Crestwood Independent

Tuesday night "attempted" smack down by the "axis of taxes," Foote, Pickel, Duncan, Beasley and Robinson (Audio Will be up here soon!)

2010-03-10T16:25:00.004-06:00

What a magnificent showing by our own tax and spend crew, none other than Foote, Pickel, Duncan Beasley, and "Der Fuhrer" (Robinson) (the axis of tax's.) During the meeting the Prop "S" tax was brought up by Alderman Miguel who gave three ideas as to how to remove this tax as the loan is paid off. Mr. Foot did his darnedest to postpone the vote on this so as to not be forced to show us what he really thinks before election day. When that didn't work he tried to spin it to benefit his line, and I don't believe that worked either.

So then we have the vote where MR. FOOTE VOTED TO CONTINUE THE TAX UNTIL THE GENERAL FUND IS PAID BACK (for a loan that never happened.) Who do we see right in perfect formation with him ? Why Pickel and Beasley, Ms. Beasley will you ever do anything with out asking Mr. Foote first? I am beginning to think your way out of your depth here, no? while I am at it look at the SunCrest Call, March 26, 2009 where Pickel and Beasley both said they would vote it out (Mr. Foote made No such statement at all, he just voted for it as did they. Now that said my question is were they telling the truth then, but forgot it, or have they banded with Der Fuhrer to give him all he wants and are trying to run from their statements in the Call of 3/26/2009, either way it's a prevarication of the first order and should not be tolerated by their constituents !

Another interesting debate was on Animal control when Mr. Pickel (who did not have his light on) TOOK THE FLOOR FROM ALDERMAN DUCHILD (who had his light on, to table the vote on animal control until April 13th, 2010 (after the election don't ya know) with the full blessing of Der Fuhrer who said it was his meeting and he would recognize whom he pleases, light or no light ! Once again we have Der Fuhrer (the Mayor deciding what's right and what's wrong all by himself, pathetic to say the least.

I promise you the audio will be on this post very soon as it has been requested via FOIA form, and if I were them I really wouldn't try to hold it up. I firmly believe once you hear the "Axis's of tax's" in their own voices just trying to run roughshod on US, their constituents you too will be a bit miffed ! I only hope your "miffed" enough to vote them out of office (the one we can,) and call and write these so called Representatives of the people and tell them what you think !Folks, it's OUR money they are playing with, not their's, so give them what for ! And when your done with that thank the following Aldermen for the good job they are doing to put a leash on these tax and spend "progressives."

Duchild,
Schlink
Miguel
Wallach

Tom Ford

NO. 734

Crestwood Courts ART SPACE wins MAXI award! (click here for the story!)

2010-03-06T12:22:00.003-06:00

Some very good news for the Art world and our own Crestwood Courts brought to you by,

legendsilver said...
"Here is a post from the Post Dispatch for an award we just won. The MAXI Awards program recognizes excellence in shopping center marketing. Art Space was awarded the MAXI in the Public Relations Category. Crestwood Court owners Jones Lang LaSalle won the award jointly with Ryan PR, the St. Louis-based public relations agency that handled the Art Space campaign."

Excellent, we need this type of positive news concerning "the courts."

Tom Ford

NO. 733

MISSOURI GOVERNOR JAY NIXON KNOWS HE WILL HAVE TO PROPOSES BUDGET CUT'S (CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY!)

2010-03-03T16:39:00.005-06:00

"Hey this isn't Crestwood, you said it was the Crestwood independent !" Well this is posted for one glaring reason my friends (and detractors,) and that is to show the Mayor and the BOA just how the tough decisions are made!

There will be a crescendo of hoots and hollers when it comes to "pet programs and projects" at the state lever, but our Governor knows we can't fund everything (and he brave enough to say so !) Now as I have said below we are in the same boat in Crestwood, things must be reduced to insure that Crestwood survives this onslaught coming out of Washington that has caused this deep rescission (depression ?) right ?

Well that said, when do we see the type of leadership that our Governor is showing at the State level ? Your Honor, when will you take the lead brought forth by Mr. Jim Eckrich (recommended animal adoption be eliminated,) and show us you and the board are serious about "fiscal responsibility ?

