Topic: What no gold watch
started by: GEOKARJO
Posted by GEOKARJO on Mar. 16 2004,5:35 pm
Here's yer Sign
Posted by GEOKARJO on Mar. 16 2004,5:40 pm
Here where you get a chance to say what Paul Managed to do in 25 years
Posted by minnow on Mar. 16 2004,5:54 pm
I must say it one more time for the record. Paul Sparks will go down in history as the manager during Albert Lea's worst 25 year economic history. But it's not just that. He was also a poor manager and lacked people skills. No one person should ever manage a city for 4 successive years, let alone 25!Now he pulls down 100K per year and has control of millions of dollars in assets. That's a problem. I don't want that man anywhere near the money.
Posted by Lil Pimp on Mar. 16 2004,5:57 pm
I hope that pic is a joke GEOKARJO. Did you alter it with photoshop? If it is legit, where is it & who paid for it?
Posted by Montyman on Mar. 16 2004,6:07 pm
The photo's across from Godfather's Pizza.You read it as you proceed westbound on East Main towards Wells Fargo Bank.
I would like to know who paid for it---maybe Roger Bok and Mal Prinzing!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by GEOKARJO on Mar. 16 2004,6:08 pm
no it is on Bridge done by the Mall
Posted by Montyman on Mar. 16 2004,6:14 pm
Go look by the old Kwik Stop Drive In...there's one there too!!!
Posted by Liberal on Mar. 16 2004,6:21 pm
Maybe we should start a collection for a sign that says "Thank you for over 25 years of mismanaging our city. Don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on your way out!"
Posted by GEOKARJO on Mar. 16 2004,6:21 pm
They could have bought him a Rolex For the price of the signs.
Posted by GEOKARJO on Mar. 16 2004,6:22 pm
Any one up to tagging tonight
Posted by MrTarzan on Mar. 16 2004,6:31 pm
I thought I saw a new paintball target next to the mall! If it happens don't look at me, I don't even own one, I just thought that a sign like that two blocks from the High School was just asking for it when I drove by today. Kids will be kids. I hope we taxpayers did not foot the bill for that. Let us be for real for a moment, hunh? Paid for by the silent MAJORITY? Bull. Paid for by former beneficiaries of deals that were more than a little suspicious and just slightly shady at best. 
I don't know Mr. Sparks, and I put the blame at the feet of the elected officials that allowed him so much power more than him, but I live here, and have for years, and I move in circles that give me as much contact with poor as rich, and both political parties, and I truly believe with all my heart, that no majority here approves of him. Even those of us that won't demonize him like some, cannot approve of his work consistently, and feel that an elite handful of string pullers keep him around. He should not have gotten his new position regardless of his past record just on principal with the public outcry. Majority? I will put money on it that if you took an impartial survey, there is no majority supporting him. Maybe the Silent Majority is another non-profit set-up to skirt the rules about paying for signs with tax dollars? If they can do it for the chamber loan they can do it for this. 
I don't trust anyone that deliberately skirts the law through bogus non-profits, and it makes me angry they are not being charged with a crime. Good job? Was he a good example with failed loans, the biggest rip-off in Albert Lea History (if not MN history) from the Seaboard deal, and now this shady deal with Marge? I think not.
Posted by LisaMarie on Mar. 16 2004,6:43 pm
| Quote (Liberal @ Mar. 16 2004,6:21:pm) |
| Maybe we should start a collection for a sign that says "Thank you for over 25 years of mismanaging our city. Don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on your way out!" |
I'll donate to that!!
Posted by iowegian on Mar. 16 2004,7:08 pm
Where is sign changing Grace Schawb when you need her.Iowa just has more common sense.
Posted by GEOKARJO on Mar. 16 2004,7:14 pm
Trees in MN lean to the south cause IOWA Sucks
Posted by minnow fan on Mar. 16 2004,7:22 pm
Thanks for the laughs to whoever or whomever paid for the sign. Why do I have this hunch there is some secret dollars from the city funneled to pay for Paul's signs... Just when I think Albert Lea is turning the corner & maybe starting to think forward something like this crops up & I sit back, chuckle & say "I should of known better, somethings never change"
Paul Sparks may be a nice guy, he may be a great family man, he may be a deeply religous man, I don't care. This is what I do know about Paul, he ran the city for 25 years & the city has not only failed to move forward, it has moved BACKWARDS. Paul, you gave it your best shot, time to give up the ghost & move on.
