tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post5786681109530180288..comments2024-03-22T16:02:08.213-05:00Comments on The Wheel: Of Mayors and ConstitutionsMark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-203834319018422852012-06-18T22:26:08.209-05:002012-06-18T22:26:08.209-05:00Willy, have you no better sense than to repeat you...Willy, have you no better sense than to repeat your pathetic rants from years gone bye-bye? They are no more valid today than they were when you first made them. They are terribly stale now. If you can't do any better than that, perhaps you should look for another line of work.Nathan Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11125033575992516328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-20925744165813546122012-06-18T09:54:50.871-05:002012-06-18T09:54:50.871-05:00David, I do not know who Andy is. I was alerted to...David, I do not know who Andy is. I was alerted to these comments this morning when someone asked about my "stated public opinions" about all of this. Because I had no stated public opinions I was surprised to hear this and I did not even know these comments were here until this morning.<br /><br />For the record, I am not "Andy" above, I think independently and my opinions do not follow any other group. They are mine and mine alone. I am available any time David if you are interested if you are interested in those opinions. <br /><br />AndrewAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-26617022088858655442012-06-16T08:22:03.653-05:002012-06-16T08:22:03.653-05:00My quote of you was exact about the June 15, 2012 ...My quote of you was exact about the June 15, 2012 @ 8:29 AM comment. Did you not make the claim that suitcase full of money were pouring into the petition effort with this comment on June 13, 2012 @ 8:55 PM "... Suitcases of money from who knows where, a secretive group that refuses to identify its members..."<br />Wild Bill! You seem to be losing your mind and seem to be failing in the ability to keep track of your many incorrect assumptions. The fun just never ends.<br />:0)dc-tmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175240802333780232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-4112307428036009022012-06-16T03:32:22.320-05:002012-06-16T03:32:22.320-05:00When they spend more than they take in, there is a...When they spend more than they take in, there is a shortfall. Do you agree with that? (Probably not, lol) Where does the money come from to cover that, Bill? Cause you do understand a financial statement of ANY kind has to have an equal number of debits and credits so it is balanced, right!! LOL Well, there is a page showing that in the early pages of the CAFR and the source of those funds is noted in one of the schedules toward the end of the CAFR. SIGH!! In 2010, it came from CO's greater than the budgeted amount. Budget $10.7m Actual $18.3m. But to hear you tell it, I can't tell a negative number from a positive one. And it is just too complicated for the average citizen like me to understand. BS!! End of discussion. It is there in black and white in the document. <br /><br />And I still have issue with the lack of a 5 year projection of the budget. The state does it and the federal government does it. Local government code says it needs to be. And per the secy of state, Richardson should do so too. But I guess if I listened to you, the person at the SOS lied to me. lol Maybe it is a secret document no one gets to see. lol So there, I added one more fight there for you. Chomp on it! <br /><br />And Dee (I think that is her name) from KPMG said in a work session the format of the CAFR is written so a citizen can understand. Well, that is not what McCalpin said above. What's up with that??? Telling someone they cannot read public finance documents and be able to understand is insulting and unreasonable. The whole purpose is to provide the citizens a performance report. It is required by law. But what do I know to hear you talk. lol Why would they generate a report no one understands, Bill??? Defeats the purpose of the core intent. Unless it really is purposeful. <br /><br />Let's go to those non-cash items you so love to say do not matter. So let's take one item called the underwriting expense for the refunding of debt, even though the cash was expended at one time, it is booked as a pre-paid expense (ASSET) and allocated as an expense over a period of time in the CAFR. That is a pretty important cash expenditure. Where do you see that in the budget?<br /><br />And how about all those sweeps to the general fund based upon a computer simulated report of what it could be rather than actual time allocated. Bottom line the sweep dollar amounts are multiple times the actual costs of accounting and management. That is an issue. <br /><br />But why fight with you over this. I learn more and more you seem to like to fight over nothing. And I believe that is purposeful for some inexplicable reason.Sassy Texanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498774040581968874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-9078905906936727562012-06-16T03:25:16.688-05:002012-06-16T03:25:16.688-05:00Well, here you go again. This is really old. Yes,...Well, here you go again. This is really old. Yes, Bill, I do understand the difference between cash and accrual accounting. What a stupid assumption you have made once again. <br /><br />There is something you are missing and refusing to address with regard to the CAFR. Reduction in Net Assets year over year. But it is interesting Net assets go up ever so slightly in GO issuance years, but falls in subsequent years. I know that because I requested to view CAFR and budgets back to 1992. That was a fun full day at city hall in spite of a little staff snarkiness about it. Issuing CO's greater than the budgeted amount. Issuing CO's to reimburse the general fund for money already spent. Non budgeted items like the operating shortfalls in the Eisemann and Golf Course. The financing of operations with debt. The TIF is upside down. All are very large issues. <br /><br />What I said on GASB 34 I noted with pages from the CAFR. I am so tired of trying to talk to you about this. I called the GAO and had a long conversation about this and believe Mr Walker told me the truth. End of story.