October 26th, 2009 by hugh
The city manager came with a proposal from a company that did searches for other cities the price would be $21,000. All I can find in the administrative ordinances indicates that if it cost more than $10,000 then it should go through some sort of bidding process. The city manager seemed to think that the council could go ahead without bidding. He, also, seemed to once again not want citizens involved because of all the problems other places have had. Well some information has come up since them that begs a least a few questions, if not a full stop and start again.
The firm suggested has been active in the hiring processes of a list of cities. We have a little feed back on their efforts to add to the concern on just having one company present. Read the rest of this entry »
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September 23rd, 2009 by hugh
Tags: Voting
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September 18th, 2009 by hugh
“We didn’t build the districts to keep any council members’ jobs,” Allebach said. “We built this according to the wishes of the voters.” Allebach hopes district elections will encourage new blood on the council, and new interest in political office. The West Volusia Beacon, June 15, 2009 Section: News Page: 1A
Now when Jeff said this in an interview there was no election being contested. When Jeff said this he probably didn’t mean he wanted new blood on the council this soon. But maybe I’m wrong and he agrees with me.
I agree that new blood and political interest is just what we need in Orange City. Bill Crippen, Gina Holmes and Anthony Pupello represent new blood and have a keen interest in the future of Orange City. Read the rest of this entry »
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September 17th, 2009 by hugh
Voted to raise the cost of water by placing a $4 per account charge and a 25% surcharge on water use.
Voted to place the cost of garbage service on residential tax payers as a non ad valorem tax placed on the property tax bill annually.
Voted to raise the fees charge by city government to citizens by rate of 50 to 500 % depending on the fee.
Voted for a 16% tax rate increase and the 2009-2010 budgets. Second vote to be held on September 23, 2009 one day after the election.
This is in just less than 6 moths on council.
Source is online audio and public records of the City of Orange City Florida
Posted in Voting, government watch | 8 Comments »
September 13th, 2009 by hugh
Gary Blair during his tenure on the Orange City Council voted to increase water rates and fees. Voted to impose taxes on utilities and to allow for them to be increased by resolution of city council. So your electric bill could go up by council voting once on the increase. These taxes are still in effect and the water rate could go up at any time, particularly with Gary on the council.
Resolution 15-00 5/9/2000 Voted yes to increase rates on water service
Ordinance 99-08-01 8/10/1999 8/24/1999 voted yes twice on taxing electric bills by 10% for all users and provides for the option to increase this tax by resolution at any time in the future.
Ordinance 78 5/14/2002 5/28/2002 voted yes twice for taxing bottled or metered gas sales by 10% for all sales within the city and to increase the tax by resolution.
Source of this information is public records of the City of Orange City
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September 12th, 2009 by hugh
I received a campaign flyer on Thursday evening with a short list of people endorsing of Paul Rasch featured in it. In America we can endorse who we want to and support those we think best qualified and that’s the beauty of our country.
However one of the names Mr. Rasch is listing on his materials is Evelyn Robinson. Evelyn is a campaign supporter of Mr. Bill Crippen who is running for the at large seat in opposition.
Mrs. Robinson told me she did not authorize the use of her name, and that she would contact Mr. Rasch about this.
Another name on the endorsement list is Orange City Council person Tom Laputka. I spoke with Mr. Laputka about this and he confirmed his previously stated position that he is endorsing all six candidates for the three offices up for election and that he is not endorsing anyone over another.
People who are willing to run for elected office and those that volunteer to campaign for them are not served well by this behavior, and niether are the people of our country.
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September 11th, 2009 by hugh
On Tuesday night the city manager said that taxes are not going up under the budget he has brought forward. He can say this because from his point of view taxes are not going up. His point of view is revenue to spend.
From the tax payers point of view this is false. The rate of taxes went up from $4.48 per $1000 of access value to $5.1953 per $1000. That is an increase of 16% but it generates no more revenue.
Residential tax payers as a group had a tax increase, but commercial tax payers had substantial reductions. In the commercial area i checked a few properties and found a reduction of 20 to 33% in the valuation. Read the rest of this entry »
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September 8th, 2009 by hugh
City manager Chester Murray ended negotiations with Gel Corp about two months ago, but kept telling people that negotiations were complete and all he needed was a signature on the one remaining document to end an on going legal snare. He ended the negotiations with one of his out bursts of temper. No deal was reached. Read the rest of this entry »
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September 3rd, 2009 by hugh
Oakhurst home owners association met at Dickinson Memorial Library on Wednesday night, September 2nd. The invited guests were the city manager and candidate for council Mr. Bill Crippen. Mr. Murray brought an entourage of city employees. Mr. Crippen brought his ears.
Mr. Murray began the meeting by insisting that Mr. Crippen not be allowed to participate in the meeting. It was a fine example of Mr. Murray’s insensitivity to citizens. Mr. Crippen sat in the audience and listened to the citizens concerns, speaking to those that stayed throughout the meeting after it was over. Read the rest of this entry »
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June 24th, 2009 by hugh
The City of Orange City and Gel Corp, the regional recycling business located in Orange City, failed to resolve their differences at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 23. The developers agreement between the city and Gel Corp came close to being solved. Milton Evans and City Manager Chester Murray worked to solve the problems in the agreement including all Tuesday Afternoon, but the settlement the two reached was not acceptable to Attorney Alan Watts. Watts recommended against the agreement during the Council meeting. The developers agreement would have completed an 8 months process to resolve conflict between the City and Gel Corp.
The city Council tabled the measure indefinitely, effectively killing the opportunity to solve the long existing conflict except through court action by the City against Gel Corp.
It will be up to the City Council whether to spend the millions in lawyer fees that some estimate it will take to see the case through all avenues of appeals. Watts could be the attorney who will continue legal action for the City against Gel Corp.
Your taxes are likely to go up just to pay for the legal fees. Read an update on this story. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: government watch
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