Seriously, If you get rid of Paul what does the city have to lose? What does Paul offer that the city needs?
Answer to both: jacks!t!!!
-If they wanted a pic of Paul to put up, they should of used my avatar, under WANTED it should say "for economic crimes and misdeeds done to the city and citizens of Albert Lea."
Posted by iowegian on Mar. 16 2004,8:17 pm
| Quote (GEOKARJO @ Mar. 16 2004,7:14:pm) |
| Trees in MN lean to the south cause IOWA Sucks |
You are right, just like we sucked a funiture business from right under the nose of Jobs Inc board.
Iowa has more common sense
You won't see us putting up large Chinese Mao-like pictures honoring former dictators.
Posted by MrTarzan on Mar. 16 2004,9:47 pm
LOL iowegian, he does look kind of like Mao.
Posted by ICU812 on Mar. 17 2004,10:17 am
Posted by jimhanson on Mar. 17 2004,10:23 am
ICU812--great signature line! 
Posted by farouk on Mar. 17 2004,3:43 pm
Hell we will give anyone a sign if they stay for 25 years. Sign up at city hall.
Posted by Liberal on Mar. 17 2004,7:46 pm
Here's a picture of the sign down by Godfathers, it says, "Paid for by the Silent Majority" across the bottom of the billboard.
Posted by minnow fan on Mar. 17 2004,8:39 pm
Stop please guys...stop it...my sides are aching, this is just too funny.
Posted by Navin on Mar. 17 2004,10:47 pm
Posted by minnow on Mar. 18 2004,7:59 am
Who paid for those?
Posted by ICU812 on Mar. 18 2004,1:37 pm
I bet Paul wonders too
Posted by MrTarzan on Mar. 18 2004,6:18 pm
Yeah, sure, Paul wonders too. Right ICU812, he does not have a clue. Sure.
Posted by rosebudinal on Mar. 18 2004,7:30 pm
Would love to find out just who paid for those signs, probably us, now bend over and take it in the ---.
Posted by rosebudinal on Mar. 18 2004,7:31 pm
Sorry, but thats just what I thought when I saw the sign. My apologies.....
Posted by iowegian on Mar. 19 2004,10:05 am
Isn't is amazing the people that paid for the billboards don't want others to know who they are.You won't see Mao-like murals to former dictators down here. Iowa just has more common sense.
Posted by Madd Max on Mar. 19 2004,12:42 pm
Thank Paul for twenty five years of running Albert Lea into the groundI wonder if Paul has any idea, just how many jobs have left Albert Lea under his watch as City Manager.
Posted by MrTarzan on Mar. 19 2004,11:50 pm
Sure he does. He still has his though.
Posted by rosebudinal on Mar. 20 2004,11:56 pm
OMG I thought you were kidding about the one billboard saying the best in the area, maybe even the state!!! It does say that or something in close proximity!!!! How terribly uncouth that is!!!! 
Posted by farouk on Mar. 22 2004,8:24 am
Looks a little two faced considering the talk from the Mayor on down over how we had to get him to move on. If you didn't like what he did during the 25 years he did it, why would you gush all over every bill board available in town to say thanks? Who paid for the message? Did we use public money? It looks like something Mayor Eaton would do but I'd hope she and the city council were not a part of it from the stand point that they don't need to look any worse than they do. I mean: "We only gave Paul what he wanted." Give me a break woman, you fired him then through him a line to get him over to the new and improved JOBS Inc.
Posted by hoosier on Mar. 22 2004,9:32 am
I dont know if someone already said this, but the sign says in small letters at the bottom that it was paid for by the silent majority. The one that says he may be the best manager in the USA is down right dillusional(spelling). These people that paid for this obviosly mistake frienship for doing a good job. Where are their facts? Show everyone how we are better off than we were before he came here. Show how he is the best manager in the state. Thats the problem with small town politics, if you have a friend in office, you just cant see thru that friendship to judge the job he does. Silent majority? What a joke, lol.
