Sunday, April 27, 2008

Once More To The Point

So, Brian Calley was once again interviewed on WOOD-TV's political news show, To The Point. Rick Albin and Republican State Rep. Calley discussed Michigan's response to the foreclosure crisis with Democratic State Rep. Steve Tobocman.

Nice to see some common sense in our politics and so for once I'll refrain from giving my cynical take and simply applaud all involved for doing the right thing to stop some of the bleeding. (Also, Blogger's autosave seems to be slowing my computer down, keeping me from wanting to type a lengthier piece.)

115 comments:

lonevoice said...
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lonevoice said...
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Pol Watcher II too said...

pol - you appear so transparent and it has became clear that your agenda and opinions are clearly connected to self-serving control, manipulation and misleading publicity.

In your colume "Seek the truth, but not from a liar" dated
March 25th, you wrote "corruption that was entrenched in the county 911 system" and you continued to accuse the 911 board and nystrom of everything but being human. Now after four complete, thorough, unbiased, and very expensive investigations you and the trio plus are unrepentant for taking the taxpayers down that expensive primrose path.

The proof is in the pudding and that puddin has left a very "nasty" taste in the taxpayers mouth because of the trio plus many half truths and their negative self serving slanderous propaganda that mirror the actions of the mayor of detroit.

In your opinion "we should judge ourselves by how we care for our pets" did you deliberately leave out the fact that the barry county animal shelter falls under the county board of commissioners; commissioner engleth committee; and that DARling barney has total management control of the animal shelter and DARling barney IS responsibile for the day to day operation of the shelter? The trio plus and local paper humiliated and pounded the 911 board and nystrom for lack of responsibility and untrue "corruption that was entrenched in the county 911 system", but you selectively chose to ignore the simple facts and truth about jailgate and yet another animal shelter disaster. Could it be that your selective failure to expose the whole story is became the trio plus are involved again or you don't have a "dog" in this fight. David T. never missed writing the whole story, but that another story isn't it?

shame on the trio plus for the dumbing down of our county and for degrading and humiliating the 911 board and nystrom with their malicious deceitfulness AND "shame on them and shame on us if we condone this type of animal" and human being-added "mistreatment"

Bulwark said...

IT STILL AIN'T OVER - after four very "expensive", complete, through, unbiased, ridiculous and mindless investigations, a new one has been baked up DARling barney and the trio plus. Yes another half baked investigation for the taxpayers to pay for. The intensive covert and swattish investigation is being dubbed -

"THE COFFEE & DONUT CAPER"

Yep, it's true... receipts located during the very expensive and phoney embezzlement investigation has identified persons have actually purchased "coffee and donuts" for meetings or training sessions at 911 dispatch and other public safety agencies. Word has it that the coffee was drank; some with cream and sugar and the donuts where actually chewed up and swollowed. Any left-overs were just "given" to the dispatchers or officers of the public safety agencies who never attended the meetings or training sessions.

Because we only attended a couple of those meetings or training sessions, it is difficult to actually determine which
"criminal" actually devoured the most donuts, or drank coffee with cream and sugar. After actually observing DARling barney and evans with their hands in the donut box and seeing them now, it becomes clear they may have eaten a hair more than their share or other attendee's.

The fruitcake mind set of the trio is that anyone who purchases coffee, donuts or any other food for a governmental meeting must be prosecuted to the fullest. Such dangerous, horrendous and plump criminals are a detriment to our society.

Our suggestion to you plump criminals out there..... use a napkin and always wipe any crumbs off your chin. Surveilance camera's may be running.

QUESTION - Anyone out there know where the jails lunch money went or was it a covered-up embezzlement that didn't have jury appeal ?

Pol Watcher said...

Based on your comments, I take it none of you know how to FOIA the info?

Pol Watcher II too said...

Bul & pol - the name of the "intensive covert and swattish expensive investigation" should be named
"Da coffee and donut waste of more time and taxpayers dollars caper". the cops we see up here always seem to be drinking coffee and ready for action. we love our local boys, but haven't seen them at the TK much lately. a state cop was up here the other day and said sarvars is running for sheriff. we now need a good person to run for prosecutor to.

what does foia stand for ? fraterial order of investigators association ? seem like bul knows whats going on, but never receives a answers to his many questions.

lonevoice said...
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Anonymous said...

The people in this county have an unhealthy obsession with that dog shelter. If there are too many animals, maybe we should begin to license cats. That would cut down on part of the problem with a reduction in ownership. While at the same time we could speed up the animal "destruction" process and realize that there are more important things for us to spend money on in our society.

Bulwark said...

TS and pol - why would you waste your time and money trying to FOI the info. DARling barney publicly told everybody when he was running for sheriff he was going to get nasty for something, "no matter what it takes". It wasn't just a campaign promise, it seems to be a self induced neurotic obsession. If the taxpayers only knew how much time and money that has been waisted on this unsubstantiated and senseless witch-hunt, it would make them sick to their stomachs. For over three year now, DARling barney has attempted to farm out the witch-hunt to several other sheriffs departments, the sheriffs association and the attorney generals office, but every one of them could see it was nothing more than a personal vendetta and a senseless witch hunt. Because of barneys lack of common sense or leadership skills and his black belt swattish mentality, we have become the laughting sock of the public safety community.

