The problem with your comment is in the following paragraph. “Regardless of which side won on April 5th, the charted course for Greenwood was clear. Unite and move forward in the best interest of the community.Board of Aldermen is a descriptor that is singular in nature. It describes one unit. This Board must find a way to reconcile and find some common ground. They must do it behind closed doors without the posturing andcondescension which has become rampant at recent meetings.” With the BOA made up of Sara Ring, Denise Simpson, and Jim Van Acker, they were able to force through anything that they wanted because that bloc had a majority of the board. Where is the “unite and move forward in the best interest of the community” when Alderwoman Ring and former alderwoman Simpson never demonstrated their ability to care about their constituents in Ward I? And, by suggesting that they meet behind closed doors to make decisions, you are suggesting that they violate the Missouri state sunshine law provisions. That is suggesting that they break the law. Just what will assure the citizens of Greenwood that they will get the best representation if they are allowed to meet in secret and make decisions that may not be in the best interests of Greenwood residents? The course charted by the Greenwoods New Beginnings crowd is “back to the future.”
They would take this city back to the bad old days when developers ran our town at the expense of those who were naivie enough to by a home in Greenwood.

The problem with your comment is in the following paragraph. “Regardless of which side won on April 5th, the charted course for Greenwood was clear. Unite and move forward in the best interest of the community.Board of Aldermen is a descriptor that is singular in nature. It describes one unit. This Board must find a way to reconcile and find some common ground. They must do it behind closed doors without the posturing andcondescension which has become rampant at recent meetings.” With the BOA made up of Sara Ring, Denise Simpson, and Jim Van Acker, they were able to force through anything that they wanted because that bloc had a majority of the board. Where is the “unite and move forward in the best interest of the community” when Alderwoman Ring and former alderwoman Simpson never demonstrated their ability to care about their constituents in Ward I? And, by suggesting that they meet behind closed doors to make decisions, you are suggesting that they violate the Missouri state sunshine law provisions. That is suggesting that they break the law. Just what will assure the citizens of Greenwood that they will get the best representation if they are allowed to meet in secret and make decisions that may not be in the best interests of Greenwood residents? The course charted by the Greenwoods New Beginnings crowd is “back to the future.”
They would take this city back to the bad old days when developers ran our town at the expense of those who were naivie enough to by a home in Greenwood.

I don’t advocate they break the law, Gene. They are empowered to close sessions. They MUST communicate with one another and find some common ground. That will never, ever happen with a peanut gallery. We’re all human and we all want the best for Greenwood. Some of us have different ideas to accomplish that. The animosity on THIS BOA is crippling their ability to lead the town towards prosperity. That is what the sign reads entering Greenwood, right? I believe Sara and Denise care about Greenwood just like the two Jims. Who else in their right mind would go through that for $100 a month? These elected officials must find common ground, they simply must. Otherwise, we’ll all spin our wheels for the next 9 months until the next batch of aldermen come in.

I don’t advocate they break the law, Gene. They are empowered to close sessions. They MUST communicate with one another and find some common ground. That will never, ever happen with a peanut gallery. We’re all human and we all want the best for Greenwood. Some of us have different ideas to accomplish that. The animosity on THIS BOA is crippling their ability to lead the town towards prosperity. That is what the sign reads entering Greenwood, right? I believe Sara and Denise care about Greenwood just like the two Jims. Who else in their right mind would go through that for $100 a month? These elected officials must find common ground, they simply must. Otherwise, we’ll all spin our wheels for the next 9 months until the next batch of aldermen come in.

Closed sessions are for discussion of real-estate, legal, and personnel matters only. Discussion of any other subjects such as budgets or ordinances not related to those three issues are prohibited under the Sunshine law. Those people in the “peanut gallery” whether you agree with them or not, and I usually do not, have a right to be present at meetings where issues of concern to residents are are discussed.

Closed sessions are for discussion of real-estate, legal, and personnel matters only. Discussion of any other subjects such as budgets or ordinances not related to those three issues are prohibited under the Sunshine law. Those people in the “peanut gallery” whether you agree with them or not, and I usually do not, have a right to be present at meetings where issues of concern to residents are are discussed.

Thanks for that information, Gene.

You and I are generally part of that peanut gallery. I wouldn’t want to be expected to resolve my differences in front of an audience nor do I expect our board members to do so. They can meet with one another so long as there is no quorum.

Thanks for that information, Gene.

You and I are generally part of that peanut gallery. I wouldn’t want to be expected to resolve my differences in front of an audience nor do I expect our board members to do so. They can meet with one another so long as there is no quorum.

And they do. Jim Payne has been working with Jim Van Acker to come to an agreement on a budget. There is no quorum, but they can work out details that they can present in a public meeting for all of the board to discuss and to vote on.

