Saturday, April 18, 2009
Stupid end date
I wish everybody would stop blaming the school levy failure on Ken Reeder. It isn't his fault. Put a stupid end date on the thing and more people would go for it.
Late arrival
I sent a Valentine to Blue Eye, Mo., on Feb. 11 and it was not delivered until April 5. I think that's a little bit ridiculous for the postal service to be that slow.
Rupert's
minions
To "Protest policies" in "It's your call": When American citizens dared to protest the Bush policies, they were called unpatriotic and chastised for not supporting our troops. Current dissenters are largely ignorant and white, and are being led to the trough of public protests by the minions of Rupert Murdoch at the FOX News Channel. Now you have it right.
Let's vote
I think the Downtown area should be voted on if we're supposed to put taxes into it and see where the people will vote for it. I think it's a losing cause. And I think that it's just throwing our money down the drain. And I think that the people should vote.
For Miley
Where's the outrage to call for Jamie Foxx to lose his radio show, like there was when Don Imus made the comment about the basketball team that was black? I guess it is different if you are white, putting down black college girls, but it's OK for a black comedian to put down a white child who is a minor. At least Miley Cyrus hasn't managed to make a living out of being vulgar.
Not patriotic
This is in regard to "Protest policy." I just wanted to say yes, you've got it right. They say that them taking our money and calling it in the form of paying taxes is patriotic, when we all know that paying taxes has nothing to do with patriotism. That's why this country was formed in the first place, to get away from all the taxation. After the Bush administration screwing this country up, now Obama is on his way to screwing this country up.
Keep transfers
I would like to make a comment to the school district. I realize that the people with the school district are trying to do the best they can. However, they should really reconsider canceling any transfers for the students. A lot of those students have one more year at the school that they have gone to since preschool. Also, it's going to cause a hardship on a lot of parents financially. They really do need to reconsider.
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JAFO says...
that's because when you put down a black girl, it's racism. if you put down a white girl, it becomes comedy.
and something else, i am white, and i am not ignorant. to be truly educated on anything, someone needs to be able to examine all angles. cnn, abc, nbc, cbs, give one view, fox isn't always right, but they do allow a different view to be perceived on what they report on.
April 18, 2009 at 1:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JLS says...
This country was NOT formed to get away from taxation. Taxation had absolutely nothing to do with it. It was to escape religious persecution. The taxation issue came later.
April 18, 2009 at 4:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
What religious persecution was occurring in the period 1776 to 1789?
April 18, 2009 at 5:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gates507 says...
Transfers in school have not been eliminated. Transfers will still be allowed. The guidelines will still apply.
April 18, 2009 at 6:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Trixie says...
JAFO. It would be easier to take Fox seriously if the on-air women dressed like professional news people . . . either that or make the men wear gym shorts so we can see what they've got going for them as well.
April 18, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4283 says...
School transfers will be eliminated. They are in the process of redrawing school boundries at this time to shift the student population around to the different schools. If you want to stay in your school, I would be looking for a place to live within its boundries...... And no, we cannot totally blame Ken Reeder, but he definitely was worth the 170 some vote difference, plus he fueled the negative attitude in this city. I don't think I could sleep at night knowing I had anything to do with putting 117 people out of work.
April 18, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
For Miley - You are absolutely right.
In excusable...regardless of color.
April 18, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluelion says...
YEAH BUT the radio show guy didn't lose his job did he? If not then why sould this guy lose his job. racism is just wrong but do u guys have his exact words if so i would like to see them plz.
April 18, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluelion says...
it really matters on his words becuase the radio guy really commented on the teams color and i didn't hear about this until now .
April 18, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ApparentlySo says...
Why bring the school operating levy back up with an end date? The end date comes, the school board puts the tax back on the ballot (at considerable expense every time), everybody screams that the school board said they wouldn't need again (not true, but that's what all the naysayers remember), it's months of fussing, and it may or may not pass again. That puts us right back to where we are.
I say the school district is right. There is no point in putting a sunset clause on an operating levy, the operating expenses are not going down (as an example, which utility has decreased fees?). The decision, in the face of this loss, to cut the losses now while try to minimize the costs while trying to maintain a healthy fund balance for as long as possible is the smart thing to do.
