08.23.07
Council Tactics At Their Worst, Again!
By Peggy Schlichter
As always these are my thoughts and mine alone.
I fear the same cannot be said about young Mr. Coe’s supposed Letter to the Editor published in Wednesday’s Stuart Herald. While the letter does contain a couple of typical “Tyler type” comments, on the whole a more distinct style prevails.
It is clear that the intent of the letter is to discredit the petition, its signers and myself. What it clearly doesn’t want you to know is that the petiton succeeded on two important points.
First, the Bond Attorny DID NOT allow the use of TIF monies for the construction of the Bath House. This is key because TIF is a obligation of future tax money that would directly effect property tax rates. See “The Controversy” post to refresh your memory.
Second, it stopped the council’s use of a General Obligation Bond to fund $400,000 of the $550,000 Bath House Project. General Obligation Bonds directly effect property tax rates also. If you remember the Bath House Project was promised to be paid by fundraising and LOSST monies. Neither of which effect property tax.
Yet when the city was informed that there was not enough money in the earmarked LOSST portion to fund the entire project and they were denied TIF usage did they bother to come back and say they were changing the financing structure? Did they make any attempt to explain why the change was necessary? Did they explore any other financing options? Nope, they just threw a legal notice for the general obligation bond in the paper hoping no one would catch on.
So how did the petition succeed on these two points if there is so much wrong with it? Quite simply the legal opinion of the bond attorney. That legal opinion gave them 3 options and they had to choose one. This was all covered in “The Controvery” post.
Once that legal opinion was received on Monday the 13th, prior to the regular council meeting, all their actions were nothing more than a blatant attempt to discredit the petiton and harrass its signers. These continued attempts show their true character and nature.
The letter goes on to say that “the city council is aggressively seeking options on whether to build a new city hall and library or relocate both of the entities to an already standing structure in town”. Just how aggressive is one committee meeting with no public notice of the agenda and location, with no published minutes, that latched onto a plan to have one existing structure evaluated for suitability? You decide. There is only one existing building in town that has the capacity necessary to house both the city hall and library. Yet they insist on keeping the location secret because it might cost them more if the word gets out. I don’t buy that excuse at all. It is just another attempt to hide their actions from the public and everyone knows the building in question.
As for the mentioning of the walking trail and its repeated attempt to convince people that only phase 1 will be implemented I am not fooled. The grants for the other phases are already written and waiting to be submitted by Mr. Tiernan as soon as the city builds phase 1. This was stated during discussion at a regular council meeting from the very begining. If you remember the Council changed their tactics to emphasizing only phase 1 after being bombarded by resident complaints when the actual trail route was published in a previous blog post. Their plan has not changed they just want you to forget about it until it is to late to stop it.
The one item I found in this letter that truely offends me is “Next time a petition rolls around about city matters, I urge you to contact a city council member, the mayor or the city adminitrator.” Just exactly when did Stuart, Iowa suspend the Constitution and Bill of Rights. This encouragment to run and turn in our neighbors for exercising their constitutional rights is beyond pale. The last time these tactics were used was in Nazi Germany. Whoevers words these are, our education system has failed miserably and their arrogance knows no bounds.
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 11:34 am
Where do we begin? Do you think that the citizens of Stuart need to know that the only “secret” replacement for city hall and library is the Masonic Temple Building, and that they are dealing directly with the owner? This one, too will slip through the cracks before they wake up and smell the rat. the mayor and architects have been seen going in with the owner, PW, but very little has been discussed. Will there be a bond to approve it? Bet not. people of Stuart will never approve the purchase of that building. what is the price tag? anyone know? where are the minutes of any meetings about the building? dirty deeds? Ya think?
Tyler Coe needs to go to school. His political future here is stuart is bleak for sure. If we want to deal with his nonsense, we are just fueling his little bonfire. he probably knows a lot more about what the council is up to that we know.
the petition is names on paper. it is a form of wag the dog, and any intelligent person knows it. if we allow them to create a distraction they still win. Peg, keep their feet to the fire.
Fed up said,
August 23, 2007 at 12:10 pm
It’s obvious that Coe did NOT learn his lesson. What is it about that kid that he thinks he can run with the big dogs?
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 1:16 pm
what type of lesson are you implying needs to be learned? seriously. cant we all voice our opinions? sad comment “fed up.”