On the budget issue, Jim Van Acker, when in a BOA meeting, is obviously playing to the camera and to the Jane Hertzog/Sara Ring supporters, the peanut gallery that supported him for election who are in the audience. Privately, he can work with Jim to arrive at a mutual agreement on the budget. Is that how it should be? I believe there should be a budget work shop that is open to the public where the details can be worked out without inteference from the onlookers who should be welcome to see and hear the proceendings.

And they do. Jim Payne has been working with Jim Van Acker to come to an agreement on a budget. There is no quorum, but they can work out details that they can present in a public meeting for all of the board to discuss and to vote on.

On the budget issue, Jim Van Acker, when in a BOA meeting, is obviously playing to the camera and to the Jane Hertzog/Sara Ring supporters, the peanut gallery that supported him for election who are in the audience. Privately, he can work with Jim to arrive at a mutual agreement on the budget. Is that how it should be? I believe there should be a budget work shop that is open to the public where the details can be worked out without inteference from the onlookers who should be welcome to see and hear the proceendings.

I think what Payne and Van Acker are doing is great. I think Payne and Ring made real progress with their relationship until the Ryan Hunt ordeal. These guys can communicate better with one another so they aren’t blindsided at open meetings like the Ryan situation. Blindsiding one another can only lead to hard feelings.

I think what Payne and Van Acker are doing is great. I think Payne and Ring made real progress with their relationship until the Ryan Hunt ordeal. These guys can communicate better with one another so they aren’t blindsided at open meetings like the Ryan situation. Blindsiding one another can only lead to hard feelings.

If Grooms is not appointed, he should consider running for the office outright next year. Sara Ring is up for re-election unless she decides to step down now or does not want to run again she will face opposition in April. There will be two seats up for election in April since whoever is appointed will have to run for re-election as well. Ward I deserves to have Alderpersons who are concerned with their issues. Sara Ring and Denise Simpson have turned their backs on their constituents. Before the last election, Denise remarked at the candidate forum that the people from Dalinda Estates who brought their problems to her were “only complainers.” Both women walked out of a meeting at the Lee’s Summit Masonic Lodge where Dalinda homeowners were trying to get answers to their problems. Jim Payne, Mark Dziedzic and I were there to hear their problems, not to be involved in the proceedings. Sara Ring and Denise Simpson claiming that there was a quorum present got up and left the meeting and therefore did not hear the problems facing those homeowners. There was no interaction between them and the other two aldermen, they sat far apart in the room and had no verbal contact with each other. I called the state Attorney General’s office to see if it was a violation of the Sunshine law for all four of them to be present since there was no interaction between them. The answer was “NO.” They didn’t have to leave the building and neither did the other two who did stay to hear the problems that were being discussed at that meeting. Ward I needs people who are willing to listen to their concerns and who will work to resolve them.

If Grooms is not appointed, he should consider running for the office outright next year. Sara Ring is up for re-election unless she decides to step down now or does not want to run again she will face opposition in April. There will be two seats up for election in April since whoever is appointed will have to run for re-election as well. Ward I deserves to have Alderpersons who are concerned with their issues. Sara Ring and Denise Simpson have turned their backs on their constituents. Before the last election, Denise remarked at the candidate forum that the people from Dalinda Estates who brought their problems to her were “only complainers.” Both women walked out of a meeting at the Lee’s Summit Masonic Lodge where Dalinda homeowners were trying to get answers to their problems. Jim Payne, Mark Dziedzic and I were there to hear their problems, not to be involved in the proceedings. Sara Ring and Denise Simpson claiming that there was a quorum present got up and left the meeting and therefore did not hear the problems facing those homeowners. There was no interaction between them and the other two aldermen, they sat far apart in the room and had no verbal contact with each other. I called the state Attorney General’s office to see if it was a violation of the Sunshine law for all four of them to be present since there was no interaction between them. The answer was “NO.” They didn’t have to leave the building and neither did the other two who did stay to hear the problems that were being discussed at that meeting. Ward I needs people who are willing to listen to their concerns and who will work to resolve them.

I believe that Ring, Payne, the appointment, and the mayor will all be up for election in April.

I believe that Ring, Payne, the appointment, and the mayor will all be up for election in April.

Phil, you are correct. Both Ward I seats will be up for election as well as one Ward II seat and the Mayor position. It will be difficult to find enough good people to replace those who will leave the BOA.

Phil, you are correct. Both Ward I seats will be up for election as well as one Ward II seat and the Mayor position. It will be difficult to find enough good people to replace those who will leave the BOA.

There are 4300 people in this town.

There are 4300 people in this town.