Under DARling barney and commis. engleth management control, we now have the two animal shelter diasters and a new coffee-donut caper. The demeaning comments and laughter continues to get louder.

Instead of waisting so much energy, taxpayers money and time on tail chasings, witch-hunts and self-serving media propaganda, we should have been doing real police work. If we had positive leadership we may have had a great start on paying for a new jail and we could have been working on bona fide criminal investigations.

DARling barney, like barney from newberry rfd, is a nice man and probably a good dad, BUT he just doesn't have one lick of common sense, investigative, leadership or management skills and that is what we so desperately need here.

Pol Watcher said...

Because you guys care so much: Word on the street is that Hastings City Police Chief Sarver filed to run for Sheriff. Fasten your seat belts!

TheDarkSide said...

Thank the Lord! Now there is a man that has the ability and the smarts. Miracles do happen.

Bulwark said...

pol - "fasten your seat belts" ? when you simply compare education, experience, knowledge, integrity, professionalism, truth plus Sarvers masters degree and DARling barneys highest education, a black belt in karate, it should be a no brainer, not a miracle or race. No need for seat belts !!!!!!! The dumbing down of barry county should cease after the primary in August.

Jay said...

bul:

Dar will do a doughnut (pun intended) around Sarver. Kinda like what Tom did to Julie... I see the non-Hastings areas of this county going out for Dar in large numbers. I doubt Sarver can make inroads in the TVC or RtL. Those two groups were key to Dar success in '04.

Pol Watcher II too said...

bul, in today's local paper a mr tolsma seems to be posing some of the same questions you've been asking for weeks. Our question is, did you ever get your questions answered yet ? the trio plus; DARling barney, evans, engleth and the rest of the county commissioners probably won't respond to mr. tolsma questions either.

Dad and I suspect that the trio plus had some very demeaning and selfish motives. Without answers, it is clear at least to us, the trio plus are the tour guides that have taken the taxpayers down that shady and very expensive primrose path to no where.

With any luck the taxpayers should finally hear the whole truth about the trio plus fairy-tales, untruths and high-priced witch-hunt. The public deserves to have answers to all the questions asked by mr. tolsma and bul by the August primary election.

OverWhelmed said...

Please join the friends of Tom Evans on Saturday May 10 at 2 pm at the Historical Barry County Courthouse for a re-election kick-off.
Music and refreshments will be provided and the chance to talk to our own Barry County Prosecutor.

lonevoice said...
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lonevoice said...
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Pol Watcher II too said...

overwhelmed - how do you expect to squeeze a box of donuts, the band, the trio plus and don johnson into a phone booth for evans kick-out celebration? Could this really be another lame news conference that has been created to entice jury appeal?

evans, DARling barney, engleth should call a legitimate news conference and publicly answer truthfully the many questions that have been presented to them by mr tolsma and bul.

evans could also hype his 0-14 prosecution record;
DARling barney could pull up in that dangerous looking and expensive black with tinted windows swat patrol car. he could be dressed to the nines in full costume; swat fatigues, baseball hat and high heeled boots. now that would be impressive and so intimidating.
engleth could stand around with his hands in his pockets expounding on his greatness and then he could try to convince the public that he will evenually pay his taxes. He and DARling barney would even have the opportunity to publicly blame someone else for the two diasters at the animal shelter. All the above would really draw a crowd, don't you think?

OverWhelmed said...

TS
Your so full of sh*t your eyes are brown.

I support Dar, Tom and Mark and I don't care one little bit about your hate for them, it makes you such a small man that you would have plenty of room in a matchbox.

lonevoice said...
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Jay said...

TS--

Slim as in your gal friday's margin of petition signatures to get her on the ballot? Hardly.

Maybe you should read my post more closely. First--A win is a win, and I was talking on geographic terms in reference with Tom, not by margin. Fact is, Julie could not convince enough folks outside of Hastings to vote for her..and it resulted in your dismissal.

Jay said...

Looks like every county-wide race except for Treasurer will be competative in August. A gentleman by the name of Frank Burns is running against Darla. Anyone know this guy?

Oh, and TS, I am not underestimating the chief. I just don't think he can make inroads in places like the TVC and RtL (and he has to to win) where Leaf is strong.

le bébé d'oiseau-mouche said...

and they are mostly "republicans" surprise surprise.......

Pol Watcher II too said...

overwhelmed - for the gig, you, codered and the bebe sisters could don cheerleading outfits with DARling barneys, evans and engleth names plastered on backs, that would certainly garner plenty of votes. you could even drive you swattish old patrol car to the event, that too would be very impressive.

jay bird - if all the people who attend tvc are just followers, you may be right. we would suggest that many have seen the light and witnessed the truth and won't be just followers any longer

le bébé d'oiseau-mouche said...

