Archive for the 'Mayor Lyn Truitt' Category
Sorry day late
Hello fellow Republicans. Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19th , 9:00 am in the Hopi room (next to Pima) at the Chaparral Center. Our speaker is the Mayor of Surprise Lynn Truitt. His topic of discussion is his first year in office and the future of our city, as he sees it.
Idea
emailed to Mayor Lyn Truitt, City Council and City Manager
The City of Surprise is looking at the prospect of leasing or selling the old city hall; they formed a committee to advise the City Council, but unfortunately it consists of city employees only.
I am not knocking the idea that whenever the City builds a building, that the staff’s facilities are first class and in my view over built, they are not built for the citizens of Surprise’s use.
The replacement of a building this size would exceed, way over the $8Million that they are asking for it, not including the land cost, because I don’t believe we have the property.
This building at a small cost, could be a large community center for senior citizen’s, meeting rooms for groups like the American Legion (at a charge), recreation and hobby rooms like Sun City Grand has, which is only available to their residence’s and many other use’s. Having the kitchen facility would make this a win-win proposal. Another thought, the Surprise Chamber of Commerce might be able to use part of it, keeping their cost down.
Bringing this idea forward, because we are strong in sports, might we actually say that we have facilities for everyone and that the City of Surprise is the place to live and play.
As always, Bob Vukanovich
Unaccountable
In the FY2009 budget the mayor and each council member have $70,000 to spend, Page 83 “$70,000 is programmed to allocate district funds for each council member and the Mayor”.
If they keep the expenditures below $4,000 they don’t have to have the councils approve to spend the money.
News from the City of Surprise
Bank offers $50K in kidnapping, robbery
The sale or lease of the old city hall.The City of Surprise has extended the lease proposals to Nov. 12, 2008.
The Council will hear the options at the city council meeting Dec. 11, 2008, they will also hear the recommendation from the evaluation committee that is composed of city employee’s only.
When Mayor Lyn Truitt was elected he said he would get the citizens of Surprise involved, apparently not.
Because the Mayor and Council are so quiet and the appearance that they have turned the reins of the city to the new City Manager, we have no issues to discuss with them, or have I missed something?
Councilman Joe Johnson seen last night at the tennis complex with 2 guest.
The shadow doesn’t know where the mayor or council are or what they are accomplishing.
Remember last year when we were told that there was no money to fix or repair Bell Rd or other roadways and that we had no money to finish the city hall, well what happened since then. I am told that they sold bonds, but if they did, that money cannot be used for the roads or the city hall. It now appears that we are spending money like drunken sailors on our roadways.
Take a look at the budget. It’ will open your eye’s how our money is being spent.
From the past
Printed with permission from surpriseaznews.info
David Madrid
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 6, 2004 12:00 AM
The Arizona RepublicAug. 6, 2004 12:00 AMSurprise Vice Mayor Bob Vukanovich doesn’t believe he has done anything to deserve being recalled from office.
But Vukanovich will face a recall election on Sept. 7 nonetheless.
He will face two challengers for his District 5 council seat: Sharon Antes, a 54-year-old public works administrative assistant, and Joe Johnson, a 41-year-old business owner.
Vukanovich says he believes he has done a good job as a councilman. But, he says, the voters will decide that.
“If they think I’m doing a good job, then they will keep me,” Vukanovich said. “If they want a change, then they will vote for a change.”
Antes said her motivation for running for Vukanovich’s seat is she wants to serve. She says she has no political connections, no ax to grind and no agenda.
She said she doesn’t know Vukanovich and has nothing against him.
“I saw an opportunity to participate, and that motivated me,” Antes said.
Antes says some new faces on the council would be a good thing. She says there is too much negativity around the council.
Antes said the use of the council’s discretionary fund must be looked at so that it can be determined what its intended use is and what the guidelines for its use are and what the current policy is.
Antes also says Surprise needs an identity.
“You think of Scottsdale and you think of golf and spas and arts,” she said. “You think of Glendale, you think of antiques, chocolate and balloons. I would like to find an identity that we can say ‘This is what Surprise is about’ and draw people to Surprise.”
Vukanovich became the target of a recall after a group called Save Our Surprise began collecting petition signatures to remove him from office. Save Our Surprise accused Vukanovich and two other council members, Don Cox and Gary “Doc” Sullivan, of eroding staff morale and seeking personal power.
Lyn Truitt, who lost a mayoral run against Mayor Joan Shafer, was the chairman of the recall committee. Truitt said Surprise residents had to band together to stop the councilmen from transferring the power to hire and fire three department heads from the city manager to the council.
Vukanovich calls Truitt a loose cannon who has just made the jobs of the councilmen being recalled more difficult.
“It’s pretty tough,” Vukanovich said. “I believe it (recall) does interfere with the work we do for the city.”
Johnson says he doesn’t have anything against Vukanovich either. He says Vukanovich is a great guy whose health is not too good right now.
He said the demographics of Surprise have changed but that the council is still made up mainly of retirees. He said he believes parents with children in school need more representation.
“I think I can do the job,” Johnson said. “I volunteer my time at the school. I know what parents want out there. It’s time for a change.”
Johnson also said he believes some on the council have been misusing their discretionary funds, saying that at least two council members facing recall are using the funds to run for re-election by sending letters to their constituents telling them what a great job they are doing.
“That’s one example of the shady ways they get around things,” Johnson said. “They are not supposed to be using city funds for their election.”
Johnson said he will support the residents of Surprise and vote for what is best for them.
Councilwoman Martha Bails nominated Bob Vukanovich for Vice-Mayor 06/10/04, she would not have nominated him if he had done anything wrong.
Joe Johnson has been whistling dixie ever since being elected
Mayor Lyn Truitt
May 27th Lyn Truitt
Mayor Lyn Truitt knew how to call a special meeting to hire his girl, I wonder if a special meeting will be called to see if criminal charges should be brought against a former council member. One time might be cause not to file charges, 2 times, get serious.
Mayor Lyn Truitt believes
Let’s hope Mayor Lyn Truitt succeeds, excerpt from the Az Republic
Arizona Republic Article Aug.4, 2007
Truitt, actively engaged in city matters, is undaunted. He relishes the challenge and knows that with creativity and innovation Surprise will end the chaos that has stunned its residents. He believes he stands out in this race for mayor because he will “bring a heart to Surprise” and give its residents hope that civility will return and city workers will be able to get “out of their foxholes.”
Change
Taken from Surprise TodayOur View
Voters elect change — but will Truitt deliver it?
Like it or not, voters in Surprise spoke clearly last week. Things must change. This community is no longer Podunk, and it has not been such an insignificant dot on the Valley map for some time.
But neither has it been run as a city that has been on the move for years. In fact, for every positive development such as a new public safety building or tennis center, there has been an equally embarrassing moment emanating from the sometimes petty, often outrageous behavior exhibited by council members.
(Without courage, Mayor Lyn Truitt will be be unable to bring any resemblance of the change that the City of Surprise needs. Bob Vukanovich)
City of Surprise Mayor Lyn Truitt
Did you know that our Mayor has a notebook that gives you a run down on his activities?
Council Members Richard Alton, John Williams and John Longabaugh also have note books, but do not up date them as Mayor Lyn Truitt does. We in the City of Surprise would like to be able to ask questions of them through their notebook.