Out of the 4300 people, how many of them want to be subjected to the constant harassment that is the lot of anyone who tries to do a good job on the BOA? How many want to devote as much time working on the budget as Jim Payne has spent done during his two terms on the board? How many want to work for the best interest of this town, and how many will want to represent the outside interests who have had so much influence over our elections? How many people would want to spend as much time in coordinating with other government leaders and agency officials during his or her “spare time” as Mayor Decourcy has done? How many would want to make the personal sacrifices that Payne, Dziedzic and Decourcy have made? Where are the people who voted against former Mayor Adey and elected Mayor Decourcy with a landslide margin of around a 1000 votes? There were only 313 votes cast in Ward I in April, 2009. There were only 242 votes cast in Ward II. Out of around 2000 eligible voters, 555 people went to the polls. That means that only about one voter in 4 took the time to vote in the city election. Unless the people of this town decide to get active and take their city back from the outside interests and negative Nellies, this town will decline and may never recover. You have only to look at the small voter turn out to understand why a good worker and leader who could search out grants for city projects, Ryan Hunt, was fired by the new majority on the Board of Aldermen. That would be just fine with many of those who spent nearly $7,000 to get control of our town. With almost $6000 more than the Greenwood Citizens for Progressive Government Committee had to spend, they could only muster to win with 15 votes win in Ward I and a 6 votes Ward II. It seems to me, that with 4300 people, there should have been many more people at the polls in the 2009 election. The Iraqis faced the possibility of being killed in order to vote for their new government. Iran had a huge turn-out in its much disputed election. So, where do we get good candidates that can lead this town forward to a better tomorrow, and how will we elect them if their opponents can get huge donations from outside groups that local residents cannot match? How can they win when Greenwood residents aren’t as dedicated to their community as are people in poor countries in the Middle East? How can good people win against such odds?

Out of the 4300 people, how many of them want to be subjected to the constant harassment that is the lot of anyone who tries to do a good job on the BOA? How many want to devote as much time working on the budget as Jim Payne has spent done during his two terms on the board? How many want to work for the best interest of this town, and how many will want to represent the outside interests who have had so much influence over our elections? How many people would want to spend as much time in coordinating with other government leaders and agency officials during his or her “spare time” as Mayor Decourcy has done? How many would want to make the personal sacrifices that Payne, Dziedzic and Decourcy have made? Where are the people who voted against former Mayor Adey and elected Mayor Decourcy with a landslide margin of around a 1000 votes? There were only 313 votes cast in Ward I in April, 2009. There were only 242 votes cast in Ward II. Out of around 2000 eligible voters, 555 people went to the polls. That means that only about one voter in 4 took the time to vote in the city election. Unless the people of this town decide to get active and take their city back from the outside interests and negative Nellies, this town will decline and may never recover. You have only to look at the small voter turn out to understand why a good worker and leader who could search out grants for city projects, Ryan Hunt, was fired by the new majority on the Board of Aldermen. That would be just fine with many of those who spent nearly $7,000 to get control of our town. With almost $6000 more than the Greenwood Citizens for Progressive Government Committee had to spend, they could only muster to win with 15 votes win in Ward I and a 6 votes Ward II. It seems to me, that with 4300 people, there should have been many more people at the polls in the 2009 election. The Iraqis faced the possibility of being killed in order to vote for their new government. Iran had a huge turn-out in its much disputed election. So, where do we get good candidates that can lead this town forward to a better tomorrow, and how will we elect them if their opponents can get huge donations from outside groups that local residents cannot match? How can they win when Greenwood residents aren’t as dedicated to their community as are people in poor countries in the Middle East? How can good people win against such odds?

Sad. The two special interest group representatives on the Greenwood Board of Aldermen support certain individuals in our community who feel compelled to ride their horses upon our public sidewalks, and are allowed to defecate upon them thereby creating a public nuisance and health hazard
I presented an ordinance prohibiting riding horses on our public sidewalks stating It shall be unlawful for any person(s) to use a sidewalk or other pedestrian way to engage in horseback riding and requiring persons owning or having custody or control of such horse which defecates in any public park, upon the sidewalk or parkway of any street, or upon any private property which is improved or occupied without the consent of the owner or occupant to clean up after themselves.
Obviously Alderman Van Acker and Sara Ring disagreed with me and shot it down to pacify their cronies who wish to keep Greenwood, as it always has been- back in the 1970′s.

