Letters to The Editor
December 1, 2021
Letter #1
Dear Editor,
Cassville Taxpayers may not be aware that the City of Cassville came into a generous windfall this year. That’s right, the U.S. Government saw fit to give Cassville $600,000 for assistance due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Now you might be wondering just what will become of such a surplus. You are probably asking yourself exactly what kind of plans the City has for these funds.
After all, with the fiscal wisdom that we have seen from this group in the past, there is no doubt that they won’t be very frugal when deciding where to use these funds.
Well, hopefully this letter will answer some of your questions.
A reliable source has informed me that the City has come up with the wise idea of installing showers in city hall. That’s right, showers; showers quite similar to what you would find in a locker room or gym.
Now, I can’t begin to explain how the city came up with this brilliant idea, nor do I know if the spending of these funds must be approved by the city council, or if this is strictly a decision that’s left up to the city manager (as if it makes a difference). But whoever came up with such a foolish thought needs to be “tapped” for the simples.
We have witnessed over the last five years, the willingness of these five individuals to spend like drunken sailors, with no regard for the source of city funds they are wasting. We have gone from an inflated water/sewer bill, to a ⅜ cent street re-surface sales tax which was diverted to other uses. And, now, I see that the city intends to put some type of internet sales tax on the ballot for (administrator and council members) to waste.
We have stood by while the city chose to purchase five new automobiles for city staff to drive, as well as assuming the responsibility for the insurance, tires, the fuel and the maintenance of the same. Why?
But on top of all of this, the best the city can come up with as to where to best use these funds is showers?
If we must have these showers in the city hall, let’s put some forethought into just how they should be set up.
• First, are they going to be open to the public? If not, why not?
• Second, who is paying the water bill for them?
• Third, why stop with showers? Why not a sauna or hot tub?
• Are the showers gender-neutral (remember, showering together saves water)?
• What about toilets, also?
If this is handled right, this entire operation could turn out to be a continuous source of funding for the city.
For example, each shower could be coin-operated and have a timer that would turn the water off after the first 30 seconds; at that point, the user would have to deposit another fifty cents. Not to mention the idea of pay toilets and coin-operated tissue dispensers.
Seriously, folks, you know that this is a great deal of satire on my part, but, in all reality, what seems like a joke on behalf of the city is not a joke. They are serious. This is how they choose to spend your money.
We really need a few good candidates on the next ballot for city council, people who aren’t afraid to be critical of foolish ideas. People who aren’t afraid to question what is proposed.
If it’s a good idea, then that’s great, but why approve an idea that you know is bad to begin with?
Do you live in the city limits? If so, why not consider running for city council? If you have the willingness to put forth better ideas, the citizens of Cassville need you.
Gail Purves
Cassville
Editor’s Note:
In response to this letter, I contacted Cassville City Administrator, Steve Walensky, and Financial Director, Isaac Petersen, to give them an opportunity to respond to these allegations.
Walensky states that tentative plans are in being discussed for remodeling the restrooms in Cassville’s City Hall, although, at this time, they have no cost estimates, therefore, no firm plans for showers.
When asked why there would be a need for showers in the city hall building, Petersen pointed out that sometimes law enforcement personnel are in need of a shower after helping with the clean-up of auto accidents or other incidents.
Walensky says the allegation that the city purchased five vehicles for staff members is untrue.
“We purchased a patrol vehicle for the police department and a replacement vehicle for the public works department,” he said.
Petersen noted that the city has received $640,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, with half of the allotment received this year and half to be received next year.
Letter #2
Dear Editor,
I have read several comments on Facebook regarding Boyd McNeil's letter. I have a few questions and comments.
First, where in scripture does it say, “All true Holy Days were established in the very first year of Creation?" And are any of them still in circulation? Second, where in any literature does it state, "We are all supposed to be vegetarians?" And if that were so, what happens to the unattended animals? Would they not become so numerous that they would require most of all vegetation? And, "Scripture says that Noah built the ark to save the innocent animals."
Some were saved, and some perished in the flood, according to Genesis Chapter 7. Be sure to read the chapter and you will see that people, animals and birds were victims of the flood.
Genesis 9:3 refers to the eating of meat.
Exodus chapter 16 tells about God providing quail for the Israelites as they wandered 40 years between leaving Egypt and their arrival in the promised land. Numbers chapter 11 gives a more detailed account of this provision. Read the whole chapter.
Throughout the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, written by Moses, speaks of God's pleasure with animal sacrifice. It further details what portions of the various animals are to be eaten and what parts are to be destroyed. It’s stated in various places in the Pentateuch. Anyone who has read much of these books knows that!
Don Beeson
Cassville
Letter #3
Dear Editor,
MoDot has been in violation of our right-of-way laws ever since placing "yield" signs for right turning traffic leaving Hwy 37 and turning onto highway H or W and other intersections. A MoDot person told me, via email, years ago, that the signs were placed to avoid left turning traffic backing up at those intersections. There is not enough traffic for that to happen and even if there was MoDot would have to provide a "legal" remedy. MoDot has to comply with the law and remove those yield signs.
