I wanted to make a quick post regarding some recent postings under the golf course financial's section. First, I am glad that there was some information regarding the golf course financials that were released. This helps everyone in the community see where the golf course is in regards to making money.
There were some good postings regarding the continuing need for an audit. I still think an audit needs to be done just so we can see where things are working and where things are not working. An audit would also show exactly what is being paid and to whom. For example, were the new greenskeepers salaries included in the expenditures? I hope to continue seeing financials for the upcoming months.
Finally, it seems like the Dayton Review would like the animosity to continue; although, this may help him sell more newspapers.
However, I feel a more neutral approach to the paper's articles would benefit the city greatly. Just report the facts and be objective in your articles. This may help the city to continue to have a civil discourse on issues, like last council's meeting, and continue bridging the divide.
First of all I would like to say there was some excellant posts regarding the financials in the past two days. I think some very good points were given. I do understand fiancials so it is easy for me to understand the whole picture of the financials that were posted here and given out at the council meeting.
ReplyDeleteI have always attempted to be a peace keeper and to be very open minded to all areas of the controversy in Dayton. I do not understand why the Dayton Review is in my opinion keeping this topic very negative. It is becoming increasinly more and more difficult for me to understand the purpose of this.
I do hope that there are others like myself that feel that this on going saga is becoming very serious,please step forward and acknowledge this. I am attempting to stay positive but at this time I am struggling.
http://www.iowanewspapersonline.com/
ReplyDeleteIf you have not gotten your Dayton Review you can read some of it here.
Thank you
It would be nice if the local paper ran an objective article when reporting on the council meeting. I read the article. Not very objective. Still taking jabs as some on the council. Whatever happened to the 8 points that were brought up a couple of weeks ago? I have come to the conclusion that the Mayor will never step up and address any of those points directly. Just print off a very vague piece of paper and throw it to the people to appease them for awhile. I think that the Mayor is enjoying the bickering going on over this. As long as there are two sides he doesn't have to address anything. If both sides came together as the 8 points were starting to do, then he would have to come out and deal with them. Divide and conquer seems to be the rule here. Mr. Mayor, stand up and tell us what you think about the questions being raised. We all know you read this blog. All you have to do is say something. Or is that asking too much of you?
ReplyDelete"Vegors had received a copy of that report, but remained totally negative in his assessment, saying “there was no way the golf course could make it” and also stating that “if it gets bad, I will get dirty.”"
ReplyDeleteDid Mr. Vegor's say this? Yes or No?
I do not appreciate a council member making a comment like this. Threats like that are inappropriate and uncalled for. It's flat out bullying...and that's not even allowed in the school yard anymore.
People on this blog have called for stopping threats and intimidation. Mr. Vegors, it's not just the Mayor, it's you too.
The last part of that comment was taken completely out of context by the paper in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteMr. Vegors said that in regards to both him and Mr. Benson getting attacked continually by the Review. He had said earlier in the meeting that what the paper had been publishing was dirty, so him implying he would get dirty would be saying he would only say such things that the newspaper had brought up. Again in my opinion implying that the paper has opened Pandora's box.
I am also fairly certain that Mr. Vegors said he didn't want to or believed in attacking people in these ways and would rather no one do so.
I believe that there are two other people that should be held accountable for their behavior, they are the city attorney and the editor of Dayton's newspaper.They claim that they are doing a service to the city. Both councilmen that are attacked weekly were elected, so they can speak for the citizens. I want to see proof of the financials in an audit so I can make my mind up honestly, not by hook or by crook.
ReplyDeleteTo 6:07 Watch c-span or other proceedings on city, state or nat'l government, you will see some real bullying, maybe they don't allow it in kindergarten anymore, but it is pretty prevalent in elected official get-togethers.
ReplyDeleteTo 6:07
ReplyDeleteThe paper that was handed out pointed out the first three months had made money. So if we are looking at March, April and May figures this business can look really good. From the paper we are looking at please note that the loss started to grow in August and then is shows it dropping again in April. This follows the trend of March, April and May being the best months for revenue.
Seasonal based businesses need to be looked at differently than one that is on a year round basis. This is a trend that needs to be assessed.