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Ok Peg. If Tyler was wrong about the legitimacey of your petition, can you explain the letters people wrote stating that they did not sign the petition, that they signed one but not the other, or that the petition was misrepresented to them. Or, are you going to say you didn’t read the council minutes. It’s all there. Are you going to say all those letters are from liars? What about the special meeting (which you attended) where the council members discussed conducting and investigation but yet… you heard about it first on Nate’s blog? Doesn’t add up.
Sounds like Tyler might be more accurate than you would like.
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Did Tyler become a public official Peg?
thevoicesofstuart said,
August 23, 2007 at 2:15 pm
1:18 pm – people can write anything they wish. no ones arm was twisted for a signature. as i have not bothered to go look at the letters i cannot specifically speak on any of them. there is no reason to at this point. as for the investigation they are going to do what they want anyway until they get over it. i stand by my previous post on the subject. maybe one or two letters were read with no names mentioned at the council meeting but were mostly held up and waved around with a lot of posturing. big deal.
1:34 pm – never said he was. he chose to put his two cents worth out there for public scrutiny though didn’t he. that makes him fair game.
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Letters of complaint are not for public eyes. Why are you wanting to see them? So you can harrass and intimidate the people who wrote them? Besides, if they are evidence in an investigation, you aren’t going to see who wrote what until it’s all over…
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Peg, aren’t you doing what you accuse the council of? Intimidating concerned citizens for voicing their opinion? Shame on you Peg.
Fed up said,
August 23, 2007 at 2:49 pm
1:16 IF they were ALL his opinions and they weren’t being forced fed to him then yea, maybe. In this case I don’t see that this letter was ALL his actual words OR opinions! Think what YOU want, I’ll think what I want! My opinion…………you don’t have to agree or like it right?
a said,
August 23, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I just read the minutes in the paper, question:
Can the city legally post the text of the letter and not name the signee?
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 3:17 pm
It makes perfect sense that people would deny signing once people began implying that they could be harrassed by the city and others. Who in the hell do these people think they are? These minutes mean nothing. It was all over town immediately that there was a petition going on, and it came out of city hall. Also, people were told who’s names were on the list, and that the town would lose the swimming pool if the petition held up. Crooked as a country road, and Tyler Coe is just an obnoxious mouthpiece who just thrives on pissing people off. Don’t feed his fire.
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 3:19 pm
tyler coe has a “buddy” at city hall. maybe more than one.
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Big deal! So 7 letters were received by the city stating that they were unaware of what they were signing. I know for a fact that some of those people were called by supporters of the $550,000 bathhouse and city council relatives. These petition signers were their friends and changed their view because of the pressure. Don’t forget too that there was another petition brought to the special meeting with only 22 people’s signature in support of the walking trail and $550,000 bathhouse. I wonder if they realized just what they were signing. We need an investigation.
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 3:53 pm
your edumucation obviously failed peg-leg.
Person who knows said,
August 23, 2007 at 4:11 pm
When you have a committee checking out things, you do not have to have it present to the public, you do not have to have minutes for that meeting. All that committee is for, is to get information to bring up to the council. They can not make any decisions, or no voting. It is in the state laws.
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I agreed 100% with Tyler’s letter as so many other people do. He is good at getting his facts straight.
Freedom of speech said,
August 23, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Telling people to report to the City Hall if a known petition is being generated. OH MY<<<< Ty Baby, you are way off the mark on that comment.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the United States Bill of Rights. It prohibits the federal legislature from making laws that establish religion (the “Establishment Clause”) or prohibit free exercise of religion (the “Free Exercise Clause”), laws that infringe the freedom of speech, infringe the freedom of the press, limit the right to assemble peaceably, or limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 9:09 pm
3:10 – yes.
To others (3:17, 3:19, etc.)-
Of course Tyler didn’t write that letter! He could never be capable of having an independent thought! Just because he graduated with honors and got into a very hard, highly renowned and prestigious college obviously means he’s too dumb to think for himself!
People, please. If you’ve been living in a box the last 2-3 years then you must have missed his column in the Herald where he always voiced HIS opinion and it quite regularly made someone upset. I remember once when he got into a little “letter to the Editor squabble” with a local woman on an issue. And who can forget the school stuff. I think he ticked off ol’ Sloss and the admin within a couple weeks of each other (and then continued voicing his upset over the admin/board until his graduation). I found it quite humorous.
