Methinks it is time for a bit of travel back in time to September 2007.
For those of you who missed it, here is a post that you may want to read.
For those who have read it, it might be worth reading again.
http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2007/09/size-does-matter-sometimes.html
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
DC Dinner
You decide, read the article in the Shawnee Dispatch
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2008/jun/25/dc_dinner_continues_stir_pot/
One additional point: When asked for verification that the liquor was on a separate bill Mr Pflumm basically said because he said so. Strange, when he has questioned others and would not take statements at face value (from citizens, city staff and even other council members) his favorite statement is "show me".
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2008/jun/25/dc_dinner_continues_stir_pot/
One additional point: When asked for verification that the liquor was on a separate bill Mr Pflumm basically said because he said so. Strange, when he has questioned others and would not take statements at face value (from citizens, city staff and even other council members) his favorite statement is "show me".
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Where Were the Colors?
Old Shawnee Days 2008 has come and gone. Many people put in lots of hours to make it another successful attraction for Shawnee. Congrats to all.
I only have one question: Where were the Colors? This year they were carried by the Sons of the Revolution, but they did not "step off" first.
OK folks.......I'm not going to get in the middle of which organization needed to be the first to march. Apparently there has been an ongoing dialogue about that.
What I am going to say is that, no matter which organization is first, the Colors need to "step off" first. Could it be the American Legion? Yes. Or a Color Guard of Shawnee safety personnel (FD and/or PD), a Guard or Reserve unit, or even the Color Guard from Ft Leavenworth as we are on part of the Old Military Road. Protocol, custom and tradition dictate that. The Colors should NOT follow behind any other marching unit.
For future reference, how about an invite to the mounted cavalry unit from Ft Riley? Part of their mission is to march in local and patriotic parades in Kansas.
I only have one question: Where were the Colors? This year they were carried by the Sons of the Revolution, but they did not "step off" first.
OK folks.......I'm not going to get in the middle of which organization needed to be the first to march. Apparently there has been an ongoing dialogue about that.
What I am going to say is that, no matter which organization is first, the Colors need to "step off" first. Could it be the American Legion? Yes. Or a Color Guard of Shawnee safety personnel (FD and/or PD), a Guard or Reserve unit, or even the Color Guard from Ft Leavenworth as we are on part of the Old Military Road. Protocol, custom and tradition dictate that. The Colors should NOT follow behind any other marching unit.
For future reference, how about an invite to the mounted cavalry unit from Ft Riley? Part of their mission is to march in local and patriotic parades in Kansas.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Budget Meetings
Well, I couldn't stay for the entire presentation tonight. Various departments were making presentations to the Public Works & Safety Committee.
When the topic came up about council travel Mr Straub again made suggestions about how to cut it back.
It was at this point that Mickey Sandifer decided to get an item off of his chest and on the record. And, in my opinion he was definitely justified.
It seems that according to Mr Sandifer, when the council made its last trip to Washington DC, the council took our federal reps out to dinner. But, it appears that two of the council members decided not join the rest of the council, and on their own initiative took one staff member each of Sen Brownback and Sen Roberts to dinner. Mr Sandifer says that that dinner by the other two was at twice the cost of the council's own dinner. One thing we do know is that Mr Pflumm charged the city $392 for that dinner for himself, Straub and the two aforementioned senate staffers. These are also the two that are the most vociferous about others cutting back on expenses.
Ironically, Straub also claimed full per diem for that particular day. The least he could have done was to only claim breakfast and lunch per diem (like Pflumm did).
Question: Why did these two have to have their own dinner with the senate staffers?
When the topic came up about council travel Mr Straub again made suggestions about how to cut it back.
It was at this point that Mickey Sandifer decided to get an item off of his chest and on the record. And, in my opinion he was definitely justified.
It seems that according to Mr Sandifer, when the council made its last trip to Washington DC, the council took our federal reps out to dinner. But, it appears that two of the council members decided not join the rest of the council, and on their own initiative took one staff member each of Sen Brownback and Sen Roberts to dinner. Mr Sandifer says that that dinner by the other two was at twice the cost of the council's own dinner. One thing we do know is that Mr Pflumm charged the city $392 for that dinner for himself, Straub and the two aforementioned senate staffers. These are also the two that are the most vociferous about others cutting back on expenses.
Ironically, Straub also claimed full per diem for that particular day. The least he could have done was to only claim breakfast and lunch per diem (like Pflumm did).
Question: Why did these two have to have their own dinner with the senate staffers?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Sickening News
Was watching the early morning news today.
Phill Kline has decided to run for JoCo DA, after he had previously said he wouldn't.
Hey Phill, folks in Kansas didn't want you as Attorney General in the last election, and the folks in JoCo specifically also did not want you. By a fluke ya got the DA's job.
Phill Kline has decided to run for JoCo DA, after he had previously said he wouldn't.
Hey Phill, folks in Kansas didn't want you as Attorney General in the last election, and the folks in JoCo specifically also did not want you. By a fluke ya got the DA's job.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Possible TIF
Another item at the last council meeting was a possible TIF (tax increment financing district).
Mixed emotions on these things. More later on that aspect.
The item at the last council meeting was an agreeement between the city and a group for various studies, with the group paying the costs and no expenditure by the city. The group is made up of various individuals and one LLC. The kicker here is that the ownership info on the LLC is not public info, and according to the Secretary of State's office they are not required to file that info until 4/15/09. Or actually any time after 1/1/09 but no later than 4/15/09.
This could turn out to be a very viable, beneficial project, but again more on that aspect later. I personally just have problems with the hidden ownership element.
As it is now, it is just "being looked into". Let's see what happens after the "looking into".
Mixed emotions on these things. More later on that aspect.
The item at the last council meeting was an agreeement between the city and a group for various studies, with the group paying the costs and no expenditure by the city. The group is made up of various individuals and one LLC. The kicker here is that the ownership info on the LLC is not public info, and according to the Secretary of State's office they are not required to file that info until 4/15/09. Or actually any time after 1/1/09 but no later than 4/15/09.
This could turn out to be a very viable, beneficial project, but again more on that aspect later. I personally just have problems with the hidden ownership element.
As it is now, it is just "being looked into". Let's see what happens after the "looking into".
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