Finances, Horses and Bicycles – Greenwood BOA tackle a variety of issues

May

Finances, Horses and Bicycles – Greenwood BOA tackle a variety of issues

Posted by jennW in by Jennifer Warren, GSD Online

Greenwood’s Mayor and Board of Alderman are staying true to their promise to make Greenwood financially stable and to reign in the budget by keeping the city finances at the forefront of each meeting. At the May 24th meeting, City Financial Advisor Dana McIntire once again gave a report on the city’s financial condition. The Aldermen also discussed cashing in the city’s certificates of deposit and getting the city’s surplus property sold as soon as possible. Acting City Clerk Glenda Smith gave a report on reducing the city’s benefits cost for their employees. Smith, with the assistance of City Financial Advisor Dana McIntire, has negotiated a plan that would reduce the city’s cost by approximately 25%.

Finances may have been the first thing discussed at the May 24, 2010 meeting, but it was not the first thing the attendees thought about. A sign placed at the entrance to the City Hall parking lot along with orange cones blocking off the front half of the lot, indicated what the highlight of the meeting was going to be – horses and bicycles. The sign read “Horse and Bike Park’n” and the ordinances introduced were designed to make harassing a horseman or bicyclist a misdemeanor offense in Greenwood.

Frank Martin, the secretary of the Missouri Equine Council, came from West Plains to speak in support of the ordinance, which would have made it a misdemeanor offense to “harass” a horse and rider. Russell Martin from Bolivar, Missouri of Show Me Back Country Horsemen also spoke in support of the ordinance. His organization works with land managers and their main goal is to help maintain horse and multi-purpose trails. He suggested that the ordinance would generate a financial benefit to the city because people would visit if they perceived Greenwood to be a horse-friendly town. The old issue of horses defecating on the sidewalk and streets came up again in the discussion — a concern had by a resident who lives on Allendale Lake Road and who has suffered damage to new grass on his property by young riders and their horses’ defecation. He expressed that concern to some of the horsemen who came out to support the ordinance and they promised their help in identifying those riders and stopping the problem.

Phil Kloster, publisher of The GreenSummit Dispatch, was just one of many Greenwood residents who filled City Hall in a show support for Mayor Megee's ordinance regarding the harassment of horses and their riders

Alderman Nic Cover who ultimately voted “no” on the ordinance said, “I have a few problems with this ordinance; sorry to be the bad guy tonight.” He felt the ordinance was unenforceable and unnecessary citing that he felt there was not a significant problem with harassment of horse riders in town. He finished his comments by saying, “You can be pro-horse and not be for this ordinance.” Alderman Chris Seagraves voted “aye’ for the ordinance, but did raise concerns that the ordinance promote common courtesy and that riders not simply start “horse parades” in town. He agreed with Alderman Cover that this might not be the “right time” to discuss this issue because there are other topics of concern in the city right now, but said that he had “over 1000 emails about this issue and only 3 out of those thousand were opposed to the ordinance”. Alderman James VanAcker defended the ordinance. Alderman Al Reynolds, who abstained from the vote, raised concerns about the issue because the ordinance did not address rider responsibility. He felt that it opened an opportunity for horse riders to “ride roughshod” over private property owners by providing recourse for them if they are “harassed” while riding a horse in town, but did not provide any consequences if their horses got out of control and damaged someone’s personal property. Mayor Megee addressed Alderman Reynolds concerns by saying, “This is one section of a series of ordinances that would have to do with horse riding.” The ordinance failed, 2 to 1 with one abstention.

A similar ordinance that addressed the harassment of bicyclists did pass with a vote of 3-1. Alderman Nic Cover once again voted “nay” expressing many of the same concerns he had with the horse ordinance. Alderman Reynolds did vote “aye” for this ordinance. In response to Alderman Cover’s assertion that “I don’t think Greenwood has more of a problem with harassing bicyclists than other cities,” Alderman Reynolds said, “I think Greenwood does have a problem with harassing bicyclists,” and gave an example of harassment his wife experienced while riding her bicycle the previous day. Alderman Seagraves, voted “aye” for the ordinance while encouraging bicyclists to get mirrors and be courteous to motorists. Alderman Van Acker who also approved the ordinance reminded motorists to be extra cautious around bicyclists.

