Hot Springs' infamous downtown "Bottleneck" courtesy of our current city manager, mayor, and board
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Public Discussion - Latest Tax is Another Rip-Off From: BD - Hot Springs Date: January 3, 2007
I heard Denny and Danny who work for the city on
the radio yesterday telling us that our sewer and water bills were going
up again because they had decided the city needs a storm water alarm
system. They said it would do other things like warnings for tornados and
when we needed to
boil our water. We were talking about it with friends and decided we
already have enough warning systems. Think about it. The national
weather service warns us of all weather related items on television and
radio. Plus, if you have a weather-radio with built in alert, we get the
warning even if we've turned in for the night. The Denny and Danny show
wants the city to spend $155,000 to some software company
to put all our local phone numbers in a database so that same company can call
us to warn us about impending emergencies, especially flood waters. You
know, in addition to the national weather service warnings, we could
even use the old fashioned method. If it has been raining for a long
time, we can look outside to see if the water is coming up. If it floods
enough to be about knee deep, we may want to consider evacuating because
it could develop into a flood. Oh, in addition to the $155,000 set
up fee, we would pay an additional $40,000 per year for the company to
maintain the system. Sounds like another ripoff that the taxpayers
can do without including the $3 to $6 initial monthly increase that
would be put on our water and sewer bills. They don't call it a tax but
it is more money they plan to extract from the citizens. What would you
call it.
Editors Note: Well, it could conceivably be called a surcharge. Irrespective of the terminology, it does cost the taxpaying citizens. Those rates will likely also be doubled for out-of-city residents like the water and sewer costs have been doubled. This sounds a lot like the new city hall issue. Another expenditure we can do without, especially when our police, fire, sheriff, EMS, and other emergency responders still don't have communications equipment so they can talk to each other. With our crime rate, it is difficult to understand why our city leaders still don't have their priorities straight.
City Manager Type Government Not Popular in Arkansas From: Truth Purveyor - Hot Springs Date: January 2, 2007 The Arkansas Municipal League published a discussion in recent years about the City Manager Form of Government. The discussion basically stated that of the 400 cities in Arkansas around 15 of them changed to the City Manager form of Government around 20 years ago under the belief that a professional could run a city more efficiently than an elected politician. Since that time all but 5 have returned to the mayor alderman form of government. The remaining City Manager Cities are Hot springs, Arkadelphia, Hope, Texarkana, and Little Rock. Additionally three cities in Arkansas have the City Administrator Form of Government. They are Barling, Fort Smith, and Siloam Springs. The decline in the City Manager Form of Government has been attributed by the municipal league to criticism that is not responsive to the public and that it relies too heavily on consultants and studies to make decisions. Editors Note: We hear Little Rock is considering getting rid of the City Manager form.
Funny How Some Things Never Change
From: Ted C. Burhenn December 26, 2007 This is a letter to the editor I wrote Apr 19, 2004 which started my quest to oust Kent Myers. My position has not changed. Also the City manager has not changed nor has the majority of the City Directors. HAS ANYTHING CHANGED? Reference Duane Vanderberg’s letter - Don’t turn back Clock In Mr. Vanderberg’s recent letter he condemned Mr. Messersmith, Patterson and Shirley because they envision a better government, run by the people instead of a City Manager. Mr. Vanderberg had to impress on the readers that he was a college graduate and could remember a quote from his communication class. I am sure that the instructor did not intend for his statement to be taken out of context. With the pooling of intelligence it is a given that a better solution can be found. I don’t have an MBA, as Mr. Vanderberg proclaims, but as an instructor of National Staff College (graduate accredited) for the Air Force, I would hope that my students left my class being able to think for themselves. I think maybe Mr. Vanderberg missed a few classes. Anyone wishing to better the government, Local, City, State or Federal, are not Zeros and far from Ignorant. Ignorance comes from not recognizing a problem or not taking the effort required to make change. That being said let us examine some of the problems. Our mayor past, present or future is not a hired Mayor. He is elected by the people. The problem is that the present elected Mayor has no power. We have delegated all the power and influence over to a HIRED CITY MANAGER, not elected by the people. He is not from Hot Springs, and even “not that fond of Hot Springs”. Mr. Vanderberg indicated that through our volunteer elected City Directors, we have the power to remove the City Manager. Please give me a realistic time table. Since the Directors are volunteers, good bad or indifferent, the selection pool of qualified candidates is automatically limited. So first we have to find qualified volunteers that are willing to think for themselves and for the good of the City, and investigate possible problems. Since the present board is mostly controlled by the City Manager, we will have to find approximately 4 new volunteers willing to be City Directors. Then, hopefully they will need time to investigate the problems and form solutions. Then and only then might we see a change in City Management. By that time the problem will have taken his resume (of achievements during his tenure) and left the City holding the bag of Liabilities. Lets look at Mr. Vanderberg’s analogy of volunteer City Directors to that of a Hospital Volunteer. A hospital volunteer works under the strict supervision of qualified paid staff. Please do not allow a hospital volunteer perform an operation on me. True they are cheaper, maybe just as motivated, many times qualified, but face it, quality volunteers are limited in number. If the all volunteer system works so well, why doesn’t Wal-Mart use an all volunteer staff? Problem is that ideas tend to stagnate. Any form of government requires a good flushing on a routine basis. The president of the USA and his staff is subject to this requirement every four years and limit their stay in power to a maximum of eight years. On the subject of “flushing”, no, changing the system may not lower your sewer bill, but ask yourself, why, since Melton retired with a surplus budget, has the sudden problems in the budget require a request for an maximum increase in sewer bills? Perhaps mismanagement. Why does the Management think that county residents sewer bill should be higher knowing that it is illegal to increase rates disproportionately? Why will the Directors allow this to happen? Answer is simple, the volunteer Directors will follow the City Manager’s lead. They do not have the time and motivation to investigate thoroughly the true problems. Who will pay the cost of the “oversight”? The City will in increased legal fees to counter the mostly assured lawsuits rightfully filed in behalf of the county residents. Who wins? The City Manager will have yet another achievement feather in his resume. Lets take a look at the Baptist Hotel, Nick, Darsh, Medical Arts and Math and Science Building. Oops, sorry my space is limited. But a good investigative reporter could have a ball in this town. Start by checking the City Buildings for City Compliance. Lets clean up our government before it cleans us out. Editors Note: Guess we missed your letter to the editor in 2004. Was it published? We would agree that the letter sounds appropriate today almost 4 years later.
