Wilson County News January 30, 2013 |2172 views|47 comments
FLORESVILLE -- Leaving at least five personnel vacancies unfilled, which could save the city $215,420 through the end of the fiscal year, is one of the ideas floated during a Jan. 28 meeting of the Floresville Audit Committee. The meeting followed one on Jan. 18, in which city officials learned that the city is financially insolvent, which requires the committee to recommend a recovery plan to the Floresville City Council. A preliminary presentation to the council was set for its Tuesday, Jan. 29, meeting. . . .
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Alvin is actually on to something (ugh). If the water district has designated land in the park unusuable, it may be in the interest of the city to "shop" that ... Read More
Alvin is actually on to something (ugh). If the water district has designated land in the park unusuable, it may be in the interest of the city to "shop" that land around. Not just to Chesapeake, but to all the other energy comaines as well (Basic, Reliant, etc). Heck, just the underground mineral rights alone are worth value and there is no drilling involved.
But if they do drill, baby, can you see a payday! School districts do it all the time, as do other local governments. It wouldn't hurt to explore mineral rights leasing to all city owned property, including the civic center and the "industrial park". Many landowners lease out rights, with no drilling whatsoever. AND- you can sell your property (civic center) while maintaining those mineral rights in perpetuity.
Whatever the solution is, it is certainly better than filing bankruptcy. And ya better find a solution fast before your hand is forced.
We can double down on peanut festival, do it in late April and October, charge more for street vendors, the visitor center ... Read More
We need to come together and think of solutions.
We can double down on peanut festival, do it in late April and October, charge more for street vendors, the visitor center can be HQ.
We can lease some city land, like a park maybe, to chesapeake energy to frack.
We can host our own realty television show and sell it to Bravo
This is a time to come together, be innovative, creative, and solve this. I submit some suggestions, you are welcome to use any of them with virtually no consulting fee's involved.
Cognizant - you are so correct. Ask all the members of the task force (with the exception of the two that work for FPD) how it was left when he left. Ask them why he left... ... Read More
Cognizant - you are so correct. Ask all the members of the task force (with the exception of the two that work for FPD) how it was left when he left. Ask them why he left... the heat got really hot on him.
They tried to give him the Chief job, but the citizens and many officers stood up against that when they tried to throw Martinez out, after they noticed they couldn't give Joslin the Chief job without a fight, they mysterious HR department made the Assistant Chief position. Funny how that happens.
There is always a mistake or computer glitch where there is an excuse of why the department is broke! Understand the pattern here??
WAKE UP-- The way I heard it was that Joslin took money and a car and abandoned the closing task force leaving the mess to his assistant commander. Also leaving all ... Read More
WAKE UP-- The way I heard it was that Joslin took money and a car and abandoned the closing task force leaving the mess to his assistant commander. Also leaving all his agents hanging without jobs. Some might say that his resume is the proof of this as it will show that he left long before the task force closed. This is when the city created the much needed Assistant Chief of Police position that apparently was only NEEDED for Joslin to have a title since the position went away with Joslin.
Tired of the Corruption Floresville February 5 at 12:15pm
(of a person or organization) Declared in law unable to pay outstanding debts: "the company was declared bankrupt". ... Read More
bank·rupt
Adjective
(of a person or organization) Declared in law unable to pay outstanding debts: "the company was declared bankrupt".
Noun
A person judged by a court to be INSOLVENT, whose property is taken and disposed of for the benefit of creditors.
Verb
Reduce (a person or organization) to bankruptcy: "the strike nearly bankrupted the union.
Synonyms
adjective.
insolvent - broke
noun.
insolvent - defaulter
By the very definition of the term, we are, in fact, bankrupt. Sell assets, do what you can to not have to file in court (like many cities WITHOUT blessings like Eagle Ford Shale are having to do) and try to move forward. This includes the money-sucking albatross on the highway.
Had we simply been brave enough to build an actual community center instead of a (terrible)legacy project, this would NOT have happened. Legal fees related to Jim Miller needing the CITY to do what they should've done in the first place are only ONE PERCENT of the defecit, folks. Remember that our city carried NO DEBT until the prior six years' worth of bartering our future away for a few parties. Who did that deal benefit? It sure didn't benefit the city. It benefited Tejano promoters, an a/v guy, people in Seguin, and an elected official.
All of that money could have- and should have- gone to infrastructure and planning; actual necessities that local government should take care of.
