Windcrest False Recall Petition

Some married couples never let their check book balance fall below a certain amount, like a reserving a little money for unexpected emergencies.   Some may even call it an emergency fund, but it's still part of your Check Book Balance.  It’s simply an amount you try very hard not to spend.

The City of Windcrest does the same thing, only the check book is called the General Fund and each year council tries to end the year with a surplus.  The surplus for unexpected emergencies was nearly zero at one time, but this administration has increased the emergency fund a little each year, the increases vary depending on the end of year General Fund Balance.  Currently citizens  have between 4 and 5 months operating expenses saved back in the event the sales tax stream suddenly dries up.

If council spends more money than originally budgeted it has to comes from the General Fund.

Council approved a Budget Amendment (Feb 2016) which moved dollars from the General Fund to the Park/Recreation budget for lights and other things. This means the FY 16-17 General Fund Beginning Balance will be less than originally planned. That effectively reduces the amount being saved for rainy days.

The FY ends Sept 30, 2016, so it's to early to predict the FY Ending General Fund Balance. Windcrest citizens hope it ends healthy, so when it's added to the projected revenue sources expected for FY 16-17 council can fund the city and even have a little extra sitting there for emergencies.

Don't be worried, the General Fund Balance is in good shape.  The FACT is the General Fund Balance was reduced by the Ordinance, is not a problem.  That reduction in effect was from what would have been surplus, or as many say Rainy Days Funds.   So yes, the money transferred for Park Lighting reduced the amount available for emergencies, ie Rainy Day Fund.  It becomes very confusing when terms like Rainy Day, Surplus and Extra Funds are used when discussing Finances.  Finance people have their own financial language, they don't use these easy Terms.

The charge is False.  Those characters walking the Petition around Windcrest are telling less than the truth.

Refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance is another charge.  It is against the law for anyone to require another to recite the Pledge.  SCOTUS ruled such in 1943.

Some may not agree with the ruling, but SCOTUS is the final word.  She is doing nothing wrong, but anyone trying to coerce her into reciting the Pledge is breaking the law.  Those walking the streets of Windcrest requesting signatures for their petition which #6 states refuses to recite the Pledge are breaking the law and it's just Wrong.

This Petition is False at face value.  The City Attorney should send it back, INVALID.

Missing in Action- Government Relations Officer

    Who is this Government Relations Officer?  Do you know?  Have you ever seen a monthly Department Head report to Council from the Government Relations Officer?  Do such reports actually exist?    Turns out the Government Relations Officer is hiding in plain sight.

 The Government Relations Officer is  a Windcrest Tax Payers funded position that works 8 hours per month.

 You may have read the paper last week where Robert Colunga and Thomas Pittman, both Windcrest employees where formally charged with a Felony concerning a HOA.

At the May 2nd council meeting, Mayor Baxter addressed the Robert Colunga's felony charges and said, "....he works for WEDC and they are having a special meeting Friday evening to address that issue."

Well, back in 2012 Mayor Baxter told council that  Mr. Robert Colunga was a contractor for WEDC and contractors can work for multiple entities.  Mayor Baxter then introduced a resolution which added Mr. Colunga to the Windcrest City Employee Health Benefits plan in exchange for working an additional 8 hours per month.   Mr. Colunga was given the title of Government Relations Officer.   So why did the Mayor not include this information during his comments on May 2nd.

  This is the "Half Truth's" and "Misleading" information Mayor Baxter prefers.

  The Why:  The Premiums for the City Employee Health Benefits Plan Mr Colunga received were paid by his working 8 additional hours per month.  However, the Windcrest taxpayer funded Health Savings Account (HSA) in the amount of some $4,400 per year was totallyFree!.

  Mayor Baxter slipped a Government Relations Officer agenda item into a special meting on a Thursday night.  see below:

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING 

May 12, 2016 

Executive Session 6:00 P.M.

1.. City Council will convene into an open session to discuss and take possible action on the appointment of a Municipal Finance Officer.

2. City Council will convene into an open session to discuss and possibly take action on the employement status of the Government Relations Officer.