Looking Forward to More "Episodes" of City Board Meetings From: A Resident - Hot Springs Date: December 19, 2007
I saw the replay of the meeting of
the Hot Springs Board of Directors and can only say that those board
members need to get on the same page. Mr. Edwards says we can't rely on
Oaklawn all of the time and yet Oaklawn WAS Hot Springs only draw,
besides the National Park, and illegal gambling for years.
While Edwards says this Daniels, part A&P president says the National Park doesn't advertise....sorry. Check your web sites and see if the National Parks do their own advertising. What our folks do is generate a lot of paper handouts that is a duplicate of AAA and the Internet Information. On a talk radio show in the Tues morning segment, Kent Myer had to educate the host (that does not listen and learn) as the host was against the tax going to 1% of A&P, and that was not what the lady had said, and even Mr. Myers straightened out the host of the talk show. Mr. Myers said how many benefits Hot Springs receives from Oaklawn and the ongoing scholarship program, and tax benefits. Maybe Mr. Edwards does not remember the financial package offered by Oaklawn...today's paper said the lady that presented at the Board lives in the county. I know she lives in this city. I think the only reasonable person on that board is Mrs. Marutur. As a matter of fact, do you know those people do not believe the tax is paid and carried by the residents of Hot Springs and the county??? They THINK visitors pay it, or just become vocal to try to ignore the fact of who pays the tax. I think the guy trying to explain about the funds available for the low income/disabled/elderly has the best idea...Calm down, Mayor, have a drink!! I am one resident that does not understand how the 3% change to 1% will harm police and fire funds, or drive folks away as the Manager implies in his last statement in the paper. Doesn't the 3% go to the A&P? How would that reduce his 90 million dollar budget for a city of 36,000 folks? Does he believe people love to be fleeced when they come to Hot Springs? If they need more money for A&P, RENTING OUT THE 6000 seat arena instead of having it empty most of the year might help their financial situation. Signed as a resident that will look forward to the next episode of what is called a City Board Meeting. Editors Note: You think the directors and a few other folks demonstrated how little they really know about A&P taxes do you? We also did a bit of checking and it appears that the tax that couldn't be separated is separate. In addition, the A&P 3% does not pay any police and fire items nor is it part of what the city uses for any purpose. We currently have no position for or against the A&P tax but it would be nice if people told the truth rather than trying to just scare folks by making up whatever they think sounds good at the time.
City Board Meeting Entertaining But Embarrassing From: Observant citizen - Hot Springs Date: December 18, 2007
Last nights (city board) meeting was the most
ridiculous thing I have seen in years. The meetings are usually
entertaining although not very informative since the directors all seem
to always have their minds made up before they show up. Last nights
meeting went past entertaining and I realized that I was hoping that
nobody I knew from out of town was watching. It was downright
embarrassing. I mean it started with the mayor and a director singing a
Christmas song I had never heard. I shouldnt say they were singing
because nobody can sing that bad. Then some guy in a suit made a raving
talk and used the word crazy about 50 times. He must have been on dope
or alcohol. Then the mayor cut off a director and a guy at the podium
told him to let her talk. The mayor didnt like being told what to do so
he used some of his rude remarks and then had the police throw him out.
Then the city manager said the budget that was 87 million dollars and
balanced last week was now 92 million dollars and was balanced. Even
high school dropouts know that can't be right. The expected income cant
change 4 million dollars in a week unless one of them is an error. A
bunch of real stupid comments were made by board members. I couldnt help
but think of the old saying about opening your mouth removes all doubt
about being stupid. They sure would be better off to keep their mouths
shut especially the big guy on the end. The city manager finished up
telling us more stuff that could not be true. We dont pay the directors
to know anything but we are paying the manager 125 thousand dollars a
year and he should be smarter or maybe he needs to know that we are
smart enough to know better. I left the TV shaking my head and thinking
how I hoped nobody was watching how our officials acted.
Editors Note: It would be difficult to add to your comments and perception of the meeting. Just know that you were not the only person in town shaking their head in disbelief.
Reactions to City Manager Canceling Speaking Engagement to GGGG From: Various citizens - Hot Springs Date: December 11, 2007
Besides skipping town, what were his reasons for
cancelling funds to the drug taskforce? Or did he even care to explain?
Do we want to put the city attorney's feet to the fire about the
property if he's a 'guest' speaker? I would like to have them all have
their feet in the fire but what if they then start to refuse to attend
our meetings?
Does Kent Myers have the integrity to openly speak at the GGGG meetings? Will he and his “virtuosos virtues” answer questions honestly? Mr. Myers has decided to eliminate any funding for the Drug Task Force which has been doing such good work. Kent better leave town when the fire and police find out how he and the city attorney got huge raises and he wanted to give them nothing. He is a real scrooge. He needs to be pegged down from going anywhere before the budget is finalized…especially with the cuts and the misallocations of funds. How can he decide to eliminate funding for the Drug task force and pay insurance for the attorney’s whole damn family? Is Kent Myers on the take from the drug pushers?? Kent didn't have the nerve to speak to the group. We heard the A&P director told him not to come. He and the city attorney just got 5% raises and would have a hard time answering questions about why they got twice what the other city employees got. The board even gave the attorney full insurance coverage and benefits for him, his wife and 3 kids. He still does private work and we furnish him his office, a car, secretaries, etc. Editors Note: See the second item below regarding the property issue. We accepted the city manager's reasons - first, a budget meeting did conflict with the initially scheduled time; second, we don't want to keep anyone from having Christmas with their family even if they do it on the 13th. As to the large raises and benefits compared to other employees and to not funding the drug task force: INEXCUSABLE.
