Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:32 pm
They are from the Auditor of StateRyan Patrick Demro wrote: Also, what are the INTERVIEWS that you are referencing.
The Observation Deck
Neighbors Celebrating Free Speech and Intellectual Diversity While Speaking Over The Digital Fence
https://deck.lakewoodobserver.com/
Time For City and School Board Employees To Concede
Page 2 of 3
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:40 pm
Shelley, thanks for the clarification. That is exactly why I said, "I assume." I was wrong, my apologies. I found your advocacy for city workers awfully extraordinary not to have some type of vested interest. I am glad to know that this is just an issue of great interest to you.
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:49 pm
My "advocacy" is for all of Lakewoods residents to be given all the information pertaining to the "budget crisis"Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:Shelley, thanks for the clarification. That is exactly why I said, "I assume." I was wrong, my apologies. I found your advocacy for city workers awfully extraordinary not to have some type of vested interest. I am glad to know that this is just an issue of great interest to you.
To be privy to whats actively being planed for the future
And to feel we ALL have a right to defend Lakewoods charms and unique characteristics.
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:27 pm
And I was just starting to wonder when that banjo could ever start playing Kumbayah on this thread... 
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:32 pm
Might as well play that banjo and pass the Kool-Aid now.Gary Rice wrote:And I was just starting to wonder when that banjo could ever start playing Kumbayah on this thread...
Sleep aparently is the prefered state of mind
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:04 pm
[quote="Ryan Patrick Demro"]Shelley, thanks for the clarification. That is exactly why I said, "I assume." I was wrong, my apologies. I found your advocacy for city workers awfully extraordinary not to have some type of vested interest. I am glad to know that this is just an issue of great interest to you.[/quote]
I shared your feelings that all these postings were not put forth without some kind of vested interest, but I never assumed that the poster was a city employee. There can be other types of vested interest, such as an economic or familial relationship, that would explain why there is interest in only the employees of one division, often at the expense of employees of other divisions.
In any event, this is a public forum and I would hope anyone, even a city employee, would feel free to post here. After all, who would be more likely to know of wasteful procedures than the people who are actually doing the work? Of course, it becomes more complicated when a third party, such as a union, is involved, as their interests may be other than those of the city or the workers, and they might not want their members to participate.
I shared your feelings that all these postings were not put forth without some kind of vested interest, but I never assumed that the poster was a city employee. There can be other types of vested interest, such as an economic or familial relationship, that would explain why there is interest in only the employees of one division, often at the expense of employees of other divisions.
In any event, this is a public forum and I would hope anyone, even a city employee, would feel free to post here. After all, who would be more likely to know of wasteful procedures than the people who are actually doing the work? Of course, it becomes more complicated when a third party, such as a union, is involved, as their interests may be other than those of the city or the workers, and they might not want their members to participate.
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:44 pm
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:22 pm
Ok Shelley, here's you shot at being Mayor. You are faced with a 4.5 million budget deficit.
What would you do? Cut expenditures or raise taxes.
What would you do? Cut expenditures or raise taxes.
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:40 pm
Lets save the heated exchange over the "budget crisis" for later.Charlie Page wrote:Ok Shelley, here's you shot at being Mayor. You are faced with a 4.5 million budget deficit.
What would you do? Cut expenditures or raise taxes.
But what would I do as Mayor...wow! What wouldnt I Do!
I would remake Lakewood into what I have always envisioned it to be. No more old fashioned "family community"... No sir, I like things new and hip and trendy.
I would plan to spend money.. gobs of money.
I would take away from the elderly.
I would further disenfrachise the less advantaged.
I would keep my fingers placed firmly in both my ears. (I hate to be criticized)
I would surround myself with folks who reminded me often of just how great I am and how much they feel sorry for me for having to make the "tuff decisions" (They might even throw me parties and such)
And I would indoctrinate my followers..err supporters into the inability to see anything but what passes my lips as truth.
I would control the disemination of information (Public information, News Papers, TV reports...)
I would have my supporters wage war against any and all who oppose me.
And remind folks that they relinguished all right to opinion once they elected me Mayor. And consequences will be harsh for those who do not submit.(Resistance is futile)
I would force feed residents the poison of fear on a daily basis so they could see the boogey man, who’s out to get them, in the eyes of every stranger. So I can be their savior. Who questions a savior?
I would look into outsourcing:
2008 Budget Decions as of March 17, 2008Page 1-6
I would discount any suggestions that did not involove cutting out services.Contracting Out of CurrentCity Services
Landscaping
Solid waste management, recyclables & Yard Waste Collection, Transportation and & Disposal
Janitorial
Forestry
Information Systems
I would give a free pass to divisions that would involove true "tuff decisions"
I would House the Regional Criminals via a shinny new Jail
And I would sleep like a baby at night knowing I was well respected and admired by all of Lakewood for being such a Progressive Democrate. I may even dream of higher political asperations in my fluffy comfortable bed.
But hay, thats just what I would do.
How bout you Charlie?
d
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:46 am
Your criticisms of this administration make no sense.Shelley Hurd wrote:I would plan to spend money.. gobs of money.
I would take away from the elderly.
I would further disenfrachise the less advantaged.
I would keep my fingers placed firmly in both my ears. (I hate to be criticized)
Without cuts in spending the City would have had a $4 million dollar budget deficit. And that was before allowing for the current downturn in the economy. By the law the City cannot have a deficit. The choice was either to cut spending or raise taxes.
I think morally, politically and economically the correct decision was to cut spending. Others could argue that taxes should be raised. They would be wrong but at least they would be advocating a real world solution.
The option of closing your eyes and wishing pennies would fall from heaven is not a real world solution.
Re: d
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:54 am
My Lord!!!! [falls out of chair in disbelief of agreement]Bill Call wrote:Your criticisms of this administration make no sense.Shelley Hurd wrote:I would plan to spend money.. gobs of money.
I would take away from the elderly.
I would further disenfrachise the less advantaged.
I would keep my fingers placed firmly in both my ears. (I hate to be criticized)
Without cuts in spending the City would have had a $4 million dollar budget deficit. And that was before allowing for the current downturn in the economy. By the law the City cannot have a deficit. The choice was either to cut spending or raise taxes.
I think morally, politically and economically the correct decision was to cut spending. Others could argue that taxes should be raised. They would be wrong but at least they would be advocating a real world solution.
The option of closing your eyes and wishing pennies would fall from heaven is not a real world solution.
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:38 am
Shelley,
I have to say that was an amazingly arrogant way to avoid the question. You didn't answer it at all and I will admit to being curious of the answer myself. You have every right to criticize the mayor all you want but what are your solutions?
I haven't agreed with everything that has been done and honestly, I don't expect to. I would be worried if I did but at least something is being done. We don't have a group of people sitting on their hands.
Again, what are YOUR solutions?
Ed
I have to say that was an amazingly arrogant way to avoid the question. You didn't answer it at all and I will admit to being curious of the answer myself. You have every right to criticize the mayor all you want but what are your solutions?
I haven't agreed with everything that has been done and honestly, I don't expect to. I would be worried if I did but at least something is being done. We don't have a group of people sitting on their hands.
Again, what are YOUR solutions?
Ed
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:03 pm
The only thing I have left to say to you fellows is...sigh.. I would not spend 3-4 million to change that which is not broken, only so I could turn around and break it. So I could outsource it unapposed. And have Lakewood resident pay more for less. Guess thats just me, the arrogant one..right?Ed Dickson wrote:Shelley,
I have to say that was an amazingly arrogant way to avoid the question. You didn't answer it at all and I will admit to being curious of the answer myself. You have every right to criticize the mayor all you want but what are your solutions?
I haven't agreed with everything that has been done and honestly, I don't expect to. I would be worried if I did but at least something is being done. We don't have a group of people sitting on their hands.
Again, what are YOUR solutions?
Ed
I do not understand your mind set
A__Col, Amin
A6 Audit related correspondence Ce
A6.12 CoL, 2008 Permanent Appropriation Decisions
2008 Budget Decions as of March 17, 2008
Page 1-6
Contracting Out of CurrentCity Services
Requests for proposals have either been issued or are in development for the following City services
Landscaping
Solid waste management, recyclables & Yard Waste Collection, Transportation and & Disposal
Janitorial
Forestry
Information Systems
The City of Lakewood Administration has decided to pursue contracting with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to provide health services
Page 4 of 6
Refuse and Recycling
Reduction in Division of Refuse budget due to changes in service currently underdevelopment (see Outsourcing Issues listed above)
But hay, I am the bad guy here right?
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:26 pm
INTERVIEW INFORMATION:Date:January 10, 2008
Phase I
Jen Pae (Finance Director -- FD), Ed Fitzgerald (Mayor), Non-AOS Participants
Bill Rouse, SAM, Danielle Novak, AM, AOS Participants
Does the City collect trash or is this outsourced?
They collect trash in-house. They are looking at outsourcing this function in the future.
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:38 pm
Shelly Hurd,
"To reengage the building department in residential maintence, to grow our tax payer appeal, to preserve our city services (many of which generate revenues for the city)"
Can you give more details as to exactly which city services actually generate revenues for the city? Can you list them and give a number to support your assertion?
Thank you.
"To reengage the building department in residential maintence, to grow our tax payer appeal, to preserve our city services (many of which generate revenues for the city)"
Can you give more details as to exactly which city services actually generate revenues for the city? Can you list them and give a number to support your assertion?
Thank you.