PW II (one who is not even original in its id)

Do you peek at my ballot? The only thing I have defended here was yours, and a few others misinformation of facts. Is that not what you think you are doing in your berating of sevearl others? You grasp at any tid bit you can get to start your fire, and only end up with smoke. How sad your life must be to exert so much energy into hate. I am positive that after the elections, you and the others will still be unsatisfied. The voters will have their say, whomever wins is who we have to deal with. Grow up, stop acting like the play ground bully.

lonevoice said...
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Jay said...

Sorry Charlie--you're wrong.

I am not OW nor is OW me.

I do agree with her (?) that this name calling does nothing to win folks over to your side, frankly, just the opposite.

Both Dar and Tom are hard working campaigners...I cannot say the same about those on your side.

Once you're willing to call folks by their proper names, maybe then we can have a proper debate. Otherwise, have fun in your sandbox.

Pol Watcher II too said...

jay - we never called anyone names or accused you of being OW. dont no charlie except what we've read in the paper, what the class a deputies and bul have told us and what the court documents say.

we were just addressing you and the pun about doin doughnuts. it is just our opinion that true followers of fact and truth who are taxpayers or members of tvc, will more than likely have a change of heart, now that the whole truth has been presented. we are members and always have been republicans too.

lonevoice said...
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dispachchuck said...

Truth, every dime of taxpayer money that resulted in the removal of Charlie as director of 911 was money well spent. The good ole boys network has been torn down and Barry County is the better for it.
Shane McNeil was a worthless prosecutor who left office because he knew he was about to be succesfully re-called. Tom Evans is 100 times the Prosecutor on his worst day.
If you've got a better plan for the Jail. I'd like to hear them. The current Jail was neglected by past BOCs and we are now trying to clean up the mess they left behind.

Molli said...

*pops head up*

Oooo lookey...a democrat for Drain Commissioner.

*hides again*

lonevoice said...
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TheDarkSide said...

Dispachuck,

Please tell me on what you base your opinion of Mr. Evans. It certainly is not based on his courtroom performance. It is not based on his track record. This isnt a popularity contest, Evans sucks ask any judge or cop in the county. Hell, ask members of his staff.

See, Mr. Upchuck, you have no idea what you are talking about. You speak as if you send reports to his office every day and could not be happier with the outcome, come trial time. Maybe you like the pleas bargains, maybe your victims dont mind. Maybe you should ask the members within the building you are cleaning up, what they think. Ask Dave, Ask Jay, ask U/S...they are not real happy yet you place him on a pedestal. Shows how out of touch you are

dispachchuck said...

Dark,
So are you saying that since Tom became prosecutor that not one person has been convicted of one crime? I find that hard to believe. Or are you comparing Him to Shane who would charge you with conspiracy to commit murder if you sprayed a mosquito with a can of
Off? We have a Judicial System where plea bargins are the norm, like them or not we are stuck with them. I don't believe it's Tom job to make his staff like Him, and if he were doing such a horrible job in their Court Room the Judges would take corrective action.
Truth,
Is realestate cheeper in other counties? At $4.00 a gallon how much would it cost to transport prisoners? What about the cost of staff for transportation? What about the cost for vehicles and vehicle maintanence? What about the jobs that would be lost in Barry County? Isn't unemployment high enough? A regional facility will not save money.

dispachchuck said...

Dark,
So are you saying that since Tom became prosecutor that not one person has been convicted of one crime? I find that hard to believe. Or are you comparing Him to Shane who would charge you with conspiracy to commit murder if you sprayed a mosquito with a can of
Off? We have a Judicial System where plea bargins are the norm, like them or not we are stuck with them. I don't believe it's Tom job to make his staff like Him, and if he were doing such a horrible job in their Court Room the Judges would take corrective action.
Truth,
Is realestate cheeper in other counties? At $4.00 a gallon how much would it cost to transport prisoners? What about the cost of staff for transportation? What about the cost for vehicles and vehicle maintanence? What about the jobs that would be lost in Barry County? Isn't unemployment high enough? A regional facility will not save money.

OverWhelmed said...

Jay, they are just grasping at straws. I am not you I have my own opinions and yes I am a female, republican and I VOTE.

OverWhelmed said...

TS BTW the cop car i owned has been recycled, so stop beating that dead horse.

TheDarkSide said...

Chuck

you seem to have a short memory. you see Evans campaigned that he would be hard against certain types of crimes. Remember the debate about a certain drug case that he and Mr Compulsory news used to try to slam Nakfoor Pratt? he has not lived up to the one thing he said he stood for.

And chuck, you dont spray mosquito's with Off, you spray yourself to keep the pesty critters away. If you are one that buys the cans and tries to spray the bugs I now understand why you support who you support

lonevoice said...
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el grillo said...

I'm back, and it appears that not much has changed in the last six months.