<br /><br />And just for reference, I have called the TMRS, Secy of State, AG, TML, COG and other orgs and have learned alot from the people I have spoken to on many topics surrounding Richardson. Had to. It got old being lied to so often. Or being told multiple times it was not their job to educate me. So if I have an expectation staff and/or council will lie (either directly or by omission) to me, tell me documents do not exist when they do, make it difficult to understand the intent of anything. Hell YES, I do. And that has nothing to do with David or Nathan or Mac or anyone else. That is based on my own experience. <br /><br />Hence I read the documents. And the CAFR. The money doesn't lie just because McCalpin thinks I am too stupid to understand it.Sassy Texanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498774040581968874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-49976249525261107672012-06-16T00:53:49.171-05:002012-06-16T00:53:49.171-05:00Bill, I re-read your post at 8:55pm on the "s...Bill, I re-read your post at 8:55pm on the "suitcases of money" thing. I have to agree with David on this one. That is exactly what you wrote. Why lie about that or call it a twist of the truth? Can't you admit that is EXACTLY what you wrote???? This is very odd of you.Sassy Texanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498774040581968874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-33237971402428206402012-06-16T00:47:39.345-05:002012-06-16T00:47:39.345-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Sassy Texanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498774040581968874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-82377654522770973962012-06-16T00:35:19.327-05:002012-06-16T00:35:19.327-05:00Is that "City as a whole" mean the Munic...Is that "City as a whole" mean the Municipal Corporation, ie City Hall staff, council and boards? Or do you mean the City, as in a community of almost 100,000 people? There is a difference, you know.Sassy Texanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498774040581968874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-20712977061639067132012-06-16T00:31:44.597-05:002012-06-16T00:31:44.597-05:00I forgot to add false accusations to that last com...I forgot to add false accusations to that last comment. <br /><br />And I keep telling you I am in NO gang, quit lying!Sassy Texanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498774040581968874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-47237144045819884762012-06-16T00:27:22.404-05:002012-06-16T00:27:22.404-05:00Well, you seem to be full of opinions on other thi...Well, you seem to be full of opinions on other things you "don't know enough about". May that be the minor correction more to your liking. Your lack of comment was most odd for you. And entirely more fascinating you took that comment as something other than what is was. Surprise you had not looked at it. <br /><br />Now what the number of citizens in the Charter Change spec PAC as you pole vault to something else is amusing. I think I know what is in my case more than you. And yet you have an opinion on something you know little about. <br /><br />If you were void of cheap shots there would have been no need for the comment.Sassy Texanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498774040581968874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-14866857845824394462012-06-15T22:17:32.089-05:002012-06-15T22:17:32.089-05:00Just like David above, Cheri misquotes me, than cr...Just like David above, Cheri misquotes me, than criticizes me. How typical of the gotcha gang.<br /><br />(Cheri) "You KNOW NOTHING [emphasis mine] about Richardson Citizens for Charter Change"<br /><br />(What I actually said) "I don't KNOW ENOUGH [emphasis mine] about that to form an opinion."<br /><br />If you can't even quote me correctly, I don't see any point in responding...and your cheap shot about the mirror will be understood by everyone reading this blog for what it is...a cheap shot...<br /><br />Billmccalpinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768191960822864278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-54710594007942968632012-06-15T22:05:16.529-05:002012-06-15T22:05:16.529-05:00(clap clap), please, can I have everyone's att...(clap clap), please, can I have everyone's attention? I want to show you a typical trick of the gotcha gang!<br /><br />(David Chenoweth): "And now you are admitting that you don’t know IF THEY HAVE [emphasis mine] “suitcases full of money” after first making the claim they did have suitcase fill with money."<br /><br />(what I actually wrote): "David, how would I know how much money and HOW MANY SUITCASES [emphasis mine]?"<br /><br />This is what the gotcha gang does - they misquote you, then they criticize you on the misquote. Fortunately, their cheap debate tricks are visible to everyone...rather than providing evidence to prove their points, they resort to cheap theatrics...but the people in Richardson are too decent and intelligent for that...just look at how the candidates that David vocally supported in the last election did (answer: not well, thanks to David and his verbal abuse of the decent people of Richardson)...