My comments were neither mean nor viscous and they certainly did not get personal. I was only asking for ideas on where Mr. Ocker stands. Like I have said before debate is healthy, personal attacks are not. I do agree with Mr. Ocker regarding his views on peoples business and personal lives, they should not be a topic for this discussion.

You would like that, I'm sure. But, no. I rest my case in regards that you can certainly deal it out, but you have a real anger managment problem with anyone who disagrees with you.

Rest assured, Mr. Ocker I will offer you suggestions from time to time. As I said, some of your thoughts are right on target, but your delivery really stinks.

That is my point. As long as you think you are "calling out" council or people here on this site, you only appear to be a young child who thinks if he stomps his feet and yells louder, he will convince people of things. Learn to work with people, Mr. Ocker. It will go a long way.

Now I'm sure this post will lead to another post by you because you seem to be a "I'll get the last word in" type of guy.

I rest my case. You are a walking and talking contradiction.

Matt Ocker. .. for the most part your arguements have some valid points to consider, but the anger issues you seem to possess far outweigh your ability to have support and validation.

All you do is challenge. You challenge anyone that does not agree with you 100%. You seem to have no ability to compromise. You challenge in every aspect of your arguments. You leave any opposing party with no option other than to ignore your small mindedness and your short sightedness. Which seems to make your arguments all the more sophmoric.

Perhaps a different approach would enhance the positioning of your statements. Instead of an "in your face" confrontation with everyone, take a step back and actually see where the opposing view is actually coming from. It appears to me you lack that ability, which in my extremely humble opinion, makes you a very unpleasant individual to be around.

Maybe the frustrations of your personal life are overshadowing your thought processes to communicate effectively with fellow citizens and acquaintances. Regardless, it's apparent you are an extremly unhappy human being and it appears that if you succeed in making others angry or offended, then you think you will feel better. But it does not. You just seem to more angry as the conversation and dialog progresses. You seem to be a very intelligent person, but your anger and treatment of others is offensive, probably even to those whom may agree with you 92% of the time.

Relax. Breath deep. Give up any political ambitions because when you submit yourself to any public scrutiny, you are going to be surprised of what will come about you. Trust me on that one. Someone will make sure "dirt" surfaces on you, even if in your narrow mindedness think there will be nothing to surface.

You are going to think what you want. What I have found is it does not do any good to talk back and forth with you on any issue. I simply made a statement about why you are always complaining rather than stating what you would do about the things you disagreed with. I am glad that you gave a response and that you do have some ideas, whether I agree with them or not. Ideas are the answers, attacking people is not the answer. I simply asked the questions because I wanted to hear your solution, not debate them.
Like I said before there is no reason to be vicious, it will get you nowhere.

Matt,

I can not blog all night. I do have to get up in the monring to get the kids off to school and go to work. I do not blog much in the day, because I am at work and after work I try to spend my time at home with my kids and husband. Sorry I have do not have the same amount of time that you do to blog.

Such viciousness. So many incapable of seeing the bigger picture.

Chris, Don't let me disappoint you I'm not the one who partnered up with someone like Paul Polasek. I'm just pointing out Polasek's character, sorry if you fell your caught in his cross fire. Maybe you should attend some council meetings and see how your partner caries him self.

This is for vox, Bimesjr, BSspotter, KCi, and anyone else that questions the integrity of my business.

My address is 106 E. Forrest St. I am here from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Please come and get the FACTS about the questions brought up here before spreading anymore of this nonsense.

Bimesjr, I'm disappointed you felt that you couldn't call me first to get the facts.

For everyone else, I have nothing more to say on this site. If anyone has anymore questions, come down and see me to get the facts.

To halfway close one chapter on the AloeSoft mini-saga, they are listed as "Patrons" of Keep Victoria Beautiful, which means they contributed $1,000. It doesn't eliminate the possibility of AloeSoft being paid for services, but it certainly sets the tone for their relationship. Perhaps the contribution was made in web development time. There's likely nothing here to fret over.

Scroll down the right column of logos to find AloeSoft:
www.keepvictoriabeautiful.com/

Donor levels can be found at the "Support KVB" link in the left menu.

All I am saying is you should check on such allegations before you make them.

Bluefish...do you know for a FACT that Polasek is not receiving any financial benefit from hosting the VEDC website...or are you just speculating yourself? Polasek may do some things out of the goodness of his heart....but are you CERTAIN about VEDC?? Or just speculating?

Vox - You are way out of line assuming that AloeSoft has any financial benefit from the NON-Profit websites he helps with. Paul does a lot of them out of the goodness of his heart with no financial benefit. Did you consider that he may be donating his time and expertise to help NON-PROFITS in our area? Please also keep in mind that being a city councilman is not a paying job.
It is not wise to speculate about things you know nothing about!!!!!

blue fish...good comment.

I think someone commenting on this story is angry. Maybe like someone who is going through a divorce and his ex wife is getting half of his business.

Or maybe an angry Kanye fan.

Or maybe a health care plan opponent.

Or maybe a displaced Stingeree.

Who knows? But, someone, just someone is carrying a teeny tiny little bit of anger in his comments. Here and at city council.

