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Tempest in a Teapot??
Posted Friday, April 3, 2009, at 5:26 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
Instead of taking a lot of space to respond to the recent articles regarding Saline County Plat Books, I thought it might be best to respond here.
My biggest concern with this project is how it magnifies the dysfunctional workings of our county government. My last post stated: "It would seem like it would be easy to phone, walk up a flight of stairs or call a meeting of interested, knowledgeable officials to discuss the matter." I believe Ms. Fairchild's article re-enforces that premise and any controversy could easily been avoided. Let's look at some of the information and other details that have appeared in MDN: "...Cliff Sheakley, president of Farm and Home Publishers of Belmond, Iowa, who was contacted for this story, said the industry standard for creating the book is not to update the existing book with changes that have occurred since it was published, but to create the book again from scratch..."--If the standard is to start from "scratch" why was this not done and why was the Assessor not directly involved in the process? "......At some point following that meeting, County Assessor Margaret Pond was contacted by Marceline Mapping... Pond said she told Marceline Mapping that the work of bringing county records in line with the new software was not yet complete, and that she did not believe the data should be used for the plat books at that time..."--In the past, the plat book company has gone to the county assessor's office and working together a new plat book was compiled. "...Pond confirmed that the older method of producing the plat books, which is more labor-intensive, could still have been used, but that Marceline did not discuss using that method with her. After her discussion with them about using GIS, Pond said, she heard nothing further from the mapping company..."-- Ms. Pond said the next thing she heard from anyone about the plat books were when they were delivered to her office. "...the commissioners had hoped to use the GIS program in the production of plat books..."--If the commissioners were to have bothered discussing the matter with others, perhaps they would have been made aware the GIS program was not being used and also of the assessor's concerns. "...Marceline Mapping contacted the county 911 Commission and was provided a map that had been produced by GeoComm..."--The mapping company decides to go outside of all county officials/officers and contacts Geo-Com. Remind me again, was the county commission or the 911 commission responsible for ordering the books? According to the 911 Director, "...updated maps have been provided to the 911 Commission by GeoComm throughout the life of the project and that these maps are constantly changing..."--I completely understand this. Why were the same updates, changes not made available to the county? "...commissioners were given only three days to review the final draft of the plat books before they were printed..."That's not enough time to review it properly..."-- Tell the map company that 3 days is not enough time. Unless there was a contract with a deadline, why not take the time needed for a full review? When the 911 commission was in need of similar books for their needs it was reported "A proof of these books is awaiting the commission's approval, after which 50 books will be printed."--Hmm, same company, basically the same book, but the 911 commission has amble time to review before the book goes to print? Finally, "...commissioners did not know when they reviewed the draft that the map hadn't been produced from the county's GIS software..."--In other words there must have been zero communication with 911, the county assessor or any other county officials. I guess it is all just a 'tempest in a teapot', I just wish all the teapots would talk, call, meet or discuss county matters so everyone is working together, in an efficient manner, for the betterment of our county and its citizens. Comments Showing most recent comments first [Show in chronological order instead] |
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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Kathy, I did not say that the failure to respond by those in authority makes Mr. Monnig's words true. That would be foolish, and illogical, which I sometimes am, but not this time. What I said was that the lack of response made me strongly consider that his statements were true. I am still considering that.
I agree with you to a point regarding your statement that they are under no obligation to respond to commentary in this blog nor any other. Certainly they are subject to no legal obligation. After that it becomes a gray area, and a discussion as to in what circumstances should they answer questions. Do they have a moral obigation to their constituency to clear the air when allegations have been made? Do they have an obligation to themselves to stand up to allegations that have been made against them if they believe the allegations are untrue? I think so on both counts. Others would think not. Further, I believe it would be politically astute to get out in front of this, and not leave it hanging. Others would disagree with that.
Actually, If Mr. Monnig's observations regarding the lack of communication within the court house are true, I have just scant hope that communication efforts regarding the allegations will be any more efficient.
"...I just wish all the teapots would talk, call, meet or discuss county matters so everyone is working together, in an efficient manner, for the betterment of our county and its citizens."
I think that concerned citizens need to be watching our government and reporting on its workings, including city, county and state governments. How many citizens are willing, besides Kathy, to dig around in the bowels of city, county and state governments to find out anything? I think Mr. Monnig's point that it appears that several involved parties were NOT communicating with each other for whatever reasons, and the result was unnecessarily inaccurate information and expense.
This IS a political blog. No the local elected officials are not constrained to answer any issues on this blog, but I would think that paying attention to what is going on here would be a good idea... In case no one noticed, many state and federal governments have begun to use modern technology to address such issues... why doesn't the county commission have a website..?
Keep it up, Mr. Monnig...
Just a couple of additional comments:
1) Plat books are *always* out of date - it's just a matter of degree. It's fair to say they could have been less out of date in this instance, but the new books would still have been out of date, no matter when they were published.
2) The street and road names in the book *are* the new ones assigned for E-911.
OKReader - I think it's only fair to point out that the commissioners and others involved in the process of getting the plat book published are under no obligation to reply to allegations raised in this blog or any others. I understand why you believe they should, but I think it's quite unfair to say that their failure to do so makes any of what anyone says here or elsewhere true.