You also need to take into consideration that this year the memberships are down as are the majority of golf courses due to the economy. A rebound in Iowa in not expected for many years. A greenskeepers salary was not included in this three month period of time. If I am correct this would have started approximately in the middle of May. I have not seen a contract to see if it was retroactive or not. You would have had regular mowing salaries in the first three months. There are many variables that only if and audit was completed would you get a true picture.
The financial paper was given out and quoted in the current Dayton Review, from an accounting stand point could be a misrepresentation of the total year for the loss/profit for the golf course. Pulling the most profitable months for this seasonal business is like pulling the wool over someones eyes if they are not familiar with accounting.
I am still waiting for an answer to my question. If it is true what was printed in the Dayton bird cage paper, that the golf course is really doing well, why did they have to borrow money from the light board to make a payment. This does not make any sense to me, does it to you?
ReplyDeleteto 6:59 No it doesn't make sense to me either, I would think that as much heat that the mayor has had, he would be yelling it from the roof-top, I think he has that big an ego.
ReplyDeleteI feel they are having to borrow money because if you look at the year to date figures they are still loosing money. It does not make sense if a person only looked at the 3 months that were pointed out in the paper that was handed out. In my opnion that paper was handed written to make people feel the golf course is doing better, in reality I still question this. Only a independant audit would tell the true story.
ReplyDeleteIt's called creative accounting, or putting out tidbits of financial information. I believe that is what Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae did before the bottom fell out.
Samadamslite:
ReplyDeleteI agree the 8 points were going over well with quite a few people As was pointed out the Dayton Review would print them with the author's name. Also as was pointed out the person could as the mayor/council these questions at the last meeting.
With all of the negative publicity and smear attacks if I was this person I would never do this. They would have to have a double halo and a strong coat of armor.
Didn't I read somewhere, that the feds are looking into many of the accounting practices that were used in the downfall of the housing market, and there has been some indictments for fraud. I believe there were some whistle blowers, and congress said there should have been some more creative auditing done to catch those that were scamming the borrowers. Maybe that is why we are not getting an audit.
ReplyDeleteDatyont Tiger: Stay positive!
ReplyDeleteHelpful hint; just walk away from it for a little while. It's easy to become overly consumed with all this. Sometimes you need breaks to put a proper perspective on things.
There are other things going on in Dayton, Iowa, America, LIFE; than our cities politics.
Just a friendly suggestion. Take it or leave it. I want you to be able to stay positive and try to find resolutions. We all need peace keepers and, as they say; we can't find peace when we're preparing for war.
One resolution would be an independent audit, let us know the truth.
ReplyDeleteI believe the mayor is truly afraid of an independent audit, aren't you mayor? Too much paperwork available out there?
ReplyDeleteDayton Tiger and Dayton Taxpayer: I agree that this can be all consuming. I have had to step away from it a little bit...I have a family including grandchildren that I would much rather be consumed by. I do wish the author of the "8 suggestions" would come forward and allow them to be printed for the general public. While I am (for the most part) satisfied with the Mayor's response to me, I fully understand that not everyone would be so. But until the "8 suggestions" are out in the open and responses are also openly discussed people are not going to let this go and will continue to be negative. For the anonymous posters....I also feel that bullying people to respond will not get the desired results. I got answers by asking the appropriate people in a professional manner.
ReplyDeleteCindy Corson
Cindy, what answers did you get from the Mayor? I am curious. I have not heard any answers from him in regards to the 8 points. All I have seen is the sheet handed out to us at the council meeting, which is in my opion a very murky report. I am not trying to upset anyone including you and I hope you don't feel like I am. Did he actually address the 8 points with you? If so, I would appreciate hearing his responses. I am not consumed with this either as I have kids and other things to do. However I do feel it is important not to lose sight of some of the underlying problems we have questions about.
ReplyDeleteWell here goes.........I am tired of the negativity so I will post the answers I received on the "8 suggestions". As I mentioned before, I appreciate the responses given by the Mayor, and by posting them here I truly hope that some of the issues can be laid to rest or at the very least know that issues have not fallen on deaf ears.
