Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Still Think It Can't Get Worse?

Disclaimer:  everything contained in this blog is MY OPINION.  Every attempt is made to present the truth through actual facts or to identify statements which are in doubt:  otherwise there will be no deliberate presentation of gossip, rumor, or innuendo which can't be proven as factual.

Well, what a surprise.  Not!
Sue Howell's resignation  was predictable even before she was elected,  and  I think it was irresponsible in the extreme because if she had withdrawn before the election, there was a viable candidate ready to run.
The resignation appears to stick us with the same old, same old, so far as the city commission goes:  lies, mindless loyalties, faulty reasoning, opposition to the public just for the sake of opposition,  etc. ad infinitum.
Because of Ms. Howell's resignation, we're back to square one, literally.  Her reasons for the resignation existed before she ran for office.  So why did she run?
Only Pam Ward stands against the opposition of Warner, DeLizio, and Scott, with the recall election delayed until May.  Ms. Scott can save herself from the disgrace and humiliation of possible defeat by resigning at the last minute before the election, thus avoiding for herself what the commission needlessly put Johnny Morris through.
In the meantime, There She Is.........for at least another 8 months.
So there's a 3-1  imbalance in which Warner, DeLizio, and Scott can appoint one of their flunkies to fill out Howell's term of office. Here we go again-and I, for one, am really, really tired of it.
I may have had  some respect personally, professionally, and/or politically for those people at one time;  I do not have it now.

Anita Huguelet McMurtrie

Friday, August 22, 2014

One Way or Another, It'll Cost Us.



Disclaimer:  everything contained in this blog is MY OPINION.  Every attempt is made to present the truth through actual facts or to identify statements which are in doubt; otherwise there will be no deliberate presentation of gossip, rumor, or innuendo which can't be proven as factual


There appear to be plans afoot to tear down the old First Ward building.
The fate of that building is typical of Electra:  when something is deemed to be 'old-fashioned,' make no attempt to find alternate uses;  ignore the waste, and walk off and leave it to rot.
That has happened to so many of our historic buildings.
Worse still, in the late 1980s school records of students dating back to at least the 1930s were stacked and piled in the old fifth grade classroom. I found mine from the '40s and asked for them, and was refused.
What was the point of that?  Where are those records now?
At one time there was an attempt made to turn the building into a museum. Many people donated historic mementoes thinking they would be preserved for posterity. The last time I saw them, they were in the old second grade classroom and still in good shape.
However, back then, (25 years ago) the beautiful hardwood floors hadn't warped up and splintered, nor were the windows broken out, and fragile things could be safely housed there. No one seems to know where these relics are now or what's happened to them;  another loss of a piece of the town's heritage.
The condition of that building is a continuing disgrace, particularly when, if the rest of us have broken windows or junky yards, we are apt to get a notice from Codes Enforcement.  How come the school district has  managed to escape that?
Now that the building has been neglected to death, it's probably time to demolish it.
So here's a question or two.
Since authorities in Electra adamantly refuse to consider architectural  recovery, are the bricks going to be sold at a ridiculously low price? Or maybe just thrown out along with everything else in the building?
I mean, there's enough old bricks in First Ward that if they're sold at the going rate, the school district would have enough money that they could buy more houses for school officials without having to spend our tax money for them.
Where will administration have its offices?
Well, we probably already know the answer to that, and it's going to cost us.
Where will the garages for the school buses be?
No doubt that will also cost us.
What will happen to the property?
Most likely the neglect will continue and we'll have a breeding ground for snakes, spiders, and rats and a dandy place for kids to hide and smoke weed-and it'll cost us.

Anita Huguelet McMurtrie


Friday, August 15, 2014

Sneaky Pete?

Disclaimer:  everything contained in this blog is MY OPINION.  Every attempt is made to present the truth through actual facts or to identify statements which are in doubt; otherwise there will be no deliberate presentation of gossip, rumor, or innuendo which can't be proven as factual.