The way some of you go back and fourth with each other, almost in a childlike way is...ludicrous.
TOO FUNNY FOR WORDS...LMAO!!!!!
Mr. Monnig, is Yomomma correct wnen stating "Yes they were up to date when they were ordered and yes they have the new road names. Go buy one you will see."?
Yomomma, concerning your most recent post; why didn't you say that in your first post, instead of just your repetitive personal attack on Mr. Monnig? Can't you see that would have been a comment regarding the substance, and may have sent blog comments in a different direction.
Yes they were up to date when they were ordered and yes they have the new road names. Go buy one you will see.
Once again, why is there no response from those parties responsible for the snafu? I am certain that they are aware that Mr. Monnig has published his commentary. Their continued silence leads one to strongly consider that every word he has written is accurate. If that is the case the least they could do is stand up, acknowlege their errors, and ask for our forgiveness. Until recently that has been standard procedure for public figures of good character.
On the other hand if Mr. Monnig's observations are not true, and those in authority remain silent you have to wonder why they don't have the gumption to defend their correct actions.
So, either way they should respond. Their failure to respond is also a failure to answer to their constituency.
This man is not winning over my support even if he does run for commissioner-- not who I would want in office-- Mr Monnig-- why don't you be a solution instead of a CONSTANT WHINER
Yea, I should keep them short and sweet because YOUR comments (yomomma) are very mature and make sense..."get a life, get a job, good grief". I can see where THAT comment makes much more sense than my long drawn out ones. OOPS! So it's "crap gossip" that Ron is saying? Okay, I want to be sure I'm not misinterpreting what you are saying. So Ron is lying and ALL of the new plat books are up to date and have of the new names of the roads on them?
You're so sure of yourself. You obviously know Ron very well too, since you know for a fact he will be running for commissioner. The only reason I single "her" out is everyone else does and they make it look like a blood bath and that Ron has it out for her since he lost to her. I was just emphasizing my point...
Dont waste my time with ur long drawn out comments jl3232o. Keep it short and sweet.If u cant figure out why a Plat Book is out of date, the day it is ordered, than maybe u should research it urself and stop listening to crap gossip from Ron.
The only people Mr. Monnig talks negatively about are the commissioners and I find it interesting you talk about "she" (Becky Plattner) Mr. Monnig never singled out Ms. Plattner. It must be only coincidence that Mr. Monnig ran against Ms. Plattner for presiding commissioner. How well do you know Mr. Monnig? I'm guessing very well. When the time comes to register at the courthouse for the election, Mr. Monnig will be first in line.
First things first, I am glad Ron is bringing attention to the issue at hand. Why in the world is our money being wasted on books that are already out of date BEFORE they are printed. That makes no sense whatsoever and it makes me mad that my hard earned tax money is being burned. Next, yomomma you obviously have some anger and/or past issues with Ron. Let it go! You are obviously interested in what he has to say or you wouldn't read every single blog he writes and make some snide comment. You keep telling him to get a life bla bla bla, but you continue to waste your time with senseless and baseless comments that have NOTHING at all to do with his blog or the issue at hand. Talk about "needing to get a life". Finally, people keep commenting on Ron using this blog to help him politically for when he runs for office. Honestly, if Ron was going to run don't you think he would have let everyone know by now. This is POLITICAL blog, so it only makes sense he blogs about...politics. True, some of his blogs target our commissioner, but look at the money she is wasting! We have every right to know she is printing out of date books. I for one enjoy the blogs, and like to know what is going on. Oh and as far as his picture goes, I for one would be very proud to have a picture of myself and our president. Not everyone can say they have had the opportunity to be that close to him. I don't think it looks like President Obama is being stalked or is about to be man handled! Haha!
And his blog picture is just weird. We all get the point that you are special and were within feet of our next president. Stop tooting your own picture horn.
In fact, it looks kind of weird...like you are getting ready to stalk him or grab him.
Oklahoma Reader
To answer some of your questions....Yes, as I already stated I believe this is nothing more then a political stump for Mr. Monnig. Secondly...no, I'm not concerned. With Mr. Monnig's keen intellect and grasp of local politics all he can talk about is some lousy maps. How about some real concerns or is this all he can find to gripe about. Ms. Fairchild put it correctly when she labeled this a "teapot" it really has no consequence, except to Mr.Monnig who I believe wants to run for the same office he talks so negatively about.
Good job Mr. Monnig.
Before the naysayers really get rolling on this commentary I have a few questions for them. Do you really think this commentary is merely political machination on the part of Mr. Monnig? Does it not raise even one question in your mind as to what happened to bring about an apparently botched process? Why has there been no response from the parties involved? Do they prefer to just lay low until it all blows over?
One would think that if every thing was appropriate they would welcome the opportunity to defend their actions, to say nothing of keeping their constituency informed.
Here we go again.....I'm getting a lil tired of all this negativity. "Can't we all just get along"
GET A LIFE,JOB,SOMETHING!!GOODGRIEF!