Jim Payne
Alderman ward Two

Sad. The two special interest group representatives on the Greenwood Board of Aldermen support certain individuals in our community who feel compelled to ride their horses upon our public sidewalks, and are allowed to defecate upon them thereby creating a public nuisance and health hazard
I presented an ordinance prohibiting riding horses on our public sidewalks stating It shall be unlawful for any person(s) to use a sidewalk or other pedestrian way to engage in horseback riding and requiring persons owning or having custody or control of such horse which defecates in any public park, upon the sidewalk or parkway of any street, or upon any private property which is improved or occupied without the consent of the owner or occupant to clean up after themselves.
Obviously Alderman Van Acker and Sara Ring disagreed with me and shot it down to pacify their cronies who wish to keep Greenwood, as it always has been- back in the 1970′s.

Jim Payne
Alderman ward Two

Well, the quarry’s man on our board of aldermen has found an excuse to keep Sharon Hutinett off of the Board of Aldermen. He went back through the records and pulled out some things that he used to condemn her for doing. He criticized her for wanting to paint city hall. It needed painting badly. He claimed that the money used to paint city hall could have been used to repair streets. Money to paint city hall did not come out of the street fund. It seems to me that an alderman who is judging a potential appointee should make himself familiar with city budgeting before he makes himself look a fool at board meetings and for channel 7 TV.

On the advice of the city engineer who was aware of substandard building practices in Greenwood, The Board of Aldermen put a moratorium on new construction until the city building codes could be brought up to date to prevent future problems. That did not stunt growth in Greenwood, but it did help to insure that buyers would not buy homes that were as full of problems as my home was when I moved in. Jim Van Acker needs to educate himself on these issues before embarrassing himself on public television and before an audience of people who were here and can remember what happened before he moved here. He moved to Greenwood in 2004, he has no memory of what was going on before that.

I believe it is obvious that he is stalling off on this appointment to please his employers and his ally on the board, Sara Ring who wants everything to go her way. He is not his own man. He certainly is not well informed about Greenwood politics.

Well, the quarry’s man on our board of aldermen has found an excuse to keep Sharon Hutinett off of the Board of Aldermen. He went back through the records and pulled out some things that he used to condemn her for doing. He criticized her for wanting to paint city hall. It needed painting badly. He claimed that the money used to paint city hall could have been used to repair streets. Money to paint city hall did not come out of the street fund. It seems to me that an alderman who is judging a potential appointee should make himself familiar with city budgeting before he makes himself look a fool at board meetings and for channel 7 TV.

On the advice of the city engineer who was aware of substandard building practices in Greenwood, The Board of Aldermen put a moratorium on new construction until the city building codes could be brought up to date to prevent future problems. That did not stunt growth in Greenwood, but it did help to insure that buyers would not buy homes that were as full of problems as my home was when I moved in. Jim Van Acker needs to educate himself on these issues before embarrassing himself on public television and before an audience of people who were here and can remember what happened before he moved here. He moved to Greenwood in 2004, he has no memory of what was going on before that.

I believe it is obvious that he is stalling off on this appointment to please his employers and his ally on the board, Sara Ring who wants everything to go her way. He is not his own man. He certainly is not well informed about Greenwood politics.

On Friday, October 2, 2009, I receive my first anonymous letter in the mail regarding my candidacy for the office of Mayor of Greenwood. At first, I was kind of excited. The letter had this mystery movie feel to it. The person who sent it had printed out my name and address twice, then trimmed them down with scissors and taped them on the envelope. It was a letter to Marvin Megee from Marvin Megee. When I opened the letter I found a single page showing a Missouri State Statute that told me a convicted felon could not hold office in the state of Missouri. Unfortunately, I am not a felon. But then came the real let down….the person who was so desperate to send this information to me anonymously had forgot to take their scissors and removed the URL and date from the bottom of the paper that was mailed to me. This meant to find out who accessed the state’s website and printed this page out, all I had to do go to the state and ask for all the computers that accessed http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c1000-199/1150000350.htm on 10/1/2009. And all I had to do to find out who placed my name and addresses on the envelope was to take envelope downtown and have the fingerprints taken from scotch tape on the front of the envelope. I mean, you would have thought the sender knew because they were engaged in a form of identity theft and mail fraud they would have been more careful. I mean, come on… if this was supposed to be an anonymous letter designed to dissuade me from running for office and leave me mystified, they are certainly going to have to do much better with the next letter I am sent.