My point is he is capable of independent thinking. Just because he’s against Old Peg and her misinformation (just as I am) doesn’t mean he’s unable to write a letter expressing his beliefs.
You all – with Peg as the leader – are just showing your ignorance for basing an argument on what TYLER thinks. Too funny.
?? said,
August 23, 2007 at 9:23 pm
whatever happen to we the people? Tyler is stating that we should now tattle on our neighbor if they disagree with the current city council?
We, meaning any and all of us have the right to question our city without the worry of attack.
alas, it appears we do not have the right to question how our tax dollars are spent. it appears that members of our city are now spying on what you sign and the questioning your right to sign said documents?
Is our city being responsible with our tax dollars? Do we have the right to question how those dollars are being spent? Appears not, as Tyler does not think so.
fed up with you said,
August 23, 2007 at 11:09 pm
every town needs a village idiot, thanks Peg.
anonymous said,
August 23, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Tyler Coe couldn’t get his facts straight with a precision ruler.
anon and anon said,
August 24, 2007 at 12:01 am
2.23: You can look at the letters and the petition. 3:10 yes they can 3:17 your statement is totally false 4:11 sorry, sunshine laws on open meetings say differently, these are called advisory committees and are subject to the same open meeting, minutes, and publication laws, 4:35 Tyler has no idea, only what he has been told and what he thinks he knows.
Anonymous said,
August 24, 2007 at 1:21 am
but arent people turning in the city for things that are turning out to be incorrect? no one at city hall has been arrested and you have been going at them for almost a year.
Weekly Recap : The Good Egg Gazette said,
August 24, 2007 at 2:04 am
[...] at West Central Valley. And back to the school debate. And I guess we might as well go back to the Stuart City Council debate too while we’re at [...]
Anonymous said,
August 24, 2007 at 8:54 am
tyler is talking about getting facts from the people in city hall not tattling.
thevoicesofstuart said,
August 24, 2007 at 9:59 am
i just deleted a comment.
if you wish to discuss his letter to the editor try again.
anon and anon said,
August 24, 2007 at 11:14 am
8: 54 Tyler was excercising his opinion only, and his suggestion to go to city hall, a city council member or the city administrator, would be of no avail. It is clearly stated objections may be written or oral at any public hearing. It would be totally illegal by Iowa law, for these people to advise anyone on how to handle what should be their own decision in these matters. If in doubt, don’t. A petition is deemed acceptable only by the required 10% of the number of voters in the last city election. If it does not have the required number of signatures, it is returned to the person who submitted it.
Anonymous said,
August 24, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I didn’t see the petition but wish I’d had the chance to sign it. The Stuart City Council is trying to censor its citizens by denying them the right to express their opinions. I can understand why the council didn’t want this $550,000 bath house to come before the voters in a bond referendum. They had no confidence that the voters would past the bond.
anonymous said,
August 24, 2007 at 3:17 pm
It’s only when Peg hits the truth on the head — which is all the time — that the council/city admin/Tyler and his friends/family start calling her names and put up a fuss. Good job Peg. Thanks for digging and getting at the truth…something that city council/city admin and their pal Tyler Coe know very little about.
Anonymous said,
August 24, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Soooo they do what they want to, right? Are they elected by the people? The people who elected them don’t count anymore? That would appear the case, so in fact, they are afraid to put their hair brained ideas to the public, who doesn’t really count at all so the question would be, then, do they have their own agendas? DUH! I’m being redundant on this comment, because that’s what it appears necessary to get the point across. This is just ridiculous.
Person who knows said,
August 24, 2007 at 6:08 pm
12:01-anyone can go to these meetings but they do not have to be posted.
amazed said,
August 25, 2007 at 12:46 am
Whatever. Are you all insane? Peg is bein INVESTIGATED for FORGERY & FRAUD!! Why aren’t all of you upset over that? WHY are you just assuming she’s innocent? Because she said so? Why is her word suddenly the gospel of Stuart, Iowa?! OF COURSE SHE’S GOING TO DENY IT! Would you really expect her to be all “why yes, I did add a few extra names. Whoopsies!” or “I admit, I did misrepresent but how else were we to get signatures?” If you think she’d do that then wow – people in this town are dumber than I ever could have imagined.