Matt,

Other than complaining what ideas do you have to make this community better? What can you do to bring people to Victoria? All I hear from you is what people are not doing.

While the VEDC/KVB-AloeSoft connection is extremely interesting, I'd want to make sure they haven't donated web development services to those groups before raising hell and maybe looking stupid. The potential for having only 2 degrees of separation between the tax dollars and a councilman is definitely worth looking into, though. Polasek seems smarter than this.

AloeSoft web portfolio:
http://www.aloesoft.com/content/view/...

Since some of you bring up VEDC I urge everyone who was not their last night to watch the video. I think Donald Day was way out of line trying to call out a citizen I fell some one from the VEDC need to give him a lesson on public speaking. If I was Mr. Mullins I would have dragged him out side and whipped his ass.

vox, you make a good point I have suspected that for a long time. But I have no insight in to AloeSoft maybe some one should look in to it.

watchherr

People like you make me sick, you said

"A downturn in the economy (part of the business cycle) is valuable for weeding out the slackers. Might you two be a little quick to blame the economy as being the cause of your personal/business financial struggles?"

I work in the oilfield and have for over 10 Years, I have made a lot of money over this time with a lot of sacrifice to my family and personal life. In that time my work week averages 100+ hours a week and nights away from home is about 250+ a year. The last 4 months I've been getting 40Hr/week now if you figure in overtime that most working class people count on my pay has been cut by 2/3. This is not a turn in the business cycle this is a major recession.

All were saying is if hardworking Americans like myself have to make adjustments to our life's than so should the LOCAL, STATE, and FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Speaking of the VEDC, I find it a little suspect that AloeSoft (in which Council Member Polasek is a managing partner) has the VEDC website as well as the Keep Victoria Beautiful website listed on their portfolio. Wonder how much of our tax dollars are paying Aloesoft for these websites? Conflict of interest anyone?

More droppings from atop the ivory tower! My economic struggles are the result of a company-wide effort to save jobs by reducing everyone's hours. My engineering job touches many industries in the area, and I've seen the depressed economy first-hand. The only thing saving my household is that we already live a lean lifestyle, and we have a two-income household. We live well beneath our means.

I don't suppose your "many blessings" are a factor in your opposition to a budget freeze. Your insinuation that those who've been hit by economic downturn are slackers "speaks volumes about your character."

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
Thomas Jefferson

BS Spotter and Matt Ocker:

A downturn in the economy (part of the business cycle) is valuable for weeding out the slackers. Might you two be a little quick to blame the economy as being the cause of your personal/business financial struggles?

I thank God for my many blessings. As Dave Ramsey says, I am doing better than I deserve. Most of us are.

If some day I find myself in poverty, I have only myself to blame for not living leaner during prosperous times.

Jane

watchherr...I somewhat agree, and the words shared by this forum are, or simply should be an effort to state that we wish for optimal economic conditions for this community as a whole.

I feel that the general public, especially myself, need to take the responsibility of getting informed and involved.

I don't vote straight party nor am I affiliated in any means with a particular political party nor do I have any polictical agenda. With that said, I agree that we (the people) need to speak up, balance the powers, and participate in the political processes. We have a God given responsibility and accountability to do so.

I also agree that fales profits are at hand, so for those of you taking the time to read this with concern, educate yourself and pray for disernment; but "faith without actions is dead" (useless).

Speechfree
Don't the Dems do the exact same thing? Seems to me that anybody that goes against what you or YOUR president think they are racist, liars or chicken littles? If it wasn't for YOUR pres we wouldn't be as bad off as we are now. All the bailouts with OUR money....then wanting to go into debt another 12.1 billion dollars. I guess the dems figure it's ok as long as its other peoples money they are playing with.

watchherr says: "BS Spotter: You wish economic ill on others so that they will agree with you? That speaks volume about your character."

That's a real nice spin, but it's not that simple. This issue speaks volumes about the character of those who wish further "economic ill" on a citizenry that is growing less equipped to handle it. To disagree is to willfully ignore that the city govt should be an extension of our households. Since these tax increasers have no empathy, they should be cursed with sympathy. I can't conceive of anyone who is effected by the bad economy rallying behind a tax/spending increase. Feel free to post your personal story of economic hardship coupled with a burning desire to pay for another general fund surplus.

If you disagree, please go on the record by making the following statement:
"There should be a spending & tax increase during a full-blown recession."

This would settle many of our disagreements in a flash because those pushing the spending increases NEVER acknowledge the bad economy.

Hope all watch the replay of the council meeting and decide for yourselves about who is acting in the interests of the voters (short and long term) and who is grandstanding for the camera/audience. Next, call your council members and ask them for the full story on any items that concern you.

BS Spotter: You wish economic ill on others so that they will agree with you? That speaks volume about your character.

John: Have you talked to the city accountants and determined that they did not do what you suggest or is that just your opinion about what might be going on?

There are no shortcuts. Do your own research. Reach educated conclusions. Beware of false prophets.

Jane

speechfree says: "If you have problems with that do what they did to get where they are then cut your own salary..."

