Baxter County Friends of the Taxpayers

MEETING NOTES

BAXTER COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE TAXPAYERS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007

BCFT Director Frank Kaye called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church.  He welcomed everyone and invited guests and new members to introduce themselves.

The first item on the agenda was to finalize plans for our booth at the fair.  We will receive 3 free passes as part of our booth rental; the others will need to be purchased (at a discount rate of $6 each).  There are a number of volunteers who will only be working on one day, others as many as four days; how can we handle this fairly?  After discussion and a vote, it was decided to purchase passes for those volunteers who will need to be admitted to the fair more than one day.  Those who work only one day will be reimbursed (if they so desire) for one day’s admission (even if they decide to purchase a pass).  Total cost is expected to be about $75.

Frank reported that a guest column had appeared in the previous day’s newspaper pretty well slamming BCFT, and that I had written a response and had e-mailed it to the editor early that morning.  He read my response to the group and asked whether having it published was important (timing was such that there might not be time to have it appear before early voting begins on Tuesday morning); most agreed that it was.  I told them that if the paper did not print my commentary, I would go into the StoryChat forum and post it myself, to make sure that our side of the story was heard, at least in some small measure.

About 2/3 of the group approved of the commentary; one who did not said that even if the multi-use facility were removed from the proposal, he still would not vote in favor of the bond issue, that the group did not vote to support that position.  (I told him that if my letter were to be printed, I would post a disclaimer on the StoryChat forum stating that most, but not all, BCFT members were in agreement with me.)  He went on to say that the cost of educational spending in the district is up by 50% over the past 5 years, and that the school board has done nothing to show accountability.  He is outraged that the district’s budget was never published so that everyone could examine it, and that it was rubber-stamped by the school board without question.  He also pointed out that the district offers no intramural sports other than in 7^th grade; there is no proactive program to combat childhood obesity.

Frank told him that there were only 3 “civilians” at the school board meeting where the budget was approved – and all 3 were BCFT members.

The question was asked about when the flyers would be coming out in the Baxter Bulletin; the original plan was for the 17^th, but then backed up as far as possible (Thursday the 13^th) because of early voting.  A visitor said that a leaflet in favor of the bond issue was delivered to his home today.

Assistant Director Jim Bond reported that he needs help finding spots where signs can be placed.  He also suggested that if we spot one displayed at a business that we ask whether it was placed with permission … some have been pulled because they were installed without asking permission of the business owners.

A member reported that she had heard several radio spots advocating for the bond issue, and wanted to know if we couldn’t do the same thing.  Frank told her it was a question of time more than anything else, but that he would try to talk to Brenda (Nelson – Talk of the Town on KTLO Radio), but knows that she doesn’t like to handle political issues.

Another member said that he had heard discussion on a local talk radio station that was misleading people about the 65+ property tax freeze … they were saying that taxes for people over 65 would not go up if the bond issue were passed.  The truth is that a senior citizen’s valuation can be frozen, but if the millage rate changes, their taxes will go up proportionately.

Frank said that volunteers working the fair booth would have handouts available to share with people (copies of the insert in Thursday’s paper, our position paper, other facts about the bond issue, info about BCFT, etc.), and that they need to familiarize themselves with background issues and BCFT’s position.  We’ll also have our personalized magnets available to give away, and shirts for sale.

Frank opened the floor to general discussion.  A member said that he was impressed with the number of people who attended the quorum court meeting last week.  He suggested that those who do not know who their QC member is should find out (NOTE:  info is available on the BCFT website [http://bcfriendsofthetaxpayers.org]; click on Local Government and scroll down), and call them to discuss issues that the QC is expected to make decisions on, to ensure that they know how their constituents feel about the subject.

Jim Bond reported that he had filed an FOIA request regarding an apparent illegal meeting held after a QC meeting in August.  So far, the only people who have responded to his request were Justices Toscano, White and Bodenhamer.  Judge Hall claims to be “exempt” from FOIA requirements.  Justice House refused to write a letter of response.  Jim will follow through and will make a formal complaint to the Ethics Commission.

Meeting adjourned at 4:10 pm.  Next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 29, 2007, at 1:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Suzan P. Kaye
Secretary
Friday, September 28, 2007