"COMFORTABLY NUMB" pink floyd
Well, I was hoping to pass on some great news to city residents. It has been over a month since the city purchased Millstone and I have been made aware the deal was finalized. The rabbits should have received their checks from the Queen so ,"We can all live happily ever after." What there's some kind of snag? You better get and cash that check before August 2nd, seems we might have a problem with that account?
So you all know the snag has nothing to do with the Bear, he just giggles with a paw in his honey jar.
As most of you might have guessed by know I have been blamed for the "terrible rumor" as one councilman called it about the rezoning of that 3 acres of commercial land the Goldberg Properties owns that the city wishes to rezone residential? As Council-President mentioned the other 6 plus acres they own behind Cedarbrook, between Chestnut to Hickory they could start building on. I went to the County Auditor's site and sure enough there are 45 plots that can be developed already, or could they? I believe the city or the developer would have to put in all new infrastructure if a development was to be built. I also believe the city would end up in a legal battle with the present homeowners.
Someone mentioned why I didn't take the city at their word? I told them I had good reason to look out a window if anyone at city hall told me it's sunny outside. When asking questions at council I get many half-truths such as "We will not pay a dime for AMPGS until we start receiving electricity" or The Painesville's portion of the EPA fine at Gorsuch is $8,000.00 don't look now it's $86,000.00 now.[ These remarks I have kept on videotape] How about that promised Lake Health Urgent Care Center? Along with a little retention pond in the northwest corner at Huntington Park, have you seen that corner? What about the $250,000.00 spent on a park by the Grand River next to the Richmond St. bridge [Horvath's Lagoons] over 7 years ago? Looks worse now then when we purchased it, without even a clear reason to spend that much money on swamp land in the first place. I could go on and on. It's a sad day when residents can no
longer trust what they are told.
A city resident shared with me a story about a conversation with a city official. This resident wanted to know the number of city employees in the DROP program. This is a program where an employee can retire and come back to work, also known as "double-dipping" This resident didn't even want to know who the people were only the total number? He was told by the city official the city wasn't obligated to release that number by law and wouldn't. So again "just pay the man."
Now a another Painesville resident has suffered another coincidence, We started a community organization to look into ways to alleviate the flooding in the Cedarbrook area, he has had two meeting with as many as 50 residents attending. Low and behold he goes to city hall where a clerk assess him a $100.00 for a new electric meter band for his house. It seems the clerk mentioned the old band was tapered with and the only reason she could give was that the resident possibly was stealing electricity? This person lives alone has been a homeowner in Painesville for close to 50 years, probably has more money then dirt. Along with knowing this person I trust him.
Riverside Schools will be looking for a levy this coming Tuesday I have read this levy will cost the averge homeowner of a $100,000 an extra $186.00 a year, $15.06, a month. Never in any of these remarks is it mentioned that that average homeowner presently has a property tax bill of over $1,700.00 presently.which with this levy passing will make his property tax around $160.00 a month. Something to ponder.
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Riverside Schools levy failed almost two to one. I guess people can't afford to pay anymore. The next question the teachers will have to ask Do we layoff peer's, or agree to a pay cut? I'm guessing layoffs, Then try to explain "it's for the children?"
posted by terminator1 @ 5:22 PM
30 Comments
30 Comments:
Millstone owners have not gotten paid.
So what is the glitch?
I believe only the architect's of this deal at city hall should explain it.
When will the Millstone residents get their money?
This is an answer to those who make false and misleading statements regarding the Ohio Police and Fire Pension DROP . DROP is a savings program for men and women who may be called to lay their lives on the line at any moment. Nothing more.
DROP does not allow ''double dipping'' from the pension. Members do not collect full retirement pay in the DROP program. Participants defer retirement and continue to work. They are not considered retired and have not filed a retirement application.
At age 48, with 25 years of service, a firefighter can enter DROP. The pension freezes at 60 percent. At retirement, the participant receives 60 percent of the average of the highest three years. The participant continues to work three years but must retire at eight years. During that time, payments into the pension are made by the city and employee as before. The difference is that the money is saved for the employee. It does not go toward increasing the pension. Presently, a return of 5 percent with 3 percent COLA is paid from the investment - not from taxpayers.
If a member does not enter DROP but continues employment for eight years, the same amount is contributed to OP&F. The employee at retirement would then get a maximum of 72 percent on what possibly would be higher wages. The employee could continue working beyond 33 years, costing the taxpayer more. (If a DROP participant does not sever employment after eight years in the program, he would lose his savings.)
Not every police and fire department is a member of OP&F. Some use a different pension systems with their own rules and policies. Police or firefighters after retirement do not automatically double dip. Also, they do not pay into Social Security. Even if they qualified for Social Security benefits from previous employment, the law substantially reduces or completely eliminates what they had earned.
DROP is a savings program. It does not cost the taxpayer more money. DROP is cost neutral. It saves money for the pension and the taxpayer. No participant gets ''additional pay'' from the taxpayers or pension. Additional money in the pension lump sum results from investing what the worker has saved during that period. There is no extra cost to the taxpayer.
to post 719, why is the city not responding to the inquiry of a citizen, who wanted to know what the DROP, program was about and any information about it? the city said they could not or would not give any information. is there a reasonable explanation as to why they would not? a very concerned citizen who is ready to go into this system.
Term and his followers known it all
Thanks 7:19pm for the info.
Hada and his followers know it all. Look at our city waterlines,sewers,streets, waterplant,hostipal,millstone,a.m.pohio 50 year contract 2.7 million dollars loss for us. STOP DOWN AT THE CIRCUS AT THE VETERAN PARK TUES EVE. don't forgrt to say THANKS to HADA and his followers. [can,t wait for the re-call to begin.]
The fire department has five employees in the DROP program, including the Fire Chief. I dont know about the police dept. and im not sure why its some big secret. It's not double dipping. Please present facts.
It was explained to me that the employee retires, and comes back to work? If this isn't true let us know? Where does his contribution to his pension go?
Again, I don't know why it's a secret only the CM and ACM can explain that.
Sounds like a sweet deal.
My guess is the city won't comment on it because it is not their program and they do not have the right to make any kind of informative statement of how it works.
That program is run through the union and the pension fund. As far as the city is concerned they are still just another employee with all the same costs as someone not in DROP.
Hey Term you need to check out on facebook look up,
if you grew up in Painesville you remember
like 2000 post in 2 days
The union has nothing to do with DROP. And the person in drop still pays into the pension fund, just doesn't get to collect what he/she contributes while in DROP.
DROP is a good deal for the employee but it doesn't cost the City any more money then they were already paying the employee. Please remember that they cannot collect social security and because of the physical demands of the job they cannot typically work until they are 65. Especially in a city like Painesville. Our people in our safety forces are very busy. If you don't believe it, compare the stats of our police and fire to ANY other community in Northeast Ohio. They need to make their pension last for a very long time so the extra DROP money really helps
Here's how it was explained to me.
At age 48 with at least 25 years of service they can elect to enter drop, which pays 60 percent of their normal pension into a savings for them while they continue to work. It pays something like 5 percent interest and then when they really retire they get their pension PLUS thier drop savings, and the drop savings will be lump sum. could amount to a lump sum payment of $100,000 to $200,000, depending on what their pension is. Now some say this doesn't cost taxpayers because it's their savings, which is just bull. The tax payers are PAYING that 60 percent of their pension while they continue to work. And On top of all that - the employee may still retire at a later date, wait 31 days, and come back to work again. That's what people see as double-dipping. Sorry but DROP is also double dipping - it's just a clever way to do it. Google drop program and read for yourself.
I'm sure Painesville safety forces are some of the best in the area. I think you would be hard pressed to make your arguement with resident's in nearby communities. It is honorable for resident's believe their professionals are the best safety forces.
Maybe the Harvey principal who is payed over $109,000 a year should work on her job at Harvey 24/7 instead has extra time to run for the Perry school board?
Sorry Kim I want your attention on Painesville.
Term, the taxpayers aren't paying that 60%, the pension system is. The taxpayers continue to pay the employee their normal salary, which they would be paying to someone anyways in that position. And in the fire division the only employee that can "double dip" would be the chief. The rest of the division is working in tested, civil service positions. You can't just come and go as you please. This holds true for the police as well. Once you leave, your out. I know people are bitter at the sheriff and some other administrators for the county but but just can't happen in our fire or police depts. We don't have the "civilian" positions to transfer back to.
And by the way term, I'm not even in DROP. I'm one of the employees that can't get promoted because of our older employees staying around longer and entering the program. I'm just trying to make sure that people understand the system as it applies to our Painesville safety forces.
Probably trying to pad the resume so she can bail ....wish Hanlon would.
No get rid of her,
She is married to the Painesville City School Treasurer ???????
She's not leaving only seaking a seat on the Perry School Board.
You would think she would have enough to handle at Harvey. Someone should ask the number of times the police were called to Harvey last year? For what reasons.
Seems like this DROP program makes it harder for the younger employees to move up? What about layoffs? Are the DROP employees first to be layed off?
In terms of HHS - Kim needs to leave. They're holding on to her out of fear that if she goes, her Treasurer husband goes too. I say good riddance! They can BOTH be replaced. And while they're at it, take Hanlon too.
Another example of lack of merit based reviews to keep your job. If they keep passing the students without really teaching them anything, can we expect anything else when it comes to the prinsipal at our hi skool from the skool board?
Woman, Aferican American and married to the treasurer, they can never get rid of her...
I want to comment on Term's original post, about the citizen who is holding meetings, so he was apparantly retaliated against by the city saying he tampered with his meter and they made him pay $100.00 for another. I think if everyone who has been retaliated against by the city for speaking out or challenging the city in any way came forward, we would be shocked at what these people have been getting away with for decades. Based on that alone, everyone needs to get out who is in power here. I hope we get a good start on it at the next elections. That is shameful behavior by the city but unfortunately, I am not surprised one little bit, having been on the receiving end of McMahon and her bunch myself. It's just all very, very shocking.
How is that recall petition coming? That's a good start.
I think Kim should have to pay the electric bill at Harvey (she is in charge right )
The parking lot lights are on way past 1 AM every night, and there still are 2 pole lights that the school pays for that were there when the middle school was, that are not needed now, man I would like to see that bill.
PS A lot of the parking lot lights are burning out because they are on so much.
Just so you know Painesville gives the schools a special discount on their electric bill. Also when they were building the schools Joe Hada pasted a resolution so they could save $150,000 on permits and other fees. Maybe you should ask who also voted for that move.
Livin' Large in Liberty Greens wher we have nothing what so ever to do with city schools?
to post 1:03, the $150,000 on permits is not correct, it is $355,000, for all 5 schools.this is how HADA might be staying in office, by ignoring the fees that are supposed to be paid by any contractor, for any job in the city.if you want anything done to your homw, you have to get a permit from the city. i can't think of any time that i have went into the office and they said, that's okay, it's paid for, don't worry about it. this will be another discussion at the MEET-THE-CANDIDATE -NITE. hold on to your hats folks, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
When and where is the first Meet the Candidates Night?
BUCKLE-UP PAUL HACH, we need to find out about your last 8 year progress for our city. looking forward to the meet the candidate meetings.
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