Since the moment taxpayers began receiving out of control property assessments which did not bode well for the taxpayers of Muncie and Delaware County ( actually, this was a statewide issue ), the voices of the people soon became faces familiar to each other and to the Muncie City Council, as well as the Delaware County Commissioners. Not that those faces meant anything more than names and numbers in a poll book. When small groups of concerned citizens bonded and banded together, their voices became one and they became impossible to silence. Although God knows They tried.
Before anyone jumps for joy over a few progressive steps forward, let us stop for one moment and remember there is still more to do and also to reflect what has been done to those who worked so hard to help bring about " change. " Their work, their dedication and their sense of community was never in question, but they have been hounded, stalked, hassled and slandered...for starters. That's called " Politics in Muncie, Indiana. "
Oh, its' dark history goes back many years, which is one reason finding good people for the right jobs can be difficult. Very few people can withstand an onslaught of unwarranted personal attacks and, at times, the physical threats. You see, Muncie is a very small pond, but alot of people have made a good living swallowing up the small fish. Visit an aquarium - the resemblance is striking. Even down to the feeders who swim alongside and sometime attached to the sharks who circle their prey, feeding off the leavings. We have those too.
Muncie, Indiana is indeed A City In Transition.
We are making yet another change in how we live, how and where we work and how we think. Those who are not afraid to think ahead - to find a vision for this city and to work toward it, rather than to stay mired in a past which has, in all truth, been very good for a chosen few, but has been the root cause of stagnation which threatens our future for the majority.
Tonight, we again go before the City Council and County Commissioners and fight the same fights. I can only assume they are sick of us, because quite frankly, we are sick of them - although the reasoning is completely different and non-negotiable. Ordinary people who put their names, reputations and, sometimes, their livelihoods at risk for something some people will deny exists - The Greater Good. We go before Them because we must. Truthfully, it's not a pleasure, because one can hear the same lies only for so long before you want to scream. On Their side of the table, I am sure they are afraid someone might actually " hear " what we are saying and start asking questions, too.
Who are these people we face ? Most of them, I can easily say, are " sell -outs. "
Sell - outs who will sell us down the river for a another term in office or much needed favors from The Powers That Be who sit behind closed doors and with one sneer or mumbled word pound another nail into the coffins of the lives of Muncie and Delaware County residents who have no other option but to stay in their homes for as long as they can and hope for better days.
It's all been remarkably easy.
One example. Over two years ago, many of us started looking at the financial tornado about to hit us and we began hearing the words " LOIT " and " it's a win - win situation. " Not once did we hear sound a hint of sound financial management or changing the way our city / county could be better managed. No, instead a very orchestrated and carefully choreographed war was created in order to cast doubts and hatred on a local group who was calling for responsible and responsive government, simply by telling The People that a particular was anti-MFD, which was then and is now, a contemptible lie. It was their version of screaming " fire ! " in a crowded thater amd it did backfire. Not before every trick in the book was played. I should know - They even tried to influence my family to shut me up or to at least alienate them from me. It didn't work.
So, tonight...we ride again. There are other things I would like to do, but there is nothing else as important as this night. Oh, one other thing, for those who did try to use my family, I will not deal with you tonight, but the time will come and it will be when and where I choose and it will hurt - maybe not physically, but I will inflict major pain and it will last a long time. Count on it.
This would be Ruth Ann King Kursman...you owe me big - time for EVER saying I cannot keep a secret. So, as penance, you shall telephone everyone we know and say " My Older Sister ( that would be me, Deborah King - Eichholz ) CAN keep a secret, " while balancing on one leg and twirling a baton.
Also, when you DO arrive, which is so NOT a secret, you will promise to NOT bitch about my driving and will admit to being the worst possible backseat driver since Mother.
To those reading this...pictured below is the culprit / Baby Sistah, who was, I must admit, the best administrator the city of Orlando ever had and who does make a kick-ass casserole. Wait...you must also make that casserole while in town, as well. Ha !
The King Sisters...the duo voted Most Likely To Have A House Dropped On Them.
A great deal has been posted on another LOIT thread, in the Muncie, Indiana Muncie StarPress, much of it off topic. I consider this to be a topical thread and extremely valuable. I will not speak of what offends me, because no one cares ( other than myself ) and it serves no purpose. Hell, I often offend myself, but it's all genetic.
LOIT was whispered silently in the background when the truth was not yet in the publics' consciousness...that we ( along with many other cities and towns ) were facing a financial shortfall and real change, not a campaign slogan, would become a necessity and it would " hurt. "
As swift as tortoises, the Muncie City Council sloughed this off. I cannot help but think this was a God-send to them. OK, so they would be " forced " to enact yet another tax on an under-employed and unemployed populace, that their actions might dun people who do not live in Muncie to pay for their lack of preparedness and that somehow, someway, the blame for the LOIT could be laid at someone elses' doorstep. A perfect " win-win. " They come off heroic, political favors are paid off and some will become debts to be paid and all's well in Hometown, USA.
Not so fast...one Finance Committee meeting in 18 months doesn't scream " I feel your pain. " Especially when a member of that Committee was not asked to attend, nor was notified. One ultra secret meeting between two CC members and the head of a local union doesn't scream " You can trust me. "
Not so fast...
All of us want our city to prosper again and to be safe.
You know, as in how we all thought we were safe for a couple decades while the CC allowed the MFD equipment, rolling stock and stations to deteriorate. If our firefighters weren't safe, how safe were we ? Even more puzzling, why didn't the union raise H about this ? Why didn't the CC, who has had an MFD -er on the dais say or do something ?
We have nine individuals on the CC, but you can bet your butt very few of them keep in touch with their constituency, much less act on their behalf. Linda Gregory is one and Brad Polk is the other.
When you expect us to tighten our belts and manage our homes, our medical bills and whatever else comes flying at us, you drag your sorry butts to CC and tell us " We will get more from you. " Well, you know what, we are done. Done listening to your BS and rhetoric. For decades, this town has been run like Dodge City and we have had enough.
This city can get by on less and be just as effective as it ever was, considering we has fire trucks breaking down en route to calls or neighborhoods better suited to Detroit or Compton or a plethora of patronage jobs in city and county government.
