After reading the article one has to wonder about the City of Magnolia’s Decision to use money that was not used as it was intended, according to Viren Vansadia, owner of Magnolia Inn & Suites on FM 1488 since 2001. The City spent $10,000 of the hotel- motel tax money, “It was not spent for the purpose it is intended,” he said.

That’s not surprising given the latest issues of Magnolia’s NEGATIVE BALANCE. But one would have to ask Viren who decided to spent the money? If you are a member of the hotel-motel tax committee, which is made up of a handful of people, did you not know the money was being spent on fire works?

Viren said he would like to see the City change the way they manage the fund (wouldn’t we all like to see that throughout the City, but Mr. Kelley is tighten their belts). “Generally, I’d like to see a separate fund for hotel-motel tax so it’s easier to see how the money’s spent,” (How about that, a money trail what a concept) Viren said.

Viren where does this money go? Does it go into the General fund? If it goes into the General fund how would anyone know how the money is spent, did you bother asking Mr. Kelley? Bhatka, owner of Executive Suit and Inn who has operated the hotel since December 2007, said he would like to see the City use the money toward events that will bring people into the hotels and benefit all businesses instead of just some.

Johnny Williams, president of the 4A EDC, said that simply put, the hotel-motel tax fund is used to put “heads in beds.”Williams said he felt that the money used accomplished what the City set out to do.” It brought a record crowd to Magnolia,” he said, suggesting that the hotel owners advertise more to bring in business. I guess that’s why Williams is not in the hotel-motel business and does not understand that according to Viren “It was not spent for the purpose it was intended,”

Checks and balances, accountability, the $10,000 dollars tax money accomplished what the “CITY” set out to do, not the hotel-motel owners. Get it changed Viren, so you and Bhatka can put “heads in beds.

Something doesn't add up here.

Citizens of Magnolia:
Viren Vansadia, owner of Magnolia Inn & Suites and his wife have done so much for the City of Magnolia and always the first in line to donate when someone is in need .. Mr. Bhatka, I'm sorry, I was off of the streets when you opened up and don't know you but I know you pay the extra taxes also...
Thanks for all you have given Viren and donated to the needy, but it's time for both of you to stand up and make the account for the Hotel Tax money ... Don't shut your eyes around Magnolia. Take Care ...

When I wake up now, the first thing I read is the Tribune online..I need a good laugh in the morning and news from Magnolia always fits the bill. I have never seen a more unprofessional, mistake ridden, police out of control, revolving politician circus and general "candy store" way of running a local government in my life. Magnolia is hotbed of political hate, pis)ing contests, clueless leaders and money wasting. It's time for the Texas Rangers or some special procector to take a nice long close look at this sewer of a town. It's a boil on the butt of Montgomery County.

Why doesn't Viren advertise. All businesses should take into consideration an advertising budget. While taxes are intended to do a job. Like bring in crowds that would consider spending the night. No one can take them by the hand and walk them over to the hotel and ask them to spend the night. Business are responsible for making sure their businesses are properly advertised to make sure the public knows they are there. And exposed, how come ryan kelley is the man to blame here. He isn't the only one at city hall making decisions

To towncryer. Sounds like a good time for you to move. You're obviously not happy here. what's a "procector"?

Vivian why do you just explain this to us all like we are two year olds? It is obvious that you look down on anyone’s opinion and even the facts that are presented. It seems that you clearly are friends with the powers to be, so your opinion is bias to the lies that they tell. The issue that is at hand is not how much advertising that the motels have done (all though I am sure that Kstar would love the opportunity to advertise on the air for these businesses) but the real issue is how they spent the money. Williams said the Tax is “To put heads in beds” and he felt that the money was used and did exactly what it was intended for. So let’s realistically look at the situation, does anyone who saw the fire work display and festivities really believe that people would have traveled far and wide to book up all the motels so they can experience the Magnolia Experience. Now do not get me wrong it was an ok firework displace for a city that is broke and not very good at planning. But it was not great enough that the world will cross mountains to see it. I bet the city of Tomball’s hotels do not fill up every year to see the firework display which is by far, 1000 times better that Magnolia and 200 times better planned. I guess I could see hotels filling their rooms for the city of Houston, but not for magnolia. I am sure that Johnny Williams will eat his own words next year when the turnout is the same or less, but not to where as Williams says “ anticipating next year’s July 4 celebration to be so big that they City will have trouble accommodating the amount of people”. I mean Come on, we the citizens Vivian, the citizens of the incorporated Magnolia, not the I drive through and am friends with the powers to be, are concerned on the lies, and wasteful spending and poor management that the city leaders are so frequent too. Do not get me wrong but it is not that I do not believe that non citizens within the city limits of Magnolia do not have a say, but when you are so opinion aided about how I am just on the other side or hateful to Ryan Kelley, because I do not like him, you lose your creditability. This is every not about whether or not I like Ryan or patsy or even what side I stand it is all about the fact that the citizens pay taxes and elect a government to run a city that is a good place to raise their children and grow as a community. But Magnolia has some officials that have been allowed to run amuck and it is not acceptable. What kills me is that you talk about how people are so hateful but you attack towncryer by saying” Sounds like a good time for you to move. You're obviously not happy here. What’s a "procector"?” Why does it sound like he needs to move? Do you move every time your home needs cleaning? And why do you have to make fun of a typo? Hateful! These are citizens with real concern and you are mad because they are speaking about your friend Ryan and Patsy, But guess what, this makes you friends with the Politician. Just because you say it does not make it so. Also I have been meaning to point this out, I am sure glad that you believe that the City can determine the Truth by a majority Vote, But guess what Exposed had it right truth is not determined by a majority Vote. Do you know why because the Truth is still the truth no matter what lies the council decides to vote on and try to make the citizens believe? So you can believe that the truth is determined by a Majority vote, but the rest of us in the real world will deal with the issues and expose the lies to the citizens who have voting power to make a difference.