On Friday, October 2, 2009, I receive my first anonymous letter in the mail regarding my candidacy for the office of Mayor of Greenwood. At first, I was kind of excited. The letter had this mystery movie feel to it. The person who sent it had printed out my name and address twice, then trimmed them down with scissors and taped them on the envelope. It was a letter to Marvin Megee from Marvin Megee. When I opened the letter I found a single page showing a Missouri State Statute that told me a convicted felon could not hold office in the state of Missouri. Unfortunately, I am not a felon. But then came the real let down….the person who was so desperate to send this information to me anonymously had forgot to take their scissors and removed the URL and date from the bottom of the paper that was mailed to me. This meant to find out who accessed the state’s website and printed this page out, all I had to do go to the state and ask for all the computers that accessed http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c1000-199/1150000350.htm on 10/1/2009. And all I had to do to find out who placed my name and addresses on the envelope was to take envelope downtown and have the fingerprints taken from scotch tape on the front of the envelope. I mean, you would have thought the sender knew because they were engaged in a form of identity theft and mail fraud they would have been more careful. I mean, come on… if this was supposed to be an anonymous letter designed to dissuade me from running for office and leave me mystified, they are certainly going to have to do much better with the next letter I am sent.

Get used to it. Plenty of cowards around here on every side and even in the middle. Heard this rumor last week. Debunked it immediately independently. Guess the rumormongers didn’t get the memo. You want to be a public figure in this town, this is the thanks you get – plus a pittance in your bank account each month. You haven’t even officially filed the paperwork and here we are. I’ll bet Mayor DeCourcy can relate to your frustration.

Get used to it. Plenty of cowards around here on every side and even in the middle. Heard this rumor last week. Debunked it immediately independently. Guess the rumormongers didn’t get the memo. You want to be a public figure in this town, this is the thanks you get – plus a pittance in your bank account each month. You haven’t even officially filed the paperwork and here we are. I’ll bet Mayor DeCourcy can relate to your frustration.

Marvin, Wow what a very strange coincidence, my wife received two of those anonymous letters in the mail back last March telling her what a bad person I was and all that other sorts of nonsense. I feel your frustration sir and totally understand and relate if you are offended or as I am, pissed off, by someone sending that kind of trash in the mail to my address and to my family. Unfortunately there are cowards in our community that only want it their way or no way but it is the rest of the good people in our town that you must remember and think about when you are working and doing City stuff. I wish you much success and progress in your campaign and your bid for election in April sir. Take care and we’ll be speaking in the future I’m sure.

Marvin, Wow what a very strange coincidence, my wife received two of those anonymous letters in the mail back last March telling her what a bad person I was and all that other sorts of nonsense. I feel your frustration sir and totally understand and relate if you are offended or as I am, pissed off, by someone sending that kind of trash in the mail to my address and to my family. Unfortunately there are cowards in our community that only want it their way or no way but it is the rest of the good people in our town that you must remember and think about when you are working and doing City stuff. I wish you much success and progress in your campaign and your bid for election in April sir. Take care and we’ll be speaking in the future I’m sure.

I am surprised that the Greensummitdispatch seems to be alive on the Internet, but am very disappointed that the print edition is no longer printed. The traffic on this website will be a fraction of the readers who read the paper. There is a big election coming in April, I was hoping that we could adveritise in the Dispatch, but I wouldn’t waste funds, hard to raise in the first place, to place an ad on a paper that not many Greenwood residents will ever see.

I am surprised that the Greensummitdispatch seems to be alive on the Internet, but am very disappointed that the print edition is no longer printed. The traffic on this website will be a fraction of the readers who read the paper. There is a big election coming in April, I was hoping that we could adveritise in the Dispatch, but I wouldn’t waste funds, hard to raise in the first place, to place an ad on a paper that not many Greenwood residents will ever see.

Phil, when I was about 7 years old growing up north of Hannibal, Mo, my dad was a miner, my mom sewed tents in a local factory… we were dirt poor. One day my mom and I had went to this little grocery store in our small town. There was this well dressed couple who were politically active in our town in the store and when they saw me one of them said “Doesn’t your daddy work in the mines?” I just stood there looking at the scowl on their faces. It was as if they were telling me “You ain’t nothing, and you’re never gonna be nothing.” And I believed them. Years later, I found myself in Amsterdam Holland on business. I was standing in front of a tall, narrow 3 story house looking up towards the roof of the house. What I was actually looking at was the attic of this home, because this was the attic where a little girl named Ann Frank and her family lived and hid. What I did not know at the time was that it was on that day, at that very moment, standing on that sidewalk in Amsterdam, that I realized that couple back in my hometown was wrong about me. I had no idea that I would return to Kansas City a changed person. You know… I consider myself to be very lucky. I have been able to rise above the existing prejudice that was common place in my youth, I have been able to obtain a college education, I have traveled around the world 5 times and been able to experience things that haven’t even made it into the history books yet, but most important of all…I have been able to realize that EVERYONE counts. As for the letters we’ve received and the person who sent them…it is my hope that someday they get to have the chance to realize that just because they think they are somehow better than the next guy…it doesn’t necessarily make it true. Thanks for your post… Marvin

