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.
Calvin Davis is an excellent gardener and landscape expert, with lots of experience.
Cemeteries should be beautiful to show respect for those who are buried there. They should be calm and orderly to comfort those who mourn and to assure them that the people who have gone before aren't forgotten.
Electra's cemetery has reverted to a weedy wilderness, as usual. The neglect is awful and has been for years. It's a city cemetery, and those at city hall who are responsible for its condition ought to be ashamed of themselves.
But they're not, of course. They seem to be quite happy to harass private owners about their property's appearance, and to punish them with codes violations and threats of fines if they don't comply.
However, they simply ignore their own messy eyesore right at the crossroads of two main highways.
How hypocritical can you get? (Very)
What must travelers think? (Probably "don't stop here")
If the city were fined for all the years codes have been violated at the cemetery there would be enough money to completely professionally landscape the place.
But wait! Now it seems there's a new project in which the city has offloaded its responsibility for the cemetery onto yet another city committee (anyone know how many of those there are now?).
The committee solicited specific 'donations'-one of my pet bugaboos-of $90 to buy a brick for a wall in one corner. I'm told the wall is supposed to improve the cemetery's appearance and this will make people want to donate.
While I applaud their desire to get the cemetery in decent shape, I don't pretend to understand how a short wall will accomplish that when the need for grounds cleanup is so obviously urgent.
I would like to know: is this wall money going into the city's General Fund where it can be used for anything, not necessarily the cemetery?
Is the the city is going to hire a full time groundskeeper so that weeds and trash won't quickly pile up and obscure the wall?
Is there any assurance that this won't become a begging money pit like the Grand Theatre?
Set up a totally separate bank account from which the city can't 'borrow.' Push through an agenda item to allocate a specific yearly amount for cemetery upkeep. Add another agenda item creating a permanent committee to administer all cemetery funds independent of the city. Hire a groundskeeper and check on him often enough to make sure he's doing the job. Encourage endowment in addition to 'donations.'
Get. A. Grant. Or several. They're available for cemeteries from different sources which aren't often tapped.
10. Who spends thousands and thousands on cosmetic paint up, fix up while the infrastructure continues to sag?
Anita Huguelet McMurtrie
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Retaliation or not?
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.
I've heard a rumor to the effect that only one doctor reviews the day clinic medical reports. Surely this isn't true. It would be unfair, both to the other doctor and to his patients. This needs to be squashed.
My family and I have supported the various medical organizations here since the 1930s. Recently and with utmost reluctance, I made my very first official complaint to the hospital when a situation became intolerable.
It is well known that I deplore medical personnel's heavy, on-site involvement in politics. It is out of place and inappropriate. I have never allowed my politics to interfere with personal, religious, or professional relationships. I don't expect most other people to be capable of that separation, but I do expect the management of the various organizations to exercise some ethical control over their employees' extra-curricular activities while on the job, This includes not only the medical complex, but the school district, and various churches.
In September, shortly after I made my complaint at the medical complex, after decades of every-six-months checkups, my doctor effectively dismissed me.
Possibly this is the result of Obamacare, which went into effect in January, but it's a suspicious coincidence coming so immediately on the heels of my complaint in August..
I realize Obamacare is severely restricting healthcare for older people, and if an organization isn't capable or willing to obtain waivers, care can be disapproved and unpaid. Coincidentally, none of my other health care providers seem to have a problem with my age.
So here's the question: is it going to be the medical complex's policy to dismiss all patients over a certain age, or am I just special?
9. Who is so proud of the fact that he doesn't cooperate with the local newspaper that he has the gall to brag about it?
Anita Huguelet McMurtrie
I've heard a rumor to the effect that only one doctor reviews the day clinic medical reports. Surely this isn't true. It would be unfair, both to the other doctor and to his patients. This needs to be squashed.
My family and I have supported the various medical organizations here since the 1930s. Recently and with utmost reluctance, I made my very first official complaint to the hospital when a situation became intolerable.
It is well known that I deplore medical personnel's heavy, on-site involvement in politics. It is out of place and inappropriate. I have never allowed my politics to interfere with personal, religious, or professional relationships. I don't expect most other people to be capable of that separation, but I do expect the management of the various organizations to exercise some ethical control over their employees' extra-curricular activities while on the job, This includes not only the medical complex, but the school district, and various churches.
In September, shortly after I made my complaint at the medical complex, after decades of every-six-months checkups, my doctor effectively dismissed me.
