If You Cant Take the Heat, Get out of the Kitchen

By: Robjamco | Original Article at patch.com

…and a stern …”Dont worry we will let ourselves in and take anything we like”… that it is human nature to frame our hopes with our beliefs. Or is it the other way around?

Like it or not, action (or inaction) by the past Councils, questionable actions and advice by former City Counsel, questionable Accounting tactics and manuevers by Finance and Staff ALL under the guidance and direction of the City Manager have led us to this situation. Am I accusing and convicting before the fact? I dont think so.

A quick refresher on the role of City Manager. From City website title description:

“The city manager is the operations officer for the city and is charged with the responsibility of implementing the goals and objectives set by the City Council.”

“Some typical roles and responsibilities of a city manager include supervising day-to-day operations of all city departments, supervising the department heads, and advising the City Council on matters of interest. “

We all understand that no arrests have been made and that the process will take an inordinate amount of time. Time is the factor of utmost concern. You see the previous Councils’ rubber stamp attitude and an “all the world is a stage with Beaumont” at its center mentality has done one thing very well. Kicked the can down the road for years and years, never having the courage or the fortitude to question the status quo.

Outside of Ms Gall’s time on the Council, there was no dissension or serious disagreements. Everything was smooooth. Apparently the only question Council asked Staff was the amount of City Reserves. This was great PR for every occasion and interview and election time. It was great to bully our neighboring Cities and Water Districts and everyone could hear the threat and realization of legal action in any encounter.

Some tried to warn the people early on. Few paid any attention. Some did. When doubt began in whispers, a steady stream of diversions, denials, and lots of frosting spouted from the City. “No Growth factions, anti-business, backward thinkers, crazies.”

Need I continue with this narrative? The bottom line is that some want to fit all the events into their own version of how, when, why and where. Well it makes perfect sense not to heed warnings because…because “I didnt like the tactics or the way it was done”. There were other voices, there were other individuals and groups and businesses voicing concerns.

How do I know this. Three incumbents overwhelmingly voted out. Some chose to support the incumbents and “foster” a dialogue by setting up campaign sites to “meet” the candidates and ask questions. Trying to participate in that forum went over like a box of rocks for Christmas.

Our new Council members are making changes. The MGO Draft report is in and available Draft Financial Analysis of City Funds- May 5, 2015 This is not me making an analysis nor the City. If you didnt heed the warnings long ago, you didnt heed the warnings when you should of, its time to make up your mind. We are all running out of time. You need to read this short document and its time to face the reality. ALL the points made in this Draft Analysis have been presented to the public previously by private individuals and groups concerned about City policies and consequences.

If you think the previous City Attorney “resigned to retire” and is unrelated to the raids that happened later…If you think the Asst City Manager/Finance Director resignation after the raid, and days before Budget workshop along with the release of this Draft Analysis pt 1….If you think the sounding of another Vote of no Confidence in Police Chief…If you didnt hear our new City Counsel…Well if you are still on the fence and going to wait for more information… I urge you to look at all these matters closely. Dont wait until this City falls apart to make a choice.

When the Finance Director, City Manager, and the City Auditing firm have collaborated on the financial statements of Beaumont for over 20 YEARS, and yet ALL 3 have a different definition of “Municipal Reserves”, I am inclined to not believe anything from any of them. Two are no longer in the picture.

Yes Roger, this is the citizens telling those responsible, there are consequences and we demand an accounting of their actions and of where the money went.