 Email link
 Read comments (61)
 Blog archive
 Share link
WECRD Budget HearingPosted Wednesday, August 26, 2009, at 10:23 PM
I was disapointed after coming home from the WECRD Budget Hearing and Board Meeting tonight. Disappointed not only in the WECRD Board, but as well as some of the adults who attended in opposition of the WECRD.
First, I was glad to see decent answers from the Directors to most questions asked during the budget hearing. The directors tried to explain their reasoning (Weather you agree or not) for some of their actions and budgeting called into question. However, I believe that more time than an hour should be alloted for this kind of public hearing. I almost wish the directors and opposers would agree to a debate styled meeting. Where, each side would have set amounts of times to ask and answer eachothers questions. Therefore, the public could all have their voice heard (more in-depth) in an organized and professional manner. I would like to see the directors give more than 3 minutes for questions and comments at their regular board meetings. I was also very disappointed in the way the directors were a bit unprofessional in some of their reactions to questions and comments from the public in the budget hearing. I did agree with Jana, when she said it would be contradictive of the Board to 'take their eye off the ball' when it comes to community programming. But I also understand, that is what some of the money is for. I also understand that the donations for the Domestic Violence Council come from the "advertising and marketing' budget and it's not the same as sponsoring the youth baseball program. However, no matter what part of the budget the donation money comes out of, it all comes from WECRD money. It's contradictive of the WECRD to pay for a basket to donate to the Domestic Violence Council, and refuse to give a small donation to youth baseball. I don't see why that can't be part of advertising and marketing as well. In regards to the very 'adult' and 'professional' manner some of the opposers displayed at the meeting: No one likes the situation this board is currently in. There is no need to be rude and snide and sarcastic and make this worse for everyone. You're adults, you should be more respectful. It's sad that people cannot deal with this in a mature manner. I go to meetings to be informed, not entertained. I realize it was a public hearing, and I don't believe the public recieved enough time to ask their questions, but there is no need to turn the meetings into a circus. You only make yourself look ridiculous. As a debate student, I see the sides of every issue. It's very hard for me to decide on many issues. I am in support of the WECRD and their mission(mission statement). However, I do see the problems. If you all are also in 'support' of a recreation center it takes people working together... NOT what I saw tonight. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
I would like to blog about the WECRD updates and news. I would also talk about MHHS news. And any hot topic issues that come up in town.
I am a 17 year old junior. I love to write, read and have fun. I am the debate captain, I am a staff reporter for the Tiger Tribune. I an a National Honor Society member. I love living in Mountain Home and hope to live here or in Glenns Ferry when i am older. When I graduate I want to go to college, but travel as much as I can.
Hot topics Funding Cutbacks in Idaho Schools(10 ~ 2:55 PM, Feb 1)
Busy, Busy, Busy
WECRD Budget Hearing
Clarification
The great tool of debate
|
Facebook
Twitter
del.icio.us
Digg
StumbleUpon
Technorati
Newsvine
Reddit
Google
![[Feed icon]](http://www.mountainhomenews.com/images/icons/feed-icon-14x14.png){kind=icon}
I disagree with most of your assessment, they did not give decent (or any) answers to most question, comments, and suggestions raised to them. They were more concerned with watching the timer during people's last minute and then cutting them off or in Mollie's case banging the gavel, though they are going against Idaho Statute 31-4332 to "hear any and all objections thereto" when they chose to conduct the meeting like that.
Just like the board cannot control their condescending tone & smirks when dealing with the public, the same goes for the people who oppose the actions of the board. But I don't see a problem with citizens being frustrated at a government/public agency for not following the rules for meetings or listening to taxpayers' concerns. When nearly every person who spoke was cut off mid-sentence during a public hearing then I think it is the board that is being disrespectful and it showed how little they care about public opinion.
Becca, I said to myself last night after that meeting that I was done with all of this and would not waste 1 more second of my time on this. However, I feel the need to respond to your blanket comments regarding the meeting last night.
First, the reason that I was so rude last night and talked through portions of the meeting was because the WECRD has a crappy sound system (I am sure that was all part of the plan) and the older gentleman who sat next to me as well as in back of me could not hear what was being said. So, most of that meeting was spent telling the man what was being said. Then, Judy Erwin told the same man to be quiet and he ended up walking out of the meeting. BY LAW, those meetings must be able to be heard by ALL members of the audience. BY LAW yob, not by my rules. They have this problem at EVERY single meeting. One would think if you have a Power Point show or a mic that you would test the equipment prior so that both worked. Well, the board was so prepared for the budget hearing that NEITHER worked. So standard. Oh, and the whispering at the front table by the board so the public cannot hear...OPEN MEETING VIOLATIONS!! Did you not listen in the class that you hosted? Do you think we are all that stupid Mollie, Jana and Marsha? Really! Did a member of the public not pull his chair up close to the table last night because he could NOT HEAR FROM THE FRONT ROW? Come on.