When we think about getting more bang for our buck, I think our definition of that phrase is much different than yours. Don't bother sending the fire trucks to handle the afterglow - because there is none. But, alot of us are sure as Hell burned up and burnt out on what passes for City and County government.
If this budget is acceptable and meets the constraints of the projected financial shortfall and this city can be managed without enacting LOIT, we should be looking forward to celebrating. This is a step forward in a new Muncie. We've already seen some progress made under the McShurley adminstration, such as PCR supporting itself and even coming it with a profit for the first time in how many decades. The HUD mess Mayor Mac dealt with immediately after taking office. There have been mis-steps, to be sure, but we are possibly on track to re-inventing Muncie. When Brevini powers up and 400 + jobs are filled, hopefully people will see that we can bring in a better Muncie. I also hope the Mayor and the City Council will enter a new era of working together, rather than working against each other - that would be great news for all of us. The end of manufacturing plants in Muncie doesn't mean the end of Muncie. Now, we dig in and fight for progress and prosperity.
Kudos City Council. Kudos to the City Council Finance Committee for trekking into the treacherous turf of fiscal responsibility. Thank you for holding preliminary budget meetings, and thanks to the City Controller and to each of the department heads who have worked diligently to reduce their budgets.
It has given me hope to witness City Council oversight of the efforts of the controller and department heads to adapt to our current fiscal situation, and my optimism was bolstered when City Council president Allison Quirk recently expressed optimism that we should be able to make the budget cuts necessary to handle our budget shortfall.
This past Monday, it was noted that the police department staffing has been reduced to 98 officers and the fire department staffing has been reduced to 78 officers per the layoffs mandated by the mayor. With cost reductions driven by the 2009 layoffs, and other cost savings, the combined Police and Fire budgets for 2010 have been reduced by more than $3 million, with no additional layoffs anticipated.
Based upon the success of the ongoing budget reduction efforts, I respectfully ask City Council president Allison Quirk to withdraw the Local Option Income tax resolution that she introduced. The citizens of Delaware County cannot afford more taxes, and we cannot attract new business by raising taxes.
It is a new day. Muncie and Delaware County must learn to live within their means. It will require persistence and sacrifice, but it can be done, and it can be done without enacting Local Option Income Taxes.
Opportunity Costs.
At the recent Finance Committee Budget Hearing, Committee member Mary Jo Barton quizzed the Mayor on the cost of her upcoming trip to Japan with Todd Donati, Terry Murphy and a translator. Mary Jo made it clear that she opposes spending money to travel to Japan during the current budget shortfall.
Mary Jo’s heart may be in the right place, but I wonder if she would feel the same if the mayor was travelling to Italy, since Brevini recently announced it will build a wind turbine plant near Interstate 69 in far western Delaware County that will create 450 new jobs that could pay an average of $46,000 a year.
It is said that the opportunity cost of one use of an asset, is the cost of passing up the next best choice when making a decision. I applaud the efforts made by those involved in attracting Brevini to Delaware County. I acknowledge that there was an opportunity cost to those efforts, but I shudder at the opportunity cost to Muncie and Delaware County, if those extra efforts had not been made.
We must aggressively pursue new employment opportunities for our citizens, and Japan is an excellent place to look for investors willing to create those jobs. We do not know if the Mayor’s trip to Japan will secure new jobs for Muncie and Delaware County, but when and if it does we can ponder the opportunity cost to Muncie and Delaware County if the Mayor had not done so.
Stop, Look, and Listen
Stop, Look and Listen before you cross the street.
First you use your eyes and ears and then you use your feet.
The red light always says to "STOP", the green tells you to "GO"!
The yellow light means "CAREFUL" ~ important things to know!
Stop, Look, and Listen. Congress seems stymied by a simple concept that small children understand.
Stop: Children should not walk headlong into a busy street without following some simple rules; Congress should not plunge head first into “change” for the sake of change without exercising a similar amount of due diligence beforehand.
Look: Please take time to READ that 1,000 page “kludge monster” before you vote on it. Don’t vote for a bill until you have read it in full and understand, and don’t vote for a bill with a couple hundred new pages added at the last minute after the last time you studied it.
Listen: Listen to your constituents. Don’t assume that everyone who is against that behemoth bill, is a Neanderthal, a racist, a brown shirt, or funded by right-wing shadow groups shilling for the insurance industry as some would have you believe. Many of the fearful citizens speaking out at town halls are average citizens who are concerned that the “change” we were promised, has become a careless cacophony of squandered cash careening out of control with little concern for future consequences.
Our heath care system does need reform, but please stop, look, and listen before you damage it beyond repair
A few years ago, it never would have crossed my mind that I might be leaving my comfort zone to work for, and with, my community. The truth is, I left that behind a long time ago, when it became easier to write a check or something along those lines. For one thing, alot had changed. I certainly was older, working, physically challenged and the family issues had become more significant and pressing. Besides, I " knew " my city...the people seemed lethargic and had adapted to the status quo. By saying " adapted, " I mean they had grown weary of trying to fight the good fight, that it was easier to turn ones' eyes away from the problems facing their community, as their voices had long been swallowed up in a sea of corruption and self-serving politics.
Along this walk, I found people I might never had met otherwise. People who came into my life as co-workers, of a sort and then we became friends. There were no barriers, even as we found each other to be uniquely different, but yet united in the desire to help our City and County help itself. That should not be confused with helping itself to whatever we have left to give.
There were Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, Protestants, Catholics, Athiests, Women, Men, Married, Single, College Educated, High School Diplomas...a little bit of everything. As a whole, one could say it is a diverse gang of local people who were opening their eyes to see beyond the limited horizon we sometimes build for ourselves , or allowed to be defined for us. As we moved in uncharted waters, we began to recognize and appreciate the different personalities amongst us.
This is what I want to write about. Not the reasons we came together, but the people who have withstood the harsh glare of public scrutiny and personal attacks, designed to impact our lives in the most profoundly negative ways possible. All because this group of people have challenged our local elected officials to do as they swore they would do, rather than use what they had gained for their own well-being and next elected office.
I knew this colorful collection of personalities was different was the day one of our own had to be hospitalized. She was immediately cared for and looked after by The Gang, not because she is a prolific writer and activist, but because there was a bond, a friendship that went beyond the usual working relationship.
