Turf Wars & Budget Battles

Posted Thursday, March 12, 2009, at 6:18 PM

I have had the opportunity to work on various political/issue campaigns on a local, county, state and federal level. I have had the pleasure of serving in government & government entities/sub-divisions on a local, state and federal level. It never ceases to amaze me the 'turf wars' and 'budget battles' that occur when deciding upon the best use of taxpayers' money and facilities. We are witnessing this now in Washington with the economic stimulus debate. We are witnessing it now Jefferson City as lawmakers try to finalize a budget for our state.

I have witnessed similar disagreements within the Democratic Party on a national, state and local level as well. The MO Democratic Party does not have an Executive Director, Communications Director or other important positions filled. I have e-mailed them numerous times in the past without any response. I am experiencing this on a government level (national & state); having written, e-mailed & called to our U.S. Senators, Governor and department heads over a month ago and still waiting for an answer/response.

Lack of communication is probably the biggest hurdle or obstacle when trying to reach agreement on what spending and policy should be. Discussion, meetings and consensus is necessary to make sure that goals, promises and operations are done with the most efficiency.

We are now witnessing this on a local level as well. I visited the courthouse yesterday and had the opportunity to talk with some of our elected officials and county employees. I was a surprised by some of the comments that were made regarding some current projects. I will briefly touch on a few items that have been in recent editions of MDN, with comments from me and from conversations I had yesterday in the courthouse.

Regarding the Courthouse Renovation: "...They decided to approve lightning protection for the building..." (Isn't this something that should have already been completed? I heard that lightning has struck the courthouse twice & burnt out several computers in recent years)

"...Approved...remodeling of the first floor restroom, which would cost almost $60,000...(I was told that this restroom is only used a few times a year and that at no time did anyone discuss the need of a remodeled bathroom with any county employee or elected official beyond the first floor.)

"...Removal and repair of the tile on the courthouse's second floor is not part of the restoration project...Committee Chairman... welcomed public sponsorship or donations to fund the floor project..." (We passed a tax to pay for this project, why are donations or sponsorships needed? The tile on the second floor is seen by almost every person that enters the courthouse. From the folks (and the majority were female) I visited with, the flooring was much more of a concern than a remodeled bathroom. I was told 'we are spending over $3,000,000.00 to remodel the courthouse but seem to be more concerned with a bathroom used by a handful of people than with the floor that is seen by everyone and is an important part of the history of this building...'

Regarding 911: "...Emergency Responder books the commission plans to purchase from Marceline Mapping... The books are like plat books... will allow emergency responders to see what a given road used to be called... A proof of these books is awaiting the commission's approval, after which 50 books will be printed..." (A necessary expense it seems. Why wasn't the same diligence and oversight used with the county plat books? See my previous post) "...reimbursement for gasoline was so high ($153.40)...because Larry Haren of Sign-Up Ltd. experienced vehicle problems, requiring Smith to pick Haren up from the state of Iowa..." (They don't have car/truck rental companies in Iowa? Will the same consideration be given to future employee's that might have car trouble or need transportation to work?)

This certainly is not problems unique to Saline County. It is seen and experienced at all levels of our government and society. I hope that in a county of our size, that these 'problems' can be overcome with a little bit more communication, cooperation, dialogue and involvement. If we cannot discuss our differences and opinions (at all levels of government) in a civilized manner and come to a mutual agreement through compromise, then this 'experiment in democracy' will be doomed to failure and all our 'turf wars' and 'budgets battles' will be of no consequence.

Comments
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Drug testing? What will ron do now? oops....Ron sounds like more people know you.IT IS ABOUT TIME.BUT I'M SURE HE KNOWS WHAT TO DO..

-- Posted by flinstones on Thu, Jul 2, 2009, at 12:16 PM

The partime commissioners are never in. I vote to make County Commissioners punch a time clock....

-- Posted by muddywater on Sat, Jun 27, 2009, at 6:07 AM

NanaDot: The commission wasn't in session this week and we've had other fish to fry, but as soon as possible we'll seek commissioners' response to the question.

-- Posted by Eric Crump on Wed, Mar 18, 2009, at 6:28 PM

The new platbooks have new road names in them.

