Category Archives: City Politics

city government offenses, City Politics, Forced redistribution

Dysfunctional city government punishes taxpayers

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Re: The Times Record front page story August 16, 2018—“City streets prone to flooding”

August 18, 2018

Below are some of the items highlighted in the article, but cost to the taxpayers goes unmentioned as well as the causes.

1. Flooding is the result of drains not cleaned in years, plus OLD drainage plans
2. Street Dept & Police forced to CLOSE several roads , plus street teams had to be used for “mitigation” work
3. City NEVER had a drainage system cleaning program which is common around the country. Cleaning pipes would “mitigate” the flooding problem
4. State Dept. of Transportation admits flooding on Towson Ave. (Hwy 71 portions) is caused by the fact it was built 75 years ago and never updated, plus flooding on Rogers Ave is technically Hwy 22 which is also under the state’s jurisdiction. (The state neglects, along with the city)

The article failed to make the grade due to the lack of research into the causes of these decades old serious problems. Here are just a few historical facts which gave rise to this ongoing fiasco.

In the year 1985, citizens voted on and passed a specified/dedicated 1% street/sewer/waste water tax which remains in force to this day. By 2010 the tax had generated $650 million, $200 million more than the recent and 3rd Federal Consent Decree issued to the city of Fort Smith by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

There has been no stated amount of revenue generated by the tax in the last 7 years, but it is fair to say in the ensuing 32 years the total amount could approximate $1 Billion that have fallen into city coffers by the 1% street/sewer tax. And “we the people” are the recipients of bad streets & a failed sewer system.

The most recent EPA mandate of an ESTIMATED (we all know what that means) $480 million, plus a $300,000 fine and 12 years to complete occurred in Dec. 2014, totaling 39 years of apparent malfeasance & misfeasance, absent sewer and ground water complete overhauls.

Adding insult to injury, City Manager Carl Geffken now proposes to add another 12 years to the Federal Consent Decree, making a grand total of 51 years (1/2 century) that Fort Smith city government will have failed to address the faulty sewer & ground water deficiencies. Why?

In the meanwhile an ESTIMATED $1 Billion is unaccounted for and they recklessly involve citizens’ money in meaningless, curious & unnecessary pursuits without citizens’ knowledge or permission, resulting in a change of the image of the city, likely for private personal gains. A few include the recycling debacle ($52,000 monthly for 3 years) replete with no transparency, the Files/Webb Softball $2 million Complex fiasco, the bribe by Delta Dental to fluoridate Lake Ft. Smith against voters’ wishes, citizens’ money poured into the nascent Marshal’s Museum (originally billed as a private endeavor), $700,000 yearly into the failed Convention Center, the discovery of undeposited checks from Van Buren for water usage stashed away in someone’s desk drawer, alleged city business conducted surreptitiously by email, and the list goes on & on & on. Corruption in government is endemic.

How about some independent audits, some real investigative reporting, and some police investigations? Where did the money go—who got it and what happened to it? Taxpayers & rate payers (e.g. sewer bills increased 167%) deserve to know and the perpetrators deserve to pay.

Barbara McCutchen
Arkansas Freedom dot com

City Politics

Elections are all about quid pro quo

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On Tuesday, August 14, 2018, did Fort Smith’s ongoing Tammany Hall rear its ugly head again?

Some Fort Smith voters enabled the above to occur. August 15, 2018

At least two things were made apparent.

1. Large amounts of dark money (probably $75-100,000?) buy elections.
2. In elections there is nearly always a quid pro quo.

In this case it appears that the “quids” are—(Griffin, Sicard & their wannabe sycophants?) and the “quo” is—(Rep. George McGill?)
What we don’t know yet, but sure to find out soon, is what’s the treasure sought by the “quids” and what are the “quo’s” rewards?

It is certain that those answers will become available in short order.

Did Rep. McGill sell his soul to the company store?

Haven’t the enablers learned by now that when huge amounts of $$$ are obviously being spent, e.g. on campaign advertising, it’s a sure sign of dark money working its will for its own benefit?

Joe McCutchen
Arkansas Freedom dot com

City Politics

Beware “Establishment” candidates

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George McGill: Is the fix in? It would certainly appear so. August 7, 2018

It is not my belief that Rep. McGill has used his own lucre ($25-50,000) to get elected Mayor of Fort Smith, which in reality is a figurehead office and only has merit in the case of a tie vote that rarely occurs.