Possibly this is the result of Obamacare, which went into effect in January, but it's a suspicious coincidence coming so immediately on the heels of my complaint in August..
I realize Obamacare is severely restricting healthcare for older people, and if an organization isn't capable or willing to obtain waivers, care can be disapproved and unpaid. Coincidentally, none of my other health care providers seem to have a problem with my age.
So here's the question: is it going to be the medical complex's policy to dismiss all patients over a certain age, or am I just special?
9. Who is so proud of the fact that he doesn't cooperate with the local newspaper that he has the gall to brag about it?
Anita Huguelet McMurtrie
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Good Luck
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.
Please take note of the fact that I have said, quite clearly, that this is a 'story.' That means it's a rumor and so far as I know, not exactly factual. If anyone actually knows the truth, please let me know.
I'm told that there's a proposal for the town to buy the grocery store for $300,000. The story goes that $100,000 is to be put up by 4B (although the board hasn't met), $100,000 from an anonymous donor (oh, really-anonymous, huh?), and the plan is for 20 other people to 'invest' $5,000 apiece to make up the difference (there's 20 people in Electra with $5,000 to throw away?)
Who thinks up this stuff?
Who would the owner of record be with all these different 'investors?'
Presumably the $300,000 doesn't include replacing defective coolers, cleaning and sanitizing the vegetable, fruit, and meat areas to health department specifications, restocking the shelves, or asphalting the parking lot.
That's additional BIG BUCKS.
At one time an out-of-town store proposed that Electrans give them their grocery lists to fill and they'd send a truck over here once a week with supplies; that sank like a rock, mainly because their attempts at marketing the idea were torpedoed. But it was a good idea.
I hope there's some way for Electra to maintain a grocery store. It was hard on people who couldn't afford to go out of town for their grocery shopping in the years when the store was closed after Paul's Market ended and the present store opened. Doesn't quite look like the latest story is the way.
However, here's an idea: the people who were so gung-ho and think the town will sustain its population long enough to make the $11,000,000+ school worthwhile (do they really?) must surely have $5,000 to play with. Hit them up.
Anita Huguelet McMurtrie
Please take note of the fact that I have said, quite clearly, that this is a 'story.' That means it's a rumor and so far as I know, not exactly factual. If anyone actually knows the truth, please let me know.
I'm told that there's a proposal for the town to buy the grocery store for $300,000. The story goes that $100,000 is to be put up by 4B (although the board hasn't met), $100,000 from an anonymous donor (oh, really-anonymous, huh?), and the plan is for 20 other people to 'invest' $5,000 apiece to make up the difference (there's 20 people in Electra with $5,000 to throw away?)
Who thinks up this stuff?
Who would the owner of record be with all these different 'investors?'
Presumably the $300,000 doesn't include replacing defective coolers, cleaning and sanitizing the vegetable, fruit, and meat areas to health department specifications, restocking the shelves, or asphalting the parking lot.
That's additional BIG BUCKS.
At one time an out-of-town store proposed that Electrans give them their grocery lists to fill and they'd send a truck over here once a week with supplies; that sank like a rock, mainly because their attempts at marketing the idea were torpedoed. But it was a good idea.
I hope there's some way for Electra to maintain a grocery store. It was hard on people who couldn't afford to go out of town for their grocery shopping in the years when the store was closed after Paul's Market ended and the present store opened. Doesn't quite look like the latest story is the way.
However, here's an idea: the people who were so gung-ho and think the town will sustain its population long enough to make the $11,000,000+ school worthwhile (do they really?) must surely have $5,000 to play with. Hit them up.
Anita Huguelet McMurtrie
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Drying Up and Blowing Away
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.
If Electra's average income is so low the school kids qualify for free breakfast and lunch, then how is it that we can afford $11,000,000+ for a new school? Hm?
The grocery store is closing before the end of this month. I'm told it's for sale at $350,000 as is.
The nice little BBQ place that was on the corner of Highway 25 and West Cleveland that we all enjoyed so much, intended to put in a more permanent building, and would be open several days a week on a regular schedule. I hear, but can't verify, that after they bought the small ATM building to convert to serve food, city hall gave them so much static they gave up and went back to Vernon.
Electra is fixing to be faced with a lot of emptiness: Dinsmore, First Ward, Citibank, Cameron, the BBQ corner, and now the grocery store.