-- Posted by yomomma on Tue, Mar 17, 2009, at 9:24 PM

The question, however, remains... Eric, has anyone on the County Commission beat considered asking --or heaven forbid!!! -- perhaps one of them voluntarily could clarify WHY platbooks were purchased BEFORE the re-numbering/re-naming process was completed?

-- Posted by NanaDot on Tue, Mar 17, 2009, at 8:39 PM

Wow �omomma. You sure do sound like a broken record. I love that you blogged about the issue at hand. Way to go, stepping up being a mature adult. We need more grown ups like you. I do hope you can sence the sarcasm in my words. Give it up, to momma and try to use your imagination and comment on something else!

-- Posted by jl32320 on Tue, Mar 17, 2009, at 7:27 AM

Yomomma let it go. Your one trick pony just trots into the arena, does its business, and trots out. It stinks.

-- Posted by Oklahoma Reader on Mon, Mar 16, 2009, at 10:10 PM

The county has drug testing now. oops sorry Ron!

-- Posted by yomomma on Mon, Mar 16, 2009, at 8:36 PM

It was an invitation, moodyblue, not an reprimand. But I apologize for singling you out.

-- Posted by Eric Crump on Mon, Mar 16, 2009, at 4:30 PM

Thats my point, I believe this blog is saying Vote Ron Monnig.....I dont dislike Mr. Monnig or Mr. Crump, Im just saying I dont think it is fair for Mr. Monnig to be able to use his blog to crtiticise local government if he is going to run for office of the bodies he is criticising. I dont think being singled out is the point, this is Mr. Monnigs blog so every comment posted is about him. Mr. Crump is the editor of the paper he has his blog in. Im just a person posting my feelings about the blog to the persons responsible for the content of the blog....They cant be singled out.

-- Posted by moodyblue on Mon, Mar 16, 2009, at 11:34 AM

moodyblue- Mr. Crump may have singled you out, but YOU are the one damanding Ron tell everyone right here, right now, if he plans on running again. If he wanted us to know, he would tell us. Otherwise, it's none of our business. It's not like he has blog's posted that say "Vote Ron Monning". So if you feel like you are singled out, just take a quick look at what you wrote. You're singleing people out too....

-- Posted by jl32320 on Mon, Mar 16, 2009, at 10:15 AM

and by the way....there is a whole lot of people that post on this site. Why am I the only one that Mr. Crump suggests to start a blog......wierd

-- Posted by moodyblue on Mon, Mar 16, 2009, at 9:30 AM

Mr. Monnig needs to disclose now if he plans to run for commissioner.

-- Posted by moodyblue on Mon, Mar 16, 2009, at 9:28 AM

There you go moodyblue put up or shut-up!!!!

-- Posted by Gal66 on Mon, Mar 16, 2009, at 7:17 AM

Mr. Monnig was not running for office when he started this blog. He's still not running for office as far as I know. We're always looking for new voices. Would you be interested in starting a blog of your own?

http://www.marshallnews.com/forms/blogsi...

-- Posted by Eric Crump on Sat, Mar 14, 2009, at 2:25 PM

Mr. Monnig's blogs are supposed to be about politics.......but it is a fact that he ran for commissioner in the past and you know how to tell the future is to look at the past. So with Mr. Monnig posting nothing but criticisms of the current commissioners....I say again he is using the blogs as a political stump. I will add that I don't think it is fair and will also add that I believe Mr. Crump knows he is. Look how fast he posted a counter to my comment on 03-13.

-- Posted by moodyblue on Sat, Mar 14, 2009, at 1:33 PM

Mr. Monnig said "...(I was told that this restroom is only used a few times a year and that at no time did anyone discuss the need of a remodeled bathroom with any county employee or elected official beyond the first floor.) "...I question the term "a few times a year"...in my opinion, thousands of times a year would be more true. Who of us from across the county hasn't attended the Saline County Bar-b-que that in and of itself attacks hundreds each year to the courthouse square, not to mention the hundreds of people that enjoy the band concerts every week during the summer. Then there's the spring fling on the square, festivals, more bar-b-ques, farmers market...seems to me that restroom may get more use by more of the people who are paying that tax than any other part of the courthouse.

