This morning’s Press has a front page article featuring the Mayor actually apologizing to the American Legion Baseball group for not including a proper representative on the McEuen Field steering committee. The committee person who was picked by the city to represent the Legion’s views, Dennis Spencer, apparently was “not communicating” with the baseball group…oops!
So, why do you think the city chose Dennis Spencer instead of asking the Legion to name a person? Could it be that the city was more “comfortable” with Dennis because he was paid a chunk of money for a short amount of work on the city’s 4th Street renovation project last year?
Any thoughts?
I believe Mr. Spencer was paid $40,000 for three months worth of “work” communicating between the city, the construction crews, and the businesses on 4th Street.
Comment by Dan — January 18, 2011 @ 10:02 am
Nice work if you can get it!…our tax dollars. No wonder the Mayor wanted Dennis, she loves head nodders.
In fact, in an email that was forwarded to me, a bit of a dust-up was going on behind the scenes with the McEuen Steering Committee. One person on the committee insinuated that the members don’t all like the plan the city has proposed. Doug Eastwood, the City’s Parks Director admonished the writer and insisted that there is NO dissension on the committee and everyone is in full agreement. 21 people. Must have been very carefully chosen.
Comment by mary — January 18, 2011 @ 10:37 am
I’m wondering if Dennis Spencer warned the city about concerns the business owners had about the narrowed street right-of-way at the architectural expansion of the crosswalks at intersections? I almost got sideswiped yesterday. There is barely enough room for two lanes of one way traffic to make it through the intersections.
Also, maybe this fellow should log on an tell us why he was qualified to act as a McEuen Team member representing ball park issues for the American Legion.
Comment by Gary Ingram — January 18, 2011 @ 12:03 pm
I must correct Comment #1. I had heard the $40,000 figure from someone else, so I went back and checked the LCDC’s meeting minutes. According to the LCDC minutes of 5/20/09, Safeco Construction had an agreement with Dennis Spencer for $19,200. That figured out to $40/hour: 480 hours on the job, 120 day project, 4 hours a day. The $40,000 figure probably comes from $40/hour. Anyway, I’m glad to correct my mistake.
Comment by Dan — January 18, 2011 @ 12:38 pm
Still very good money for around here. Why do you think the city asked Dennis to be on the committee? Why would they not ask the American Legion to appoint someone to represent their group?
Comment by mary — January 18, 2011 @ 1:24 pm
Gary Ingram,
Dennis Spencer has been trying to register today so he can post, but he’s been having the same “password won’t work” problem others have experienced when they have tried to register for the first time. We’ve been trying to help him.
Comment by Bill — January 18, 2011 @ 2:51 pm
My guess: The Mayor knew that the Legion would be against moving the ball fields. Duh. Mayor Bloem has demonstrated a habit of not appointing anyone to any city committee who will disagree with the consensus at City Hall.
Another guess: Dennis Spencer wasn’t in the room with Bloem and Dusty Rhodes. Rather than take responsibility, Bloem threw Spencer under the bus as a convenient scapegoat. It was not a brave act by our Mayor, who owes the legion an apology and an explanation.
Comment by Dan — January 18, 2011 @ 2:57 pm
Spenser doesn’t seem to be able to communicate very well for any amount of money if he can’t find a way to communicate with the American Legion, which was his charter. Oops! Sounds just like the kind of guy the city would want representing its position with a possible dissenter on the Team McEuen.
Comment by Ancientemplar — January 18, 2011 @ 4:57 pm
………..and at no time during this design ‘conceptual’ planning process did not the Mayor ask of Mr. Spencer what the members of the Legion had to say? Bloem needs to move to Washington state where the official animal is a slug.
Comment by Wallypog — January 19, 2011 @ 6:17 am
On to other stuff………. where’s the PAC when we need them. John A. please come to their defense. NICE/KCAT funds going in and yet bills aren’t being paid and there is no money in the accounts? Then the director’s phone is disconnected? OOPS! Its starting to smell like The Pike Street Market.
Comment by Ancientemplar — January 19, 2011 @ 8:28 am