The Shawnee Dispatch has provided additional information regarding Mayor Distler's first "Third Thursday With the Mayor"
The article can be read here
I personally urge more citizens to get involved with future activities of this kind.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Mayor's Third Thursday Very Positive
This past Thursday saw Mayor Michelle Distler have her first
“Thursday With the Mayor” coffee. It is my understanding that
approximately 25 people attended this event.
When queried about this event because it was a daytime
meeting (9:00AM) the mayor said it was set up that way to make it easier for
senior citizens who don’t attend evening meetings to be able to attend.
She indicated that there will be other meetings set up at differing times so
that others could fit them into their schedules. This is something that
no other mayor has done, and should prove helpful in opening up lines of
communication between the citizenry and city hall. It was also mentioned
that the mayor has been meeting with other groups to obtain first hand
feedback on various items of interest. What is nice is that this is being
done now, not four years from now when the next election will be coming
around. So I’d guess it is not “an election year gimmick”. More info on the future plans for these events
can be found at this article on the Shawnee Dispatch web site
Thursday, July 16, 2015
How Not to Lose Matching Funds
Recently council member Eric Jenkins has come up with a unique idea so that the city does not lose matching funds.
A little background: In the past the city has had to delay projects because it could not produce matching funds. What are matching funds? The county, state or feds will periodically propose funding for a project (usually a public works type such as storm water, street etc). The other entity will provide funding if the city can match funding. Usually the funding is not a one to one match. In many cases the other entity will provide two, three or more dollars for every one put up by the city.
Example would be if a storm water project is proposed for $600,000 and the county offers a 3:1 match, that means that the county will pay $450,000 if the city comes up with $150,000. This provides a way for the city to get back monies paid in taxes to the other entities (county, state and fed).
What Eric Jenkins has proposed, and it makes sense, is to take unspent funds from other projects that are self funded and place them in a "matching fund" account and held for when these other matching fund projects come up. An example of this would be if there is a street project that is budgeted for $900,000, and after all is done, the final cost comes in at $865,000. Mr. Jenkins' proposal would place the unspent $35,000 in a matching fund hold account. That would potentially reduce the possibility of having to turn down matching funds from other entities.
A little background: In the past the city has had to delay projects because it could not produce matching funds. What are matching funds? The county, state or feds will periodically propose funding for a project (usually a public works type such as storm water, street etc). The other entity will provide funding if the city can match funding. Usually the funding is not a one to one match. In many cases the other entity will provide two, three or more dollars for every one put up by the city.
Example would be if a storm water project is proposed for $600,000 and the county offers a 3:1 match, that means that the county will pay $450,000 if the city comes up with $150,000. This provides a way for the city to get back monies paid in taxes to the other entities (county, state and fed).
What Eric Jenkins has proposed, and it makes sense, is to take unspent funds from other projects that are self funded and place them in a "matching fund" account and held for when these other matching fund projects come up. An example of this would be if there is a street project that is budgeted for $900,000, and after all is done, the final cost comes in at $865,000. Mr. Jenkins' proposal would place the unspent $35,000 in a matching fund hold account. That would potentially reduce the possibility of having to turn down matching funds from other entities.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Reminder - Third Thursday With The Mayor
A reminder that tomorrow, 7/16/15, will be the first "Third Thursday With The Mayor"
In keeping with her commitments to provide open and accessible government, Mayor Michelle Distler is beginning to set up meetings that make it convenient for citizens of Shawnee to be able to express their views and ask questions on a face to face basis.
Tomorrow's event will be at the Shawnee Civic Center at 13817 Johnson Drive at 9AM. Stop by, speak with the mayor and have a cup of coffee.
Further information can be found here:
In keeping with her commitments to provide open and accessible government, Mayor Michelle Distler is beginning to set up meetings that make it convenient for citizens of Shawnee to be able to express their views and ask questions on a face to face basis.
Tomorrow's event will be at the Shawnee Civic Center at 13817 Johnson Drive at 9AM. Stop by, speak with the mayor and have a cup of coffee.
Further information can be found here:
Monday, July 13, 2015
Ger Involved - CERT and CPA Classes Announced
Announcements have been posted on the city's web site regarding the next CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and CPA (Citizen's Police Academy) classes.
Two great programs that citizens who want to get involved with their city might want to consider signing up for.
For CERT info please click here
For CPA info please click here
Two great programs that citizens who want to get involved with their city might want to consider signing up for.