I never thought I would live to see the day when a Democrat Governor would recommend cutting any program, but I was wrong ! Jay, I congratulate you, and if you have any time left please come to Crestwood and show our Mayor and his Board how to do it !

Tom Ford

NO. 732

Back to animal adoption: click below to see that other communities have cut their budget, why not us ?

2010-02-28T17:46:00.002-06:00

Well as we agonize over where to get the next few Penny's for our NEEDED (and not duplicated) services the AD HOC committee still has no real recommendations on animal adoption. You can parade wittinesses till the cow,s come home, but the end result is we can (and will) get along just fine without animal adoption!

My Lord I know I am beating a dead horse here, but I see no reason to allow this to die, and thus spend monies that can far better be used elsewhere !

What say you "committee," have you any report in our future, or do you plan to run the rope out on this needless waste until "His Honor" get's the 700 votes he needs from this group to be re-elected ?

I for one am disgusted by the lack of leadership on this simple matter, and come TAX INCREASE TIME I will not forget it (and neither will many others, remember the last 72% loss ?)

Tom Ford

NO. 731

Economic development commission meeting (audio part two>)

2010-02-26T20:05:00.002-06:00

Is it me or do you get the feeling that PGAV is running this City and not us ? As I listened to part two I got the distinct impression that the PGAV Representative was telling us WHAT TO DO! (remember they get paid whether it works or not.)

I know that these guy's have been on board for some time now, but are they really on our side ? I am beginning to wonder! Some of the ideas (Emanate domain, TIF) are not going to do us one iota of good, so who do they rally represent, and why ?

Tom Ford

NO. 730

I regret to inform you of the passing of Chief Paillou's Mother.

2010-02-23T17:42:00.002-06:00

Chief Paillou’s mother, Mary Louise Miller, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2010 after an extended nursing home stay.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

Wednesday, February 24th
Visitation from 4-9p.m.
Kutis Funeral Home
10151 Gravois Road
Affton, MO 63123
314-842-4458

Thursday, February 25th
Funeral Service begins at 10:00 a.m. at Kutis

Burial to follow at:
Park Lawn Cemetery
1800 Lemay Ferry Road
St. Louis, MO 63125
314-544-2002

Thank you and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Connie L. Reuter
Executive Secretary
Crestwood Police Department
#1 Detjen Drive
Crestwood, MO 63126
314-729-4842
314-729-4841 (Fax)

Won't you all join me in condolences for the family, and Pray that she will be with he Lord as we speak.

Mike I am truly sorry for your loss, but may you take solace in the certain knowledge that you will meet again.

Tom Ford

NO. 729

The meeting of the "Economic Development Commission last night! (audio / video is up, click here!)

2010-02-17T18:15:00.003-06:00

Well for one and one half hours the E.D.C. met, discussed, listened, and came up with nothing as usual! This was a very important meeting for Crestwood as they haven't met since August, 2009! Back then we heard from Alderman Foote that we were very fortunate to have Mr. Forrest Miller as the Chairman of the committee due to his vast experience in business, remember?

Well here we are some six months later and Chairman Miller is absent from his own meeting? Wow, I feel very fortunate, how about you? There were a couple of things of interest though, that being a presentation to the committee on the need to move forward with Crestwood Court's. When it was pointed out that we don't own that center, a gentleman stated that we must resort to "emanate domain" if needed! Gee whiz, are we to believe that seizing the property is a good idea? I doubt that very seriously!

Interestingly enough six out of the eight Alderman were in attendance to listen to the report's. I am told that three of them were together, and that doesn't surprise me as the three (Pickel, Foote, and Beasley, "The axis of taxes" have voted with "His Honor" since their election.)

So what did we get for our heat, lights, and time ? Well nothing as three of the basic Tennant's of a good meeting were violated (action plan, date for the next meeting, and goals expected.) Other than that , it was a wonderful excursion into "total mediocrity!"

PS: Hey, Mr. Miller, when do you all start "developing the economics ?"

Tom Ford

NO. 728

Is it time to renovate and re-develop Crestwood Courts? This Lady thinks so (please click here.)