By the way, as long as I've been around here, I have heard people in this community scream that the three major governmental entities that we pay taxes to (city, county,& school district) should have a "rainy day fund" (a reserve?) and then to use that as fodder as to why the tax should not be passed is truly the prime example of this community's ability to constantly double speak.
Want some more examples?
This community needs to grow: But don't annex.
Clean up this community, make sure the trash gets picked up:but don't take away our "right" to choose a trash hauler.
Do something about the condition of these city streets and the alley behind our houses:Don't limit the number of heavy trash trucks traveling every street and alley every day.
(It's funny how that one issue could affect two major complaints)
The city doesn't maintain anything:You just spent two million dollars renovation that building 20 years ago, you don't need $50,000.00 to paint that building.
Bring entertainment and increase visitors to our city:The city could spend that million dollars on anything, but the loser Chiefs.
Bring in more business:But don't annex to fill the need for business.
Bring in more business:But don't spend taxpayer money to do it.
Bring in more business:But don't use TIF's.
This city has too many restaurants:Why can't we get a (user choice)?
The police need to do something about all the speeders on my road:Why give me a ticket, don't the police have crimes to solve?
The police need to do something about the speeders:They are just writing tickets so the city can make more money.
The city needs to make sure developers are doing what they are supposed to do:The city is stifling development.
April 18, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
xanzzz says...
I tip my hat to you ApparentlySo, maybe the best comment I have ever read.
This city is like an immature teenager that always wants something but does not want to do anything or sacrifice anything to get it and shouts out an illogical reason for why they should.
April 18, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RJW says...
Apparently So - Excellent post......
April 18, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nana012444 says...
To Late Arrival: I have no connection to the USPS except they deliver my junk mail. However, I wonder how many people blame the USPS for delayed mail yet refuse to accept their responsibility for failing to attach a stamp, reversing numbers in a zip code, misspelling the name of a city, writing illegibly, even forgetting to drop the letter in the mail.
You aren't perfect, the USPS is composed of human beings - none of whom are perfect. What mail is so important that a couple days (or even more than a month) is so critical. All I get are catalogs and other unsolicited mailings that I immediately dump in my recycle bin.
April 18, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wildwest says...
I have to agree, ApparentlySo excellent post. Sounds like those complaints came right out of a municipality database file :). Bet each of those complaints had a case # assigned to them. As to the levy, it should have already been a permenant fix a very long time ago. I hear alot of opinion about other communities and how they have done it throughout the state, so in my view those who have been here for quite some time and are adimant about the levy being permenant, why was it not fought for ages ago? As to the 2004 election, in my opinion that is how it was campaigned on, the possibility that it would not be needed again. Regardless of intent, that was how it was marketed to sell it back then and a certain percentage of the public here held to that. The lawsuits filed did not come into play until 2006 on the state formula that was instituted. So moving forward, in my view, we should get away from defending what has already failed and if we are adimant about a permenant levy and bond, come up with a new plan, new strategy, and market it better. We are 2 weeks after the vote and still taking pop shots at those who voted no and defending something that failed. Move on and find something that will work and engage the community to gain buy in to make it happen.
April 18, 2009 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goobentrot says...
Apparently So if you truly feel that this town has this many problems why would you continue to live here. St.Joseph has over 6 thousand house holds on food stamps. Not exactly a great tax base to get things done. Lived here all my life and love it warts and all.
April 18, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Trixie says...
ApparentlySo . . . with people like you around, perhaps there is hope for this town afterall.
April 18, 2009 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Trixie says...
To say that St. Joe could use some improvement is not to say that we don't love it. Quite the opposite. If you do not want to work for improvement that pretty much means that you do not care about St. Joe at all. That is the kind of person who needs to move on.
April 18, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dylntylr says...
You know it is sad my son went to webster and unfortunatly had to be trassfered to hall. I found a letter next to him when he fell a sleep begging the board to please not close webster. My son has some needs and Webster helped him with them. Now Hall on the other hand I have had to have the supervisor over the principle talk to her twice in one week. They were going to refuse him his meds because of the map testing. They are not going to shut down a school who refuses to let a child have meds that would save his life and leg. He got that staph infection MMRSA. I can tell u that Webster would of never of done that. And yes not all teachers are bad. There are some that really care. I have had to be on this teacher so many times I cant count. Because she won't let me know how my child is doing in school. If he is not behaving then I want to Know. I can't help the teacher if they are not giving all the info.
