Thayer Taxpayers Association Blog

I have in my possession an audiotape of a city council meeting, where bids are opened and Bobby Ryan's is accepted, for the erection of the electric shed, described in an article in the West Plains Daily Quill earlier this week about city work crews doing the work on a project which an outside person was contracted to do.

The sound quality is terrible, but some important details are clear.

Here is a transcript of the relevant portion:

TRANSCRIPT

Deckard: Okay . . . Old business . . . [garbled] . . . got some quotes on construction, putting up that building out there, don't we Rosie?

Simpson: Yeah.

[unintelligible]

Deckard: Okay, Bobby Ryan, labor on installing the building for the electric shed and rental on the scissor lift. That's just labor on installing it . . . $3800.

[unintelligible]

Rogers: . . . that's not the ends?

Deckard: No. No. This one sounds like it's the same way . . . Elmer Russell, labor to erect building at industrial park, $8340, labor only, no material.

[unintelligible]

Deckard: James Pace, bid on the metal building, city of Thayer construction of metal building [unintelligible] metal building, $10,000.

Harber: I think before we uh before we have somebody else do that we ought to see our . . . let our crews try it. Van says he can get it . . .

[unintelligible]

Deckard: Van's been busy. . . I'm gonna get this . . . How long we been trying to do this, two years? Is that not right? $3800 is not that bad, guys. [unintelligible] ...scissor lift.Alford or Grimes: [unintelligible] . . . pretty cheap.

Deckard: It is. . . What do you think about this?

Rogers: Well, [unintelligible] our guys can't do the [work?] let somebody else.

Deckard: The parks guys is NOT going to do this, I'm just telling you that right now. The parks are NOT doing it . . . It's NOT going to save us money. We're going to have . . . $3800 is 3800, a lot of money but that is still . . . The building has cost us twenty something thousand. What did we put in the, uh, concrete?

[unknown]: Eighteen.

Deckard: Eighteen? So I mean [that's still not the best thing we can do on it?]

Alford or Rogers: [unintelligible] Is this right, this is to get it erected?

Deckard: This is to get it erected; that's what all of this says, price of erection.

Alford or Rogers: [unintelligible] ... I know awhile ago . . . [unintelligible] . . . to get the ends on it . . .

Deckard: Well, at least we get the building done. And THEN we can worry about [unintelligible] other things.

[unintelligible]
Alford: . . . [Are you going to let?] keep the doors to unlock it with? Whatever . . .

Deckard: Right, right. . . . Right.

Alford: Is that the bolts, bolting it down and everything? They're going to bolt the building down to the ground?

Deckard: They'd have to do that.

Alford: Because there is no bolts there.

[unintelligible]

Deckard: What do you think?

[unintelligible]

unknown: I don't think so.

Deckard: All right, moving right along . . .

...

Sounds pretty clear to me; Bobby Ryan was awarded $3800 to erect the building himself, without the help of city crews.

UPDATE: I am trying to send a sample WAV of a copy of the recording to the Quill and the Hill 'n Holler to prove I indeed have it and that it is authentic. Even with the terrible sound quality, the voice is unmistakably Allen Deckard's.

For some reason, it's not going through. Maybe it's too big.

Labels: Alford, Allen Deckard, Bob Grimes, Buddy Rogers, City Council, city work crews, Grimes

. . . because the purpose of this blog isn't really to make endorsements of political candidates.

Yes, those are Christmas lights.

Labels: election, grassroots

. . . for the big "Candidates' Forum" hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, but a total of about five audience members, all of whom were CoC members and/or Deckard supporters, and one candidate (Deckard) had shown up by then.

I wasn't going to get into a confrontation with him in front of only his supporters, so I didn't ask the question.

I left instead.

But on the way out, I had some fun.

After exiting the building, I put "Vote For Change" flyers under the wipers on all the Missouri automobiles on the way to my car.

I'll try to post pictures of it soon.

UPDATE: See those little white flyers under the windshield wipers on the cars?

They are these:

Labels: Allen Deckard, election, grassroots, mayor's race

. . . came out in the free affiliate of the Allen Deckard Mouthpiece yesterday.

I'm using it, with some of my added commentary, in a new flyer distributed strategically around town.

(I know it's hard to read here, but you can get the gist of it.)

One thing I didn't mention in my commentary is that Deckard apparently thinks we have forgotten that he was a member of the city council prior to becoming Mayor, so any "sad shape" the city was in financially was as much his fault as the previous mayor's.

Labels: Allen Deckard, election

Go read it here. As always, look quickly, because they take the stories down every day.

They even printed one of Doris' color pictures.

Labels: Alford, Allen Deckard, Bob Grimes, City Council, city work crews, Gary Barton, Thayer City Council

It will depend on whether or not the Quill and/or the Allen Deckard Mouthpiece show up to cover the event.

If they do, I'll ask it. If they don't, I won't.

If I ask it, I don't want to cover the forum in the Hill 'n Holler. I'm not comfortable writing articles in which I am a part of the news. It feels too much like conflict of interest and self-promotion.

