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| Post Number: 21
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The Advocate
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Posted on: Oct. 25 2003,7:26 pm |
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Really? If you were referring to me concerning ignorance about the type of city government Albert Lea has I am well aware that we have a strong city manager, weak mayor form of government. We are unique in that our city manager also had as part of his duties the running of our port authority. I think we all agree that this does lend itself to conflict and just recently was made the reason why Mr. Sparks performed so poorly at his Port Authority duties. Not one person has ever uttered a word concerning how the man balances the city budget, how he supervises his staff, how he runs the city of Albert Lea. All of the complaints were concerning the Port Authority part of his job. He was not then, nor is he now the person most suitable for this position. Most of us are keenly aware of this. It was a sleazy maneuver and time will tell if it works. Mr. Henry Savekoul wrote a lenghty editorial in the Albert Lea Tribune walking a tightrope, sounding like "everyman" and probably pulling it off. But if one looks at his words and studies them you see discrepencies. Mr. Sparks has been head of the Port Authority since its' inception and the "kitty" totals what? 8 million? How has this money worked to the benefit of the citizens of Albert Lea and Freeborn County over the years he has precided? Economic growth could have catapulted that money and the skies the limit. We have not seen the reality of economic growth so how has that helped us? Mr. Savekoul did an excellent job in humanizing a very cold figure, in Sparks, and I for one agreed wholeheartly with his reference to age, need for retirement, job prospects. I think we all did. However, the publicity could have been turned around to keep Mr. Sparks in his current position until he retires and looking for alternatives to the Port Authority position. But, that was a done deal and was to be sold to the public at all costs because Mr. Sparks is calling in his marks. He wanted the Port Authority position. And finally, I wondered why our enlightened leaders have not investigated the happenings to our North? Owatonna is in transformation as we speak. They are looking at the most progressive model for economic development available. They, too had a 3 body system, like we do now, but will be looking at a corporate structure to run their economic development. This would be an outside, independent entity to run and manage operations. That would be good for the citizens, as people with vested interests would not be the ones running the show (like we have now and will continue to have); it would be for all the citizens of the community. So in conclusion, let me just say that to leave things as they are, to be complacent, to say to hell with it, now that is negative.
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| Post Number: 22
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rosebudinal 
Group: Members
Posts: 303
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Oct. 25 2003,9:37 pm |
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Ok, I've been reading over the posts. According to "really" I guess I would be "the chick with no clue". When, actually, what I do is post questions to stimulate conversation. The great thing about it is, most of the people that visit here are willing to answer these questions in a courteous fashion. It speaks volumes about the character. And your response was like a dull, shallow pebble tossed carelessly in a toilet. And it also spoke volumes about who you are.
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| Post Number: 23
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hoosier
Group: Members
Posts: 1476
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Oct. 26 2003,8:47 am |
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Really just sounds like a big @sshole to me. She shows how stupid she is about government every time she opens her mouth. She sounds a lot like some of the idiots who have been kissing the @ss of our local politicians for years and just dont like seeing others come in and ruin their good @ss kissin gig. I think I know who she is, I think Really is Tony Trows wife.
I will tell you what makes me sick, and its people like this idiot Really that think getting more people involved and interested in government is a bad thing. O, she would think its good, but only if you agree with everything her and her politician friends do. If you disagree with her, then you are bad and wrong.
She could be Dylan Beldans wife also, I dont know, it just seems to me she is the wife of a piece of $hit, guttless man, as she sounds that same way. 
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The power of accurate obsvervation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw
The devil begins with froth on the lips of an angel entering into battle for a holy and just cause. Grigory Pomerants
We have crossed the boundary that lies between Republic and Empire. Garet Garrett
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| Post Number: 24
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| Post Number: 25
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Guru
Group: Members
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Joined: Oct. 2003
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Posted on: Oct. 26 2003,5:33 pm |
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is it true Sparks will be paid the same salary as he currently receives? He is losing half of his resposibility, but gets the same money. Is that true?
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| Post Number: 26
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minnow
Group: Members
Posts: 2243
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Oct. 26 2003,9:07 pm |
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Yes. They were willing to give him full pay if he would just leave and give up some of his power over this city and promise not to sue.
Paul can sit around all day and do nothing now...just like Pam Bishop. Just think...in the just the next 3 years we'll pay Paul and Pam over a half million dollars cash money.
$540,000 to be exact.
Can anyone quantify even one thing we'll get for our money? I didn't think so.... 
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| Post Number: 27
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rosebudinal
Group: Members
Posts: 303
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Nov. 08 2003,2:13 pm |
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Whats all this coming to? Now with this Brad Arends agenda, along with the Think Tank and their own agenda, one must question if Sparks ever will lose any of the power that Albert Lea has given him. And of others want to lure Pam Bishop away from us so badly, why not dangle her out there for them? Say, Iowa for instance.........guess I am just upset with too many chiefs and not enough indians in the crowd. 
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