I think we have no need to look any further than to the downtown city swampers, with Richard Griffin & Sammy Sicard dealing the cards.

The big question is simply what is this McGill/power play all about? It’s like The Wizard of Oz, who is behind the curtain pulling the strings?

It is not about the black votes because Rep. McGill already has them locked up, so what are Griffin/Sicard & their secondary sycophants really after to spend those kinds of bucks?

If my hypothesis is right, Rep. McGill if elected to the Mayoral slot, will be nothing more than chattel and what does that say about a man willing to sell himself?

Is a change in the form of city government in the wind where the Mayor is the boss instead of the City Manager?

Over in the City Board race, it smells to high heaven. A grade school principal, essentially giving up her position to become a City Director, a double dipper, part-time administrator, another vote for big government (“it’s for the children), the departure from ethics, etc. etc.

With reference to the Principal’s job, what does it say about Superintendent Brubaker’s ethical stature? He too is treading on thin ice. In my opinion, he has a conflict of interest due to the fact his wife is principal of Cook Elementary School.

Beware of “establishment” candidates. This is another chance for voters to prove if they are foolish or just stupid…or perhaps my above assessment is in error?

Joe McCutchen
Arkansas Freedom dot com

city government offenses, City Politics, Education Morass

Will the reign of voter stupidity continue?

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Will the reign of voter’s stupidity continue into the August election? July 29, 2018

It appears the fix is in.

But before, examples of Fort Smith voter ignorance/stupidity.

Voting for the Fort Smith Public School Millage ludicrous increase. Taj Mahal’s do not educate and putting $120 million in the hands of the present School Board & new Superintendent is fraught with potential misadventures. Observe past actions. Also Brubaker has no Superintendent experience.

The reelection and elevation of Matt Pitsch (The Screw) from the Arkansas House to the Senate. Pitsch has reeled in over $700,000 in the last 5-6 years as Intermodal Authority Executive Director of the phantom Slack Water Port in Van Buren. His former running mate, Jake Files in the State Senate, among other things, passed a bill to enhance their ability to draw vast sums of travel per diem. Now Pitsch wants to hire an intermodal “expert” to travel with him to intermodal conferences around the U.S. Specifically to Union Pacific and Ports America conferences, who he presently thinks will do business with his phantom port. Pitsch’s Slack Water Port is a scam and the Chamber’s prints are all over it, why?

The Screw conspired with Gov. Hutchinson to defeat the only two true conservatives in the Arkansas General Assembly. Pitsch is the “Enforcer” (the Screw) in the Arkansas Senate. Enough!

Casually travelling through and around Fort Smith it becomes obvious that someone or some entities are spending a ton of money to elect George McGill who is now State Representative for District 78 to the office of Mayor, a position that pays $1400 per month—why?

The next thought that comes to mind is that this is a Griffin/Sicard operation. What do they expect to get from Rep. McGill—it ain’t love. Another thought—is it to change the form of government where the mayor runs the city?

Then the matter of Spradling School Principal Robyn Dawson seeking the City Director at large Position 5. More double dipping and conflicts of interests. So what is Superintendent Brubaker’s position on this matter? Two government employees (Dawson & Pitsch), absent large amounts of time from their government positions. Is he going to reduce her salary? If so, how much and who will take her place when occupied with city business+, oh yes, another vice, assistant, deputy, etc. etc.

It is simply stupid to elect any government employee, past and/or present, to another government position. They all look to government to solve citizen problems, real or concocted. Taxation, taxation, taxation.

Wayne Haver is another ex-gov double dipper candidate for Mayor.

They all amount to Hod-carriers for the Swamp. Asa Hutchinson is a card-carrying charter member of the Swamp.

As Ron White said, “You can’t fix stupid”.

Joe McCutchen
Arkansas Freedom dot com

city government offenses, City Politics, Forced redistribution

Small towns have Swamps too!

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July 15, 2018

Re: “Fort Smith Development Solutions”: the first words out of City Mgr. Carl Geffken’s mouth=taxes & funding (what a novel idea) and mimicking other Arkansas cities will not bring success, i.e. NW Ark.

Success will only come when we ID our own resources: introducing appropriate new ideas, entrepreneurship, & building on our past history—all absent in the present city government. The present Mayor, the next Mayor, the Board of Directors & the City Manager have long ago burned out like an expended roman candle.

We are observing the results or lack of results by past and present city governments who citizens unfortunately see fit to retain for decades. Not smart.

