After a whirlwind evening of Delaware County government meetings, Tuesday has finally arrived. Basking in the afterglow after a fantastic night of theatrics, one can now understand why I like living in Muncie.

City council members all took their respective places and after the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation the show began.

“Slashing” Sam Marshall took to the budget with a zeal never before seen. In a loud voice and a nearly perfect recital of departments and account numbers he cut 12 jobs, water fee and utilities. No surprises on what positions were cut, but how in the world are we going to power our city? Well, since the city council governs like it is 1850, we may as well live without 21st century amenities.

Mayor McShurley took to the podium and true to form, as soon as she began to speak, Councilperson Barton had a question. The mayor asked politely if she could finish. Mary Jo Barton, with her gracious southern charm, allowed her to speak. See what happens when people work together?

The administration has finally received the insurance costs.

Insurance premiums can be increased, saving the city $1,500,000.00. You could see the calculating mind of Ms. Barton as she tried desperately to compute the figures. “Employees pay more. That’s unheard of”, she exclaimed. Perhaps it is such a shock to her because she is so ill informed on what people in the private and public sector pay.  Pay more insurance, keep your job.   Pay less for insurance, lose your job.  That is a tough call.  Not!

Brad Polk, a member of the finance committee, was unaware of these cuts. Which brings up a point, if city council is unable or unwilling to work with its own members, how can you expect these people to actually govern our city? Most have no business holding these seats.

Mr. Polk also suggested cutting 911 service by $500,000.00. Total cut 2 million dollars and no jobs are lost.

The budget was passed 7 yeas, with Conatser voting to “move it along”. Gregory and Polk voted no.  City council members are so predictable.  Most of us can see this for what it really is.  I guess they think the citizens are stupid.

Many of the ordinances received a suspension of rules, allowing city council to vote to approve immediately. Ordinance #62-09 requesting a transfer of funds from the mayor’s edit plan to have station 4’s lot paved was passed. Chief Burcham thanked the mayor for her assistance. Not to be undone, Marshall thanked Chief Burcham for keeping the council apprised on this request.

Two outdated ordinances, one from 1968 and another from 1991 were introduced.  Basically a raise in fees. No biggy.

Chief Davis spoke on ordinance #68-09. This ordinance would allow the city to collect $6.00 additional for every traffic violation. The money would be placed in an account and be untouchable, only to be used for retaining police officers. You see, Chief Davis has applied for a grant which will allow the return of 5 laid off officers to the force. Once the grant runs out, the city will need to pick up the tab. Chief Davis has brought a solution.

I have the utmost respect for both Chief Davis and Chief Burcham. I truly believe both work hard for their departments and the city. We are fortunate to have them, make no mistake about it.

Then a standard ordinance of transferring funds from the motor vehicle fund to pay for the paving bill. The rule was not suspended, which I find odd. The money is there, the company needs paid and it really is a no-brainer.

Jim Arnold asked President Quirk how they planned to pay the water bill and keep the lights on. Hydrant fee…no real answer on the lights. President Quirk fumbled throughout the evening. She was really off her game. I wonder who will be president next year?

You can almost bet your life, anything the mayor brings before the council will be delayed or voted down, but not before Ms. Barton plays the 20 questions game.

The video of city council should be on Citizens of Delaware County for Property Tax Repeal.

Muncie Star Press 12 Jobs Cut article

Remember: Good government begins with YOU!

Election: 2010 Election: 2011

Thank you to www.munciepolitics.wordpress.com

The council members said the budget still needs $1.5 million in cuts.

"People were led to believe the budget is fine," council President Alison Quirk said.

Although McShurley is in the middle of an Asian economic development trip, her department heads responded to the press conference by saying they believed the $1.5 million could be recouped during negotiations over employee insurance.

The article noted that city officials -- who had considered implementing a local option income tax (LOIT) to offset millions of dollars in revenue shortfalls due to statewide property tax reform -- no longer believed LOIT was necessary.

In that article, Quirk was quoted as saying she was considering withdrawing LOIT proposals. But much of the credit was given to McShurley, who lad off 32 firefighters and five police officers in June to cut spending.

Council Democrats Quirk, Mike King, Jerry Dishman, Mary Jo Barton and Sam Marshall sat around a city hall conference table at Friday's press conference, which ended after a few comments from Quirk. Council Democrat Linda Gregory attended the conference and had no comment afterward. Council Republicans Brad Polk and Mark Conatser were not present.

Conatser left a voice mail message indicating he had "no idea" when the press conference was being held.