No matter how we were portrayed by those who had a vested interest in keeping things as they had been for decades, among us, we knew the truth and so did many of friends, family, neighbors and supporters.
It was easy to portray us, as a group, as rich Republican landlords, who were only in it for ourselves. Oh, politicians, heal thyselves. Or, something along those lines.
My friends are amazing people, in that they rose to the challenges and have been stoic in their resolve. The time they have given has been done so with a sense that, perhaps now, now, people have become awakened and know they too can meet challenges, stand and demand more bang for their votes. Yes, we do manage to have conversations which do not include modernization or Parties and, yes, we do get together outside if meetings for dinner or bicycling or whatever fits the day.
I cannot, do not and will not speak for the rest of the gang, but I am never one to take a personal, unfair and malicious attack on my friends without a growl. That's called " friendship, " not a gang mentality. I understand not every group has such tremendous and affectionate ties with one another, but some, in all probability do bond. It goes beyond the genesis of the group.
I remember when I was introduced to one particular lady. Two people could not be more different, yet we found more in common than we could ever have imagined. I am the hurricane to her gentle wind. She is an amazingly gifted woman and never stops short of 100 % in her words and action. I can truly say this about the group, as a whole.
Count Muncie, Indiana as a community blessed with such concerned and caring people. Their work goes beyond the political and into heart-felt generousity of spirit and giving. I wonder, if at any time, those who would villify these people could ever walk a week in their shoes ? I would hope so, but it has been my experience that the response would be " no. " Are we without flaws ? Absolutely not, but we never claimed to be and that again, is one facet of the diversity within this group of people. Each and every member or volunteer brings with them a heart and mind, determined to educate and empower the citizens of Muncie and Delaware County, Indiana. To uplift the spirit and to come together to identify and face the challenges of a community very much in transition.
It is an incredible moment in our communitys' history. It is also an incredible time of my life. At my age, I thought I might be beyond " incredible moments, " but in stepping outside of my carefully crafted life, I have found solid friendships. So many different people, united in a move toward real change, not a campaign slogan.
Those who have used almost possible sort of ammunition to hurt us, individually and as a group, will most certainly never know real friendship. Not that I believe that to be a factor in their lives...where it's almost a foregone conclusion that it is all about a chosen few. You see, we united for the good of all the people. No one person has all of the right answers, but we can find them, if we work for Muncie, rather than against it. Imagine the confusion and outrage among those who would keep us down and dumb, that good might actually prevail.
In that long and unfinished walk toward progress, we've found friendship and strength.
A hint or two might be gleaned from todays' MSP article regarding the 2010 candidates at the DelCo Fair...for example, in regard to the,candidates, mostly the Sheriff " race " and the following remarks why Muncie has not been able to find solid and / or keep really wonderful candidates for elected office ! A random sampling....
1) You are kidding right? Scroggins has his head up Aul's backside so far, that you would think that they are siamese twins. Winkle had problems running MPD so how is he going to run the Sheriff's Department? Poorly. If you want someone who I believe will do a good job look to Ray.
2) Officer Dudley is a very good person. He is not a yes man. He would make a great sheriff.
3) Dudley, meanwhile, is believed to enjoy support from several Democratic Central Committee members. This would be # 1 on the Top Ten list for "Reasons to NOT vote for Dudley" .....
4) remember to vote out ALL republicans annd solve your problems
5) remember to vote out ALL incumbents and solve your problems
6) three little letters describe dudley D U I !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not a good example for kids.... and hes tylers and nichols boy
7) I agree with ( poster name deleted ) to vote out all INCUMBANTS regardless of whether democrat or republican! Jaybirdy: you and your constant fear of republicans needs to stop, do you watch TV, read the newspaper or listen to the radio? do you even have a clue as to what is going on in Washington? Maybe you need to listen to Rush Limbaugh and wise up.
8) That is the kind of attitude that will cripple our city even more..... now you can try to get the mayor out ASAP haha, but for the most part we need to be a bi-partisan town if we want to succeed. I am a Democrat myself but I do believe that straight ticket voting is almost the most ignorant thing you can do, and as for the non yes-men running I'd say Winkle and Scroggins are probably the way to go.
9) If Mark McKinney is the kind of leader you wish for, maybe you should join 3 of his puppets and campaign at fairgrounds on his behalf. Jaybirdy, put on your fancy "McKinney for prosecutor" shirt and hold your high and campaign for the thief. If conflict of interest and voter fraud is your goal, then maybe you could campaign for Monte Murphy. By the way not one commissioner has donated their family pet for the same kind of abuse that pigs are required to endure. When pig wrestling is a priority to commissioners, one begins to understand mindset of Mark McKinney and Monte Murphy. Common sense is not a requirement for public office.
That was a small example of public perception, but when it is obvious that Your Party, whichever one that might be, is not behind every candidate it is fielding, going into the Primary...that there is The Annointed One, the public will see it and it sticks in the mind and not in a good way. It is an old problem and nothing has changed.
You back your people going into the primaries - ALL of them - then, when the smoke clears, you work your butt off for the one going into the general election. Once that smoke clears, everyone should pull together for the community.
That is how it should work...as I see it.
Truthfully, the only one of them I know is Mike Scroggins and that's a marriage / funeral sort of a thing, but I do know one thing...as a human being, and that's the only thing I can speak to about the man, he's a decent guy. I know he is a great husband. A good dad and stepdad. He's been a rock for his family and, if he's your friend, he's solid. He won't play favors, that much I do know about the man...if you screw up and break the law, he's on you.
That's not an endorsement, because who the Hell am I to endorse anyone, anyway ? It's simply what I know to be true.
This Forum Post has The Good Beaver Seal of Approval and does not constitute any other recognized, organized ( or, in this case, circumsized ), legitimized movement, gang or Mafia.
STRAIGHT TICKET TOMMY AND PARTISAN POLLY WITH SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY CLARK CONTENT, ANNA-MOSITY “AND THE REST” STARRING IN “THE ATTACK OF THE HOHOWAV” BY J.R.R. TOKEN.
Worry Wort Willie and Worry Wort McGirt were standing in the doorway talking rapidly in their squeaky worry wort voices.