Interesting How Taxpayers Support City Directors Trips From: Concerned citizen - Hot Springs Date: December 2, 2007
I find it very interesting that every time Kent
Meyrs talks about hiring more POLICE he want to raise our taxes. But no
raise in tax was talked about to fund the City Directors trips that they
have enjoyed more than once, at the tax payers expense.
Editors Note: Think it may be easier to just take some funds from police and fire funds or even other departments?
Update of Item Below (Update to December 1 Item) From: City Attorney - Hot Springs Date: December 10, 2007 Editors Note: See the documents sent by the Hot Springs City Attorney by clicking here. These documents indicate that the court has now reversed the action described in the following item.
City Now Owns an Apartment Building at 735 Quapaw (Update to November 29 Item below) From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: December 1, 2007 A deed has been issued and recorded and the City now owns the apartment building at 735 Quapaw. After the auction the City wrote a check for the courts expenses as is always required of the buyer at an auction. There is a new strange twist to the story though. The City attorney is apparently now claiming that the city was not the bidder that placed the $85,000 bid and at least one person who attended the auction has stated that an attorney for the mortgage company placed the bid. If this turns out to be true, then it opens a new set of questions. Why did the City pay the buyer's fees after the auction if the City was not the high bidder? Who authorized the payment of the buyer’s expenses? Is the City Attorney properly supervising the litigation process? If the Judge reverses the sale that has been confirmed and a deed issued and paid for by the city, is the mortgage company going to pay any of the court cost, advertising fees, deed recording cost, plaintiff’s attorney fees, clerks fees etc… that the city has paid? It would appear that the City is playing very loose with our money. The City Attorney has long had an outstanding reputation as a fine man, an honest, ethical attorney, and a very pleasant person to deal with. His dealings with the current board are starting to raise questions. We are paying a salary of $100,000 plus benefits, office expenses, a car, etc… for the City Attorney to represent and protect the interest of the people of this town. Are we getting our moneys worth? Editors Note: Good questions all. How about sending us some answers, Mr. City Attorney? We will publish them right here so the public will know how this royal screw-up happened. Don't you agree that it is way past time for someone to be held accountable?
Myers and Bush Opposed to Board's Wishes From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: November 30, 2007
We keep reading about how Kent Myers is
working to get city employees raises and more police and fire employees.
Nothing could be more untrue. He has worked against us every time the budget
comes up. He put ten of the boards eleven requests in the budget this year.
Guess which one he left out? The new police and raises for employees. It was
good to see some directors demand new officers and raises were important to
them. It would not have been important to them if your group hadn't shamed
them so much. Did you notice who the only one other than Kent Myers, opposed
to our raises and new officers was? Mike Bush.
Bush is completely controlled by the leader of the Good Old Boys, John Selig. Did you see on the front page of today's newspaper that he is chairman of Bush's City Building Study Committee? Surprise, surprise. If you haven't noticed, this town is run by realtors with former Mayor Helen Selig and hubby John the leaders of the pack. The study committee is a ruse. We will bet you whatever you want that Selig's committee decides that the city needs a new city hall. You have heard that before and we thank you for the strong action you took to keep it from been forced on us. Bush is controlled by this bunch so watch out. They are not through trying to make us all pay by not giving us raises, refusing officers we need to fight crime they deny exists, raising your taxes and whatever it takes to satisfy the Good Old Boys that still run Hot Springs. Editors Note: For obvious reasons, we are not going to take you up on your bet. Regardless of how dreary the city's financial situation is, it does seem there is always enough money for a new city hall. What say we get the city to build a new fire station on highway 7 south. Don't the city directors realize they could put their names on that?
City Now Buying Private Property With Public Funds Without Telling Us? From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: November 29, 2007 In a move that should shock the conscience of every citizen in this City. The City on November 14th auctioned an apartment building at 735 Quapaw directly across the street from Director Smith’s house and bought it at the auction for $85,000 under the guise of the nuisance abatement law. The problem with this is that the law allows the City to have a lien against the property for their court cost, legal fees, and penalties and has provisions in which the City can execute on their judgment lien but in this case, the City simply asked for an order to sell the property. It is common for a judge to rely on the attorneys in the case to do what is right and lawful. In this case the Owner had been locked out of his property by the City and denied his ability to collect rent and did not have money to pay for an attorney. His mortgage company did hire an attorney and that attorney did not show up for the auction. Rather than do the right thing which would have been for the City to ask for a judgment for a few hundred or thousand dollars for their cost, they simply asked the court to sell the property and made no provisions for distribution of the proceeds of the sale. Had the Owner had the ability to obtain an attorney or had the City Attorney done the right thing and follow the law, the $85,000.00 bid would have been paid over to the Mortgage Company and or Owner after taking out the City's minimal cost. At this point, the City appears to be taking the position that they do not have to pay the $85,000 to anybody. They feel they can just take your property if they want. There was at least one potential bidder at the auction ready to place bids but when the City entered an $85,000.00 bid, that they had no intention of paying, the bidders present did not enter bids over that amount. Several questions need to be asked here: 1) When the City only had a few hundred or thousand dollars in expenses in this litigation why did they bid $85,000.00? 2) Who authorized the expenditure of this $85,000.00? 3) Should every citizen in the City be concerned that the City may take their property with no compensation or is this just limited to properties located across the street form abusive director’s houses? 4) In the City’s lawsuit, it was stated that here were 55 police calls to this property over the prior 12 months. How many of those calls were placed by Director Smith and how many were placed by the residents or other nearby neighbors? 5) As has been documented and photographed on this website numerous times Director Smith’s house has numerous major exterior code violations that have been ongoing for years. Why don’t we take similar action against his property? 6) Why are the City Attorney, Code Enforcement Department, and Police Department spending such an illogical amount of resources on properties adjacent to directors houses? (There have been over 20 liens placed on the properties on the small block that Elaine Jones lives on. Officers work both end of the street, for free, against city policy when there is a block party in front of Director Smith’s house. The City Attorney has dropped criminal charges against at least 2 directors, represented Director Weatherford’s in a civil case regarding his personal debt to a window company and allegedly advised Smith in his attempt to refuse to pay his painter.) 7) Why did Kent Myers deny to a City Director that the city purchased this property when he was asked about it this week? I don’t doubt that there were code violations present that were used to justify this action. Now lets deal with the code violations across the street in Director Smith’s House. We need to get to the bottom of this issue. If anyone takes lightly the unconstitutional taking of property without due process and compensation they stand to be next. Editors Note: Irrespective of intentions, the public should be outraged that the city spent $85,000 of their money without their authorization. That also was a rather ridiculous opening bid. Again, the city leader's mentality seems to be that it is only tax-money. It is not like it is REAL money. That being said, it appears there may be some serious legal infractions by some individuals with the city and at least one director who may have again demonstrated an "abuse of office" violation. It is past time that these concerns need to be presented to the proper authorities. Thanks for the court papers. These documents are attached and may be seen by our readers by clicking here.