Phil, when I was about 7 years old growing up north of Hannibal, Mo, my dad was a miner, my mom sewed tents in a local factory… we were dirt poor. One day my mom and I had went to this little grocery store in our small town. There was this well dressed couple who were politically active in our town in the store and when they saw me one of them said “Doesn’t your daddy work in the mines?” I just stood there looking at the scowl on their faces. It was as if they were telling me “You ain’t nothing, and you’re never gonna be nothing.” And I believed them. Years later, I found myself in Amsterdam Holland on business. I was standing in front of a tall, narrow 3 story house looking up towards the roof of the house. What I was actually looking at was the attic of this home, because this was the attic where a little girl named Ann Frank and her family lived and hid. What I did not know at the time was that it was on that day, at that very moment, standing on that sidewalk in Amsterdam, that I realized that couple back in my hometown was wrong about me. I had no idea that I would return to Kansas City a changed person. You know… I consider myself to be very lucky. I have been able to rise above the existing prejudice that was common place in my youth, I have been able to obtain a college education, I have traveled around the world 5 times and been able to experience things that haven’t even made it into the history books yet, but most important of all…I have been able to realize that EVERYONE counts. As for the letters we’ve received and the person who sent them…it is my hope that someday they get to have the chance to realize that just because they think they are somehow better than the next guy…it doesn’t necessarily make it true. Thanks for your post… Marvin

Phil, I too, like Marvin Megee, have been to Europe and have visited the Ann Frank house in Amsterdam. My wife and I travelled through Europe and saw several countries from the Netherlands to Italy and back to Paris France. We spent ten days in Great Britain. We toured Rome, Florence, and Pissa as well as other stops on that trip. We have been to New Zealand and Australia. That said, none of those experiences make me qualified to be Mayor of Greenwood. Being informed about city government and the important issues that face this little town are far more important even though I have no ambitions to hold public office, I just want to see the best qualified people in city government. Leah Foster will be a great mayor if she works for the future of Greenwood as I expect her to do.

Phil, I too, like Marvin Megee, have been to Europe and have visited the Ann Frank house in Amsterdam. My wife and I travelled through Europe and saw several countries from the Netherlands to Italy and back to Paris France. We spent ten days in Great Britain. We toured Rome, Florence, and Pissa as well as other stops on that trip. We have been to New Zealand and Australia. That said, none of those experiences make me qualified to be Mayor of Greenwood. Being informed about city government and the important issues that face this little town are far more important even though I have no ambitions to hold public office, I just want to see the best qualified people in city government. Leah Foster will be a great mayor if she works for the future of Greenwood as I expect her to do.

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” — Theodore Roosevelt

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Geno, Your right your not qualified for Mayor. You seem the most qualified to be the Grinch, Can you write anything positive? It seems all your energy goes to the negative. You love to slash, bash,and find the bad in the good. Why dont you flip the coin? Try your style at the positive? This town could really use your talent.

Geno, Your right your not qualified for Mayor. You seem the most qualified to be the Grinch, Can you write anything positive? It seems all your energy goes to the negative. You love to slash, bash,and find the bad in the good. Why dont you flip the coin? Try your style at the positive? This town could really use your talent.

In response to Gene D.’s post on Jan 20, regarding advertising in The Dispatch.

You know Gene, I wholeheartedly believe that every person has a right to their opinion.  According to the 1st Amendment we all also have a right to express that opinion freely. I just wish people would think before they speak and consider the affect the words they say will have on the other person(s).  Also, a little shoe-swapping might not be a bad idea, either.

I usually keep my opinions to myself (both personally and as the Editor of this publication), unless it is something for which I feel strongly.  And even then, I still feel that the person on the other end of my words deserves the benefit of the doubt and at least a kind word thrown into the mix.

I’m surprised that you are surprised that we are currently not in hard copy print.  This economy is B.A.D.  Everywhere around us people are losing their jobs, their houses and the local mom & pop shops are closing at an extremely alarming rate.  Advertisers in The Dispatch were already low.  With this economy, businesses are cutting way back on advertising and some of the smaller ones that are left just simply can no longer afford it at all.

Please note that we are also disappointed in the current status of an online-only newspaper.  For over a year, we produced a high-quality news source.  We busted our butts doing it.  And for all that time, every single month, we scraped the bottom, digging for advertisers to support the newspaper to make it free to our readers.  Each month we *barely* made the cost to print it and pay for postage.  But, we love our community and that kept us going.  For awhile.

Bottom line, Gene, is The Klosters cannot afford to single handedly support The Dispatch.  Our time must be spent wisely in order to keep *our* lights on and put food on the table.  True, the traffic to the website is a fraction of the readers who read the paper in print.  Hopefully, we can get that number raised until such time we are able to go to print once again and have the support of our community when they, too, can afford it.

