Overland Peace Corps.
With summer now officially underway, we are a little more than two months away from Overland's mayoral election. We don't seem to have much news floating about as stake holders jockey for how they will position themselves. We all see that Mary Beth Conlon is by far the most qualified candidate. Previous opponents I have spoken to are running a bit low on reasons not to vote for her. I have yet to find a person that actually believes Mike Schneider to be a superior candidate or possible Mayor.
With Schneider's Dody led coalition coming in third during the most recent mayoral election, astute political observers wonder where his campaign's extreme confidence comes from. Schneider will need to earn far more than four votes if Dody's gang is to once again exchange high-fives over the Mayor's desk. They may be under the questionable assumption that the recall margin is theirs.
What is certain is that out of the three candidates, Schneider has the weakest hand. So much so, I wonder his motivation in running. Does he actually think that he is going to peal enough Conlon or Purzner/Keller voters away to earn a winning plurality. Seems sort of a reach.
Finally, can anyone volunteer a progress update on Overland's friends helping friends program. I have my shovel ready.
Note to Kenny Owensby: Stop living off the public trough. No more hand-outs for the under employed. Get your own phone and stop wearing that disguise.
With Schneider's Dody led coalition coming in third during the most recent mayoral election, astute political observers wonder where his campaign's extreme confidence comes from. Schneider will need to earn far more than four votes if Dody's gang is to once again exchange high-fives over the Mayor's desk. They may be under the questionable assumption that the recall margin is theirs.
What is certain is that out of the three candidates, Schneider has the weakest hand. So much so, I wonder his motivation in running. Does he actually think that he is going to peal enough Conlon or Purzner/Keller voters away to earn a winning plurality. Seems sort of a reach.
Finally, can anyone volunteer a progress update on Overland's friends helping friends program. I have my shovel ready.
Note to Kenny Owensby: Stop living off the public trough. No more hand-outs for the under employed. Get your own phone and stop wearing that disguise.
posted by PTT at 10:44 AM
33 Comments:
Blue Eyes Define "much cheaper". It is my understanding that the estimate from the State Auditor's officer (16,000.00 - 24,000.00) was for a single year. Am I wrong on this? Your suggesting going back twelve years (most of which were independently audited annually I believe). So, I think it's safe to say the cost would be significantly higher.
Once again I ask the question: When we are already paying for an annual independent audit, why should we pay significantly more for a same audit by the state? I can't support the idea currently because no one, not even Councilperson Owensby (who has been championing this at the last several Council meetings) has expressed a specific reason to do so.
If people are going to support spending that kind of money on a audit, they are going to need a compelling reason. So far, no reason has been given at all.
Gravy I was pretty pissed when i heard a supporter of Mike's tell me that it was payback time for Conlon because of Kientzle loosing.
Payback for what? That she was the superior candidate? That she beat Jerry and probabbly also beat Ann.
Enough is enough I am sick and tired of these same political factions running Overland. The way I see it Purzner will back Keller, you elude Dody will back Schneider well then the choice is obvious vote for Conlon the other two groups just don't want to give up their power.
These groups are pathetic at best. One year on the council no major achievements, no holding Ann accountable or one month on the council. The choice is obvious but paybacks and grudges are great motivators for the gangs that never could shoot straight. People better wake up or it will end up meet the new boss same as the old boss.
truth or consequences,
I agree with you, if you vote for Keller you are really voting for Purzner/Brown, if you vote for Schneider you are really voting for Dody. Mary Beth is the obvious candidate to vote for. She is intelligent, articulate, independent and progressive/forward thinking.
Sailor,
Seriously speaking, Blue Eyed Fine Swine just does not get it; she is incapable of understanding (as history has proved itself via her redundant posts). You are casting pearls to swine. But they are your pearls to cast, Sailor ;-)
And your time to waste trying to knock some sense into her head.
Blue Eyes I agree with you that the city should look at changing Audit companies every so often. My guess would be to change every three years or so. This way we can negotiate a better annual cost in a three year contract than we could likely get bidding the service annually.
As for the "State Audit" thing, former Councilman Knode has a reference to a group collecting signatures for an audit. There is no specific information provided but he did suggest that if you want more information you should email him. I did that, so I hope to learn what this group has to say as to their reasons for seeking an Audit.
opps,
I meant to say that former Councilman Knode had a reference.....on his website.
