Topic: Finance Director is gone!
started by: Common Sense For A.L.
Posted by Common Sense For A.L. on Sep. 24 2010,9:11 pm
I hear Rhonda is leaving in October!! Is Norman coming back or is Tiger Hills to hot of an issue???
Posted by Geek Squad on Sep. 24 2010,10:40 pm
I hope your right. If they all quit we won't have to clean house. 
Posted by intheknow on Sep. 25 2010,3:35 am
Is Tiger Hills bankrupt? Has Rhonda paid anything for the use of city tax dollars to cash flow her business?Before she leaves, taxpayers should demand a full accounting from her.
Where is the leadership from the council on this use of taxpayer money. Oh wait, one of the council members, now likely to become the mayor, signed off on this issue and basically gave the Moens a blank check and unlimited time to pay the city back.
Makes using a city credit card to purchase a frigerator sort of a joke!
Posted by Geek Squad on Sep. 25 2010,4:59 am
The pile of chit just keeps getting higher and higher in this town. Maybe Rhonda M. is getting alittle taste of her own chit.!!!!!
Posted by twingroves on Sep. 25 2010,7:34 am
it is time that they cleaned house in town they should get rid of big old bob g to he is kind of a dip stick right along with dandy dan
Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 25 2010,8:24 am
It really IS an amazing story. Another fantastic story that won't be told by the Tribune or any of the actors, but will have to be told by the people. Rhonda really did have an amazing situation. She's the female equivalent of Jersey shores "The Situation". lol
What Vicky and Rhonda inherited was really a totalitarian regime of city government. Paul Sparks had "ran" the city for so long he really was an unchecked power unto himself.
Vicky and Rhonda found themselves able to literally approve their own credit card debits as verified by the state report. This on top of already crazy high salaries! Someone should find and post the state report that came back after Rhonda made her complaint.
Oh yes these gals were riding high, riding the boom. But this ain't enough for the Moens...
...Tiger Gills is born and the city officially goes into bidness with the finance director and oh what a sweet deal it is! And no wonder, Rhonda just happens to be all the department heads credit card policeman! Then reality sets in and most everyone suffers a major financial hit. But not Rhonda. We the taxpayers completely fund her business and continue to do so. No one is ever held accountable. We really do have an open candy store for anyone who wants to step in. This new manager clown jumped the gun. Once he got in he could have approved his own stealing and "da Minnow" AL BROOKS would continue to be blind. Truth really is stranger than fiction.
Posted by hairhertz on Sep. 25 2010,9:15 am
Happy Dance!!!! Now for a state audit of the books for the past 5 years.
Posted by Alfy Packer on Sep. 25 2010,9:25 am
I think you will find the vacant lots in Tiger Hills will be taken over by the city. Something like this happened in the 1980's with the Brookside addition. The city took that development over on back taxes. Taking over the Tiger Hills development isn't what was in the plan, but in the end the city gets the housing development they wanted and has the collateral that secured the loan. Going forward, I hope that future city governments do not see this as a model that should be reproduced on a cookie cutter assembly line, but in the end the taxpayer doesn't end up out the loot. As for Ronda Moen, this was a conflict of interest if I ever saw one.
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 25 2010,12:10 pm
IF this is all true, will she be on paid leave too? 
Posted by hairhertz on Sep. 25 2010,1:52 pm
(MADDOG @ Sep. 25 2010,12:10 pm)
QUOTE
IF this is all true, will she be on paid leave too?
Would she have to rat herself out for this to happen?
Posted by usmcr on Sep. 25 2010,2:30 pm
it will be interesting to see if she was asked to resign or decided it was time to move on. without her influence at city hall, how will tiger hills survive? it would seem prudent for the city to have an audit or perhaps a forensic audit of the city's financial affairs. with the city managers position in limbo & now presumably the fiance director position open the city's ability to manage its affairs is in serious doubt! one bright spot about this situation is that perhaps the council can start from scratch & assemble a new management team. i for one do not see norman as a viable city manager considering what has transpired, he has lost the confidence that he had coming into the job. the city needs a strong & dedicated individual to straighten out this mess! the question i now have is, is this just the tip of the iceberg or does it go deeper! with the mayor gone, the city council needs to step up the plate & show some leadership.