On this particular subject, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to elect a qualified person for our new Sheriff. One of the most important characteristics of a law enforcement professional is a working knowledge of the small number of people who break the law. Less than 5% of the population have a problem in this area, and many of them can be rehabilitated. Most crimes are committed while under the influence of a controlled substance, so the problem requires a more complex solution than just throwing them in the slammer (from which they will inevitably emerge sooner or later, worse off than before). Advocating for a larger facility in which to warehouse these folks immediately raises red flags for me, since the advocate must still hold the medieval position that torture and incarceration somehow improve behavior.
The only value a jail sentence provides is some revenge for the victims, which hardly seems appropriate in an enlightened society. If the lock-up also provided for rehabilitation and education it might have some value, but the present approach merely aggravates the problem.

Where does the Sarver camp stand on building a multi-million dollar County jail?

Where do both sides stand on supporting the very successful Unified Trial Court "Drug Court"?

Those are more legitimate questions than the same old rant about the 911 ineptitude.

Molli said...

http://www.barrycounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/august-2008-candidates.pdf

I think this is the final listing

lonevoice said...
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lonevoice said...
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OverWhelmed said...

RE: Molli Weide said...
http://www.barrycounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/august-2008-candidates.pdf

I think this is the final listing



Don't be counting the chickens befor 4 pm Tuesday... I know of at least one more candidate for county commisioner...

lonevoice said...
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Molli said...

Darn you're right...for some strange reason my brain has said "Monday" is the deadline for the last few monthes...sorry again.

*hits forhead* Doh!

el grillo said...

ts,

Actually, I return to Barry County because it is one of my favorite places to live, and I have a dozen grandkids to hug in the USA before they become adults without knowing the value of hugs.

Politically, I have published my positions on every issue I could think of, for whatever that may have been worth, and find that repeating myself endlessly gets my positions no closer to reality.

I ran for public office shortly after Columbine, thinking that I might help to change something. "Resolving conflicts without resorting to violence" is a required course in elementary schools in Costa Rica, but the concept doesn't translate well.

lonevoice said...
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el grillo said...
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el grillo said...
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Bulwark said...

the bailing out of ivan was a real treat with the family putting on a engaging circus act.
It has been suggested that a special prosecutor be assigned to this nasty and repulsive spitting. DARling barney will probably assign our detective to the case for a year to investigate why the city officer was even on patrol doing his job when he should have been eating donuts and drinking coffee. monty hall (lets make a deal) evans will more than likely reduce the charge to "jay" walking or failure to violate. evans will again call a news conference to report that there was "no jury appeal" in this case because #1. the wind blew could have blown the spit into the officers face #2. it could have come from a passing car #3 it could have just fell from the sky #4. the officer was chewing tobacco and drooled on himself #5. george bush did it #6 ivan didn't really mean to spit in the officers face, but was just trying to give the officer a "spit shine"

the boys have now placed DARling barney and evans in a real quandary. they can't leave their campaign managers in the pokey too long because the boys should be out putting the trio's campaign signs in the ground. now that would be rehab at it's best won't you agree el grillo?

el grillo said...
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le bébé d'oiseau-mouche said...

What Bul mistaken......noooooooo(believe me that was drizzled with sarcasm)

The Last Boy Scout said...

We keep hearing statistics about Tom Evens record but no facts to back them up. I gather that a conviction obtained through a plea agreement does not count as a conviction. It's clear that Truthseeker's name is an oxymoron, as far as I can see he is making up his own "truth".
I'm glad to see Charlie Nystrom gone and Ron Neil gone. Now if we could get the BOC to desolve the current Central Dispatch Board and create a new one with oversight we could put this sad chapter in Barry County History behind us.

TheDarkSide said...

Ok Cub Scout you speak in support of fat boy in your first paragraph. You also speak in support of Barney. Yet, in your next breath, you want to dissolve a board in which both men are members. You have faith in them but want to abolish them? I think I saw the word oxymoron used in there too. If you had nothing else to bitch about, you would bitch about it

el grillo said...

Plea agreements are convictions, and are much more sensible than building bigger jails and employing more warehouse employees.

A plea agreement or a suspended sentence, etc. normally includes supervision of an intended improved life-style. This is the correct approach to criminal justice.

Proponents of incarceration will argue on the basis of the failures we have in rehabilitating the people who are convicted of wrongdoings.

Some day we will ask the correct question and begin to answer why people grow up in environments that don't properly educate them on how to live with others, and why the rest of us need to rehabilitate them.

This derailment of a potentially productive discussion about the mortgage industry is a good example of anti-social behavior. Somebody is crying out for help with a personal emotional and possibly mental disfunction, but is doing so in an inappropriate way.

lonevoice said...
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OverWhelmed said...

OFF TOPIC but still worthy of note:
There are many Dems in Barry County: they are hiding behind the 'R' so they can get elected. They are called R.I.N.O.'s
According to Wikipedia: The term RINO implies that, despite party affiliation, RINO politicians are not "authentic" Republicans. The label is usually acquired because a politician's political actions, policies, position on certain issues or voting records are considered to be at variance with core Republican beliefs.
We have several RINO's on the Board of Commissioners. I will not name names, they know who they are. Before an election, they 'make nice' with the local party members, come to a meeting or two, and pass themselves off as true Republicans.
After the elections, they are NEVER SEEN AGAIN at meetings, have nothing to do with the local party, and even spend their time at the local Democratic Hall with either the staunch Dems or the newer Progressive Dems groups.
IF the RINO's were brave enough to come out of the closet and run as democrat candidate they would have less opposition then the Republican candidates do.
We do have ONE brave woman who is willing to put her name on the ballot for Drain Commissioner as a Democrat. I wish her luck.

le bébé d'oiseau-mouche said...