<br /><br />Billmccalpinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768191960822864278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-38272759819968623072012-06-15T21:52:39.365-05:002012-06-15T21:52:39.365-05:00No, David, again you grossly misinterpret what I s...No, David, again you grossly misinterpret what I said. The numbers are the numbers BUT they DON'T mean that they spent $20 million+ over 4 years. Face it, David, you don't know anything about government finances, and every time you write something here, more and more people see how ridiculous you are. <br /><br />To repeat for the umpteenth time: there are non-cash items in the Revenues and Expenses numbers on that table, which means that the "loss" in any year could be the result of adjustments to future expected revenues or expenses, which, as I pointed out in my RumorCheck articles, is exactly what happened in one or more years.<br /><br />The CAFR is NOT a cash-based report like the budget is. How is it that everyone understands this but you and Cheri and Nathan?<br /><br />Billmccalpinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768191960822864278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-6764842033081428072012-06-15T18:13:19.686-05:002012-06-15T18:13:19.686-05:00Now that surprises me. You know nothing about Ric...Now that surprises me. You know nothing about Richardson Citizens for Charter Change. And it is so easy to go look up. You like the truth so just go look at all those contributing citizens. <br /><br />And a mirror might be in order for you in the area of false accusations and cheap insults of good people.Sassy Texanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498774040581968874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-58440097964447610452012-06-15T08:35:03.788-05:002012-06-15T08:35:03.788-05:00:0):0)dc-tmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175240802333780232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-37700049280430964252012-06-15T08:29:27.964-05:002012-06-15T08:29:27.964-05:00Well, Bill, you must not be able to keep track of ...Well, Bill, you must not be able to keep track of what you say. <br />June 13, 2012 8:55pm you said “... Suitcases of money from who knows where, a secretive group that refuses to identify its members…”<br />And now you are admitting that you don’t know if they have “suitcases full of money” after first making the claim they did have suitcase fill with money.<br />Now why don’t you ask yourself why you made the false claim there are suitcases full of money flowing into the petition effort?<br />You’re over active, wild and juvenile imagination seems to have gotten the better of you, once again. <br />:0)dc-tmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175240802333780232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-64521618121123919842012-06-15T08:09:11.065-05:002012-06-15T08:09:11.065-05:00The numbers are the numbers. At least you don'...The numbers are the numbers. At least you don't dispute that. They spent more than they took in, $20+ million over 4 years. Simple stuff.dc-tmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175240802333780232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-29449740085150756002012-06-14T22:25:54.482-05:002012-06-14T22:25:54.482-05:00As for the RCfCC, I don't know enough about th...As for the RCfCC, I don't know enough about that to form an opinion. I will tell you, though, that when I looked at your lawsuit, there was only one element that seemed to have any merit, but it wasn't that. Maybe someday when we're on better terms, I'll tell you about it...<br /><br />Billmccalpinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768191960822864278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-38112115121663972462012-06-14T22:22:59.129-05:002012-06-14T22:22:59.129-05:00No, Cheri, no one pays me to do this...my sole mot...No, Cheri, no one pays me to do this...my sole motivation is that I deeply resent people who deliberately make false statements, falsely accuse good people of unethical or criminal activities, and resort to cheap insults and personal attacks with no shame.<br /><br />No matter, the more David and Mac and gang slander people, the less likely they will succeed at anything they try...<br /><br />Billmccalpinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768191960822864278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-88370019073197750512012-06-14T18:12:37.557-05:002012-06-14T18:12:37.557-05:00Nathan, you continue to "bloviate" (your...Nathan, you continue to "bloviate" (your favorite word). You constantly make statements like "I can count on Willy to twist and bend" blah blah blah, and never provide any specifics or proof...yet when I point out that you made a specific false accusation about the actions of the Council, you never make any defense at all, except to resort to personal attacks. <br /><br />Do you realize how happy the City as a whole is that you left Richardson two years ago? Please do everyone a favor and keep your bloviated thoughts to yourself in San Antonio...or maybe actually PROVE that some accusation you've made is actually true.<br /><br />I'm not holding my breath...<br /><br />Billmccalpinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768191960822864278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-20459776992694734252012-06-14T18:06:34.739-05:002012-06-14T18:06:34.739-05:00David, how would I know how much money and how man...David, how would I know how much money and how many suitcases? The entire backoffice operation is being kept a secret. But based on the hiring of an out-of-town political consultant and the statements of the petitioner takers, it seems clear that the PAC has already spent several thousand dollars.<br /><br />Or is Mr. Cutrone lying about being the executive director or are the petition takers lying about being paid between $0.50 to $2 per signature, with several thousand signatures already collected?