U of A Should Support Math & Sciences School, Not City Taxpayers From: A Resident of Hot Springs Date: November 27, 2007
When
we address budget excesses, it is again very apparent that if the
University of Arkansas can afford 5 million to buy Huston Nutt out of his
coaching contract, it should be abundantly clear that they have the
resources to take over the cost of the Arkansas School of Math, Science
and the Arts instead of having the tax payers of Hot Springs stuck with
this burden. The upkeep of this structure (that the city got for a
dollar), has cost us a fortune and probably could have built an enormous
structure with the money that has been budgeted into the upkeep and
endless repairs of this building.
We need to get a City Representative that can negotiate a lease for the University to pick up this tab since their name is all over the place and they take all of the credit for the school. Editors Note: That was several million they just "elected" to give to Houston Nutt. It would be nice for them to elect to maintain their building assuming whatever rent, if any, they are paying to the city doesn't cover proper maintenance. Moreover, with the city's record of maintaining roofs of city buildings, why would the University trust the city leaders to maintain anything for them?
How High Do Taxes Get Before We Are Forced To Move Out-Of-Town? From: Barbara Anable and Tom Hedrick - Hot Springs Date: November 25, 2007
Having enjoyed a great
Thanksgiving out of state, it took a bit of time to catch up on local news,
but a quick scan of the paper was enough to make a person question (again)
the thinking of the City Manager.
In the article appearing on the 20th of November paper titled: "BALANCED BUDGET UNVEILED" Mr. Myers is again suggesting that a one mill property tax assessment FOR EACH FUND (of the police and fire pension funds) would make the budget sound.. Is this the same Mr. Myers that wanted to sell us the idea of a bond indebtedness for 25 years at the payoff rate of $500,000.00 plus per year, and no tax increase would be necessary??? Where has the money gone to that he was going to create a City Hall with? As persons living on pensions we ask: Is this means of calculating future cost for pensions contributions subject to review to be certain the funds are yearly placed into the investment pool of the managing agency for the retirement accounts? Also, that we are NOT being charged AGAIN for the same money already turned over to the fund, that may have decreased due to the investment market downturn. As in all investment failures, this is a challenge that the entire senior population lives with! Welcome to retirement! There are never enough answers to the questions a quick scanning of the paper creates.... Let us be sure we know what we are paying for before another challengeable vote takes place. People of Hot Springs: you best wake up and start becoming involved in this City before you are taxed to the point where you too will need to move out of the City to afford to live on YOUR FIXED BUDGET. Editors Note: It appears that our city leaders have become afflicted with the same mentality so many of our professional politicians have. Their view is that "It's not REAL money - It's only TAX money."
Myers' Proposed Tax Increase Larger Than Reported From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: November 24, 2007
The letter preceding ours is good but the
author did not get the "whole truth" according to Mr. Myers intent.....his
statement was a 1 mill increase PER EACH FUND....or a 2 mill increased is
what he is anticipating.....ghastly in terms of financial impact to the
homeowner.....
Editors Note: It is so noted. Myer's proposed property tax increase is 2 mills. Remember he also proposed a $2 and $4 increase for residents and business water/wastewater bills for the "mandates" that only Benton has paid any attention to.
Myer's Kingdom is Rich One Day, Poor the Next From: Concerned Citizen - Hot Springs Date: November 20, 2007 When the city replaced the property tax with a sales tax, there was a promise in the paper that we would not have a property tax but instead we would replace it with a sales tax that tourist and other visitors would pay which is more fair for the residents of Hot Springs. Today’ Sentinel Record Stated, “These retirement costs will continue to escalate,” Myers said. “You need to look at the police and fire pension funds and the possibility of a 1-mill increase". Myers said a 1-mill property tax increase for each fund would generate about $440,000 a year for each department. Retirement costs account for 30 percent of HSPD salary costs and 50 percent of HSFD salary costs. Providing the assistance” Just a few months ago we had an extra $14 million laying around begging for a shiny new palace for Mr. Myers to rule his kingdom from. Now we are back to our poor fire and police departments need a tax increase. Mr. Myers pulls that out of his bag of tricks every time he wants to increase taxes. He wants us to believe that we have enough money to build him a palace, corrupt the directors and department heads with dozens of expensive trips and international vacations, but with one of the highest crime rates around, the only way we can fund our police and fire departments is with additional taxes. This property tax campaign needs to be met with the facts he stated when we replace the tax, and he needs to know we are not tricked by his "all new taxes are for the police and fire departments" campaigns. Editors Note: He apparently thinks the public will approve new taxes if he can disguise them as being for fire and police. He said as much last evening. He is likely correct but the city should pay their fair share for fire and police and stop the skimming of existing taxes through his "allocation" schemes and stop charging fire and police exorbitant fees for oil changes, etc.
Director Smith Back on His Job at QCC From: Very Concerned Citizen - Hot Springs Date: November 18, 2007 Well Mr. Smith lost is coming back to his job at our center (QCC) on Monday. Lying to our board, chewing out employees and members, using profane language, constantly intimidating people, not performing his duties, causing groups to leave our center, getting contempt of court actions filed against our center and keeping information from the board was not enough for him to be fired. At least not enough in the view of some on our board. I am sending you information by regular mail about what happened. You will be surprised to find how influential realtors and even a so called preacher decided it was in our best interest to reinstate this buffoon to be our director. His uncontrollable rage, filthily outbursts, and vindictiveness will really be shown now. We are already losing more people and probably some employees and even spineless board members. Our view is we pay this pompous character over $38,000 because he is a city director. He is doing a horrible job there also. Are you going to help us before it is too late or just talk about it? Editors Note: We empathize with you but are not in a position to assist your center other than to report information, such as yours, so that responsible persons can take appropriate actions. Please do send your information so we can make it available to appropriate parties. As to his city board position, stay tuned. We agree that he has far exceeded his limits for performing as a city board member and he should either resign or be removed.