Wow, these people are trying to collect signatures prompting a State Audit, but they won’t divulge the reasons why? How utterly stupid!! You have to go thru all these secret codes, hand shakes, e-mails etc to pull an answer out of this “organization”? Does anybody else see something seriously wrong with this? Maybe Knode will give you the “color of the dump truck” when you email him. ;-O
In their defense NGiT I only came across the reference a few days ago and sent the email to former Councilman Knode over the holiday weekend. So it is possible that they will get back to me with actual reasons for this. They might even be strong enough reasons for me to support the effort myself, it's hard to tell.
However, Councilperson Owensby who has been championing the concept for the last several meetings had no specific reasons to support the concept unless you consider "I want to know why we didn't pass a budget last year" to be a specific reason (even though it is something no audit could answer).
I am holding out hope that some specific information will be forthcoming on this issue, though the past record suggests the smart bet is the opposite.
Fine Wine Thanks for the vote of confidence, but as I have said repeatedly when the idea of running for any office comes up, I am NOT interested.
To put it simply:
"I am much better at holding people's feet to the fire than having my own held" - John Moyle
And just to avoid people wasting their votes on any number of people out there, everyone should know that write in votes are not counted unless the person written in officially filed as a write in candidate at the election board.
For example, in Ward 1 last election there were 7-8 write-in votes, but no officially registered write-in candidates, so those votes were lost.
I agree with Sailor, but kind of wondering, did you just quote yourself and then withhold a proper citation and/or hot link?
Any forecast for Wort 3 Carol, Schneider, Conlon or Keller? What's your call?
Man About Town, I will be the one "playing with my phone", knitting a long winter scarf and digging knitting needles out of my book bag Suzyjax bought me.
Ring-a-ling-a-ling tone.
Yep Gravy, I quoted myself. I've used that line often enough now that it's frankly a bit tired so I thought I'd jazz it up a bit. :-)
Sailor,
I take it you have not received an answer from Knode yet. Are you still holding your breath? ;-)
NGIT,
That's no clue. I gave free book bags to all OVCC contributors and posters (want to encourage that summer reading). They have a lovely Overland covered wagon with an Owensby-like character in the "driver's seat" carrying an Uzi.
I do hope you have your phone programmed and working properly by the next meeting.
-SQ
Not yet NiGT But it's still a bit early. Let's see if I hear from him (or someone he refers to me) by the end of the week.
On another note, I've had some talks with the some of the people at the County's CORP (County Older Residents Programs). They have a lot of interesting programs that can possibly accomplish many of the things I was hoping to get going in Overland. The best part is that we don't have to reinvent the wheel to do it as they already have programs that work.
I'll be meeting with them this week to discuss how we can better get the message out, recruit volunteers, etc here in Overland.
http://www.mikeschneiderband.com/
Roll out the barrels; we’ll have a barrel of fun...…..
Who stole the Kishka, who stole the Kishka...….
Blue Eyed Fine Swine.....don't give up your day job (as if you have one). The ole slinkie pun ran its course a long time ago....get with it and get in the now. If you are trying to even hint at threatening Gravy or I, that is even funnier. Have at it. mmmmmmmmmuuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaah
Time to get out the old violin and play it for the Blue Eyed Fine Swine Whine.
Great conversation with yourself today Carol. I particularly love your "police scanner" bullshit. Classic, ORTIAN/COGG politics. No guts, no nuts and stuck in the ruts.
You can repeat whatever you heard or imagined over your police scanner to the board. But dealing in reality is so cumbersome when you really are only interested in smearing people you know little about.
That's our Carol. Overlands number one bullshit artist.
Blue Eyed Fine Swine etc.,
You are once again having reading comprehension problems. I said your little “pushing down the stairs” threat was funny. Re-read my previous post. Yowsa, why must everything be such a contest!!!! I think it’s you that should worry about stairs, with your “physical” and age related problems and all. I think you would make a better slinkie.
Carol,
I rarely become upset over things that make no sense; as in you conversing with yourself.
I do want to compliment you on paying attention. After I pointed-out how your multiple personality postings were temporal clustered together you have done a great job in spacing your postings a little better.