City Controller Mary Ann Kratochvil, who watched Friday's press conference from the sidelines, said afterward she had spoken to Quirk about the budget and believed that the $1.5 million cited by the council president could be recouped in upcoming negotiations over city employee health insurance.

During Friday's press conference, Quirk emphasized that council members were "concerned about the city's future" and "want to adopt a budget that is fiscally responsible."

She said she hoped members of the public would attend a public hearing on the budget set for 6:15 p.m. Monday.

"We have a very large task ahead of us," Quirk said.

Deputy Mayor Dick Shirey said later Friday he thought the press conference was "a little strange."

"I'm not sure they're helping themselves by bringing focus to it," he added.

Deputy Mayor Shirey, you just said a mouthful.

OK...we have a huge problem and there is a good shot at addressing it, if the Mayors' office and the Muncie City Council can work together. Oops...problem. Once again, there seems to be a little sleight of hand going on. Where were all nine members of the Muncie, Indiana City Council. I counted only six. We, as residents of Muncie and Delaware County, might have expected a little less partisanship if we are to believe this was nothing more than the local " damage control " get together for the benefit of the media and to curry favor with the voters. This is all too familiar. It harkens back to a time not so long ago...wait, it was earlier this year...when after 18 months of feet dragging avoidance and sloth, the Finance Committee DID meet, although one member was not invited to the meeting - Republican Council Person Brad Polk. Inexcusable and as transparent as Saran Wrap. Holy Moses, when Council Grand Poobah At Large Quirk said she aspired to a greater transparency in local government, she just wasn't whistling " Dixie. " I think our expectations were a bit different than her intent. Let me break it down for you...secret and / or exclusive meetings do not meet the criteria for transparency in government, not unless your are re-writing the " How To Rule A City " A to Z guidebook. In your stated ambition to lead us all into a new and better government, your idea of transparency isn't going to work. Here's why...we are on to you. The motive for your little meeting was just that transparent.

Actually, I explained to a good friend to expect something like this, as a pre-emptive strike at the Mayor, not so much her budget, but the Mayor, in her absence. Honey, when you launch an attack, you use Scuds, not Duds.

The budget will, most certainly, be ripe for tweaking - no argument on that, but your timing is off and so are your tactics. Change WILL come on Mayor Macs' watch. You will most certainly hate it, but if it is good for this City, then you and your Flying Monkeys should be willing to work together in a new and sustained effort to improve the government and the needs of the City.

You see, that's what wrong with your thought process and those who swear on their Mothers' backside to follow wherever you lead, coughing up those assessment dollars all the way - you screw over your own party members who may be running in the primaries ( if they don't play ball ) and when the smoke clears from the primaries, you fight the wrong fights. Personal attacks are simply unjustified and damaging to all of us. After the smoke clears from The Big Election, no matter who wins, everyone across Party lines should work together for the City, rather than work toward the next election. 

Am I angry ? You bet I am...there you sat, all of you, like virgins about to be sacrificed to the Volcano God, but damn it ! - you are going to do what's right, no matter what it takes ! Just one thing wrong with that - times have changed. People are paying attention. Your focus is blurred and we have too much at stake for the usual political bull dung which emanates from the leadership on Muncie City Council. There are alot of angry and ticked off people...not just in Muncie, but county-wide. They sure as Hell are not happy to pay for the profligate spending practices of the past and the ongoing battle for the next election cycle, disguised as concern for the people. We've heard that before.

So, Muncie City Council...well, six of you, anyway...what a disgraceful sham ! You should be ashamed.

After hearing the news about Prairie Creek and the $30,000.00 in revenue  generated this season, it did my heart good.  An astonishing thing to actually make money for the first time in 40 years.   I was focusing only on the financial aspect, and how this will go a long way to help in balancing the budget.  Then I had a  a sudden intuitive leap of understanding , and  “what if” flooded my thoughts.

 After the mayor failed to re-appoint Ron Bonham, the newspaper was flooded with letters.  You could hardly pick up the opinion page without finding dozens of letters condemning the mayor and her actions. What with broken piers, lack of fireworks, no lifeguards, and the beach not being open on the cold Memorial weekend, you would be led to believe Prairie Creek was soon to be a memory.

 Every city council meeting included at least 10 minutes of tongue-lashing directed at the administration for the poor management of one of our most precious commodities.  Even as a council member suggested these concerns should be directed to the parks board, he was lucky to get out of the meeting with his head still attached.  He was scolded for the suggestion and reminded they (city council) IS the fiscal body and Prairie Creek was all about money, and according to her (the scolding member of city council), losing revenue.  Keeping in mind the fiscal body was oblivious to the fact it has always lost revenue.  So much time was devoted to piers and fishing holes, that most agreed with the council person’s suggestion on the park board handling the problems.