Director Smith Suspended From His Job at QCC From: Various Citizens - Hot Springs Date: November 15, 2007
QCC board of directors put
Steve Smith on suspension. Check it out. (11-15)
Mr. Smith has been suspended from his job at the QCC - Why haven't you reported it? (11-14) Our goofball director has been kicked out of his job at the Quapaw Community Center. Can life get any better? Yes it can - lets kick him out of his job as city director. (11-14) Smith lost his job a QCC for not keeping his board informed. Maybe we can all go back there now without having to sorry about his rage or jumping down our throats just for being there. I invite everyone to tell the QCC board how much we appreciate their actions. We sure don't want any chance of him ever coming back to harass us. (11-13) Editors Note: Okay, Okay. We didn't report it because it borders on his personal life but numerous citizens have pointed out that politicians should be open and honest about everything they do including their personal lives. Not being open and honest with his board appears to be why he was suspended.
More Information on the "Flim-Flam" City Director From: Concerned Citizen - Hot Springs Date: November 3, 2007
This note is in response to your Editor's
Note (see October 26, below):
Mr. Smith claimed all of the articles in GCGG about him and the garnishment were fabricated stories, absolutely no truth to them. He even managed to convince a few of the top ranking QCC board members of this and somehow concealed this information from the rest of the QCC board members. The garnishment was never discussed in any of the monthly board meetings, from the time it happened up to and including the October board meeting. Mr. Smith, aka Flim-Flam Man, has proceeded to make the QCC board look ridiculous. Do we want a City Director like this? Editors Note: That is certainly a question citizens should seriously consider. We did note several board members at his most recent court hearing so it may be more difficult for him to also convince them that hearing didn't happen.
Local Newspaper "Sugar Coats" Story for Large Advertiser From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: November 3, 2007 Today’s Sentinel Record covered a national news story for one of it’s largest advertisers today just as you would expect them to. They Sugar coated it. They referred to a drug resistant bacterial infection in the ICU unit of the hospital that has a huge advertising account with them as being in the ICU department 12 times in the article they mentioned the ICU department. The newspaper went on for 8 columns about the fabulous controls the hospital put into place, but not once did they point out that the infection was also found in 2 patients in the general population as Fox News who doesn’t receive ad dollars from the hospital did. I believe the people of Hot Springs were misled by that article to believe that the problem was isolated to that one floor of the hospital. If Fox News is correct in their reporting large numbers of people may have been exposed in other areas of the hospital and our local newspaper is covering that up. Fox News reported: “The multi-drug-resistant bacteria known as acinetobacter has affected six critically ill patients so far, four of them in intensive care and the other two in the general medical population, Chopra said.” The Sentinel Record reported on the ICU department 12 times they stated: “place its intensive care unit off-limits to visitors and additional patients Friday,” “St. Joseph’s ICU off-limits” “ICU CLOSED” ”has placed the hospital’s ICU off-limits temporarily” “related infections often occur in ICU units” “we closed down the ICU to visitors” “I think we saw a pattern in some patients within the ICU,” Chopra said.” ““think through those instances where a patient’s care may require putting them in ICU and delay those procedures because we’re not allowing any entry into the ICU. And we are not allowing the discharge of any ICU patient to another unit on the floor.” “Patients who may need ICU care due to an emergency situation will be diverted” “the ICU being off-limits until we hear otherwise from regulatory agencies” Regarding the seriousness of the infections Fox news reported it as deadly while the Sentinel Record reported on the recovery times. Fox News reported: "It's associated with high mortality," he (Chopra) said. The Sentinel Record reported: "Treatment of the infection is through intravenous antibiotics but recovery time varies from patient to patient," Chopra said. While you are watching the City who is watching the local newspaper? Their reporting of the recent crime series and the open forum were similarly slanted. In the October 18, 2007 The Sentinel record reported “City plans public forum - The Hot Springs Board of Directors will host a community forum at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, in the second floor training room at the Central Fire Station, 310 Broadway Ave. The forum is open to the public. Dave Byerly, president and CEO of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, will moderate the forum. City directors and staff will be on hand to answer questions. All topics of discussion are welcome.” The City directors were not on hand to answer questions and all topics were not welcome. Editors Note: We were with you until the final statement. The directors, mayor, and city manager were all there, they just didn't take any questions. Except for the crime issue, the topics did appear to be carefully selected.
The New Element From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: October 29, 2007
Recent hurricanes and climatic issues are
proof of the existence of a new chemical element. Editors Note: Yeah, why do we have more than our fair share of this element right here in river city? Most of ours appears to be in a constant gaseous state so how can it be dissipated?
Tax Cut Intended to be a "Trade Off" From: Barbara Anable, Hot Springs Citizen - Hot Springs Date: October 27, 2007
In my
telephone interview with Don Thomason, the most significant part of the
equation was left out of the article. A "tradeoff" is available, but it was
not included. There was no intent to "strip naked" the benefactor of the
food and drink tax! I told Mr. Thomason that I found the information in the
Sentinel Record (of 10-18-07,page 3A,last paragraph) that is the
justification for a "trade off" in the obligation the city and county
residents have carried for 18+ years.
The
Oaklawn Foundation will be contributing 4 million to the City, County, and
A&P now that the court case is settled. If it is like the funds the city gets
at this time from Oaklawn Games of Skill, the sum will more likely be greater
than this amount.
This was
the justification for a reduction or removal in the "Hamburger Tax". It did
not include removal of any tax except for food and beverage. In reading the
interview comments by Mr. Arrison in today's paper(10-27-07) it is
apparent that his idea is that Hot Springs and County residents will pay the
tax permanently! This is not our responsibility to fund the multi-million
dollar ventures through food and beverage tax regardless of the EXTRA income,
a offset to a tax, that is made available as a "windfall" from the Oaklawn
Foundation.