Next. BY LAW, ALL OBJECTIONS to the WECRD budget SHOULD have been heard. BY LAW. They were not. People were cut off, not given their 3.5 minutes or had most of their time taken by a board that has NEVER bothered, in the past, to respond to ANYTHING. See, us "naysayers" ran a stop watch as well and ran it based on a regular 3.5 minute clock. How about Marsha, who was seated next to Judy, asking every 10 seconds "is it time yet?" Love how the stop watch went "ding" when Judy declared it was time.
Next. Notice of the meeting was posted in 2 ways. BY LAW the "Notice" needed to be posted 10 days in advance. Well, contrary to what was stated by Judy Erwin at the meeting last night, there were 2 notices. 1 was dated for 1 date while the other was dated for another and CLEARLY not within that 10 day time period REQUIRED BY LAW. Interestingly enough...another person went to the window while I was speaking, to double check the dates from when we had gone in and looked at them, and it had been changed. I never did get a copy of that document last night as requested.
So, here is my position. I am done! I am going to obtain the last of these signatures and get this turned in. I have NO hope for this project as long as this board is involved. NO HOPE! This board treats the public with such contempt that there will be no mending of fences and working together to make this work. Those are the facts.
Some of the board attended the city budget hearing to see how a budget hearing is run. Well, I guess you either did not pay attention or you just did not care because no city meetings are ever run like that "circus" last night. You should be ashamed, all 4 of you.
So, the facts.
There will be no money donated to any recreation projects because the WECRD is now involved with the YMCA.
A gift basket was "donated" by the board and the taxpayers to the Domestic Violence group. They threw in a WECRD blanket as well.
They approved the budget as it was---$467,000 and DID NOT include a line item for recreation projects as was asked for by several members of the public and they blamed this on Billie B. from the YMCA in Boise.
The ECC's want the WECRD to hire an environmental attorney (the WECRD was asked to pay for it) to review the documents on the property before the ECC's would sign off on being the "responsible entity." The board debated the issue and said they would have to talk to Betty Ashcraft about it (I was unaware that she was now a board member and had any say on how money was spent other than the summer concerts she asks for money for year after year and is handed check after check for). HUD could be "responsible" for the money and it would cost the taxpayers of Elmore County NOTHING! They are the experts on this. So why spend the money at all if HUD can do the same thing? Why? Why? Why?
New office furniture! What they have is "old" and they want new. Someone said they should go to the Youth Ranch and get some new stuff. Marsha was all for this. Well, why would you go and get more used. mismatched stuff if that is already what you have? Why even waste the money? Why?
So in short my mission now is to get this done. I do not have ANY HOPE that this will work out under the current dictatorship in place. There is no hope. This board has contempt for the public that has given to them in the form of taxes for years with no results. The WECRD Board has ABSOLUTE contempt for the public that pays their way. This project is supposed to be about the community but it is really all about this board and what they want. Why is there a $467,000 budget for a project that has just started over and is under the control of the YMCA and the CDLC? Building/Land Development for over $200,000.00 for a project on "hold?"
We got to listen to Marsha say how much she has to put up with being on the board and how much her husband likes her being on the board. Poor Marsha.
We will have the petition at AFAD and as always copies of information for people to review.
There is no hope and I refuse to waste one more minute on this. There is no hope. This project is doomed because of the actions of these 3 people and several people took the time to state just that.
The entire meeting was taped (by several people) and will be available soon for you to view and judge for yourself. It may be like watching a silent movie without captions. As I said, see it for yourself soon.
Tracy,
You have done so much work on this. Time away from your famikly, your furry frineds, your business just to expose the financial mess that this project is. I know that you and I have not always seen eye to eye on things but you have done a trmendous job on this...I thank you for that. These 3 people on this Board are a joke. They are full of themselves are care NOTHING about the citzens of Elmore County. I cannot vote in Elmore but I know many who can and will encourage them to sign the petition and do what is right. I can only imagine how discouraging this awful mess must be to you but I hope you will not let it stop you....I bet $$$ it wont! You have done all that you can do, and its the best that could have been done!
