tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post8162441278901525658..comments2023-11-03T00:46:46.649-07:00Comments on Electric City Weblog: Missed a DonnybrookGeeGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896054313394692210noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-76381966759774273572007-08-24T05:48:00.000-07:002007-08-24T05:48:00.000-07:00Wolfpack misses the point. Stebbins doesn't answe...Wolfpack misses the point. Stebbins doesn't answer ANY question and vehemently shuts downs questioners that touch on subjects that have to do with "show me the money". Money is going out at an alarming rate, can't be traced, isn't clear what it's being used for and being handled like a shell game.<BR/><BR/>The Commissioners, Mayor and City Manager are responsible for being able to answer questions regarding things to do with the city. They refuse to do that. Refuse, being the operative word.<BR/><BR/>The clearest and easiest abuse to track in this mess is the animal shelter bid. Stebbins and Grove sit on the committee which awards the bid. Grove reviewed the bids. The police department submitted a bid. (Lawton has said nothing.) It's all in the city records available on-line.<BR/><BR/>That's conflict of interest, at least. But, this seems a clearly illegal act which is not being confronted. Why hasn't an attorney here in town taken this up and started an investigation, it's obvious that citizens can't do it.<BR/><BR/>A post in another section brings up an interesting point about the shelter, the 30-day extension demanded by Stebbins has expired, so what's the status of the bid? What amount of money is being allocated to run the animal shelter now? How long will it continue?<BR/><BR/>It is just the tip of the iceberg, but I'm sure it's reflecting overall mismanagement, maybe even something worse, and it's not being dealt with.<BR/><BR/>If the city is blatantly manipulating things in such a small, simple area as the shelter, I can only begin to imagine what they are doing on bigger deals such as ECP, SME, etc.<BR/><BR/>NMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-81180696506797724392007-08-23T16:16:00.000-07:002007-08-23T16:16:00.000-07:00I was sitting there and I knew the ROM answer to t...I was sitting there and I knew the ROM answer to the question. I believe it was a clear sign of disrespect NOT to give an answer. Submit it in writing? OK, why are we having these meetings?<BR/><BR/>It's Dona that is playing to the crowd when you get right down to it, not Ed.<BR/><BR/>Shameful and disgusting acting on her part. Here I thought she was a budding actor. Time for a new role.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-57546780060734729682007-08-23T13:39:00.000-07:002007-08-23T13:39:00.000-07:00Geeguy, No doubt she has a general idea of transmi...Geeguy, No doubt she has a general idea of transmission costs but is that good enough for a political opponent fishing for weakness? Advance notice of the questions would have removed justification for any excuses. Unless the goal wasn't to get questions answered, just to set the stage for political theatrics. Nothing wrong with this on the candidate’s part, as you stated it’s been done before. I just can’t dredge up outrage over a budding politician whose playing to the crowd not being given the same tolerance appropriate for an inquisitive citizen.WolfPackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16009306270609164133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-66148934284003582842007-08-23T10:03:00.000-07:002007-08-23T10:03:00.000-07:00Wolfpack, these are public meets correct? The way...Wolfpack, these are public meets correct? <BR/><BR/>The way they are run them is more like a theater complete with a play script. It seems they want us to sit there on our hands with our mouthes shut. Talk up and the users will remove you. I suppose the next thing is they expect is applause at the conclusion of the play or.. er meetings.<BR/><BR/>ShamefulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-40220385431656608802007-08-23T08:44:00.000-07:002007-08-23T08:44:00.000-07:00No, Wolfpack, it is not surprising. The present gr...No, Wolfpack, it is not surprising. The present group of candidates is certainly not the first to do this, nor will they be last.<BR/><BR/>As far as submitting written questions, well, as you probably know from reading this weblog, sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't.<BR/><BR/>As far as McKnight's questions, what troubles me is my firm conviction that his lack of an answer did not result from staff's inability to answer them, but was a simple refusal. Do you <I>really</I> believe that the CEO of our energy utility has <I>no idea</I> what percentage of the costs are transmission costs without referring to her files? Give me a break.GeeGuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13896054313394692210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-54735166125068350472007-08-23T08:32:00.000-07:002007-08-23T08:32:00.000-07:00Is it really surprising that candidates who are us...Is it really surprising that candidates who are using commission meetings as a campaign tool are treated a little adversarial when they are clearly trying to score campaign points? If answers to tough questions were really being sought verses political drama for the crowd wouldn’t a reasonable person have submitted questions in advance? This would have allowed researched and accurate responses instead of rough answers whose inaccuracies would be used later as proof of hypothetical incompetence.WolfPackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16009306270609164133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-44498421072883588222007-08-22T15:17:00.000-07:002007-08-22T15:17:00.000-07:00I received a call from the city stating Ms Balzari...I received a call from the city stating Ms Balzarini will be out of town until Monday. A very friendly assistant said I could e-mail her and she would help.Ed Mcknighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13968045851528194093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-28913453625077273022007-08-22T11:59:00.000-07:002007-08-22T11:59:00.000-07:00Why can't we get any answers? We will after elect...Why can't we get any answers? We will after election day.<BR/><BR/>It will be very interesting indeed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-28854776712574316222007-08-22T11:50:00.000-07:002007-08-22T11:50:00.000-07:00What HASN'T been answered yet:Who received the bid...What HASN'T been answered yet:<BR/><BR/>Who received the bid award for the running of the animal shelter? I believe the 30 days is up and the extension void now.