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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
 Posted - 06/04/2009 : 12:06:30 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by massdee
The only reason I ever hear is money, money, money....
What would be some names that you would think are viable?
"Deb"
Ha! There's the problem............. Very slim pickings!!
The only one I see as a viable candidate is VanCampen. McGonagle could have come back with a lot of "I told you so" ads but he's been MIA since the election and it's doubtful he could pull it off. The only other possibility is DiDomenico but I'm not sure he's ready yet.
As I look at it, I'd say this city is in deep doo doo!
And I'm sorry to say, I can't think of anyone else........... Can you come up with anyone? |
Edited by - justme on 06/04/2009 12:07:35 PM |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 12:28:00 PM
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I always liked the thought of Chuck DiPerri. Other than him and the ones you mentioned, not a clue.
"Deb" |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 6:20:00 PM
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Chuck DiPerri is not a person I would want to see in the corner office. I think he's pig-headed and when he gets an idea, he's like a dog with a bone. (like Rosa but with some class) That isn't necessarily a bad thing except when he makes up his mind, it's not open to debate and he doesn't even want to listen to an opposing view, let alone consider it.
As mayor, I think he'd be as bad as hanlon. I don't mean throwing money around or going on witch hunts but the same attitude........... My way or the highway! |
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Cruller DaVille
Senior Member
148 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 6:42:59 PM
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Unfortunately, EOB has statistically and financially sewn this one up. Between the local print media not printing anything but positive and the excessive fluff pieces each and every week, his stats have become unbeatable. It's certainly NOT that anything substantive has been done the past eighteen months for sure! However, between being hit over the head week in and week out with fluff and our city fathers failing us dismally and allowing him to get away with murder and worse yet, being paid off to turn their heads, the masses in our city are like the stepford populous walking around in a eob-induced cloud. To beat someone with such a statistical lead, you would have to have $150,000, the newspapers willing to print fairly and an electorate waking up from the fog and willing to listen.
Lets face it; people in this city are not interested in alot. Their taxes and the street sweeper. Sad, isn't it? Issues like corruption, efficiency, and really planning for the future escapes us. This has put us in an unfortunate set of circumstances. For example...... people are happy to see each and every one of the free cash dollars be applied to a tax rate while the mandated contributions in Retirement and Stabliliztion are neglected. In the long run neglecting these funds lower our bond rating and our financial standing.
Truth be told...the last time anyone took a proactive stance in this city; we crucified them! Here, when people aren't comfortable with change and feel threatened they pulmate them.
The truth hurts.... issues are vast and deep here in our fair city, but they are ignored! We have accepted the "as long as it doesn't affect my pocketbook, I don't care what they do mentality"..... It's truly a sorry day when we'll accept corruption, stagnant thinking and lack of initiative as long as our taxes are level.
Just my Humble Opinion
"Cruller DaHville"
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Cruller DaVille
Senior Member
148 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 7:08:38 PM
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OK,Cant take this anymore, enough is enough!!!!!...... I'm sitting here watching the taped version of budget hearings and I'm not hearing, EVEN ONCE.... "The taxpayer"..... Wasn't this the mantra of the city fathers (same people) who, when the last administration was close to the levy limit, yelled and screamed about Prop 2 1/2 and the levy limit...... We're in a worse situation this year. The budget is over the tax levy (with the 970,000 transfer), we haven't taken care of our responsibilities such as pension/retirement and stablilization yet.... NOT ONCE.... have we heard a thing.....
See what I mean?
Just my Humble Opinion
Is it me, or is that totally hypocritical?
"Cruller DaHville"
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 8:01:38 PM
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I have not had the chance to see any of the budget hearings. Are you saying we are over the prop 2.5 levy?
"Deb" |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 8:30:42 PM
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I haven't seen the budget hearings either........... Please don't tell me it's exceeding Prop 2 1/2. The same group nailed hanlon for that a few years ago. Are they so warm & comfy in Carlo's bed that they're not noticing? Or are they just selling us down the river?
Cruller; what does EOB stand for? I know it as Explanation of Benefits but I don't think that's your meaning. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 9:40:56 PM
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Hopefully, this excerpt from a post about last Saturday's budget hearing that I still haven't finished yet (just need to flesh out my notes but I've been busy with other things) will clear up the issue:
Mr. DeCoste handled the benefits expense line items of the Personnel line items. He stated that the budget as submitted to the committee was right up against the tax levy limit; so, he'd like to see some cuts from the budget so that there would be a little little wiggle room on the levy. And he thought that there were some areas in the budget that could be cut, he didn't name them though. |
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Cruller DaVille
Senior Member
148 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 11:02:01 PM
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Well, it's complicated, but here goes......... Remember the positions that were eliminated? Funding those positions meant a whopping $970,000.00! To include this $970,000 in the FY10 budget would have meant that we were over the tax levy........ SO... in essence, the answer to your question is YES. If you add the $970,000. to the bottom line of the FY10 budget as presented; it is over the tax levy and a Proposition 2.5 initiative would have been needed. The fact of the matter is, that by utilizing free cash to fund these positions, THIS YEAR, they "technically" skirted the issue. POLITICS AT ITS BEST!!!!!!
If the eliminated positions were fully funded through the FY10 budget.... AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN..... it would be over the tax levy. Another way of looking at it would be.... IF you looked at the budget, as proposed, a rational, reasonable individual would come to the conclusion, that all those positions were no longer funded. As we know, this is not true. The bottom line of THAT document, when voted on... will NOT include the monies transferred in; therefore, even though they will need an additional 970,000 to operate next year, they took it from free cash and dont have to raise it with our taxes... Nice trick, dontcha think? ......and before anyone thinks that I'm trying to make a statement relative to the positions; I am not, it could have been 970,000 for anything. Its just that this administration made that the jobs the issue so they could come up on a big gray stead to come to their emotional rescue. Bottom line, they had to cut a million out of the budget.
JustMe: You are exactly right! At the time of the presentation of the second Hanlon Administration budget, they faced the same problem. Unfortunately for them, they attempted to do it honestly and got their asses handed to them. They presented their budget,which, if you recall accurately depicted what it would take to run the city. This meant reporting and MEETING all requirements set forth by law; including, the city's retirement contibutiona and penalty, their health care contributions ,stabilization fund contribution, and contract negotiations for each of the city's unions. If you remember the indebtedness inherited through past administration's bonds plus the four or five union negotiation responsibilities they were mandated to uphold, and the increases in retirement,health care, and education, made up the almost 6 million dollar increase. The increase on the city side was a mere $80,000.00. It was at that point, after full disclosure that the previous administration asked that the free cash be applied. They said, at the time, as I recall, that they wanted to report it out to city government honestly and then ask for the free cash to be applied. I'll never forget watching that night....it was a total set up. They never made it to the podium. It was like looking at General Custer being ambused by the indians.. VERY PAINFUL TO WATCH. In my 60+ years, I had NEVER seen a set up like that in my life. That will teach him to treat the lower levels as big boys and girls.
EACH AND EVERY arguement that they threw at THAT budget is valid for THIS one too EXCEPT that Hanlon's budget accurately listed all expenditures that would be needed. At the time, I thought he was crazy but now that I see this way, I'll take that way anyday. That budget did not exclude , as this one does..... jobs that were to be added the very next week. That budget, did not exclude , as this one does..... the city's required retirement contribution, amd that budget, did not exclude , as this one does..... the needed and mandated, by ordinance, $500,000 contribution to the city's Stabilization Fund.
What the FY'10 budget DOES EXCLUDE is the required contribution to retirement monies and the state mandated penalties, monies for at least three additonal positions, we know have been added after the presentation of the budget, and last, but CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, the 2 MILLION OR SO NEEDED FOR UNION CONTRACTS YET TO BE FINALIZED.........
Another HUGE ommission is the monies they overspend during the year. When an administration overspends, there are, by city charter and DOR regulations, requirements that the city's must transfer monies by the end of the fiscal year. This has not been done by this administration since they've been in office. Unfortunately, we wont get to see how much OVER the budget they are until the Recap sheet comes out in the fall. I almost choked last fall when the recap came out and it showed that almost 3/4 million was overspent. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM What can they possibly be doing with all this money..... can you say... favored vendors!!!!
Hindsight, truly is 20/20 , but you have to admit that this is just pure dishonesty. Our city fathers are being hypocritical! If it was such a horrid thing two years ago, why isn't the very same thing being discussed now? Actually, if you rewind to the first budget hearing I believe you will see Robert Vancampen bringing this to the forefront...... but, as we're getting oh, so used to, it was disregarded by his colleagues.
The truly scary thing is this...... after two years of this kind of rough shot spending and disregard for accurate reporting, plus, lets not forget that this years revenues are coming in more slowly than ever before, WE'RE IN TROUBLE. Inevitably, our free cash will less and there won't be rabbits to be pulled out of the magicians hat. Again..... say what you will, but the previous administration left this one with record high free cash (11.5 million) and they've done nothing productive with it.
This administration, will inevitably, take the rest and apply it to the tax rate. Everyone will say YEAH, look they kept our taxes down!!!!! This will only hold off the inevitable. In other years putting some free cash on the rate was a prudent move; it was a tool to be utilized when needed.... not a policy utilized to mask the truth. Saving it all up and utilizing it like that is a fools game. Wait till next year when they dont have it to help balance their lack of leadership, foresight, and scaple.
Tetts is accurate when he says that the Auditor stated that this budget IS right up against the levy. It IS! It IS right up against the levy WITHOUT the $970,000.00. With the $970,000.00 it is OVER the tax levy. That is why it was handled with the slight of hand transfer. Funny huh, two years ago, the same auditor (maybe it was due to his lack of municipal experience)was up against the same,exact thing. That time; however, he did not advise his boss to take the same tact. He waited for the budget and got caught in the malay if you recall. Some actually said he was duped by some of the members of the Common Council and did his boss in. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he found himself in an unfortunate place.
What a difference when most of the city fathers are looking for jobs huh? They all learn how to play nice.... I can still hear... "I'm here for the taxpayer"... Well, I'm still here, where are they?
Sorry for the long disertation but boy does it steam me when, as Judge Judy says (my wife's personal favorite), "don't pee on my leg and tell me its raining."
as always... Just My Humble Opinion....
"Cruller DaHville"
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Edited by - Cruller DaVille on 06/05/2009 09:54:06 AM |
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socks
Member
39 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 07:13:54 AM
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| Cruller - What do you think we should do about all this? Voting the members of the CC & BOA out in November will not solve the problems. Sounds like something needs to be done now. There are many of us who really do care. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 08:16:38 AM
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Is what was done legal? Should the state be informed?
"Deb" |
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jcklla
Member
32 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 09:13:24 AM
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| Cruller. It may be possible that whatever information you offer is credible but I have no reason to believe or not believe what you have to say. However the format that you use to present the information with the colors and typeface make it harder for me to read and follow. When an adult making a presentation like that does not know that it makes it harder for people to read, it makes me wonder how credible the actual information is that is included. Just letting you know that if you expect me to continue to read your posts, I will not read posts presented in that format. If you don't care, keep doing it. |
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Cruller DaVille
Senior Member
148 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 1:17:53 PM
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Oops... just want to make sure for accuracy sake.. Just checked the PEREC website.. Everett recently made their payment so their annual stipend is made. However, as we all know, Everett is still behind and should be trying to be more proactive to make the 2013 deadline of making up all owed monies.
Just my Humble Opinion
"Cruller DaHville"
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Cruller DaVille
Senior Member
148 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2009 : 6:35:04 PM
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Sock: Mine is but a humble opinion. My thoughts are pretty simplistic. I have said it time and time again in this venue that the ONLY manner in which to get any elective officials attention is to contact them and show up at the meetings. Its amazing how attentive they are when they are held accountable.
Lets face it...... the three newspapers are nothing but a rubber stamp at the moment. You can't get even one factual representation printed; never mind something anti administration. How are the people supposed to know what's going on, if they are not advised?
Unfortunately, as I've posted previously, statistically we're stuck with what we have. No one is going to come and rescue us. So unless these other 25 individuals are going to start earning their keep; its a dead issue. Funny, isn't it.... one pivotal vote equals a comfie pension.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm count them.
We've been duped!
Just my Humble Opinion
"Cruller DaHville"
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Edited by - Cruller DaVille on 06/05/2009 6:35:44 PM |
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waterboy
Senior Member
101 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2009 : 1:58:12 PM
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| I just heard rosa's store is going out of business taking a job for the city of everett trying to confirm if true |
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More Rumors............