I also know that all the planning meetings that have taken place over the last five years by the Preservation Commission have been open to the public. I wonder how many of those Mr. Monnig attended. It's a lot easier to be critically after the fact than to participate in the planning.

-- Posted by windowview on Sat, Mar 14, 2009, at 11:36 AM

Yomomma you appear to be one trick pony as far as commenting on anything Mr. Monnig has to say.

-- Posted by Oklahoma Reader on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 5:42 PM

Yomomma- you are just making random assumptions on what Ron's future holds and what he plans on doing as far as running for a pubic office.....well you know what they say when you assume something. It looks to me like you get some satisfaction with his blog and you do value what he has to say, because it seems to me you comment on each of his blogs. Maybe instead of making random assumptions and saying all of these blogs are about him losing some election you should read what he has to say without the believe there is an alterior motive behind it. I have to agree with gal66, Mr. Monnig does tell it like it is, and I enjoy reading about his opinion on politics. He seems like a very intelligent man with some very interesting views and opinions. I look forward to your next blog Ron!!!

-- Posted by jl32320 on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 3:39 PM

I want to thank Mr. Monnig for his work on his blog from what I have seen he tells it like it is and I think that's what some people don't like.

I could care less what side of the isle he put himself on.

-- Posted by Gal66 on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 1:54 PM

Friends,um no.

-- Posted by yomomma on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 1:09 PM

Yomomma-it appears to me that you and Ron must be personal friends since you are enlightening the community by informing us he is running in 2 years. I for one will wait for the announcement by HIM before I stick my foot in my mouth and assume that is what his future plans consist of. Just my thoughts, take it or leave it. As far as Mr. Monnig using the newspaper as a "political stump" think about 1 thing. The name of his bog is Politics, People, & US (A). So yes the bog IS very political, but it is Ron expressing his opinion, because he and everybody else in the US has this crazy right called...oh what was it...oh yes, freedom of speech. I enjoy reading his blogs and staying updated on some of the current events. Yes I am a democrat, so maybe that's why I enjoy it so much. Either way, it's his blog. So he can share his opinions until he is blue in the face.

-- Posted by jl32320 on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 12:31 PM

The election is two years away,Ron. You may not want to burn everybody out on this crap!

-- Posted by yomomma on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 10:51 AM

Ron,

I certainly agree with your point about improving communication, especially when it comes to big, expensive projects. Of course, I have a professional obligation to help in that regard and I'm always concerned about whether our stories do a good enough job of explaining complex issues and answering citizens' questions.

I do have information about a couple of items you mention. I've covered some meetings on the courthouse project and I've consulted with our reporter who is currently covering the project.

As I understand it, the "first floor" is what most of us would consider the basement. The restroom in question is the one accessible from the exterior of the building, which isn't used often but is important when it is. It's mainly used by people attending events on the square on weekends, which means the courthouse doesn't have to be unlocked when offices are not open.

Currently, this is a women's room only and men have no place to go during events. Opening the courthouse evenings and weekends for use of interior restrooms is cheaper but less convenient and less secure than upgrading the restroom.

The floor restoration was included in the restoration plan but wasn't bid on because contractors were uncertain about the cost of removing the current flooring and could not predict the condition of the floor beneath. The restoration committee is still interested in getting the project done, but without a contractor bid they can't include it immediately.

-- Posted by Eric Crump on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 9:27 AM

Mr. Monnig's blog is intended to be about politics.

-- Posted by Eric Crump on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 9:08 AM

Seems Mr. Monnig is using this newspaper is a political stump. I wonder if other candidates will have the same voice when it is time to elect a new commisioner.

-- Posted by moodyblue on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 8:45 AM

Politics, People & US(A)

RON MONNIG

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Ron Monnig has more than 35 years of experience working with civic, community and political groups. He has served in elected, appointed and volunteer positions since high school. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History/Government from Columbia College. He is a Democratic party activist; VP of Saline County Democrat Club, Member of Democrat Central Committee of Saline County.

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