Editors Note: Makes sense. If no entity's funding is reduced, why not give the public a break?
Quit the Personal Attacks and Name Calling From: Hoping for Change - Hot Springs Date: October 26, 2007
I think it's always good to keep
government on its toes - and you seem to be doing just that. Our elected and
paid officials need to be answerable to the people who elect and pay their
salaries. Sometimes they forget, or get lost in their own personal agendas.
Watchdog groups remind them about their mission.
You do important work. However, I am saddened to see such personal attacks on your website. I think your group loses credibility when you sink to the level of personal attacks. It reminds me of Junior High and the gotcha mentality. My opinion is that if you want to continue to be effective in getting out information to the public, making the politicians be accountable, you have to keep the personal attacks out of your repertoire. Most of us would not want our dirty linens aired publicly, or to be called childish, ugly names. The priority is to affect change with responsibility. Be firm with them. Be factual with them. Be knowledgeable with them. Be consistent with them. But, c'mon, folks, leave the ugliness behind. It demeans your purpose. I won't sign my letter - I have to protect my job - so just sign me as: Hoping for Change. Editors Note: Thanks for the input which is necessary for us to keep our site refined. We do wish you had been a bit more specific about the name calling. Numerous people write in and use some very vile language and call local politicians names that we don't print here. However, we feel it is important to provide a forum where everyone can express their views so long as they keep them somewhat civil. Your final comment about protecting your job sort of proves that some people need others to do the dirty work and occasionally call a spade, a spade. However, others have expressed some of the same concerns that comments from the public may reflect on the group's views and because of these, we have some folks that are initiating a new website that provides a public forum but is not connected with the Garland Good Government Group. This site is actually up now and will soon replace www.Hot-Springs-Metro.org. The new site is www.HotSpringsTalk.com so check it out.
Director Slithers By Contempt of Court Citation From: Concerned Citizen - BR549 - Hot Springs Date: October 26, 2007
I will be honest. I attended yesterday's
court hearing hoping to see Stevie's arrogance rewarded by the court with a
contempt citation. Well as you know he was able to slither by that by
posting a cash bond with the court. What was interesting was the attorney
that showed up to represent Quapaw Community Center, plus 3 or 4 board
members, and telling the court that Stevie had not notified the board of the
courts action. In other words it appears that when the certified letter
from the court was sent to QCC Smith intercepted it and then withheld the
garnishment order from the board. Will Steve Smith be looking for new
employment shortly?? What other actions/information has he withheld from
the QCC board. Think he would do the same thing as a city director??
Editors Note: Withholding information from one's employer would typically be considered as a serious offense and was is painfully obvious that he did not tell his employer that he had gotten them into major legal problems. It will be interesting to see what action the QCC board takes. As to you last question: hasn't he just proved what actions he would take to cover up problems?
to Smith court saga: The 2 hearings were consolidated and heard on Thursday, October 25 at 2 PM. Visiting Judge Burnett was prepared to issue "Contempt of Court" citations to both Mr. Smith and the Quapaw Community Center. Mr. Smith recommended that he be allowed to post the bond that he was supposed to post prior to filing an appeal to Circuit Court and the request was granted. It was interesting to note that the Quapaw Community Center's attorney showed up to represent them since Mr. Smith had obviously failed to notify his board that his actions (or lack thereof) had also gotten a contempt order ready to be issued against the center. The judge gave Mr. Smith until 10 AM Friday, October 25th to post a bond in the identical amount of the judgment against him ($2,315.52) or the Contempt of Court order would be instated and an warrant will be issued for his arrest. Lots of Questions for Mr. Smith on Thursday From: Very Concerned Citizen w/ Questions - Hot Springs Date: October 21, 2007 Oh my gosh I'm so excited . . . Mr. Smith is having an open forum meeting 10-25 at the Central Fire Station. Boy do I have a list of questions to ask him. 1. Why has Mr. Smith not paid the painter after the Judge ordered him to do so? 2. Why did Mr. Smith claim to be indigent when he makes $38,000 per year as a center director at the Quapaw Community Center? 3. Why did the Quapaw Community Center not receive the garnishment of Mr. Smiths wages? 4. Is Mr. Smith in the habit of using such foul language when talking to City Directors? 5. Why did Mr. Smith want to know all of that bizarre information about the man who painted his house and why did he file those papers with the court? 6. Did Mr. Smith get his bank accounts unfroze? 7. Why has the Code and Compliance department been so lenient with Mr. Smith and yet unyielding with other citizens and local business owners? The list could go on and on and I'm sure I will be adding to it before the 25th of October. Hope to see you all there. Editors Note: We know the answers to a few of those questions but it will be much more interesting to hear Mr. Smith's answers. We certainly hope you get to ask them at the Thursday meeting. For the public's information: The meeting will be held at 5:30 PM at the Central Fire Station on Broadway which is just a couple of blocks up the street from the City Transportation Plaza. By the way, all of the directors have indicated that they will attend and answer questions from the public. We will believe it only when we see it. to following story: The 2 hearings have now been consolidated for Thursday (October 25) both will now be at 2 PM. Once is for Smith's failure to file a statement of assets. The second should be for the community center failure to answer the garnishment. (also from Concerned Citizen) Mr. Smith Goes Back to Court With Some Weird Ideas From: Concerned Citizen - Hot Springs Date: October 16, 2007 Here are some docs that Director Smith has filed with the Small Claims and Circuit Court. Click Here to see Doc 1, Doc 2, Doc 3, Doc 4. Apparently Steve Smith got his hands on a set of Domestic Relations Interrogatories and sent them to the Plaintiff in his appeal of the house painting judgment case. The document goes on for 8 pages without using the word "paint" or anything else that remotely resembles the basis of the case. In it he asks the following totally unrelated questions: How much meth, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol the plaintiff consumes daily and where he buys it. How much alcohol he drinks on the job. The size of the rooms his children sleep in and the type of heat and air in his house. Every prescription he has taken in the last 5 years. The one that is going to bite his butt the hardest is when he has to explain to Judge Switzer, the strictest judge in town, why he asked his painter about illegal drugs, his kids bedrooms and the heat and air in his house.