Caroline Smith and Brent D. Hugh of the Missouri Bicycle Federation with his son Jonathan bicycled into town to support the ordinance making the harassment of bicyclists in Greenwood a misdemeanor offense

Brent Hugh of the Missouri Bicycle Federation, Inc., along with his son Jonathan and Caroline Smith, rode their bicycles to town in order to support the ordinance. They said that they had experienced harassment on their way into town while riding down Hamblen Road and were pleased that the ordinance had passed.

The balance of the agenda was handled quickly. A resolution authorizing bank signatures passed without discussion. Alderman Reynolds was appointed as BOA liaison to the Parks and Rec Board. The citizen appointments of Ginger Rosencrantz and Jeffery Green were also approved quickly.

Alderman Seagraves encouraged the residents of the city to contact their Aldermen and let them know what they want to see accomplished in the city and to voice their opinions for or against ordinances the BOA is considering. Alderman Van Acker encouraged everyone to visit a new business in town – Golden Years Computing, on 5th Avenue North. Mayor Megee announced that he will give a “state of the city finances” report at the next BOA meeting.

tagged: BOA, finances, Greenwood Mo

Phil Kloster

I am encouraged by the Horse ordinance vote – not because it failed but because of how the voting played out. Many of Mayor Megee’s “adversaries” (for lack of a better term) felt that Megee, Van Acker, Cover, and Reynolds are politically aligned and would simply pass whatever suited their or the mayor’s agenda. It was encouraging to see them disagree respectfully and work towards a solution on the issue. Frankly, the mayor looked a little shell-shocked when it didn’t pass. He worked hard to promote the ordinance and I suspect he thought it was a slam-dunk. I believe this ordinance will pass unanimously once they tailor the verbiage to Greenwood. This proposed ordinance was essentially a carbon copy of one passed in Columbia MO recently.
Phil Kloster

I am encouraged by the Horse ordinance vote – not because it failed but because of how the voting played out. Many of Mayor Megee’s “adversaries” (for lack of a better term) felt that Megee, Van Acker, Cover, and Reynolds are politically aligned and would simply pass whatever suited their or the mayor’s agenda. It was encouraging to see them disagree respectfully and work towards a solution on the issue. Frankly, the mayor looked a little shell-shocked when it didn’t pass. He worked hard to promote the ordinance and I suspect he thought it was a slam-dunk. I believe this ordinance will pass unanimously once they tailor the verbiage to Greenwood. This proposed ordinance was essentially a carbon copy of one passed in Columbia MO recently.
GENE D

Three cheers for Al Reynolds whose thoughtful comment was included in a Lee’s Summit Journal article about the horse ordinance. It just so happened that day or so before the Journal story was printed; I met a woman who works with horses and people for rehab. She said essentially what Al Reynolds said about riders needing to be responsible for the messes the horses make and to ride safely. She said horses should never be ridden on sidewalks. She said that is dangerous for the horse and rider as well as pedestrians. She described horses as prey animals, ones that have been food for other animals, and that that they are easily spooked. They should not be ridden through Greenwood on our streets or sidewalks. A neighbor told me that there are two girls who gallop down Tyler lane, past his house and across the Southwest Drainage Way. That is dangerous for small children who play on Gunner. That is irresponsible behavior. I was disappointed that the BOA passed the bicycle ordinance that makes harassment of riders a misdemeanor. There certainly are laws already on the books that would have made harassment illegal. Doesn’t this BOA have more important issues to deal with rather than passing unneeded ordinances? Maybe they could find a way to provide Greenwood with adequate police protection.
GENE D