Something bad is bound to happen, Mr. Logical, the two chirped in unison. There has been a lot of angry chatter on the forums lately, and we have heard that a new anti taxpayer project code named the attack of the HOHOWAV is in the works. Animosity keeps posting people’s posts out of context and with part of the comment edited or removed, and Clark Content keeps bad mouthing all of us who support the efforts of the tax group.
If that Clark Content calls me a minion one more time, I am going to find me a jagged piece of Kryptonite, and……. (offensive comments removed)… sun don’t shine growled Worry Wort Willie! I say they are going to poison JR with some poison pastries! If they take out JR then who is going to breathe life into us in the silly stories?
Now that’s just ridiculous said Larry. JR doesn’t even like Ho Ho’s. Concannon pastries might be a better method of delivery but I am sure you are just over reacting.
Well I say they are going to vaporize us with a giant laser beam bellowed Worry Wort McGirt. And don’t tell me I am watching too much Star Trek! If you and Poly can travel through the space time continuum, then there’s certainly room for Giant Lasers in these parodies.
Now calm down, said Larry, I am sure no one has a Giant Laser beam focused on us. Polly volunteered to do a little research into all of this angry chatter and report back.
Polly suddenly appeared with a grin on her face. Well I know what the HOHOWAV is she chuckled.
What is it exclaimed the Worry Wort twins!?
The HOHOWAV is
Hangers ON Hanging On With AVengeance.
Jeepers shouted Worry Wort McGirt!I was sure it was a giant laser beam.
Remember folks,
Just Say NO to LOIT!
PROGRAM NOTE:This episode of Straight Ticket Tommy and Partisan Polly has been sponsored by Citizens of Delaware County for Property Tax Repeal as part of our “Say No to LOIT” Campaign.
Please call each of your City Council members and tell them to Say NO to LOIT.
Alison Quirk: 765-288-5319 Mike King: 765-282-3709 Linda Gregory: 765-286-2925 Jerry Dishman: 765-289-6242 or 765-215-9747 Mary Jo Barton: 765-289-9494 Monte Murphy: 765-286-4154 or 765-288-0516Sam Marshall: 765-288-0478 Brad Polk: 765-288-0571 Mark Conatser: 765-741-7539
DISCLAIMER:The views presented in this parody are solely my own. They are not representative of any for-profit, non-profit, political, non-political organizations or any organized or unorganized group in Delaware County or Indiana or any of the 50 States.All resemblances to characters real or fictional are purely coincidental.If you think one of these characters is you, please step away from the computer and have a good laugh at yourself.Consider it free therapy from Straight Ticket Tommy and Partisan Polly.
I'm about three weeks out from hitting the road ( or the fly routes ). Work, medical issues.
First of all, flights in and out JFK suck. I am not nuts about JFK anyway. The boarding ramps and jetways are a nightmare.
I might go a day or two early, just to avoid that mess. A day or two in New York City...that's always interesting. I remember the time I took my sister to New York City. We abandoned our respective families ( " cook your own damned turkey ! " ) and we met up in Detroit. If you fly NWA, you might understand you can't fly to Heaven or Hell without going through Detroit, Memphis or Mineapolis. I remember as we approached Manhattan, Rudi looked out the window and was excited to see the WTC Towers. God, who ever would have imagined that was the last time she saw them.
Oh, we were absolute Foo-Foo Mama's.
We did the tourist things...The Parade, Times Square, 30 Rock rope line for The Today Show...and the Holy Grail for holiday shoppers and the windows - Saks'.
Also found the best little Italian restaurant in midtown. I checked the menu and it practically screamed " Gaeta ! "
We went inside and it wasn't like Olive Garden or Johnny Carino's...it was the real deal. I found myself hearing the accent of Napoli and listened to the men at the bar talking and I started laughing...I was eavesdropping, plain and simple. The waiter slithered over, in his best Italian male stle and said << buona sera. >> I was off and running, like a native. He seemed happily surprised, while my sister say there, with her mouth open. I ordered it all, except for what Rudi wanted. He turned to her and in an " oh, did you just see me " voice said " spaghetti and meat sauce. "
He was attentive and happily refilling our glasses and made a special drink - uhm drinks - after dinner.
Thank God we were close to the hotel, because we staggered out of that place. I hadn't been that hammered since....well, since Gaeta.
Early the next morning, as she nursed The Feel Bads, I flopped out of bed onto the floor. Naturally, she laughed her ass off and I thought, " Well, this one will be family lore for the rest of my stinking life. "
Off we went, in a nice town car, for our lunch at Tavern On The Green.
I promised we would go and it was splendid. We had The Best Table in The Best Room and two waiters. It was decorated in that magical way only The Tavern can do it up around the holidays, which inspired my next Christmas Tree. After snarfing a great lunch and introducing my sister to The Bellini ( we LOVED them ), we had probably the most outradeously expensive lunch she had ever had, but it was worth every cent. Leaving, we admired the outside topiary and walked to the ice skating arena...and then, we did the obligatory horse drawn carriage ride in and aroind the park. It was cold, it was sweet !
The Rockettes, which was terrific, but even more so now. trust me, it's just that good.
Then, we attended " A Christmas Carol " at MSQ.
The lobby was tricked out like Dickensian London and you couldn't help but feel excited, like a little kid.
When Frank Langella hit the stage, Baby Sistah was agog, especially when he came into the audience.
I try to make the NYC run every December and I don't care how cold it gets....
That trip, though, was special.
I've been back many times since and had even more fun.
Once, in the Spring, I was there on business and caught Steve Tyrell at The Blue Note. At one show, he sang into my cleavage and I should have been outraged. Oh, Hell no...I was hoping for a few extra verses. To be fair, I was wearing my very best Shameless Hussy halter blouse, sitting front row center and it was well worth the money. I called Baby Sistah, who heard women screaming at me...." you are so lucky. " Ya think ! At my age, it was a freakin' miracle. Regis Philbin, who was there with his wife, spoke about it on his tv show the next day and Baby Sistah said she sat up in bed and screeched - " That's my sister ! " Later, I again ran into Steve, Lymon, Blue Lou and the rest of the guys at Ronnie Scott's in London. I was a bit more behaved. That's all I am saying.