It was absolutely out of the jurisdiction of local government to do anything other than fire and police protection, infrastructure, and planning and zoning. Once a city meets those basic needs, then they can move on to other projects. In this case, it did not happen- and now every single person who lives in the city, pays taxes to that entity, and utilizes those services will have to forfeit basic services in order to cover the long-term debt the prior council has incurred.
If I had been on council and voted to bankrupt the city, I sure as hell wouldn't be sitting in the front row of the audience in council chambers with a smirk on my face. I'd be hanging my head in shame- and apologizing profusely. But, then again, I have ethics.
PRAIRIE GROUCH GRAND PRAIRIE TX February 5 at 9:22am
No entity that is not responsible for generating their
own funds will ever be careful custodians of those funds.
Any blanket reduction in benefits would impact the
individual ... Read More
No entity that is not responsible for generating their
own funds will ever be careful custodians of those funds.
Any blanket reduction in benefits would impact the
individual implementing those cuts. That's why you never
see cost sharing of benefits by government organizations.
I think it is the leaders of the village - holding most of the responsiblity of this fiscal mess.
... and not just one person is responsible. They all (the leaders) have ... Read More
I think it is the leaders of the village - holding most of the responsiblity of this fiscal mess.
... and not just one person is responsible. They all (the leaders) have to agree to a large extent with one another on what will be spent and so forth. Be it Washingon DC or Floresville.
The financial debacle of Floresville is not just the city managers fault. It was the whole prior regimen in charge of the taxpayers money. (save Mr. Morones and Mr Guerrero)
Even if the city manager just dropped the ball - and no "funny business" was going on - I think the raises that he recieved should be rescinded. ... The city was in no financial condition to give those raises. ... Surely, the prior counsel members would not have approved a raise if they had been aware of the bankrupt condition of the city. ...Again, it was the whole of the last regimen that made these decisions. They caused a great deal of damage - "the proof is in the pudding" - we are BANKRUPT. That - no one can deny. ... And they need to be held accountable.
I think all raises given to the administrative types need to be rescinded - they were given under the pretence that Floresville was financially stable.
I am pretty sure the regular employees did not recieve raises - which I find greed at it's best. Raises for the uppers - nothing for the workers.
PRAIRIE GROUCH GRAND PRAIRIE TX February 5 at 5:31am
It's the same old story of politics. After years of
mismanagement at the national and local level, find
a scapegoat and blame all the past misdeeds on that
poor goat. ... Read More
It's the same old story of politics. After years of
mismanagement at the national and local level, find
a scapegoat and blame all the past misdeeds on that
poor goat. Sorta like blaming Obama for the national
debt when George Bush and republicans were responsible
for adding about 5 trillion to the national IOU's.
As with the national debt, It takes a village to raise that much debt.
Wake up, tell us what he has done. You put things on here but never mentioned what it was he did for these organizations and the city. I do know its his job to manage the ... Read More
Wake up, tell us what he has done. You put things on here but never mentioned what it was he did for these organizations and the city. I do know its his job to manage the budget and he failed at that. Jim Miller didn't create the mess. Your tying to blame him instead oft he guy who was responsible for the budget the last 4 years. You can add Tejeda to blame for not controlling Joslin during his tenure as Mayor. Would love to hear what Joslin has done besides break us
Come on Airborne Trooper!!!We all know that you are not a big fan of JOSLIN but get your facts straight before you start running your mouth. The Narcotics Task Force did ... Read More
Come on Airborne Trooper!!!We all know that you are not a big fan of JOSLIN but get your facts straight before you start running your mouth. The Narcotics Task Force did not go broke the State of Texas stopped providing their share of the funding.FACT is JOSLIN faught with state officials and was able to obtain several hundred thousand dollars for the City of Floresville and Wilson County.This money was used by the Floresville Police Department and the Wilson County Sheriffs Department to purchase vehicles and equipment at no cost to the city of county residents. Yourself and Jim Miller with his band of cronies can continue to try and put the blame on JOSLIN. The MANY people at the meeting and many more who have come forward since the meeting KNOW that JIM MILLER is the PROBLEM!!! Miller has done NOTHING for our city while MR. JOSLIN has done so much...Just ask the CITY EMPLOYEES,the True CITIZENS OF FLORESVILLE and the Civic Organizations what Joslin has done for them.