Now there is some factual truth! How refreshing. Everyone in Barry County knows if you want to win, you have to run Republican. People do not always vote for who is running but for what party they are running with, no matter how much they are or are not actually "affiliated"

Pol Watcher II too said...

kinda like the trio plus; DARling barney, evans and engleth, closet democrates but posing as republicians ? just like codered and the sister bebe's

le bébé d'oiseau-mouche said...

You get my party affiliation from what? Seeing that you do not know me, never been right behind me while I was voting, how would you know which party if any that I am? I will say I will side with fact over mis leading, conjured, lies used to try to "win" people over. Any Republican or Democrat using those tactics need to be out of party and out of office.

OverWhelmed said...

PW2
Dar, Tom and Mark are not RINO's. I have the utmost respect for them and they uphold the Republican ideals on a daily if not moment to moment basis.

Molli said...

Yeah those three...definately not RINOs....lets see...
Libertarians...Reynolds, Doyle.
Fundies...Burgdoff, Kelly
RINOs ... Callton, Doster, Tripp?, VanNortwick?
Career Bureaucrats ... VandeCarr

Lot more RINOs in twps I suspect.

lonevoice said...
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OverWhelmed said...

RE:
Yeah those three...definately not RINOs....lets see...
Libertarians...Reynolds, Doyle.
Fundies...Burgdoff, Kelly
RINOs ... Callton, Doster, Tripp?, VanNortwick?
Career Bureaucrats ... VandeCarr

Callton is definatly not a RINO and Van Nortwick is a semi-RINO, he has too much Sierra Club in him to be a full Republican.
Brian Reynolds will tell all he is Libertarian and yet he still shows up at meetings and supports some of the Republican candidates.

All the others I do not know as well as you seem to.

OverWhelmed said...

TS

You just have to hate everyone don't you? Just because you have nothing else to do...

what a waste of a good brain...

Bulwark said...

DARling barney only rode the quad in the parade because he's too short to ride a motorcycle, plus he didn't pass the cycle endorsement test. his picture at the pumps is just more passing of media gas, high priced at that. DARling barney doesn't even own a helmet because none of them here fit. It's been very embarrassing and unpleasant here lately. Thank heavens for our undersheriff.

Molli said...

Reynolds is a Moderate Libertarian....know him pretty darn well. Unfortunately, opinions on national issues don't translate well to local issues.

In talking to Callton, I've assumed he's a RINO...says he has his "conservative" issues. That would tend to imply he has some "liberal" issues.

I've supported Rep candidates in the past...cause I don't have much choice now do I. Supported Evans...*hangs head in shame*...cause for regret there because I considered Charlie Nystrom to be extremely competent adminstrator. I know Charlie was a demanding SOB but he had the best interest of public safety at heart.

TheDarkSide said...

Dont hang head in shame molli...at least he takes care of fellow RINO'S! Ask Callton if he was happy with the outcome of his traffic ticket. I heard big boy helped him out there.

Pol Watcher II too said...

political ticket fixing is common place during an election year, but it isn't fair for the common taxpayer. being chair of the county board of commissioners is the exception. now that's true nepotism at it's best. it mirrors the trio plus mission statement. "you take care of me and I'll look the other way and take care of you" the taxpayers just pay and pay and pay. can't believe the local news media accepts such charade's from callton, DARling barney and evens

dad paid $75.00 for not having a tarp on his truck, to bad he did no somebody. we have to admit, he knew better

el grillo said...

The darkened side claimed:

"I heard big boy helped him out there.

Typical of many bloggers, this unsubstantiated blather is what causes most people to consider blog discussions and "information" to be unreliable ramblings of no real value.

Unfortunately, most kids are not being taught to watch for these triggers when they read and cannot discern the truth from the bullcrap. "I heard...." means that the writer has voices in his/her head that produce noise only the writer can hear.

Pol Watcher II too said...

el - kinda reminds us of when DARling barney and evans called a news conference proclaiming "embezzlement" before there was a completed year long investigation. wasn't that simply media propaganda, political posturing and "unreliable rambling of no value" that has cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars with no end in sight.

was there malnipulation or political back scratching involving calltons ticket or will there be more silent denial just like the many questions that have been raised and never answered. questions like what happened to the lunch money at the jail, was it embezzlement or didn't it have "jury appeal"; why can commissioner engleth receive jobs at the jail without a bid, or get his company vehicle repaired by jay the janitor in the jail garage on county time, or why was a unlicensed electrician hired by DARling barney or who authorized DARling barney to drive his family around in the county car or go shopping at walmart on the taxpayers dime etc etc.

sounds like the trio plus hear voices in their heads that produce noise only they selectively want to hear and then tune out actual facts and truth. it looks like they think they are above the laws of the land and that truly is "bullcrap".

