The Stockbridge Village Council meeting is tonight, April 4, at 7 pm in the Village Offices.
Plan on attending.
Get your information first-hand.
Ask questions.
Share your comments and concerns.
Be a part of the democratic process in your home town.
The real democratic American idea is not that every man shall be on the level with every other, but that every man shall have liberty, without hindrance, to be what God made him. - H. W. Beecher
Monday, April 4, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain!
This just keeps getting better.
As information on budgeting problems and irregularities, dropped balls and other monkey business comes to light, the Dancer Memoirs are "leaked."
Leaked?
Yeah, leaked.
Obviously someone forgot all about the non-disclosure agreement.
We are left with an impression of a man lurking behind doors, eavesdropping on conversations, furtively putting his ear to the bottom of a glass pressed against a wall, and scribbling furiously on a scrap of paper with a pencil nub.
I don't know about anyone else, but I find it truly comical.
Instead of playing Ace Detective Agency with his fancy de-coder ring, the former Village Manager should have been writing letters to the Treasury so the Village could get it's money (unless he didn't know how to write the deficit elimination plan...). He should have been concentrating on the other mistakes in the budget that he knew were there.
But let's be honest. He was done in August either way, and all of the financial problems here were not gonna be his problem. He gets to walk away.
Guess who gets to hold the bag?
The truly terrifying thought here is that NO ONE knows what the true numbers are. Money has been moved and shifted. There was alot of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
For instance: when the Village offices were moved, THE NEW EXPENSES WERE NOT IN THE BUDGET. Not the new rent, not the new and higher utilities, not the re-build inside to create the office space. (In other words, let's move, damn the torpedoes, we'll find the money later, we'll just amend the budget. After all, we're all friends here <wink wink>)
So, where did that money come from? (reference the Peter/Paul comment above)
More will evidently be revealed as the current council tries to work it's way through this budget fiasco. We wish them well, and urge them to stock up on Tylenol.
Not all of us have a pristine past. Not many of us come from families with a lily-white lineage.
Show of hands: how many people in Stockbridge don't have a black sheep in their family? (or 2 or 3)
How many families are untouched by the scourge of alcoholism and/or drug abuse?
How many here should not throw stones, given their own glass houses?
How damnably sad that a certain man has his criminal history flaunted in a memoir (by the police chief, no less) and re-printed in a blog. Even for these guys, that's low. And done for their own personal gain. No shame in their game, more's the pity.
Too bad these guys didn't pursue their JOBS as vigorously and with such attention to detail.
And the reality is that the Village is still where it was before all this crap got leaked.
Holding the bag.
So, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Toto got it all figured out: he's not who he pretended to be.
As information on budgeting problems and irregularities, dropped balls and other monkey business comes to light, the Dancer Memoirs are "leaked."
Leaked?
Yeah, leaked.
Obviously someone forgot all about the non-disclosure agreement.
We are left with an impression of a man lurking behind doors, eavesdropping on conversations, furtively putting his ear to the bottom of a glass pressed against a wall, and scribbling furiously on a scrap of paper with a pencil nub.
I don't know about anyone else, but I find it truly comical.
Instead of playing Ace Detective Agency with his fancy de-coder ring, the former Village Manager should have been writing letters to the Treasury so the Village could get it's money (unless he didn't know how to write the deficit elimination plan...). He should have been concentrating on the other mistakes in the budget that he knew were there.
But let's be honest. He was done in August either way, and all of the financial problems here were not gonna be his problem. He gets to walk away.
Guess who gets to hold the bag?
The truly terrifying thought here is that NO ONE knows what the true numbers are. Money has been moved and shifted. There was alot of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
For instance: when the Village offices were moved, THE NEW EXPENSES WERE NOT IN THE BUDGET. Not the new rent, not the new and higher utilities, not the re-build inside to create the office space. (In other words, let's move, damn the torpedoes, we'll find the money later, we'll just amend the budget. After all, we're all friends here <wink wink>)
So, where did that money come from? (reference the Peter/Paul comment above)
More will evidently be revealed as the current council tries to work it's way through this budget fiasco. We wish them well, and urge them to stock up on Tylenol.