You all crucify Tyler for pretty much breathing and thinking but you ignore that Peg has possibly committed a felony or two?
Anonymous said,
August 25, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Amazed said: “Why aren’t all of you upset over that? WHY are you just assuming she’s innocent”?
We trust Peg because we know she’s honest and wants citizens to have a voice in the dealings of city government. It’s only a few people like you and some city officials who want to discredit her.
Anonymous said,
August 25, 2007 at 2:52 pm
then why werent there 1712 signatures on the big bad petition?
Anonymous said,
August 25, 2007 at 4:53 pm
LOL at 12:36. You know but the people who signed letters stating their names were forged on the petition probably thpought that too. I guess we will see what the city and/or state (if they’ve turned it in) does. Question though: will YOU be able to admit she’s not God’s gift afterwards?
You really want to “have a voice in the dealings of city government?” Well then, get off your butt and attend a council meeting or two.
anon 2 said,
August 25, 2007 at 7:44 pm
4:53 you better go read the letters very carefully. You are only going by what you assume and what someone has told you. You are in for a big surprise.
Anonymous said,
August 25, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Anon 2, do you know that for a fact? From just the ones that I read in the council minutes, I’d say 4:53 is pretty right on.
shorttimer said,
August 25, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Can we look at this with a little bit of logic. When it comes to “misconduct” and the “hint of impropriety”, where the petition is concerned. The first question that you have to ask about any alleged wrong doing is: What is there to be gained? Is Ms. Schlichter gaining anything by putting herself out there to be subjected to the kind of slander that is being thrown her direction? Is Ms. Schlichter gaining anything by going to every public meeting and bringing the information back to the community? The only thing that she could possibly be gaining from all this is a self-satisfaction that comes from within when you realize that there is a situation that needs to be changed and you are doing everything possible in your power to change it, not for personal gain, but in the best interest of all. Keep up the good work, Peg, you are giving the community much needed, clarified information with code sections and sources to back up your comments.
Is the City government gaining anything by screaming accusations and diverting attention from the facts that surround the cost of the bath house and the proposed walking trail? Um……..Could be……Maybe if they scream loud enough and make trouble for the “Registered Voters” and “Tax Payers” of the community, these people will just go away and leave them alone to do what they want to do, regardless of cost, potential tax increases or actual needs of the community. One of the most commonly used forms of avoidance is to “CHANGE THE SUBJECT!” Good job with this Stuart City Council, if you can’t dazzle them with your brilliance and knowledge, then by all means let’s baffle them with your bull….
What’s up with Tyler? Who the hell knows! Sometimes an over inflated sense of self can get some people in trouble, and based on the experiences that many in the community have had with young Mr. Coe, I doubt very seriously that those who actually know the young man, could put much stock into his “facts”, “opinions”, or “regurgetation” of statements that come directly from City Hall.
Logically speaking, of course.
Anonymous said,
August 25, 2007 at 9:32 pm
4:53- I’d suggest that you should attend the council meetings. Do you know as absolute how many signed a letter stating their names had been forged? Was it not but one? Do you know the outcome of that accusation? Also, you won’t hear this bit of information at the council proceedings; did you know the city is under intense investigation by the State Auditors Office?
anon 2 said,
August 26, 2007 at 3:40 pm
9:18 matter of fact I do. Read again. One person said they didn’t sign. The rest did sign and said “didn’t read it very well”, “didn’t know bathhouse was on it” etc. etc. But do realize this, every person who put their signature to the paper was objecting to the bike/walk trail without question. There are a couple of things that cannot be revealed at this time, but when the particulars do come out you will be surprised.
anonymous said,
August 26, 2007 at 10:44 pm
4:53- Very well said!
anonymous said,
August 26, 2007 at 10:56 pm
3:40- First of all, does it make it OK that only one person didn’t sign? I would think that whether one or fifty people said they didn’t sign, that is something worthy of investigation. Second, those who signed the paper were in objection to the bike/walk trail only because they were told that the city needs new sidewalks before it needs a walking trail. The petitioners failed to inform those signing the petitions that the sources of money for new sidewalks vs. a walking trail would be completely different. Those who signed thinking that it is better to have new sidewalks first didn’t realize, nor were they told, that the price of new sidewalks would come from their own pockets. The walking trail does not dip into the funds for sidewalks at all. So before you keep going on about how those signing the petition were objecting the bike/walk trail, at least admit to the fact that they weren’t simply signing in opposition to the trail alone. They were enticed into signing something more than what they were.