2010-02-14T11:05:00.005-06:00

Ms. Meg Sprung has put into words what many of us have felt for some time now, and I thank her for sharing it with us! Ladies and Gentlemen, the real fact is that we have no control what so ever over what happens to that privately owned center.

"His Honor' would have us believe that he is in constant contact with the manager, and owners of the center, however the truth is they will do as they see fit, minus his input (if any.) The economic development commission is slated to meet this week (maybe, they canceled the last few meetings) and they will (if they meet) huff and Puff, but once again nothing will happen.

The economy is tight, banks are not lending unless it's a sure thing with heavy interest, thus NO GROWTH in the foreseeable future. Now as to shopping in Sunset Hills, I wish ALL of us would please support our merchants first! We try to buy as much in Crestwood as we can, and will continue to do so in the future. WE MUST STICK TOGETHER as we cannot afford to prop up Sunset Hills (or anywhere else) at our expense.

When will all this end, no one knows, but what we do know is that we MUST stop the wasteful spending on duplicate services, as well as items we can hold off on for now, and BUY CRESTWOOD FIRST! I can hardly wait for the transcript of the E.D.C. so we will have a plan to do this (Ya right!)

Tom Ford

NO. 727

Dog catcher panel told "feral cat" population could rise (click her for the story!)

2010-02-10T16:53:00.001-06:00

In today's addition of the Call (see above) the panel studying the need for the animal adoption officer was told by Ms' Sutton and a local Veterinarian that with out Ms. Sutton's "constant surveillance" the Feral cat population could rise, as well as illness in Crestwood, Really?

The Veterinarian who came to testify for Ms. Sutton works for the Yorkshire Animal Clinic (AND WHAT'S THAT GOT TO DO WITH IT?) Well, I have the Vet bills from 2009, and guess what? we paid the same Yorkshire Animal Clinic $2,182.00 for their services in 2009!

I can see a reason for coming before the committee to testify, and I wonder if the committee was told that the wittiness's firm are the Veterinarian's for Ms. Sutton's group?

I also read that Ms. Sutton sees animals on the loose when she returns home in Kirkwood as well. This is interesting as while not a "trained animal observer," I never see animals running loose in Kirkwood, and I am over there quite often for business.

Ms. Sutton testified that "City police provide animal-control services after-hours and on the weekends. Sutton, however, said she remains on-call for emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week." Interesting as the Police officers I have talked to all told me that after 4:30 PM, animal control is nowhere to be found, and on weekends it is "non existent" and County is called (Ask your Police officers.)

Folks, the bottom line is the service while nice is an amenity that we cannot afford at this time. There will come a time in the future when things are back on track that we can revisit this service, but for now we must cut where we can (and this is one area we can.)

Every year the Board and the Mayor come at us with another tax increase proposal, but they never cut anything to show us fiscal responsibility! This is one area where they can show us they are serious, and I urge them to do it!

Tom Ford

NO. 726

Very good news reference Mr. Jim Eckrich!

2010-02-09T17:55:00.002-06:00

Jim came back to work today, and the Doctor's have completed their removal of the medical malady,signed him off,and he is good to go!

Welcome back Jim, and we are all glad that it worked out OK for you!

Tom Ford

NO. 725

10 New things to bat around for a change! How do you all feel about these items as it relates to Crestwood?

2010-02-06T17:47:00.003-06:00

"The animal control issue is a hot topic. A relatively constructive debate overall until it gets preachy. How about if we also entertain this kind of intense debate over other issues which affect new residents and those who have lived here 45 years. Possibly we could ferret out enough funds to solidify the bottom line and then go on to resolve priorities. Since so many facts and figures have been posted,how about going a step further.
1. Salaries
2. Personnel
3. Perks
4. Autos and insurance and mileage
5. Cost to pay Afton Fire District for the annexed section of the city, in other words 2 fire departments
6. Invoices from city attorney
7. Sappington House Cottage
8. Private Pool using our city parking lot
9. Lateral Sewer fees/usage???
10. Purchasing

If someone with the idea to shutter Whitecliff, or say combine our fire, police, public works, animal control etc. with another city, or un-annex part of the city or CUT SALARIES and consolidate jobs ..... the uprising would no doubt be just as emotional as this animal control issue. Intensifying just one issue in a time of city need and pounding it to death only satisfies some. Then there are the rest of us who want all options on the table.