Narcotics task force broke now the city is broke. Doesnt anyone believe now that maybe this guy doesnt know how to balance a budget? I get that all his friend came and ... Read More
Narcotics task force broke now the city is broke. Doesnt anyone believe now that maybe this guy doesnt know how to balance a budget? I get that all his friend came and stood up for him, but they didnt mention any of the facts that the city is broke. They wanted to blame everything on Jim Miller including Mrs Castillo, but need I remind them that Jim wasnt on the board when all this mess happened. They should have all turned around and blamed the former Mayor as he sat in his chair smirking the whole night long. Its obvious Mrs Castillo had Kind Danny write her speech for her. How is it that most of the folks that spoke on behalf of Joslin had scripted speeches? Makes it look like they all got together and wrote speeches together. I know the current council will give him his evaluation and I hope they include task for him to complete. We will then see what this guy can do. My bet is that he will fail. Its only a matter of time now. He has to show up to work now and figure this mess out that he and Danny Tejeda got this city into. Can you imagine if they were able to approve the King Danny sports complex, we would be in a way bigger mess that this city wouldnt be able to get itself out of.
PRAIRIE GROUCH GRAND PRAIRIE TX February 4 at 6:04am
Just asking.....
1. Did the previous city managers fail to correct the
water rates ?
2. Did the commercial customers know that they were
being undercharged ?
3. Was ... Read More
Just asking.....
1. Did the previous city managers fail to correct the
water rates ?
2. Did the commercial customers know that they were
being undercharged ?
3. Was any pressure exerted by the commercial customers
to overlook the undercharge ?
I find it ironic that the rallying cry for saving Joslin's job was his quote, "Did you build something today or did you break something?" ... Read More
I find it ironic that the rallying cry for saving Joslin's job was his quote, "Did you build something today or did you break something?"
If you will recall, Joslin BROKE something (a man's wrist), lost his peace officer's license as part of a plea deal and was hired as City Manager!
I agree a petition is needed. Also, someone needs to go through the steps like any HR person would and write up all his mistakes, issues, incompetencies and present this. ... Read More
I agree a petition is needed. Also, someone needs to go through the steps like any HR person would and write up all his mistakes, issues, incompetencies and present this. This will have to be done to combat the threats made by his wife to the city council. I cannot believe that in December it was found that the water and sewer rate were wrong and have been for years and Joslin has let it continue when it is a 10 minute fix. How many other things are know to be wrong and going uncorrected? No business would keep an employee who is not up to the job and they certainly wouldn't continue to give him raises while they went broke.
Perhaps they need a petition to replace Joslin. He was never qualified for the job in the first place, so of course he's going to make huge mistakes. I don't blame him ... Read More
Perhaps they need a petition to replace Joslin. He was never qualified for the job in the first place, so of course he's going to make huge mistakes. I don't blame him as much as those who insisted in hiring him and keeping him in the job. That said, there is no point in compounding a previous error by continuing that error into the next administration. He's had years to get up-to-speed and from what I can tell he still hasn't done so. I've had co-workers like that who had the potential to be top-performers but preferred to skate, never pushing themselves outside their comfort zones.
If Joslin wants to keep his job he's got to stop allying himself with King Danny and his court and start proving he's a competent leader. I'm not seeing it.. he still seems to be trying to do damage control for Danny.
Step out of their shadow and "Cowboy up."
Look I get it that alot of the folks showed up to support Joslin are his friends, but at some point we need to look at his performance. Obviously the last 2 audits havent ... Read More
Look I get it that alot of the folks showed up to support Joslin are his friends, but at some point we need to look at his performance. Obviously the last 2 audits havent been very favorable and he is ultimately responsible for those results. As his wife stated and a few others, that he is not to blame, then maybe he needs to step up and let us know who should be. Did he inform former Mayor Tejada and the council staff they were over spending? When did he do that and what was the answers he got from the former Mayor. This all makes him look bad and he needs to defend himself and tell us all who ordered all the spending when the city was broke. Mrs Castillo, let us not forget you were part of the previous council and you never seemed to say that we were broke. Did the city manager not inform you or did you not listen to what he said? Where is the truth here. The only one speaking from emotions and not based on facts and performance, were those who tried to defend their friend. Hey I would defend my friend, but facts are facts. He needs to get an evaluation and I can tell you it shouldnt be favorable. Along with the evaluation, we need to ensure he is given duties and projects with completion dates set. Make them honest and fair and see how he does accomplishing the given task. The former Mayor and council never did that and because of that, we are where we are at this point. Its funny how no one said, dont blame Andy, blame Tejeda, remember this mess happened under his watch. As he sat in the crow smirking, someone should have called him out as Mr Morones did.
Wake Up, You say that Jim was quiet? No. ... He was just showing that he has class by not joining in the fray with those using the venomous language to distort facts.
