Speak Out 12/11/14

Kaplan just

blowing smoke

Mr. Kaplan, your hand-picked buddy certified public accountant Neil Conway arrived in Poplar Bluff ready to go to work only two days after you officially began employment. Interesting that he started his new consulting firm only 19 days prior to his arrival. How could you possibly have known the disposition of the city cable sale was overwhelming city employees? The agreement was reached in April and as I recall a consulting firm (with experience in FCC law) was hired to oversee the sale on behalf of the city. So, how could the CPA currently employed by the utilities department have been too overwhelmed by the cable sale to help with the city budget. As I understand it, this person had previously worked as auditing partner with a local accounting firm and already was familiar with the city budget process. This person would have been more than capable of doing what Conway is doing and all it would have cost the city is a salary they already are paying, not the $135 an hour, plus expenses we are paying your friend from Texas.

Kaplan is

destroying city

I have a few questions concerning the new City "manager." What steps are necessary to RID this city of him and all his "assistants"? Grant writers? And assistants to the assistants? Who did that before he came to destroy this town that has been my home all of my life? He seems to have the mistaken idea he can come in here and spend OUR money like there is a gazillion dollars free for his taking. I am old as dirt, and for those who have not attempted to live on Social Security, let me make this clear: I worked fifty six years for the meager amount I get. THERE IS NOT MUCH SECURITY in Social Security. I can NOT afford any more raises in my utility bills, every time I go the grocery store everything is higher than it was the week before, this city was doing just fine before Doug Bagby was FIRED! If they could fire him for doing a great job, there has to be a way to FIRE this piece of work that has come to destroy us all. I'll be first in line to applaud when that happens!

Kaplan doesn't

return calls

This is for Mr. Kaplan. The person who called into Speak Out who said he didn't return phone calls is correct. I've called at least two times and I'm still waiting for a call back. And, Mr. Kaplan, when I borrow money I have to pay it back. The City should pay their loan from Municipal Utilities. then there would be no need for a raise in our bills. And you need to take time to learn about the people in Poplar Bluff. There are many of us who simply cannot afford a higher utility bill. We simply don't have the money.

I attended the city hall meeting where the insurance men pushing the insurance from London spoke for nearly an hour. The man speaking kept praising you and the good work you have done in several cities. I was wondering why you moved around so much? Do you break each town and move on? Or, do they finally catch on to what you are doing and fire you? How can you be a city manager when you don't even live in Poplar Bluff? And council persons who are backing Mr. Kaplan's rape of Poplar Bluff, you better wake up. The man is leading you down the wrong road. This town will be bankrupt if he is allowed to continue spending our money.

Maybe you better take his name off of the city checkbook. Thank you.

At least Bagby

kept it local

Mr. Kaplan, you stated in Sunday's DAR that you have developed professional relationships, as did former city manager Doug Bagby. Am I missing something here? If you're no different than Mr. Bagby, shouldn't you be fired, too? I thought the "new coalition" of the council fired him for precisely that reason. At least he kept the business local!!

Take a lesson

from TRC Bd.

It seems our city and our college have a lot in common lately. TRCC had a president that did a "snow job" with the board and sold them a bill of goods. The college had a board that "went along," didn't ask questions or think on their own -- just like our city council is now doing.

Thankfully the people voted in some new board members that didn't "drink the cool-aid" and had the guts to get rid of the president -- that was only way the college could possible survive. Now the people have to do something about the present city council and get rid of Kaplan before it is too late for our city.

It may already be too late . . .

Kaplan shows

his arrogance

Mr. Kaplan, the citizens of Poplar Bluff are the ones who run this town. Not you, sir! You are not a demi-god, so you have better wake up fast that the citizenry of this town is on to your tricks at all the other communities that you mismanaged. So, wake up, sir. You are a hired employee of this community and all it takes is a petition drawn up by the citizenry to have you fired! Understand that? Fired! You can be replaced in a heart beat, so stop with the arrogance and grow up, quickly! Because you are making a whole bunch of people in this community angry, and that, sir, can backfire on you faster than you could shake a stick!