Attempting to use the court system to
improperly harass rather than to use it as a forum to resolve issues seems to be
in line with the way this big bully deals with everyone in his workplace, former
jobs, neighborhood, and city board meetings. I'm counting the days (443 left)
until he is out of office. Editors Note: We will not only be a fly on the wall, we'll be interested citizens sitting in the audience when the hearing is held on October 25th. We agree that Mr. Smith appears to think he can be his own lawyer. Real attorneys have a cliché that relate to attorneys representing themselves, "He who represents himself has a fool for an attorney." Wonder how that would go if neither the represented or the representative is an attorney.
How Do We Get Letters to the Editor Before the Paper Does? From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: October 15, 2007 Todays paper has a letter to the editor that was in your "Public Discussion" section dated October 12, 2007. Do you get the letters to the paper before they are printed or do you have somebody at the paper sending them to you without the paper knowing about it? I have seen this happen before so thought I would try to find out how you do that. Some of the news items also are on your site before they come out in the paper. I am not complaining, I just wonder how this keeps happening. The latest is the letter from Barbara Anable that is in today's paper. Do you know her? She has been in the paper before and had the same letters on your site. Editors Note: Yes we do know her. We are proud that Dr. Anable is one of our active members. Several members and non-members send us their "letters to the editor." Remember, we also have an editor and this practice simply increases readership of citizen's concerns. As to the news items, we try and stay abreast of what is going on in our town. With well over 100 members from all over the area, we often get information before others in the media.
Mayor's Philosophy Not on Firm Ground? From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: October 12, 2007 The City sends out a little "newsletter" with its water bills. The latest edition carries a message from the Mayor. In it, Mr. Bush says that while we live in an age of "instant gratification," some long-range projects need long-range planning. Most everybody would agree with that. But it is a curious statement coming from the the leader of the recent attempt at instant gratification in the aborted City Hall bond escapade. Bush goes on to praise those "people with a keen eye for the future," compared to those burdened with the limits of "conservative thinking," citing three examples of those keen-eyed visionaries: the MLK Expressway, the Civic Center Complex, and something called the "Hot Springs Technology Park." I'm sure each citizen has an opinion about each of those examples. In my view, MLK is a great way to get around "old Hot Springs," thereby encouraging business farther down 7-South and away from the area most needing new real estate capital investment; the Civic Center Complex might better have been a new City Office Complex, rather than a speculative development searching for high school basketball tournaments; and the Technology Park? Well, in Bush's own words, it sounds like another government speculation that finally got some Federal government operation as a tenant "after years of effort." Wonder if Congressman Mike Ross helped out there? Mr. Bush's notions of economic progress seem to rely almost exclusively on government activity and spending, rather than on private investment; this course, history has repeatedly shown, means increased taxation on private capital and labor, and leads not to prosperity but to economic ruin. Bush is literally correct when he suggests that the City needs more thought and planning for the future. That's what GGGG thinks too. So let's have it. Editors Note: You are very astute in your assessment of the benefits of his listed "accomplishments." Mr. Bush did not get his "instant gratification" but apparently, he has not stopped the effort. Did you also notice his repeated slogan about keeping the city moving? That sound good but isn't the direction more important than the momentum? If his leadership and direction are taking us toward worse traffic, less public safety, more debt, etc., etc., wouldn't we be better served by taking a different direction? Of course, that could require different leadership that actually recognizes the need for a new direction.
Voter Apathy is a Huge Problem From: Barbara Anable - Hot Springs Date: October 12, 2007
The following was also sent to the newspaper for publication.
To the people of our beautiful city of Hot Springs:
May I ask
what on earth permits the complacency and disinterest in representing
yourselves at the polls?
I was
astonished at the few persons that voted in Sept., at the "school elections",
but then this recent issue of the proposed bond issue for a new City Hall
really leaves me confused...the demographics of Hot Springs show the median
age to be 42. Had this bond issue passed you would be 67 years old before it
was paid off!!! Contrary to the opinion of a local radio announcer, and the
City Manager, both claiming we would have "no taxes" to pay off the
bonds, the language on our utility bills was changed from "tax" to "fee" so
that these "fees" can be raised, and forced on us to pay off portions of this
bond debt, the speculative nature as to the race track profits the city is
given is not a guaranteed amount, and again, if there were not enough earnings
from this source, and other sources, it is YOUR CITY HALL and you owe for the
bonds.
The city,
like the federal government, has no funds except for the money it takes from
us, or we willingly allow ourselves to be taxed to pay for a specific thing.
I
repeatedly hear how corrupt the politics of this area are. I can only say "you
are getting the kind of government and the type of people you allow to take
office".
Are you
proud to be represented by these folks or are you waiting to have persons come
forth in candidacy that you do admire? If these persons come forth, they will
need you to abandon this apathy and act on the privilege we have to vote! This
will at least give you the opportunity to chance the style of Government that
has driven you away from the polls. We need your help and your participation
in this city......our population is over 37,000 and there were less than 3000
persons that cared enough to vote and decide on us paying back $520,000.00 a
year for 25 years....Think it over..
Editors Note: We believe the GGGG is planning a voter registration drive and will be addressing voter apathy before next fall's elections. It is sad that more people don't vote. We hope voters remember, "if you don't vote, you have no right to complain" about the issues or candidates you didn't vote against.
Loud Cry for Elected Official to Start Representing the People From: Tom Hedrick - Hot Springs Date: October 11, 2007 The vote on the city hall should be a wake up call to our Board of Directors, Mayor, and City Manager, that they are entirely out of touch with the people of Hot Springs. They were going to secure the bonds with out the vote of the people, they changed the franchise taxes on our bills to fees , which I question about being entirely legal, and several other questionable practices. Thanks to the Garland Good Government Group who worked very hard to get the petition to allow the people the right to vote on this issue, with very little time to do this being the board passed it as an emergency resolution. I suggest that each of our elected officials and the City Manager start trying to follow the will of the people instead of their own, and other special interest groups. I would not be surprised to see several new faces on our City Board come election time. The vote on the city hall that our Mayor, City Manager and all but one board member wanted to push thru with out the vote of the people, when it came to a vote it failed three to one, which as I see it is a very loud cry from the citizens of Hot Springs to our elected officials to start representing the people. Editors Note: Well said. Don't you think they will have to lose their egos and attitudes first?