Anonymous said,
August 26, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Good job 10:56! Set them straight!
Anonymous said,
August 26, 2007 at 11:39 pm
10:56 Please tell us how you know for a fact that those who signed the petition did so because they were told that the city needs sidewalks first? The people I know who signed the petition did so because they were against spending tif money on the bike trail and also against spending tax money on a $550,000 bath house without a referendum by the voters. Just goes to show how much confidence those promoting the $550,000 bath house had in its passage.
anon 2 said,
August 27, 2007 at 9:12 am
10:56 You really must think the people who signed are stupid! I suggest you go look at the names on the papers. These people are quite smart enough to know that a bike trail is not needed, sidewalks or no sidewalks. A lot of them are successful business people. They just didn’t take time to completely read what was presented and then when called wereTOLD it objected to bath house which it did NOT. It only objected to type of funding. It only called for a vote on the $400,000 G.O. Bonds which would go on to your property taxes and the other hearing for the $550,000 use of LOSST funds was not objected to. So the TIF funds were approved for trail. The bath house is being funded by LOSST as it should be. As far as the one person who didn’t sign, that person should file a complaint and will find out it wasn’t anyone presenting a petition who signed the name. Now the papers were dated and accepted at city hall as a valid petition. Only the people crying foul have a right to take this further. It is not the responsibility of city hall. The Tif funds already had been approved, but the council, rather than go to a vote, went with the LOSST funds for the bathhouse. So now you have the trail phase 1 and the bathhouse in progress. GA
Anonymous said,
August 27, 2007 at 1:58 pm
So what the hell, let’s raise the local sales tax? In order to raise money for yuppie gratification instead of sidewalks and sewers? Are they out of their minds?
Sounds like young tyler coe just misses someone to bash around. maybe it is true that if we just ignore him as the little gnat he is, he will go away.
Or…..maybe he just needs a good swat?
again, people if you just sit and bitch about this problem with the so called leaders of this so called grand community and don’t do something about it, things will go on as planned. isn’t that what peg is trying to do? read what shorttimer says again and again and maybe it will sink in. then again, maybe not. seems like people don’t want to step up to the plate for fear of reatalliation. that is very real here and we all know it. the word purgatory comes to mind.
anon 2 said,
August 27, 2007 at 3:33 pm
1: 58. I had a hard time deciphering your note. Do you think the local sales tax is involved here? It isn’t, and any sales taxes or local option sales taxes have to be voted on by us in order to raise them. I think Tyler is in school now, not sure, but I ignore him most of the time anyway like you would a nagging child that wants a new toy. I believe most people are voicing their objections, but there just needs to be an avenue that we can follow that doesn’t come to a dead end for us and doesn’t have spur streets for the council to dodge into. I know there is a way, but it needs more than over the coffee talk and more researching our options. I have an idea that I’m looking into right now and when it is “fool”proof I will present it.
x said,
August 27, 2007 at 4:03 pm
reatalliation, you got that right. that is why so many us lay low, monitor and then hope our votes can make a difference. thanks to peg for taking the heat, doing the research and keeping the public informed. the articles are well written and thought out. besides she clearly states it is her thoughts only. but it is nice to hear the other sides as well. nice blogging.
Anonymous said,
August 27, 2007 at 9:01 pm
If you think this petition is the only one that is skewed coming out of this town you are foolish!!! You think there wasn’t some magic done with all of the school petitions?? I highly doubt that Peg had to forge anyones signature but its more likely when they were called by the council, mayor and police this was an easy out for them. This way they could save face and blame peg. People in this town are good at passing the blame!! Look at all our town bitches about!!
thevoicesofstuart said,
August 27, 2007 at 9:52 pm
i just rejected a comment.
try again if you wish to discuss something.
anonymous 456 said,
August 27, 2007 at 10:16 pm
what happened at tonight’s meeting?
thevoicesofstuart said,
August 27, 2007 at 10:18 pm
look under the agenda post for quick update on meeting.