Posted by minnow on Mar. 22 2004,10:16 am
Silent majority! LOL That's hilarious! How silent are several BILLBOARDS around town?
They can't be serious... That's flat out lying. They aren't silent at all. They have to be someone who's gotten something from Sparks in the past or want something from him now. Sparks is not retiring, he's changing positions, so why the signs other than to stroke his ego?
This town is sickening. We need to desperately throw the bums out if nothing else for the childrens sake. These clowns are a very poor example for the children, who I know read those signs and roll their eyes in disgust.
Posted by minnow fan on Mar. 22 2004,12:11 pm
This is just so laughable...the best in the state huh?So, let's compare some similar cities to Albert Lea shall we?
Here are a couple of similar size cities in the southern half on Minnesota, since Sparky is the best in the state, you would think Albert Lea would be blowing these towns away with growth, wouldn't you?
-Winona
-Austin
-Owatonna
-Fairbault
-Northfield
-Red Wing
-New Ulm
-Marshall
-Willmar
-Hutchinson
Albert Lea couldn't hold one of those towns jock straps. I would have to guess all those cities are doing the same or better then Albert Lea (I know for fact most are) but Sparky is the best in the state?
I'd hate to see Albert Lea if they had a "bad" city manager, just think of what the town would be like then...
Until Albert Lea cleans house, starting with Sparky (Pam, Jean & most of the city coucil can follow them out the door) Albert Lea will continue to circle the drain.
Posted by minnow on Mar. 22 2004,12:32 pm
Cause he's our wittle Sparkles...and he's da bestest manager in da whole wide world, maybe even in da whole universe!...And... he's all ours and we love him because he gives us things, wonderful things.
----this message brought to you by Paul Sparks employees, supporters and the chamber of commerce. Who are, by the way, the majority just in case you didn't know.
Posted by minnow fan on Mar. 22 2004,1:21 pm
| Quote (minnow @ Mar. 22 2004,12:32:pm) |
| Cause he's our wittle Sparkles |
Posted by Spidey on Mar. 22 2004,3:11 pm
| Quote |
| ----this message brought to you by Paul Sparks employees, supporters and the chamber of commerce. Who are, by the way, the majority just in case you didn't know. |
No, I didn't know. Do you know this for sure, as a fact?
Posted by MrTarzan on Mar. 22 2004,4:52 pm
I'm so embarrassed about the whole thing I've started telling people I live in the country.
Posted by MADDOG on Mar. 22 2004,5:26 pm
LMAO at Lord Greyson a.k.a. Mr. Tarzan. I do live in the country.
Posted by Spidey on Mar. 22 2004,11:03 pm
In all reality ... if these signs were to actually mean anything they would have been purchased by the community and not a secret service. After all, he worked for the community ... we were his employers. I can't imagine Sparky actually feeling good about this either. How would you like your face plasterd all over town after watching things deteriorate like it has in the years he's been employed with us. Perhaps these signs were paid for by someone or someone's who were out to embarrass him?
Posted by minnow on Mar. 22 2004,11:06 pm
LOL He's da bestest manager in da whole wide world...maybe even da whole universe! Hehe...
Posted by minnow fan on Mar. 22 2004,11:14 pm
| Quote (Spidey @ Mar. 22 2004,11:03:pm) |
| I can't imagine Sparky actually feeling good about this either. How would you like your face plasterd all over town after watching things deteriorate like it has in the years he's been employed with us. Perhaps these signs were paid for by someone or someone's who were out to embarrass him? |
Not a bad point Spidey but I don't think anyone in Albert Lea has the nuts to pull something like that off. The fact of the matter is, you & I would not feel too good about the billboards but you & I are normal, regular people, Sparky is not. Sparky thinks he is above us, Sparky thinks he controls the town, Sparky thinks he controls us, Sparky thinks he is going a great job, Sparky is DELUSIONAL.
People like Sparky don't think rationally like most people do.
Sparky needs to go. Take Pam & Jean with you.
Posted by minnow on Mar. 22 2004,11:22 pm
I think we've got another violation here!You can't give public employees gifts like money, flowers, show tickets, billboard gratuity. The billboard purchasers are most likely people on the recieving end of Sparky authorized payroll, or city employee's. You can't even buy him flowers let alone several billboard signs worth as arse kissing.