ReplyDeleteAs stated by the Mayor in quotations:
1) "The meetings the Park and Rec Board have are public meetings. I would encourage everyone to attend these meeting to witness what is happening during the meeting and also to offer suggestions to get such a plan put together. I know the board is currently working on and making progress on a plan."
2) "To do such an audit will cost the taxpayers between $3,000.00 and $4,000.00." Cindy note: I will not state further on this but please be assured that there is progress regarding some sort of reconciliation.
3) "The City Council makes policy for the City of Dayton, which would include our City Attorney working for the city."
4) "All the people on the Park and Rec Board are unbiased." Cindy note: The Mayor and I had discussion on this topic. I did feel that there could have been alternate members but was told that he had asked 15 people to serve on this board, 8 of which said "absolutely not" due to the negativity surrounding the issue but not because they disagreed with the decision the city owning the golf course. This is the one area that I still tend to disagree with the board members appointed. Having said that, they are there and will trust they are making decisions in the best interests of the city.
5) "This is something that I have been trying to make happen for some time. I have tried talking to the council as a group and one on one to no avail in an effort to stop the bickering and set their personal feelings aside."
6) "I can honestly say that all the information from the Mayor, Council, and the Park and Rec board is truthful and honest. I would suggest to anyone who is concerned about information being received to get the information from the City Clerks Office. The information received from other sources can be considered not entirely accurate."
7) "We try and accommodate as many people as possible. It is difficult to accomodate everyone. The council meetings are meetings of the council. It was difficult for the council members to communicate with each other with the table the way it was. By turning the table the communication at the meeting became easier which enabled the meetings to run smoothly."
8) "We are currently working on such an event. Having a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion on our new well.
Also the Community club is having a fundraiser/contest for the festival of lights in July with an Ice Cream social."
I really struggled with posting these responses but hope that by doing so that people will know that there is progress being made.
Cindy Corson
The ribbon cutting is SO my idea :-) I want to buy one of those big pair of scissors. The only thing that sucks is Richard will get to cut the ribbon (being the mayor) and I'll just get to stand there.
ReplyDeleteI have a request: Could some "new" people give their opinions--not just the regulars? I would like to know what more of my constituents thinks. (boy that sounds odd--I have constituents :-)) My email is angelb@lvcta.com. Talk to me. Kendra
Kendra, you had 13 write- in votes, I believe you could call them your constituents. As far as the mayor addressing Cindy Corson as to the 8 suggestions, I think it is a copout, just like anything he says. We need an audit more than ever.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 10:41 PM:
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why I hesitated to post the responses I received from the Mayor. Have you brought the suggestion of the audit directly to any of the council members....what was their response? Were any of them willing to bring it to the council and put it up to a vote?
Cindy Corson
Cindy, I do want to thank you for posting your discussions with the Mayor. It is the first time anyone has heard/seen anything he had to say about the 8 ideas. Your posting this is much appreciated by me and I am sure others. As to the content of his statements, I will leave that for another time after I read them carefully. Once again, thanks for posting your responses from him.
ReplyDeleteCindy, Thank you for posting the responses. Everyone please remember to not attack the messenger.
ReplyDeleteActually, I think of all of Dayton as my constitutents. Believe it or not--I'd like to do some good here.
ReplyDeleteThose thirteen people--I'm tellin' ya--after every council meeting I like them a little less! I wish I knew how to retaliate--I'd completely do so with them.
Kendra, I do think you can do some good here. All of Dayton are your constituents. It doesn’t matter by the numbers how a person is elected; whether it is by 1 or 1000 votes. Just remember the best, would be fore people to get along. No one would have to leave the council meeting feeling bad or reading the Dayton Review and feeling bad. I personally still feel and audit of the Golf Course would solve the financial questions and along with that I strongly feel it could help with the increase in income. My other belief is that the council could possibly work better together if the attorney were replaced. Both of these two things could bring trust back to the community and the whole council. This is my opinion for whatever it is good for. I’m not being negative just trying to be realistic
ReplyDeleteCorrection: Just remember the best, would be for people to get long. It's to hot, my only exuse for poor spelling.