TheDarkSide said...

Grillo,

Thank you for correcting me o' mighty internet blog site Gestapo

lonevoice said...
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el grillo said...

Exactamente, PWII

Listening to echoes of the past in one's head drowns out thoughts of the future.

The head noise appears to be easily bouncing off the interior empty walls and keeping an accurate count has become a problem with the passage of time.

The blackened pots now seem to be ranting about a different trio (perhaps limited in summing up beyond three). If the Prosecutor invented the "embezzlement" charge alone that makes one. Then perhaps the Sheriff may have provided the weak foundation, that would be two. After that you might count the J-Ad careless involvement, or the nonchalant acceptance of Englerth as the third or fourth. Now, somehow, Mike Callton has been "charged" in this "conspiracy". I get five people involved in this "trio". If you add an electrician, a janitor, the lunch-money bookkeeper, the jury, the six other commissioners, walmart, the Leaf family, and any number of investigators, the number of "conspirators" is much larger than 3.

I maintain that "charging" Callton based on head noise is no different than "charging" the Director, with the only difference being that it is on a blog nobody reads instead of on TV that every kid watches instead of doing his homework.

El Blogestapo

lonevoice said...
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TheDarkSide said...

I have no factual information, only what was said at the coffee shop. Thats how things are done around here isnt it?

le bébé d'oiseau-mouche said...

IF Callton got a ticket, who cares? It is not like he murdered someone, was drinking and driving, or hired a hooker. Are all the bloggers on here going to tell me they have NEVER been pulled over or given a ticket? Do you all believe that the lives of the politicians are yours 24/7?

lonevoice said...
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el grillo said...

TS,
Your assumption that Mike Callton reads this blog cracked me up. Count the number of people who actually comment, and be generous. Double the number to get a dozen.

Even the "host" only touches base twice a month.

You were fired because you did a bad job of managing people, not because of the trumped up charge of "embezzlement". Your board should have fired you before the issue reached the proportions that allowed it to embarrass the entire county. Better yet, when you realized what a lousy job you were doing, you should have rewritten your resume and gone job-hunting. The board would have written a glowing evaluation to get rid of you. By now you would be the executive director of some non-profit ham operator association or something.

The babe got it right:
"IF Callton got a ticket, who cares?"

el grillo said...

PS
At about the same time, Lonely George discovered that he couldn't handle running Charlton Park. He wisely folded up his shelter-half and drifted off into the night. You could have done the same.

The dreams (origins questionable)of Dr. Forsberg were on hold for a while, but great ideas persist. It is nice to see the archeological exploration and other projects re-emerging from the lunch room closet.

While the 911 stink still hangs on Commissioner Englerth, his advocacy for work release programs in conjunction with the drug court administration oversight is commendable.

If TS is half as qualified in criminal justice as he claims, this discussion would be taking the place of the boring repetition of useless ranting.

lonevoice said...
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Jay said...

Gosh, none of you dopes do any research, you just repeat Chinese whispers.

I checked with District Court. The Kalamazoo County prosecutor will deal with Callton's case because of the apparent conflict of interest. Counties do this for each other in a reciprocal process that doesn't cost the taxpayers any money.

We must remember this is a speeding ticket. It's not like Callton was drunk and knocked over mailboxes, like a certain ex-public official we know. Nor is he racking them up like Rep. Fulton Sheen. It is common practice in any county in this State, that if you challenge a reasonable speeding ticket, you stand a high chance of knocking off a point or two and/or getting a lesser charge. This is Criminal Justice 101 folks, Callton is playing the odds.

I also went over to the Administrator's office and asked about the cost of the Charlie lawsuit. It is covered by the county's insurance--money they are paying anyway for general liability.

I did this all within a 10 minute visit to the courthouse.

Alas, the peanut gallery wants to wallow in the innuendo and name calling, thinking they are so clever. They look muddier than those they are trying to throw mud at.

lonevoice said...
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Pol Watcher II too said...

ts - who makes the decisions or who is in charge of that mmrma fund, the county board, the county administrator or callton himself? do the township officials have a say in this. throwing the taxpayers money into a open pit is just plan nonsense.

callton gets a special prosecutor for his traffic ticket so he can save "himself" a couple of bucks and then exhibits continued lack of leadership in spending the taxpayers money by pouring it into bottomless pits. that is just plan wrong, wrong, wrong.

dad paid his ticket, why do the people have to pay the county chairs tickets or even defend him, was he late for another meeting

Molli said...

TS said... "Think of the power the puppetmaster would have if he was elected. The county farmers would go broke paying for his drains."

I think his desire to be drain comm stems from Doyle's refusal to help champion his cause against the DEQ and Doyle's lengthy absence from his office while battling leukemia. Englerth seemed to get the impression that Doyle wasn't doing anything and getting paid for it. In fact, he was using an internet hookup to remotely use his office computer from home and work on his apportionments and "winter work" between chemo sessions.