Yep...NYC is an adventure. It helps if you keep your options open and you get a good bite of The Big Apple.
I was not the one to invent lies: they were created in a society divided by class and each of us inherited lies when we were born. It is not by refusing to lie that we will abolish lies: it is by eradicating class by any means necessary. - Jean Paul Sartre, 1963 and Malcolm X, 1965
Two years ago, several small groups of local people began to emerge from the muck and stagnation of Muncie politics because it was time. It was, come to think of it, long overdue. It took a property tax crisis to stir the people from a state of lethargy and apathy to standing up, speaking out, walking the streets to collect signatures and hand out pamphlets and brochures - anything to educate and empower the people of our community and bring them to action. Not by force, but by sheer will of spirit. Make no mistake, it became a war. Another war, on an already ravaged landscape and in the minds of a citizenry already confused by rhetoric, lies, innuendo and fear. Another war we did not want. A war that began when the status quo became threatened and people started becoming aware of what had been done, was being done and might continue to be done if real change did not begin to make itself known. Not " change " as in a very convenient and overdone campaign style fervor, but a change of purpose and reason. Those who choreographed and orchestrated this war had many successful such wars to their credit, but now, the " enemy " was at their doors and at the doors of The People. The truth played a very small part in this war, as facts and truths had always been obscured and would again be utilized against the very people who paid the bills and salaries of The Powers That Be. The People would be what they always had been - swayed by partisan politics and, as always, " collateral damage. "
In those early days, many people were aware of a financial tsunami headed our way, but that was not an issue to be addressed. Not yet, anyway. As usual, the primary task was to " take out " the Primary Target. In our case, regardless of the harm it might do to this community and to her family, Mayor Sharon McShurley was to be barbequed in the public eye and her family served up as side dishes. This is not to say the Mayor did not make a few decisions which might prove to be not in her best interest, but those were magnified beyond fact and set before the public as Gospel. She was to be destroyed, at least in the eyes of the public. Even if truth and honor were sacrificed, but it's happened before and without conscience.
The next in line would be those ordinary citizens who were fighting for this city and county. They were attacked as a group and individually.
This was not a surprise. It's in " The Playbook. "
To get what you want, regardless of what is best for this community, if it means slander, physical attacks and emotional missiles being hurled at every turn, it was somehow acceptable to Our Elected Officials. Fortunately, Mayor Mac has a strong shell and the rest of us...well, we knew what to expect and what it might cost us in terms of peace of mind and personal courage. We have seen and we have felt the sting of slander, physical attacks and intimidation - by any means necessary. We are still here. Not for a job, not for an appointment, but because we have had enough of bad leadership and we have the hope and tenacity to crawl out from the mire and help Muncie help itself to survive and, yes, to thrive.
It doesn't make us any better or any worse than anyone else. It simply means we found our voices.
To be clear, no one wants to see anyone become another statistic in the Unemployment Rolls, but neither can we afford to manage this community as it has been for so long. Even in the days when Muncie was flush with tax dollars and great paying jobs, our local government failed us. That's obvious by the state of disrepair in our local infrastructure. That money went somewhere, but it did not go where it should have gone. Yet, those of us who work for a more responsible and responsive government are said to be anti-this or anti-that. What a loathsome untruth. It also was the jumping off mark for The War. " If you ain't with us, then you're against us. " Total rubbish. You people who look down at your noses at us, claiming we don't care if this City burns - where were you when the firetrucks would break down on the way to a fire ? When station houses weren't up to standards. Where was your concern then ? Where was your concern for the firefighters ? That's a question with an answer - that money went for raises and for whatever else was thought necessary. A 30 year old + firetruck doesn't say " Hey, we are all about keeping you safe....we are all about protecting the men and women who do the work. "
Now, of course, that seems to be the rallying cry. You know, if this had come up 10 or 15 years ago, it might ring true. Now, it's a very self-centered political slogan and your rhetoric is tiresome and hypocritical.
At the last City Council meeting, the citizens of Muncie arrived to find their seats taken by out of town firefighters, who are also in danger of lay-offs, because their cities and towns are feeling the pinch too. But, The Moustachioed One called in every firefighter possible and stood there, scowling and doing his best " I'm Da Man " stance. No, you are everything The Brotherhood never was...you, my baldheaded so-not-a-friend are running on the reputations of men who came before you and your ilk. You...? You are a $50.00 coffeetable book on www.amazon.com wannabee.
This city has no choice but to live within a budget. That doesn't make anyone anti-anything. It's called " common and financial sense. " Google it, won't you ! Here's a hint...it starts with a " C. "
Truthfully, if I had my way, I'd be a one woman, ACLU can kiss my ass, personnel weedwhacker in every department. From City Hall to the each and every taxpayer funded entity - then, I'd be going after all those tasty and questionable tax exempt property and business owners.
With the poverty and unemployment rates so high in this city and county, we are facing yet another tax. The citizens are up in arms and who can blame them ? We have elected people have no idea how to manage our money...there's a history going back decades. Why should we give you more money when you've failed us so many times before ? When you knew this was headed our way, you failed to take it as a serious problem - why ? One meeting in 18 months of the Finance Committee and you neglected to invite a member of that committee to the meeting ? Wait, there was that one meeting - with two CC people and one local union representative....that doesn't inspire confidence in your ability or leadership. You might, however, have earned your ring for The Simon Bar Sinister Club.
The last CC meeting - y'all blew yourselves right out of the water. The cherry on top of that sundae was our State Rep, proudly wearing an anti-CDCPTR shirt. He has said ( and we have it on tape ) say we are un - effing - representable, but we do vote - we are representable and we are not expendable.
You know, I have had time to think about this " mess " ( and, make no mistake, it IS a mess ) for quite awhile. Almost two years, now - when it became obvious this was coming at us full tilt boogie and it was somehow orchestrated into a war between taxpayer and tax-funded entities by political wranglers. Only when " it " hit critical mass, did The Powers That Be rush into action, if one considers one meeting of the Finance Committee in 18 months " rushing into action. "
This little island called Muncie, Indiana is not alone in its' financial distress, but unlike other cities and communities, it was seemingly ignored until it could no longer be ignored, therefore inflicting another tax on an already over-taxed, underemployed community a neccessity and if you didn't agree with that line of thinking, somehow you were considered anti-insert your favorite tax funded entity here. Most prefer to go with MFD, as it is the most visible and emotionally charged.
