Very interesting! Doesn't look to me like sales tax is decreasing, but what do I know? I'm not a city manager.
The graph, unfortunately, does not show up very large when posted, but you can click to blow it up.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Sales Tax Collected
A blog reader and fellow concerned citizen was kind enough to take the time to look up the data on the Oklahoma Tax Commission's website and graph the tax collected in BA since 2005.
Very interesting! Doesn't look to me like sales tax is decreasing, but what do I know? I'm not a city manager.
The graph, unfortunately, does not show up very large when posted, but you can click to blow it up.
Very interesting! Doesn't look to me like sales tax is decreasing, but what do I know? I'm not a city manager.
The graph, unfortunately, does not show up very large when posted, but you can click to blow it up.
A reporter investigates....
If you missed Fox news last night, you might be interested in reading Emily Sinovic's editorial on Mr Twombly.
She is currently investigating the way Broken Arrow has been managed under this city manager. Please continue to leave your comments here or on the Fox site beneath her editorial. If you feel you have information that may help Emily in her efforts you can email her at esinovic@fox23.com.
I also would like to let you know that the vacant positions within the city have officially been removed. No time was wasted there! I guess the administration is suddenly on the ball (again, insert sarcastic tone here). The meeting that was supposed to occur on the 24th has been cancelled.
She is currently investigating the way Broken Arrow has been managed under this city manager. Please continue to leave your comments here or on the Fox site beneath her editorial. If you feel you have information that may help Emily in her efforts you can email her at esinovic@fox23.com.
I also would like to let you know that the vacant positions within the city have officially been removed. No time was wasted there! I guess the administration is suddenly on the ball (again, insert sarcastic tone here). The meeting that was supposed to occur on the 24th has been cancelled.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A sigh of relief? Not really.
If you have been following the news, and if you are here I would imagine you have been, the council meeting was last night and the layoffs are not taking place...
"at this time"
So, we relax for a few minutes, and then the rest hits us...increased utilities costs, possible increased fines, increased recreation fees, and the loss of the 48 vacant positions that were already part of the hiring freeze.
I'm going to guess that the lack of logic within the city's administration has run rampant.
Is it in the over priced water they are drinking?
Probably not, the rest of us consuming the water have been able to put it all together.
So what is it that makes them think...hmm these positions that have been vacant, that are costing us nothing, well they have to go!! Most of us realize that cutting those jobs is pretty simple, but when we need to re-open them, well that is a process that takes time and a lot of begging.
We need to continue to voice our concern.
Congratulations and thanks to all of you who have taken the time to comment here, and to those who have passed this blog address and print outs around to your fellow citizens. We got their attention, and they magically pulled it all together at the last minute, in order to avoid the layoffs.
I bet Mr Twombly thinks he is looking good right now.
He saved the employees!
He is putting the city back together!
You know, the city that wasn't really in such a bad place to begin with. The city that has incurred a lot of unnecessary, and sometimes even suspicious, expenses all while under Mr Twombly's direction.
Yep, it was him. He is a hero.
(insert sarcastic grin here)
Surely the administration isn't silly enough to think that pulling it off without the proposed lay offs looks good on them? We aren't that naive. They would know we would see through that right?
I'd like to think that the pressure put upon the council and the management that was generated through our efforts to get the word out, and the citizens and employees who showed up to let council know that they were watching, they cared about their city, and they weren't going to stand for this administration's inabilities, are what led to the sudden halting of the proposed lay offs.
Or, just maybe we were supposed to be so focused in one direction that we miss what is happening over yonder? A little misdirection maybe?
Whichever one it is, even though they have held off on the layoffs "at this time", we need to continue voicing our concern for the other services that will be affected, and for the removal and overhaul of the current administration.
I liked this comment made last night..
"Anonymous said...