In addition to that, Dollar General, which formerly leased all their properties, is now building stores, and they build them out on the main highways. I don't know of any plans for Dollar General to build here, but if they do they'll very likely go out north on the superslab, which could mean yet another empty building in the downtown area.
It remains to be seen what Pilgrim Bank will do with State National. Rumor has had State National teetering on the brink of closing this branch for years; this time, it might come to pass.
If city hall follows through with plans to decamp to Dinsmore, there will be little left of downtown.
Each closure takes away a portion of the tax base, which puts the town's considerable indebtedness onto those who remain.
This was a great little town to grow up in, and remained so for many years. The people in charge of what's left appear to be determined to cut off the town's nose to spite its face. They don't pay for it: WE do.
8. Who has lumbered us with gigantic debt?
Anita Huguelet McMurtrie
If Electra's average income is so low the school kids qualify for free breakfast and lunch, then how is it that we can afford $11,000,000+ for a new school? Hm?
The grocery store is closing before the end of this month. I'm told it's for sale at $350,000 as is.
The nice little BBQ place that was on the corner of Highway 25 and West Cleveland that we all enjoyed so much, intended to put in a more permanent building, and would be open several days a week on a regular schedule. I hear, but can't verify, that after they bought the small ATM building to convert to serve food, city hall gave them so much static they gave up and went back to Vernon.
Electra is fixing to be faced with a lot of emptiness: Dinsmore, First Ward, Citibank, Cameron, the BBQ corner, and now the grocery store.
In addition to that, Dollar General, which formerly leased all their properties, is now building stores, and they build them out on the main highways. I don't know of any plans for Dollar General to build here, but if they do they'll very likely go out north on the superslab, which could mean yet another empty building in the downtown area.
It remains to be seen what Pilgrim Bank will do with State National. Rumor has had State National teetering on the brink of closing this branch for years; this time, it might come to pass.
If city hall follows through with plans to decamp to Dinsmore, there will be little left of downtown.
Each closure takes away a portion of the tax base, which puts the town's considerable indebtedness onto those who remain.
This was a great little town to grow up in, and remained so for many years. The people in charge of what's left appear to be determined to cut off the town's nose to spite its face. They don't pay for it: WE do.
8. Who has lumbered us with gigantic debt?
Anita Huguelet McMurtrie
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Waste, Wicked Waste.
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.
Thanks to the Electra PD for doing drive-by checks during my family's recent absence. (No, this doesn't mean I approve of Johnny Morris's and the entire former police department's ugly and unlawful treatment at the hands of city authorities, or that I agree with the current situation. It means that I give credit where credit is due.)
I just returned from a small city which is doing a Green Project. By sorry comparison, Electra at sunset with its deserted streets and empty buildings and neglected houses, and knowing that nothing practical is being done with them is both sad and disgusting.
When I returned to Electra about sixteen years ago, I had been successfully writing grants and doing green projects for a number of years. I had a lot of knowledge and contacts that were useful in several fields.
Foolishly, I imagined that this expertise would be welcomed here,
Let me interject here and now that I rarely wrote letters to the editor for the first five years after my return, so if you're looking for something to blame, that ain't it.
I went to the city administrator and the mayor and the city attorney with ideas for architectural reclamation here. There's a whoopy gob of money in that if it's done right and Electra was a prime candidate for it.
They would not even listen. Their response was what I've come to think of as 'same song, second verse:' with no apparent knowledge of what architectural reclamation actually was, they simply said, "it won't work." The first verse of that song is, "it won't do any good."
How did they know it wouldn't when they'd never even heard of it? What would they have lost by giving it a try? They refused to give it the least consideration-something for which Electra has become infamous: rejecting projects and ideas out of hand.
Why? Do they feel their power and control is so threatened that they have to shoot down anything that doesn't originate with them? Are they afraid someone besides them will get credit and maybe have their pictures in the newspaper? Could it be they're just flat jealous? Or too damn lazy?
There have been and still are, people in the town who have the knowledge, experience, and contacts to make a positive difference, Most have simply taken their considerable talents elsewhere. I'm one of them.
In the past sixteen years, there have been at least a couple of dozen people probably more experienced and knowledgeable than I am who offered to help Electra, and they've either been insulted, ignored, or had their ideas kyped. They won't do it again.
The authorities in this town need an attitude adjustment in the worst way.
Think about it.
7. Who, when he/she gets caught out, apologizes and then turns right around and does it again?
Anita Huguelet McMurtrie
.
