six degrees of Borgmann

The City is not in the business of using our tax dollars for the benefit of private special interests, be it Santana, the MDAC swim team, OR the parents of a handful of Springs kids. It is shameful and embarrassing enough that hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars disappear on EACH and EVERY City construction project, but now we find out that the City is also providing free money in the form of free pool services to other private entities, again at the expense of the taxpayers. The Finance Dept puts out different numbers regarding revenues 3 and 4 years ago, and apparently has NO IDEA how much in revenues we actually took in... where and when does it end? The connecting thread in all this disarray, disorganization, and disappearing funds- ultimately the bottom-line responsibility - is the City Manager. All of these things are happening on HIS watch, and apparently with his approval and direction. How much arrogance, disorganization, and incompetence, if not corruption, can we put up with? We are being bled dry in several areas of city functions that were intended to put money INTO our coffers and benefit the residents, not private businesses. There are only two constants in all of the these financial fiascos- a City Manager run amuck, and a Council that does NO oversight on him. Both need to be changed, ASAP.

selective hearing

There is a rumor that an Open Forum request about the final costs on the bathrooms actually WAS responded to - can that be? Billy and the rest of the Council stopped listening to the residents LONG AGO. They ARE very good at listening to special interests who want free use of our facilities or contractors who want to be paid for work that WASNT done, tho. You might think they would pay attention to the ones who foot the bills AND put them in office, but you would be WRONG.

resident relief?

I guess it IS possible to say that the 600k+ in cost overruns for municipal construction projects the past 3 years is an economic stimulus plan for needy contractors. It may also be possible to view a sweetheart contract for Mr. Santana, free rent, taxes, and utilities as a welfare plan for wealthy business owners. It may even be possible to consider free pool services for multiple pool patrons as a break for some private businesses, even as the pool loses 300k this year. But what about the TAXPAYERS who are paying for all of these freebies? Where is OUR relief? We are in a recession, losing our jobs and some of our homes, and struggling to pay our bills with garage sales while the special interests laugh all the way to the bank! At OUR expense, literally and figuratively.

Gymbos giveaways

The City Manager has certainly helped many special interest groups, like the contractors, with continuous cost overruns and change orders, to the tune of 600k + so far. He has also helped Santana by paying for his electricity, 100k so far, as if that sweetheart contract wasnt enough. He has helped several different groups at the pool, mainly by NOT charging them to use our facilities, while the pool loses 300k this year. All of that help to the special interests, unfortunately for the residents, the taxpayers had to pay for. As a result of all this money disappearing in various forms of mismanagement or worse, we will have a minimum of a 2.5 million dollar deficit next year. Add on several million dollars in debt and subsequent payments we cant pay from the gym project and it clear we are being led down a road to bankruptcy. How many giveaways can we afford before we are forced into bankruptcy court? Dont forget this in April.

special interests

What are the chances that those objecting to residents pointing out shortcomings in city officials and management are the VERY ONES being exposed? They dont offer opposing facts and dont offer alternative solutions, just whine about being exposed. At least the annexation people present SOME logic or facts to back up their arguments. Lets not forget the sex motel and McMansions as other examples of management asleep at the controls, at best, on the take, at worst. Special interests run Mia Spgs with their wallets.