Actually Mark seems to have his sights set on getting back at the DEQ. He was recently battling MDEQ over dredging a pond out of Fall Creek to increase the developmental viability of those same commercial properties that he got money from MDOT for improper drainage. He got rather lucky against MDOT for "maintaining" S Hanover in front of his commercial properties south of town about 10 years back.

Englerth spouts off about his familiarity with the thousands of pages of environmental regulations in the state. He seems to be under the impression that he can outmanuver the state experts. He hasn't said a peep about any sort of fiscal restraint, which along with some experience with assessment, apportionment, computers, soils, hydrology, biology, irrigation and drainage, would be a heck of a lot more practical to being drian commissioner.

TheDarkSide said...

Dear Jay,

I was not aware that anybody could pop in to district court and find out the status of any persons pending tickets. I'm gonna have to give that a try.

And word at the coffee shop is that your information is accurate. Maybe you could pop your head in across the hall from court and see if big boy is in. See if he didnt ask the issuing officer if it would be ok to lower it a bit. Sounds like the answer must have been no so here we are at a special prosecutor.

Some of you missed the point. We could care less about such trivial things. Its the political back scratching of those expected to be held to a higher standard that rubs us the wrong way.

Jay said...

Ron:

Not sure where the "backscratching" comes into play in this instance. Tom is doing Callton no favors. Callton is challenging his ticket in court, as every citizen has a right to.

I challenge any speeding ticket I get (it's been over 4 years since I have had one), and it has saved me money, than just paying the fine. Those Ionia cops set their guns a bit too high in my opinion. I'm no big shot, just an average Joe. Nothing shady is going on with this ticket, just our legal system at work.

lonevoice said...
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Pol Watcher II too said...

jay bird - "challenge every ticket", how about taking responsibility for your actions or accountability. anyone can challenge a speeding ticket, but it sounds like callton manipulated the "system" a bit because of his position as chair of the county commissioners ? now that isn't integrity.

dad knew he should have had the tarp on his truck and he paid his $75 because he didn't have political immunity and didn't no the cop. maybe he should have donated to barneys silent auction.

Jay said...

Again, I'm not sure where manipulation or favoritism comes in. Callton is exercising his legal rights. I don't think challenging a speeding ticket equals shirking responsibility for ones actions or constitutes a lack of integrity. Calling for a special prosecutor was ethically the right call in this case. It actually dismisses the charge of political favoritism.

Also, we do not know the exact details of the case against Callton. Maybe if you gossip hounds had those, you may see that Callton is justified in challenging the ticket.

Callton got stopped, got a ticket and is challenging it. I think it is a stretch to impugn someone's character when a person is exercising their legal rights and all the facts aren't in hand.

TheDarkSide said...

As usual, Jay is right on the money. Compulsory news is excercising legal rights to contest a ticket. Due to an apparent conflict, a special prosecutor will handle. I see no problem with any of that.

lets see what an offenders options are when it comes to a traffic ticket.

Admit responsibility.

Admit responsibility with explanation.

Deny Responsibility.

If one denies responsibilty you may,

A. Appear in person in court for an informal hearing before a magistrate, referee, or judge. Neither side may have an attorney. (very common)

or

B. Appear in court for a formal hearing before a judge. An attorney will be with the officer(prosecutor). You may be represented by an attorney. (not so common)

I continue to hear voices in my head cricket, and they all keep saying the same thing. This isnt about Mr Compulsory. I hope he wins, he does ok in my book. My fight is with the other joker who is 0-14

Pol Watcher II too said...

darkside - are saying every citizen can request a special prosecutor to fight their traffic tickets because they live in the county and might have voted against the sitting judge or prosecutor ? that doesn't make sense. dad should have asked for special privilages like the senator from minnesota and callton did, costing the taxpayers more dollars. as long as it is fair for every citizen, not just the annointed few, we agree. thanks for the facts.

does callton preside over the mmrma fund or can the townships vote on it? seems he is worried about his dollars or record but not the citizens. ts never answered.

lonevoice said...
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Jay said...

Boy, you guys are thick. Callton did not request a special prosecutor, Evans did in order to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
In this case, Evans took the correct action.

TheDarkSide said...

yes jay you are right again. we know all this. since you apparently have an in with the big guy ask him if there is any truth in the coffee house gossip to him asking the cop if he would mind if it was lowered a bit. as if trying to make a resolution. When the answer was no,now he cant handle due to an appearance of a conflict of interest? Wouldnt the appearance of conflict have existed right from the start?

Ask him, inquiring minds want to know. Maybe, since you have a connection in court, tell us who wrote the ticket so we can ask the officer ourselves

Jay said...

Ron:

Go to district court and find out who the arresting officer is for yourself. I am not your gopher.

So far I fail to see any connection to political favoritism. Tom has bowed out. When exactly he did so is irrelevant. Unless you can connect Prosecutor Fink in this puzzle, the charge is pretty thin.

TheDarkSide said...

please, for all the not so informed bloggers, NOBODY WAS ARRESTED. Its a simple ticket.

Tell me Jay, when I walk in to court do I just say, hey did joe blow get any tickets recently and if so who wrote them

They will answer this question?