Becca, I have to say it is nice to see a 17 year old writing this blog and in such a mature manner. I think you are doing a great job stating your opinions and noting there are problems to every good plan. Keep up the good work and don't let the haters get you down.
Ms. Lauric, I understand and completely agree that by law, everyone should have been allowed to ask all of their questions or give all of their comments. The 3.5 minutes given to each was something that really bugged me.
PC Betty, I agree the directors were disrespectful in their reactions to peoples' comments and questions. I said that already. "I was also very disappointed in the way the directors were a bit unprofessional in some of their reactions to questions and comments from the public in the budget hearing."
Trust me Betty, everyone is frustrated, not just the public. You are adults and are able to act adult about this. I just don't see anyone really wanting to work together on either side.
Thank you PC Betty and MHG. I am very frustrated. I am very sad that such a great project is in the hands of these 3 people. If the YMCA had run this from the start we would not be where we are today. No hope. No hope at all.
Wow, this is really sad. The contempt on both sides has grown to a point where I don't believe anything productive will ever be accomplished. Between the board and they way they conduct their meetings and deal with the public, to the pent up frustration on the part of the community/taxpayers. Any way you look at it, this is not effective local government. If it was we wouldn't have these issues at this stage of the game.
I agree with Vic Vega. It looks a if this project has gone way off in the ditch. Such contempt on both sides has gone so far, past the point of 'return'. I don't get it! I just can't see why the board won't listen, to the point of being rude. I had hopes that somehow someway, it would work out, but when it seems they can't even be polite, and 'fake' at caring what the public wants, it's just too late.
Tracey, lemme at that petition.
Jessie
So here is my meeting recap for you, I'll just touch on the highlights, some have already been addressed by OM but this is what stuck out to me.
The meeting opened with Ms. Sellers giving a remedial PowerPoint presentation to show budget basics. Ms. Marsh gave a statement to explain/justify their budget, but didn't go into detail about any of the items. The floor was opened for public comment. The time was limited to three minutes per person, in opposition to Idaho Statute 31-4332 that says the board is to "explain the proposed budget and hear any and all objections thereto."
The first citizen asked about the CLDC being funded by the WECRD and the need for them to follow Idaho's Open Meeting Laws. They went back and forth (and the discrepancies continued throughout both meetings) because even though they call the CLDC a sub-agency, committee, volunteer group, whatever that will make recommendations to them and one of the board members "participates" in the meetings they don't feel it is considered a government agency (though they will be funded by the WECRD) and are trying to use some loophole that the CLDC is advising the Y who is a contractor, not a government agency. The WECRD doesn't want the CLDC's meetings to be subject to Open Meeting Laws, though I do think that members of the CLDC will be more than happy to work with the public as much as is expected and requested of them (that is until this thing is dissolved).
Another citizen expressed his displeasure with the board's budget and the lack of any recreation programs while making suggestions for programs over the next year that could use the assistance of the Recreation District's funds and gave them further information and examples about sub-agencies and contractors working with government agencies.
I'll leave out OM's comments and experience since she addressed them.
I know I'm missing the next one or two people's comments since I'm going off memory and not my notes. One person questioned the $16,000 in the budget for office supplies and office equipment and suggested more economical ways to purchase equipment. Ms. Sellers responded with her frustration with the wobbly chairs and tables and what all they have had to put up with.
The next citizen had questions regarding the advertising/marketing budget for $10,000 and what their plans were and why so much is set aside for this and only $5,000 for community programs. The board's answer at this point and later in the meeting is that they can't plan any recreation programs since they are working with the Y (though apparently they see no problem spending on advertising and making donations to non-recreation programs). The questions regarding the land lease, irrigation, and utilities were raised. The attorney tried to address this. The revenue off this land is $800 per year after the irrigation is paid for, but the question of extremely high utility bills for the office and whether a portion of this is for the land was not answered. A few other questions were asked about some of their other lines but were not answered. Mollie ended her comments with the gavel.
The next two citizens were (I believe) members of the CLDC. They expressed displeasure at the board's proposed budget but also constructive advice and suggestions for handling their finances better. One of the speakers obviously has much knowledge and experience with accounting as she had a lot of valuable information that would be helpful to the board. During her time the board kept asking Ms. Erwin for the time left on the clock. She was cut off at then end and went to sit down, but then was asked after the board realized their glaring mistake to finish what she had to say. So I guess that if they want to hear what you have to say then you get to have more time, but if they don't like it then they will cut you off or gavel you.