Puppeteer Replies

  Most courts simply throw out "Hear Say" evidence.  During the proceeding against Ms. Dodson it became evident that the accuser, Mr. John Gretz did not have any first hand knowledge of what happened.  His complaint was completely bogus!  He was fed the info by Mr. Shelton.  Now Mr. Shelton replies to the recent post indicating he knew the real facts and the original research was flawed.  How does he profess to "know" the real facts?   He was not present during either police visit, and the officer(s) involved made full reports and no where did they mention anything about Mr. Jim Shelton being present or being a witness to anything!  Citizens are encouraged to do the right thing, Mr. Shelton should have come forward and testified to what he witnessed first hand.  Oh Wait!  Mr. Shelton did not witness anything so what now.  He then spoon feeds the gossip to the gullible Mr. Gretz and Mr. Gretz regurgitates the information as fact during the proceedings.
  
  This was a witch hunt, plain and simple.  Mr. Shelton played Mr. Gretz like a puppet!  So now Mr. Shelton is still trying to seek justification for his foul play.  Mr. Shelton chose to comment on this blog in a vain attempt to gather support for his actions.  The facts came out during the official proceedings and none of those facts support Mr. Shelton's claim.

  Mr. Shelton knew his information was second hand hear say, clouded by time yet he still initiated a deceptive plan and convinced Mr. Gretz to follow thru with the plan.

  Mr. Shelton should post the official documents that support his claim.  He did not bring forth any official documents during the proceeding.

 Many witnessed the proceeding where Mr.Shelton played Mr. Gretz, that was public.  Privately many citizens believe Mr. Shelton was being played by a higher authority.

Jim Shelton, Puppeteer!

Ex council person, John Gretz, filed a complaint against Council Person Pam Dodson on December 15, 2015.  The hearing for those allegations was Thursday, Feb 11, 2016.  The original allegation listed four alleged violations.  The city attorney found three to have no merit, so only one allegation that being, "... Committed malfeasance in office by interfering with an investigation by the animal control officer of a violation of Section 6-65 relating to the keeping of fowl within the city limit.( 20143) " was considered at the hearing on Feb 11, 2016, 9am.
  John Gretz, said I'm a retired military Officer, so I speak the truth.  His opening statement was void of any Facts, everything had to do with the quoting the law, no facts!

 Wow, John Gretz filed charges against a sitting council person based on What?  The events in question occurred in 2014.  John Gretz only became aware of the entire situation on Oct 29, 2015.

  So how did he become aware of the situation?  He received an e-mail from council person Jim Shelton.   That e-mail was marked "Confidential", but shared.

 There is no mention of Jim Shelton or John Gretz in the 2014 report, neither were ever involved.

 I assume that's why Jim Shelton emailed John Gretz and enticed John to file the complaint.  Jim knew he did not have any facts to support the charge, but John Gretz is a retired military officer, so if he says it's fact, everyone will believe him.  Jim Shelton is the senior councilperson and from this action is also the Senior Puppeteer!

Now the rest of the story!  The animal control officer contacted his supervisor and discussed the issue.  That supervisor left Windcrest police department several years ago, but he attended the hearing Thursday.  He testified that he made the call to not file charges over the chickens all by himself.  He never spoke with Pam Dodson and was not aware if she even knew about the incident, her name did not come up.

 Now, you have an active police officer stating he made the call after discussing the issue with the animal control officer and you have John Gretz, retired officer, claiming Pam Dodson interfered with the investigation!

Do you suppose this is all sour grapes\?  John Gretz was defeated in the November 2015 election and lost his seat on council.

Sadly, Jim Shelton is still on council for a few more months.  He has exceeded his level of incompetence and needs to resign.  Feeding an ex council person false facts just to charge a sitting council person is a new low for Windcrest.

Jim Shelton,  Resign now, avoid further embarrassment, Please!  

Contractor Gets City Employee Raise

  Rafael Castillo has a Professional Service Contract, signed in 2013 which details in 6 pages said contract/agreement.  It spells out his compensation to take effect each July.  The contract expires June 30, 2016.
  Last month Council changed the contract, changing the 4 months severance pay to 6 months pay plus other changes which are not included in the included contract.