If they do cover the event, I'll ask it and not cover the event.

Anyway, here's the question:

This question is for the incumbents:

While you have been in office, I have seen Bob Grimes and Allen Deckard team up at a city council meeting to ambush and berate a citizen for having the audacity to talk to his state representative.

I have seen you, Bob Grimes, express a desire for people to "shut up," just because they want to hold their government accountable, and you have told at least one citizen to "get a life" when she tried to hold you to doing only what the council voted to do. Then you whined to her, "Why won't people just leave me alone and let me do my job?"

And you, Mister Mayor, complained about "what kind of people we have [in Thayer]." You have repeatedly called citizens of Thayer "lowlifes" behind their backs, and as recently as yesterday, when you thought I couldn't hear you, you referred to me as (pardon the language, folks; this is the mayor's word, not mine) "dumbass." Again, you did not have the courage to say it to my face.

I have even received an anonymous threat of violence, simply for going to council meetings and letting people know what happened there. And oh, yes, Mister Mayor, I know EXACTLY where it came from.

And you, Buddy Rogers, have been so afraid of making waves that you didn't stand up to them and put a stop to it. That makes you as much a part of the problem as they are.

So my question is a two-parter.

1. What is it about citizens being informed and holding you accountable that makes you so angry?

2. And I remind the three of you that I and other citizens like me are your employers. Now let me ask you -- if YOU had an employee that treated you the way you treat US, wouldn't you fire him?

Labels: Allen Deckard, Bob Grimes, Buddy Rogers, election, informed citizenry, mayor's race, threat of violence

Labels: Allen Deckard, mayor's race

In a special meeting called March 27, 2007, at Thayer city hall, the Thayer city council voted unanimously to buy a bucket truck, which had been inspected by Mike Harbor and Buddy Rogers on the 26th.

Both aldermen commented that the truck in question appears to be in excellent shape. It has a 60' working height and a 7-speed transmission. It currently has 31,000 miles on the odometer.

To have the truck delivered from Wentzville, the city would have to pay $1.65 per mile travelled. The council voted to have a city employee pick it up and drive it to Thayer.

The council also voted to amend the budget to pay for the truck, then adjourned the meeting.

[Article may also appear in Hill 'n Holler.]

Labels: bucket truck, Thayer City Council

According to Ozark Radio News, there will be a candidates' forum Wednesday at 3:00 at the Thayer Fun & Friends Senior Center.

Unclear at this time if all candidates will appear.

Labels: election

Tuesday, March 27 at 12:30 PM.

According to the agenda posted on city hall's door, it deals with "Bucket Truck."

Labels: bucket truck, City Council, Thayer City Council

This is the beginnings of actual construction.

These last two are pictures of Gary Barton himself.

There are more pictures, and I will work on getting them posted on this blog.

UPDATE: Here are some more:

3/27/07 UPDATE: Here are a couple of pictures I snapped this morning of the lack of progress at what I have dubbed the "Thayer Arch."

Labels: city work crews, Gary Barton

There are pictures going around town of a city work crew erecting the shed at the Industrial Park.

As reported here in the South Missourian News, the contract to erect the shed was awarded to Bobby Ryan for $3800 at the Thayer City Council's 12/12/06 meeting.

I was at that meeting. Alderman Steve Alford specifically asked if city workers would be used at all to help erect the shed. He was assured none would be used.

If city workers are erecting the shed, why are we paying $3800 to Bobby Ryan?

If Bobby Ryan could not erect the building himself or with his own employees, the thing to do would be to cancel the contract and go back to the city council and decide how to proceed from there.

That was not done.

(The following should also appear in this week's Hill 'n Holler.)

March Council Meeting a Three Dog Night

by John Hutchison

The mayor and all aldermen were present for the March meeting of the Thayer City Council, held March 20 in the council room of Thayer City Hall.

James A. Davis of Mammoth Spring was awarded the bid of $1075 to purchase a 1998 Ford police car owned by the city. His was the highest bid of the three received. The other two were for $225 and $210.

The Thayer-Mammoth Spring Saddle Club sought and was approved for a 2007 lease of the city's arena. The terms will remain the same as the 2006 lease, with the exception of the addition of another lot south of the arena. The council was assured that the additional lot would not interfere with the walking trail. The lot will be for a specific series of events, and all equipment for the events will be removed each night after the event.

The council instructed the city clerk to send out letters regarding delinquent real estate taxes, and set the date of August 27 for the sale of delinquent properties unless the taxes for those properties are paid before then.

The council looked over offers for a bucket truck for the city. Alderman Steve Alford suggested that council members inspect any truck before buying. He will be inspecting a particular truck in Wentsville in the coming days. Should the truck be satisfactory, a special meeting of the council will be called before buying it.

Two traffic ordinances, updating and modernizing city laws regarding driver's licenses and seat belt usage, were passed.

A request for a kennel license from a resident wishing to own four dogs, which she described as Shih-Tzus and poodles, was denied due to opposition from some people in her neighborhood. Current city law allows a maximum of three dogs without a kennel license.

