I just want to personally thank everyone one of you that took the time to show up at tonight's Town Council Meeting. It had a major impact and I hope that you will respond in the same manner next time such an important issue will be on the agenda.
Before I call it a night I just want to remind everyone that the StopMorriss6 group is not opposed to the town's effort of securing "free" money for our Town (even though it is tax dollars anyway you want to look at it). All we were stating is that the Council has not been transparent in their process and could have done a much better job of keeping us informed. No one can expect individual residents to have the knowledge of how all these processes work.
I feel that asking the Council to delay this issue, by tableing it, until the new Council was elected was a reasonable request - You are talking 10 days. They would have still had time to decide on this prior the Spinks project deadline.
Town Manager Jefferson did put some light on the fact that the agreement can be re-negotiated so we must continue to ensure that our concerns are heard.
Bottom line. Multiple residents made requests of the Town Council to defer this decision until the new Council is in place. Tonight's Town Council voted to accept the funds tonight.
Good Night and Good Luck.
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Thank you everyone for coming out. I second what Bjorn said. No one ever suggested as Mr Tasker stated before his vote, that we wanted the town to say NO to the money, but only do delay the vote until after the Trans Comm public meeting and the election. Some city officials asked us today if we were willing to work with a plan to make some improvements to the road with out it being all or nothing. We answered in good faith that we would not be adverse to a plan like that. Then they do not answer in good faith by voting to delay this for 10 days. So much for good faith.
ReplyDeleteMr Jefferson also stated that he had discussed with Bjorn, Young Scott, Tall Scott and myself the way the advanced funding worked. He stated in the March 17th meeting that the advanced funding paperwork had not been drawn up and that would take from 90 to 120 days to complete. That was less that 50 days ago. Keep up the good fight and get everone you know to get out and vote for Lyda, Butler and Hayden.
There also was some false information stated this evening by a citizen regarding Tom Hayden's record managing a 40 million dollar hedge fund. We will provide some interesting proof regarding that falsehood tomorrow, so stay tuned.
I understand Councilman Trotter’s explanation that to vote down the money for Morriss Rd. was to vote down the money for the other three projects, and at least one them has already been designed and is ready to go(Spinks). That’s the way the 121 Toll pays out the money, nothing we can do about it. But, I agree with Kim that it should have been tabled to a later date and the current Council did not listen to our pleas to do that.
ReplyDeleteOnly one thing left to do in my opinion. Get three people to fill those chairs that will agree to do the following:
1)Vote to split up the four projects and the money that goes with each.
2)Vote on all the projects and funds that come with it on an individual basis.
3)Vote NO on widening Morriss Rd.
4)Be willing to spend some of the Morriss Rd. money on improving the only problem with Morriss Rd. and that’s the intersections at 1171 and 407. 3040 isn’t that bad right now, but if there was a reasonable plan to improve it, we should take a look at it.
5)Vote to give back any of the unused money to the 121 Toll for other projects. A true politician will never vote to give back any money that we didn't use, they'll simply find a way to spend it.
I think most people, at least the people I’ve talked to, have no problem improving the intersections to improve the traffic flow for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night, but if the people are against that as well, I’ll vote no on that too.
This fight is far from over my friends, it might take pitchforks and torches, but we will see this project end in a manner that is favorable to we the people!
P.S. – For those who didn’t stay for the whole meeting, there was a shocking vote at the end regarding the 2:00am drinking ordinance. There was actually….wait for it….dissenting voices within the ranks of the Council. I was just ranting about that tonight, how they don’t disagree on anything, it turns out the only thing they disagree on it smoking and drinking. The vote went 3-2 against allowing the bars and restaurants to stay open and serve alcohol until 2:00am. Absolutely shocking!!!!!! Not how they voted, just that they didn’t agree.
Goodnight All!
3040 can be improved at 2499 and 3040..
ReplyDeleteSB 2499 needs to have the lights adjusted so in the afternoon rush that there are 2 left turn lanes.. farthest left being left only with inside left being straight or left and the right lanes straight only. Even though they made the holding lane for left turns longer it still backs up into normal traffic paths and causes some congestion. All other directions have 2 left lanes in a similar fashion so it perplexes me why the SB direction did not have this implemented.
