This post is concerning the proposed 3/8th sales tax for pavement. As previously stated, we probably do need a new tax but not necessarily 3/8ths. There are other sources as stated in other posts here.
What I'm going to discuss tonight is a question that has really been bothering me. We know that Jeff "The Arrogant One" Vaught had stated that 40% of our sales tax revenues came from non-residents of Shawnee. We also know that he could not/would not produce documents to back that up. We know that as the result of a KORA request the city said they could not confirm that info. And last but not least, we know that in a recent article in the Shawnee Dispatch the city manager was quoted as saying that the city could not provide info as to sources of sales tax revenues.
So, here's the question that has been bothering me for quite some time: When Vaught made his comment about the 40% why didn't the city manager state at that committee meeting that there was no way to determine that info? Why didn't she correct him on the spot? It's not like he hasn't been corrected about misinformation in the past. Heck, even the fire chief had to correct him one evening recently.
Anyway, it is interesting to note that he was not corrected that night. One can only surmise that the city manager did not make the correction at that meeting for one of the following reasons:
1. She didn't hear him make the statement
2. She didn't want to make him look foolish (even though he was providing misinformation)
3. She knew it was wrong, was hoping nobody would pursue it, since if the figure was perceived to be accurate it would be a help to the plan. That would mean that theoretically a major portion of the taxes would be paid for by non-residents of Shawnee.
So, which one was it? Or was it for another reason?
How many pieces of misinformation will the city be passing on to the voters at the dog and pony road show? How many pieces of viable information will not be given to the citizens?
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
