--I copied this to a new discussion because it was buried in the ''Open Letter'' discussion created by Councilman Shaver and I thought it was worthy of remaining above ground--
Here is a brief example of why there needs to be an investigation. Two furniture suppliers are submitting bids to supply the police station. Both a recongized leaders in this type of business. The one, who has a long track of selling costly furniture to the city, bids $115,000.00. The second bids around $51,000.00. The low bidder is asked to reevaluate its bids and lowers it even further to $49,000.00. What bid does the police department suggest the city take- the $115,000.00. That is $66,000.00 dollars over the lower bid. What sense does that make.
During a recent public records requests the city was asked to copy this document. After the request, they are now planning a ''special'' meeting before council to discuss these bids. Can anyone say ''caught with their hands in the cookie jar''. If this is the type of stuff that can be caught just from looking at memos, imagine what a real audit would reveal. Until that occurs, ask for records yourself or at least go down and ask the tough questions in person.
For example, people should start asking why councilmen Maxey and Postage are abstaining on some development votes.
Other people might begin to question why we spend so much money on attorneys who represent developers. These are the same attorneys who are now threatening to sue the taxpayers if they dare to try to stop the developers. Who does city hall represent, the people of Pickeringon or the developers? By the way, how much money and city employeees time has been spent on the ill-fated political campaign to repeal annexation reform? Why not ask Randy and Joyce outright, if just for the joy of watching them squirm as they try to avoid the real number.
The point is, don't just ask these questions on the web site. Make a public records request. Go to council and ask Joyce Bushman , Craig Maxey and Lou Postage if they have ever been involved in any real estate transactions in the city and, if so, which ones. Go and ask the mayor why he lives in a house owned by a developer and also allegedly owns expensive motorcycles with him. Make every council person answer whether they have ever profited directly or indirectly from real estate development in this town. Make these people answer in public.
Council mmetings are the first and third Tuesday. Tomorrow night is the next one when they plan on rushing through well over a thousand new homes into our already bursting school system.
-By Wiley E. Coyote
Wiley, I hope you catch that bird!
By Compelled To Copy