<br /><br />Billmccalpinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768191960822864278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-47862057320658807552012-06-14T18:00:37.591-05:002012-06-14T18:00:37.591-05:00Yes, David, the numbers are the numbers...the prob...Yes, David, the numbers are the numbers...the problem is that someone modified the words from the CAFR. The total of (10,102) for 2007-2008 in the CAFR is described at "Increase (decrease) in net assets". However, in your copy of this same information, this total is described as "OPERATING BUDGET SURPLUS/DEFICIT POSITION".<br /><br />These are not the same thing. You are clearly confused by the terminology used higher up in the table of "Revenues" and "Expenses". You mistakenly believe that these are cash revenues and expenses, but they are not. They are a combination of cash and non cash items. I made this extremely clear in the Postscript.<br /><br />The problem is that the GASB standards require the City to do these tables this way, even though the terminology is quite confusing to the average citizen. As I pointed out elsewhere, the CAFR is intended to be read by Certified Government Finance Officers, bond dealers and investors, and similarly trained individuals. You may not like that, but I can't help that - the CAFR is not intended to be read by people like yourself who don't have a background in government accounting standards.<br /><br />So, to put it simply, yes, the numbers are the numbers, but the text isn't the text. It doesn't mean what you think it means, although since you understand nothing about government accounting, you don't understand that. Hey, how about doing what I suggested you do before - get someone with a CPA or a CGFO or similar credentials to state publicly that you're right. Then we would all pay attention to what you're saying...but the fact is that you never named the person who wrote that document, and you never provided the name of a professional who agreed with you.<br /><br />If you had had such a person, you would have said so...but you don't.<br /><br />Just admit it, David, somebody falsified the text from the CAFR, and you got caught...<br /><br />Billmccalpinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768191960822864278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-66944152026512265272012-06-14T11:19:21.759-05:002012-06-14T11:19:21.759-05:00I can always count on Willy to twist and bend with...I can always count on Willy to twist and bend with the wind in his opposition to doing what's right for the community while attempting to justify errant behavior by public servants. <br /><br />Sadly, my hopes he had found some place else to harangue well-intentioned people have fallen short of my dreams.<br /><br />Well, Willy, you are back and still haven't internalized the values and principles of the founding fathers.<br /><br />When good people stand up for what's just and right, they often encounter those who bully their way with boisterous rhetoric and baseless claims to propriety of the truth.<br /><br />What is true is that you are attempting to hold hostage the democratic process. And that, my friend, is the attitued and behavior of a despot.Nathan Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11125033575992516328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-70564544767440948962012-06-14T07:50:48.624-05:002012-06-14T07:50:48.624-05:00"... Suitcases of money from who knows where,..."... Suitcases of money from who knows where, a secretive group that refuses to identify its members..."<br /><br />Suit cases of money? Really? How many suit cases? How much money? And a secretive group to boot? <br /><br />If you know about the suitcases of money you must be one of those in the secretive group!<br /><br />You have such a vivid imagination! Or is it deliberate misleading on your part. I am assuming you have proof about the suitcases of money. :0)dc-tmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175240802333780232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-35585596285421780292012-06-14T07:44:20.330-05:002012-06-14T07:44:20.330-05:00I think this is what you are refering to: http://g...I think this is what you are refering to: <a href="http://graphics.dc-tm.com/CORREDINKAnalysis.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://graphics.dc-tm.com/CORREDINKAnalysis.pdf</a><br /><br />It is something I posted on my blog. It came from <a href="http://dc-tm.blogspot.com/2011/04/more-budget-simplification.html" rel="nofollow">http://dc-tm.blogspot.com/2011/04/more-budget-simplification.html</a><br /><br />It sure does look like Richardson spent about $20 million more than they took in, Revenues - Expenses = Operating Shortfall/DeficitPosition.<br /><br />Now Bill, I know this is asking way too much, but can you at least try to keep it "simple" and stay on topic?<br /><br />are the numbers listed, total revenues and total expenses, accurate for those years listed? (Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill, and don't complicate it with $3 words, or try to change the subject, or try to explain why we shouldn't look at the real numbers, ortry to explain it away with some convoluted, twist false logic or reaoning?)<br /><br />The number are the numbers.<br /><br />As to your curiousity and musings about how the personal relationship between me, Cheri, John and whoever else you might want to let your imagination run wild about, how about basing your statements on facts instead. You want to know how John gets along wiht me or how much he hates me, make a phone call or go by his shop and ask him. You imagination is way over active and leads you down the wrong road to wrong conclusion about interpersonal relationships we have.<br /><br />Ask, don't imagine.<br /><br />And ditto to all that Cheri has said!<br /><br />:0)dc-tmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175240802333780232noreply@blogger.com