So then Mollie went on to tell everyone her motives when she votes: to help the children, the poor, the elderly, the infirm, etc. They went ahead and passed the budget in full without any modifications after taxpayer input.
Come on people get out and help OM and her goup get these petations signed.. MAybe we should have a petation meeting and get more people to help at AFPD...
Becca's idea of a Townhall type meeting would be good to "clear the air" so to speak. But I don't think the WECRD would participate. It would likely degenerate into an ugly scene. Might be fun to video tape though!
Yob,
How do we keep the plans for the rec center going?
rhsamp... the best i can tell you would be to contact Mark Hiddleston and Alan Bermensolo(sp?) to inform them of your opinions.
Good suggestion, yob. I do mean that too, without any sarcasm. Its a great idea to contact the CLDC, and attend the WECRD's public meetings, and even (gasp) go speak to OM and others at AFAD where they will have docs for your review just so you can have all the information that you need from all parties involved.
Oh PC...please do not send that person my way. They can research the facts right from the WECRD office. Review the GreenPlay Report, the Shaw Snow Report and all of the HUD documents. Also ask to see the last 7 years of profit and loss statements and budgets. You need both and all of it.
LOL...sorry. I just figured they might be surprised to find that you're not the monster that people on here think you are and that you are not just "spewing lies". Also, she doesn't seem to be chugging the kool-aid (yet).
Just wait...he/she will be. WAYL is on a bender on my blog. There are some really sick people out there.
PC---gasp! Please pass the pitcher.
Om - you're the sickest by far.
PC Betty, if it looks like a rat and smells like a rat, then it is a rat! There's a reason why people think she's a "monster" and "spews lies", It's because she is and she does!
BB, if you think that I care what I think, you are wrong. What is it that I have lied about in your eye? Please present those facts, from documents or tapes which PROVES your point without opinion only. Key word Beth is facts and documents. I thought as a volunteer that you were not allowed to post anymore because of the 1 post that you did that got Mollie and the WECRD board into a bit of a mess. It was stated on the record at a BM and Marsha was going to relay the message to ALL volunteers.
It is something when a WECRD volunteer calls you a liar. If it came from Nany...it might hold some water. From you...not so much.
So much for OM being "done for good with this subject". That's one lie right there. Hey, got a news flash for you, OM. No one cares what you think either.
Funny RR...I have 111 comments on my blog. It would appear that some do indeed care. Thanks for your comment to me on yob's blog. Enjoy the YouTube clips which I am sure you will claim not to watch or care about. There are your facts should you choose to investigate. More to come on that front. It is an artistic partnership between several of us in this community who also "do not care." Isnt it ironic?
OM: 27 of those comments are yours
And your point? 87 are not. Are you sure of your counting? Not that I would ever doubt you yoB. Enjoy your weekend.
nevermind. it was a moot point anywho. If you aren't sure about my count, go count yourself. I am not grand with numbers.
rhsamp ,
Welcome to Mountain Home!
I would love to meet you and let you know about our plans for a great recreation center. If you have time, come into our office at Western Elmore County Recreation District @140 N 3rd or call 580-2377 and leave your name and number and I (we) will get back with you.
You can also read our WEB Site and use the "contact us" option...
Thanks Becca for your blog and giving rhsamp an opportunity to ask questions.
It might be refreshing to ask your writers if they have any "want list" for our center....
(A bit of a change from all the emotion... going back and forth.)
PS. Becca, thanks for coming to our meeting the other night... All of you :)
Looking forward to the fun of AFAD. Bring your cameras.
Let me know if you want to volunteer.
Sincerely,
Marsha Sellers
Dreamer,
How about spend some money on local recreation like sports for the children that the district is supposed to support? How about show us (the taxpayers) where the district has supported recreation for the children and not the arts or the Domestic Council? How about updating the website that has information that was outdated MONTHS ago by your board.
I would love to see a center built after all these years and think it needs more multi-purpose rooms rather than a pool that seems to have caused so much contraverse. It would make more sense to me to built it and have it planned to add a pool in a later stage.
Simple questions for you, now answer them in a public forum.
Dreamer,
One more thought for you, how about put a list of the current wish list for the rec district? I just learned that there is plans for outdoor events as well as indoor. This was news to me as all I have seen has been indoor. You ask for a wish list from the public, now the public is asking for one from you.
http://www.wecrdgov.org/facts.htm
Outdated and less than factual info unless of course the WECRD plans to go their own way on this.
It is a pretty sad situation all around.