ReplyDeleteI think 11:27 was completly right, if we had an audit and the city attorney were replaced, I know it would go along way in instilling trust back in the community. Also I believe the editor should stop voicing his own opinion about the two councilmen. We know from his history, that he has an adgenda for these two men. Lets try to work on an audit and replace the city attorney, maybe Kendra, Dayton Tiger and Cindy could get together and find a competent replacement, surely no-one would question their integrity. Please, lets get something done.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 4:48
ReplyDeletePlease don't throw darts...but I am not totally convinced that we should replace the city attorney...Keep in mind that there have been ALOT of issues in the past couple of years that have required legal counsel and quite frankly, I don't believe he has charged the city for all of them. (I know some people will say, you get what you pay for.) Also, I do feel that he really is quite knowledgeable about city affairs and may be in far too deep to let him go right now. Okay, now.......I am uncomfortable with the the extended speech he gave at a council meeting as well as the article printed in the Dayton Review..both of which I have spoken to the Mayor about as well as the Editor of the Dayton Review. My take on the City Attorney is this.....he is there to provide legal advice to the city and what the city does with that information is up to the city. And really.....will we find a competent attorney that will take on our problems right now?
Cindy Corson
Cindy, I respect your opinion, but he has over-step his authority as a city attorney, he is an attorney for all the council not just a few, that is in the city ordinances of Dayton, read them. As you have read from this blog, he has did a disservice to our community. I as, many believe this would be a stepping stone to recovery. I would find it very hard for the two councilmen to work with him. So the alternative would be to find a replacement. I do not think it would be hard to find one, why don't you try.
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI may be reading the 4:48 post wrong but I think it was meant as a compliment to you, Kendra and I. I know I'm have not signed my name but have always tried to look at things fair. I know we couldn't replace the lawyer because the council would have to vote to do that. I have also read that Kendra asking for input. But maybe we could do something.
Thanks
To: 4:48pm Did I read this right? Were you trying to suggest that Cindy, Kendra and I work together for some solutions? I cannot speak for them, but I would be willing to try.
ReplyDeleteI actually did take the 4:48 post as a compliment but certainly did not want to mislead anyone about what my thoughts were. I am open to helping do whatever I can to bring some peace. All of this is just exhausting!
ReplyDeleteCindy Corson
I'm with ya Cindy on the attorney comment and I wish you and Tiger well on your peace keeping mission.
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI know this is very exhausting. I know where your thoughts are because I remember from other posts. This is a good step. At least I think at least two people feel the three of us are unbiased. I don't know for sure how they know about me, probably my posts. But everyone please rest assured I want this upset to end.
I'm just taking a break from a quite involved task I have put off doing for a while to post. I'd better cook supper and finish my task before I put it off some more. I'll check back later.
Kendra,
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think about any of this?
I was going to post this and went to post comment and the word I was supposed to type in was "bless" maybe a sign.:)
I think all of us would like to see some movement, I believe quite a few would like to see the city attorney leave, he has continued this far beyond the scope of his job as city attorney, most think he is in the mayor's pocket.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I take a short break (generally for a TON of ball games) I come back and find surprises on this blog. I would love to work with Cindy and Dayton Tiger.
ReplyDeletekendra
I want to start out by saying myself and my family do not live in Dayton. But over the years we all have been great supporters of the Dayton Golf Course.I have read the newspaper articles, read this blog a few times, and heard the gossip about the issues while at the course. I was working in Boone last week and while eating lunch the citizen that has been labeled as a trouble maker that is against the golf course was sitting at the table behind us. The guys I was eating lunch with dared me to ask him why he hated the golf course. After listening to him we learned he didn't hate the course and use to be a member and a volunteer at the course. He also shared the financial records he has been given by the city clerk. After listening to him I encourage every citizen and golf course supporter to take the time to talk to him I believe there really are some serius book keeping issues. I truly think after talking to him you will have a different opinion of him and where he stands. The information he has needs to be shared it could help save the course not destroy it.
ReplyDeleteI agree an audit would help the course. No one I have talked to wants to see the golf course close. I am glad people are looking at all areas.
ReplyDelete