Anti Obama Ad - Have You Seen It?
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Three Rivers City Commission News
Three Rivers Area • Aug 29, 2009 11:13 AM
Baker responds to concerns about city appointment By Elena Hines Managing Editor Published: Friday, August 28, 2009 2:15 PM EDT THREE RIVERS Ken Baker, a former Three Rivers police chief and city commissioner who at the Aug. 18 city commission meeting was appointed an interim first district commissioner to complete Commissioner Rowdy Keiths term ending Nov. 3, contacted the Commercial-News and wanted to respond to concerns that have recently surfaced that the appointment was rigged to ensure he received the position. I volunteer out at the cemetery a lot, and I have had a lot of conversations with the city manager, he said. He told me that Commissioner Keith had resigned and they were looking for a replacement. I talked to my wife about it for a few days, then called him (city manager Joe Bippus) and told him I might be interested. He told me to come in and fill out an application. Baker also went to see the city clerk the Friday before the meeting and asked for a commission packet. She didnt have them ready, so I came back on Monday and picked the packet up, he said. His rationale was that if he was selected, he didnt want to be seated on the commission and not know what was going on. Also Tuesday I talked to the city manager and the mayor, and said that if they (selected) me, I was ready to sit I had a packet and I could vote that night. He said that he did not know anyone else had applied for the position. His experience would have allowed him to begin immediately to serve for the two-month period, rather than go through a one- to two-month learning curve. Thats why I turned to him (Kevin Bushouse, the other applicant, who had no prior commission experience) and encouraged him, he said. I meant it as a compliment to him. Hes young, he can get involved, go to meetings and keep running. Baker said he had considered running as a candidate again, but due to serious health issues was unsure that move was prudent. However, the two-month interim period that allowed him to get involved again appeared to be a good opportunity, hence his application. He said that where he was standing in the commission room during Tuesdays meeting, he did not hear Mayor Al Balogs initial comments. (Balog stated that he would vote no on Bakers appointment, but not because of Baker personally rather because Bippus had called a viable third candidate and asked him to withdraw since they already had a qualified candidate in Baker. When questioned after the meeting, Bippus stated he did not tell the third candidate to withdraw.) If Id have heard that (mayors comments) I would have withdrawn immediately, he said. If for the betterment of the city the mayor feels I should resign, he can ask me and I will resign. I applied for the seat for the benefit of the city I dont need the hassles. O.K., the ball's in the Mayors court now.
Three Rivers City Commission News
Three Rivers Area • Aug 27, 2009 6:40 PM
From Thursday's Commercial News Responses from City Hall Published: Thursday, August 27, 2009 2:15 PM EDT Editors note: I contacted city staff concerning the statements made in the meeting and concerning the matter of Mr. Baker being the only one to have been given an agenda packet. The following responses were received. Mike Fleckenstein, auxiliary Three Rivers police lieutenant and the third candidate in question: If my service had the potential to create problems or controversy, then it would be counterproductive and pointless, given that another quality candidate had surfaced. I asked the city manager to withdraw my application. Because that seems to be at the root of the controversy, I want to state clearly that he did not ask me to withdraw, suggest that I should withdraw, or in any way insinuate that I should do so. My thought at the time was that my desire to serve was out of concern for my city, that my past experience would allow me to quickly get up to speed. The existence of another applicant whose service didn't carry the potential baggage mine would, made my application unnecessary the job would be covered. City Clerk Lindsay Howes: I send out an emailed agenda packet to anyone who asks. Ken Baker stopped in either the 14th or the 17th and asked for a copy of the packet. I gave him a hard copy. No other candidate asked for a packet.
Three Rivers Commercial has a web site now.
Three Rivers Area • Apr 28, 2009 4:40 PM
I really like that a pdf file of the print version of the paper is available. If you subscribe to the paper you have access to the on-line version as well, or you can opt to subscribe for the on-line only.
Anti Obama Ad - Have You Seen It?
These United States • Sep 5, 2008 4:41 PM
Originally posted by Buck...I think the Democrats are the greater threat. We've had that discussion before, what I was hoping to talk about was what has Obama said (specific quote) in any of his speeches or interviews that gives you pause? Or are you only going by what the Republican party says the Dems will do? You too Cuz - in reverse that is. Specific Quotes from McCain that give you pause? I did listen to Gov. Palin's address the other night and was impressed with how she presented herself and handled the audience with her rehearsed and prepared remarks. I'm looking forward to live debates. I just hope whoever presides over the Vice-Presidential debates manages to get questions in that the candidates can't rehearse for, I'd really like to witness off-the-cuff responses.
Anti Obama Ad - Have You Seen It?
These United States • Sep 3, 2008 7:58 PM
I've been listening to the two leading candidates and their parties. I had to chuckle a bit last night during Leiberman's speech when a lot of his comments reffered to partisan politics. The reaction from the delgates floor was very icy when Leiberman stated "If John McCain was just another go-along partisan politician, he never would have taken on corrupt Republican lobbyists, or big corporations that were cheating the American people, or powerful colleagues in Congress who were wasting taxpayer money". Yep, it got real chilly after those remarks. I have to say that I haven't heard anything from the Obama camp that makes me think his policies would bring increased infringement on my rights, and I haven't heard anything from the McCain camp that suggests the infringements brought on by the Patriot Act would be scaled back. Buck, 1patriot, can you cite specific quotes from the democratic candidates that raise your concerns? Cuz, could you provide some as well that raise your concerns about the republican candidates? Meanwhile, I'm going to tune into PBS tonight to hear what Governor Palin has to say. At least on PBS I can hear the entire presentation. NBC last night absolutely butchered the Presidents speech by playing back his satelite feed without the audience reactions.