Again, suppressing new ideas, methods, ingenuity and permitting city insiders to dictate the whole tenor of business by citizens will not bring success. For example, the present Board, City Manager & City Attorney are so enthralled with all their self-serving aggrandizement, e.g. their stupid/arrogant appeal to the Ark. Supreme Court recommended by their greedy lawyer who advocated for the appeal, especially since County Prosecutor Dan Shue and the County Sheriff said what the Board members did was a violation of the FOIA and bordered on criminality. Taxpayer cost? High 5 figures.

Standing in the wings waiting for election time are two full-time self-serving, 30 year graduates of the government public welfare trough. Why not bring some fresh air & honest enthusiasm into the city and vote for the 3rd non-insider candidate—young, smart, innovative and will bring exposure to the downtown swamp?

It is obscene to allow our total city government to end up with a huge surplus. Zero budgetry must be implemented and in this case the surplus returned to the citizen taxpayers.

Joe McCutchen
Arkansas Freedom dot Com

City Politics, Education Morass, Forced redistribution

Stupidity (new taxes) On Parade

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Stupidity: again soon to be on parade. May 12, 2018

It is gross stupidity to allow Superintendent Brubaker and his handlers, Sicard, Griffin, and new man in the clan Clark to be able to manhandle and mishandle $175 million taxpayer dollars. The Fort Smith School Board is nothing but a figurehead.

Fools, this is about economics for the above and their acolytes.

Not a word in the $175 million criminal package that mentions history, math, language, science, et al. A number of these subjects have been extricated, i.e. history. No nation can survive unless the citizenry is viably educated in its true history.

The Fools in Fort Smith will march to the voting precincts and exclaim “it’s for the children”! And will feel that there soul has been cleansed by the vote “for the children”, and the measure will overwhelmingly be passed. Did I say Fools!

As W.C. Fields so poignantly stated, “Never Give A Sucker An Even Break”.

Have the Fools examined the embarrassing percentages/statistics dealing with the lack of accomplishments nesting in the classrooms of the Fort Smith School System?

Kindest regards,
Joe McCutchen
Arkansas Freedom dot Com

city government offenses, City Politics, Forced redistribution

Twisted Logic

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TWISTED LOGIC May 6, 2018

Times Record, May 6, 2018: “Potential lawsuit is another twist in RVSC’s history”

Mardi Taylor In her above editorial states: “Whether the city of Fort Smith files another lawsuit regarding the unfinished River Valley Sports Complex remains to be seen, but it’s pretty clear more than $1 million in taxpayer money is unlikely to ever be returned”. “ Still, we support a new lawsuit because it sends the message to the Fort Smith taxpayers who approved a tax to help fund the project back in 2012, that the missing money—their money—is still a big deal”.

Ms. Taylor, you do have a twisted logic regarding economics, admitting Files & friends will never payoff the millions, then you pivot and suggest another perfectly unwinnable lawsuit should be filed costing taxpayers tens of thousands more!

Speaking of protecting taxpayer money you are perfectly willing to allow citizen taxpayers to be gouged again by the Fort Smith city attorneys.

Do you know how many tens of thousands of dollars that have already been paid out by citizen taxpayers for unwinnable lawsuits by the city attorney on behalf of the City Board of Directors that could conceivably amount to other tens of thousands of dollars? Now this is a “big deal”.

Now to the really Big Deal and the heart of the real crime, possibly entwined in major abuses and perhaps criminal conduct by the Fort Smith City government that has never been answered: why was the RVSC awarded to two politicians? Then that laden with the facts they were not bonded and were not subject to official city oversight of the project, and the Board’s continuing to fund the failed project right up to Files & Webb’s last gasp in this more than stupid, corrupt endeavor.

Joe McCutchen

P.S. Isn’t it strange that not even one Board member was curious enough about the project to drive out and take a look?

Arkansas Freedom dot Com

city government offenses, City Politics, Politicrats, U.S. Constitution

The Founders’ Constitutional Republic has been murdered…Most foul.