<BR/><BR/>What, exactly, will be the percentage of GF ownership in the electrical debacle? <BR/><BR/>What, exactly, was the 1.4 milllion to SME used for?<BR/><BR/>Why was $400k given to a private non-profit within the past week? If it was given to this entity, why not the Humane Society which was non-profit/private?<BR/><BR/>Why can't a citizen, under the law, obtain copies of documents held by the city? <BR/><BR/>Why do we have police at meetings?<BR/><BR/>What, exactly, is the law/legality upon which the (now) 5-minute speech restriction based?<BR/><BR/>Why was there no public vote on the coal plant?<BR/><BR/>Why are so many items pre-ordained on the 'consent agenda'?<BR/><BR/>Why wouldn't Stebbins consent to participate in the on-line forum?<BR/><BR/>Why can't Lawton give an accurate budget? "Sometimes we're long, sometimes we're short" is not a good financial response.<BR/><BR/>Why are citizens being intimidated, bullied, mocked, removed, arrested and denied participation in the open democratic process of the city?<BR/><BR/>Why can't we get any answers?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-18834789176080644712007-08-22T10:55:00.000-07:002007-08-22T10:55:00.000-07:00Anonymous said: "If it's not answered then it's un...Anonymous said:<BR/><BR/> "If it's not answered then it's unfinished business I say and subject to further public examination."<BR/><BR/><BR/>I would further ask:<BR/><BR/>Why are we paying all those staff members to attend these public meeting if not to be ready to advise and answer questions posed by the Commissioners and the taxpayers at the public podium? These are the folks we pay to know and SHOULD KNOW at least most of these answers. When the city manager does sometimes vaguely respond he makes little or no sense and his comments go unchallenged by the nodding head commissioners.......<BR/><BR/>Also GG, I attend many of these meeting and see very little badgering of the Commissioners going on there (Whitsoe being the one exception) mostly very concerned and intelligent citizens whom seldom if ever receive an answer to there questions and are put off by the Mayor, arrested, threatened, or told to basically shutup. <BR/><BR/>Who do you think is really badgering whom here, when citizens take the time and effort to attempt to participate, in this so called GF mockery of a democratic process?<BR/><BR/>Folks, November is just around the corner and then maybe we can breathe some fresh air into that fish smell eminating from Silly Hall. Now how is that for badgering?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-30073665178216734842007-08-22T10:36:00.000-07:002007-08-22T10:36:00.000-07:00Why have all the count jesters seated on the bleac...Why have all the count jesters seated on the bleachers if they are not prepared to answer even the most basic request?<BR/><BR/>Its comical our citizens with limited access to inside details are able to dig up piles of dirt while those in the know can't respond to a simple "round number" request.<BR/><BR/>And that printed agenda? Why not call it what it really is, "The Record" since everything is rubber stamped.<BR/><BR/>Anybody notice our mayor voted in a family pay increase last night? Item 23 of the consent agenda - a two year agreement for local 260, the painters union. If I recall, the only city painter is Mr. Stebbins. ???<BR/><BR/>PricelessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-49334406014164023842007-08-22T09:11:00.001-07:002007-08-22T09:11:00.001-07:00Citizens have every right to expect answers from p...Citizens have every right to expect answers from public officials in a public forum as we watch on C-Span when tough questions are asked. There are times when some CEO or general before Congress may not have all the data, but actions are taken to provide it quickly to Congress. What really counts is the 'eye to eye' communications that reflects a public official's tone, attitude and sometimes character in regards to public accountability. It is certainly reasonable that a staff member may not have the answers to the question at their 'fingertips', but the point is that the commission also NEEDS to know the answer to the question, and the city staff tasked to answer a citizen's question should send a memo 'cc' to the entire commission to keep<BR/>them advised on how the question was answered. If it's not answered then it's unfinished business I say and subject to further public examination.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-35193918984426316302007-08-22T09:11:00.000-07:002007-08-22T09:11:00.000-07:00No, I am not necessarily saying all three of them ...No, I am not necessarily saying all three of them are all confrontation all the time.<BR/><BR/>But there is no doubt in my mind that there are those among the 'regulars' who have found their 15 minutes of fame, and who take great joy in badgering the City Commission, endlessly, mindlessly, and to little effect.GeeGuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13896054313394692210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-59999113364058508412007-08-22T09:05:00.000-07:002007-08-22T09:05:00.000-07:00Overfield, Lewin, McKnight...are you really saying...Overfield, Lewin, McKnight...are you really saying they are all confrontational, or are they merely asking tough questions which will garner answers that may cause serious disclosure that can result in legal action against elected officials?<BR/><BR/>There is a pattern to this behavior, but it's all negative and on the side of the city.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11068216.post-84119143877279677752007-08-22T08:32:00.000-07:002007-08-22T08:32:00.000-07:00Last night Stebbins marginalized herself in the mo...Last night Stebbins marginalized herself in the most unprofessional manner I have ever witnessed. Well, I've also witnessed her similar actions in prior meetings.<BR/><BR/>High school debates are run by 16 year olds is a more professional manner. Somebody needs to inform Ms. Stebbins that she is not the queen of Great Falls.<BR/><BR/>There is a very disturbing pattern here. Is it lack of ethics, wayward ego, insecurity, or is the mental stability of our mayor at fault? Loss of control, shouting at the speaker and calling for Police because someone asks a tough question? <BR/><BR/>This does not portray a positive image on our city and makes us the laughing stock of Montana. If this is how they handle the public during a meeting, how in the heck are the going to handle a real crisis?<BR/><BR/>We can only bleed so much before death slips in. The election is the trauma center and we need three new pints of blood.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com