Something is rotten here. Those billboards are a illegal gift...if they aren't nothing is! I'm crying foul!
Posted by RRG on Mar. 23 2004,1:00 pm
What the sam crap has come over you people awayway. I leave for a few days and come back and this garbage is all over town. Dam near anyway I go, all I see is his mug. Don't you baffoons have any common sense around here. What are you going to do next, throw him a pardade for Christ's sake?
Posted by minnow fan on Mar. 23 2004,1:12 pm
I can assure you RRG, no one on this message forum paid for nor had anything to do with putting up Spakys mug all over town.If they did, it wouldn't be thanking him that is for sure, probably look more like my avatar.
Common sense in Albert Lea you say? Maybe from some citizens, but little, if any, from the leadership.
Posted by hoosier on Mar. 23 2004,3:05 pm
O my god, you shouldnt have mentioned a parade, lol. You are just giving them ideas. Spidey, funny post, I would feel the same way, you might be on to something there, is it just sarcasm? If it is, thats great, I love it. Isnt it funny though that people would see that sign and think that though?
Posted by minnow on Mar. 23 2004,3:30 pm
What else is funny, is putting up Sparkles mug in the public square just exactly like Saddam Hussein did, the other dictator. They are our Bath party people...
Posted by hoosier on Mar. 23 2004,3:32 pm
LMAO @ Minnow, very good point Minnow. Has been just a little like a dictatorship for the past 25 years, hasnt it?
Posted by GEOKARJO on Mar. 23 2004,3:57 pm
Parade good Idea someone grab the rail :cool:
Posted by The Advocate on Mar. 23 2004,6:19 pm
I do live in the country and do not vote for the city officials but I have to agree with Mr. Tarzan, the signs are in very poor taste. I think if it was his friends that paid for these, if I were him, I would find some new ones. Have any of these people ever thought of doing something intelligent, like laying low. No amount of shoving Mr. Sparks down the constituents throats will assist in showing him in a positive light. Jean Eaton is wrong when she spouts off about positivity ONLY because there also has to be substance. Mr. Sparks record speaks for itself.
Posted by rosebudinal on Mar. 24 2004,7:41 pm
What is self control? My having him walk in front of my car at the city offices today and actually applying my brakes. I do think that he heard the word PR-ck though. Probably used to it.
Posted by Madd Max on Mar. 24 2004,8:13 pm
So what is with these elected officials anyway rosebudinal. Who died and made them KING ?I know exactly what you are talking about. On Monday morning of this week I had the Freeborn County Sheriff himself jaywalk across the middle of the block in front of the courthouse. I had to slam on my brake HARD and he was so arrogant he never even bothered to look. He just kept on walking like he was king of the hill. What I would have gave for a camera right then. I do believe jaywalking is still against the law in this city isn’t it?
Posted by farouk on Mar. 25 2004,9:19 am
Well I can see that the people on this site have gotten off the topic again. The topic was on the signs that said thanks for the 25 years of service Paul Sparks has given this community. Paul did gain greater power in this community than anyone in my memory. Did he abuse that power? History will tell.
Did he steal that power? No, infact at the time most of us were very happy that he was incharge, showing leadership.
Is it time that he should go? I think that even Paul would agree that it is time for the community to transition itself for the future, and even if he were that change agent, he wasn't going to be around long enough to see us through the process.
Does he deserve our praise or the scorn of those many who have posted on this forum? Perhaps both reactions have been earned, but he does deserve our thanks too. I don't know who this silent majority is but as stupid as the signs look, I understand the feelings behind them.
Thanks Paul, you were there for us in some tough times and I appreciate that!
Posted by minnow on Mar. 25 2004,11:02 am
BS...you don't think or you wouldn't have let this brain fart loose. "I think that even Paul would agree that it is time for the community to transition itself for the future, and even if he were that change agent,---->CHANGE AGENT! LOL
Ho could he ever be that...he's been there a over a quarter century you numbskull. That was a seriously stinky brainfart. he wasn't going to be around long enough to see us through the process."---->See us through the "process"! How in the world in your wildest dillusions could you ever invison Paul Sparks doing that. You must be in denial of sorts...There's no excuse for that kind of brain farting. That's a low end brain incapable of understanding even the basics.