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ROLL BACK THE YEARS TO CIRCA DEC. 5, 1788 December 11, 2017

Imagine if you will Colonial Williamsburg, VA, about 8 or 9 in the evening. A group of men sitting around a large table in a tavern enjoying their pipes & ale, while seriously discussing how they might prevail against the attacks on the recently signed Constitution (September 17, 1787). One of the principals of the attacks was the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, who in debate was brilliant & eloquent. Two of his numerous political positions were that a President should be appointed for life and Governors would be determined by the federal government. Other issues which were heatedly debated were the “General Welfare” clause (abused at the outset & grossly abused now) coupled to his belief the Constitution conveyed “Implied Powers”. Other of Hamilton’s visions were not unlike that of England’s George III’s government that American patriots had fought against for 8 years to secede from the choke hold he had on the commoners and they ultimately won and produced a free & independent American Republic.

Sitting around the table were a number of the colonies’ leading patriots, i.e. George, Patrick, Lighthorse Harry, Benjamin, Thomas, Samuel, James and others. They were discussing what parameters they had to prevent Hamilton’s visions they knew would ultimately lead to a tyrannical government. So sad, that is where we are today…Hamilton prevailed.

Suddenly, a patriot burst through the tavern door and informed those at the table that the Williamsburg Town Hall meeting had concluded in a discussion that would level a tax on Williamsburg’s businesses. Does this ring familiar?

Did the Patriots march down to the Town Hall with a cadre of Blue Coats and George commanding, to protest, arrest the pro-tax traitors, or hang ‘em high. None of the above occurred. Remember: this war was fought for the “right of self-determination and to be secure in their persons, homes, businesses”, i.e. the rights of man to be free from oppressive, corrupt government.

The gentlemen seated around the table simply asked the question without emotion; was there support for a tax?

You see, in 1788 Americans were truly free and independent and indelible facts that guaranteed citizens would be extremely watchful in protecting their newly fought for independence. Citizens of today long ago lost their vigilance on our evil governments.

One would have expected the courageous patriots sitting around the table the word TAX would have elicited an emotional outburst. Their reaction was stoic.

Simply put, the colonists lived under a new form of government, the Constitution nationally & locally TOWN HALL MEETINGS FOR DISCUSSION, and concluded at a later date for TOWN HALL MEETINGS FOR DECISION—the reason the gentlemen were not irate…freedom & transparency were at work with citizens deeply involved. Far different from today where we have allowed ourselves to be politically extricated from the process while being forced to pay all the bills for government follies.

Town Hall Meetings assured there would be no force used, theft, lies, and intimidations…all the methods used by today’s politicians. Corruption abounds!

The Town Hall concept was the capstone for transparency & honor. Tragically this concept was swept away many years ago by unscrupulous politicians & bureaucrats and actually accelerated with the Lincoln Presidency. Note the State of the Union today—too large in area, too many unassimilated cultures, too populated and again government corruption reigns supreme; to ever have a chance to return to a true Republican form of government. President Trump’s mightiest efforts will never clear the swamp. Americans unfortunately identify with political parties as opposed to truth, honor & courage.

Such is the case today. Observe Fort Smith, Arkansas’ City Government wallowing in a plethora of misadventures under-girded with malfeasance and misfeasance. The city is presently engaging in processes giving Fort Smith control over more millions taken by force & deception. Most of the money will end up in the General Fund where there is no citizen oversight or accountability. The city government & their enablers tightly control the tenor of business while citizens pay the tariff and “we the people” can only be described as their serfs.

I am incensed that we the people have allowed all governments in the U.S. to lay claim to everything we own, from mind to property—everything our Founders fought against, e.g. the two new taxes and bond issue the city government proposes violates our person.

An excerpt from one of Patrick Henry’s Speeches, “THE GOVERNMENT CAN TAX YOU AT WILL AND THEN PUNISH YOU IF YOU REFUSE TO PAY, (with the barrel of a gun) YOU HAVE LOST YOUR LIBERTY. THEY MAY TAKE INTO THEIR OWN HANDS THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN, THEY MAY ASSUME THE PROVISION OF THE POOR (GENERAL WELFARE CLAUSE GROSSLY ABUSED)” All the edicts in the quote unfortunately came true. It is precisely what the Fort Smith, AR government did Dec. 5, 2017 with their proposing to use force (an unconstitutional act) to collect what they term “a $100 fee”. Fees, licenses, permits, etc. are rawboned taxes. What the city fathers are doing is the exact opposite of what the Founding Fathers fought for and created—freedom from political pressures, abuses, & criminalities. Remember, in the early days of our Republic the people were the Decision Makers, not self-serving, abusive politicians.

Citizens, are you aware that the city of Fort Smith is the highest taxed city in the state and clamoring for more and that Arkansas, by a huge margin, is the highest taxed state with regard to our bordering states.