When the voices of people who disagree with this proposed taxed are ignored, we have a problem much larger than lay-offs. Our elected officials have failed us, but trust me - they will be more than happy to rationalize their votes and I seriously doubt it is " in the publics' best interest. "
It was much easier to turn citizen against citizen - to stand back and let them take the heat and even attempt to inflict as much collateral damage on the taxpaying dissenters as possible. That was the real " win - win. " For them. For us...it may well be another loss. One we cannot afford to lose.
They sicken me, because they are such hypocrites. Well, most of them, not all, but most.
Speak up or Pay Up!
Please call each of your City Council members and tell them just say NO to LOIT.
About two years ago, the citizens of Indiana were hit with unusually high property tax assessments, which would mean higher than expected tax bills. My interest, at that point, was the simple fact my neighbors, Miss Marty and Miss Lieta - two of the most wonderful ladies I know - were stressing and both were upset to the point of tears, wondering why this was happening, would they lose their homes. At that point, I decided to become a party of one and look for The Answer and possible resolutions. Life is, however, rarely that simple and it has not been simple since that day.
When you begin looking at taxes, you quickly find out that it is more than a small project and there are many avenues with small streets taking different directions. To understand the basic tax system is one thing, that's a basic. When you start following the money and the personalities involved, it becomes incredibly complex, confusing and difficult. Sometimes made all the worse by self-serving so-called servants of the public who seem to serve their own interests.
You find a great deal of collateral damage along the way.
Friendships blown to pieces. Families ripped apart. Those who work so hard FOR a community portrayed as liars and ( how very 70's ) as " groupies. " Lies and rumors spread as Gospel and Truth. All in the name of maintaining a status quo which as hurt us and our town beyond comprehension. " Wars " are orchestrated and people manipulated without question or conscience. Sometimes, those who work and give for real change are " collateral damage. "
Your time is no longer entirely your own, but given to meetings and, sometimes, hitting the pavement with printed information and knowledge. Not lies. You are an outcast within some groups, even family. When lies and innuendo attack trust and unconditional love. You decide, at that time, can I do this...is it worth it ?
The victories are few and far between, but sometimes very sweet.
At the last City Council meeting, I knew we had become a serious threat to The Powers That Be when they appeared, not as usual with their yellow tee shirts ( after all, the last time we saw one, it was in a vehicle, trying to mow down a citizen activist or two ), but in cheaply made cotton tees with a deprecating mesage about CDCPTR. First of all, buy quality shirts. Perhaps if you hadn't blown all your dough on those glossy brochures, you could have gone for a nicer quality tee. Second, we do not uses periods in the CDCPTR. Third, NEVER EVER put your State Rep in one of those shirts outside City Hall and NOT expect some notice. It's not as he got off his narrow butt to attack the tax issue or the out of control spending of tax payer dollars, but this is, after all, the " man " who said we are ( and I quote ) " un-fucking-representable. "
Our State Rep, ladies and gentlemen...NOT looking out for your tax dollars. He's out looking FOR them and has no problem spending them. So, his presence really wan't a surprise, but it was a disgrace to the office he holds.
Is it worth it ?
I've lost alot to help save a community from going under. Some of us have in some ways. Is it worth it ? I don't know. When people you love, who should know you best, when their heads and hearts can be turned by something twisted and evil, I have to wonder what I had to lose anyway.
Will Muncie be a better place ? One day...with a great deal of work and those who would destroy families in their own selfish pursuits are long gone to Gulf Shores or somewhere in the Smokies and our small town thriving, rather than being the victim of their thieving, it will be seen to have been worth it.
Yes, folks, I have reached the point of no return. Fed up with the lies, the politics the whole kit and caboodle. It began somewhere around 5:15 PM Monday, July 6th.
A public hearing is designed for citizens to air their concerns to our elected body. Unfortunately, that does not ring true for our city. The auditorium was packed with firefighters from cities across Indiana. All the while, people who dwell in our county were left to stand in the rotunda.
President Quirk had the power and could have asked those who do not live in Delaware county to kindly relinquish their seats to those who do. President Quirk and most of the city council were aware there would be a packed house. The meeting should have been moved. Was it poor planning on the president’s part? Yes, unless you are looking at it from purely political side.
Question: Was it poor planning or was it political?
Today we read in the paper the county commissioners will be taking over the hiring of the 911 director, completely overriding the 911 board. Click here to read the full article.
Question: Is this legal to bypass the board?
Which brings me full circle back to the title of this blog.
Question: Have the people of this city no shame, no sense of right or wrong?
The mayor has had to endure some of the most vile attacks on her integrity, it doesn’t stop there. It has spilled over to her family. Lower than low, stuff you find in the most smutty of novels. Her home has been vandalized, her life has been threatened, her family has been under attack, flyers branding her Public Safety Enemy #1.
Say what you will about citizens who are working hard for the city and the county. Since when is it wrong to ask our elected officials to be held accountable for their actions? Since when is it wrong to question where the money for TIF is going? Since when is it wrong to speak out against nepotism? Since when, since when?
You will nof find annoymous flyers circulating about the commissioners, or the city or county council members. Or their homes vandalized. Or their families disrespected. Or their lives threatened.
The citizens who care about the community (and there are many) will not participate in conjuring up lies, there is no time for such nonsense. Nor do they have the mindset to do so.
And the same people who have waged this war of lies upon our mayor, will gleefully continue on to any who they find in direct opposition to their ideals.
In closing, agree or disagree with your elected officials decisions, be vocal, get informed and before you open your mouth, check yourself and use these simple rules as guides:
We have earned it, although the Hell rages on in city government. Right now, I am in a break.
The one thing I would like to do is to thank my friends, who have been good friends - supportive and kind, not just where I am concerned, but with the entire community. Sometimes in life, you are lucky. I'm very lucky.
From old to middle age to the younger set, Muncie, Indiana has many assets in its' people.
I can only hope we utilize these treasures and work our way back to progress and prosperity.
For now, and because I am exhausted to fire off a huge blog, I would like to thank my friends and co - activists. You are this citys' greatest asset.