Posted by farouk on Mar. 25 2004,11:45 am
Still have that problem with nuance, do you minnow. Well if you still think something smells funny you should check the skid marks you have been putting down. There was a time in our past that many of our jobs had abruptly ended and the situation was very bleak. At that time the only person that was visible in attempting to chang our plight was Paul Sparks. Now I know there were others behind the seens who were working on our problems too, so I will let you respond as to what you were doing during that time to help this community.
Posted by minnow on Mar. 25 2004,12:57 pm
I see, I'm supposed to give to the community out of my own pocket for free, plus work my other 60 hour a week job.While Paul Sparks gets paid $100K to be city manager and doesn't have to give on the side after work like I do either.
... At that time the only person that was visible in attempting to chang our plight was Paul Sparks.
Did it ever occur to you that the reason for that may have been the fact that he was city manager..city leader.
Do you understand the relationship here?
Seriously!
Posted by farouk on Mar. 25 2004,1:22 pm
Where in the job discription of Albert Lea City Manager did it ever state that he was responsible for anything other than the fiscal management of the City's departments. It was through his own personal initiative that he choose to get involved to help the displaced citizens of this community. Not that I am wishing it, but maybe if you were to lose that 60 hour a week job that keeps you so busy, you would know what I'm talking about. Seriously!
Posted by minnow on Mar. 25 2004,1:30 pm
He acted like he was concerned...big deal. He was just acting for your benefit. For appearances. That was his job.It's offensive when you call into question citizens patriotism over some government employee. Eveyone cares about that, most of all the worker who lost his $12 per hour job, not Sparks who continues to draw 110K oer year. WE've paid Sparks over $1,000,000...that's over one million in cash since those jobs left. And somehow, Paul cares more then the average guy? Give me a break.
Posted by farouk on Mar. 25 2004,3:42 pm
Just as I figured, you did NOTHING after Wilson's went down. NOTHING again after Farmstead 1 & 2. You repeated that performance with another NOTHING after Farmland. I know those were only Chitt Jobs, as you previously have said.So what gives you the right to discredit anyone who so much as tried?
If you can't respond to my question as quickly as you have been, I'll understand. I know you are so busy working 60hrs a week that you don't have any time for anything but your self.
Posted by minnow fan on Mar. 25 2004,4:03 pm
What exactly is minnow supposed to do?The way I see it, Sparky may have tried more then we will ever know but results is what really matters.
If you are satisified with the results Sparky has given you the past 25 years then great, good work Sparky but I would have to believe you are in the silent minority.
Posted by farouk on Mar. 25 2004,4:24 pm
So say thank-you and move on.
Posted by minnow on Mar. 25 2004,4:59 pm
Thank you for what? He should be thanking us for letting him be king for a lifetime. Paul Sparks will go down in history as the worst manager in Albert Lea's history. He's done more to turn away busness then any single person in the area because he's a very poor people person and the results speak loud and clear.What exactly was I supposed to do when others got laid off? Why can't you answer that question...
Posted by minnow fan on Mar. 25 2004,5:19 pm
| Quote (farouk @ Mar. 25 2004,4:24:pm) |
| So say thank-you and move on. |
Thanks for nothing Sparky.
Posted by MrTarzan on Mar. 25 2004,5:20 pm
Now now, let's act like Gentlemen here. RIGHT! Like THAT's gonna happen. Just out of curiousity Mrs. Sparks, ummmm I mean farouk, what did he do these times you are talking about? Workforce Development, and Job Service and CAC and even the Salvation Army did a lot, but what did Paul do? Oh, that's right, he managed to get us ripped-off worse than anyone in Freeborn County history. (Possibly State). What else did he do to earn him the prestigious job that he is now moving into, (which was possibly created inappropriately by people that don't seem to have a bad conscience about illegal loans), hummm? What else did he do? Be specific please farouk, because maybe you have some gold nuggets to share. I am willing to listen, but skeptical enough to check the facts, so try to be accurate. Should be easy if you feel the way you do.