Thanks to the Electra PD for doing drive-by checks during my family's recent absence. (No, this doesn't mean I approve of Johnny Morris's and the entire former police department's ugly and unlawful treatment at the hands of city authorities, or that I agree with the current situation. It means that I give credit where credit is due.)
I just returned from a small city which is doing a Green Project. By sorry comparison, Electra at sunset with its deserted streets and empty buildings and neglected houses, and knowing that nothing practical is being done with them is both sad and disgusting.
When I returned to Electra about sixteen years ago, I had been successfully writing grants and doing green projects for a number of years. I had a lot of knowledge and contacts that were useful in several fields.
Foolishly, I imagined that this expertise would be welcomed here,
Let me interject here and now that I rarely wrote letters to the editor for the first five years after my return, so if you're looking for something to blame, that ain't it.
I went to the city administrator and the mayor and the city attorney with ideas for architectural reclamation here. There's a whoopy gob of money in that if it's done right and Electra was a prime candidate for it.
They would not even listen. Their response was what I've come to think of as 'same song, second verse:' with no apparent knowledge of what architectural reclamation actually was, they simply said, "it won't work." The first verse of that song is, "it won't do any good."
How did they know it wouldn't when they'd never even heard of it? What would they have lost by giving it a try? They refused to give it the least consideration-something for which Electra has become infamous: rejecting projects and ideas out of hand.
Why? Do they feel their power and control is so threatened that they have to shoot down anything that doesn't originate with them? Are they afraid someone besides them will get credit and maybe have their pictures in the newspaper? Could it be they're just flat jealous? Or too damn lazy?
There have been and still are, people in the town who have the knowledge, experience, and contacts to make a positive difference, Most have simply taken their considerable talents elsewhere. I'm one of them.
In the past sixteen years, there have been at least a couple of dozen people probably more experienced and knowledgeable than I am who offered to help Electra, and they've either been insulted, ignored, or had their ideas kyped. They won't do it again.
The authorities in this town need an attitude adjustment in the worst way.
Think about it.
7. Who, when he/she gets caught out, apologizes and then turns right around and does it again?
Anita Huguelet McMurtrie
.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
"There'snothingwrong-There'snothingwrong-There'snothingwrong-"
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.
Woo! Woo! Symbolic negativity!
6. Who pushed and shoved and 'persuaded' in favor of the destruction of City Park by the school district without even looking for alternatives?
Woo! Woo! Symbolic negativity!
*Allegory-the moral expression of truths about the human existence through symbolic figures and action.
Many years ago, I was flying across the tidal swamps of West Africa when the plane's co-pilot came rushing down the aisle toward the tail of the plane saying as he went, "There'snothingwrong-There'snothingwrong-There'snothingwrong-"
Right. So that's why we pancaked on the jungle canopy a few hundred feet above the forest floor.
Actually since the plane was one fondly called The Goose, and the pilot was a retired RAF veteran, we could probably have flown upside down through the Holland Tunnel without incident. Which may account for our safe, if precariously located landing.
We were in more danger of falling as we climbed down or being bitten by one of the extremely venomous and highly territorial tree snakes than we were of being injured in the crash.
We arrived on the swampy forest floor, cut and bruised from the descent and then had to face getting out to civilization. Being rescued by natives in certain parts of Africa can be fraught, because there's a law which says the person who does the rescue is responsible for payment for medical care, and, should the rescue-ee die, the rescue-er can be charged with murder. Therefore, there's not a lot of rescuing going on there.
I know, wonky law, but they don't have a Good Samaritan provision like we do.
So we walked, waded, stumbled for hours through the tidal mangrove swamp, getting our feet cut on the oysters that clung to the mangrove roots, thinking everything slimy in the murky water was a croc, imagining each hanging vine was a python, until natives found us. Of course, we had been going the wrong way, toward the sea instead of inland, but that was actually all to the good because had we been headed inland, we might never have been found. Our rescuers were good enough to bring us out; and we saw to it that they were very well rewarded for their willingness to dare the law.
See? Now isn't that a lot more fun to read than the yuppy version of 'negativity?'
See? Now isn't that a lot more fun to read than the yuppy version of 'negativity?'
*And the moral of this tale is: which ones of our local officials and their pep squads, when faced with the possibility of a crash, go around saying, "There'snothingwrong-There'snothingwrong-There'snothingwrong-?"
6. Who pushed and shoved and 'persuaded' in favor of the destruction of City Park by the school district without even looking for alternatives?
Anita Huguelet McMurtrie
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