Another tip for you, in order to "get my goat" you are going to have to be specific, based in reality and make literal sense.
Finally, I happily volunteer my services to you under the neighbor-helping-neighbor program. I really appreciate the efficiency in volunteering to help as I can help two old birds for the labor of one.
Now that Doe is gone, I can take the gloves off. He threatened to ban me, but now he has banned himself so the gloves are off.
1. The idea of changing your accountants every few years (just for the sake of changing your accountants every few years) is ridiculous. Anyone believing such a thing has NO real world experience but usually comes from the military or government (or wishing they had a contract or job with the military or government.
2. Anyone supporting a government audit over an independent audit when there is no evidence of wrongdoing either is an idiot or wears a wig.
3. The "Overland Peace Corps" was as half baked as the idea of turning Wild Acres into a "boutique hotel". No brains, no headaches. Everything has a cost and/or a market. The neighbor helping helping neighbor campaign is noble in thought but, then again, so is the fairy that brings money for teeth.
4.That dumb bitch that keeps talking to herself on the other board has got to go. It is tedious, boring and competely unintelligent. Its like debating a monkey. I realize that one of the stews on this board once said that referring to a monkey is racial. That, in and of itself, is a racial comment so stop it. Sparkes is the monkey and, last I checked, she is Caucasian.
5. Sailor, quoting yourself takes the cake. Your coverage is admirable. Your disguised editorial comments are as subtle as a councilman's wig. Quit wearing the disguise. The quasi-independent reporter bullshit is wearing thin. When is your project over or was there ever a project. Take a stand.
6. On the election, its simple. Keller is a stooge, a ventriloqist dummy, at best. Schneid is also a stooge. A stooge standing in for other stooges. He has NO enunciated qualifications (other than dinner at Dody's table). Speaking of that, Sailor, give us some stats as to what the City accomplished emprically during the Dody Admin. You are the one person we can trust to figure that out. Net business loss or gain, job loss or gain, tax base loss or gain etc. If that does not make the case for voting the Schneid, what does?
I realize this may be my last post b/c I may get run but that's OK. I can still read it.
FineSwine,
You are a liar. I never made fun of elderly residents in Overland. I may have called you and sweetpickles "old pea hens" among other things. However I never ever made fun of elderly people in general. That was a ridiculous lie.
NGIT <------ the stew on this board
sigh....now about them rats!!
T&CM Quoting myself was a joke of sorts, as I thought I explained earlier.
As for my project, you're free to like, dislike, support, or oppose it. However, it exists and is moving forward. I've engaged a web designer to help me create a custom site and I hope to see the first phase of that up and running by July.
I'm not sure what disguise you are referring to. I don't hide behind an internet identity (or three or four of them). As for taking a stand, I report what I see and if it's something that is clearly right or wrong in my opinion I say so. However, I do not feel to need to belittle others or sling personal attacks in the process.
The "neighbor helping neighbor" program was something I wanted to do. However, as I said in the beginning, the big concern was how to fund insurance, background checks and the like. Enter St. Louis County's C.O.R.P. (County Older Residents Programs). They have some great programs that can definitely do the job. I've talked with them and they are interested in finding ways to better recruit volunteers and help those in need in Overland. So that project is moving forward as well.
Recently there was something of a change here where folks seemed more interested in discussing ideas rather than the personal shortcomings of others. However, it gets old one one internet identity agrees with you and another chastises you and the same fingers are typing both entries.
You're right, with John Doe gone, it is likely that this site will change. I've spent less and less time here because of the tone and the lack of substance. However, since I know some of the people here I wanted to participate. But T&CM you are right, I need to take a stand, and I will.
Carol uses the "you don't like old people" charge every now and then. She is a self-loathing person who has not made peace with her fear of aging. Which explains why she uses this smear. The irony is that she is the one that always brings age discrimination into the argument.
Hopefully she will make peace with the aging process and thereby stop pretending that anyone who may disagree with her doesn't like older people.
She does the same thing with race and gender.
"I am not ORT/COGG, so now you dislike the COGG. Now if the COGG is not behind MBC, she better get out an work hard to win."
As usual, Carol puts her thoughts into your mouth when making statements like the above.
