Received this forwarded email recently:
"Dear Entrance Project Supporters
This is an update of news regarding our City Entrance Project since our last communication in August. Following the second bidding process which ended September 2, the Entrance Project Infrastructure Group reviewed the plans with Russell Downing, who has been selected to do the hardscape construction, and discussed ideas on how to lower the cost of the project by implementing “value engineering”, yet preserving the integrity of the original design. We are currently redesigning our original plans with an earnest intent to incorporate ideas that will bring the project to fruition within our projected budget. This plan will then need final approval from the City Council before construction can begin. This process has taken longer than expected, and we do not anticipate that construction will begin until 2011.
Until the project has City approval to build, we will not, in good faith, ask for pledge payments, so we will not be asking for your payment in 2010. While this may affect year-end financial planning, we hope you understand. The Entrance Project will ultimately enhance our community for years to come and convey the distinctive character of our city to residents and visitors. Our challenge is to create the very best product we can within our guidelines. On behalf of the Entrance Advisory Group (EAG), and the City, we thank you for your support, and will keep you updated on our progress.
Kristy Lawrence, EAG Communications Leader
Jim Miller, EAG Leader"
Trouble in Paradise? Jerry in his update at the September BOA meeting predicted construction would begin on the monument(s) "this Fall". Cocktail party conjecture pegs the reason for not receiving pledge money is the real possibility the project might not get off the ground...thus causing havoc with those who took a tax deduction in 2010 returns only to have to file an amended if the project fails to take place. The EAGC hasn't met in months and fund raising, if it is happening, has been very low profile. The so-called Infrastructure Subcommittee is the driving force right now, difficult to tell the issues in that they do not conduct public meetings or keep minutes, how they escape the requirements of the MO Sunshine Law is known only to the City Attorney.
17 comments:
Part of the reason for doing city hall entrance first was the construction on Barry Rd. Now that it's nearing completion, wouldn't it make sense to do the entrances they demolished first anyway?
That would make sense, but that doesn't mean your suggestion would/will happen. Based on the bids from the other monuments, the cost to replace the Barry Road monuments could be pricey...and the cooperative agreement with KCMO only yielded $50,000. The City Budget as passed by the BOA is close to zero sum (see latest WLL)for 2011, and Jerry says there is a need to build up savings. Very little money other than the KCMO funds reside in the bank and the EAGC has taken a time out on collecting pledges. Based on the current letter...will pledgers ante up in 2011? We shall see.
Maybe I missed something but I've never seen direct solicitation to all of Weatherby Lake for contributions. In fact, the only way I know anything about the sign status is through this blog. Is the MO to have it privately funded? I would imagine if people knew the sign on Barry was on the back burner, there would be questions about the $50,000. Still have no understanding why the building of one sign is as expensive as buying house.
First if someone made a "DONATION" in 2010 they would NOT need to ammend their taxes based on whether or not the project started that year or not. Your tax deduction goes off of when you donated, not when the funds are used. When you tithe you do not KNOW when the church will use your particular tithe. You may have written your check on Dec 25th at the Christmas Service and the church cashed it on December 31. Odds are they did NOT use your money on December 31st. That does NOT change the fact that you get to claim it on that years taxes
1:56pm "Until the project has City approval to build, we will not, in good faith, ask for pledge payments, SO WE WILL NOT BE ASKING FOR YOUR PAYMENT IN 2010".... Sounds to me that there might be issue accepting payments until the project is an official city "go". Don't you just love the positive spin a PR writer can give a letter.
8:25am....the reason you don't know much outside of this blog is that there HASN'T been very much community communication. Presentations of the design at various club activities, a few vague updates at city meetings....but no broad-based communication on what the numbers are, what the priorities are, what the REALITIES are. Did you know the first bid was about $650K for ONE entrance?
This whole endeavor has been conducted on the down-low by those that are spear-heading. It's the old, "let's get so far down the road that it's too late to turn back". Just ask someone on the committee how much has been spent on design plans, etc. so far. That $50K is close to gone.
Jerry B., I hope you're ready to defend where that $50K went. Yes, if those that are in favor want to get this enormous undertaking funded by private donations, that's fine. Just make sure that when you're through making city hall entrance look beautiful, or the inability to even start that project, you have the money to complete Barry. Even if it's only a $50K entrance. I AS A VOTER DEMAND IT, AND WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE.
What if the whole thing goes belly up and the City returns the money, or some of it back to the donors...guess you get to keep the money and the deduction.
Fat chance. The City doesn't have any obligation to return donated funds and they could use the money for whatever they please.
We love this community. We have been here for nearly three decades. There has always been the politics, various cliques, and disagreements about one thing or another. New regimes come in then slowly fade away. Newcomers move here, get themselves intensely involved in some club or project and then slowly fade away. Most eventually discover it is easier to let others duke it out and just sit back and enjoy the lake. Seems to be a ten to twelve year duration for them until they figure that out. We laugh because more than once some newbie likes to preach about getting involved or why things need to change “for the better”. What the newbies don’t understand is because of the politics, cliques and mud slinging, many choose to stay out of such things. Life is too short and much more enjoyable that way. But year by year there seems to be more and more rules and regulations added – more red tape. Some newbies seem a little more intense about flexing their muscles. But, as long as it doesn’t disturb our daily peace and quiet, we’re content.
Which brings me to the sign thing. I remember a lady at our lake who went through a major redecoration of her house. New cabinetry in the office and kitchen, custom drapes and furniture, flooring, etc. – tons of money spent. Went through a divorce and the house ended up on the market. Realtors called it a throw away house. Never addressed was the leaking basement, leaking roof, shifting foundation, etc.