OG, the outdoor facility that I spoke of was an idea and had nothing to do with the WECRD or their plans. There was another group that was attempting to get an indoor arena built for 4-H, optimist and the people in this community who have horses, etc. That is another project and I am not sure where those people are at with that but I do know that the WECRD would not give them any money.
Marsha stated in a BM that she is all about pools for her Red Hat group. So, put that at the top of her list (it was stated on the record right down to the Red Hat group).
You read my mind ole guy.... more to come.
20 acres is alot of ground...... >ideas?
Take care!!!
Dreamer,
So no direct answer to my comment other than that? Could that be a huge part of the problem, a question is asked and instead of answering it directly, you make/want people wait for an answer that rarely arrives. No wonder so many are tired of the WECRD and the games that have been played. I had hoped that you would have at the very least given me some of the information that I was looking for. Guess not until you confer with the rest of the board, run it through your lawyer and the Y and then post it on only on the window at the office where you expect us to go read it.
Nice "response" Marsha or should I say lack of one;). How "ironic." Guess we should have made the questions visual for ya.
BB, it is interesting that you have talked to 1 person and stated how less than pleased you are with the WECRD. Yet when in the same room with the board, you are all for them and all is just dandy. "Promises" to do this and that on this facility are nothing more than very empty statements given the past years regarding this project. "Promises" are only as good as the person who gives you their word and the track record here is not so great to date. So, pardon me if the "crap" meter tops out here.
yoB, what portion of the meeting was a "circus" in your eyes? Was it the part where Judy Erwin told a member of the public to be quiet and the man got up and walked out or the parts of the meeting with Mollie bashing her gavel into the table? Or was it when people were told their time was up and they were not done speaking? Or, was it when Jana made her personal "ironic" attack against Councilman Schroeder? The people who got up and spoke took their time and then sat down. There was no yelling. In a "normal" meeting people would have presented their questions/ideas and the bored board would have responded and then given the person time to respond back. Not in this meeting. Why was that? By law, they were to hear ANY and ALL objections to their proposed (now adopted) budget. Inept people in government who do not know what they are doing get exactly what they deserve.
Marsha, if I were you, I would worry that the Y is reading all of this and gets a visual picture of what is going on with you and this board with respect to the public. Perception is reality. Enjoy the clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjKIPsKdS...
Cowards! lol back door talk. must be the way you two always do business. Indicative of low moral character.
"LOL...sorry. I just figured they might be surprised to find that you're not the monster that people on here think you are and that you are not just "spewing lies". Also, she doesn't seem to be chugging the kool-aid (yet).
-- Posted by PCbetty on Fri, Aug 28, 2009, at 9:06 PM
Just wait...he/she will be. WAYL is on a bender on my blog. There are some really sick people out there.
-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Fri, Aug 28, 2009, at 9:08 PM
PC---gasp! Please pass the pitcher.
-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Fri, Aug 28, 2009, at 10:38 PM "
HERE'S YOUR PROOF FOLKS on OM'S true MOTIVES!!!!!
"""Funny RR...I have 111 comments on my blog....
-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sat, Aug 29, 2009, at 1:47 PM """
Her own sense of selfimportance is the movtivating factor! Couple that with all the proof of her lies and contradictions within her own writings and you have a very poor source for reliable information.
DO YOU OWN RESEARCH, look up the cited documents!!!!!!! Talk with the other viewpoint, talk with the people working on the project, write letters and ask the questions, before you BLINDLY follow such an unreliable and questionable source as OM.
OM, I hope you don't think you're the only one who has been calling and e-mailing the people at the Y. Trust me, they have been brought up-to-speed about the goings-on here. After all, you wouldn't want them to get just a one-sided view with your little propaganda campaign, would you? By the way, masterful job at editing and splicing the videos together and inserting captions so we're told what what we should be thinking. Why, if I hadn't gone to the budget meeting myself, I would have had a completely different perception of the meeting after looking at your work. Nice job of distortion! Have you thought about joining Obama's team? They could use someone like you in their front office.
By the way, PC Betty, You couldn't be more wrong. Lauric is a monster and she does spew lies. You do remember what she's known around town as don't you - "crazy Lauric". But you just go ahead and hitch your wagon to the village idiot. Don't bother to do any of your own research or talk to the people actually working on this project.
Boomerbeth,
Remember what happens when you assume. You assume that no one has done their own research. You also assume that no one has spoken to the people with the WECRD or those involved (we'll pretend like asking questions at the meetings doesn't count because we shouldn't expect to have answers given to us in a public meeting)
I posted on OM's blog (which you have posted on since) about this same point...but here I'll repost it for you.
