Common sense from Ball & Backbone

I attended the "special" meeting of the Personnel and Finance Comittee last Tuesday to discuss the options of the City Administrator. Though I was sick with the flu, I still made it a point to attend this meeting.

I told my wife after the meeting that I didnt think I should go to another one of these meetings, as it is "like bouncing your head off the wall." There is no common sense involved. Everyone is worried about offending someone else...

Make a long story short, when I heard that Chief Mike Kass wanted to be part of the "triage" to fill in until hiring a new administrator...I thought the city council was out of their mind. Why in the world would you want to give this guy any more responsibility, power or control when he isnt even capable of controlling his police department or police officers? His department has two recent lawsuits under his "reign", and if he cared about the doings of this city, what is he doing living minutes from Tomah?

Council member Carlos Holcombe spoke up and asked me, "what power? what kind of power is Chief Kass going to have?" Ummm, lets see...in a previous article Kevin Riley talked about hiring a new city administrator through a professional agency as the city would be essentially hiring the CEO of a company...isnt the CEO pretty much the most powerful guy? Hello Carlos...wouldnt the police union contracts be coming up? Wouldnt that be a conflict of interest? So Chief Kass needs to stay away from city hall and worry about his officers and department.

Then one of the city council members made some comment about "picking Ken Witt's Brain in the time he has left here". So I stood up and said, "picking his brain? are you kidding me? you shouldnt be picking his brain now...he has worked with you for ten years and you need to pick his brain now? You should have known all along what he was doing". So has our city council been working with blinders on?

I could go on and on about this meeting, but it aggravates me.

One last thing, when I do run for mayor in April...I need some people to run for city council. Last election there were two open seats on the council and no one ran. Is it that no one cares? It makes me wonder why i should run for mayor. New blood is desperately needed in city hall.
THE ONLY REQUIREMENT NEEDED IS COMMON SENSE.

Kevin Riley running scared from Balls&Backbone

WOW! Is our city council scared to run the city without Ken Witt?
First, why is it that Mr. Kevin Riley feels the need to hire a professional agency?  Is the council uncapable of doing a job?
Second, why not try and run the city without an administrator...at least through the end of the year?  The city could acquire a fair amount of applications and take the time to hire a qualified individual if they choose.
Third, Mayor Sund has been a president of a local bank for so many years, couldn't he along with the city council make the budget for the following year?  If they are uncapable, its a no brainer...copy the budget from last year with a savings of $90,000+ from the administrators SALARY alone (NOT including benefits).
Fourth, we have an attorney on payroll that should be able to "have our back" on any legal issues.
Would it really be so bad to try and run the city without an administrator?  Make the mayor and council members work for their titles and positions.  La Crosse and Onalaska both do fine without one...and wouldn't they both have bigger budgets?
MR. RILEY, do you not have any self confidence or any confidence in your fellow council members?  It is always easy to spend other peoples money.  Weren't you the same council member who asked the sand mining company for a bribe at a city council meeting with 50-60 residents in attendance?
I believe, Mr. Riley should step down as the chairman of the personnel and finance committee.  When I read the article, it is clear that he scared and nervous because Mr. Witt is leaving.  You are the CHAIRMAN....you are in charge and the best you can do is "hire an agency" to do your work?
I have always said that Mr. Witt was only using Sparta as a step stone.  He never planned on staying and that is why he never cared about things like the sand mines, the ethanol plant...he was only focused on making his numbers look good.
Mr. Witt has been here for about ten years and didnt have enough respect for his council members.  Some of his council members had to find out he was leaving by reading the newspaper.
I hope if Sparta does hire another administrator, they don't make the same mistake by giving them the same contract they gave Mr. Witt.  (If Mr. Witt was fired he would receive 1 year salary and benefits)
And make sure the administrator doesnt have more power than the mayor or city council members.

The Wicked "Witt" of the West is Gone from Balls&Backbone

 Congratulations to Mr. Witt on his new position in Reedsburg, WI or should I say congratulations to Sparta.  I have always said Ken was only using Sparta as a stepping stone, thats why he never really cared about the sand mines or the ethanol plant...he never planned on staying, just making good statistics.  I hope Reedsburg invests in some "People Skills" class for him during his orientation.

the city of sand from anonymous

So I have noticed today that the dust bowl has moved in...what happened ? Couldn't keep up with keeping the sand wet so it wouldn't blow around? Wow. And it has only just begun. Go ahead and look on the south side of Highway 16...the sand is blowing all over hell. Go job city of Sparta...we will soon be covered. AGAIN, lied to.