It seems to me that Jim Twombly and the entire city council missed the point on why there were so many red shirts in the crowd at the city council meeting. It wasn't about layoffs or eliminating positions. It's about the mismanagement that has been occurring pretty much since Twombly took office. Taxes and revenues are up (just look at all of the press releases and the state tax records), yet we've been in a financial crisis for three years!?!?! This "company" needs a new CEO."
Indeed, this company needs a new CEO.
"at this time"
So, we relax for a few minutes, and then the rest hits us...increased utilities costs, possible increased fines, increased recreation fees, and the loss of the 48 vacant positions that were already part of the hiring freeze.
I'm going to guess that the lack of logic within the city's administration has run rampant.
Is it in the over priced water they are drinking?
Probably not, the rest of us consuming the water have been able to put it all together.
So what is it that makes them think...hmm these positions that have been vacant, that are costing us nothing, well they have to go!! Most of us realize that cutting those jobs is pretty simple, but when we need to re-open them, well that is a process that takes time and a lot of begging.
We need to continue to voice our concern.
Congratulations and thanks to all of you who have taken the time to comment here, and to those who have passed this blog address and print outs around to your fellow citizens. We got their attention, and they magically pulled it all together at the last minute, in order to avoid the layoffs.
I bet Mr Twombly thinks he is looking good right now.
He saved the employees!
He is putting the city back together!
You know, the city that wasn't really in such a bad place to begin with. The city that has incurred a lot of unnecessary, and sometimes even suspicious, expenses all while under Mr Twombly's direction.
Yep, it was him. He is a hero.
(insert sarcastic grin here)
Surely the administration isn't silly enough to think that pulling it off without the proposed lay offs looks good on them? We aren't that naive. They would know we would see through that right?
I'd like to think that the pressure put upon the council and the management that was generated through our efforts to get the word out, and the citizens and employees who showed up to let council know that they were watching, they cared about their city, and they weren't going to stand for this administration's inabilities, are what led to the sudden halting of the proposed lay offs.
Or, just maybe we were supposed to be so focused in one direction that we miss what is happening over yonder? A little misdirection maybe?
Whichever one it is, even though they have held off on the layoffs "at this time", we need to continue voicing our concern for the other services that will be affected, and for the removal and overhaul of the current administration.
I liked this comment made last night..
"Anonymous said...
It seems to me that Jim Twombly and the entire city council missed the point on why there were so many red shirts in the crowd at the city council meeting. It wasn't about layoffs or eliminating positions. It's about the mismanagement that has been occurring pretty much since Twombly took office. Taxes and revenues are up (just look at all of the press releases and the state tax records), yet we've been in a financial crisis for three years!?!?! This "company" needs a new CEO."
Indeed, this company needs a new CEO.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Can They Do That?
For anyone that has taken the time to look at the posted agenda for tomorrow night's (17th) City Council meeting, you may have noticed the final note at the end of the agenda that mentioned a particular executive session. Many, no doubt, have asked, "What does that mean?" and "Can they do that?"
The executive session notice advises that the City Manager along with the City Council as well as the City Attorney and all department heads are going into executive session to discuss the "employment" of the listed employees. If you continued to read, you would see that the listed employees are every employee of the City of Broken Arrow. That's right, every last one of them!
Still, what does that mean? It means that the City Manager, who is ultimately responsible for the content of the agenda, would prefer to talk about your job behind closed doors. You see it is much easier to make his case with half-truths and false information if there is no one present that knows any better. He is much more comfortable recommending that your job is no longer needed if he doesn't have to look at you while he is doing it!!
Can they do that? NO THEY CAN'T!!
State Statute does allow for executive session in order to talk about the employment of individual employees, but what they are attempting to do is an obvious abuse of this law. Any public official that violates the Open Meetings Act can actually be charged with a misdemeanor crime. You can't for a second think that they are going to talk about the individual employment of over 600 listed employees.