Not all of us have a pristine past. Not many of us come from families with a lily-white lineage.
Show of hands: how many people in Stockbridge don't have a black sheep in their family? (or 2 or 3)
How many families are untouched by the scourge of alcoholism and/or drug abuse?
How many here should not throw stones, given their own glass houses?
How damnably sad that a certain man has his criminal history flaunted in a memoir (by the police chief, no less) and re-printed in a blog. Even for these guys, that's low. And done for their own personal gain. No shame in their game, more's the pity.
Too bad these guys didn't pursue their JOBS as vigorously and with such attention to detail.
And the reality is that the Village is still where it was before all this crap got leaked.
Holding the bag.
So, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Toto got it all figured out: he's not who he pretended to be.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Did You Know....
Did you know:
The Michigan Department of Treasury is withholding 25% of the statutory State Revenue Sharing dollars for the Village of Stockbridge?
In September of 2010, the Village was notified by the Department of Treasury that a deficit elimination plan must be filed within 30 days of receiving that letter.
(This would be the $24,399 deficit to the Major Street Fund. Please refer to your audit, page 4)
The Village Manager was responsible for sending that plan to the State.
He assured everyone he had.
However.
No letter was sent.
January 13, 2011 another letter was received that stated that the Department of Treasury would begin to withhold 25% of revenue sharing until such time as a deficit elimination plan was submitted.
The letter sent in response by the former Village Manager did NOT address the Major Street Deficit whatsoever. Instead, it referred to the discrepancies found by the auditors regarding the limitations of checks and balances in a two-person office.
Hence, the letter contained no plan to eliminate the deficit.
Hence, the 25% withholding of your state revenue sharing dollars until such time as a plan has been submitted to the state.
At this point, you should consider the possibility that just because you cut out the cancer, doesn't mean the patient isn't still bleeding on the operating table.
Huh.
I guess you would call this proof.
Tune in for updates as to HOW the Major Street Fund ended up with a deficit cash balance.
This is gonna get interesting.....
*** The writers would like to direct your attention to the "Comments" to this post for an accurate time line regarding correspondence between the Michigan Department of Treasury and the former Village manager and council. Please note that the deficit elimination plan was needed for fiscal year ending 2/28/2010, a full 9 months before the elections and seating of new council members.
The Michigan Department of Treasury is withholding 25% of the statutory State Revenue Sharing dollars for the Village of Stockbridge?
In September of 2010, the Village was notified by the Department of Treasury that a deficit elimination plan must be filed within 30 days of receiving that letter.
(This would be the $24,399 deficit to the Major Street Fund. Please refer to your audit, page 4)
The Village Manager was responsible for sending that plan to the State.
He assured everyone he had.
However.
No letter was sent.
January 13, 2011 another letter was received that stated that the Department of Treasury would begin to withhold 25% of revenue sharing until such time as a deficit elimination plan was submitted.
The letter sent in response by the former Village Manager did NOT address the Major Street Deficit whatsoever. Instead, it referred to the discrepancies found by the auditors regarding the limitations of checks and balances in a two-person office.
Hence, the letter contained no plan to eliminate the deficit.
Hence, the 25% withholding of your state revenue sharing dollars until such time as a plan has been submitted to the state.
At this point, you should consider the possibility that just because you cut out the cancer, doesn't mean the patient isn't still bleeding on the operating table.
Huh.
I guess you would call this proof.
Tune in for updates as to HOW the Major Street Fund ended up with a deficit cash balance.
This is gonna get interesting.....
*** The writers would like to direct your attention to the "Comments" to this post for an accurate time line regarding correspondence between the Michigan Department of Treasury and the former Village manager and council. Please note that the deficit elimination plan was needed for fiscal year ending 2/28/2010, a full 9 months before the elections and seating of new council members.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Got a Cape?
Superman isn't coming.
Wonder Woman won't be here, the invisible plane is in the shop.
Batman is busy.
Robin is doing the lecture circuit on self-actualization.
