Thayer Taxpayers Association Blog

The only tangible evidence of the policies of the previous Thayer administration I can think of, as I predicted, has collapsed.

Note the only thing keeping it from being totally scattered in pieces on the ground is the scaffolding.

04/26/07 UPDATE:

Labels: Thayer Arch

Labels: Allen Deckard, city work crews, electric shed, Gary Barton, Thayer Arch

It is scheduled to start at 9:00 AM, and on the agenda is "work-study."

Due to a prior commitment, I am going to have to miss this one.

Labels: meetings, Thayer City Council

Good to see you're keeping an eye on us!

Or at least you have been since April 9th. I hope it continues.

As long as you're here, I invite you to look into this threat I received that my county sheriff and prosecutor wouldn't do anything about.

But I have a question -- I've noticed in my statcounter you seem inordinately interested in my posts on the Thayer City Council, meetings, and Gary Barton. Why?

Labels: Missouri Highway Patrol, threat of violence

A couple of quick things that may or may not be related.

1. According to a notice posted on the door of city hall today, there will be a closed meeting at 10:00 AM today to "discuss personnel."

2. I try not to post rumors, but this one appears to have some substance behind it. Word around town is that city clerk Rosie Simpson has told certain members of the Thayer Police that Friday (tomorrow) will be her last day.

Labels: City Council, meetings

At the end of the Thayer City Council meeting last night, the council

ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATION OF THAYER CITY MANAGER ADMINISTRATOR ELECTRIC SUPERVISOR EMPLOYEE GARY BARTON!

And a new day dawns in the city of Thayer . . .

Labels: Gary Barton, meetings, Thayer City Council

Standing room only as new council members sworn in.

A crowd of about 50 people packed the council room at Thayer City Hall for the April council meeting. Outgoing alderman Buddy Rogers presided over the meeting until the new members, elected April 3, were sworn in. Mayor Allen Deckard and alderman Bob Grimes, both defeated at the ballot box, did not attend the meeting.

City clerk Rosie Simpson swore in the new mayor, Merle Williams, and the two new aldermen, Junior Brewer and Joe Barbee. The council then received certification of the election results, and unanimously voted to accept them.

The council reviewed financial statements and accepted them as presented.

The council voted to appoint alderman Steve Alford as Mayor Pro-Tem. This authorizes Alford to preside over council meetings should the mayor be unable to attend.

The council then unanimously selected Joe Barbee to serve as council treasurer.

The council then voted to hire as Pool Manager Jennifer Hobbs, a position she has held since 1994. Hers was the only application received after the city advertised the vacancy. The council then reviewed the new pool admission fees, discussed at an earlier meeting, and voted to accept them.

King Johns/Bobby Ryan Jr.'s dumping contract with the city was renewed with unanimous support.

Discussion of a Highway Patrol request to move the driver's license examinations to city hall, due to accessibility issued, led to the council agreeing to each inspect the current facility at the back of the police department to see if it can be modified to meet the Highway Patrol's accessibility requirements.

Watershed issues on Sunset were brought to the council's attention. The council agreed to seek input from city workers and affected residents to see what can be done about the problem there.

A new feature was added to the council meetings, a segment set aside for "Public Participation." Mayor Williams explained that this is time allocated for citizens to address the council with any concerns they might have.

Kenny Moore brought to the council's attention a sewer problem behind his house that leads to the sewer backing up every weekend. Alderman Alford assured Mr. Moore he would get with the appropriate city department and see about getting the problem fixed.

Two separate incidents regarding the fire department were brought up. In both cases, the department was thanked for their prompt and professional action in putting out fires and containing damage.

Ron Cornelius, representing the Thayer Chamber of Commerce, addressed the council, announced the chamber meets Wednesdays at noon at the Country Cottage, and invited council members to attend the meetings. Cornelius also announced Dogwood Days is scheduled for May 5th.

Police Chief Frank Bernard announced the Click It or Ticket campaign will be from May 21 to June 3 this year, with special emphasis on the state's booster seat law.

Simpson relayed a request from the Solid Waste District Board that mayor Williams occupy a seat on that board. The council unanimously voted for Williams to become a member.

Mark Arnold sought permission from the council to proceed with an application for a 5% matching grant to acquire a new vehicle for the fire department. The council voted to allow him to proceed.

After going into closed session to discuss personnel matters, the council returned to open session and announced the resignation of city employee Gary Barton.

Labels: meetings, Thayer City Council

As expected, Allen Deckard blew off our US Representative and stood her up by not attending the tour of Thayer.

I hate to think how much damage would have been done to Thayer's image had Congresswoman Emerson shown up in town and nobody been there to give the tour.