It seems that a certain member of the city commission has chosen to abandon propriety and adopt a rather patronizing attitude toward one of Electra's citizens in public before and during city meetings, especially with reference to the latest petition..
"You'd better think about what you're doing," he told her.  Is that some sort of thinly veiled threat? Who the hell do you think you are?
This lady isn't a child to be corrected or chastised or embarrassed in a public place.  Nor should it be implied that she is incapable of sensible actions simply because they don't meet with your approval.  Bear in mind that she's an adult, easily your equal if not your superior on many levels, and is quite able to think for herself without your suggesting that she can't.   The fact that you did is insulting.
Personal comments made by a city officer in an official public setting are inappropriate at best, illegal at worst.  This unfortunate trend began when the former city attorney Paul Hayers became ill and the city commission went out of control.
Which brings us to a city commissioner wanting a sneak peek completely out of context, at the signatures on this petition.
Why?
Maybe to make some inappropriate phone calls?
Does the answer lie in the recent  past, when 'important'  facts became  "unnecessary"  which is costing us the city park?
Or where a 'user fee' became  "rent" at the medical complex?
Or when 'propaganda'  became  "information" at the senior citizens center?
Perhaps  this time 'intimidation' will hide behind the word "persuasion?"
Maybe we, the voters, ought to think about what you are doing,

Anita Huguelet McMurtrie

Friday, August 8, 2014

FORE!

Disclaimer:  everything contained in this blog is MY OPINION.  Every attempt is made to present the truth through actual facts or to identify statements which are in doubt;  otherwise there will be no deliberate presentation of gossip, rumor, or innuendo which can't be proven as factual.

Respect and common courtesy seem to be missing most everywhere,  However, although I stopped playing golf many years ago-a combination of some bad injuries and the fact that I'd rather watch paint dry-the golf course was the one place where people could be counted on to behave with courtesy and consideration of others.
Or so I imagined.  Unfortunately, that seems to be vanishing as well, as I have observed a golfer and his kid repeatedly knocking practise balls all over the place while other people were actually trying to play, ignoring their protests-and common courtesy in the bargain, not to mention the danger aspect.  The golfer in particular must know better, but is probably doing it because he can.
Way to go!  Great example of total disrespect for other people to set before your kid, kemo sabe.


Anita Huguelet McMurtrie

Friday, August 1, 2014

Vaya Con Dios

Disclaimer:  everything contained in this blog is MY OPINION. Every attempt is made to present the truth through actual facts or to identify statements which are in doubt; otherwise there will be no deliberate presentation of gossip, rumor, or innuendo which can't be proven as factual.

Sarah Totten died this morning.  She was one of the old mannered, genteel, civic-minded, and genuinely humane people of the last generation.  There are few left like her anywhere.
In short, she was a real lady.

Anita Huguelet McMurtrie



Talk About Stacking the Deck!

Disclaimer:  everything contained in this blog is MY OPINION.  Every attempt is made to present the truth through actual facts or to identify statements which are in doubt; otherwise, there will be no deliberate presentation of gossip, rumor, or innuendo which can't be proven as factual.

Take a good look at the city commission's recent committee appointments.  Then take a look at the appointees' politics, age,  and family connections.  It appears that no consideration whatsoever has been given to any new appointee who has opposed the commission or who is even neutral.  Is there one new appointee over the age of about 50 or more?  To whom are the new people related?
And so it goes.  Half the commission plus the mayor  (and their associates in education  and health) are assured that the committees will always be in agreement with them.
If you will look at the trend taking place in Electra, you will see that although the town never shied away from using anyone with education, experience, and ability in the past, over about the last 15 years or so those three things appear to have no importance to the authorities. It's all about jealousy, power, and control:  not about the ability of people who actually have the know-how and connections to really be able to help.
In addition to having an adversarial attitude toward the townspeople, an enormous age prejudice, and a constant flirtation with nepotism, the commission has lost out on countless benefits because they've put their politics over the welfare of the town.
Beware the future commission appointee if Commissioner Scott is overthrown in November.  I understand that's also a "done deal."

Anita Huguelet McMurtrie