A huge thank you, a grateful thank you, to Brad Polk for standing up for not only the people he represents, but for this entire community. It's been awhile, but I think it's called integrity. Thanks, Brad Polk !
Ordinarily, I would begin by thanking you, the duly elected members of the Muncie, Indiana City Council, for the great privilege of standing before you, but not tonight. On this night, two days after most Americans celebrated their freedoms and blessings, I find this meeting ironic and more than a little hypocritical. Tonight, a great many of the people you were elected to represent will find their American dreams a great deal more uncertain and insecure and their faith in the so-called Voice Of The People at a low point. Why should I thank you ? You collect paychecks, paid for by the very people your are about to hurt in so many ways. Your actions tonight may well tonight ruin countless lives. I owe you nothing, but contempt and scorn. With a few exceptions. There are some who respect the people they represent.
Muncie, Indiana is Americas' Hometown. Well, that's the media has said over many decades. In many ways, that is very true, especially now. Like many cities and towns across the state and the rest of the country, the people of the United States are suffering and, until someone pulls a bunny from his or her hat, it may well get worse. The devil is in the details and there are alot of details - fuzzy, but not at all warm. When did The Big Slide really begin ? That's a matter for economists to debate for years to come - economists and historians. It's all intermingled, convoluted and growing more and more confusing as time passes. In retrospect, our national slide began a long time ago, when trust and faith in our elected leadership was dwindling even as our elected officials were running amok. Now, however, it's under a very fine microscope and we've began asking questions and demanding answers. Specifically, however, Muncie is an island to itself, but very much with the eyes of the nation trained on us, as has been ever since the Lynds' selected this city as The Typical American Town. In that respect, we were and we are, with few exceptions - a town also known as Little Chicago. If you are looking for a city whose reputation for corrupt politics and those who grease the wheels still at the helm, you have come to the right place.
Perhaps 40 years ago, when Muncie could have, and should have, paid more attention to the changes happening in the world and, even more important, in the manufacturing sector, which kept us afloat, somewhat affluent and thriving, we closed our eyes and refused to believe anyone but Detroit could ever build a better mousetrap. What we forgot, what we chose to forget, was that we sent our best minds to post - war Japan and Germany. They taught Total Quality Management and our former enemies kicked our butts. Just as in the pre-war days, we had arrogance and ignorance working for us. They did it, but we didn't want to see it - as long as we still had contracts and bustling factories. Never mind the writing was on the wall in the early 1970's. Detroit and the good unions would save the day. Detroit got caught up in ego, greed and ignorance and the unions - well...they lost their way and the pension funds of many loyal workers.
The huge gas guzzlers, arrogance and ignorance would prevail. NAFTA, while flawed, is hardly our only downfall, as one can easily note when locating former Muncie manufacturing concerns. They simply left this state. Why ? They crossed the river - not the Rio Grande, but the Ohio River. Why ?
We avoided the technology advancements and failed to court them to the area. Why ? We have a terrific university and Ivy Tech, which has been cranking out tech engineers and designers for decades. They slipped through our fingers and I have to wonder why ? Hell, in 1957, My Weekly Reader was writing about the advent of the computer age. We did have time to absorb it and prepare, but we didn't. Now, we cannot fail and we have to look forward and leave the past where it belongs.
The fact that we had already seen gas lines forming meant nothing, but a mere and temporary blip on our mental landscape. It was denial. Now, we have enormous debt to nations who would see us crumble in the dirt. We have local politicians who care only about what they can take from us, rather than work for us. We didn't see the future, because the future would be a threat to the status quo. We have lost our security and sense of community.
Now, there are empty lots where factories once stood and huge brick shells of memories and better days. Houses abandoned and businesses failing. Can we be strong enough to withstand these problems and the political back alley ambushes ?
People have lost their homes to taxes and to eminent domain - a public law, in its widest sense, the right or power to take private property for public use. More precisely, it is the right of the nation, or those to whom the power has been lawfully delegated, such as railroads and public utility companies, to appropriate, by due process of law, the ownership and possession of private property, and to pay the owner of the property a just compensation. A declining tax base and the loss of property taxes as tax exempt entities gobble up our city, our hopes and dreams and everything we worked a lifetime to acquire. In short - our security. Our future, our hopes and dreams for our families. Progress might have meant prosperity and promise for this city, but it could also have spelled the end of Bad Politics and Bad Business.
Now, horror of horrors - a local citizen based and staffed community advocacy group had blossomed and has shown no sign, much to the annoyance of those who preferred to keep the average citizen " down and dumb, " of going away anytime soon. There is too much to do here. The gut reaction was to hurt the sitting Mayor, regardless of the fact that it might hurt and destroy the people who choose to live here, via lies, rumors and a campaign of fear. Then, to attack the citizen activists ( not to be confused with Those Who Call Themselves Activists, But Are Merely Out For Themselves ), individually and as a group. These are the same people who would swear their concerns are, first and foremost, the people of this city. That is a lie, as far as I am concerned, but lying is not a sin to these people. It is, quite frankly, a means to an end, if not a religion or, at the very least, an education. We are their weapons and we are expendable, or so they seem to believe. I choose to believe this is not the case.
People have had enough.
We know there are no easy answers to the problems facing Muncie. You could say this about almost any other city and town in America today. True, some towns are doing well, but they have had visionary leadership and follow-thru. They also stood up to dynastic politics which have hurt many communities and shown them the door. We can, however, make a stand, speak out against those still in power and who are bringing along a new group of acolytes - better educated, more attractive and certainly more articulate. They are still the same people, just spruced up and more palatable to the public, which makes them even more dangerous, more self-serving and we have been warned..." they are coming ! " Not that they ever left. Not while there was any sort of profit and power to be grasped and pockets to be picked.
This is OUR city, too...not your private ATM. You owe us - the citizens - an explanation. Many explanations, come to think of it. With a financial tsunami coming our way, you were warned two years ago - but saw fit to have one - ONE - Finance Committee meeting in 18 months ? That's YOU...looking out for US ? You hold secret closed door ( to the public ) meetings, but include those who have vested interest in keeping us down, dumb and broke. You are presented a solid plan which could have helped Muncie, but it was never seen - perhaps, at best, by one or two, a brief synopsis. So...we are to trust you - again ? With what's left of our money ?