Luckily, incoming mayor Merle Williams found out about it and came to the rescue, stepping in to tour some of the small businesses in the city with Emerson.

One pouts and shows his petty @$$ on his final day in office. The other steps up ahead of schedule for the good of the city. That shows the difference in character between the two.

Labels: Allen Deckard, Jo Ann Emerson, Mayor Williams

Swearing-in of newly-elected officials.
Review financial statement.

New Business
Council to receive certification of election results.
Vote to reappoint & rehire city employees.
Council to choose Mayor Pro-Tem.
Select a Treasurer.
Hire a pool manager.
Review increases in pool fees.
Review dumping contract with King Johns/Bobby Ryan Jr.
Drivers license examination location.

Closed session if necessary.
General.
Adjourn.

The meeting begins at 7:00 PM tonight at Thayer city hall.

Labels: meetings, Thayer City Council

No agenda posted on the door of city hall yet. I'll look for it tomorrow and post it here.

The meeting begins at 7:00 PM at Thayer city hall.

And I remind you of the tour JoAnn Emerson is supposed to be taking of Thayer with Allen Deckard tomorrow. It is supposed to start at 2:00 and last until 4:00 PM, starting at the city clerk's office.

Labels: Allen Deckard, Jo Ann Emerson, Thayer City Council

Apparently, they're going ahead with the tour of Thayer businesses Tuesday, with or without Allen Deckard.

What's the spread on whether or not he actually shows up? Sober?

Labels: Allen Deckard, Jo Ann Emerson

I found this in my Inbox:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jeffrey Connor
Wednesday, April 4, 2007 Office: (202) 225-4404
Direct: (202) 226-8826
jeffrey.connor@mail.house.gov

Emerson to Conduct Thayer Business Tour TUESDAY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) will tour Thayer businesses on TUESDAY, April 10, from 2:00 top 4:00 p.m. CDT with Mayor Allen Deckard.

"We have so many diverse businesses and entrepreneurial opportunities in Southern Missouri. I am glad to have the chance to walk through Thayer with Mayor Deckard, talk with business leaders and observe the state of our business community here so I can make informed votes in Congress. Rural economic development is a chief priority as we fight for opportunities to grow our business community and bring new ideas to Southern Missouri," Emerson said. "Working together, we can do a great deal to protect our small businesses and the quality jobs they supply. It is a serious responsibility to provide the most fertile economic environment possible in our region, but a great many talented individuals are giving this important duty their best effort. I'm proud to work with them."

The tour will begin in the office of the City Clerk at 124 North 2nd Street in Thayer.

WHO: U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson
WHAT: Tour of Thayer businesses
WHEN: TUESDAY, April 10, 2007 - 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. CDT
WHERE: Starting in the Office fo the City Clerk, 124 N. 2nd Street, Thayer

I called Representative Emerson's office twice and emailed them once letting know that by 4:00 PM April 10, Allen Deckard will have about three hours left in office, and even that is only a technicality, given that he has already cleared out his desk. So they may want to reschedule the tour so that the new mayor can give it.

Given Deckard's asinine behavior since the electoral smackdown he received, I wouldn't put it past him to stand Representative Emerson up. While this would certainly make HIM look bad, it would unfortunately make both Thayer and the Representative look like idiots.

Question: if small businesses are such a priority to Deckard, why has he fought tooth and nail to keep new ones from opening up in Thayer, and why has he waited until his last three hours in office to bring in someone who could help?

Labels: Allen Deckard, Jo Ann Emerson

This should come out Friday.

The Winds Of Change Sweep Through Thayer City Hall.
by John Hutchison

The power of the incumbency and people's natural resistance to change were outweighed Tuesday, April 3, by the enthusiasm of a fired-up grassroots populism as mayor Allen Deckard and two long-time aldermen were swept out of city hall at the ballot box.

The Oregon County Clerk's office confirmed Wednesday that in the mayoral race, Merle Williams received a total of 312 votes. Allen Deckard received only 129 votes, and Gary Clark received 10.

In the race for Ward I Alderman, Joe Barbee defeated Buddy Rogers with a total of 120 votes to Rogers' 93.

For Ward II Alderman, Junior Brewer won with 128 votes, over incumbent Bob Grimes' 91. Although Johnny Jewell pulled out of the race due to plans to relocate, he received 17 votes, and there was one vote cast for a write-in.

The next regularly-scheduled Thayer city council meeting is set for April 10 at 7:00 PM at Thayer City Hall.

Labels: election, grassroots, mayor's race

. . . you will want to note the update at the end of this post about Allen Deckard calling me a dumbass.

Labels: Allen Deckard, mayor's race

Election polls open at 6:00 AM tomorrow.

As Larry the Cable Guy would say,

Labels: election, grassroots, mayor's race