Will they, or won't they? Ultimately no one knows. What we do know is that every single employee is listed on this list, so in theory they are going to be in there talking about your job. Are you going to sit at home and hope for the best, or are you going to take a couple of hours out of your life and go to the meeting and be seen. Every employee and citizen of BA needs to show up and send the message that we care about ourselves, those we work with and the citizens of Broken Arrow.
The executive session notice advises that the City Manager along with the City Council as well as the City Attorney and all department heads are going into executive session to discuss the "employment" of the listed employees. If you continued to read, you would see that the listed employees are every employee of the City of Broken Arrow. That's right, every last one of them!
Still, what does that mean? It means that the City Manager, who is ultimately responsible for the content of the agenda, would prefer to talk about your job behind closed doors. You see it is much easier to make his case with half-truths and false information if there is no one present that knows any better. He is much more comfortable recommending that your job is no longer needed if he doesn't have to look at you while he is doing it!!
Can they do that? NO THEY CAN'T!!
State Statute does allow for executive session in order to talk about the employment of individual employees, but what they are attempting to do is an obvious abuse of this law. Any public official that violates the Open Meetings Act can actually be charged with a misdemeanor crime. You can't for a second think that they are going to talk about the individual employment of over 600 listed employees.
Will they, or won't they? Ultimately no one knows. What we do know is that every single employee is listed on this list, so in theory they are going to be in there talking about your job. Are you going to sit at home and hope for the best, or are you going to take a couple of hours out of your life and go to the meeting and be seen. Every employee and citizen of BA needs to show up and send the message that we care about ourselves, those we work with and the citizens of Broken Arrow.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Did you know...
...Mr. Twombly's 5 year contract is up for renewal in a couple of months?
It is.
And, since there isn't an actual deficit or financial crisis occurring, holding off on the lay offs and the reduction in public services until Mr Twombly can be removed from his position and the finances revisited, seems like a good start to making things right again.
Once again, I urge you to contact your council members.
Ask for a hold on the lay offs and changes about to take place, and let them know we need answers, real numbers, and someone competent in charge of the City's future.
Give council members this link so they can see what people are saying.I'm confident that if this hasn't already been seen by Mr Twombly himself, as well as the council members, they will be seeing it soon enough.
Keep your comments coming. If you aren't inclined to comment yourself, you will still want to take a look at what your fellow citizens are saying. A lot of good points are being made.
Remember Tuesday is the next council meeting. The rules for speaking at a council meeting can be found here. Council meetings are held in the City Council Chambers located at the north east entrance of City Hall.
Broken arrow City Council Chambers
220 South First Street
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012
918-259-2400
Do we need 5 more years of this?
Should we disrupt valuable City services and jeopardize employees and their family's lives when we aren't certain what is really happening?
Broken Arrow isn't broken yet, but it is certainly headed in that direction if left in Mr. Twombly's hands.
It is.
And, since there isn't an actual deficit or financial crisis occurring, holding off on the lay offs and the reduction in public services until Mr Twombly can be removed from his position and the finances revisited, seems like a good start to making things right again.
Once again, I urge you to contact your council members.
Ask for a hold on the lay offs and changes about to take place, and let them know we need answers, real numbers, and someone competent in charge of the City's future.
Give council members this link so they can see what people are saying.I'm confident that if this hasn't already been seen by Mr Twombly himself, as well as the council members, they will be seeing it soon enough.
Keep your comments coming. If you aren't inclined to comment yourself, you will still want to take a look at what your fellow citizens are saying. A lot of good points are being made.
Remember Tuesday is the next council meeting. The rules for speaking at a council meeting can be found here. Council meetings are held in the City Council Chambers located at the north east entrance of City Hall.
Broken arrow City Council Chambers
220 South First Street
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012
918-259-2400
Do we need 5 more years of this?
Should we disrupt valuable City services and jeopardize employees and their family's lives when we aren't certain what is really happening?
Broken Arrow isn't broken yet, but it is certainly headed in that direction if left in Mr. Twombly's hands.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Speak up!
I have been trying to get the word out there by posting this link in various places. If you have made your way here, and like what you have read, pass it on!