So,how 'bout we go the extra mile and delve into answers to the above top 10 while we are at it.
There is more to running a city than inventing new ordinances.
P.S. How about a review of our court cost vs revenues???"

"Anonymous"

The above was suggested in an earlier post on this blog and I believe it has merit, and should be looked into, so here we go! Please comment on any or all of the 19 items brought up by the reader.

Tom Ford

NO. 724

From "letters to the editor, South County Times" newspaper today's edition.

2010-02-05T15:41:00.003-06:00

“Important” To Keep Crestwood Animal Control

"A recent incident involving the family of a neighbor illustrates the importance of keeping our Crestwood Animal Control service rather than turning to St. Louis County Animal Services.

My neighbor's daughter, who lives in unincorporated St. Louis County, had two young boys who had a pit bull staying with her family. One day, that dog attacked her family's own two dogs. When her teenage daughters and the two boys tried to pull the pit bull away, they were injured. One girl, as well as the two boys, had to be taken to the emergency room by ambulance. The other girl was taken by her mother, who had also been bitten. Both of the family dogs had to have veterinary care, and one of them was seriously injured.

St. Louis County Animal Control did come to the house and removed the pit bull. Several days later, however, when my neighbor called St. Louis County to ask if the boys would be able to get the dog back, she was told that, if the father, who was the official owner of the dog paid the required fee, it would be returned to him. My neighbor then asked Crestwood Animal Control if that would be allowed in Crestwood and was told that it would not.

Incidents such as this demonstrate the problems which will occur if Crestwood turns over its animal concerns to St. Louis County. No one was killed in this case, but serious injuries did occur. Since the pit bull will presumably return to its owner, there is nothing to prevent its causing similar or worse incidents in the future. Keeping Crestwood Animal Control is an important safety issue for both animals and people!"

Elaine C. Moser
Crestwood
February 04, 2010

Now this is exactly the type of emotional rhetoric I have been talking about. I thank the Lady for pointing it out so beautifully for me.

Ms. Moser states that her neighbor's daughter in the County had a problem with a dog they took in (Read all about it above.) Se further states that St. Louis county came and removed the "vicious?" animal and took it to county (that's what they are supposed to do.)

Now here is where I get a bit lost as the system worked perfectly (Bringing in the dog was the flaw, not County!) Yet she states that "Incidents such as this demonstrate the problems which will occur if Crestwood turns over its animal concerns to St. Louis County" Incidents like what? Is Ms. Moser saying that had the family been in Crestwood this NEVER would have happened? Is she telling us that Ms. Sutton would have experienced a "harmonic convergence," and rushed to the scene before it happened?

As I have said before Ms. Sutton is afforded "cult status" by her followers (which is fine with me) but please don't attempt to tell us that "IF ONLY" things would have been different! I like many others are saddened to see any child injured but Ms. Sutton could not have prevented this any more than Ms. Moser did. This was a sad ending to a family who attempted to help two young children and a dog, nothing more, nothing less!

Ms. Moser, I regret to inform you that this will not be the norm in Crestwood if the BOA does the right thing and removes this duplicate position. As you told us the dog could be returned to it's owner, and it should be.

An animal will attempt to establish the ALPHA dog in the "pack mentality," and I believe this is exactly what happened here, the problem was two Lab's and one Pit Bull in the same space, not County animal control, and Ms. Sutton certainly can't change nature, or can she?

Now I suggest that you (and the dog's owner) thank goodness that the Neighbor's daughter didn't live in Webster Groves or Kirkwood as they would have shot the dog (according to Mayor Robinson!) Oh wait, he retracted that one didn't he, sorry!

By the way, stories like this usually make the News or the Post Dispatch right? How is it that no-one I have talked to today had ever heard of this happening? Just curious.

Tom Ford

NO. 723

A new site on the links pages in the right hand column (under links.)

2010-02-02T17:43:00.003-06:00

Please visit the "Conservatives of America" site, review it, and join with me and several of your neighbors who have joined this new organization! This is a great clearing house for the "Tea Party" as well as other conservative meetings and programs on a local and National level, as well as a new voice for individual freedom in America today!