"WAYL: Don't you think that all the "blind" followers of OM have done their own research. I started looking into this right before the election last year. Personally, I never even spoke to OM until very recently. I do think most everyone on here (yourself excluded) is intelligent enough to read the information - be it facts or opinions - then make a judgment from there.
-- Posted by PCbetty on Mon, Aug 31, 2009, at 5:07 PM"
Your arguments are truly pathetic against the "antis". You act as though any neutral person isn't intelligent enough to figure it out for themselves. If they don't listen to the condescending fantasies that the board puts out then they must be blindly following OM. How about this...people looked at the facts and documents, attended meetings, read the opinions provided by both sides and then formed a judgment for themselves?!?!? By your logic, if you say that Lauric is a monster and crazy then because you are pro-WECRD then it must be correct and I am supposed to believe you.
PCBetty:
I have given 3 different examples of when Ms. Lauric lied/mislead the public.
1. The 'wound' pool
2. Federal appropriation funds being part of the 'bailout'
3. the WECRD 'lied' on the 2010 Federal Appropriation application
yoB, I did not lie. They stated in a public meeting that the therapy pool could be used for people with hard to heal wounds. I told you to review the tape. Someone from the public wanted to know how they would clean it to keep it safe.
"Earmarks/Pork" WERE part of some money that the WECRD got. Go to a US Government teacher and ask.
The WECRD did have less than factual info on the 2010 Appropriations Application regardless of what you want to state. To name just a few from the FIRST page of the 2010 Application:
"Total project cost:"
WECRD RESPONSE--
"$5 million." Funny, the WECRD told us, the taxpayers, that they were going to build a 30,000 SF building with a total cost of just over 2 million dollars ($67.00/SF X 30,000). So, to be on point...where did the "extra costs" come in and when?
"Anticipated start date and finish date of project:"
WECRD RESPONSE--
"August 2009 start
November 2010 finish"
"Total desired federal share (including previous years):"
WECRD RESPONSE--
"FY 2008- Awarded $294,000 through HUD EDI but the WECRD has not yet received any of these funds. 6% of the 5 million dollar project"
"Anticipated Federal percentage: 40% of a 5 million dollar project"
"Anticipated local percentage: 60% of a 5 million dollar project"
"Amount desired for projest in future years (list each year):"
WECRD RESPONSE--
"FY 2010- $1.5 million
FY 2011- $1 million
FY 2012- $500,000"
That is a lot of money being asked for for a building that they believe will sustain itself. It is also WAY OVER what they told the public they were going to spend. All from page 1 of the 2010 HUD documents. There were other lies as well such as who supports the project. Cannot find that in their minutes...they left that conversation out but it was brought up by a business owner at a public meeting. They had listed his business as a supporter for years---he was shocked to say the least.
From the WECRD web page:
Letters and Articles
Idaho Statesman Article Dated March 8th, 2009
http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/st...
Thank you, Wayne Hoffman for an excellent article (March 8) on earmarks. The Western Elmore County Recreation District did not know until reading your article that we had been awarded $285,000 to build our Recreation Center.
With this earmark and the tax dollars saved, the WECRD is very close to having the amount needed to build a debt free facility that will provide a much needed recreation and aquatic health facility for our 25,000+ youth, adults, and senior citizens in Elmore County and surrounding communities of Bruneau, Grandview, and Fairfield. There are no recreation centers in these communities.
An earmark is not a bad thing. The federal government does a service when helping non-profit organizations such as the WECRD provide a facility that will enhance the lives of so many who do not have the same opportunities that are available in a more populated area such as Boise or Nampa. We applaud the hard work of Congressman Simpson, Sen. Larry Craig, and Sen. Mike Crapo. The WECRD thanks them for continuing to believe in the mission of creating a healthy, safe environment for children and adults to recreate, relax, and rehabilitate.
For more info on earmarks, please see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earmark_(po...
For more info on Government "pork barrel" spending please see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_barrel
Becca,
C'mon. Lied? They want to have a therapy pool which is illegal under title 31. It's not why a district is formed. To call it a wound pool is a stretch but a lie? Federal appropriations are an earmark. Maybe not completely accurate calling it part of the bailout but same flavor. By having inaccurate information on the federal appropriations form they weren't being accurate. If thats all you got, and that's the standard that you want to use for a "lie" then we can start going through everything that the WRECD has said that hasn't come true or they haven't portrayed accurately and see which side comes up bigger. I know that you saw how they acted in the budget meeting and it caused you to pause. The board has created far more resentment and spun for more facts that everyone else combined. They need to admit their mistakes and start fresh. "There is more honor and magnanimity in correcting, than persevering in an error." --Thomas Jefferson
And why would you not want me to come your way opinion missy and ask questions? Isnt that what you are all about trying to pursuade people to sign your little petition and change their mind about the rec center? Are you afraid that people are going to stop listening to you because all you do is rant and rave and throw a tantrum like a two year old child? You are what between 45 and 50 but act like you are 2!!!!!