  According to many sources this is Illegal.  You can not hire a Contractor by Contract, then proceed to give that person pay raises as if a City Employee.  IRS says the individual is either a Contractor or an Employee.  Not both!

 

Outrageous Fleecing in Windcrest?

Nov 5, 2015 Windcrest City Council hired a Municipal Finance Director (MFO) at $4261.89 per month for working 24 hours per week.  The sum includes $586 for City Employee Health Insurance plan so said Jim Shelton, but he did not mention the additional $4,400.  Why?

Now Windcrest citizens should be outraged because the MFO also qualifies to receive additional benefits from the City funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to the tune of over $4,000, ($4,400 I think) but that little fact was not addressed by the motion as approved by council on Nov 5, 2015.  The two 'Lame Duck Poster Guys' helped ram this thru over the objections of many, which should also infuriate Windcrest Citizens.  The HSA is taxpayer money used to reimburse employees for medical costs, not Contractors!

 For years Windcrest has had a full time Finance Director or Municipal Finance Officer working 40 hrs a week as most cities have.  But Sarah has convinced council she can perform all the Finance dept duties in only 24 hours.  

  Sarah Mangham, until now was a Contractor (ETR Government Services) @ 30 hours per week.  Then she agreed to work some additional hours each month in exchange for City Employee Health benefits.  Windcrest hired ETR Government Services to perform financial duties, then treats owner Sarah Mangham as an employee and gives her health benefits and over $4,000 in reimbursable medical costs thru the HSA. Something about this does not pass the smell test.

  Back in 2012 when the City initially funded the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for Windcrest employees, it is a well deserved Perk for Windcrest full time employees.

  Sarah Mangham then briefed a  resolution indicating employees receiving City Employee Health Benefits would be included on the HRA. ( Note, no reference to full time employees.) Initially it was $2100 per employee, now $4,400, which was a well deserved perk for Windcrest full time employees.  Contractors should NOT be receiving this perk at all!

   Nov 5, 2015, Council reduced her hours to 24 hours per week.  But she still received City Employee Health Benefits AND the $4,000 plus HRA.  All of this and Sarah is paid $4261.89 per month.  Or will the city pay ETR Government Services, who knows.  

$261,000 for Sidewalks!! YIKES!

  Windcrest council voted to approve the expenditure of $250,000 for sidewalks on Thursday Nov 5 council meeting.  Why do we have a Public Works dept?   Council person Pam Dodson suggested our Public Works dept could construct the new sidewalks for much less.  Lets face it, the Public Works dept should be renamed to Grass and Landscaping dept, which more accurately describes their actual duties.  Public Works during the past administrations performed Crack Filling on the streets of Windcrest.  The engineering firm hired years when this administration began, stated during a council presentation that the #1 preventive maintenance program was Crack Filling!  He commented that Windcrest had been doing an excellent job with Crack Filling which preserves the road base and make future repairs less costly.  Then this administration scrapped Crack Filling Program by Public Works entirely.  It seems higher priorities, like flowers planting and landscaping were suggested.    You have to remember, the Mayor hired the golf course manager (they know grasses) as the Public Works Director.  He immediately had the crack filling machine declared unfit and the Crack Filling Program was halted completely.  There had been NO crack filling for the past several years then last month a Contractor was hired to start crack filling.  Have you noticed the condition of the streets in Windcrest?  Too little too late.  Just wait until the road repair estimates come in, they will be horrendous because much of the road base has been destroyed by the lack of a Crack Filling program.

  Now your tax dollars, all $260,000 is being used to replace the sidewalks around two ponds.  Again, not by Public Works, but a Contract which was not released to a bid.

Brook Falls Pond Sidewalks        $123,533.16
Autumn Sunset Pond Sidewalks  $137,866.08

   Total                                          $261,399.24

To be fair, this cost also includes some lighting and benches along the sidewalks.

Note:  This expenditure was shoved thru by the current council before the newly elected council persons take office.  Maybe the new council can stop the bleeding and rescind these two resolutions and let Public Works Dept, Work!