 In 2007, Prairie Creek cost an additional $140,000; in 2008 it was around $84,000, until finally in 2009 we really did have revenue.  The Mayor said her goal was to make it self-sustaining and with the competent people put in place, it happened.  An extrodinary team of people, from the Mayor to the laborors working to achieve a common goal and reaching it.  You can take it to the bank, it won’t stop there!

 Now, you may be asking (or maybe not) just what does this have to do with the title of this post.  I’m glad you asked.  Getting to it, hang tight.

 As I said earlier, I was all about the revenue generated.  But, I believe there is a bigger picture.  Despite the onslaught of letters, the negative press, and the desire of some to see PCR fail, and therefore painting the mayor as a completely incompetent leader.   Against all odds, Prairie Creek has succeeded!  It has surpassed even our wildest dreams of how PCR should run.  Now instead of moaning about the park, we are expecting even greater things to be accomplished.  For the first time we are seeing PCR as it should have always been and an excitement we have never before felt.

What If? 

 What if the administration had not spent so much time defending her actions and fighting the constant opposition created by a few and got down to business?     What if those who worked so diligently to wage a war had used that same energy in a positive and constructive manner?   I can tell you, it would not have taken nearly this long to get where PCR is today.  Can we afford to waste any more time?

 Can this same success flow to other areas of our city?  Yes, it can.  But first, we should divorce ourselves from the very people who worked so hard to keep PCR operating in failure mode. It is obvious; those very same people would rather see our community fail, then to become a thriving and vibrant city. 

Keep this in mind, it is pure and unadulterated politics.  When a political party fights so hard to keep our city from progressing, it doesn’t just hurt the mayor, it destroys the citizens.  It is really up to us. 

Don’t allow the negative influences to hold back Muncie.  Her success is  our success.  Dream and strive for a better community.  It will do you good.

Thanks to BB and www.munciepolitics.wordpress.com !

MUNCIE -- Like an out-of-shape prizefighter, the 2009 budget proposal from Mayor Sharon McShurley entered the ring bloated and unprepared to take on property tax caps. But under McShurley's direction, the 2010 budget proposal has dropped weight and is ready, the mayor hopes, for a rematch.

"I think people are surprised," McShurley said Monday. "I think a lot of people thought we wouldn't pull this off."

For 2010, McShurley is proposing an overall budget of $35 million, with the general fund accounting for $21.3 million. By comparison, McShurley proposed an overall budget of $40.9 million for 2009, with the general fund accounting for $26.2 million.

Unlike 2009, the 2010 budget proposal actually accounts for predicted revenue losses from new property tax caps.

While it remains unclear how much money the city will lose, current predictions are around $3.8 million in 2009 and another $2.7 million in 2010.

McShurley and city council never came to terms on a final budget for 2009 and the city was forced to certify Muncie's budget using outdated figures from 2008.

With a spending plan that would leave the city tapped out before the end of the year, the mayor in June laid off 32 firefighters and five police officers.

"They were tough decisions to make," the mayor said.

Most of the spending cuts for 2010 reflect ongoing savings from the layoffs and other changes this year.

McShurley predicted the city government taxpayers experienced in the second half of 2009 -- post layoffs -- and the government they will experience next year will appear relatively similar.

She does not expect any drastic cuts in services or further layoffs.

McShurley warned that her current general fund budget might still exceed predicted revenue, but that she hoped to make up for the difference in changes to employee insurance.

City controller Mary Ann Kratochvil filed the mayor's 2010 budget proposal with the city clerk's office late in the day Friday.

The city council has scheduled a public hearing for taxpayers at 6:15 p.m. Sept. 14.

The council has the authority to cut the budget more and is expected to take final action Nov. 2.

Chris Hiatt, president of Citizens of Delaware County for Property Tax Repeal, said he had not seen the mayor's budget proposal Monday.

He said he hoped the mayor and council can pass a budget that "works within our means" and eliminates an ongoing debate about whether to raise income taxes.

The debate goes on between elected officials and the citizenry: Will the Muncie City Council rise to the challenge of managing, or will they act to raise our taxes?

For a fact, their constituents have already done what the Muncie City Council has yet been unable or unwilling to do, particularly in these uncertain and troubled times. To stretch the limited resources of so many, when all avenues have yet to be explored, is indefensible, but sadly, predictable. Please, urge your city council person to vote no on LOIT.