Letter writer defends district's financial advisor decision
Published: Friday, January 27, 2012 3:29 PM CST
To the Editor:
The letters written by Tom Notch and Nick Stoiaken in the 1/21/12 issue of the Laker are inaccurate and require corrections.
Bond prices are set by market demand - not board members or their financial services providers. To claim the school is paying an extra $2,000,000 is absurd, since nobody as of this day knows the market price. The bonds will be sold competitively, and we predict better than projected interest rates, which will bring a savings to the taxpayers.
Our process in selecting our financial advisor is consistent with our policy. In 2009, the district interviewed and the School Board Finance Committee approved the district's financial advisor. Action regarding the sale of bonds is done publicly and most recently was discussed at a publicly televised meeting on Jan. 9, 2012.
It's no small coincidence that Notch's running mate, Don Mailey, has gone as far as to request the Office of the State Auditor to audit our selection of our financial advisor. It's his right, but these things cost time and money.
[Don Mailey] Completely false! First, you can't just request this audit, it must be petitioned for. In a district the size of Westonka, this petition would require nearly 500 signatures. This information is readily availible on the Auditor's website, so it doesn't make a lot of sense for Mr. Botts to fabricate about me by claiming I simply picked up the phone and ordered an audit of the district. Maybe research isn't his thing. Second, send me the bill for this "audit." Third, what "selection?"
There is good news in the matter as they examined the situation and reported: "the district engaged in a periodic review of its financial services advisor, as recommended by this Office."
[Don Mailey] Define examination, Dave? I thought it was a "full audit?" A periodic review--in 2009--is not the same as pricing a $42,000,000 project in 2012, that was funded 3 months ago. What days were the auditors at Sunnyfield "examining" the district's "periodic review?"
The issue is not that these people have differing opinions; the issue is they are not being constructive. Our schools have made tremendous progress, which our staff is committed to grow upon. Communication tactics such as these only divert time and resources from this goal.
[Don Mailey] This issue has nothing to do with the teaching staff which is doing an excellent job at Westonka. It is centered on the stubborness of an administration who would rather waste money than admit they are wrong!
Dave Botts
Westonka School Board
What is the district trying to hide from us residents and WHY???? This is not passing my smell test. We should all demand that competitive bids are taken on every major expenditure and publihed on the district's website in a timely manner.
ReplyDeleteDon Mailey,
ReplyDeleteIf there was no audit conducted, this publication by the district meets every standard necessary to prove libel, especially given your occupation. Email me if you like at barrister1360@yahoo.com when you get a chance.
Sue them! Sue them! Kevin Borg exposes the district to legal action once again.
ReplyDeleteBorg and Botts are a real piece of work. They will do everything and anything to pull the wool over the taxpayers eyes including slanderous statements. Botts old boy, you have just stepped over the line with your accusations regarding the audit. Your true colors have finally come out and I can't wait for the fallout. If I were you I would step down and take your "boy" Borg with you. Everyone of the Districts taxpayers should be asking for the truth from these clowns. Call them, e-mail them and demand answers.
ReplyDeleteI don't know folks, these characters are extrememly slippery.
ReplyDeleteThey commit libel on air, ToM Notch affair. give vague reasons why we should steal grandma and grandpas homes with property taxes and they get away with it. I've seen it again and again ober the last 17 years. The teachers Union just backs them up with people, money,propaganda and it's membership and their friends and family. My God, I didn't think people would vote yes on truths as tortured as those in the last election. But they did. Maybe a lawsuit would wake them up. I don't have an answer, the real truth doesn't seem to be what westonka wants to believe.
Brad Curtis
I voted for Dave and he is a smart businessman so I will give him the benefit of the doubt, but if Don never brought a costly audit down on the district..wow.
ReplyDeleteLet this be a lesson to anyone considering this school district--don't! We relocated to MN 5 years ago and spent one miserable year listening to these frauds before open enrolling to Orono. We have never looked back! Look at the numbers and look at the talking heads. These are the same people who fired that woman who just lost her only child. Reprehensible, lying, monsters is what they are and people are right to demand accountability for every red cent they are given.
ReplyDeleteHow could the district and Laker have been so stupid to print this if there was no audit or cost to the district? I did some checking and it would seem this is libel dead to rights.
ReplyDeleteLibel
To recover against someone who has libeled you, you must prove the written false statement was:
•"Defamatory," that is, it harmed your reputation (as opposed to being just offensive or insulting)
•Published to at least one other person
•About you specifically
•Made with some degree of fault
Don, I hope you let this go as this is something the district does not need right now. Have you asked the Laker for a retraction?
Whats this? Botts doesn't have Notch on the board to bully anymore so has to take his bullshit bully game to the newspaper? Thats good as more people can see first-hand just how disfunctional Borg's Band of Buffoons really are. Way to rein this nonsense in Kevin! You duh man.
ReplyDelete