Wake up that is what the council does it lets peoe speak thier minds. Over half of the green shirt wearing militia have never been to a council meeting in thier life. Surely ... Read More
Wake up that is what the council does it lets peoe speak thier minds. Over half of the green shirt wearing militia have never been to a council meeting in thier life. Surely looks like they got together the day before and rehearsed. Just like Tejeda and Gomez were put out, it won't be long before Joslin. Is out. It's called incompetent
One Voice, you are absolutely correct. They started sounding soooo rehearsed. And if they looked away from their paper they were reading from, they got lost. ... Read More
One Voice, you are absolutely correct. They started sounding soooo rehearsed. And if they looked away from their paper they were reading from, they got lost.
They were all there to make sure the blame was not placed on them. What they did was to deflect from the truth and try to blame someone else. But it is all there on paper, the facts, the figures, and the dates. And you don't have to read it 17 times to understand what they did.
If I know Jim Miller - he was not suprised one bit by this explosion of emotion. He was totally prepared for the heat he is getting and will get in the future. ... Read More
If I know Jim Miller - he was not suprised one bit by this explosion of emotion. He was totally prepared for the heat he is getting and will get in the future.
There are those of us (the majority) that look at facts and figures - the truth needs no defending. This group can rock and roll all they want - but you just can't defend the fact Floresville is bankrupt.
They were given the opprotunity to speak their minds and not be shut down like the prior Mayor did.
Even though I do not agree with what was said or the fashion it was ... Read More
They were given the opprotunity to speak their minds and not be shut down like the prior Mayor did.
Even though I do not agree with what was said or the fashion it was said in - I would expect nothing less from this Mayor and Counsel - to let the public speak their mind.
And ... just because a handfull of people are not happy does not speak for the whole of the city.
In my opinion - they talked so long and hard - they started looking foolish and rehearsed. The old saying - giving a person enough rope and he will hang himself.
The poster taped all over city hall are tacky. Take them down.
Wake up, honestly I don't think any of them know how to tell the truth. One lost a lifetime of work because he didn't want to tell the truth. There are so many secrets, ... Read More
Wake up, honestly I don't think any of them know how to tell the truth. One lost a lifetime of work because he didn't want to tell the truth. There are so many secrets, and secrets only get people into trouble. It will all come out eventually.
Yes, people spoke loud and clear, that was called the election. Notice who is NOT mayor and back on the council. The citizens of Floresville spoke loud and clear.
Not saving a job,have no secrets ... TELLING THE TRUTH.... It's all good when it's Jim Miller Time.... Y'all just can't stand it that he was called out !!!! Never seen ... Read More
Not saving a job,have no secrets ... TELLING THE TRUTH.... It's all good when it's Jim Miller Time.... Y'all just can't stand it that he was called out !!!! Never seen him so quiet at a meeting ... People spoke and they spoke loud and clear!
Glenn Quagmire Quahog, Rhode Island February 1 at 10:27am
Wake up, can you tell us all what was so beautiful of the job he has done for our city? 355k in debt due to his incompetence in running the city budget. As the city manager ... Read More
Wake up, can you tell us all what was so beautiful of the job he has done for our city? 355k in debt due to his incompetence in running the city budget. As the city manager that is one of his first responsibility to ensure the council knows how much money the city has or doesnt have. The facts are there. He has recieved raise after raise from Tejeda, Castillo and Gomez and for what? Regardless of his performance, you are welcome to put what you want on here, but would love to hear some facts on what he has done or how he supposedly "Built it". All he has done thus far is build us a huge defecit in which the city council will now have to figure out how to repair. You can thank him, Tejeda and Castillo for that. So much for her banking background. What a joke. His time will come as he will now have an evaluation and the days of just showing up to work wont cut it anymore. He will have to perform.
Senior Citizen, that is very correct!! They did not attend because they knew if there was a quorum, Tejada would have pushed his sports complex through. And where would we ... Read More
Senior Citizen, that is very correct!! They did not attend because they knew if there was a quorum, Tejada would have pushed his sports complex through. And where would we be now????
And, Russell Wilson filed his lawsuit to keep the FEDC from paying for it, which would have never happened because they did not have the money either. How sad what we have had to do to keep our officials from spending our tax dollars.
And Sherry Pollock stood up the other night and talked about all the missed meetings. What she did not mention was the reason behind those misses. She was trying to place the blame on someone else for Joslin not doing his job. Morones and Guerrero did us all a favor!!!!
