Sunday, December 28, 2008

CESSPOOL'S SHALLOW END

Introducing “Fact Fixer”

Those of you who refuse to visit “the other” Web site dealing with IRB politics--you really should. IRBeHEARD was recently referred to on that site as a cesspool of unsubstantiated allegations. Ironically, that site's very same posting was riddled with so many inaccuracies that it's impossible to tackle them all in one shot.

Thus…the birth of a new feature on IRBeHEARD--FACT FIXER--which will appear on a somewhat regular basis…and is designed to refute questionable IRB information published elsewhere.

Here’s a start…

STATEMENT: IRBeHEARD carries commentary on what goes on in IRB.
TRUTH: Info posted on IRBeHEARD is supported by a careful review of public records and a first-hand account of commission meeting activity. I attend as many meetings as my time permits--in person--and do not rely on the secret reports of "moles" for information.

STATEMENT: IRBeHEARD is a mouthpiece for former Mayor Bill Ockunzzi.
TRUTH: Comments on IRBeHEARD, whether fairly or unfairly, have sometimes been critical of Ockunzzi. IRBeHEARD, as it is billed, is “for IRB residents who have something or nothing to say about anything and everything.” Unlike other Web sites and blogs that don't allow comments, IRBeHEARD is a mouthpiece for EVERYONE in IRB--and yes, that does includes Mr. Ockunzzi.

STATEMENT: Former City Manager Al Grieshaber racked up 5,000 miles on the company vehicle while looking for a new job.
FACT: IRB has spent an unbelievable amount in legal fees going after a relatively small sum, the result of an admitted mistake by our former City Treasurer. And, the commission recently signed on for even MORE fees when authorizing the City Attorney to take this non-hunting doggy to trial at a time when IRB's financial picture is the bleakest in its history. Attempts by residents to get a handle on the exact amount of legal fees paid for by our tax dollars have been unsuccessful.

STATEMENT: The meeting to interview potential City Finance Directors is this Monday night, December 29th.
FACT: According to the online city calendar (which the "other source" obviously didn't double-check!) and the meeting agenda released last week by city staff, interviews for potential Finance Directors are scheduled for Monday MORNING at 9 a.m.--effectively precluding input from 78.5% of our residents who, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, are employed as wage or salary workers.

Check back on IRBeHEARD for more FACT FIXERS in upcoming editions and verify the information for yourselves. You won't need a GPS to find the exact location of the true cesspool, which I highly recommend you read nonetheless.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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