The Morris Daily Herald reports that:
"[t]he Finance Committee received approval for donating $8,000 for the Heritage Tractor Adventure and making a $15,000 payment to the Morris Downtown Development Partnership."
And at the same meeting:
"Alderman Martha Shugart reported a group of 15-and-16 year-olds has volunteered to upgrade McKinley Park. She reported the Public Works Department has smoothed out the basketball court and the teenagers will do painting, cleaning and doing other work at the park. She reported the gravel in the parks will have to be removed and replaced with a product made from recycled tires. Alderman Shugart said the city would appreciate any donations to help cover the cost of this product."
Anyone see the irony here? The city of Morris gives away $23,000 of taxpayer money in "donations," while simultaneously soliciting donations of time and money from the public for upkeep to McKinley Park?
And to boot, the city failed to act on a contract for the police.
Shouldn't park maintenance and police protection take priority over donations for a "Tractor Adventure?"
One might ask why the city making donations at all. Shouldn't individual citizens decide for themselves what charities they give too? Is it really charitable if you are giving away someone else's money? Is this a proper use for tax dollars?
To Alderman Shugart's credit, she is the only alderman to vote against the donation for the "Tractor Adventure."
( Just a reminder: First Installment of your Property Tax Adventure is due June 11. )
Morris Daily Herald article
13 comments:
I don't think the mayor and aldermaen know what they are supposed to be doing - like using independent judgment, asking intelligent questions, voting no on stupid expenditures...
How generous of the city to give away my tax money. If these are such worthy charities, let the alderman and mayor give them their own money. Don't give away my hard earned money and then pat yourself on the back for being so civic minded.
The Joliet Herald News reported that Morris gives away $150,000 a year in these "donations."
The mayor and city council like to give away our tax money because it is a chance to look like a hero and get their picture in the paper. Dont forget to pay your taxes on June 11, they need another $150,000 for next year.
Will city officials be road-drinking on any of the tractors?
Give us a contract and stop playing with the taxpayer's money. Ask the old lady on your block what she would want...A.)Good Police Protection or B.) A rubberized turf in the park. Get a clue with what people are in need of. No contract and we're gonna start seeing names in the paper that you wouldn't normally see.
Soon we embark on the Taj Mahal Adventure! Hold onto your wallets!
Tricky Dickie digs deeper in our pockets once again.
I see voices on the way the city is run, but 9:09 seems to be admitting that some people are exempt from the embarassment of their actions, depending on the choices of some who want their contract approved. I supppose that could be a different post....I can't wait to see how many put their actions where their mouth is for the next election.
Darcy Elleson for mayor
Foolish spending by the city hurts the seniors.
I hope Dickie doesn't choke on a wiener.
Why does the city neglect our parks while giving away handouts?
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