Posted by nedkelly on Sep. 25 2010,5:07 pm
Did Norman find somthing that smelled to high heaven in City Hall offices? Is that why he was crucified? I can't wait to see what the outcome will be!!!!!!! Hopefully the truth will come out? ..... 
...ned
Posted by Santorini on Sep. 25 2010,7:38 pm
(nedkelly @ Sep. 25 2010,5:07 pm)
QUOTE
Did Norman find somthing that smelled to high heaven in City Hall offices? Is that why he was crucified? I can't wait to see what the outcome will be!!!!!!! Hopefully the truth will come out? .... ...ned
...nedYOU BET HE DID
That's why he's the scape-goat in all of this.
Ironically, after Moen decided it was her civic duty as well as moral obligation as a "reporter of questionable chagres"; she herself is leaving
Don't you find this suspicious???Afterall, others made personal charges on city CC too that weren't suppose to... alcohol, nails,...this guy gets a fridge and writes a check to pay for it and Moen says,
OH YOU CAN"T DO THAT!!!! Bam he's slammed with felony charges. WHAT!!
What about the others? It's like they each "stole" a stick of gum or two and the city manager took a whole pack and is facing charges. I WANT NAMES OF THE OTHERS THAT TOOK ADVANTAGE TOO!
Posted by intheknow on Sep. 25 2010,8:18 pm
Of course Rhonda Moen is leaving - and Victoria Simonsen got out as soon as she could as well, even taking a job for lower pay.They know what is only going to start coming out. The city government is in horrible financial shape due to some really stupid (sorry, no other word even fits) decisions by the council and an inexperienced and unwilling to take advice new city manager.
And its not LGA - it is unrestrained capital spending and obligations that will sink city hall and city taxpayers. Think of it like this. The city can pay it's daily, weekly, monthly bills even with LGA cuts.
The big train wreck coming is the debt service owed. Think of that like your mortgage. Victoria over leveraged the city and now anyone intheknow is leaving like rats off a sinking ship.
Lots of analogies - and all bad ones unfortunately. My opinion only but a pretty informed opinion unfortunately.
Bob Graham can be the last one out - hope he turns off the lights!
Posted by twingroves on Sep. 26 2010,6:45 am
bob graham is a crook to he needs to go next
Posted by nedkelly on Sep. 26 2010,8:36 am
Who elected the people who hired the management that hired and kept the people that no one likes? We the voters are ultimately to blame, we must point the finger at us!!!!! ned
Posted by hairhertz on Sep. 26 2010,11:50 am
It seems to me that the city council perpetually wears blinders as does the AL Tribune staff. 
Posted by Santorini on Sep. 26 2010,12:24 pm
Why isn't Rhonda Moen's job with the city AND the Tiger Hills thing ( an obviously blatant conflict of interest )a bigger story and itself being investigated
??
Posted by Santorini on Sep. 26 2010,2:35 pm
Okay, the other thing that makes me furious...#1) Moen claims she's a mandatory reporter of wrong-
doing...yet she herself committed the biggest
wrong-doing...the conflict of interest thing
#2) She claims she had to bring attention to the
city manager's CC charges because she's a
mandatory reporter...
WELL THEN, she certainly wasn't doing to job
(as a mandatory reporter) overlooking the
booze and fingernails charges!!
I heard she's going to Owatonna for some job.
Posted by Santorini on Sep. 26 2010,2:44 pm
(usmcr @ Sep. 25 2010,2:30 pm)
QUOTE
it will be interesting to see if she was asked to resign or decided it was time to move on. without her influence at city hall, how will tiger hills survive? it would seem prudent for the city to have an audit or perhaps a forensic audit of the city's financial affairs. with the city managers position in limbo & now presumably the fiance director position open the city's ability to manage its affairs is in serious doubt! one bright spot about this situation is that perhaps the council can start from scratch & assemble a new management team. i for one do not see norman as a viable city manager considering what has transpired, he has lost the confidence that he had coming into the job. the city needs a strong & dedicated individual to straighten out this mess! the question i now have is, is this just the tip of the iceberg or does it go deeper! with the mayor gone, the city council needs to step up the plate & show some leadership.