Mighty Mouse is in rehab. (They say it's a cheese addiction)
Stockbridge needs some local heroes to donate their time, their talent and their energy to volunteer for stuff that just needs doing.
The Downtown Development Authority decided to partner with the Ingham County Courts to be providers of Community Service hours. Those sentenced to community service will now have the option to do that service in Stockbridge, directed here by the probation department. (Gotta say, feelin' pretty good about this)
(And before you ask - no, axe murderers don't get sentenced to community service.)
There is a director in place for this program, another volunteer, Greg Uihlein. He will hand out assignments and supervise workers. (high five, Greg)
Hopefully, with the free labor provided by community service and local volunteers (hoping for volunteers here) the cemetery and parks will be taken care of at a fraction of the cost.
But why stop there?
Why not partner with the Township and create a volunteer force that would provide services for the local senior citizens, who due to age or illness are no longer able to mow, rake, shovel or do any number of jobs that need doing around the house?
We have local government officials who are open to the idea of "thinking outside the box." Working hand in hand with government may seem like an oxymoron, but it could happen! (what a novel concept)
Have an idea of your own that would make the Village a better place? Share it at a council meeting, stop in at the Village offices or grab a trustee. Heck, write a letter, or make a call.
Step up to the plate.
Be a local hero.
Cuz, the other heroes are busy.
It's up to us.
Wonder Woman won't be here, the invisible plane is in the shop.
Batman is busy.
Robin is doing the lecture circuit on self-actualization.
Mighty Mouse is in rehab. (They say it's a cheese addiction)
Stockbridge needs some local heroes to donate their time, their talent and their energy to volunteer for stuff that just needs doing.
The Downtown Development Authority decided to partner with the Ingham County Courts to be providers of Community Service hours. Those sentenced to community service will now have the option to do that service in Stockbridge, directed here by the probation department. (Gotta say, feelin' pretty good about this)
(And before you ask - no, axe murderers don't get sentenced to community service.)
There is a director in place for this program, another volunteer, Greg Uihlein. He will hand out assignments and supervise workers. (high five, Greg)
Hopefully, with the free labor provided by community service and local volunteers (hoping for volunteers here) the cemetery and parks will be taken care of at a fraction of the cost.
But why stop there?
Why not partner with the Township and create a volunteer force that would provide services for the local senior citizens, who due to age or illness are no longer able to mow, rake, shovel or do any number of jobs that need doing around the house?
We have local government officials who are open to the idea of "thinking outside the box." Working hand in hand with government may seem like an oxymoron, but it could happen! (what a novel concept)
Have an idea of your own that would make the Village a better place? Share it at a council meeting, stop in at the Village offices or grab a trustee. Heck, write a letter, or make a call.
Step up to the plate.
Be a local hero.
Cuz, the other heroes are busy.
It's up to us.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Shame the Devil
While you live, tell the truth and shame the devil. - Shakespeare
The truth these days seems to be subjective. It changes with the person telling it and the person listening to it.
The "Honest - to - God" truth would probably change if the truth teller was actually speaking to God. Most often we flavor the truth with our own prejudices, and embellish it to suit our needs.
How do we know what is the truth and what isn't? Do we rely on what others tell us, or do we do our own investigating into the matter?
It's amazing what we accept as truth these days.
Don't be gullible. Don't accept what is spoon fed to you as truth.
Here are some truths:
After two years, the Minix Parking lot has a "go" date of May 1. In one sit down with the Blossoms, Don Byrd managed to strike a deal with the Blossoms. Maybe it was because he approached them with an attitude of negotiation rather then threats of eminent domain. Heavy handedness accomplishes nothing except to put people on the defensive. You try and back someone into a corner and more often than not, they will come out swinging. While not being privy to the actual meeting, the outcome speaks for itself.
If this is an indication of things to come, the future is looking a bit brighter for the Village. Perhaps the truth for today is that change is slow, and can be measured by it's accomplishments
So to those who claim that our Village President is not the man for the job, look at the truth of the matter. He shamed those particular devils.
The truth these days seems to be subjective. It changes with the person telling it and the person listening to it.
The "Honest - to - God" truth would probably change if the truth teller was actually speaking to God. Most often we flavor the truth with our own prejudices, and embellish it to suit our needs.