Three cheers for Al Reynolds whose thoughtful comment was included in a Lee’s Summit Journal article about the horse ordinance. It just so happened that day or so before the Journal story was printed; I met a woman who works with horses and people for rehab. She said essentially what Al Reynolds said about riders needing to be responsible for the messes the horses make and to ride safely. She said horses should never be ridden on sidewalks. She said that is dangerous for the horse and rider as well as pedestrians. She described horses as prey animals, ones that have been food for other animals, and that that they are easily spooked. They should not be ridden through Greenwood on our streets or sidewalks. A neighbor told me that there are two girls who gallop down Tyler lane, past his house and across the Southwest Drainage Way. That is dangerous for small children who play on Gunner. That is irresponsible behavior. I was disappointed that the BOA passed the bicycle ordinance that makes harassment of riders a misdemeanor. There certainly are laws already on the books that would have made harassment illegal. Doesn’t this BOA have more important issues to deal with rather than passing unneeded ordinances? Maybe they could find a way to provide Greenwood with adequate police protection.
Phil Kloster

Well, I certainly agree they have important stuff to work on. But there are likely some underlying issues for this ordinance – a source of revenue and preparing for the Katy trail. I don’t find it to be a huge deal – as a resident. I was at the meeting and the bike ordinance took just a few minutes. The horse ordinance took at least 20 minutes.
Phil Kloster

Well, I certainly agree they have important stuff to work on. But there are likely some underlying issues for this ordinance – a source of revenue and preparing for the Katy trail. I don’t find it to be a huge deal – as a resident. I was at the meeting and the bike ordinance took just a few minutes. The horse ordinance took at least 20 minutes.
Jim Dietz

I am very please with how all of the members of the board have acted since taking office. Maybe most of the bickering has stopped and the city can move on to great things.
Jim Dietz

I am very please with how all of the members of the board have acted since taking office. Maybe most of the bickering has stopped and the city can move on to great things.
Phil Kloster

No doubt, Jim. The 4 aldermen have been nothing short of amazing. First class in the 2 months since taking office.
Phil Kloster

No doubt, Jim. The 4 aldermen have been nothing short of amazing. First class in the 2 months since taking office.
Marty

It’s astounding, yet quite amusing, and very predictable, how far some goes out of their way to avoid any agreeable words toward the Mayor. Compliment 4 aldermen, leave out the Mayor, the one who is actually responsible to for the civility that now engulfs city hall – Try as the New Mayor might, some are so bitter they will never catch on.
Marty

It’s astounding, yet quite amusing, and very predictable, how far some goes out of their way to avoid any agreeable words toward the Mayor. Compliment 4 aldermen, leave out the Mayor, the one who is actually responsible to for the civility that now engulfs city hall – Try as the New Mayor might, some are so bitter they will never catch on.
Phil Kloster

The Mayor and I are working hard to rebuild a productive relationship between his office and this publication. There have been bumps in the road but I believe we both desire some of the the same things. The Dispatch has been clamoring for civility in board meetings and from our elected officials for years. They appear to have achieved that thus far. That’s amazing!

Yet, the Mayor cursed me not all that long ago, has been less than cooperative with the Dispatch, and choreographed three highly controversial actions that raised questions among many residents of this town. So, when I’m sharing compliments regarding civility, it would be disingenuous to include Mayor Megee at this juncture. That having been said, we’re working on it man to man. I’m encouraged. I think the Mayor is encouraged. I hope you’re encouraged as well.
Phil Kloster

The Mayor and I are working hard to rebuild a productive relationship between his office and this publication. There have been bumps in the road but I believe we both desire some of the the same things. The Dispatch has been clamoring for civility in board meetings and from our elected officials for years. They appear to have achieved that thus far. That’s amazing!

Yet, the Mayor cursed me not all that long ago, has been less than cooperative with the Dispatch, and choreographed three highly controversial actions that raised questions among many residents of this town. So, when I’m sharing compliments regarding civility, it would be disingenuous to include Mayor Megee at this juncture. That having been said, we’re working on it man to man. I’m encouraged. I think the Mayor is encouraged. I hope you’re encouraged as well.

Finances, Horses and Bicycles – Greenwood BOA tackle a variety of issues

Related Posts