Who would WANT to have a position in this city???
No matter how ya slice it, I still think that the city manager was rail-roaded.
I think he was one of those ambitious, take-charge kind of guys who came in and said this is how we're gonna do it! Lots of people are resistant to that kind of approach. AND I think he found something Moen didn't like (say perhaps the Tiger Hills thing
), and her way to remedy the situation was to put the spot light on him Only it backfired.
Posted by ControlledHyperness on Sep. 26 2010,10:45 pm
^^Yep!A different day, a ddifferent thread I stated similarly. It amazes mehow now that the State Auditor has washed his hands of this things are going bonkers! I honestly think (in my opinion...and opinions being what they are) that Moen caught Norman, who immediately paid everything owed back, and then amde up another charge to which he balked at. At THAT point, she decided to fulfill her mandated responsibility to tattle, and now that the smoke has cleared, she has realized she blew up her own plan...whatever that is. I mean, even the paper has to some extent become dubious of the charges...
That said, I feel sorry for Owatonna if she is indeed headed up there. After this past week, she is the last thing the need...oops...did I jut say that out loud...
Posted by Wolfie on Sep. 26 2010,11:18 pm
Seems to me that if the city can mention the Jim Norman problem to the Chief and he starts the investigation and then turns it over to Waseca PD. Then couldn't the same thing happen in the case of Rhonda Moen and her husband Greg. WE could gather as much evidence as we can turn it over to the Chief and have him turn it over to another PD to investigate. I mean thats what Police do is get information from the public and investigate and either dismiss it or turn it into charges.
Posted by Geek Squad on Sep. 27 2010,1:34 am
She can get a job in a different town but she still has to face the music in Albert Lea. I was wondering why her hubby Greg has been acting weird latley. Welcome to Albert Lea Remax To the Max.
Posted by hairhertz on Sep. 27 2010,8:46 am
Stay tuned for another episode of Albert Lea the soap opera.
Posted by ControlledHyperness on Sep. 27 2010,9:36 am
Just got the txt from the Trib...its official. her last day is the 15th. owatonna couldnt be reached (wonder why...). all i can say is wow.
Posted by scary on Sep. 27 2010,11:23 am
Just out in the fish wrap.Normans lawyer wants tiger hills documents!
Posted by bianca on Sep. 27 2010,11:51 am
EXCELLENT!!!!! It's about damn time 
Good for him. IMO, the man has been very forthcoming. I also can't help but wonder if he just wanted too much "change" that the councilmen/finance director wasn't ready for. I hope that anyone that charged things gets just as much as he is getting. Well...I can dream anyways. 
That Tiger Hill's deal should have been proof enough that none of the councilmen, who found out about it and didn't do anything and still continue to do nothing, should've been voted out.
Transparency is a beautiful thing!!
Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 27 2010,12:16 pm
^The system needs to be changed. Do you really want this Norman fellow able to charge Kotex mini pads on the wrong card because he got confused? The state says our manager has too much unchecked power in this regard. He can verify his own debits. It's like being able to write your own checks. Rhonda did us a great service in the end, letting us know how exposed we are.
Posted by Whiskero on Sep. 27 2010,1:05 pm
And hopefully now, she will be exposed.
Posted by Robert Hoffman on Sep. 27 2010,1:36 pm
(Whiskero @ Sep. 27 2010,1:05 pm)
QUOTE
And hopefully now, she will be exposed.
...I think she's good looking too Whisk.
Sorry-had to throw a lil funny out there ya know.
Posted by MADDOG on Sep. 27 2010,1:52 pm
QUOTE
...I think she's good looking too
You ought to be slapped. She's old enough to be yo' momma.