Tom Hayden should have been given a right to respond. Those remarks had no place this evening and I truly believe that Tom should sue.
ReplyDeleteI find it very disappointing that this City Council basically turned their nose at our requests to table this issue until after the public hearing. Not like I think the traffic commission will go against what the Mayor and council are wanting though. They will all sing the same tune to get what they want.
ReplyDeleteAlso, did anyone see page 155 of the agenda packet for last nights meeting? Seems they saw fit to send a letter to property owners in Rheudasil Farms asking for their opinion of the proposed rezoning of some property in that area from agricultural to SF-10. They have concern enough to send this letter to 20 property owners to see their opinion on having a new sub-division built in their area, but could care less about the opinion of thousands of property owners on if they want 2 lanes added 8ft from their property? You can be assured I will do whatever it takes to ensure this condescending Mayor and her 3 remaining cronies are voted out of office when their time comes around!
While I oppose the widening of Morris, I think our current council had done a fantastic job in the last 6 years. I may disagree with this one decision, but it does not negate from the countless good decisions they have made in the past, including last night's decision to vote no for an ordinance allowing alcohol to be served until 2am. Don't let one issue cloud your judgment. These fine men and women have sacrificed countless hours for this town and we should be grateful that we have had only one issue over the past 6 years that has caused a stir in our neighborhoods. The fact that we have been complacent and apathetic to what is going on in the town over the years only goes to show that there has been very little to be mad about. Otherwise, many of us would have been involved long ago. So I take offense that we talk about our Mayor and her "cronies" in negative light. They have invested 4-6 years of their life to a town that only shows up to berate them, and never thanks them when they make a good decision. They deserve our respect, even when we disagree.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just this issue I have a problem with, it's how they've gone about keeping the citizens informed (or lack thereof)of their plans with this issue. Just like I mentioned above. They sent out letters to citizens in Rheudasil Farms about the upcoming proposal to rezone a part of their neighborhood. Did we get any such reminder? No. We are told we should look at the agenda on line for our information regarding this issue. During our walk to the candidate forum last week, do you think it was a coincidence that the Mayor happened to drive by Forrestwood as we were getting there? I highly doubt it. Berate them? I don't think they have been berated. All anyone is asking is for a fair shake and for them to listen to the citizens, not just ignore us as happened last night.
ReplyDeleteI spent 22 years in the military, so I still have the habit of respecting the office and position that they hold. In my book, the person holding that office, still has to earn my respect. I respect them for the fact they are willing to make sacrifices for the betterment of the town. I like the fact that they banned cell phones in school zones, I think that's great. I don't know that not allowing the sale of alcohol after midnight is necessarily a good thing. That just means that come 12:05, people who want to still drink will be getting on the roads and going elsewhere. Poses an unecessary safety risk in my opinion.
I correct myself in the first posting. It was Mr Trotter, not Mr Tasker that made the comments prior to the voting.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was rude and disrespectful of the Stop Morris6 crowd last night not to stand and applaud Mr. Tasker as he gave his final comments. I was embarassed to be part of a group that couldn't see past this one area of disagreement to thank the man for his 4 years of service to the Town. Mr. Tasker and Mrs. Levenick not only attended the March last Thursday, Mr. Tasker stayed afterwards to help load up. He demonstrated that he can put differences aside and work with his neighbors. He has earned my respect.
ReplyDeleteHurray for motherof4 - a voice of reason! I was hopeful that Flower Mound politics had matured..WRONG. The name calling continues. Picking one issue to pit one side against the other.. Running AGAINST instead of just for an office.
ReplyDeleteHello Mother of 4. I want you to know that I was standing and applauding and I saw many other stopmorriss6 members doing the same. So please do not label the whole group as being disrepectful. That simply is not true. There are many fine people in this group and I am sure that Mr. Tasker himself would understand if someone choose to stand or not stand to applaud his service. I have also stated on public record that I respect the work the council does, that it is a hard job and I am glad that there are people out there willing to do it. I am sorry you felt embarassed, but please do not label the whole group as disrespectful or unkind.