"There is more honor and magnanimity in correcting, than persevering in an error." --Thomas Jefferson
The most intelligent thought you have shared in some time!, AD. It certainly can be directed at OM as well.
In nice to know that OM's inaccuracies are not to be viewed on the same level as any inaccuracies made by the wecrd. Another example of your -degrees of responsibility or accountability- spiel. From your meanderings OM's transgressions are of a lesser degree than then anyone connected or not-against the wecrd, for the same transgression. Hummmm.
Aren't you as grateful as I am to live is such a great country as America.
Great Quote!!!!!! from one of our founding patriots
WAYL,
Don't even try it dummy. They are the elected officials. It is incumbent upon them to refute what she says. This is just another case of your drunken logic saying that because something is blown up to ridicule a situation that it is a lie. You saying that you are proud to be an American is like Hitler saying that he was proud to be a German. If you can shut up,(or get banned), people that say things you don't want them to, then you will be the only voice. You're a joke and and insult to every American and the founding fathers. Free speech idiot. I haven't tried to get you banned and never would. But your little Gestapo mind can't let go of getting her ban. Spare me your hippie declaration of allegiance to the flag.
Oh yeah and look our for the darkness and clowns they might cause you terror. Wacko.
"I haven't tried to get you banned and never would."
AD. Just wondering. How is it you think you could ever get WAYL banned? If they haven't banned OM from this site, why would they ever ban anyone else?
Also wondering why you can never post a complete sentence without hurling insults and degrading posters. Is it like some kind of catharsis for you? It's really getting old.
Beth,
Shut your stupid mouth. You are too dumb to grasp anything that isn't written with a crayon. Ya see ya mental midget it was posed as a juxtaposition to what she is always trying to do, get OM banned. It has nothing to do with me trying to get her banned you retard. When I post to stupid people like you and WAYL then yes, I say what I mean and mean what I say. You are not intelligent. You are not very bright. You are dumb. There I meant all of that. Its not cathartic for me it's the truth.
LOL! Maybe WAYL & Beth can take lessons from your writing style, AD...to make a point or state facts while you insult someone. Those two just address the emotional side of the argument and spew how mean someone is or that they are unfair or they don't like them. Why don't you guys/gals bring something to the debate like information or logic, then sling names at the "antis" too
(oops how 'ironic', this post of mine is only to insult those two - oh well).
Rabid dog - looks like she hit a nerve, but that's so easy to do with TARDS like you. Why don't you SHUT YOUR STUPID MOUTH. We're all sick of your little temper-tantrums you two year-old.
AD - you're just too pathetic for words. How about you just ignore my posts and I'll ignore yours. That be alright? As other posters have said, you have some serious anger issues. There's no sense carrying on a conversation with you.
PC Betty: what facts or research would you like to discuss that hasn't already been rehashed to death on this blog site?
Redroth,
Too bad you can't make me, punk. You just keep making deragotory sexual remarks about OM. I'm sure that makes you feel like a tough guy.
Beth,
No deal retard. Pathetic, is you trying to read and comprehend written words. I'm actually going to be looking for your posts more regularly. You can't seem to read and comprehend at the same time, so your posts are quite entertaining. Anger issues? I love that you hang on my every word, and are so in tune with my writing style that you can determine the tone and emotion behind what I write. But you kool-aid drinkers can't refute anything that is said so keep on with the only thing you got, snide remarks. All hail the arrant three. Guardians of non-recreation and the arts council.
I think this is a video of a WRECD board meeting with a lot of their supporters there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRfDE9bnd...
Rabid dog,
Believe me, I would be the last person to make a sexual comment to Lauric. PLEASE, I don't even need that image in my head. I haven't had breakfast yet. Cite me the post where I said that. Maybe it's your perverted mind at work there, my man. Maybe you gotta thing for her or something, who knows? Don't bring me into your sordid fantasies. Telling women to "shut your mouth" on this website, when you don't like what they say. Is that what you say to your wife, tough guy?