Jumping through the hoops from Balls&Backbone

So like I said, I have requested the Sparta Police Department Rules of Work and the PFC Rules of Procedure.  I was then told it was too many pages and "what section did I want" ...Well, "the whole thing!" I have been told today that the copies I have requested would cost nearly $100. (close to 400 pages) I guess they are trying to make it hard for me to get this stuff...guess what? Start printing!! It's going to take more than $100 to make me back off.

Answer received from PFC from Balls&Backbone

I wrote the Police and Fire Commission regarding the incident with Pipkin taking his kids to school with the unmarked SUV and being inside the school without calling in to dispatch for personal time during work time.  I talked to other departments and it was told to me that you should ALWAYS call yourself in and out of your vehicle (for personal time and used as your break) and it should never be used for personal use while on duty in case of an emergency and insurance liability. I guess Sparta has different rules. Gary Ascher responded in a letter received yesterday. He stated that my letter did not conform to the "filing of charges" as specified in Wisconsin State Statute and PFC Rules of Procedure. Also stating that if it were proven true , no work rule or law would have been violated.  Which is BS. Our mayor reinstated this no backbone dumbass (Gary Ascher)  Basically, they want to make it harder for me  to file a complaint. So another step is involved. I am requesting the City of Sparta Police Department Rules of Work and the PFC Rules of Procedure. I have also decide to purchase copies of David Coupers "Arrested Development" and donate copies to the library so anyone can read about how a police department should be ran. Educate yourself and realize that there is corruption in this "small town".

Mayor Sund is a joke from anonymous

Reading Monday's paper and the article about John Sund now deciding to respond to the questions of the reappointment of Gary Ascher...wow, he had to write a letter to the paper to respond after declining to answer direct questions from the paper. Reason why I believe is he had to go to Ken Witt for an answer because Sund is clueless how to answer most questions and looks to Witt for the answers. If you don't believe me, attend a city council meeting and watch Sund as he will always look to Witt to answer things. Sund is a joke.

Sparta Burglaries from Balls&Backbone

Sparta police say they need the public’s help finding three men who broke into a woman’s home late Wednesday before fleeing in a stolen truck. A mobile home owner on K Street said she was in bed when she saw a light coming down a hallway about 11:10 p.m. She yelled, and the suspects ran from the home. Minutes later, police got a report of a truck stolen from Martin Warehous-ing, 716 S. Black River St. The truck’s owner followed it in another car before three men in their late teens abandoned it on Maple Avenue. Police could not find the men after searching the area with dogs. Investigators believe the break-in and stolen truck are related.
Police also are investigating two burglaries on the 1900 block of Julie Avenue. In those cases, the suspects broke into the houses on Tuesday through an unlocked window after removing or cutting a screen, police said. Cash and a house key were stolen during the break-ins.My personal opinion is this is happening because there is such a major drug problem in this area. Quick money for a quick fix.

City Administrators New Look from Balls&Backbone

When I logged in to my blog, I got the message that Blogger has a new look...well guess what, so does Ken Witt.  Now rumor has it, he initially liked his his first look (suit and tie) but after viewing it so many times on this blog and people commenting on it, he has updated his look to the right. A more casual laid back look.  He looks like he bought the shirt in a 80s retro shop. Does he have a Members Only jacket hanging in the corner? Horizontal stripes don't do a thing for anyone. Another thing I noticed, did he get his picture frames from a garage sale? All the money he makes? He should have gold frames. All BS on the side, this is his picture on the City of Sparta website. This picture represents Sparta, he is our city administrator. When I look at the right picture (new pic on website) I see laid back, unprofessional, unorganized, looks like he has his hands in his pants, sloppy. This is how he makes Sparta look. Only my opinion. Someone may have a different opinion. My advice for your next photo op, wear a nice suit, stand in front of city hall or a US Flag and do not smile(you have a fake smile). First consultation is free

Big Mouth from Balls&Backbone

To the Genius who  threatened me to remove my blog within 24 hours about a month ago...I am still waiting for the authorities.  Did you get lost? I left the ball in your court, remember. I have my lawyers on standby, bail money ready...and the front door is open waiting for someone to arrest me.  Just like I thought, you are nothing more than a big mouth, wannabe smart guy...like the city administrator, Ken Witt. Because Ken Witt thinks he is a lawyer.  Dont you? You see, A good lawyer knows the law and a great lawyer knows the judge...and since you are neither, you can manipulate people to write and post comments for you.