ReplyDeleteThis site may be for the focus on one issue. But as for Hayden and Lyda, they stand for many other issues. They have stayed true to their platforms and will bring much needed change to our local government. I applaud Butler for stepping up and taking a chance. It may of been the Morriss Road issue that got him interested in running but he has shown he cares about all residents just like Lyda and Hayden. I am voting FOR Lyda, Hayden and Butler and not AGAINST their opponents.
ReplyDeleteI applauded Mr Tasker's speech and was on public record last night thanking Mr Tasker and Mrs Levenick for coming to the forum. They did not march with us down Morriss. As I remember there were very few there at the end of the forum and Jeff and Claudio were there till the end helping us get packed up. I had a very nice conversation with Jeff and apprieciate much better his point of view. He would be the first to acknowledge that he knows some people don't like him, but he deserves a lot of respect. NO ONE in our group has belittled the current council or the Mayor. We did point out that some of their actions were percieved as being rude to some of the citizen feedback portions of the meetings. And some of their comments during the public comment phase of the meeting, is not allowed under their rules.
ReplyDeleteWe did not attend last night meeting to attack the council, but to voice our concern of the timing of the agenda item. Several of us had private conversations with council members trying to make it clear to us that it was a matter of order and was not an act of being disrespectful towards us. Our rhetoric was toned down considerably by meeting time than it was earlier in the day.
We, as a group have the right to express our displeasure on the public record. That is what we did.
There were some untruths spoke last night by city staff that will be addressed with them directly.
Never at anytime on this blog and by any member of our group, any disparaging remarks about candidates that either oppose our views or are running against someone we favor. Myself and several others have had very amicable conversations with all the candidates, and I personally find all of them very gracious individuals and am very proud to have got to know them.
We have learned a lot about our town and how it runs and are looking forward to future dealings with what ever council happens to be seated for many years to come.
It is very interesting to see some feel we are anti-town. anti-transportation, anti-commerce. We want to see our town continue to grow and see things done right and with full citizen participation. We have succeeded to get hundreds of citizens that previously might not have even known where town hall was. We have them talking to their neighbors, branching out to other parts of the community and growing a much better sense of what a town is all about. I am so lucky to have met everyone of them.
Tammi,
ReplyDeleteI’m starting to sound like a broken record here, but I didn't originally decide to run for Town/City Council for the Morriss Rd. issue. Please look at my website: bobforflomo.com. Thank you for giving me props for stepping up, I truly appreciate it, but please look at my website to see why I’m running for Town/City Council. I’m sorry if I sound frustrated, but the supporters of my opponent are pouring this "one issue candidate" stuff on thick and I feel that I need to correct the record when I see it.
Respectfully,
Bob Butler
I did not mean to imply that ALL of the Stop Morris 6 proponents were rude and disrespectful to Mr. Tasker. But those few that chose to sit and cross their arms after his farewell address, were from our group. I agree that Mr. Tasker would understand why some would not stand, which only goes to show he is the bigger person than those that so rudely disrespected the Town Council and their family members that sacrifice their time with their loved one so he or she can serve us. I just want all in our group to rise above the caddiness that was presented by a small minority of our group. I'd expect that behavior from my high schooler, but not from adults. For those of you who could look past the issue of Stop Morris 6 and thank the councilmembers for their service, I am proud to be in your company.
ReplyDeleteI'm disappointed in our Mayor. She was rude and disrespectful. She can kiss her re-election goodbye as far as I'm concerned.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Jody Smith is running again. But pay attention to the candidate she supports for Mayor next May. I personally will not be voting for whoever that is.
ReplyDeleteI stand by my comments regarding Harlan Jefferson's comments during the meeting. I reviewed the video and during the discussion regarding item 5 at the 8 minute 45 second mark. Mr Jefferson states he discussed in length and detail the way to acceptance of funds would work. That did not occur during the meeting we had back on March 17th. Unless that meeting was taped, we were told that the paperwork had not been drawn up and would take 2 months to initiate the paper work and then it would be another 100 to 120 days before the execution would be complete. If that is the in detail he was speaking of. But we were not "told" how it all was going to work.
ReplyDelete