magexposed

You keep telling it like it is. I don't like to see any funds in the city used for anything that it was not appropriated for. What was the funds from the municipal used for? Was it to pay for the furniture in City Hall?

Have to add Municipal Court. Sorry Vivian I too make errors when typing....

I'm blogging for the same purpose you are. My opinion, I obviously get to you because you take so much time addressing me. I think you are mercilessly attacking one person. and I can't believe an entire city council is corrupt. As for bringing up my place of employement, that was unnecessary, I never used it to get me anywhere and this is certainly just my opinion not that of the radio station I work for. Some of you can't even use your real name much less tell us where you work. And let me make this a little more clear for you since you didn't get it the first time (and you wonder about the 2 year old thing) My kids went to school in Magnolia, I spend my money in Magnolia, and I do business with people in Magnolia, just like you, for shopping and school, I pay taxes. Just because I don't live in the incorporated part of Magnolia doesn't mean I don't have the right to express my opinion on what goes on. And you hit the nail on the head, these are elected officials, except for Mr Kelley, who was hired by the elected officials. Change things intelligentlly, not by attack. And, yes I do know some of these people, not their politics, but the people. Mr. Kelley volunteered his time (off the clock of course) to help fill the food pantry at SOS. I like Jimmy Thornton, Patsy Williams, etc. This is not about their politics, I don't know anything about that and do not say you cannot check up on elected officials. But there are only a handful of you that seem to want to clean house. Speaking of cleaning house, no I don't move when my house needs to be cleaned. I moved when I seem to be so miserable that nothing makes me happy and I can't function without being mad at someone. I have seen nothing positive here for people that want their families to live in a happy place. My family wouldn't be here if I thought this was as corrupt a place as those of you blogging have indicated

well vivian, you have shown us you just do not get it! you said it your self "This is not about their politics, I don't know anything about that and do not say you cannot check up on elected officials" and your right you do not "know anything about that".

You do have a right to your opinion no one ever said you did not, we are not attacking the individuals because we do not like them personally, it is all about their politics, someday when you get older and learn a bit more about how the government works you will understand that the is a need for accountablilty and responsiblity and as long as we live in a free socity we will always be fighting corruption! And yes it is possible for the Whole council to be corrupt, it is a cancer that has been allowed to spread for too long. as far as your comments about being miserable, were not miserable were responsible for our community and the freedoms that our founding fathers gave us. we all love the place we live and get involved. it is apparent that you would rather have use mindlessly follow the powers to be because they play smoke and mirrors and go to church on sunday and fill up shelves in food banks. those are all great acts but it does not change the truth about the political agendas, and track record. I could go on for days about the blunders and shaddy acts that is documented in open record acts, the papers (both your the Tribune and your favorite the potppouri) and even by Channel 13, 26, 11, and 2 tv news. but it is clear that you do not care what goes on because those actions and choices that the council and Ryan make do not affect you because guess what the water rates, you do not pay, sewer rates you do not pay, City of Magnolia property tax you do not pay, you do not have to whatch your tax dollars pay for Williams and Kana Health Care when your City is Broke. You do not have to wonder why city services lack when your water rates are through the roof, and when you have a problem and complain, you have non-magnolia citizen call you hateful and ryan kelley tells you your a lier to your face and then later figures out that he was wrong and says he was sorry. you Do not have to worry about whether or not patsy will going to try and strong arm you because you do not want to place her election sign in your yard. You do not have to worry about whether or not the entire police force is corrupt or not. there is no fear for you that you may have to actually call the police and need help and they may not come because they wasted tax dollars crashing the police cars into themselves, citizens and parking stoppers in a empty field. Maybe we feel the pain of cops arresting people before they complete an investigation. Maybe we hate to see good tax payers dollars wasted on buildig the same city hall multiple times because we could not get it done right the first time. Maybe it is almost humorus that we see the city waste tax payers money 80,000 + to hire managers who never know anything. We just need to get the government under control and you Just do not get it! but thats ok because you do not have voting power because you are not a citizen of this fine city of magnolia. so opinionaite all you want but the ones that lie it every day and have a vote in the matter we all know what the problems are and we are trying to clean house!!!!!! you should really try getting involved in Montgmery county politics you live there and pay taxes to them and you have a vote!!!!!!!!! But lets try this for a change put all personal relationships aside and try getting into the politics side before you make opinions on polotics!!!!!!

