. Do you want to do the best for all or do the best for yourself and feel like you have power Sir Patrick? Want to be the KIng of Gravertte? FYI: I called you city hall and found out the mayor is in the office? I asked about the intersection blogged about by justinnkim. That is a state highway project and the city didn't know they were going to do that and they are to come soon to fix it. So you should call the state highway department was waht I was informed. I understand that... "
ozarks wrote on Sep 25, 2008 11:38 AM:
" So, I will close and hope a persons thoughts that don't live there and only know what they read in the newspapers or these blogs. Get rid of the things you don't need. That can be hard becasue I am sure all know each other and to cut the library might upset a few for a time? But if people can not make the hard desions for what is good for all you should then you are not needed by your little town becasue what is good for you is not what is always good for all. Clean house and be done with it. It is a shame that it takes hard times to bring the fat to the top. Many of these things could have been done sometime ago becaause if it is fat now, it was fat last year and the year before. Reach out to each other and stop with your dunb petions, stop complaining, have a real plan and make it work together. But when we have to bite the bullet no one wants to do that. I am almost feed up with gevermnet for city to federal. Everyone is selfish and don't represent those that put them there. Oh, I did ask about Sir Patrick too, he didn't have any one run against him as did not several others so, they get a free ride. You should have made that clear Sir. You are not really running, you are in. Have a good day. "
ozarks wrote on Sep 25, 2008 11:48 AM:
" PS: justinnkim, please proof for me. I don't have the time to edit or proof and really spent too much time on this as it is. Just so you know not all of us are as picky about being perfect with their keyboarding, but like always I thank the English majors that think more time reading books would imporve ones keyboarding. Oh, that is a school function not a library? That is right. "
phall wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:15 PM:
" Ozarks, I really hate to be off the core topic in these comments, but your ability to render such judgment on me based on such few words hopefully gives me the leeway to present a simple retort. I can very much appreciate your examples of heroism, generosity, and charity. I would like to think, although not nearly as glorious as many others in this world, I too have acted in a self-less manner in many cases. This is not the forum for examples and I have no desire to be in some sort of competition. But I would say that even in those cases, selfishly, it made me feel good to do so. I wanted to do those things just like I would imagine others who CHOOSE their actions would agree they are similarly motivated. Maybe its a matter of wording, but its just my observation of things. I mean no disrespect, but the focus here is about Gravettes financial issues. As accused, I havent just looked at a few things and thrown out a lot of numbers. I have been studying this for quite some time and have made it my central point to look at the big picture. "
phall wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:16 PM:
" As for solutions, Im not short on those either and have in fact offered my personal contact information for those who would like to discuss it further. But solutions must be part of a concerted effort and methodically laid out by those who are in a position to do so. This is not the forum for that. Awareness and an agreement are whats needed most at this point. "
phall wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:19 PM:
" Awareness and an agreement OF FACT are the things that are most needed, I meant to say. "
ozarks wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:32 PM:
" Just to be sure I am clear. There are many acts of unselfishness that are done out of ones heart to help and make something better for those less fourtunte. Those that give their bodies or lives with less than a second to act did not make them feel good. It was done without thinking many times and is unselfish. Period. I appreciate your wanting to do what ever it is that needs being done in your little community but if it is as stated in one of the blogs that you pass around complaints for others to read or sign then that is not good for your community. If you and you group and I am very sure you have a possie are going around belittling the mayor or others then shame on you and that is not going to get you anywhere but in the funny papers. What are you trying to do impeach that mayor or what? If you are dooing that, that diesn't speak well of you or you possie. Just becasue an elected offical doesn't do what you like you don't change anything by making a big thing about it. I don't like most politictans on any level but there is nothing to be done until election time unless the are crooks, liers, thives and so on. Just becasue someone does not have your view does not make them a bad person or even wrong for that matter. But if you have done... "
ozarks wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:43 PM:
" your homework as your say you have tell me right now without calling someone:
How many vehicles id owned by the city? How many are taken home by empoyees? How many work in your water and sewer department? How many cops do you have? How many visitors went and checked out a book at your libaray last month (August). What projects is your city planner woking? How many building inspections were completed last month? How many tickets did you cops write last month and how many crimes were investigated and I don mean grandma locked herself out of her car or there is a dog running around town. I mean crime if any at all? How many times was the fire department was called out and actually had to do something? (I have a lot of respect for firemen/women I will add). What kind of data or information do you have to fix your budget problems. Just wondering how much you really have done. I could go on but do you know the answers to these simple questions? I would if I were an alderman or trying to tell all I have the fix? Good luck to your little town and Hope you don't take the direction of Suplhur Springs, Centerton, Decatur, Centerton, Greenville. We have pleanty of things to read in the funny papers. You can join them if you like or you fix things that need it without pointing fingers or looking for a pat on the back. "
How many vehicles id owned by the city? How many are taken home by empoyees? How many work in your water and sewer department? How many cops do you have? How many visitors went and checked out a book at your libaray last month (August). What projects is your city planner woking? How many building inspections were completed last month? How many tickets did you cops write last month and how many crimes were investigated and I don mean grandma locked herself out of her car or there is a dog running around town. I mean crime if any at all? How many times was the fire department was called out and actually had to do something? (I have a lot of respect for firemen/women I will add). What kind of data or information do you have to fix your budget problems. Just wondering how much you really have done. I could go on but do you know the answers to these simple questions? I would if I were an alderman or trying to tell all I have the fix? Good luck to your little town and Hope you don't take the direction of Suplhur Springs, Centerton, Decatur, Centerton, Greenville. We have pleanty of things to read in the funny papers. You can join them if you like or you fix things that need it without pointing fingers or looking for a pat on the back. "
Not already registered?
ozarks wrote on Sep 20, 2008 7:57 AM: