Ord Talk

An Investigative Editorial by Guy Brock

UPDATE: Guy Brocks response to Paul Markowski

In reviewing Paul Markowski’s comments of being a landowner along with being a utilities superintendent, I find that there are significant questions that should be asked. Paul Markowski’s opening statement is that he believes that a lot of calls that have gone to the city council were unwarranted. I find that statement to be noteworthy. The superintendent finds that the tax payers calling their council members in reference to his job performance to be unwarranted. I am sure that Mr. Markowski would just as soon have the tax payers ignore how he is using their tax money for his own personal benefit???

Mr. Markowski stated he doesn’t put out work orders… The reason Mr. Markowski brought this up was due to the fact that I requested records pertaining to the tree trimming as to how the decisions are made to do one job as verses another. Notably there are no records to reflect any decision making or priorities. This proves to be very convenient at times like this when questions are raised by tax payers of how their tax money is being spent and how those decisions have been surmised.

Mr. Markowski stated that he has a 1 & 6 year plan, and a 1 year plan. I question when Superintendent Markowski’s tree trimming at his income producing rental properties were placed on the 1 & 6 year plan or the 1 year plan and how that decision was made or prioritized.

Superintendent Markowski clearly stated that he was at his 1103 G Street (rental income property) picking up limbs that had fallen down from the tree. He continued and clearly stated, I said my crew could go in there and trim the trees back across my property and do it (how gracious Superintendent Markowski was to allow the city tree trimming crew to back across his personally owned income producing rental property to trim his trees). Superintendent Markowski stated that they cut off a limb that was hanging towards my house. Mr. Markowski continued and stated… I guess as far as the power line there, these trunks were big enough and large enough, if they would have fell across Mr. Edghill’s power line it could even have snapped the pole off to the north. This statement after viewing the property, I find particularly bizarre not only from the point that it was said, but that Markowski believes that we the tax payers are stupid and gullible to believe it. Superintendent Markowski stated that the 3rd tree from the north had a 12 to 18 in diameter limb going 20 to 25 feet in the air was towards his house, which is to the EAST, while making the statement that the power pole, as well as the power lines was to the NORTH, and had this trunk broken (not the 20 to 25 foot limb, but the trunk) it could have snapped the pole off. Could this be why the trunk still remains, but the limb that was threatening his house is gone? Equally bizarre, Superintendent Markowski stated that this was the 3rd tree from the NORTH, and neglected to point out that the power line running to Mr. Edghill’s property runs directly between trees #1 & #2. The same power line that Superintendent Markowski said that if the trunk of tree #3 broke it could land on Mr. Edghill’s power line and snap the pole off. For this to happen, the trunk of tree # 3 would have to break and go THROUGH tree #2 which is of equal size. Superintendent Markowski neglected to state why the EAST side of those trees (with the limbs falling out on his property) was so neatly trimmed, but the WEST side remained untouched.

Please Superintendent Markowski, we tax payers believe we have been violated enough by you using our city owned equipment and city paid crews for your personal benefit at your income producing rental property. Please do not play us for gullible fools as well. Superintendent Markowski concluded his explanation of the tree trimming by city crews at his income producing rental property by stating, “And you can believe what you want to believe, but that’s fine,” (while waving his arm in the air). Thank you Superintendent Markowski for allowing us to believe what the facts led us to believe.

Mr. Markowski states that he knows I am hot onto private enterprise. Superintendent Markowski then addresses Allen Edghill, the owner of the property immediately to the west of Markowski’s rental income producing property. Superintendent Markowski stated that they were down there last year and cut the NORTH tree at Mr. Edghill’s request after the power line had been torn off the house 3 different times. (This is the same tree which was previously described as tree #1). If you recall the power line runs between trees #1 & #2 only. If the problem tree (tree #1) was trimmed last year, then why was the tree trimming crews back again this year? What was it that Superintendent Markowski wanted us to believe? Mr. Edghill stated he just wanted his power line cleared. Markowski stated that the power line runs between trees #1& #2. This year Markowski has the tree trimming crews trim tree #3, what did he say the purpose was??? Mr. Edghill stated the trees have never been touched except until this last year. After that statement, Superintendent Markowski wildly waves his arms and says I have the floor, after he asked Mr. Edghill a question.

Superintendent Markowski then addresses his real estate deals, and acts as though he is offended at the appearance of shady deals. Superintendent Markowski, then describes in his own words, “I was at a state basketball tournament when the city clerk called me and said that Viaero was looking for a lot. That’s the first time I heard about it and at that time she gave them a list of available lots that she had.” Thank you Superintendent Markowski for confirming what many of us had already suspected, that you were given inside information that Viaero was looking for a lot. Superintendent Markowski omitted the rest of the story, as to how Viaero purchased the privately owned lot that he owned, rather than a city lot that was on the list given to Viaero by the clerk.

More importantly, how did Superintendent Markowski get the zoning changed and for whose financial benefit? Did this zoning change happen before Viaero purchased the lots or after they purchased it from Superintendent Markowski? I am sure that Viaero’s legal representatives would require that the zoning would have to be compatible for their intended purpose before committing to buy it. The question must be asked again, how and when did this rezoning occur? All the tax payers having to show for this real estate transaction is the “Markowski Buzzard Tower”, a possible cancer causing cluster in the middle of the City of Ord and Paul Markowski is offended?

Another outrageous comment by Superintendent Markowski was when he referred to the new property owner on M Street as being “pretty low life there,” when he (Markowski) had to pay $200 for the subject garage shed. Superintendent Markowski appeared to be offended at the overtones of a possible theft, being investigated by Ord’s law enforcement officers. The question again must be asked, if Superintendent Markowski was entitled to remove the garage shed from the new owner’s property on M Street, why did he pay $200 as he stated at the time of the investigation? Mr. Markowski has the audacity to call the owner of the garage shed a low life…? Superintendent Markowski stated he and 5 or 6 of the boys went to the M Street property after work and moved the building… but neglected to state what equipment was used, and if that equipment was/is owned by the City of Ord?

Superintendent Markowski, then returns to the subject of tree trimming between O & P Streets. (NO, it’s between Q & P Streets). He doesn’t even know what canyon he is talking about, does he know what power lines are the subject matter? Superintendent Markowski then made reference to the lots that volunteers were going to aid the owner in cleaning up. This is still in the plans. However, we are still waiting on Superintendent Markowski to trim the trees hanging over the street that the city is required to do, so the volunteers are not doing the city work. If you recall, Superintendent Markowski’s opening statement was I have worked with Mr. Brock on several occasions. One was being a constructions permit at my home, the others being cutting the trees overhanging Q Street being 10th & 11th, and between Q & P on 11th. The volunteers are still waiting on you, Superintendent Markowski, which is why I asked the board if Paul Markowski was done trimming his trees, could we get him to come down on Q Street. Superintendent Markowski made reference to trees hanging out on the road. He then stated that people usually approach the city office if there’s a low hanging limb… usually Rick hits them with the motor grater before anybody else does. Superintendent Markowski fails to realize that a motor grater is approximately 12 feet high, semi trailers that use Q Street are generally 13 feet 6 inches high. What do you suppose is going to strike the trees first, possibly damaging the tops of the trailers or the Bohemuth School Tour Bus that also uses Q Street. Superintendent Markowski advertently forgets the previous conversations with me addressing the trees, but does remember working with me on several other occasions (their both the same Superintendent Markowski). Superintendent Markowski clearly does not like my question I put to him…, “Is it necessary to point out the obvious…,” especially since he and the tree trimming crews had within the past month trimmed the trees directly across the street from the trees that are overhanging Q Street. Who needs to open their eyes, Superintendent Markowski? Again I ask the question, if you are done with the trimming of trees at your privately owned income producing property with the city crews, city equipment, at tax payer expense, could you find time to do that required city work that you were hired to do and trim the overhanging trees between 10th & 11th on Q Street (not O Street) and between Q & P Street (not O Street) on 11th so that the volunteers that are planning to help out the Kids Zone Day Care can get started? Is this really too much to ask of you?

Superintendent Paul Markowski took to the podium before the city council, with a definite mission in mind. That mission was to defend his executive decisions as a department head of the utilities department and to let us know that he believes his character has been slandered. Oh my, my Mr. Superintendent you are a victim of evil tax payers with malicious intent to deprive you, the use of their tax money for your own personal use. Honestly, I am not surprised at Superintendent Markowski’s demeanor. Why? This type of executive decision making that has come under scrutiny lately has been standard operating procedure for so long that he, some of the board members and maybe the mayor don’t see what is wrong here. They just don’t get it. Little wonder why people are against any increases in taxes, no matter what the good reasons maybe when we have seen abuses for years with our tax money creating suspicion and mistrust. Does anyone really want to give the abusers more money for more abuse? I think not. In the very near future it is my intention to address the connection between this public mistrust, and economic development. You may be, as well as our elected public officials surprised at this connection.

In the mean time, we are waiting on the mayor and the city council to address the Markowski Affair.

The Original Guy Brock Story

A little over a year ago, Mayor Randy O’Brien took on the difficult job of improving the law enforcement department for the City of Ord. The problems that existed in that department had been ignored for several years, by previous mayors and left for the next mayor to deal with, with the citizens coming up on the short end.

Under the mayor’s leadership and support of the city council members, the mayor delivered to the City of Ord a chief of police that has performed expeditiously. The job was very well done.

Once again, Mayor Randy O’Brien is being faced with the challenges and difficulties of problems that have been ignored for several years by previous mayors, leaving the citizens coming up on the short end again.

The most recent challenges that have been presented to the mayor is just what to do about the abuse by Utilities Superintendent, Paul Markowski directing the city crews to perform work which Paul Markowski personally has a specific interest in, at no personal cost to him, but at the cost of the City of Ord. Specifically the tree trimming at one of the many income producing rental properties owned by the utilities superintendent and the using of city crews to do the work. On the surface it appears as though the superintendent is within his authority to direct the city crews to trim the trees from the power lines at his rental income property without regards to ownership.

However, prompted by the known history of using city crews and the use of city equipment for the specific personal interest of the superintendent warranted a closer look. Looking at the worksite proved to be as I suspected. I could see no evidence that there were city power lines involved in the trimming of those trees. There would be remaining evidence of a large diameter freshly cut limbs from the tree of significant size and diameter to support the extended reach that would be required to reach the power lines. I could see no such evidence.

I placed a phone call to Mayor O’Brien. My suspicion is that Mayor O’Brien had not looked at the subject trees up to this point, but had only talked with the superintendent to get his version. The mayor spoke in a defensive manner to include unspecified subjects, and finally stating that Paul trims trees all over town that interfere with power lines, hanging over side walks, and streets that may endanger persons, property on public property.

Additionally, the mayor stated that Paul had spent $3,800 (???) previously for tree trimming (presumably at his rental property or properties).

The conversation continued of no significant value to this subject matter, and concluded with my statement that the tree trimming did not involve city power lines.

A short time later Mayor O’Brien called me back, after I believe he had actually looked at the property, rather than taking the superintendent’s word.

In reviewing my conversations with Mayor O’Brien, he stated that there was NOT any power lines involved in the tree trimming of the city crews of the superintendent’s income producing rental property. However, Mayor O’Brien did state that there was a telephone line involved in the tree trimming, then he went on to state that the city has nothing to do with the telephone lines. This was then followed up by a question to me, “What do you think now?” My response to Mayor O’Brien was, “I know. You have discovered what the rest of us already knew.”

With Mayor O’Brien’s statements it’s clear as to what transpired, particularly when you view the east side of the trees (located near the lot line) that were trimmed, on the property owned by Paul Markowski (as an income producing rental property) that was neatly trimmed, but the west side of those same trees that were trimmed were left untouched (owned by another) that did involve a different power line running directly through the trees to the property immediately to the west. This tree trimming of the superintendent’s property was done solely for cosmetic purposes only.

It is my understanding the tree trimming crew was at this location for nearly the entire work day. This use of city crews, equipment and resources by the Utilities Superintendent, Paul Markowski is not an isolated incident.

It is a continuation of indignant display mimicking the thumbing of his nose at the mayor, city board, and the tax payers while utilizing the city resources for his own personal enrichment over several years.

Throughout my research I have discovered copious amounts of still pictures, and video tape footage of the Utilities Superintendant, Paul Markowski using city owned equipment to move, tons and tons, and yards and yards of fill dirt for his personally owned garage, with retaining walls built from power polls placed horizontally, with other polls drilled vertically in the ground to retain them.

I was told that the then Mayor Goldfish looked into this use of equipment at that time and the situation was dismissed as trivial because the city equipment was being used for only ½ hour. (Oh please, Mr. Goldfish.)

Additionally throughout the years, city equipment has been used to clear the snow from the superintendent’s driveway at his home, as well as from his other garage (the one that sits on the tons of fill dirt that was placed in ½ hour).

The most remarkable was the use of city crews to help search for the superintendent’s dog that had gotten loose, at which time there were no less than 2 crew members being paid by the city to help search for the lost dog. I was told that Mayor O’Brien was aware of this expenditure of tax dollars. These instances, as well as the pictures are just a few of many that I have discovered without looking very hard. I could go on and on, but I am sure that the readers are getting the gist of how their tax dollars are hard at work for the Utilities Superintendent, Paul Markowski. The question must now be asked, do the tax payers of the City of Ord want their tax money spent for the personal enrichment and cost saving in the private real estate business of the Utilities Superintendent, Paul Markowski? I believe the tax payers DO NOT. The question must now be asked, will Mayor Randy O’Brien (as previous mayors have, as well as previous city councils have) ignore these egregious behaviors and allow them to continue for the next mayor and council to address, or will they act in the interest of the people they represent, by seeking the reimbursement of expenditures that were for the personal use of the Utilities Superintendent, Paul Markowski, and seek his resignation. We will just have to wait and see.

Guy Brock (rock)

Note from Ordtalk: Mayor O'Brien was unable to be located for comment earlier this evening but we will try to get his thoughts on the matter at the City Board Meeting tonight...

UPDATE

After listening to Paul Markowskis' response to both Guy Brocks public comments and comments made elsewhere, any response by the Mayor at this point is probably moot. The video of Mr. Markowskis' statement to the board will be up tomorrow after noon along with the rest of the City Council meeting. Thanks for your patience.