You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. Abraham Lincoln
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CMH Takeover
St. Joseph County • May 23, 2009 11:21 AM
Thick, I've seen "behind the curtain" at St. Joseph County as well. I've seen what the wizard (West-Wing) does to manipulate taxpayers monies without Commission action. You are bordering on being spanked by Buck for stating personal, negative viewpoints directed at a public official as I (and others)was on the TR Health Authority thread. We aren't seen as credible if we only have a personal experience and it isn't backed up with a fact (and it won't be a fact as long as there is no formal complaint system in place in these agencies & departments). The system is stacked against the complaintant (we lowly taxpayers) that have only our personal experiences. I would have thought that Liberty 1st was just such a forum for airing those personal experiences, but Buck (the forum administrator) thinks we are just being mean to the public official. Take a look at the three responders behind your message. Notice that you and I only have double digit entries on this board. The three responders behind your message have triple digit responses. I spose you and I will be as nutty as them when we reach triple digits! What is needed is reform of county agencies and departments to create formal complaint systems (with responsible follow-up) that will bring sunshine to these citizen complaints. Not hard to do as progressive government has been utilizing this type of system for 50 years or so, but there needs to be a will and expertise on the part of county leaders. We've had a number of county department heads that recognized this, but got too frustrated with the power hold that West-Wing has and left us because they wouldn't operate in the present system. Not to worry, Buck. I'll make this my last post to the forum. It is your football after all. -Gauss
Three Rivers Health
Three Rivers Area • May 19, 2009 8:39 AM
Buck, Have faith in the American public. Not all individual voices will be "polite" or "politically correct". Not all of them will take your brand of "fairness". I get frustrated with political discourse when it takes a personal tact as well, but I've never believed that the individual is sinking to lower levels by stating their opinion. It is up to those in political office to be thick-skinned enough to hear all sides. Yes, some individuals will focus too much on the personal attacks and not enough on the big picture, but their ox was gored and they want remediation. Can't blame them for that. Those of us that may not have had our ox gored (today anyway) can take the "high" road and bring the discussion back to the big picture. But I have to believe that those bringing the personal viewpoints to a political discussion are doing so honestly and with conviction. This should always be allowed in any transparent venue. -Gauss ("Pushpin is as good as poetry" - Jeremy Bentham)
Three Rivers Health
Three Rivers Area • May 17, 2009 8:42 AM
Originally posted by Buck Or it could just be a consequence of actions, so to speak. The problem with the current administration is that they have lost credibility. We don't know whether to belive whether this is a malicious temper tantrum on the part of Chambers (which is my guess)or whether the quote above is the reason. One sure way to lose a millage request is to lose your credibility and make the taxpayers feel like they are the "bad guys". Lesson learned here: Run a professional business and RESPOND TO YOUR CUSTOMERS. IF you tell your customer that "you hear their concerns", but do not have the money to fix something...THEY WILL UNDERSTAND THIS! (Especially when the economy is in its current state). At least the customer has had the administrator's ear. Communication has taken place. You might even have a customer that cares enough to form a "Friends of the Hospital" group to help you raise those funds for patching the road (and I know Vblainev is correct that inexpensive fixes can take place that will last awhile). The current administrators have lost their credibility by not caring to return calls, emails, etc., a very poor business practice... Why would already cash-trapped taxpayers want to pour more money down that same rat hole for that same treatment? -Gauss
City to formulate written policy on local bidders
Three Rivers Area • May 11, 2009 8:22 AM
Who needs competition and free markets? Agreed. This economic crisis we find ourselves in has the very real potential of taking away rights that we do not hold firmly with both hands. The question is whether we have taught our history well enough to our citizens. "I believe that without free enterprise, there can be no democracy" - Dwight D. Eisenhower -Gauss
Citizens for the health of Three Rivers
Three Rivers Area • May 8, 2009 9:27 AM
Vblainev, You are a man to be commended. A true patriot. You walk the walk and talk the talk. You have my respect for that. -Gauss