I have no issue with the COGG but believe any intendedly objective person can see that both organizations employ what Bill McClellan aptly called, "fun government".
I loved the comment that you were surprised that the COGG supports Schneider. That is hilarious. Carol.
If you are trying to say that you intercept cell phone and official police department transmissions for some nefarious reasons in order to infer a threat, then you should get back in touch with the fact that you have no credibility and are a perpetual liar.
Trust me, I rarely pay real-time attention to my own phone conversations. If you are recording anything, it is the echo of the Big Bang.
Old people are great. Liars are not great regardless of age.
Just so you know, what you were trying to say is that you don't compete with anyone. Not competing with no one makes no sense.
I think Mauler meant "accounts" in the accounting sense not the username sense.
Mauler may have but I did not. I was referring to the disguise reference. As for the occasional editorial content on my site I make no apology for them. I simply call things as I see them (though I see no reason to make it personal). As it clearly states at the top of the left hand column of The Overland Examiner:
"We make no claims of always being perfect or non-biased, but we try to come as close as we can."
On the subject of accountants, audits and the like there is a core reason why government entities normally change firms semi-frequently: Credibility.
An annual audit has two purposes. First is to make sure finances have been handled properly and to catch any mistakes (usually honest ones) that might have been made. The second is one of politics or public relations. That is to show that the government entity is properly handling the their funds.
If you use the same firm for a long period of time anyone can spin it as to suggest that the firm is in bed with the government (be it true or not). That argument will get traction with some of the entities constituency, damaging the second purpose mentioned above.
You also create the situation where it is possibly that a inappropriate relationship could be established (though that doesn't mean it will be).
However, changing firms too frequently will likely have a negative impact on the cost of an annual audit. You generally can negotiate a better deal negotiating a multi-year contract over a single year contract. Which is why a three year contract seems most appropriate.
If a city is going to point to their annual audits to show that they are properly handling city funds, that city should change auditing firms semi-frequently to ensure that the public will more readily trust such statements.
There will be those that will spread rumors and make accusations no matter how well you run the city. However, there is no reason to give them the little bit of truth that is the foundation of most conspiracy theories.
I post under one name so I take no offense to Sailor's comments.
On the point of changing accountants, I could not disagree with him more. Its the accountants with the history that can guard against fraud. The familiarity does not necessarily breed contempt as Sailor suggests. It has nothing to do with cost savings of a multi-year contract. How many accounting firms in the often touted real world experience has Sailor hired semi-frequently?
Name one large corporation that switches accounitng firms "semi-frequently" (whatever that means). Yet, those same corporations have fiduciary duties to their shareholders. We have one Enron and suddenly the entire profession gets a black eye? Those folks were weeded out. In the end, thank goodness for the lawyers. Without them, the Enrons would still exist, Sarbanes-Oxley would have never passed and the crooks would not have gone to jail. By the way, it was the accounting firm that turned them in.
Once the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program incorporates and recives its tax exempt status, it will interesting to see how often it will change accountants.
You keep referring to Corporations, and I am referring to governments.
As for the neighbor helping neighbor program, it will not need to be incorporated as it will not need to be created. Everything we had hoped to get involved in and more exists within St. Louis County's C.O.R.P. (County older residents program). So, no need to reinvent the wheel, we just need to get it turning.
As for my "real world" experiences, they have not included the use of accountants in some time now and they have never included dealing with shareholders or anything of the sort.
I disagree that you keep the same auditor in a GOVERNMENT situation forever and a day. Simply put it is too easy for inappropriate relationships to develop and it is very easy for rumors of such to develop and take hold.
If the intent is to use the audit process to put the publics mind at ease and a portion of the public does not trust the audit company due to their long history here, then you're not accomplishing your goal.
Secondly, I am not suggesting we change accountants, but rather auditors, there is a difference. Our accounts are quite well managed by our finance department and I see no reason the change those people. However, a change in company that audits them every once in awhile brings a fresh prospective to the process.
Ultimately, whether you agree with me or not on this is unimportant. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You have yours and I have mine. In government it ultimately comes down to what the majority of the voting public wants, regardless of our agreement or disagreement with that.
Let preempt a response here. I realize the auditors are accountants, I was just attempting (badly) to point out that I think the job of an auditor could be do easily by a different firm semi-frequently.
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