Also, as admin of this blog, I have access to visitor statistics, and I can tell you that this blog has indeed been seen by City Hall.
So you,
YES YOU,
speak up!!
Hopefully they are listening.
Click on "COMMENT" below any post and voice your concerns!
Also, as admin of this blog, I have access to visitor statistics, and I can tell you that this blog has indeed been seen by City Hall.
So you,
YES YOU,
speak up!!
Hopefully they are listening.
Click on "COMMENT" below any post and voice your concerns!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Why?
Have you ever heard of a town called Pella Iowa?
Me neither...
That is, until very recently when it was pointed out to me that Jim Twombly, the current city manager of Broken Arrow Ok, was previously the city manager of Pella Iowa.
Why is this important you might ask?
Good question. I’ll tell you why....
Jim Twombly served as the city manager between the years of 1994 and 2004. During this time he spent a lot of money to make himself look good.
Now, you may argue that the money was spent on the town, and the town benefited, so why say it was to make himself look good?
And, what the heck does this have to do with Broken Arrow?
I'm getting there, be patient, stay with me here.
During his 10 years in Pella his spending caused the debt to rise from 9.4 million in 1994, to 38.1 million in 2004. The highest per capita debt in their state!
Do the math for yourself.
Go ahead, I will wait.
Right, he more than quadrupled their debt!
Also, at the time of his resignation he stated that the amount of unrestricted cash in their city had increased by 11 million, when it in fact had decreased by 3.1 million! He also misrepresented the number of city employees they had at the time.(Read an article by the current Mayor of Pella here)
Why would he say such things? Seems to me that Mr Twombly was out for himself, and not so much for the people he served.
The connection to Broken Arrow?
I'm sure if you have been watching the news or reading local papers you are aware that the city is about to lay off employees. In fact employees have been given a date (the 25th of March) at which time they will be told if they are to be laid off and given a 60 day notice.(sounds generous and a bit unbelievable).
The lay off is due to the PROJECTED deficit, not an ACTUAL deficit.
A deficit based on the projections of the coming years.
Projections that I would imagine include spending Mr Twombly is planning.
Spending, like he has been doing already on things like a new logo, an unnecessary cost.
We know Mr Twombly already has some deficits of his own in the math department based on past behavior in Pella, one may look at that info and make some projections of their own.
Are we really going to make changes based on the numbers given by a man who cant seem to keep his facts straight?
Ask an employee of the city what numbers and projections they have been given. Then take a look at this article printed in the Broken Arrow Ledger. The numbers, once again, are not the same. Employees were told there was just under $1,000,000 in their emergency fund, and that The City would like to have $4,000,000. The ledger was told $2.4 million was in the emergency fund.
Really? The emergency fund gained $1.4 million within the same week?
Maybe Mr Twombly is dyslexic?
Nope, that cant be it, the numbers aren't even close enough for just an error in transcription.
Maybe Mr Twombly is trying to make himself look good again?
Maybe he is trying to make the employees believe that the situation is more dire than it already is?
But it isn't dire.
And, if it WAS dire, there are solutions that have been pointed out. Solutions they COULD implement, but they just WON'T.
So, the city manager, the one who just received a retroactive raise and an extra week paid vacation, is planning to disrupt employees and their family’s lives because he either has a problem with numbers, or is only out for himself.
Either way, past performance, and current discrepancies seem to indicate that Mr Twombly is not so trustworthy, or incapable of making sound decisions.
Should we have such a person in charge of tax dollars?
Making the final decisions on a budget that affect all of us?
Safety, recreation, jobs, and the future of families are all in this man’s hands.
So you might be thinking to yourself...
What about the other council members? Do they get a say?
They DO!
And YOU as their constituents are the ones they should be listening to. We should be rallying together to stop an economic crisis. Not the imagined economic crisis we are told we are in, but the very real one Mr Twombly is going to leave in his wake.