For CERT info please click here
For CPA info please click here
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Jenkins Gets It, Vaught and Sandifer Never Will
Apparently at this week's Council Committee meeting (7/7/15) there was some fur flying, again.
Some previously suggested budget changes/recommendations submitted by Eric Jenkins were reviewed. And again, Jeff (The Arrogant One) Vaught accused Jenkins of micro managing the city manager and staff. These sentiments were echoed by Mickey (The Parrot) Sandifer.
Apparently Vaught and Sandifer really don't understand what their jobs as council members are. Providing suggestions and ideas to the city manager is part of the job. Apparently both Vaught and Sandifer feel that the city manager should be left to her own devices and that the council should rubber stamp everything she does. Wrong...............if that was the case we would have no need for a city council.
The last time I looked it appeared to me that the city manager was human. As such, if she cut her wrists she would bleed blood not miniature spread sheets. Nobody is 100% perfect. As mentioned here many times in the past, we are fortunate to have in Shawnee individuals, both elected and members of the community with diverse backgrounds. These individuals are highly capable of providing suggestions and recommendations for the city's operations. Some will be good, some will not be good. But it shows people thinking. I believe that is the message that our new mayor put out before the election about folks "thinking together", not thinking alike, but together, to come up with ideas. Apparently Vaught and Sandifer want to abrogate their responsibilities and would give the city manager carte blanche to do anything she wants. That is NOT what a city manager form of government is supposed to be. Is it possible that Vaught's attitude is what caused him to not even advance past the primary in the last mayoral election?
It just becomes more obvious every week that Vaught, and Sandifer, have this need to perform osculatory functions upon the gluteus maximus of the city manager.
Sidebar: It also appears that Vaught is taking over for former council member Dawn Kuhn as the motormouth of the council. He just goes on and on and on.
DTJVSD
Some previously suggested budget changes/recommendations submitted by Eric Jenkins were reviewed. And again, Jeff (The Arrogant One) Vaught accused Jenkins of micro managing the city manager and staff. These sentiments were echoed by Mickey (The Parrot) Sandifer.
Apparently Vaught and Sandifer really don't understand what their jobs as council members are. Providing suggestions and ideas to the city manager is part of the job. Apparently both Vaught and Sandifer feel that the city manager should be left to her own devices and that the council should rubber stamp everything she does. Wrong...............if that was the case we would have no need for a city council.
The last time I looked it appeared to me that the city manager was human. As such, if she cut her wrists she would bleed blood not miniature spread sheets. Nobody is 100% perfect. As mentioned here many times in the past, we are fortunate to have in Shawnee individuals, both elected and members of the community with diverse backgrounds. These individuals are highly capable of providing suggestions and recommendations for the city's operations. Some will be good, some will not be good. But it shows people thinking. I believe that is the message that our new mayor put out before the election about folks "thinking together", not thinking alike, but together, to come up with ideas. Apparently Vaught and Sandifer want to abrogate their responsibilities and would give the city manager carte blanche to do anything she wants. That is NOT what a city manager form of government is supposed to be. Is it possible that Vaught's attitude is what caused him to not even advance past the primary in the last mayoral election?
It just becomes more obvious every week that Vaught, and Sandifer, have this need to perform osculatory functions upon the gluteus maximus of the city manager.
Sidebar: It also appears that Vaught is taking over for former council member Dawn Kuhn as the motormouth of the council. He just goes on and on and on.
DTJVSD
Friday, July 10, 2015
Did Ya Miss Me?
Welllllllllllll, did ya?
LOL..............took a vacation......spent time with the kids and grandkids.............
Had a great time..........the upper peninsula of Michigan is beautiful at this time of the year. Daytime highs were mid 70's to low 80's..............nighttime lows were high 40's low 50's. Had to wear a long sleeve shirt and fleece hoody to watch the July 4th fireworks.
Anyway, I'm baaaaaaaaack and will have some comments about some of our council members.
Stay tuned...............
LOL..............took a vacation......spent time with the kids and grandkids.............
Had a great time..........the upper peninsula of Michigan is beautiful at this time of the year. Daytime highs were mid 70's to low 80's..............nighttime lows were high 40's low 50's. Had to wear a long sleeve shirt and fleece hoody to watch the July 4th fireworks.
Anyway, I'm baaaaaaaaack and will have some comments about some of our council members.
Stay tuned...............
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