The council voted to advertise openings at the city pool for pool manager and lifeguards, although the leak in the pool, detailed to the council at the February meeting, has not yet been repaired or even inspected.

Questions regarding the city's lack of a 9-1-1 system were brought up. Police Chief Frank Bernard advised residents to call the police department directly because calling 9-1-1 might result in getting a dispatcher from adjoining counties that are unfamiliar with Thayer addresses.

The council then went into closed session.

The next regularly scheduled Thayer City Council Meeting is April 10 at 7:00 PM at Thayer City Hall.

Absentee voting for the April 3 Thayer city elections has already begun. Contact the Oregon County Clerk for details on early voting.

Labels: mayor's race, Thayer City Council

There's a story about the efforts to build a new concession stand/restrooms/shower at the Thayer High School football field in this week's Deckard Propaganda Machine.

It comes complete with the following illustration.

(Sorry about the size. That's how it was on their online edition.)

Now assuming this is an accurate representation of the plans (I know; I know, we shouldn't assume anything printed in the South Missourian Weekly World News is accurate, but for the moment, just assume that it is), if you look closely, you can see that the bleachers have been drastically reduced in size.

The way I count it, there would be only six rows of seating. Which is room for about 60 people.

You might be able to squeeze in a few more, but certainly not enough to allow seating for, for instance, the hundreds of people who attend the Fourth of July festivities at the field every year.

But who needs a crowd when you've got a press box?

Labels: Deckard Propaganda Machine, South Missourian News

1. The Thayer City Council meets tomorrow night at 7:00 at Thayer City Hall. Come witness the monkeys.

2. Early voting for the April 3 mayoral and aldermanic elections is already going on, although the Thayer radio station has made no mention of it, even though I asked them to.

3. I am hearing that Johnny Jewell pulled out of the race for alderman. Again I have heard nothing about this from Thayer's illustrious radio station. If true, that would leave Junior Brewer and incumbent and sometimes meeting attendee Bob Grimes as the only candidates, although I have to believe ballots are already printed, due to early and absentee voting. So Johnny Jewell might win anyway.

Labels: election, mayor's race, Thayer City Council

Submitted for your consideration:

Remember the threat of violence I received back in March '06?

Take a look at a few excerpts, paired up with some excerpts from Cory Deckard's weblog.

Cory Deckard, I remind you, is the [supposedly adult] son of current Thayer mayor Allen Deckard.

First, our mysterious anonymous threatener misuses the word "along" when he means "a long."

This city has come ALONG way while under Gary Barton and Allen Deckard

Cory Deckard also misuses the word "along" when he means "a long."

It took me along time to get here but now I have to do it alone I see.

Next, let's look at our mysterious anonymous threatener's use of the word "then" when he means "than."

That whole road has been dug up MORE then once and replaced, other then
that, THEY are the only ones with problems

Now, let's look at Cory Allen Deckard's use of the word "then" when he means "than."

I have been spending more time in Memphis then at home

Next, let's look at the mysterious anonymous threatener's use of a comma, not a period, to end one sentence and start another:


b

That whole road has been dug up MORE then once and
replaced, other then that, THEY are the only ones with problems, it's in their
lines and the city if only responsible for the sewer to the start of the
property line, or better yet, the sewer main in the middle of the road.

Now, let's look at Cory Deckard's use of a comma, not a period, to end one sentence and start another:

I stayed the entire week in Thayer this last week, wow how it reminds me of
HOME.

"bobby and his clan"
the reference to my "uncle"

Labels: intimidation, mayor's race, threat of violence

Desperation must be setting in, because those campaign signs didn't get up and walk away by themselves.

Labels: mayor's race, theft of signs

If you pick up a copy of this week's Deckard Propaganda Machine, take a look at the article on the back page of the front section, written by Jan Thompson (who I assume used to be Jan Sisk Lawrence.)

It's not up on their online edition yet, so you'll have to look at the old-fashioned kind.

The article finally gets around to reporting about the February Thayer city council meeting. You know, the one I reported on here two weeks ago and in the Hill N Holler a week and a half ago?

Other than it being late, what's there to object to in this article?

How about the fact that the first two paragraphs are totally untrue?

Jo Ann Bowling, it says, was at the meeting and addressed the council.

Problem is, she was not at the meeting. She had attended the Planning and Zoning meeting the night before and was told she didn't need to come to the City Council Meeting.

Jan Thompson would know that if she attended the meeting, but like Jo Ann Bowling, she did not.

So she either made up Ms. Bowling's presence herself, out of her own imagination, or she relied on unreliable sources who fed her lies.

Unfortunately, this is not the only example of her making things up out of thin air and getting the SMN to print them as fact. It has happened before.

In that previous case of Jan's Imagination running wild, after I brought it to the attention of Areawide Media's Salem office, the SMN did run a small back-page correction.

Apparently it has not taken any steps to prevent it from happening again.

Labels: Deckard Propaganda Machine, falsehoods printed as fact, Jan Sisk Lawrence Thompson, South Missourian News