If you don't like what's going on at the National level, this is the place for you! I look forward to seeing you on the site soon!

Tom Ford

NO. 722

Our City Administrator Mr. Jim Eckrich is on extended medical leave!

2010-01-30T18:23:00.003-06:00

Mr. Eckrige became ill last Tuesday and did not attend the Board Of Alderman meeting Tuesday night. At this time we have no further knowledge of what, or how serious the illness may be, but we wish him well.

Please join me in a silent prayer for Jim and his family as he is one of the finest Gentleman I know, and a first class Crestwood employee.

Get well soon sir, we look forward to your speedy return!

Tom Ford

NO. 721

Ms. Mary Wheat testifying to the animal control "ad hoc" committee.(please click here for the audio)

2010-01-30T13:26:00.006-06:00

A few points to consider.

What three pools? She did not name the 3!!!! Public Pools supported buy our tax money. Please name them.

Ms. Wheat seems to forget the police officers, firemen, and other civil service employees we have lost and not replaced.

I assume that Ms. Wheat thinks these people are less important to our safety, property value, and desire to live and buy property here.

I will assure you that when I purchased a home in Crestwood the service??? of dog catcher was not on my check list for reasons to buy the house. No value added to my house.

Ms. Wheat admits in the testimony that the dog catcher is a tax payer funded adoption agency. In my opinion the dog catcher is an added expense which we cannot afford to have at this time.

One point I will give to Ms. Wheat and her group is the fact that the word duplicate appears to be redundant here as St. Louis County has us beat hands down, consider these facts.

St. Louis County: 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. (8736 hours, period.)

Crestwood" 7 1/2 to 8 hours a day, 5 days per week, 351 days per year. (2000 hours maybe.)

So you see Ms. Wheat your correct Crestwood Animal Control is not a "duplicate service," it's a much lesser, and much more expensive service for Crestwood than St. Louis County now provides (and we pay taxes for.)

Folks, I will soon have the cost of Vet. bills, and food that we pay out every year so that these animals can be "adopted." That's yet another expense we really do not need. You will be told that the "adopting family" pays those expenses, but that's not nearly always the case now is it? So when they don't pay, Crestwood Citizens do, and with monies much better earmarked for Police and Fire, no?

Tom Ford

NO, 720

Excellent OP-ED by Mr. Mike Anthony of the CALL. (click here to read it.)

2010-01-27T17:32:00.003-06:00

In his weekly editorial Mr, Anthony opines that the voter turn out in April may be slight due to the lack of races (especially Crestwood with only one contested seat.)

The very unfortunate thing here is that he is 100% correct! Crestwood is known for a light turn out anyway, and this is not going to help one bit.

May I please remind all of you that there will be underlying issues in this election that may well impact the way life in Crestwood (as we now know it) will continue in the next few years. How can that be you say? Well let's look at the existing Board for a minute here.

We are spending money like the Mayor has a "money tree" on his farm, we have people on the Board who seem to be more interested in Governing by emotions rather than hard dollar facts, and we cannot even seem to put a "work session" together to decide employee regulations for campaign work.

I live in Ward two, I will be there to vote for Mr. Schlink, opposed or not, and I pray that you too will also get out and vote in your Ward, contested or not. Please remember that we have people from Crestwood (who gave their lives) to insure that we have the right to vote, so please, please do not let them down, use it!

So that said, we have one contested race, and that's ward four. Both candidates are equal to the job, and both are dedicated to their constituents, and the City of Crestwood! How do you know whom to vote for? Well I suggest that a Ward Four debate on the issues your most interested in be arranged.

I call on Messrs. Foote and Nieder to make that happen, it's the American way, tried and true, and it's the best way to really get to know who is best for the position as you get to see their body language and reaction's to questions, not to mention sincerity, and honesty.

Tom Ford

NO. 718

Dog bites firefighter who rescued him from a river (click here for the story!)

2010-01-23T18:10:00.002-06:00

Read the story and then you tell me why we should accept this sort of liability in Crestwood? I for one do not want our Police or firefighters injured because we failed to call St. Louis County Animal control.