I have been cut from 40 to 32 hours per week, and this is the point we're trying to make -- the economy is bad and getting worse. But you'd prefer to turn it into some kind of political battle because that's the only language you know. (I have NO allegiance to any party, only principle.) You can't fathom the concept of local citizens trying to BE their government without getting a political directive from above. We are trying to awaken the council to real economic conditions because their judgment is clouded by a conflict of interest.

I hope this depressed economy finds its way into your household so you can gain some perspective on this issue. Right now, you speak as if you're a high school student who's insulated from the economy by wealthy parents.

Thanks Matt Ocker for all that you do in representing the silent majority here in Victoria.

I am a small business owner and I am cutting line items to stay optimal and lean. That is what we are asking of our local government.

VDEC???? I agree. What have they done? I saw in their presentation that Berry Plasics was a feather in their cap which simply was a buyout of Tyco Plastics. I didn't see any negative numbers reflective of Tyco no longer being in this community, but rather a positive for Berry being here. It should be a washout, not to mention that 90%+ of the people that work there are temporary employees making about $7-$10/hr. Matt brought up a good point...what about all of the businesses that have left Victoria. I am a number cruncher with a math degree and could see right though all of the bias numbers up there. How about this...If 99.9% of all people that have ever lived in the world are now dead, then statistically therefore, you are dead...just playing with numbers like VDEC did last night.

In regards to their beloved Lonetree (pasture) Industrial Park, our Mayor said a few years back as a guest speaker at a local board meeting that "Local businesses are not allowed to relocate there in order to accommodate incoming businesses". What incoming businesses? What can't local businesses have the opportunity to enlarge our local tax base? That is cannibalistic! I have seen and worked with many developments and what a development needs is a catalyst. "Build it and they will come".

Finally, many thanks to Hagan, Truman, and Soliz for being fiscally responsible with the budget. This region of Texas is a very costly area for taxes and property insurance, and we are way behind the eight ball when it comes to local salaries versus bigger cities within a 200 mile radius. That alone drives people/investments away from this region.

I, as a citizen, tax payer, and local small business owner, and father need this community to live up to its true potential. I ask each of you (me included), to stand up as "we the people" and offer a check and balance on our elected leaders to represent our interests.
Dan

pitbullsrock says: "But if next year they want to give city workers an extra couple days off I think PD should be off two consecutive days around Christmas and the Fire Department should take off around July 4th. And don't worry about that trash it can wait till next week."

This is a dishonest argument. No one ever suggested that essential functions of the city be cut -- only fluff*. If you'd been there, you'd know that. If fact, the whole discussion revolved explicitly around non-essential personnel. For you to leap from trying to trim $200k from the budget to cutting essential services during peak times is childish.

*The city's financial planner even acknowledged the city's past "budget surpluses" last night. This is no time for a tax increase to give us another surplus.

[Hagan said he'd rather the council set the tax rate and let the administration decide where to cut the budget. But Council Member Paul Polasek said the council needs to be responsible and be specific about where the cuts should be made.]

Ok, Polasek. What is required to determine this, is real time "operational and functional data", research which the city has not done. Polasek's statement has inspired me. So much, that I will create a posting dedicated to it.

In the hope, that it may lead the city of Victoria to adopting measures, that would lead to both efficient and effective city government.

PatB, the city council adopted a tax rate of 64.5 cents. The headline on the jump page was incorrect.

I was at the council meeting last night, and witnessed Armstrong, Polasek, and Halepaska's antics. I just want to thank David Hagan, Joe Truman, and Gabriel Soliz for there Hard work and for trying to do whats best for there constituents.

Their are a lot of Victorians that appreciate what you are doing.

I'm confused by the write-up. Whhat effective tax rate was finally adopted? The article talks about the 64.5 rate but the headline on the continued story inside the paper had a rate of 63.37 as adopted?

I think I can hear the circus music in the background. Give me a freaking break. Nothing is free...... But if next year they want to give city workers an extra couple days off I think PD should be off two consecutive days around Christmas and the Fire Department should take off around July 4th. And don't worry about that trash it can wait till next week.

Wacko Republicans are hysterical. They cry if the government "under pays" doctors ,or if the government tries and avoid paying rich executives bonuses whose companies lost money and got bail out help, but conspire to STEAL 2 days wages from low paid city workers. The Republicans will not be happy until the streets of The United States look like Tutsis and Hutus fighting each other to death just for the sake of hearing themselves talk and feeling important. Bring me they are making or spending twice as much of a town of comparable size you might perk my ears. Tell me they are having a catered meal you are a pathetic, petty person with no life. Yes some of the jobs in the city pay fairly well but pay the going rate. If you have problems with that do what they did to get where they are then cut your own salary otherwise leave there kids college fund alone, and go around insisting land rich farmers be paid for not planting crops on land that has not seen a tiller in God knows when because they deserve it since they love Willie Nealson like you do.

Looks like the wording has been changed, or I was hallucinating. Why ask employees to take off without pay when they could take away funding from organizations like KVB & the 1st time home buyer program. Why is the city participating in that? Taxpayers should not be burdened with helping others purchase homes.

2 days off a week? Every week?