Gene, you are seasoned, educated and you have many long-time influences in this community. I agree with DB Cooper — rather than throwing such negativity around, such as depicting [advertising in]* The Dispatch Online a “waste of money”; why not contribute to the success of The Dispatch by giving it “good press”, so that we are more in-line with getting back into print?

*[edited to include inadvertent omission of words to clarify context]

In response to Gene D.’s post on Jan 20, regarding advertising in The Dispatch.

You know Gene, I wholeheartedly believe that every person has a right to their opinion.  According to the 1st Amendment we all also have a right to express that opinion freely. I just wish people would think before they speak and consider the affect the words they say will have on the other person(s).  Also, a little shoe-swapping might not be a bad idea, either.

I usually keep my opinions to myself (both personally and as the Editor of this publication), unless it is something for which I feel strongly.  And even then, I still feel that the person on the other end of my words deserves the benefit of the doubt and at least a kind word thrown into the mix.

I’m surprised that you are surprised that we are currently not in hard copy print.  This economy is B.A.D.  Everywhere around us people are losing their jobs, their houses and the local mom & pop shops are closing at an extremely alarming rate.  Advertisers in The Dispatch were already low.  With this economy, businesses are cutting way back on advertising and some of the smaller ones that are left just simply can no longer afford it at all.

Please note that we are also disappointed in the current status of an online-only newspaper.  For over a year, we produced a high-quality news source.  We busted our butts doing it.  And for all that time, every single month, we scraped the bottom, digging for advertisers to support the newspaper to make it free to our readers.  Each month we *barely* made the cost to print it and pay for postage.  But, we love our community and that kept us going.  For awhile.

Bottom line, Gene, is The Klosters cannot afford to single handedly support The Dispatch.  Our time must be spent wisely in order to keep *our* lights on and put food on the table.  True, the traffic to the website is a fraction of the readers who read the paper in print.  Hopefully, we can get that number raised until such time we are able to go to print once again and have the support of our community when they, too, can afford it.

Gene, you are seasoned, educated and you have many long-time influences in this community. I agree with DB Cooper — rather than throwing such negativity around, such as depicting [advertising in]* The Dispatch Online a “waste of money”; why not contribute to the success of The Dispatch by giving it “good press”, so that we are more in-line with getting back into print?

*[edited to include inadvertent omission of words to clarify context]

If the economy were to improve, and the advertisers were were willing to spend the money, is there any chance the Dispatch would return?

If the economy were to improve, and the advertisers were were willing to spend the money, is there any chance the Dispatch would return?

Marvin, We’re already talking about putting out a Greenwood only issue to cover election-centric topics. That would be somewhat affordable as compared to what we had been doing. But, considering the backgrounds of the people involved with the Dispatch, the economy, and future trends – this is the place for the Dispatch. We should be devoting all our energies and resources to providing the best service we can online rather than chasing a dead means of publication to appease a select few who like to hold a dead tree in their hand.

Marvin, We’re already talking about putting out a Greenwood only issue to cover election-centric topics. That would be somewhat affordable as compared to what we had been doing. But, considering the backgrounds of the people involved with the Dispatch, the economy, and future trends – this is the place for the Dispatch. We should be devoting all our energies and resources to providing the best service we can online rather than chasing a dead means of publication to appease a select few who like to hold a dead tree in their hand.

Working within the newspaper/Graphic Arts industry, you are right! Major newpapers and holding companies are filing chapter 7, and 11 everywhere. Recently I was told “We missed the internet boat”"
We gave our services away for free, rather than setting a trend of a “fee”. I thank and praise the Dispatch for your efforts. Rather than quit and go away, you choose to stay. It is understandable the dispatch going online and avoiding the printing press cost. Hang in there. Profitable sucess is right around the corner. Sugustion, Why dont you install a donation link, with Pay-Pal , I would donate.

Working within the newspaper/Graphic Arts industry, you are right! Major newpapers and holding companies are filing chapter 7, and 11 everywhere. Recently I was told “We missed the internet boat”"
We gave our services away for free, rather than setting a trend of a “fee”. I thank and praise the Dispatch for your efforts. Rather than quit and go away, you choose to stay. It is understandable the dispatch going online and avoiding the printing press cost. Hang in there. Profitable sucess is right around the corner. Sugustion, Why dont you install a donation link, with Pay-Pal , I would donate.

I don’t know who D.B. Cooper unless it ons of Kevin Adey’s aliases.