How do we know what is the truth and what isn't? Do we rely on what others tell us, or do we do our own investigating into the matter?
It's amazing what we accept as truth these days.
Don't be gullible. Don't accept what is spoon fed to you as truth.
Here are some truths:
After two years, the Minix Parking lot has a "go" date of May 1. In one sit down with the Blossoms, Don Byrd managed to strike a deal with the Blossoms. Maybe it was because he approached them with an attitude of negotiation rather then threats of eminent domain. Heavy handedness accomplishes nothing except to put people on the defensive. You try and back someone into a corner and more often than not, they will come out swinging. While not being privy to the actual meeting, the outcome speaks for itself.
If this is an indication of things to come, the future is looking a bit brighter for the Village. Perhaps the truth for today is that change is slow, and can be measured by it's accomplishments
So to those who claim that our Village President is not the man for the job, look at the truth of the matter. He shamed those particular devils.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Weather Watch
Getting ready for the coming winter storm? Stocking up on candles and batteries and fuel for the generators? County road crews are putting down salt and preparing for the long haul. Ambulance crews are gearing up for car accidents, and fire crews are standing by. It looks like it might get messy.
The Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority is waiting, too, hoping to avoid a similar storm Wednesday evening. If the Village Council meeting is anything to go by, well we should all fasten our seat belts - it's gonna be a bumpy night.
As a government entity, the SDDA works with captured revenue to improve the Stockbridge business district.
For a while now they have been paying alot of the Village bills.
Like the electric bills for the street lights.
Like the snow-removal bill for this year (that was contracted to an out of area company by the former Village Manager) for $10,000. (You read that right 10K for snow removal)
Like the maintenance for the park.
Like trash removal for all the businesses that surround the Wood Street parking lot.
The list goes on and on.
Why should you care about the DDA? You should care because this is your money. How it's spent is governed by laws set down by the State of Michigan.
Alot of those laws were completely disregarded by the old regime, leading to some dicey decisions that I'm not sure won't come back to haunt the new DDA and Village Council.
But those kinds of dicey decisions are what happens when no one is watching.
The new DDA is doing their best to clean up old messes and move forward with new ideas and projects designed to make this Village attractive to businesses that will employ people who live here and draw people in to shop, eat and buy goods here.
You should come to the meeting.
The weather will be lousy, the roads will be bad, but what you learn may make the trip out worth it.
The Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority is waiting, too, hoping to avoid a similar storm Wednesday evening. If the Village Council meeting is anything to go by, well we should all fasten our seat belts - it's gonna be a bumpy night.
As a government entity, the SDDA works with captured revenue to improve the Stockbridge business district.
For a while now they have been paying alot of the Village bills.
Like the electric bills for the street lights.
Like the snow-removal bill for this year (that was contracted to an out of area company by the former Village Manager) for $10,000. (You read that right 10K for snow removal)
Like the maintenance for the park.
Like trash removal for all the businesses that surround the Wood Street parking lot.
The list goes on and on.
Why should you care about the DDA? You should care because this is your money. How it's spent is governed by laws set down by the State of Michigan.
Alot of those laws were completely disregarded by the old regime, leading to some dicey decisions that I'm not sure won't come back to haunt the new DDA and Village Council.
But those kinds of dicey decisions are what happens when no one is watching.
The new DDA is doing their best to clean up old messes and move forward with new ideas and projects designed to make this Village attractive to businesses that will employ people who live here and draw people in to shop, eat and buy goods here.
You should come to the meeting.
The weather will be lousy, the roads will be bad, but what you learn may make the trip out worth it.
Monday, March 21, 2011
New Feature
We have added a new feature to this blog. At the bottom of each post are Reaction buttons. They will allow you to immediately register your reactions to/about the post.
Just click the appropriate button, according to your opinion on the post.
Please keep posting your comments as well.
We appreciate the feedback!
~The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
Just click the appropriate button, according to your opinion on the post.
Please keep posting your comments as well.
We appreciate the feedback!
~The Stockbridge Citizen-Herald
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