Big Shots Need to Think Twice Next Time From: Not Signed - Hot Springs Date: October 10, 2007 Congrats on your successful campaign against the new city hall. It is nice to see the mayor and board and Kent Myers not get their way for a change. Your group has provided a valuable service to our city and we thank you for it. Maybe these big shots will think twice next time before they decide to spend million of dollars of the public's money. Editors Note: Don't bet on it. Thanks for the congratulations but we didn't actually campaign against a new city hall. We simply tried to point out the facts because we think our citizens are smart enough to know a good deal from a bad deal when they see it.
Rats Are Jumping Off the Sinking Ship From: Salty and Wise Sailor of S.S. Good Government - Hot Springs Date: October 9, 2007 Well there is truth to the old sailors saying about rats jumping from a sinking ship. Our city manager, Kent Myers, is the smartest rat. He has realized that Hot Springs is waking up to the crooked city government, and is jumping first. It’s just a matter of time before the rest of the rats find themselves drowning. Mr. Smith has found out that he is not above the law, and has to pay people owed money by him or have wages garnished. Director Weatherford is being publicly stoned for wasting money on kimonos from Hamanaki, and taking CBD grant money to refurbish the home of Director Elaine Jones. Director Jones got caught trying to steal the cheese when she had homes on her block torn down to mover herself to the head of the CBD grant money waiting list. Director Tom Daniel is pacing the gang plank for his conflict of interest selling fireworks to the city, ordinances being changed to benefit his sign company, and other affiliations in his best interest. Poor Director Edwards doesn’t realize the ship is sinking. He hasn’t been troublesome though, he’s just following the greedy pesky rats that have wreaked havoc on the ship. And Mayor Bush is the defiant rat that will go down with the ship all the while snarling that there is nothing wrong with the ship, while stealing the last crumb of cheese. Director Maruthur is the quiet little mouse who kept telling the rats that the ship was sinking and that they needed to stop being so greedy and start finding ways to keep the ship from sinking, but the rats wouldn’t listen. I hope Director Maruthur and Director Edwards can save themselves by finding some way to stay afloat. Hopefully the ship will not sink completely, but instead will limp into a safe harbor, and they will live in harmony with the ship’s crew, but with no more pesky rats. Maybe it will have a really happy ending and all the rats will go to Florida. Editors Note: Interesting insights. You obviously have given up on converting any remaining rats, huh?
You Got it Here First From: The Watcher - Hot Springs Date: October 8, 2007
It is difficult at best to keep up with
the shenanigans of the city staff, but we try. The latest is the proposal
by the city engineer or by the new title, Public Works Operation
Manager, Denny McPhate, to levy a million dollar tax on water or
sewer bills to pay for a storm sewer program. We have found that by making
a title more impressive, we can justify higher salaries. And if
subordinates make more money then so does the higher management. They have
not indicated to the public that this tax is being considered, therefore
details are difficult to pin down. We do know that this is a service that
we are already paying for in new construction. Check it out ( http://www.cityhs.net/pdfs/pw/stormwater_fee_schedule.pdf )
It is sort of like when they included a new
title, City Urban Forester (Job held by Chuck Daniels) whose function is
"manages the city's urban forestry care, reservation and health plan to
provide the city with a safe, healthy environment for the city's urban
forest." How much did that cost? We will never know but I do know that the
city spent 10's of thousands to transplant three common trees in the
Transportation Depot area. They had water lines, automatic sprinklers and
caretakers for several years. All this so that we could prove to the world
that we are "tree huggers" a title that is of little meaning when I look out
my window and literally see billions of trees. It would make sense in Arizona
where trees are scarce.
Bottom line, our trees are safe, are storm
water will be accounted for but where is the millions of unaccounted fresh
water?. Steve Mallett as stated on the radio the other day must not be too
concerned because " it is not water that should have been billed for, it is
most likely leaks and the like". In other words, the water that leaks out of
the system doesn't cost us as much as the water that gets under billed at the
meter. Come on guys, get real. That water is just as costly as the rest of
the water.
Meanwhile our Street Department is busy at
the bottle neck, and Broadway doing projects for other departments. Maybe if
they have time after doing all the "Honey Do's" for the other departments,
they will be allowed to get back to their own responsibilities.
Editors Note: Thanks for the "Heads Up." It is unfortunate that a very few but well paid employees are wasting our money on worthless projects but take credit for what many of our great city employees are doing who get little credit and little pay.
Bank Should Watch Out for Hired Guns Also Known as Code Enforcement From: Concerned Citizen - Hot Springs Date: October 7, 2007 Ever get one of those notices from code enforcement that you have 7 or 30 days to bring your house up to code or they will fine you $250 per day for the failure? July 18, 2007 you posted a photo of the back of Director Smith’s house that was taken in 2006. The attached photo was taken on October 5, 2007 and you will notice while it doesn’t look near as bad there has been absolutely nothing done over than placing a cloth over the problem and propping up some items in front of the missing siding. Director Smith took out a $1,500 permit to replace siding in July after you published the photo you obtained. He replaced the siding for sure but with a blanket.
Notice the nicely painted area at the lower right back corner. That is the area that the young painter painted for him for around $100 that her refused to pay until the day before his court date. The painter that painted the rest of his house and obtained a $2300 judgment is going to be getting some cash soon. Almost 2 weeks after it was reported here, and Director Smith received a garnishment notice from the court of his Regions Bank account, He made a $2,000 deposit. Now he is furious that the Bank and the court intend to turn his new deposit over to creditor. He just can’t seem to understand why they will not ignore his judgment like he wants them to. I’ll bet the code inspectors will be looking Regions Bank over real good this week. I hope everyone goes to the polls Tuesday and votes on whether or not you want him to |