Let your council member know that you are relying on them to stop the imminent lay offs, and changes until the city manager's abilities are investigated further.
Why disrupt lives and lose valuable employees,
and as an indirect result valuable tax money that will be lost as those employees are not in a position to be buying anymore,
when we don’t even know which information is right?!
Call your council members,
email them,
stop them in the store,
and ask why!
Why is the city in crisis?
Why are we not looking at this man’s past history?
Why are we being lied to?
Request a copy of the city’s financial records. This is PUBLIC information that can be released on request.
Show up at the council meeting on the 17th and on the 24th to voice your concerns. Let the council members know you wont stand for being lied to. Remind council members that there is an election coming up on April 7th and that the people are who they answer to.
Just a note, while council members are responsible for certain areas of the city, any city resident can vote in the elections. It doesn't have to be your ward that is up for reelection.
Make yourself heard. We don’t need a city manager out for himself, we need a manager looking out for the best interest of ALL of the city’s residents and employees. This wont happen without some work!
Ask why we aren't looking into the discrepancies.
Ask for a hold on the imminent changes that will affect employees, and residents in general.
Ask what your council member plans to do about it.
City of Broken Arrow
City Manager
Jim Twombly
918-259-8419
jtwombly@brokenarrowok.gov
Assistant to the City Manager
Stephanie Higgins
918-259-2400, ext. 5429
shiggins@brokenarrowok.gov
Assistant City Manager
Dave Wooden
918-259-2400, ext. 5332
dwooden@brokenarrowok.gov
Finance Director
Tom Caldwell
918-259-2400, ext. 5411
tcaldwell@brokenarrowok.gov
City Clerk
Mary "Liza" Bryce
918-259-2400, ext. 5421
lbryce@brokenarrowok.gov
Council members
Mayor Wade McCaleb
918-693-4557
wmccaleb@brokenarrowok.gov
Vice Mayor Mike Lester
918-250-8111
mlester@brokenarrowok.gov
Richard Carter
918-857-1556
rcarter@brokenarrowok.gov
Craig Thurmond (term is up, and election April 2009)
918-294-0835
cthurmond@brokenarrowok.gov
Philip Tucker (term is up, and election in April 2009)
918-798-8176
ptucker@brokenarrowok.gov
Me neither...
That is, until very recently when it was pointed out to me that Jim Twombly, the current city manager of Broken Arrow Ok, was previously the city manager of Pella Iowa.
Why is this important you might ask?
Good question. I’ll tell you why....
Jim Twombly served as the city manager between the years of 1994 and 2004. During this time he spent a lot of money to make himself look good.
Now, you may argue that the money was spent on the town, and the town benefited, so why say it was to make himself look good?
And, what the heck does this have to do with Broken Arrow?
I'm getting there, be patient, stay with me here.
During his 10 years in Pella his spending caused the debt to rise from 9.4 million in 1994, to 38.1 million in 2004. The highest per capita debt in their state!
Do the math for yourself.
Go ahead, I will wait.
Right, he more than quadrupled their debt!
Also, at the time of his resignation he stated that the amount of unrestricted cash in their city had increased by 11 million, when it in fact had decreased by 3.1 million! He also misrepresented the number of city employees they had at the time.(Read an article by the current Mayor of Pella here)
Why would he say such things? Seems to me that Mr Twombly was out for himself, and not so much for the people he served.
The connection to Broken Arrow?
I'm sure if you have been watching the news or reading local papers you are aware that the city is about to lay off employees. In fact employees have been given a date (the 25th of March) at which time they will be told if they are to be laid off and given a 60 day notice.(sounds generous and a bit unbelievable).
The lay off is due to the PROJECTED deficit, not an ACTUAL deficit.
A deficit based on the projections of the coming years.
Projections that I would imagine include spending Mr Twombly is planning.
Spending, like he has been doing already on things like a new logo, an unnecessary cost.