Please, what I said was not slashing or bashing anyone or this online paper. In my opinion a preinted paper that reaches every house in Greenwood is far more effective for advertisers than an online publicantion that is seldom accessed. That is just the facts, maam. Take a look and see how many hits this site receives and tell me that it is as effective as a printed copy. I Iunderstand the costs of printing and distribution is expensive and that advertisers are a must to keep it going even in bad times.

Someone has a very thin skin if they took my comments as criticism of the effort to be an onliine publication. Somebody needs to chill out and find a way to make a buck with the publication or, just shut it down. Throwing darts at me will not make this paper, or electronic data, any more successful.

I don’t know who D.B. Cooper unless it ons of Kevin Adey’s aliases.

Please, what I said was not slashing or bashing anyone or this online paper. In my opinion a preinted paper that reaches every house in Greenwood is far more effective for advertisers than an online publicantion that is seldom accessed. That is just the facts, maam. Take a look and see how many hits this site receives and tell me that it is as effective as a printed copy. I Iunderstand the costs of printing and distribution is expensive and that advertisers are a must to keep it going even in bad times.

Someone has a very thin skin if they took my comments as criticism of the effort to be an onliine publication. Somebody needs to chill out and find a way to make a buck with the publication or, just shut it down. Throwing darts at me will not make this paper, or electronic data, any more successful.

@ D.B. Cooper:
Appreciative comments go a LONG way, DB.  And support for that extra cup of coffee to keep the midnight oil burnin’ is an extra bonus.  A Donation button now appears on the sidebar.  Thank you.

@ D.B. Cooper:
Appreciative comments go a LONG way, DB.  And support for that extra cup of coffee to keep the midnight oil burnin’ is an extra bonus.  A Donation button now appears on the sidebar.  Thank you.

Your fast! Just sent you $25.

Your fast! Just sent you $25.

@ D.B. Cooper:
Your support of The Dispatch is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

@ D.B. Cooper:
Your support of The Dispatch is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Gene W. DeVaux wrote:

Being informed about city government and the important issues that face this little town are far more important …. I just want to see the best qualified people in city government.

Gene…I could not agree more…but I have to ask a question…
It is not that hard to become a political candidate for Alderman or Mayor in Greenwood. First you have to be the right age. Then you have to make sure your home address is where it is suppose to be. After doing this, a candidate is given a little over 30 days to file their candidacy. Filing for candidacy is also easy. First, a candidate fills out 2 forms. Then the candidate gets the two forms notarized. After that, the candidate gives the forms to our City Clerk, and they are now an official candidate.
Now with that said…Would someone please tell me why 10 out of the 11 candidate that filed for Alderman or Mayor did so INCORRECTLY?
If asking 4 people to read 1 ordinance and following that ordinance’s instructions is asking too much, then Greenwood is in more trouble than I even realized.

Gene W. DeVaux wrote:

Being informed about city government and the important issues that face this little town are far more important …. I just want to see the best qualified people in city government.

Gene…I could not agree more…but I have to ask a question…
It is not that hard to become a political candidate for Alderman or Mayor in Greenwood. First you have to be the right age. Then you have to make sure your home address is where it is suppose to be. After doing this, a candidate is given a little over 30 days to file their candidacy. Filing for candidacy is also easy. First, a candidate fills out 2 forms. Then the candidate gets the two forms notarized. After that, the candidate gives the forms to our City Clerk, and they are now an official candidate.
Now with that said…Would someone please tell me why 10 out of the 11 candidate that filed for Alderman or Mayor did so INCORRECTLY?
If asking 4 people to read 1 ordinance and following that ordinance’s instructions is asking too much, then Greenwood is in more trouble than I even realized.

Phil Kloster wrote:

Heard this rumor last week. Debunked it immediately independently.

Phil, I got my first letter from the MEC today regarding the “felony” idea. I was very excited, but again let down. As for Ms. Cooper, If she knows my date of birth, I hope she sends me a birthday card this year.

Phil Kloster wrote:

Heard this rumor last week. Debunked it immediately independently.

Phil, I got my first letter from the MEC today regarding the “felony” idea. I was very excited, but again let down. As for Ms. Cooper, If she knows my date of birth, I hope she sends me a birthday card this year.

Gene,
I know who D.B. Cooper is and as far as I know it’s not anybody you’ve mentioned nor anybody connected with any one of the perceived sides in the battle for Greenwood.

I think our hits on this site are strong and growing. More people than ever are connected. Those who were interested enough to dive into the print copy are visiting this site. We’ll continue getting the word out.

Gene,
I know who D.B. Cooper is and as far as I know it’s not anybody you’ve mentioned nor anybody connected with any one of the perceived sides in the battle for Greenwood.

I think our hits on this site are strong and growing. More people than ever are connected. Those who were interested enough to dive into the print copy are visiting this site. We’ll continue getting the word out.