Yes I said St. Louis County animal control! They have very well trained professionals, we have a "hobby group" dedicated to animal adoption that cost's us a fortune every year!

May we please face the fact that this is one of the most irresponsible things we have ever done in Crestwood ( possible litigation, possible personal injury,) or are our elected "leaders" more worried about votes than the safety of our first responders, as well as our budget?

We now know that the "ad hoc" committee on animal control plans to make no recommendation to the full board, so why waste the time, and further exposure? Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board, please do what you were elected to do and VOTE on this wasteful expense and useless exposure NOW!

Tom Ford

NO. 717

Crestwood will pay THREE times more for pool repairs! (click here for the Call story.)

2010-01-21T16:56:00.002-06:00

"Instead of reducing work on our streets for these kinds of activities, we should be drawing off of this money that we've laid aside. That's what it's for," Robinson said. "Now we're suggesting that we put off our street repairs or not have adequate chairs for our (community center) when we have the money laying there that can take care of this difference that we need on this project."

Wait one second "your Honor" haven't we cut up that pie before? It seems to me this is at least the third or fourth time we have used that money for........

"Your Honor" and Board members Piclel, Foote, Duncan, and Beezley, wasn't it but a short time ago you all couldn't live without a tax increase? What happened, surly it wasn't Crestwood Court's or all the new retail brought in by the economic development commission (Oh wait, they never meet.)

Well what ever it was I for one am glad to see your off the tax wagon for at least ten minutes! By the way, I know where you can save a whole bunch of cash for ALL YOUR NEEDS, TERMINATE THE ANIMAL ADOPTION CLUB! There is at least $130,000.00 to pay for the pool repairs, and the new chairs!

What's more important, pool repairs, new chairs, street repairs, Police and Fire retention or the ANIMAL ADOPTION CLUB? You tell us because we can't afford both can we.

Tom Ford

NO. 716

The Mayor retracts his "Crestwood Court's" statement. (click here for the audio.)

2010-01-20T18:36:00.002-06:00

Well after all the blustering and promises his Honor is sort of forced to retract his statements and admit the C/C is a dead issue for now! To bad as he was on a roll for a while there, it's just that the OWNERS have a different plan (Darn them anyway!)

Tom Ford

NO. 715

Animal control should be re-named "Crestwood animal adoption!" (click here for the story,)

2010-01-16T07:56:00.003-06:00

The new name was suggested to me in a post below but I hesitated to do that until I saw this in the "TIMES" yesterday. Now I am all for assisting in the placement of lost or unwanted animals (I have had several over the years,) but not with any tax money!

I requested the call report's of the animal control officer and received two recap. reports with nothing to substantiate them at all. From what I was given (vs what I asked for,)it seems animal control works from memory when she fills out the monthly recap.report (one to two weeks after month's end.) Also there are no vehicle reports, nor are any report's for mileage, fuel, or repairs given.

From what I can tell from what I have requested animal control operates with NO supervision, and in the "NRN" (no report necessary) mode, and we are budgeting $150,000.00 for this duplicate service (don't we deserve a call report after each call for the money we pay her!) I have no idea why daily report's are not required. nor do I see the need for 129 hours of "overtime" as it is reported that 23 calls were handled by our Police department!

Clearly we must DE-FUND this "hobby group," and use the money where it will be more effective, as we can no longer afford to pay for an "animal adoption service" or the related Vet, bills that go with it.

The Nation is on the verge of a depression and full blown hyper inflation and if Crestwood is to survive we must start using common sense in our budgeting! I challenge the Board of Alderman to make the right decision for Crestwood (don't Wait till the election is over,) and cut this from the budget now!

Tom Ford

NO. 714

Fourth Ward Alderwoman D. Beezley coughs and hacks her way through a meeting!

2010-01-14T17:52:00.004-06:00

Ms. Beezley. I commend your spirit and your tenacious will to attend ALL the BOA meetings you possibly can, but do you really think you should have attended the last one?(you has to have your ordnance read by someone else.)

You see, you were seated next to Fourth Ward Alderman Mr. John Foote who has undergone a kidney transplant in the not to distant past (and cannot afford to become ill,) as well as Alderman Jerry Miguel of the Third Ward. I understand that you feel that "I am not contagious," but what if you in fact are? I think if these malady's plague you in the future you may wish to consider a surgical mask to prevent infecting your fellow Alderpersons.