Robberies from Anonymous

I found Jean Mattakats letter to the editor very interesting. She is RIGHT ON! The only one to blame is the Chief of Police. If Chief Kass lived in town, maybe he would know what goes on in this town and maybe care about it more. Two robberies in two days. In the second robbery, no suspects have been identified even though it happened in broad daylight. Thank God for Crimestoppers...maybe someone can give the police a lead.

DOUBLE DIPPING FROM ANONYMOUS

One thing many people have always wondered about "out loud" is why is Mayor Sund's son is entitled to Two jobs. Treasurer and Assessor. Does he get double the benefits or is it an added bonus? I have heard MANY people talking about this over the years. Does he even have the background to have the position?

Native American artifacts found on sand mine site from Anonymous

I have a comment regarding another article from the same paper titled "Native American artifacts uncovered at sand mine site" In that article city administrator Ken Witt said "the artifact discovery was no surprise since maps of the area revealed Native American cultural remnants may be there". If that is true, that site should never have been touched. Why wouldnt it be brought up earlier? City not doing their homework? Again?

CITY COUNCIL FROM BALLS& BACKBONE

I am writing in response to "Embattled chairman back on city police and fire commission". Mayor Sund DECLINED to comment on the appointment. There's a surprise. That tells me one thing. Mayor Sund has less than one year left. Why would he cut his Christmas cards short this year? He doesnt care. So I talked to three different city council members, asking each one the same question. Why did the council all vote in favor of the appointment? The first aldermans response was "I thought about it after I voted." The second aldermans response was "he misunderstood and didn't know he was voting on it, he was misled". And the final aldermans answer is the best...first he said" it didn't matter because Gary would get in no matter what" and then he said he wanted to make sure he got on the committees that he was interested in. In other words, he didnt want to cause any waves. I decided not to question anymore...I couldnt take it. So there you go, three of our councilman that represent us.

MAYOR JOHN SUND FROM ANONYMOUS

After reading the Sparta Blog yesterday, I thought the blog might be exaggerated BUT then after reading the Monroe County Democrat yesterday...WOW Mayor Sund DECLINED to comment on his reappointment of Gary Ascher when there were many questions of why? Especially after the two lawsuits and Pipkin not getting punished. In my opinion, the only message Mayor Sund sent me was, "I got one year left and screw whoever is in charge next" Stuff like this makes you want to vote for Angelini if he runs as much as i may not want to. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. This is BS!!

Gary Ascher reappointed from Balls&Backbone

Last night I went to the city council meeting. My main reason to go was to see if the appointment of Gary Ascher to the police and fire commission for the next five years would be approved by the city council. And who would vote for it and who would not vote for it. As soon as I walked into the room, you could tell Witt and Sund had been reading this blog. They didn't seem to appreciate my presence...at all. Oh well. Maybe if they did their job, I wouldn't rip on them.
Gary Ascher has been on the police and fire commission for at least nine years that I know of. He has no backbone and is incapable of making any disciplinary decision. Another guy that likes the title and to look important, but does nothing. The moment came to vote on his reappointment by the mayor. The entire city council voted him in. These are the people we voted to represent the city....I have nothing else to say.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM BALLS&BACKBONE

TONIGHT IS THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 7PM AT CITY HALL. I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ATTEND TO KNOW FIRST HAND WHO VOTES ON WHAT.

Comedian Jim Wiggins from Balls&Backbone

This is Comedian Jim Wiggins. He is featured in todays (4/16/2012) LaCrosse Tribune's Monday Profile. Jim has traveled the country performing on stages from Los Angeles to New York and written for George Carlin, David Letterman and Chuck Barris. He made Sparta his home a few years ago.

Sparta does not know what they have here. Jim loves to make people laugh and does it well. Sparta should hire this guy during Butterfest to do a show or many shows. Sparta is LUCKY to have someone like this living in this town. Thank you Jim for being a good friend to our family.

REAPPOINTMENT OF GARY ASCHER FROM ANONYMOUS

One thing I dont understand is why in hell does Mayor Sund have intention of
appointing Gary Ascher to another 5 year term on the Police and Fire Commission when EVERYONE knows Mr. Ascher is incapable of this appointment. He has done nothing while on the Police and Fire Commission, why would you reappoint him? If the city council has to approve the mayoral appointments I sure hope they realize that this is an important decision and they need to quit giving themselves more of a bad reputation and step up to the plate and have some pride knowing that the people they are choosing for these committees aren't afraid of doing a quality job. If they do approve appointments and they chose to reappoint
Mr. Ascher, they should be held responsible for lack of leadership with the mayor.

KEN WITT'S HIGH SCHOOL PICTURE FROM ANONYMOUS

I found a high school picture of Ken Witt. He hasn't change a bit.