Russel Knight,
Exeter
Letter #1
Dear Editor,
Cassville Taxpayers may not be aware that the City of Cassville came into a generous windfall this year. That’s right, the U.S. Government saw fit to give Cassville $600,000 for assistance due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Now you might be wondering just what will become of such a surplus. You are probably asking yourself exactly what kind of plans the City has for these funds.
After all, with the fiscal wisdom that we have seen from this group in the past, there is no doubt that they won’t be very frugal when deciding where to use these funds.
Well, hopefully this letter will answer some of your questions.
A reliable source has informed me that the City has come up with the wise idea of installing showers in city hall. That’s right, showers; showers quite similar to what you would find in a locker room or gym.
Now, I can’t begin to explain how the city came up with this brilliant idea, nor do I know if the spending of these funds must be approved by the city council, or if this is strictly a decision that’s left up to the city manager (as if it makes a difference). But whoever came up with such a foolish thought needs to be “tapped” for the simples.
We have witnessed over the last five years, the willingness of these five individuals to spend like drunken sailors, with no regard for the source of city funds they are wasting. We have gone from an inflated water/sewer bill, to a ⅜ cent street re-surface sales tax which was diverted to other uses. And, now, I see that the city intends to put some type of internet sales tax on the ballot for (administrator and council members) to waste.
We have stood by while the city chose to purchase five new automobiles for city staff to drive, as well as assuming the responsibility for the insurance, tires, the fuel and the maintenance of the same. Why?
But on top of all of this, the best the city can come up with as to where to best use these funds is showers?
If we must have these showers in the city hall, let’s put some forethought into just how they should be set up.
• First, are they going to be open to the public? If not, why not?
• Second, who is paying the water bill for them?
• Third, why stop with showers? Why not a sauna or hot tub?
• Are the showers gender-neutral (remember, showering together saves water)?
• What about toilets, also?
If this is handled right, this entire operation could turn out to be a continuous source of funding for the city.
For example, each shower could be coin-operated and have a timer that would turn the water off after the first 30 seconds; at that point, the user would have to deposit another fifty cents. Not to mention the idea of pay toilets and coin-operated tissue dispensers.
Seriously, folks, you know that this is a great deal of satire on my part, but, in all reality, what seems like a joke on behalf of the city is not a joke. They are serious. This is how they choose to spend your money.
We really need a few good candidates on the next ballot for city council, people who aren’t afraid to be critical of foolish ideas. People who aren’t afraid to question what is proposed.
If it’s a good idea, then that’s great, but why approve an idea that you know is bad to begin with?
Do you live in the city limits? If so, why not consider running for city council? If you have the willingness to put forth better ideas, the citizens of Cassville need you.
Gail Purves
Cassville
Editor’s Note:
In response to this letter, I contacted Cassville City Administrator, Steve Walensky, and Financial Director, Isaac Petersen, to give them an opportunity to respond to these allegations.
Walensky states that tentative plans are in being discussed for remodeling the restrooms in Cassville’s City Hall, although, at this time, they have no cost estimates, therefore, no firm plans for showers.
When asked why there would be a need for showers in the city hall building, Petersen pointed out that sometimes law enforcement personnel are in need of a shower after helping with the clean-up of auto accidents or other incidents.
Walensky says the allegation that the city purchased five vehicles for staff members is untrue.
“We purchased a patrol vehicle for the police department and a replacement vehicle for the public works department,” he said.
Petersen noted that the city has received $640,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, with half of the allotment received this year and half to be received next year.
Letter #2
Dear Editor,
I have read several comments on Facebook regarding Boyd McNeil's letter. I have a few questions and comments.
First, where in scripture does it say, “All true Holy Days were established in the very first year of Creation?" And are any of them still in circulation? Second, where in any literature does it state, "We are all supposed to be vegetarians?" And if that were so, what happens to the unattended animals? Would they not become so numerous that they would require most of all vegetation? And, "Scripture says that Noah built the ark to save the innocent animals."
Some were saved, and some perished in the flood, according to Genesis Chapter 7. Be sure to read the chapter and you will see that people, animals and birds were victims of the flood.
Genesis 9:3 refers to the eating of meat.
Exodus chapter 16 tells about God providing quail for the Israelites as they wandered 40 years between leaving Egypt and their arrival in the promised land. Numbers chapter 11 gives a more detailed account of this provision. Read the whole chapter.
Throughout the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, written by Moses, speaks of God's pleasure with animal sacrifice. It further details what portions of the various animals are to be eaten and what parts are to be destroyed. It’s stated in various places in the Pentateuch. Anyone who has read much of these books knows that!
Don Beeson
Cassville
Letter #3
Dear Editor,
MoDot has been in violation of our right-of-way laws ever since placing "yield" signs for right turning traffic leaving Hwy 37 and turning onto highway H or W and other intersections. A MoDot person told me, via email, years ago, that the signs were placed to avoid left turning traffic backing up at those intersections. There is not enough traffic for that to happen and even if there was MoDot would have to provide a "legal" remedy. MoDot has to comply with the law and remove those yield signs.
Russel Knight,
Exeter