If you will remember, Guerrero and Morones called for a special meeting to discuss the finances and Gomez and Castillo DID NOT SHOW UP. Ask her why. So no, Castillo has not ... Read More
If you will remember, Guerrero and Morones called for a special meeting to discuss the finances and Gomez and Castillo DID NOT SHOW UP. Ask her why. So no, Castillo has not attended every meeting. There are people who do remember everything.
And the reason there were no quorums is because the people spoke and Guerrero and Morones were just listening to the people. EVERYBODY knew that by the time they all got to the meetings, everything was settled. Gomez, Flores, and Castillo voted with each other, the way Tejada wanted them to. The people of Floresville are NOT STUPID. We knew what was going on.
We have nothing but the utmost respect for Guerrero and Morones for listening to the people. The others have listened to Tejada.
did you not hear that there were 5 meetings in a row that had no quorums? ALL dealing with finance even if Joslin wanted to talk about it no one would show up to hear it...guess ... Read More
did you not hear that there were 5 meetings in a row that had no quorums? ALL dealing with finance even if Joslin wanted to talk about it no one would show up to hear it...guess they knew more than they wanted to let anyone else know...I say that was a good reason to file on them...do your elected job and go to meetings! If you all remember Ms Castillo is the ONLY one of the council that showed up to every meeting...and if Morones and Miller were so tired of being outvoted...it seems if you use the math that 2 against 1 still wins...those missed meetings were uncalled for.
•$8,369 for a lawsuit filed by former Mayor Daniel Tejada against the members of the Floresville City Council.
Does he intend to pay the city back, since nobody gave him ... Read More
•$8,369 for a lawsuit filed by former Mayor Daniel Tejada against the members of the Floresville City Council.
Does he intend to pay the city back, since nobody gave him permission to file the suit? I think I read somewhere that all his job was as mayor was to shake hands and kiss babies. That's got nothing to do with suing people. And here I thought only hamsters ate their young.
Let's have tshirts made that say "Read It 17 Times And Then You Will Understand". Do you think if Castillo reads the budget 17 times then she will understand ... Read More
Let's have tshirts made that say "Read It 17 Times And Then You Will Understand". Do you think if Castillo reads the budget 17 times then she will understand that Tejada made this mess???? We can only hope!!!!
Miller's lawsuit cost $3800. The reason he filed the suit was because the city secretary wrongfully prohibited him from registering as a candidate for city council. The ... Read More
Miller's lawsuit cost $3800. The reason he filed the suit was because the city secretary wrongfully prohibited him from registering as a candidate for city council. The Fourth Court of Appeals ruled he was a valid candidate. The city cost itself this money, Miller did not.
Tejada's lawsuit against the WHOLE council, including you Castillo, cost the city $8639. He dropped this lawsuit on the day it was to go to court. Miller had nothing to do with this lawsuit, Tejada did!
Russell Wilson's lawsuit was because of Tejada's sports complex. Miller had nothing to do with that.
Castillo said her minister says you may have to hear something seventeen times before you fully understand it. Read the three statements above 17 times and then maybe everyone will finally understand that all of the expenses that have been blamed on Jim Miller were REALLY caused by Tejada and his puppets.
Jim Miller legal fees totaled 3k, lets not forget the city is 350k in debt, alot of those debts went to consult groups that had to come up with a master plan that the city ... Read More
Jim Miller legal fees totaled 3k, lets not forget the city is 350k in debt, alot of those debts went to consult groups that had to come up with a master plan that the city manager couldnt do, a consultant on river city park that cost the city 9k for a proposed sports complex, a temp comptroller because again the city staff couldnt perform that function and who knows what else. Would be nice to see all the other things. Lets remember, it was Joslin job to oversee these finances. If he didnt step and inform the previous council of its overspending, then he should be held accountable. I wonder if his slick haird lawyer that spoke on his behalf was on the city dime as well? People around here need to wake up and get the facts before you start blaming Jim Miller. Someone needs to do the serious research to figure out exactly how we got into this mess. Seems like again that should be Joslin job as the city manager. Until we can get someone with the experience and education to manage the day to day city operations, this town will continue to be in debt. Its not hard, if you have 2 dollars set aside for legal and professional fees, then that's all you can spend. Its Joslin job to inform the Mayor and council on what they are spending.
Marcelina Muse, unless you were at the audit meeting on Monday afternoon and the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, you have no idea what you are talking about.
The Marcelina Muse Dry Tank, TX January 30 at 2:55pm