This may come to fruitation. The city should be calling in all debts owed the city at the earliest possible legal date. Failure to pay should be turned over for foreclosure at which time the whole development be turned over for sheriff's auction. Defiencencies should be pursued legally against them. Further, any council who voted to give them this bargain should have their own pay suspended until all debts are paid in full.
Posted by Whiskero on Sep. 27 2010,2:00 pm
Ok, I got it, Ha Ha.
Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 27 2010,2:25 pm
Moen IS one money'd Morsel of MILF merryment. A petite and cute Cougar/MILF
Posted by Alfy Packer on Sep. 27 2010,2:35 pm
Dirt Ball!!
Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 27 2010,8:27 pm
C'mon! Who's boinking who? Rhonda Moens had us all bent over the bed for years now. I just want a little sumptin back...
Posted by justmealmn on Sep. 27 2010,11:35 pm
so whats with this Bob G that some have talked about in this thread? What type of things has he been doing??? Has he gotten money the wrong way from the city too? Just wondering if anyone really knows the deal with him?
Posted by OEF_Soldier on Sep. 28 2010,5:54 am
IMO why doesn't someone file an FOIR, or Freedom of Information Request, for the Tiger Hills paperwork? It would seem to me that it should be available since it is taxpayer money and has been sometime since the deal was made. It would seem to me that if someone were able to do that perhaps someone with some financial background could assist in going over it and seeing if there is anything shady in them other than her Conflict of Interest.I'm out of town working on the flood issue north of A.L. so I have sort of been out of the loop.
Posted by Santorini on Sep. 28 2010,11:41 am
(gijoeman @ Sep. 27 2010,12:16 pm)
QUOTE
^The system needs to be changed. Do you really want this Norman fellow able to charge Kotex mini pads on the wrong card because he got confused? The state says our manager has too much unchecked power in this regard. He can verify his own debits. It's like being able to write your own checks. Rhonda did us a great service in the end, letting us know how exposed we are.
Really
And what about her position?? Who watches the watch dog?? What about HER being able to verify HER own charges? Verifying HER own debts??
Posted by Santorini on Sep. 28 2010,11:51 am
(Whiskero @ Sep. 27 2010,1:05 pm)
QUOTE
And hopefully now, she will be exposed.
Yea.
Why doesn't somebody go on the Owatonna forum and give them the heads up
Posted by ControlledHyperness on Sep. 28 2010,1:15 pm
I already called friends up there and warned them...their response? "We thought Owatonna already HAD a finance director?!". Something isnt right if thats the case....
Posted by Liberal on Sep. 28 2010,1:52 pm
QUOTE
OWATONNA — Owatonna Finance Director Brad Svenby is leaving his job with the city.
“The reason is I was in public accounting before and I’m leaving to go back to that,” Svenby said. “I really enjoyed doing that — helping people with their finances.”
Svenby, who will be staying in Owatonna, has accepted a position at Larson Allen. Svenby said the decision to leave was a tough one and that he would miss the people he worked with at the city.
< http://www.owatonna.com/news.php?viewStory=119947 >
Posted by Whiskero on Sep. 28 2010,2:02 pm
Do not warn Owatonna-they may renig on the offer and we'll be stuck with her!
Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 28 2010,2:37 pm
What really irks me is the fact I just found out she's been at that job since 1993? Do you mean to tell me she's Sparky trained and worked under him most of her career here? Well, hell, she's had been able to verify her own debits for a very VERY long time. No wonder she became so livid. She sees herself as the gate keeper...the gate keeper she's been forever.
Posted by Liberal on Sep. 28 2010,3:20 pm
I think it should have said since 2003
Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 28 2010,5:13 pm
I'd sure like to see Moen's debits on HER credit card the last 7 years. Although it seems like she had so much power I wonder if there are even records of it at this point. I'd like to see Vicky's as well. It's not that I don't trust these two, I don't trust anyone who can write their own checks. I don't care if you're Don Trump. Donald Trump himself would understand why I would say that. Our city has been an open store for employees is what's been happening, At the same time some blue collar worker was trying for a few extra dollars off old railroad tracks and we made a big stink about it, our city leaders were able to write their own checks. No wonder they didn't want to act. They were busy themselves.
