Allen's Corner is based on Public documents

***RAN ON TRANSPARENCY, BUT ISN'T***

Below is an article that appears in today’s Mountain Home Newspaper under Letter to the editor and another one from me that was printed in the March 26, 2025, paper.  After last night's city council meeting it appears we need a public town hall meeting NOW to clear up MAJOR concerns!  Mayor would not say why city council got chief’s Thompson’s resignation letter on the 1st of April, and it was dated March 14th.  Also, mayors' refusal to answer a city councils' question in regard to the concessionaire's contract and why he did what he did without councils' input.  After some pressure he finally said he would answer in an executive session, what is he hiding from the citizens?  Where is the transparency?

https://youtu.be/H9hwyHjoPa4

 4/9/2025

 ***UPDATE ON YOUR TAX DOLLARS***

What was wrong with the fence at the cemetery?
The fence has been removed at the cemetery and a new one is being installed at a cost to the taxpayers in the amount of $58,542.74.
Can someone please explain why this was necessary?  Taxpayers would like to know!

4/8/2025

 *******The “MAYORS” Agenda*******

Looks like mayor Sykes has another ambush taking place tomorrow night at the city council meeting, March 11, 2025.
Council member wanting to know what the military liaison Marty Anderson is up to with American Classic Charter and emails.  (Another charter school) But before that, a discussion with Col. Christopher Hanson from Mountain Home Air Force Base. (No reason given).  Why is this not in recognizing persons in the audience (maximum 3 minutes).
Like what happened on Oct 22, 2024 see YouTube.  A video chat with Jagdeesh Prakash (not on agenda).  MAC (military affairs committee) in attendance, most live in county.  Then discussion with Alan Bermensolo and Mac representative about reinstating Marty Anderson as military liaison when he was voted out at previous city council meeting.  Then on January 14, 2025 YouTube, this agenda was mayors doing in regards to action item deliberation/decision to freeze the unfilled police  department lieutenant position and all other current and future department vacancies.  City hall was full of police officers.  Same meeting Sykes said he could veto city council, council member verified with city attorney that council can veto mayor not the other way around.
When city council has to fight to get things on the mayor’s agenda.  Sykes way or no way.
Charter schools take funding away from public schools and look at the conditions of our schools.  Mayor Sykes wants charter schools/ school board in uproar. If you can’t be present, please watch YouTube.

****SPECIAL COUNCIL REGULAR****  

MEETING FRIDAY MARCH 7, 2025

Attended this meeting at Elmore County Court House.  Present city council and Elmore county commissioners.  No mayor Sykes or city employees.
Council had passed that all meetings be recorded even special meetings.  But notice live stream viewing (not available).  But we recorded it, link below.
Something is happening and it is starting with the mayor, down to the police chief affecting county sheriff.  Then down to Police officers and sheriff deputies which then could affect citizens of Mountain Home (mentioned in video).
City council apologizing  for city’s actions, discussing what can be done to mend dispatch agreement.  Which mayor Sykes was to discuss with county but has not!  Mayor told city not to pay bill!  Which caused this issue.  Mayor pushing for city to do its own dispatch, this is a critical public safety issue and could cost millions of taxpayer dollars.
This meeting showed city council and county commissioners can work together.  Issues is with mayor Sykes and city employees.

https://youtu.be/yemgy0ppfro?feature=shared

***SHOULD THE MILITARY LIASION BE IN QUESTION? ****

Documents below are from public information requests to city hall and are public knowledge.  They are of Mr. Anderson’s contact with the city as military liaison. A question from a city council member in regard to the military liaison contract and* pay seems to be supported by these documents.  They are his contracts with the city and invoices that Mr. Anderson has submitted to the city for payment.  For just his contract amount he has collected $137,553.00.  In addition, he has collected $6,359.38 over his contract amount and $1,886.28 for traveling expenses.  Which per contract traveling is to be paid by MAC (military affairs committee).  This trip was for air force academy.  Invoices approved by city clerk.Any extra charges stopped with his May 2024 invoice which is when city council questioned Mr Anderson’s income beyond his contract at the budget meeting.Mr Anderson was turned down for contract renewal, then mayor Sykes put it on the next agenda again for renewal.  Would this not come under conflict of interest declaration that city council has been upheld to the same standards?  A council member changed vote due to mayors and MAC’s persuasion.  YouTube video dated October 22, 2024.  Same meeting Alan Bermensolo said MAC use to pay Mr Anderson’s salary and are willing to do it again if need be.  Maybe it’s time.  Mr Anderson does not want to attend city council meetings even when it’s part of a presentation he’s a part of.  Does not want citizens to know what’s going on, shows a lack of transparency which seems to be an issue here with city.  Mr Anderson has interfered with county issues which is not of his contract and with another charter school which has school board in an uproar.  Charter schools take funding away from public schools.In typical fashion mayor is directing this scenario.City council is doing the job they were elected for.  Looking out for citizens tax dollars. Mayor Sykes brought this to light by his February 3, 2025, city’s Facebook page video. 

Supportive Documents

https://youtu.be/Gwc_QzEdlAg

*******WASTEWATER UPDATE*******

Last City Council Meeting, approved purchase of aeration equipment for lagoon cells 1 and 2 at the wastewater treatment plant.  Cost $690,775.00.  This is the first big hit on citizens of Mountain Home with more to come.  Our lagoons have had no aeration/dredging of any kind which should have been done to avoid build up. (Letter below).
Also letter below being sent out to developers who have submitted applications and received preliminary approval in regard to wastewater declining balance.
Mayor Sykes has been in office going on 10 years. With no progress in wastewater until now, after citizens, planning and zoning and city councils outcry’s.  Mayor not charging accordingly to support operations and maintenance. No regards for water or wastewater studies.  Facilities planning studies and declining balance reports from 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023 from Keller and Associates to city of Mountain Home.  Most reference what needs to be done or what choices are recommended but no action from mayor Sykes.  He’s been more concerned with his fiber and tax payers funds going to golf course.
Marty Anderson the city’s grant writer submitted a grant for wastewater but was declined due to grant being submitted to close to another grant.  This was a substantial amount that we lost.
Used restroom at last meeting at city hall, photo below shows what is taped to the mirror.  But mayor has said we don’t have a water issue?
Last photo is what is painted on the back wall of city hall in the alleyway, how fitting!

 ***PUBLIC TOWN HALL WITH MAYOR SYKES***

I have emailed mayor Rich Sykes three times about a public town hall so citizens of Mountain Home could get answers to their questions in a two-way conversation for complete answers instead of his usual one-sided videos.  I have received no response back from mayor Rich Sykes.  (Copies below, please read)
We need a town hall meeting especially after mayor Rich Sykes on city facebook page post on February 3, 2025 false allegations against city council.  We were present at that budget meeting and the only non-city employed citizens.  There was no unfounded allegations against Marty Anderson.  Below are the city council meeting minutes found on city web page for May 30, 2024, it was also not recorded or on YouTube.
All this is, is the mayor gaslighting the citizens to turn against city council.  For them making the mayor accountable for his actions.  This council is doing what they were elected to do by citizens of Mountain Home.  
Mayor does not like his actions being exposed or questioned.  Showing a lack of mayor’s credibility.  Attacking city council when he lacks transparency is a conspiracy theory.  Mayor likes to cause situations so citizens fight among themselves as he sits back and watches.
Rich Sykes Mayor of Mountain Home Facebook page dated Oct 29, 2023 has a post…While I am running for reelection, this hit hard.  I have always told people…”If you do not like me it’s probably because someone lied to you about me”.  
No one lied to us but you and you continue gaslighting citizens of Mountain Home.  We learned this firsthand.  That’s why you won’t respond to us and because we know the truth.

****WASTEWATER/IMPACT FEES ****

Below is an article from the Mountain Home Newspaper 1/5/25.  If you were unable to make it to the City Council Meeting or unable to watch it on YouTube, please read this for importance of where our status of wastewater is at.  Mayor Rich Sykes has avoided this subject for some time.

Last night was the impact fees committee which the city, county and Glenn’s Ferry committees attended to discuss EMS and the growth in these areas.  County said they have been trying to get with city for four years to discuss this matter and others.  They presented a report they did two years ago. City’s committee was blindsided with the information due to mayor's lack of transparency.  Mayor left after only two hours, meeting lasted until 9:30.  County said most EMS calls come from city of which city does not pay for.  With the new developments this will only get worse which will cause delays in responding.  Impact committees to meet again on the 19th to give city impact committee time to view documents presented by the county impact committee.
Citizens and committees have been asking where the impact fees are that have been collected and all we get back from city hall and mayor Sykes are crickets.
Mayor Sykes has been delaying processes, why?  Even with being urged by city council.

*FOLLOW UP TO MAYOR RICH SYKES*    ****VIDEO OF FEBRUARY 3, 2025****

As you saw no meeting notes of May 30, 2024, budget meeting for mayors' allegations against city council.
I am now getting the run around from city hall.  Below are my public records requests for supporting documents of mayor's allegations against city council in regard to Marty Anderson.  Also dates of last audits mayor stated were done since May 30, 2024, in regard to Marty Anderson of which city hall responded, “NO SUCH RECORDS EXISTS.”
At the last city council meeting 2/11/25 councilwoman Wirkkala and councilman Brennan tried to talk with mayor about his video.  It’s on YouTube, starts at 41:56 minutes, also link below.  Mayor Sykes became agitated and argumentative.  Did not remember what he said in video, stated “I will have to go back and reengage in that, let me go look.  Video was just a week earlier.  For someone who was apologizing from the bottom of his heart should not have his PR person write his speech’s.  
Mayor actions at city council shows why he is unable to deal with issues in a public setting and resorts to his one-sided videos, demonstrating his inability to be transparent.  Unethical of a seated mayor.
It’s not one town one team it’s Sykes way or no way.

https://www.youtube.com/live/gtzUlj1fIPE?si=hhzjeOVqyC9BVwjP