magexposed, you say it so well...

This is true WE ARE NOT blogging for the same purpose. You say your blogs are not about politics it’s about your friendships. Ok, I am saying we want answers and it is about politics (your paper the potpourri said if you can’t take the heat stay out of the kitchen). It’s about the so called politicians that are so hateful they fired employees because they could (bottom line, and this isn’t the first time this occurred ) and the rest followed blindly because Patsy said so, even the new puppet Sanders (what did he know other than what Patsy told him), a councilmen voted out (talk about hate what are they afraid of), Mayor requesting dozens of Warrants to be dismissed (you didn’t have one or maybe a friend?), contracts being paid more than contract allowed, City funds negative balance, City Managers discrepancy on resume, City Managers relative (by the way a time line is being put together how about your follow up Kana),hotel-motel funds misused.

We are tired of the crap that’s being shoveled and no one in government big enough Mayor, to address the issues.

Still don't see you doing anything but complaining. Talk is cheap and hiding behind a made up name is even cheaper. Action is what it takes, and I don't see anyone out there working to make it better. As for being friends with these people, you stick by your friends. No tickets for me, I obey the laws, no fixed tickets for friends or family. You see we are a good group. No one is so stupid to blindly follow one person to make decisions. If Patsy had that kind of power, she could rule places much bigger than Magnolia and make big bucks doing it. That's the kind of statement a 5 year old would make. You got your kids writting for you now? And to Magexposed. I do get it. I am all for asking public servants to answer to those who elected them. I just think that moaning and groaning about it in the paper behind made up names is not going to fix any problems. When I see you out there doing something about the problems (you'll have to tell me who you are) then you'll have made positive steps in the growing up process. As for all your accusations, just talk. I imagine that if I was watching you say these words, you would look like a group of mad ducks.

still don't see any anwers, from those in charge so I'll keep questioning gathering the facts and asking Kelley to explain where he was for the 15 months he left out on his resume.

Hmmm... let's see, maybe he has answere that question and it's NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. Don't see why hired employees have to answer to the public only to those that hired him.

Johnny Williams, president of the 4A EDC, said that simply put, the hotel-motel tax fund is used to put “heads in beds.”

Williams said he felt that the money used accomplished what the City set out to do.

“It brought a record crowd to Magnolia,” he said, suggesting that the hotel owners advertise more to bring in business.

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Those statements do not make sense.
Williams said hotel tax money is used to "put heads in beds".
Williams said he felt that the money used accomplished what the City set out to do.
Williams said, “It brought a record crowd to Magnolia,” he said, suggesting that the hotel owners advertise more to bring in business.
Hotel owners said no business was generated from the fireworks event.

If the tax is for the purpose of putting heads in beds but the hotel owners said there were no heads in beds what conclusion should be made here?

Records crowd? By what record keeping stats can this be compared to?

The money was used to accomplish what the city wanted to do? Is the money for the city or for hotels as the name would suggest?

NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS

That is the issue that we have been questioning, the ability of the Council, it is our business just because some of the council overlooked it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have to update your resume and some said they didn’t know about the discrepancy. How can you make a good choice for the best candidate if the resume is not complete? Those elected officials represent the people and with the decisions they have been making lately are questionable. This is a legitimate question because who ever overlooked the discrepancy sends up a red flag. The question still remains and someone on the council should be asking for Mr. Kelley to update his resume to find out what he did for the 15 months he left out and it should be divulged. It’s not enough to say I didn’t change the dates on my template.
It’s checks and balances and if it takes the citizen to be that check and balance to hold council accountable so be it, and there are five members that should have all the information and each one is held accountable for their vote. What is being hidden.

Perhaps this question has been addressed and resolved at any rate, what's this got to do with the hotel/motel tax?
As someone hired, not elected, why should he answer to you?