Your post about doing research is filled with lies. They simply wont tell any slick off the street information like this.

Jay said...

Darkie--

Sorry, ticketing officer. It's late...I misspoke.

I am also sorry that I didn't give you a step by step account of my research day. Seeing as though your "coffee shop" has confirmed everything I have said, I am not sure where the lying comes in. If the "coffee shop" can confirm what I have said, then they should have no trouble finding the ticketing officer. Hastings is a small berg after all.

lonevoice said...
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Molli said...

Are Sarver, Selleck and the 6 others running for Drain Comm that bad?

Honestly, I don't know much about Selleck. Anyone care to illuminate me?

TheDarkSide said...

Molli,

Selleck is the only alternative to the current debacle. I dont see her as prosecutor material but neither is whats there now. So i ask myself, can she be any worse? What I dont know though, is if she has the ability to beat big boy on the campaign trail.

As for Sarver, he brings so much to the table. A quality person with the intellect lacking from Barney. Again, can he tap into the blind support group Barney has. If they only knew the truth about Barney, I'm convinced he could sway a few

Jay said...

Darkie--

You mean you and your coffee shop boys won't go door to door for Selleck? Pity, I was hoping you'd stop by my house.

I heard Julie's campaign manager refused to work for her because she thought Selleck wasn't going to mount much of a campaign.

dispachchuck said...

So Truth you've got to blow your own horn? You must have done one heck of a cover up before you left. I do agrre that there is a lot to learn from Baryy Counties 911, how to waste taxpayer money without really trying.

Pol Watcher II too said...

dispatchchuck = it is obvious you've never had to use the 911 operation. dad had a heart attack and they did an outstanding job, plus kept me calm. but the real clincher was when our grand baby stopped breathing and they saved her life. what does your family means to you, you big jerk.

the record is clear, darling barney, evans and dumb dumb engleth have spent more taxpayers money chasing their tales because of their own sickness. jail junkets, five 911 investigations that turned up nothing, defending the county chairs traffic ticket, hiring unlicensed electricians, giving no bid contracts and free-bee's to engleth who now wants to be a drain commissioner. why doesn't he just pay his taxes.

it is obvious you are a member of the trio plus society, dumb, dumb and dumber plus. you'll never know just how important our 911 center is until you need them, you are barking up the wrong tree loser

Jay said...

Again I must ask about the Callton ticket harping. What is the big deal here? Callton exercised his legal rights and Evans followed the law. Case closed. NO favors changed hands, NO deals--and it's a speeding ticket. That's better than a former drunk official who smashed up mailboxes and the former prosecutor letting him get away with it.

Pol Watcher II too said...

jay - it won't be a big deal if it wasn't again on the backs of the taxpayer. why does callton have to pled not guilty by masquerading as the county board chair. is he the plus in the trio plus. why not just make his plea as mike callton the citizen and take his medicine like everybody else. doesn't he realize he'd win the trial because his buddy evans is
still 0-14

Jay said...

Where is this humongous taxpayer cost? Callton has the right to challenge this ticket. He is the county chair. Because he has this position, Evans determined (based on the law) that there was a conflict of interest if his office prosecuted. He directed Kzoo Co. to come over, which they did.

This conflict is there because the County Board approves Evans' budget. To avoid any accusation of impropriety or political favoritism, Evans made the right and legal call.

You coffee shop boys are all set to hoist Tom and company on their own petards. Yet you conveniently forget the past maleficence of their predecessors, whom you supported. The name calling, innuendos, etc., all sounds like sour grapes. If you were really concerned by their actions, you would of launched a recall effort ages ago.

lonevoice said...
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Pol Watcher II too said...

ts - thanks for the enlightenment. it sounds like evans prosecutes the easy ones or when he has a vendetta's for a particular citizen and uses his office to look the other way (no jury appeal) on the challenging ones. Dad thinks it is a sign of laziness or just plain incompendence or both.

jay - recall? now isn't that a good use of the taxpayers money. why not just vote the bum out of office. we need someone who will fight for the victims and their families. evans 0-14 record speaks volumes

lonevoice said...
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Molli said...

You sure that Englerth isn't on the package or is he too cheap?

I found Selleck's website at www.electselleck.com

Anger's is at www.electanger.org

I also heard today that Evan's website guy from his last election is not doing it this election. I don't know if it is because he didn't ask or a perceived conflict of interest.

Anyone know if Sarver has something up and running.

le bébé d'oiseau-mouche said...

She only pays the deductable that she was not insured for. She was bonded and insured.

As for them all having the same campaign guro, well duh, they are all Republicans. How does using the same consultant ctreate a conflict. We have one grocery here in Hastings everyone shops there, is that some sort of conflict?

dispachchuck said...

Truth, I think the rest of the money is in the same place as the money used to pay for unearned over time at central dispatch.

OverWhelmed said...

I have a thought that will run shivers down your spine:

IF Selleck is elected she will fire our competent assistant prosecutors and bring in that two-time loser Julie Nakfoor-Pratt...

The voters spoke once to tell that woman to stay in Allegan County... we have to do it again.