Ms. Beezley we can ill afford to have three Alderpersons out at this juncture, so may I suggest you re-think your participation while you are so obviously ill?

Tom Ford

NO. 713

Local "not for profit groups" in a snit over the license office award in South County! (click here for the story)

2010-01-13T17:12:00.006-06:00

As you all may be aware by now the Murphy family of Crestwood has been awarded to License office in Ronnie's Plaza by Gov, Nixon (D)starting this Month! I wish to congratulate the Murphy's for their diligence, and the outstanding presentation that won the office for them!

My sentiments are not shared by a Mr. Thomas who has accused the Governor of "cronyism" of the first order in the Call this week! It appearers that Mr. Thomas has determined that his "NOT FOR PROFIT" groups should have been chosen because ? Now to me. "NOT FOR PROFIT" means just that, it does not mean that you get to run a "FOR PROFIT" business (tax free) for your group.

The real hoot here if you ask me is that the Murphy family are all staunch Republicans, and of course Mr. Nixon is a Democrat! Cronyism Mr. Thomas, since when in the annals of politics have you ever seen a Republican get a "cronyism" job from a Democrat, or visa versa?

Mr. Thomas, your group was not successful (it happens,) so may I suggest you try again next time and give up the "woe is us" routine as we are all stocked up with that from the Federal level.

Tom Ford\\

NO. 712

Very good advise for the coming census count, please pass it on!

2010-01-09T15:23:00.004-06:00

This was sent to me by Ms. Jacque Stock (our resident historian,) and it's very good advise for ALL of us, but especially the Seniors among us (Hey, that's me!)

With the upcoming CENSUS to begin shortly we can expect every conceivable type of scam possible to get your identity and your money.

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way and US Census Bureau (USCB) workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country.

Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

Be Cautious About Giving Info for the US Census. Think before you respond and use common sense.

Be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

So how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice.

· DO - Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering any questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home. An invite inside your home could be used to evaluate your home for valuables for a future burglary.

· Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to "verify address information".

· Do not - give your Social Security number. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

· DO NOT - give credit card or banking information to anyone, such information is not needed by the USCB.

· DO NOT - answer anything about your financial situation. The USCB should only ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range.

· REMEMBER: NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

· DO NOT - respond to inquiries from anyone associated with ACORN. THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

· DO NOT - respond to emails from that claim to be from the USCB. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the USCB WILL NOT contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

· DO NOT - open internet links that claim to be from the USCB. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

· DO NOT - allow and advise your children about never engaging a USCB canvasser in discussions. Children, even teenagers do not look at the same concerns or potential threats as adults and are easily manipulated. USCB personnel should not engage anyone but the adult in the home.

Remember, the information you provide will be available to the person collecting it but also to the general public for all intentional purposes. With the downturn in the economy there will be those out there that are trying to make the fast buck whether it be by burglarizing your home an selling contents at a pawn shop or stealing your identity and stealing your life savings. So use caution and DO NOT hesitate to contact the local Police Department or the USCB before you cooperate with these people if you have concerns.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO

Tom Ford

NO. 711

The new Crestwood news letter (it's up to the Board)

2010-01-09T08:00:00.005-06:00

Call or write your Alderman and tell them if you want it or not, it's up to us to tell them what we want, so please do it.

(click on the letter to enlarge it.)

Tom Ford

NO. 710

The Call summarizes the best "mis-guided quotes" of 2009 (please click here for the story!)

2010-01-06T16:51:00.005-06:00

Well the awards for the best mis-guided quotes by an "elected official" are out, and Crestwood has two, count them two who made the list!

What eloquence, what great orator's we have in our community to be able to gain such notoriety for our humble City. It would appear that we have two individuals who are either doing a wonderful job of imitating Norm Crosby and Gracie Allen, or we have two individuals who should consider engaging their brain before they put their mouth in gear, you tell me.

In any event, please take the time to thank these two fine community leaders the next time you see them as it's not often we can put two up there on that lofty perch (Thank God!)

Tom Ford

NO. 709