April 18, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ApparentlySo says...
Thanks to all who understood what I was getting at. But honestly, no database, just my observations over the years.
And leave St. Joseph, I love this place and only want to see it prosper. Isn't it possible that if we invest in our schools and our ability to draw business to town, that we will reduce the percentage of households on food stamps?
April 18, 2009 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jackie576 says...
dylntylr- This medication is to be given 3 times daily. I know because I have a stude'tnt whom takes the MAP test also that it isn't an all day test. 2 Questions:
1. Did your son not get his medicine all day?
I know their are strict guidelines set forth by the STATE on rules and procedures. We the public sometimes don't understand because we aren't administering these tests.
2. What was the reason for not being able to give your son his meds?
April 18, 2009 at 4:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
ApparentlySo,
You had an excellent post...and I agree with you. However, if the district was able to operate for the past several years without needing the levy FOR those operations, and instead, was putting the levy money in the reserve fund, they it clearly indicates they don't REALLY need that money to operate after all...right? They can't have it both ways.
April 18, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ApparentlySo says...
Pops, I'll agree they obviously had enough extra to get the reserves that they now have. That does not automatically equate to that it will always be that way.
It also does not mean that they put all of the levy money in reserves as inferred, "if the district was able to operate for the past several years without needing the levy FOR those operations, and instead, was putting the levy money in the reserve fund, they it clearly indicates they don't REALLY need that money to operate after all". If you have the budget sheets that show they put all of the levy money into the reserves, please share them.
Creating the reserve to only deplete it, because they have it, is kind of silly don't you think? Reserves don't last long if you start spending out of them for daily needs. My savings account, or current lack of one is proof of that!
How long do you think the rate of saving back can outpace those of rising costs? So sure, they may have asked for more than they needed 5 years ago (or whenever), however, it may also be an indication that they are spending money wisely or that maybe new programs or purchases were foregone to gain the reserves. It was probably a combination of both. Even if you completely cease creating or setting up new programs, broadening activities, or giving more students access to a myriad of curricular and extra-curricular activities; eventually, the daily costs are going to catch up with you. Let's say there is magic formula to figuring that out: Do you leave the levy at the same rate and go back every five years to fight the same battle? Do you find the magic levy number and try to predict the future, leaving the public to believe that will solve all of the future operational needs: All the while knowing that future increases will be shot down, since you promised that's all you would need? And of course, that magic number only provides for what we have now, it would not provide for the addition of other curricular or extracurricular activities or even innovative and state of the art resources that are attractive to prospective newcomers.
I think the short answer to depleting the levy is "no". The long answer: You start cutting programs, even if there is a need or desire for them. You cut those programs to cut the costs, to prevent cutting into your reserves. The reserves will allow the district to continue to operate, at least for some time if other funding (state) goes away.
I've actually seen people who were more concerned that cemeteries were properly funded for future maintenance than ensuring the schools are properly funded.
Pops, I do hope you see that this is just my line of reasoning and not a personal attack, but your post did raise a point that I felt compelled to respond to!
April 18, 2009 at 6:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Papa says...
Gates507 or 4283.......How do you know your information on transfers as you certainly don't agree?
If everyone on here, spending lots of time and energy with blogging, would join the Grass Roots group for SJSD, maybe you could help the SJSD board understand the St.Joseph people. I plan on joining the group.
April 18, 2009 at 10:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
238er says...
pops, two things.
First, the state finance formula has changed since those years so the underlying assumption of your question is no longer valid.
Second, if something needs repair and the district raises the levy to, among other things, effectuate that repair, then how can you fault the district? In this particular instance, one of the items in disrepair was the district's reserves. They, over several years, obtained additional state dollars by having the levy where it was, and were able to build a proper reserve account. It is no different than maintaining the roof on a building. All need attention.
April 19, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sugarlake says...
We need to roll back the smoke tax, $28.00 for 6 oz. of tobacco is just crazy, plus you have to row them, know wonder all the meanless and killings is going on, smoking keeps peoples nevers in check. I smoke and pay my health insurance for my kid, make others do the same
April 19, 2009 at 7:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )