"WORKING MAN" rush
I attended the council "work" session Monday night. If you read the News-Herald this morning (Tuesday, November 14th) the misuse of our EMS units as taxis were brought up to council by the Fire Chief. To his credit he mentioned it’s not about the money, but having enough personnel in position in case of a real emergency. We heard about one resident that has been transported 79 times this year already. I am sure we are not the first community to face this… it's time to find a solution.
The Utility Commission appointed by city council was discussed. In one word, it is a sham!
I looked up the definition of a commission, appoint, assign, delegate, authorize, order, enlist consign, charge, engage, invest, hire, and contract for. Now this Commission will only ‘advise’ council. OK, it will only make recommendations. So how many people do you think will take the time to look into electricity, water and sewer, maybe even waste management? Then, after all their work, council can do as they wish? It's council’s job in the first place… maybe this is a new way to pass around the mistakes. We elected these people.. now time for them to do their homework.
Council has had the good advice and input from residents before...remember AMP - OHIO? How many citizens went before council in opposition of AMPGS and council did what it wanted anyway? This kind of takes the wind out of someone's sails. Who would be motivated to do all that research for nothing? Do what you want, but please do not make it look official by calling it a ‘commission’.
Storm Water Improvements: well, in this case you might as well be living in Rock Creek Township. The city has no legal or financial way of solving you problems.
The Cedarbrook area study came back. In laymen’s terms ...the pipes are too small. How much did that tidbit cost us? Those pipes must have shrunk in the last 6 or 7 years. We never had this problem before Heritage and Chestnut schools and several other large developments got tied into the same pipes. One Million Dollars to fix this. We don't have a million dollars but I guess it should be a great source of comfort to the people that suffer over there (along with people on Hayer, and Meridan, as well as those living on N. State St.) that the flooding mystery is finally solved and we finally know what the problem is. We know how to fix it…but you residents are just going to have to live with it.
The city engineer had an idea how to solve the sewage problem for $1000.00. OK, I'll give you $1000 bucks but there is no way you can get a contractor to do that job at that price. You pay the overage.
Interesting meeting… we have even more problems to look into. Right now in "my" world that’s all we presently can deal with.
See the city has started construction on the Battery storage/Utility truck storage garage. I'll give you three guesses who got the excavation contract? It may be legal but I wonder how ethical it all is?
News-Herald had a story how the county was spending $30,000 to evaluate moving the County Utility Department Enginineering and billing department out to the former Minimum Security Facility. Seem's like a strange move? When you realize they own that office building next to Burger King in the center of town. Why would they want to move out of town? Where is that Community Develpment Department we pride ourselves on in town. How much income tax revenue will this cost Painesville's coffers? Seems if we could just get the city and county to work together? Wonder what or who the problem is?
posted by terminator1 @ 4:07 PM
38 Comments
38 Comments:
That office building next to Burger King would cost to much to remodel, I thought you knew everything, I remember reading about that some time ago.
Don't really know much 3:43. Well the county will spend $30,000 to find out the feasibility of that move. Now how much will they spend to transform that minimum security jail to office space?
Then what happens in a few years when the county can again operate that jail? Build a new one?
The office building next to Burger King is condemd not allowed to have people in it jujst for storage...
OMG Term. you know it all,
But to re-open the building next to BK, it would take min. 150,000
News for you, there have been water problems WAY before those new schools were built. At the first meeting at Chestnut several residents said this was ongoing for 25+ years. What about the policy of 4 or more people in one area who complain, then something may be done. What's that all about?
7:03 the policy about 4 neighbors agreeing on a flooding problem? The city would advise you on a solution.
5:37/6:00 $150,000 or condemed which is it ?
I lived in Cedarbrook area 30 years ago and we used to get flooding bad enough I took my canoe out in the street, so this is just Term and his posse looking to blame something more on the current administration.
My Moms house has not had a wet basement since before 1971 until 2006 since then at least a dozen times water 18 to 24 inches?
So come to your own conclusions.
My posse? What some senior citizens that now on top of everything else have to put up with this?
Maybe the city would like to explain how many connections into the Cedarbrook and Chestnut St. storm sewers there has been in the last 10 years?
On the topic of using EMS as a taxi service - "it's time to find a solution." I got your solution. It's called lawsuit the first time a resident calls 911 and is told - sorry, you've used up your quota this year. Can't take ya. Or maybe, "Hey, I don't think your medical condition is serious so call your neighbor for a ride." You've got to be kidding me. What a pathetic, sad city this has become. We blow $2 million on a take-or-pay contract and it gets no press in the paper. What gets press? The fire chief doesn't want to feel like he's running a taxi service. Well sometimes people who aren't REAL sick go to the doctor anyway, and sometimes people who aren't REAL sick call 911, and sometimes people use the emergency room when it's not a REAL emergency. Deal with it. The law doesn't give you or anyone else up in city hall the right to sort them out. The next item to reach newspaper print will most likely be a story about how many times people call the fire department to report the smell of gas and there is no gas smell when the truck arrives. Or gee, maybe too many people call about small fires they could put out themselves. This is just so stupid I don't know why I keep reading about this town. A city manager, her assistant manager, and 21 or so department heads to run a town of 15,000. And they still can't get it right. Oh no - here's what they complain about: too many transport to the hospital calls. Gee, maybe you shouldn't have done that back-room sweetheart deal and instead worked to keep ANY hospital system on the corner in town. Then the city wouldn't have this "problem."
One reader commented on the news-herald site that Lori DiNallo must be an idiot? It's impossible to tell the difference between an anxiety attack and a heart attack. I agree with Kathy Sak we spend to much money on city hall and not enough on services to the people in town. Speaking about a lawsuit maybe that's the solution to the sewer problems?
And another thing - throughout the years city leadership has promoted Painesville as a sanctuary city, so to speak. Leadership has encouraged a certain population growth. Now typically this growth comes with lower income and the lack of insurance, etc. Not just my opinion - the state education web site lists Painesville very high at about 65 percent disadvantaged. (students) Soooo - all you college-educated leaders with a background in economic development - did you not know this would eventually put a STRAIN on public services? You got what you asked for. Now, you have a moral obligation to do the right thing. And . ... building more homes may add to your utility base and you THINK you'll make more money but the truth is residents are a huge drain on public services. You'll lose more than the utilities bring in. But you already know that too, right?
Moral issues and doing the right thing is great. Let me ask you this. Where is the money coming from. We all heard the issue 2 ads and we all voted to repeal SB 5. The majority spoke. Now what happens to the budgets for the police and fire services? Will we get layoffs? Will we get more firemen or police officers? Who knows. We have to find a way to pay for all these services. I know if either department runs out of money and doesn't pay the employees, we won't have any services.
Kathy, does the person with a serious condition file a lawsuit because someone with a toothache kept them from getting rescued?
LAWSUIT.
That's your solution? How much will all these lawsuits cost the city? Fix the original problem, lawsuits don't FIX anything.
Next thing you will be saying is that you will be occupying Painesville Square. Lots of protesting but little solutions being offered. Only more strain on the affected cities services. Police dealing with protests and not enough providing needed protection for the rest of the people. Creating more problems don't solve your original ones.
Fix the orginal problem? How will that transpire?
People including myself don't like lawsuits and at the same time the city administration doing study after study and not getting anything accomplished seems to be all we get.
I just believe there is enough money to replace water and sewer pipes so people don't have rust in there water along with two feet of water in there basements.
The top two administration heads in our town salary including fringe benefits make over $285,000 combined. What are we paying for?
City engineer about $121,000.
My question to Term and ? is, did SB 5 deal with our city employees and department heads too?
All we heard was no one was going to put out fires and protect people. Firemen, policemen, teachers but how many other public workers? Be nice to control the costs of city employees and department heads and hold them responsible? Council doesn't seem to be doing it.
I'm sorry Kathy Sak, but I just don't go along with your liberal way of thinking. These people are here illegally and using every public assistance that is out there. Listen to the scanner some night. Yes, toothache is a reason to call 911. And when EMS sees that this is not an emergency they ask them "are you sure you can't get a ride to the hospital?". They say "no". So we are obligated to transport them. As the ambulance pulls out of the driveway, lo and behold, 3, 4 or 5 cars with family and friends pull out and follow the ambulance to the hospital. This is a fact. Ask the firemen. There is a difference with being compassionate and just plain enabling users. Bravo the fire chief for trying to do something practical and not waste our citizen's tax dollars.
?said. ….I think the fire department has a legal obligation to respond to all calls for assistance. I’m not advocating the filing of lawsuits to solve anything - I’m saying what I just said. And just a guess here but I’m betting the chief doesn’t want the responsibility of deciding who gets transported and who does not. If someone calls 911 and says hey, I have this terrible toothache and I want to go to the hospital, you better take them. Feel like a taxi? Too bad. Goes with the job. Uses up city resources? Yep. Happens in every town. And it’s not an issue until the economy goes sour and budgets get thin. Remember when an ambulance ride was free? Last time I called one the ride to Lake East (a mile at the most from my house) it cost almost $900. I do get it - people without insurance or the money to pay don’t have to. How much money did this billing process bring in for this year? I’m asking because I don’t know - no hidden message there. You won’t see me at a protest. Not into it. And I don’t think I have all the answers. The chief said it wasn’t about money (it’s always about money) and that it ties up his personnel and that seems to be your point too - these “taxi” calls distract from calls of a serious nature. True enough. So let’s tell people not to call the fire department for a stove fire. Wait until smoke is pouring from at least two windows because somewhere in town a house may catch on fire and we need our fireman here at the station, waiting for the big one. For the record - our police and fire department budgets should be increased, not decreased. More, not less. No layoffs from either. And we all knew, or should have known, when the hospital relocated to Concord this would happen. Where’s the money going to come from? My solutions? Just a few thoughts - Start cutting under the big dome. Cut overhead. That's a start. Then the city needs to adopt a pro-business position to fill the industrial park they have that's probably 70 percent vacant. An agressive plan - the one it has now is not working. Give away everything but your first born son to get business here because business brings jobs and jobs bring money. Stop expending energy to develop residential areas and start working toward filling empty storefronts downtown. The streetscape plans are beautiful but streetscaping won't bring jobs. Start working with current property owners in the business district and get those spaces rented out. Do what it takes, get it done. And finally - where is that emergency clinic the city was promised? Who dropped the ball on that one? If Lake hospital Systems doesn't want a facility here then find someone who does. Offer THEM a sweetheart deal and get them here. Make an offer they can't refuse.
Kathy Sak, you are so missing it. Don't compare a toothache with a stove fire. Of course the fire department has to respond to a stove fire. But allowing our EMS to act as family physician and free taxi service is ridiculous. If you start forcing them to pay up like you and I would have to would curb the unnecessary calls. For goodness sakes. If I have a toothache I suffer through the night and call a dentist the next morning. These people are not used to waiting in line. They want what they want when they want it and up to now we have been giving it to them. Well, I say now we keep giving it to them but what we give them is a bill. Yes, a bill. What a novel idea. We pay for what we receive. The day of the free handouts has to be over. It should never have been. Now you bleeding heart liberals, if you want to keep the status quo, do it with your money. Not mine. Be responsible.
To anonymous 6:31 - Oh gosh I am not a liberal. Illegal immigration must stop - it puts a huge strain on public services. Having said that, the role of the federal government, not Painesville, is to control our borders. And unless Ohio does what Arizona did, and I believe what Arizona did is still tied-up in courts, I don't see this problem going away anytime soon. All I am saying is - by law - the chief can do just what he did. Ask if they can get a ride and when they say no - transport them. I appreciate that it is frustrating. God bless you all - you have nerves of steel. Also what I said in my original post - years ago the city administration moved in a direction to promote Painesville as a sanctuary city. Now the city has what it asked for, problems and all. I stand by what I said: This town has a moral obligation to take care of the problem it helped create. But even if it did not help create it - the city has moral obligations. That does not translate into handouts. Someone within the administration should be turning to the churches in town and asking them to step up to the plate and help find a solution to this problem. Asking for help does not cost a dime. But I don't see the city turning to anyone or anything for help. Why is that? Painesville MUST have a walk-in clinic of reasonable scope to treat walk-ins. Lake Hospital promised one - where is it? Instead of painting crosswalks and planting flowers, the city needs to focus its energy on getting Lake Hospital to honor it's promise to open a clinic. And that little closet next to the sub shop doesn't count. That's really just a slap in the face. Painesville leadership does not have the authority to round-up those they suspect of being here illegally. That's the job of the ICE people. So if you can't round them up and ship them out - work to bring in businesses so people can work. All people - legal or not. Make it easier for people to start businesses, and then support those small business owners. It's a start.
Bring in more business and an emergency clinic are just what we need. Valid points. You start to lose me though with your comment about waiting until smoke and fire are coming out of two windows. Fear tactics or just trying to spread half truths to make your point. You took a good posting and ruined it by that statement. People will only remember that and not any of your thoughts to solve the problem.
It is quite obvious that we need a clinic in Painesville. Who is going to open one if most of the people can't pay anyway? I believe the amount of uncollected bills the hospital had was about 25 million dollars a year. Who pays that and for who, us in higher health care costs. $900 for your ride because you helped pay for the free rides.
Yes, we need more businesses in Painesville. More jobs mean more money for our "citizens" and more money for city services. Mexican restaurants just aren't enough. Also, I don't believe the current administration is business or home owner friendly. That needs to change.
People working will be the only thing that will fix the economy. Entitlements don't make money, they cost money. We have all turned a helping hand into a way of life for just too many people. Now we a importing more benefit takers. Workers filling out employment forms for jobs is much better than filling out benefit forms. One adds to our coffers and the other drains our coffers. Working people buy things and pay taxes. That increases business and money for city services. In today's economic temperature we need to get the snowball rolling and get off the slippery ice of more and more benefits before we all fall and break the economy.
I happen to believe I am one of the 53% who pay taxes. Since I do, I'm wondering who takes more of MY money, the 1% who pay a lot of taxes or the 47% who don't pay taxes and or are on some kind of entitlement program. Remember, there is a difference in corporate tax and personal taxes. Michael Moore ($50 million) is different than say GE. Which one provides more jobs? Sweet deals to attract business usually means tax breaks. Something to consider.
7:50 we do give them a bill its called income and property taxes. It seems our city just cannot handle money very well. Kathy I believe the city makes a pretty penny off the insurance companies and medicare. Do your job people don't just sit around the firehouse when you go to Tri-Point get back to town. Your job doesn't include flirting with the ER nurses. Yes I'm watching.
Geez, Kathy Sak, I hear most of what you are saying, but let's not go so far as saying it's okay for the illegals to take our jobs and to make sure we are supplying them with one. We need e-verify. If you can't prove you are legal, you don't work. (They should be allowed to work in the fields only until we get a Temporary Worker's Program that actually works, in place for that.) Without a job, they will leave on their own. Add to that stopping all social services for illegals, and most of the rest will leave. We also need to stop the anchor baby law, and I seriously cannot believe that the government did not do that already, and most of the problem will be solved. So, I hear what you are saying, but the solution is not to willingly give them jobs. The solution is to freeze them out of our jobs, so they will leave and an American can take over that spot.
The problem with them using up the ambulance services and the hospital services that we all need to pay for is not their problem, so they don't care. They go to the ER for a hangnail via a free ambulance ride, and THEY don't care. They take and take and take from our country because that is what they are here for, and that is who they are. I doubt there is actually a solution for the ambulance/hospital problem because they will continue to use it as long as it is for free. If you send them a bill -- even a menial one -- they probably will not pay it. We need to just get them out. E-verify to get most of them to leave on their own, along with stopping the anchor baby law to stop future legal citizens being born from illegals (which is pure insanity). Put them on notice for stopping free legal services, and they will leave.
1:46 You might be jumping to a false conclusion. Nowhere did I or Painesville ever mention anyones race or nationality?
If you have proof or numbers please share them with us.
10.03am, no we don't give "them" a bill in the way of income and property taxes. They work under the table so they can collect welfare benefits, and they generally don't own their home. One buys the home but several families live with them, so they do not pay property taxes.
9:05 Think about your answer is it your fault, kathysak, or mine they are working under the table for who?
One buys the house[which pays property tax] and you let several families live in that house?
Again I believe you have missed Kathy Sak point. We encouraged people to come here. Remember Horvaths letter, DeLamotte going on FOXNEWS welcoming them to Painesville. Along with a city administration that turns a blind eye to what's going on {458 N.State] and this is what you get. She's just telling you we must deal with it.
It almost seems comical to blame the illegals it's not them that created this.
Term, nothing is comical about this! Nothing!
Term 9:15: If I went to a country illegally--which first of all, I would not do--I would have nobody to blame but myself for anything that happened while I was there. These people are criminals, and they are stealing from me. If Horvath wants to give them his house, land, let him, but I do not. If you want to say we owe them something, well, they are taking our whole country. We either let them, or not, and I say not, and it better be now.
Let's not forget that these people HAVE a home--it's called Mexico.
I blame the greedy employers. When someone is paid under the table that employee works in fear. The employer doesn't pay benefits, OT, Social Security. Working conditions are usually poor and safety compromised. You can continue to blame the illegal worker, but the employers are the ones fighting e-verify, they like the status quo.
Who are you Kathy Sak? I would like to meet you in person to tell you how I feel about the frequent fliers, and illegals taking over the city, schools and jobs. You do not have a clue.
Who are you 8:22 I would also like to meet you in person?
You want to debate this fine.
It seems you are using illegals as skapgoats for all our problems? Yes theres issues but if they all left tomorrow wouldn't we still have many of the problems we have today? What then get rid of the Blacks next? The Italians? The Jews?
Everyone comes to America for a better life. If you have a problem go to the employers and hold them responsible.
Quit chasing little Mexican kids down the street.
8:22pm, TERM, do you not see the difference? The blacks are here legally. It is only illegals that should leave. And at least when they leave we will have the money to deal with our other problems.
Maybe because of your Hispanic grandson you were with at Maple Term?
That was not my grandson. It was Grandparents day at Maple and since my grandaughter had one of her grandmother's in tow. I knew that a co-worker of mine had a son in her class. Before you ask yes both parents are legal as well as their sons. Since his grandparents have passed away I spent lunch with Alex. And you people say I'm nosey?
Nobody is chasing little Mexican kids down the street, Term. Give me a break. If you want to give them all your money, land, possessions and job, go right ahead. I don't.
Yeah Term Don't give it to the Mexicans let the top 1% have it.
They have most of it anyhow.
They need to be chased down the street, they need to be tought some manners, the hard way is the only way with them.
These kids have watched their parents defy our laws and immorally enter and stay in our country. I am sure they hear all the conversations about how they are going to sneak in here, how they will stay, how they will have as many children as they can as quickly as they can so they can have a better chance of staying (and why not, America will feed them all and give them free medical care, etc.). I'm sure they hear the conversations about how now they have this child or these children, they are bound to be able to stay. I am sure they hear all the talk about free medical care, food, etc., and the scams their parents pull to get it. I'm sure they hear all about how the women go up to welfare and lie and say their husbands left them so they can get benefits, when in fact, there are probably five husbands living in that house, along with the husband in question. America is a country that has limitless resources to give everything to everyone for free, as they see it. It ain't their country, so why not bleed it dry? No sense to graduate or elevate yourself to any level higher than is expected of you in your country, because in America, everything is free. No need to go march on your own country to try to change it, or go home and repopulate the ghost towns you all left behind, because in America everything is free.
If any American thinks that this will get better in any way, forget it. They will soon hold all the offices in our government from city to federal by their sheer numbers alone, and they all know it. They plot it amongst themselves. They used to do it publicly, but now it is more hidden since Americans started to wake up and complain. But it isn't enough. We are too quiet, and they are getting away with it, and they know it. And many millions of the the anchor babies are coming of voting age every year. Think about that one if you want to make sure you have a good nighmare or two tonight.
Our very country is at stake.
NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials) Education Fund sounds like it has something to do with school, but it does not. It is the main organization led by the most important Latinos in America plotting how to continue taking over American elections by the growing number of Latinos in America and, therefore, America.
They count every Latino who makes it into office in the United States of America from city to federal. They now say they have 5,850 Latinos serving in elected office. In the last 15 years, there has been a 53% increase in Latinos serving in elected office.
They help Latinos get naturalized so they can vote, and they count every one of those, too. Latinos are for Latinos. Latinos vote for only Latinos. Latinos know that they are taking over America while stupid Americans sit back and watch. They have a purpose--every one of them here has a purpose. And these anchor babies are the biggest Trojan Horse the world has even seen--and THEY know it.
But still all you hear is that they are just sweet people here to better themselves, and they are not taking any jobs that Americans can work. That may have been true a couple or a few decades ago, but it isn't anywhere near close to the truth now. And if anyone thinks you can even legalize the field workers and then have them stay in the field, you are wrong. They will be in your job soon enough. Them and their ten kids that they can't afford to feed or to provide medical care for, but no worry, America will provide for them.
And for anyone who thinks this is just spreading hate, look again America, your country is being taken over by Mexico and the Muslims, too, and they all know it. But just keep telling yourself they are nice people just looking to better their lives. And make sure you don't notice the crimes and the gangs and the millions and millions of uneducated people with their hands outstretched taking everything you've got, American. And let me tell you, nobody hates anybody more than they hate us.
Well said, 1:33pm.
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