Joe McCutchen
arkansasfreedom.net

city government offenses, City Politics, Forced redistribution

Will the eternal, costly Sewer problem ever be flushed?

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Congratulations to the Fort Smith City Government and pop the corks! December 8, 2017

Fort Smith, AR prepares to correct the massive deficiencies in the FS sewer system.

Circa 1983 the city received the first of three consent decrees mandated by the U.S. Dept. of Justice.

In 1985 the citizens voted for a dedicated 1 cent sewer/street tax which has generated in the neighborhood of $700 MILLION! Where did the money go? Another case of a lack of transparency and accountability.

The citizens have inherited a double tax of $500 MILLION to be raised in 12 years for at least the 3rd federal mandate for work that should have been completed as early as 1995.

Most of the present Board have been a part in this financial crime, e.g. Director Hutchings served a partial term a number of years ago and probably watched the evolution and perhaps where the money was spent and now running for Mayor. Director Settle is another long term occupant.

The onus is upon every City Mayor, Administrator and Board since 1985….something is terribly wrong with this picture.
Citizens have voted for the 1 cent tax overwhelmingly since its inception…as comedian Ron White had an affinity for saying to his audiences…”You can’t fix stupid”!

Now our collection of city “public servants” have embarked on a $38 MILLION Bond deal which Director Lau states that there are no new taxes involved in the bond deal, along with the arrogant attack on private businesses for what Directors opine is a (unconstitutional) $100 Fee (tax) to generate $500,000 yearly along with another deal which raises another $500,000. By their own admission the money will be dropped into a politicians’ Honey Hole which is called the “General Fund” and initially was declared some of the money was for the police department for the hiring of 13 new officers and other nebulous projects, without justification or transparency. The “General Fund” is the source for politicians dirty tricks.

How much of this money has been spent on the downtown insiders’ for-profit endeavors, e.g. the nascent Marshal’s Museum, etc. etc.?

Real public servants are hard to come by and that certainly is not the description holding the reins of the Fort Smith city government.

Joe McCutchen
arkansasfreedom.net

P.S. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Progressive, runs the same type of scheme—working to keep Arkansas’ Obamacare on track. Since Hutchinson took office he has expanded his version by 340,000 new welfare recipients, now called “Arkansas Works”, which is a bald-faced lie since most are able-bodied unmarried unemployed males.

City Politics, Forced redistribution

Government always wants more!

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Times Record 12.01.17…City proposes new business fees/$100 per business.

The arrogance of City Manager Carl Geffken proposing another tax increase, this one on city businesses—far too much political & economic control.

In view of the Ft. Smith’s city government ongoing incompetence, ineptness and failures the pomposity & disrespect for local taxpayers is unfathomable, Softball Complexes, Trails, “Propelling Downtown Forward”, 113 page document compiled by Gateway Planning in Dallas, accompanied by in all likelihood millions for the 501c3 Establishment…specifically for what? Then there is the more recent $38 MILLION Bond deal—government’s way of raising taxes without citizen’s knowledge, claiming all the while “it is not a tax increase”.

It may be a new thought to Geffken and the City Board, because they “Need” something that does not mean taxpayers should lay down and cough up the dough—improvise. Got it? Improvise.

Those nebulous figures thrown out for police needs by Geffken are anything but specific, as usual—meaning they can spend any way they desire.

In the manner of the police purview is the $790,000 surplus residing in the coffers of the FSPD and demanding more while an alleged deficiency in police & fire retirement funds. How about Sgts & officers going to FBI training schools in Conroe, Tx using city transportation, staying in a Day’s Inn 4 nights at a cost of $23,000 for 7 officers & Sgts?

The point: the majority of the Board, maybe by design, appears blandly unaware of who is really running the government and seems to be sorely lacking in business experience and knowledge.

The Board should temporarily ask Geffken to step aside and demand he implement a government that is efficient, transparent and certainly less fat.

The only way to utilize taxpayer dollars efficiently is Zero Based Budgetry, which means every department Head does not begin with a budget with built-in increases year after year. It means every single expense has to be anticipated and accounted for and that each succeeding year begins with reducing the outgo. Some departments could actually increase revenue.

Joe McCutchen

P.S. In Director Don Hutchings political ad yesterday he said “I am trying my hardest to keep fees (taxes) from going up in this community”. So Director Hutchings this is your big chance to back up your statement.

arkansasfreedom.net