We know Mr Twombly already has some deficits of his own in the math department based on past behavior in Pella, one may look at that info and make some projections of their own.
Are we really going to make changes based on the numbers given by a man who cant seem to keep his facts straight?
Ask an employee of the city what numbers and projections they have been given. Then take a look at this article printed in the Broken Arrow Ledger. The numbers, once again, are not the same. Employees were told there was just under $1,000,000 in their emergency fund, and that The City would like to have $4,000,000. The ledger was told $2.4 million was in the emergency fund.
Really? The emergency fund gained $1.4 million within the same week?
Maybe Mr Twombly is dyslexic?
Nope, that cant be it, the numbers aren't even close enough for just an error in transcription.
Maybe Mr Twombly is trying to make himself look good again?
Maybe he is trying to make the employees believe that the situation is more dire than it already is?
But it isn't dire.
And, if it WAS dire, there are solutions that have been pointed out. Solutions they COULD implement, but they just WON'T.
So, the city manager, the one who just received a retroactive raise and an extra week paid vacation, is planning to disrupt employees and their family’s lives because he either has a problem with numbers, or is only out for himself.
Either way, past performance, and current discrepancies seem to indicate that Mr Twombly is not so trustworthy, or incapable of making sound decisions.
Should we have such a person in charge of tax dollars?
Making the final decisions on a budget that affect all of us?
Safety, recreation, jobs, and the future of families are all in this man’s hands.
So you might be thinking to yourself...
What about the other council members? Do they get a say?
They DO!
And YOU as their constituents are the ones they should be listening to. We should be rallying together to stop an economic crisis. Not the imagined economic crisis we are told we are in, but the very real one Mr Twombly is going to leave in his wake.
Let your council member know that you are relying on them to stop the imminent lay offs, and changes until the city manager's abilities are investigated further.
Why disrupt lives and lose valuable employees,
and as an indirect result valuable tax money that will be lost as those employees are not in a position to be buying anymore,
when we don’t even know which information is right?!
Call your council members,
email them,
stop them in the store,
and ask why!
Why is the city in crisis?
Why are we not looking at this man’s past history?
Why are we being lied to?
Request a copy of the city’s financial records. This is PUBLIC information that can be released on request.
Show up at the council meeting on the 17th and on the 24th to voice your concerns. Let the council members know you wont stand for being lied to. Remind council members that there is an election coming up on April 7th and that the people are who they answer to.
Just a note, while council members are responsible for certain areas of the city, any city resident can vote in the elections. It doesn't have to be your ward that is up for reelection.
Make yourself heard. We don’t need a city manager out for himself, we need a manager looking out for the best interest of ALL of the city’s residents and employees. This wont happen without some work!
Ask why we aren't looking into the discrepancies.
Ask for a hold on the imminent changes that will affect employees, and residents in general.
Ask what your council member plans to do about it.
City of Broken Arrow
City Manager
Jim Twombly
918-259-8419
jtwombly@brokenarrowok.gov
Assistant to the City Manager
Stephanie Higgins
918-259-2400, ext. 5429
shiggins@brokenarrowok.gov
Assistant City Manager
Dave Wooden
918-259-2400, ext. 5332
dwooden@brokenarrowok.gov
Finance Director
Tom Caldwell
918-259-2400, ext. 5411
tcaldwell@brokenarrowok.gov
City Clerk
Mary "Liza" Bryce
918-259-2400, ext. 5421
lbryce@brokenarrowok.gov
Council members
Mayor Wade McCaleb
918-693-4557
wmccaleb@brokenarrowok.gov
Vice Mayor Mike Lester
918-250-8111
mlester@brokenarrowok.gov
Richard Carter
918-857-1556
rcarter@brokenarrowok.gov
Craig Thurmond (term is up, and election April 2009)
918-294-0835
cthurmond@brokenarrowok.gov
Philip Tucker (term is up, and election in April 2009)
918-798-8176
ptucker@brokenarrowok.gov
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