They will have you believe lies and untruths to be Gospel.
They will have you believe they care for this city.
They will have you believe everything they say and do is the truth.
I think you will find " fear " of one kind or another has been the weapon of choice in the political and arena and make no mistake - that is exactly what this is - so, please, grab your friends and their friends and when the Marching Hoses hit Walnut Street tomorrow night, consider the source and get a seat at CC auditorium and have your say before the CC. Of course, going in, the citizens are out-numbered already, aren't they ??? There may be only nine people seated to look after this town, but now many of them are honest with us ? This Dog and Pony Show is not so much about taxes as it is another campaign.
Well, we have one too - anyone who has been taxed enough, un-employed enough and just plain sick and tired of the lies - we have a campaign - to send the CC and their Simon Bar Sinister plan back to Hell where it belongs and learn to manage on what you have...you know, the very thing you insist we do.
Happy 4th of July to all of us, especially the men and women who have served and who are now serving this country and protecting our freedoms. Thank you.
For those of you who choose NOT to remember or simply weren't involved, I began with a gang of two - myself and Hallipena - when I wrote about The Pot Party. We met at the IHOP and hammered out what would become we wanted as far as POT was concerned. Hallie was contactd by Chris Hiatt and was asked if POT would like to come aboard. Not, however, as The POT Party. See the old website - http://thepotparty.spaces.live.com- Myself, I wasn't sure. I liked the idea of a people so angry they would stand up for themselves and everything they worked for, over many decades. As Hallie wrote, the ideas came fast and furious - Responsible and responsive government. An end to cronyism. More accountability. One thing I did know, the government has to have money to operate, but how much government do we want ? Peoppe scream and yell about Big Government and " how much they love this city. Yeah, look at the front page. There's some big love going on and I am not talking about the jail thing.
Because I respect Carols' judgment and because I am more of a scorched earth personality and also because I was more interested in government reform, I gave it a thumbs up. Hallies' passion, dedication and determination was CDCPTR and me ? I was simply out to dismantle a local government gone horribly wrong. I should have known I would have needed a time machine, a few silver bullets and wooden stakes for that ambition. I was a Party of my own making and mission statement, although when CDCPTR started following the money, it was like watching a train wreck. You KNEW you shouldn't watch, but you couldn't help yourself. So, with what time I do have, because I do work and I also travel extensively, I became a volunteer whenever possible. CDCPTR tolerates me and my often over the top observations, but unlike some people who claim to have the answers for this town - I don't have to lie, nor resort to false advertising.
CDCPTR was not a concern, initially, for The Big Boys - it was said CDCPTR would be gone by the 2007 election. Wrong. In raising the Big H about taxes, it became obvious there were bigger questions - where was the money going and who was " handling " it ?
At that point, it became a problem for some people. Alot of people. You see, when you question corruption, waste, fraud and abuse - you threaten dynastic politics.
CDCPTR will endure, no matter how many personal and physical attacks made on the members and volunteers - it will endure because we know what everyone else has always known - this city needs a good Clyster and, most important, because people are no longer afraid to stand.
POT PARTY MISSION STATEMENT To make politics and government accessible and understandable for citizens through the nonpartisan support of candidates whose talents, education, skills and experience match the requirements of the proposed office, and whose campaigns and leadership shall be devoid of cronyism, nepotism, and lobbyism.
MOTTO Dedicated to educating, energizing, and empowering citizens.
My co-hort, co-founder and the heart and soul of reform in Muncie, Indiana....the remarkable Carol Bouslog.
I miss you as MFD Union President. Never thought of you as sleazy. Wish I could say that of the new one. Not all of the MFD are bad folks. Mark Adams is exceptional and I think he would make his father proud. I also liked Mike Terry. I didn't always agree with him, but he's been a good friend and, in my opinion, he was a casualty of the very thing he loved most, next to his family. Eddie Bell is, without doubt, exceptional.
Tonight, I've heard from a number of retired MFD - all of whom resent and are angry regarding the anonymous post. One was particularly hard to read and one I will not share in public. It concerns an MFD fatality many years ago and speaks to what those Old Dawgs suffered.
Never had a problem with county MFD because I assumed City would help County and vice versa.
I do have a problem with the orchestrated war between those who chose to ignore the warnings of the financial shortfall, which is anticipated to be worse next year. It will not affect just the MFD, but every tax funded entity. Close to two years ago, this was predicted and very little was done to come to grips with it. Now, we will pay - one way or another - like so many cities and towns across this state and country.
I have known alot of firefighters over the years. Many of them had their sons spend the night, as time could be very short with the dads - due to the part-time jobs so many MFD people needed, just to make ends meet. They worked hard and some played hard, but wh___g and boozing on city time - I take exception to that, as do many of the Old Dawgs who rode the rear end of the trucks. Certainly, they were not angels, neither were they the debauched and lazy jerks someone cared to describe. They worked fires that today we will never see again, thanks to improved building and equipment standards.
Men like Al Kerr, who was eulogized in the Muncie paper in an editorial. He was The Firemans' Firefighter. There were many of them, especially the Lutton family. They had a love for the job, even though it paid quite low. That family suffered for that love. The safety standards were minimal because that was the way it was at the time, but the interaction between the public, the MFD and the MPD was amazing.
The demonstrations at The Fieldhouse of their skills...the fundraisers for local charities held with both the MFD and MPD were terrific and the city loved it. Those big strong men ( when you are under 3'5" tall anyone taller than that is huge ) playing donkey baseball games at McC Park for charity garnered huge crowds and there was all in fun.
Money is the great leveler in so many ways. It is leveling cities you would never expect - like Carmel, Indiana. Orlando, Florida. The list goes on and on. It is also leveling friendships and a sense of community.
Jobs, thousands of them, have been lost over the last 20 years in this town, even as the tax base shrinks and the tax exempt entities grow by leaps and bounds. Many which are questionable and indefensible. No one wants people to lose their jobs, but where do we go from here ? Do we rob what little assets we have for a temporary fix or do we find a better way to manage what seems to be almost impossible ?
There is no vendetta, no matter what anyone may think. It's math and far too much head-butting.
I thank you for your letter, even though I had to use my glasses.
Strumenti 