Redsloth,
It was this one sporto,
"Hey there, OM. If I change sides will you not call me names anymore? Pretty please? Maybe we could even go out for some coffee and talk crap about the evil WECRD board members. We'll dish on them all night and you can go home with a big smile on your face. I mean, if it's ok with Eagle-eye. Wouldn't want to horn in on his action.
-- Posted by Redroth on Sun, Jul 19, 2009, at 9:18 PM"
Thats the one boy.
Rabid mutt, as I said, all in your perverted little mind. The "smile" on her face would be because we talked trash about the WECRD. I'm sure she's estatic when people do that. If anyone besides yourself (cuz I couldn't give a crap what you think) think that was sexual that was not my intent. Believe me when I say she's not my type. I would also like to know how you ladies feel when some jerk on this website tells you to "shut your stupid mouth" when you say something they don't like, and calls you an idiot and retard etc. for expressing yourselves on this public opinion site. That okay with you? Just curious.
seriously? What is the issue? Oh yes, the WECRD. RedRoth and AtomicDog had me confused about what my blog was about. I don't understand why adults cannot just debate an issue, without getting into all the nasty name calling and pointless personal attacks.
Nothin nasty about it becca. Just havin a little fun and makin jokes.
it takes away from what we should be discussing
Redsloth,
You didn't clarify your statement at that time. Someone other than me must have thought it had a sexual intimidation tone to it because it got deleted. The thing you don't get you commie liberal retard is that we are all just jerks on here. That freedom of speech is not just a concept. You have to be willing to allow the thing that you disagree with the most to be said and support, and allow, your worst enemy to say it, or it's not free speech. You people think of free speech as something for only yourself and your like-minded homeys. That your opinion dictates what can, and cannot be said and what is, and what is not ok to say. The weak attempts to classify anything OM has said as a threat or terrorism as a reason to be ban is shameful and dishonorable. Get your head right punk.
Rabidmutt,
We can't help how others are going to interpret out comments, can we? I met nothing sexual by my comment but some took it as such. Let's draw a parallel to Pissy Missy's comment to a poster about Mtn Home being a small town and someday she would see the poster in public and have her say. Though she claims she did not mean that statement as a threat, it, apparently was taken as an implied threat by some. As far as "getting my head, right", my head is just fine by me. Although I have serious reservations about your state of mind cuz you can't seem to argue your points without degrading and insulting others. Not a way to win people over to your way of thinking, my man. And that is what your trying to do, isn't it? Or else why would be on here.
"Redsloth,You didn't clarify your statement at that time. Someone other than me must have thought it had a sexual intimidation tone to it because it got deleted. The thing you don't get you commie liberal retard is that we are all just jerks on here. That freedom of speech is not just a concept. You have to be willing to allow the thing that you disagree with the most to be said and support, and allow, your worst enemy to say it, or it's not free speech. You people think of free speech as something for only yourself and your like-minded homeys. That your opinion dictates what can, and cannot be said and what is, and what is not ok to say. The weak attempts to classify anything OM has said as a threat or terrorism as a reason to be ban is shameful and dishonorable. Get your head right punk.-- Posted by AtomicDog on Thu, Sep 3, 2009, at 2:40 PM "
You are a liar plain and simple AD. NO ONE but you took it as a "sexual remark" after you and I argued on the site for hours as to whether it was a comment about gossiping or what YOU wanted to assign as sexual,, then you got EE & OM, they were the only others And that was ONLY after YOU CONVICTED RR of making a "sexual" comment. You are worse than you can ever accuse another of being. You apparently are very lonely and need this to boost you poor little ego... (little being the operative word here)
You are probably one of those "hippie" people you say you so despise, I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN, I fought for YOUR right to be an idiot so Thank you for not disappointing me on that note. Now go and sit on the couch with EE and OM and work on those smiles on your faces!
AD, Making sure OM's threats were noted by all will HOPEFULLY keep her psychotic self from acting in the real world the way she threatens too on the blog... if you don't agree... TOUGH. Freedom of speech you self professed "King of the jerks"
To "get your head right punk" is advice you could take yourself... here is a hint LISTEN FOR THE LOUD POP!!!!! It will be the sound your head makes when you pull it out of your derrière.!
Sorry YoB, I too have lost sight of what this blog is about. But like a dog with a ball when thrown- just have to chase, I couldn't let AD's current bullonely go without reminding him of the civil conversation over RR's comment.
I knew at the time it was made it was about gossiping. AD is the one with his mind WAY WAY WAY in the Gutter, must be where he lives.