"CHECK IT OUT" john mellencamp
Things I learned this week.
First the city has 22 small parcels of property that they contract out to a private firm to cut the grass at these locations. This after being told city employee's are the cheapest way to cut grass? Cemeteries. This along with the fact that we have employee's at the electric plant not doing any electrifying presently?
The city will soon form a committee to 'educate' residents the importance of passing these almost 6 Mil levies. This after reading in the News-Herald today that the state probably will increase sale tax and property tax. (Over 12% on property tax) I guess these political hacks all must believe we are holding out on them? It seems the city leaders also taking a Lasse Fair attitude on how to balance Painesville's expenses?
Although the city did not give raises to employee's in 2012-2013 The budget for salaries INCREASED over $82,000 for Painesville due to 'steps' and longevity increases? Sorry Painesville employee's, a raise is a raise. $82,000 half of a street getting paved? No,No,No those increases came out of this or that fund........ It's still a Raise. This fact that committee should keep to themselves.
As the city headhunters go out to measure the height of grass, Painesville has a double standard; Residents 6 inches, Vacant and commercial, industrial property 12 inches? So the former hospital site can look terrible at and it was over 12 inches. Than again across Liberty St. that resident is well 6 inches? Ugly is ugly why the double standard? Maybe to promote growth?
How and when we produce electricity is done scientifically by a process explain to me as "Guesstimation" by whom I don't know. Then again these 90 degree days this week suggests someone guessed wrong.
Didn't attend the 'Party at the Plant' Found out it was shutdown, during the event. Maybe the event should have been 'Party at the off line again Plant'? Just a guesstimation.
Painesville now has it's own AREA 51 the Ashlawn building Painesville funds built behind the power plant. What seemed like an excellent project for Painesville in the 21st Century. Seems presently no one wants to talk about?
That little bird told me a long time council person has pulled petitions to run for council-at-large?
Are we to go Back to the Future? Let's hope not.
posted by terminator1 @ 8:17 AM
35 Comments
35 Comments:
Term,step increases are not a cross the board raises. They only hit those employees who are at steps . It be just three or four employees . That is not a pay raise its a 2.5%increase only . I know that sounds Hugh but only those at 5/10/15/20/25 years in service get it. The only raise that hits everyone is a across end the board raise..
Seems like Ashlawn has abandoned its hanger on W. Prospect St. The building is up for lease.
7:20 What its is in an increase of over $82,000 to the city budget. I can only hope it's more than four employees. 2.5% Please do your math again.
All I'm saying it is a RAISE for someone?
UFO It does appear someone left?
Term a step increase is every five by city ordence as is the layout of longivety. These are part of both the city laws and contracts with the unions .. My math in correct, it's is just a matter of how many employees have hit the increase level. Please feel free to look it up as I did.
9:18 there is no law that says these can't be changed.
Again the city gave raises to God knows who that cost the city over $82,000in increased cost to wages.
If a person was making $40,000 a year this STEP increase would have provided a $1000.00 Raise in salary. Is that math correct?
So my guesstimation is that 41 employee's received $1000.00 in what ever you call it.
The problem here is don't poop on my head and tell me it's a hat.
The city is presently not in the financial shape to be paying anyone extra. What about the people that didn't get anything?
It's a RAISE! That's my point.
My question for you Mr. Term is why didn't you feel it was an injustice when certain school administration got their step raises but you are making a fuss over city employees? The admin. raises were brought up in the past and you didn't attack them like you are doing now. Perhaps the schools are in much better financial status than the poor city? You should have said the same about the school- a raise is a raise and it's money we don't have for them also.
I thought I did? I was told the only raises were given to people that furthered their education? You can't expect people to be forced to go get degrees and not compensate them. I voted No on the levy remember?
My point is don't tell people no raises were given and then not explain where the $82,000 went.
To clear this up NO one should get anything unless they assumed a higher position.
I am still questioning about the used busses, along with following the thief that occurred at Harveys cafeteria. That's still being investigated.
Along now with information about the Painesville City Credit Union of a few years ago. It now appears there was something there there.
AS far as raises to city administrator It will be interesting to find out how much and to who received these 'gifts?'
Maybe the city will include that in literature for the levies?
It must be miserable being you. All you do is complain about everything. The city hires their employees at a rate LESS than the job rate. After 5 years and six step increases, an employee finally makes what they are supposed to make for their job. You are suggesting that new employees should be under paid. If you look at what you like to call the "REAL" world, you would find that the city does under pay for just about every position. Job wages (what the job is supposed to be paying) have been frozen for three years, not just one. The city workers should be applauded for the sacrifice they have made to help keep the city running. In the REAL world, there would have been work stoppages and strikes. And as far as the electric plant operating or not. Weather has nothing to do with it. Power cost does. When industry is at a standstill across the country, there is no demand for power. Hence, power costs are low and there is no reason to go online. Granted during warmer weather, demand from air conditioning can cause an increase in cost, it just isn't enough to offset the lack of demand from idle factories in this wonderfully recovered economy. Painesville is still able to purchase power cheaper that other markets, because they have the possibility of making some of the power themselves. Shut the plant down and layoff the workers as you suggest, and it's guaranteed that rates will increase for the consumer here.
10:16 Believe me I am hardly miserable. Best description might be discussed.
After years of sitting in council meeting and listening to stories and idea's change right before my eyes. Than your reasoning to top it off. Sorry I'm not buying it. First our general fund budget is w over 80% going to wage and benefits, please tell me under your formula how long before it goes to 100%? No money for salt, equipment, police cars. Look we are already at the point where we can't afford our own fire truck and not only sharing it it's 23 years old.
Look under present economic conditions the only sacred cows I believe in is our safety forces, the rest as far as I'm concerned could have to prove it's value to the city or outsource all those jobs. This said we must check out regionalization.
Let them strike. There is no law you have to retain them is there? That's how it works in the REAL world ask someone out there.
The city workers should applaud residents for putting up with this. Painesville workers have one of the best wage, benefit packages of anyone living here. Check.
Weather doesn't affect electric prices? Please tell me why we have a winter and summer rate.? The city has always mentioned higher electric usage in the summer do to hot weather.
As far as shutting the plant down. Your solution is it to be on stand-by and pay plant workers to cut grass? Again look around we are over supervised and the results of all this should stare you in the eyes. My question is why aren't you discussed?
I hope new leadership is one of our answer's. This cannot continue.
T O POST 10:16. THE REAL WORLD is the private sector. These salaries and packages in the city would ruin any business get real. NO WONDER OUR STREETS ARE IN TERRIABLE CONDITION. time for the residents to pay attention. " Get real"
9:11 You know what I found interesting over the weekend the News-Herald spotlighted one Fairport service employee for being laid off by the city?
What government can't layoff people?
The past seven years has been tough out here in the REAL world, I just want you to understand 'The well has run dry'.
I believe the state legislature just put final nail in the coffin when it comes to the two levies that will be on the ballot this November.
You are ALWAYS blaming the city of Painesville for their poor spending habits, where are your angry words to the State of Ohio or the Federal Government? Why aren't you on their #@@ like you are the city? This debacle comes from the top where it has trickled down to all of us. I wish you put your anger in the direction it should be, there you would have my support and many others. Go after the big guys- get something done. You have accomplished nothing here.
I really wish you knew what you are doing, saying and talking about but you sure don't.
What the heck are you discussed about? A Harvey grad? Me too, but I know the difference, you don't.
Definition of discuss: talk about a subject with others
Definition of disgusted:a feeling of horrified disapproval of something. By definition you are the disgusting one. DUH.
10:16
Are you really that dense??
No where do I read that Term says that people should not be paid fairly or that they don't deserve a raise.
What he does say is that a "raise" should be called a "raise". What is so hard to understand? He is saying that the Administration should not tell us that there were no raises given to anyone and yet $82K is going out the door due to "steps" or longevity. No problem but that is a raise. Think before you write.
I do appreciate the City workers and the efforts they make, this is more directed at their bosses.
Regarding the power plant, if we are actually making power I have no issue with owning it.
However, if we are buying power because that is more prudent then, why keep the plant? It produces very little, if any, power and the personnel costs have to be staggering. How many employees does it take to produce nothing?
Look, I don't want to see people laid off either. Laying off government workers is the height of dumb because we, as taxpayers, then pay them for not working instead of working. However, they aren't really working now because the power plant isn't being used. That money could then be used for other purposes.
Look at it this way. Anyone can manage the job if they have enough people and enough money. It takes real talent to get the job done when you don't have enough of either of these. With cutbacks from the State, that is where we stand. Hopefully the new City Manager can right the ship.
11:58 Please follow the Blog. On it and at council meetings I have blamed the state. What do I get? Blank stares.
Duh, Your right the word I should have used was disgusted. Sorry. Thank-you for setting me straight.
1:07 Yes it's easy when the moneys flowing in. You have to wonder if the administration, or council can make the tough choices?
Seems we have many city workers checking in?
People the personal at the plant and the linemen are all paid from the power plant funds. Lay them off then that 26million just sets there for eve. Sell the plant that is really costing tax payers nothing. All the expense for that plant comes out of the electric fund that is all it could be spent on. It would be stupid right now to sell anything
So how and who got 26 million into the power plant funds?
I see no reason to sell the electric plant?
Should we convert it to natural gas? (to be used only during high demand?)
Should we pay plant workers for what? Because it all comes out of the electric fund that comes out of the power factor that comes out of residents pockets when we pay out electric bill?
Please rethink this.
We already have paid AMP-OHIO 2.1 million for nothing.
We have already built a 4000sq.ft. building for what? Maybe we could park trucks in it? It does only have one large door?
Planning who's doing this planning?
Want to know why Painesville is in this financial crisis?
Fifteen years of no line item budgets.
Thanks to who?
This is so much bigger than the power plant. The power plant is one small part of the overall mismanagement of Painesville. Another bungled mess was the farmers market. Again the meetings..... The farmers were called in to "discuss" where they wanted to put the farmers market while Main St.mwas torn up. There were phone calls, meetings, discussions. Farmers were called in from the fields to discuss this all important matter. The city choose the square. Some farmers left as they needed to work out of their vehicles but vehicles would not be allowed to drive on the grass. Some of us scratched our heads when the very next night we drove around the square viewing a mass showing of antique cars parked from one end of the square to the other..... On the grass. And I can't wait to see what gets parked on that grass and under those trees for party in the park. Oh but wait! Since the city failed to secure proper funding for the renovation of Main Street the farmers market is being moved back to Main St. If this city cannot manage a very small farmers market why do think they can run a power plant, sewer plant, water treatment plant, pave roads and pay bills? You must be drinking from the koolaid aid fountain at city hall while attending meetings or paying for studies when in reality nothing gets done. We pay more for pushing paper and sitting at meetings than the CEO of Lake Hospital systems...... Oh wait, while we were in a meeting they left. Buy a vowel and get a clue. Even if we passed the road levy how many meetings would it take to figure out where the first asphalt would be laid? It's not asphalt it's their fault! And do you love those shiny new water pipes we pay the $8.00 tax every month on your utility bill? No? BaHaaaaa because not one inch of new water line has been replaced! Jokes on you when council pushed that one through. Oh yeah I want to give these fine managers more money! I really wonder if any of these "managers" would survive in the private sector. We pay them very well and make sure their benefits are up to snuff too and then let's talk about that retirement system for city workers. They need more coffee and donuts for meetings. If you're not outraged you're not paying attention! Now let's talk about the schools.........
Sandy, just to clarify something. New waterlines were installed in Concord Twp. Yes they also received the $8.00 surcharge.
So after all that the Farmer's Market is moving back to Main St.?
I was wondering how they were going to handle PITP that starts the Friday after the Farmer's Market?
Well on top of all that another little birdie informed me that there's a problem with the 4000sq.ft. Building we built for the Ashlawn Battery. It seems that when we get a heavy rain do to the low construction site the building was built on ...IT FLOODS!
As everyone knows electricity and water don't mix. Is this the problem? Who designed the building didn't any of the contractors notice this building was constructed in a low line area? Planning, where's the planning?
What the Hey, it's city money.
Comes out of the electric fund.
Great for Concord Twp! Glad somebody is getting pipes. Nows let's walk around and take a count of the red bands on fire hydrants. Anybody in the city got a green one?
Better yet, any body remember Gary Paine, former city engineer? The guy always got a grants for paving, even if it was a little grant it was a grant! He managed to keep the roads paved. Our current city engineer could use a kick in the pants as my Dad used to say...... Oh yeah that's err very politically correct is it?
Nice one on the flooded garage! Maybe we should have built that garage at Horvath lagoons....
What and where is Horvaths lagoons?
I have never heard of it?
City of Painesville claims to be pedestrian friendly. Wish we were a little more vehicle friendly?
I have checked with several sources and am not aware nor are the sources that the farmers market is moving or that the merchants are un-happy. If fact they like the new location. More merchants, better location,
more customers. what gives?
4:45 The last time Painesville went for a levy it was brought up that Painesville purchased 16 acres of swamp land along the Grand River off of Richmond St. going into Fairport (you can view it from the Richmond St. bridge its the property on the south side. $250,000 of 'general fund dollars that has sat idle for almost 10 years. Why? you can't do anything but fish there and it's land locked. Councilman Horvath argued how important it was for the city. Hence the name.
4:56 I guess they just want us to walk?
3:13 Get new sources.
Checked with new sources, more vendors than before,customers happier and still not moving. Maybe you should check your sources,also
on top of that they are not going back to Main only to move back to the park next year with streetscape.
Seems the three I talked to our were suffering from delusions?
Can't wait for Party in The Park?
Your listening to the same people that told you construction on Main St. would start this month. Think about it?
Was told by on of the farmers...... Such a merry go round. Gotta say the Mentor Market is awesome and no drama.
Sandy, I looked into the red rings around the fire hydrant's. The one right in front of the fire station is RED? What fire problem could that cause? Oh, I forgot the 'Golden Dome" fire?
The Hydrants in front of Fasson Anything flammable there?
Give them credit they do know they have a problem, this plus the fact they purchased a truck that can flow water at a higher rate. Hope it's got a real long hose.
Do you know what each of the color bands on the hydrants mean? ALso, do you know that the FIRE department has NO control of the water pressure the water department is in charge of that. Do you think the firemen should be digging new lines for the city in their spare time? Between running their bums off with bogus ambulance runs all day? What do you expect them to do about the situation? Yes the fire department bought a truck but they can't fix the water problem. Get it straight and blame the right people.
I know red is bad, low water pressure, yellow not as bad, green good. My point was that the new 'old' truck can put more water on a fire. If the hydrant can't give you that water, or it doesn't make a difference why band the hydrants?
Where did I blame the fire department?
The bogus ambulance runs who with brains caused that problem. Mrs. Sak you want to explain for this person?
Did not see the fire department get the blame for the hydrants anywhere on this blog.
Perhaps you should slow down and read more carefully. I can only wonder what else you mis read and now spout off about.
I read pretty clearly this is an administrative/water dept problem........ That trickles down to the fire dept.
Pun intended!
"The bogus ambulance runs who with brains caused that problem".
The people calling with the bogus problems-Duh, who else? Headaches, upset stomach, ingrown toenails, hangnails? Those are what you go to your doctor for not using the city ambulance service as a Medi-Cab. I see that one of our city council person did wonders for this problem. They've been "talking" about now for how long? Ms. Dinallo was the key person in trying to fix this situation - how's it working? Same-o-Same-o.
Well if you have a city leader go on a national television show on FOXNEWS and you tell people we want you to come to Painesville. We are a diversity city. Legal, Illegal you will be welcomed.
Then when all these poor people without health insurance show up in your town and need medical treatment. I believe this will be one of the results?
Your post - Give them credit they do know they have a problem, this plus the fact they purchased a truck that can flow water at a higher rate. Hope it's got a real long hose. Who purchased the truck? Fire. Therefore, you laid the blame on them by what you said. That's where I got it from. Specific = NO miscommunication next time.
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