Posted by Montyman on Sep. 28 2010,5:19 pm
(gijoeman @ Sep. 28 2010,2:37 pm)
QUOTE
What really irks me is the fact I just found out she's been at that job since 1993? Do you mean to tell me she's Sparky trained and worked under him most of her career here?
Well, hell, she's had been able to verify her own debits for a very VERY long time. No wonder she became so livid. She sees herself as the gate keeper...the gate keeper she's been forever.
Well, hell, she's had been able to verify her own debits for a very VERY long time. No wonder she became so livid. She sees herself as the gate keeper...the gate keeper she's been forever.
Gatekeeper?
Is GOZOR close by?
Posted by Santorini on Sep. 28 2010,9:56 pm
(Whiskero @ Sep. 28 2010,2:02 pm)
QUOTE
Do not warn Owatonna-they may renig on the offer and we'll be stuck with her!
Hopefully, Owatonna has a smart enough city government to be already abreast of the situation here in AL with the finance director and her "shady" ways of doing business. You know what I mean, the conflict of interest!!!
One thing is hopefully for certain; she won't be able to finagle her way around Owatonna's city government the way she did in AL.
Hopefully, they have watch dogs in place. Otherwise, hold on to your positions there in Owatonna there's a
"Canary" on the way to your town, ya don't wanna make her mad
Posted by gijoeman on Sep. 29 2010,2:44 am
If this was your business, would you pay the Brimmeyer group $17,000 cash to sift through a couple applications or would you do it yourself? C'mon, the mayor, the the finance director, the counselors...all trash. I wouldn't hire these people to mow my lawn. Al Brooks. What kind of kook insists the paper call him minnow along with his real name? The people didn't give him that name. He named his-self and then has the paper repeat it. Stop it with the Minnow in quotations already. I know Minnow. Minnow is a friend of mine and you AL BROOKS are
NO MINNOW!!
Posted by Glad I Left on Sep. 29 2010,9:16 am
QUOTE
I know Minnow. Minnow is a friend of mine
We all know 'Minnow' is one of your many personalities Sybil. Don't remind us and don't revive him. We are kinda getting used to this one, and it suits you better than most of the others IMO. For the most part, your GIJOEMAN side is more tolerable.
Posted by alcitizens on Oct. 01 2010,8:24 pm
You know that guy GIL? He's really gay----- like happy----- you know, huggy, feely, wiggle his finger in your hand during a handshake.. Now Moeroon, Later Moron.. We have a headhunter that knows how to pick'em.
Posted by gijoeman on Oct. 01 2010,11:39 pm
Rhonda Moen just keeps getting mo and mo and mo then. Wow, I'm just in awe of her Joy-sey like "situation".
She made what?... like over $80,000 a year in salary, was able to verify her own credit card debits AND has the city put up hundreds of thousands of dollars for her business too boot! Good work if you can find it and she can...again. She found another high pay job and were still funding her business. I'd say that pretty much makes her the winner.
Posted by Geek Squad on Oct. 02 2010,12:59 am
She had to find a job out of town just to save her face.
Posted by hymiebravo on Oct. 02 2010,7:20 am
What a mess. I still see no clarity in regard to who is truly in charge of the city. Who is it exactly? The finance director, who just happens to be leaving, trumps the council, city manager and mayor?
Posted by hymiebravo on Oct. 02 2010,7:27 am
It was pointed out here a while back, by Alfy Packer I think, that nobody really liked, this Norman guy, from the get go. Then you have something like this happen, the credit card issue, a short while later.
This whole thing stinks.
Posted by gijoeman on Oct. 03 2010,3:50 pm
Here, make up your own lyrics...I dedicate this song to Rhonda. I think it's fitting since it was me that first brought this issue to light Hi Rhonda, remember this one? Ronda moen's just a growen and she's showen and it's the facts of life...the facts of life..
Tigers Hills, ya take the good ya take the bad...