New regime would like to dress up our lake with new signs. More power to them if they succeed. Personally we think the drive is just to make some of the more rich and famous look better. But dressing up the lake is not going to hide the sewer and road issues. It is not going to hide that our police department still needs updated equipment and autos. Maybe it’s just easier to dress things up instead of addressing some of the more serious problems. But, no different than our national politics, there is always someone willing to step in and take it on or shift it to the next regime.
The rambling about red tape newbies and regimes is validation of problem we have with lack of information and involvement.
New people come in they start to try and "change for the better”.
What a folly.
Better to not get involved in that endeavor.
I agree with 8:29 and I find it interesting/frustrating with lack of information. The city website has no real new "information" posted since November of last year. November 2009 are the only minutes posted. No clear information on what entrances are priority, etc. Demonstrates how only 20 people out of our entire lake population are the ones privileged enough to be informed and "in the know". A extract below:
Fundaising: Joyce McInerny, Tony White
Joyce and Tony have approached target individuals through personal visits, cocktail parties and dinner presentations hosted by Laura Welch. Kristopher volunteered to give a project presentation at personal functions or gatherings of friends, if desired. Joyce encouraged all committee members to help with fundraising and talk to people of interest, or provide her with names of potential donors. Joyce expressed interest in giving a presentation to the City Park Board. Alan York said $10,000 for entrances was included in the 2006 bond issue that was approved by the citizens of Weatherby Lake.
Decision on Project Future: Jim Miller
Jim expressed the position he outlined in a note to all EAG members dated November 3, 2008 concerning the goal of raising $300,000 for the Entrance Project by November 30. Following the November meeting, the “quiet phase” of the fundraising ensued. Jim described the unusual aspect of the project in trying to raise funds for a concept. So far, about $100,000 has been pledged by 20 or so people. Jim expressed positive feelings for the enthusiasm that has so far been generated, and after general discussion, he proposed to go to the City Council seeking approval to extend the $300,000 fundraising deadline to January 4, when there will be a scheduled EAG meeting to further evaluate the project. This may eliminate tax-deductible donations in 2009 and defer the pledge schedule to begin in 2010.
I agree with 8:25 about lack of information. Even the city website doesn't give us any new information of substance like priorities, cost, etc. Last EAG minutes posted are from November 2009. And, these demonstrate how only about 20 people or so are privileged enough to get information and be "in the know". So what happened to the $10K mentioned by York? An excerpt below....
Fundaising: Joyce McInerny, Tony White
Joyce and Tony have approached target individuals through personal visits, cocktail parties and dinner presentations hosted by Laura Welch. Kristopher volunteered to give a project presentation at personal functions or gatherings of friends, if desired. Joyce encouraged all committee members to help with fundraising and talk to people of interest, or provide her with names of potential donors. Joyce expressed interest in giving a presentation to the City Park Board. Alan York said $10,000 for entrances was included in the 2006 bond issue that was approved by the citizens of Weatherby Lake.
Decision on Project Future: Jim Miller
Jim expressed the position he outlined in a note to all EAG members dated November 3, 2008 concerning the goal of raising $300,000 for the Entrance Project by November 30. Following the November meeting, the “quiet phase” of the fundraising ensued. Jim described the unusual aspect of the project in trying to raise funds for a concept. So far, about $100,000 has been pledged by 20 or so people. Jim expressed positive feelings for the enthusiasm that has so far been generated, and after general discussion, he proposed to go to the City Council seeking approval to extend the $300,000 fundraising deadline to January 4, when there will be a scheduled EAG meeting to further evaluate the project. This may eliminate tax-deductible donations in 2009 and defer the pledge schedule to begin in 2010
No 3:28, it is not about lack of information or involvement. It is about recurring history and experience. 1:17 is fully informed. Their comments are unfortunate but more true than false. Nothing wrong with longing for simpler times. "Change for the better"? Granted this may be a matter of opinion but one had to live here thirty years ago to experience there was nothing wrong with the living conditions or the reduced rules and regulations.
No different than how federal taxes become more and more complicated each year with another reconfigured tax bill voted in or a new group demanding special tax consideration. No different than how fed gov's spending on what is important becomes warped or redirected into something else.
Understood a very, very small minority make up the contributors to the signage fund. Contributors with big pockets. If this is a true then it would follow they are the ones driving the sign issue and wanting their lake to look good.
Is maintenance in the City Budget for the new monuments? Jerry is hot about street lights, is he putting lights on the monuments as well? I agree with the first comment, Barry road should be first.
Got it .The "living conditions "are good here. So lets not spend another dime
I am not a newbie and I am against the new entrances but they are not newbies who want them. The rich as you describe them pay for alot around here just like they pay foryour SS check .You never paid nearly as much as you get.
I am all for investments that maintain and protect the lake and I am for rebuilding C -point Every now and then after 30 years you might want to consider painting your house and investing in your asset
About the "red tape " maybe you could elaborate further with examples on the intrusion in your life as a result of all the red tape and rules we have.
I'm most concerned with the misappropriation of the $50K. Only use it for which it was designed.
It will be cool when the economy goes completely south. The big entrance signs will tell the looters where to turn...
http://www.theserpentswall.com/page24.html
Until then, the burglars will have some guidance..as the economy gets worse and worse, I am sure there will be more and more of them that need some directions.
Post a Comment