The Observation Deck

Shelley,

In looking at the manner in which your questions are framed, I can see where there would not be an easy black-and-white answer for them.

In the first place, my understanding is that monies coming from the Federal Government, plus any carry-overs from previous years etc...often vary. In addition, unknowns crop up, like the amount of snowfall and its effect on the payout for low income senior snow removal, etc....

These discrepancies involving CDBG funds, within parameters, have traditionally been resolved when the CDBG committee resumes, but remember that the funds allocated by that group comprise only a part of the monies allocated to the various city (and other) groups.

If you are looking purely for a snapshot in time, I can see where that would be difficult to answer, as fund allocation/disbursement can be a fluid process. Streets buckle, houses need painted (Operation Paintbrush)...etc..(and it depends on whether these are in low-mod areas or certain circumstances, as to whether CBDG funding can be used).

Stuff happens.

And though I have clearly voiced discontent with the Administration's position on rubbish removal, my experience with them regarding CBDG is that they seem to be working hard to wisely utilize their resources.

As to losing future grant monies, no. I don't think we would be in danger of that, SO LONG AS OUR POPULATION exceeds 50,000 people.

In fact, with the Obama administration coming next week, we might even see more funding available next year, but that would only be pure speculation on my part. Again, that would be earmarked for certain usage with guidelines.

I answer all of this with the caviat that this is mostly just my own opinions and observations, based on my experience as a participant in the CBDG process. This is not to be construed as any kind of official response.

Hope this helps.

Gary Rice wrote:
I answer all of this with the caviat that this is mostly just my own opinions and observations, based on my experience as a participant in the CBDG process. This is not to be construed as any kind of official response.

Hope this helps.

You are a man who’s patience words instill trust.

You are open about what you know.
And candid pertaining to that which you do not know.
You share openly both your positions and your motivations.

You have earned trust many times over here on the Deck.
You have earned respect.
You are open and forth coming.

I trust what you say about that which you know.

The things you are not privy to and the things neither you nor any of the rest of Lakewood’s residents are fully informed on however remain.

The appearance of secrecy, distortion, and the arrogance of omnipotence fosters distrust.
And that remains to be an issue within the confines of City Hall.

But in the “Information Age“, truth can always be found. And time will allow for truth to be revealed, even on this complicated issue which has such far reaching ramifications for Lakewood if City Hall was wrong.

Knowing we have folks like you involved in the steering of this City is a comfort in times like these.

Thank you Gary, you are a beacon hope.

Hope your Dad got warmed up some. These next few days are gonna be brutally cold and hard on many of our elderly folks.

Shelley,

Thank you sincerely for your kind remarks.

I am humbled.

They remind me of how important integrity is in life.

When one loses a good name, it can never be recovered.

I also believe that there are many good people working hard daily to keep our city a great place to live.

...and I do believe sincerely that Ed FitzGerald is among them.

Though I sincerely disagree with his position on rubbish removal, with every conviction that I possess, I emphatically do not see Ed or his administration as being less than honorable in their dealings with the public.

There might need to be some more communicative tweaking needed though.... although Ed has certainly come on the 'Deck a refreshing number of times.

Ed's administration worked well with the CDBG committee, and my observations thus far have been that on the whole, we have a positive and effective administrative system in place.

Presented with enough facts, intellegent and moral people can be persuaded to come up with more viable options.

That's what's going on here. Persuasion and brainstorming. The more constructive it all is, the more that it will bear fruit.

That's where my effort lies. I honestly try to address policy, rather than personalities.

You see Shelley, while it is indeed true that Tom George appointed me to the CDBG committee. That is a matter of public record.

...it is also true...that Ed FitzGerald reappointed me as well.

He placed faith in me, as I now must with him, until and unless proven that this should not be the case.

You know the old saying about it being darkest just before the dawn....

Well, perhaps something good will emerge through all of this controversy.

Trust me here. I am being neither overly naive, nor pragmatic. The discussion is admittedly not over yet.

We MUST articulate the good cause, and certainly not abandon our own positions WITHOUT cause...but afterwards, we have to try and find that banjo again.

We have to try first to help those unable to help themselves.

Lakewood's seniors, poor, renters, etc...are worth this discussion.

More than that, like my dad, they are worth everything.

As ye do to the least among ye....Jesus said...

Kumbayah indeed.

Shelley,

so many words you use....

so articulate....

but of all that you have used lately....

my favorites?

Win-win.

Kumbayah.

Commercial garbage collection in front of Fitness Edge. Now Marty Valesico is one of the fittest people in Lakewood, but he got the cans out and ready for pick up on a snow drift.

FWIW


.

Marty is also a great trainer

Stephen Eisel wrote:Marty is also a great trainer

Looking forward to working out with him again in the spring. Marty is just a great guy, and has been the trainer of many here on the Deck. Might be leaning towards Observer Mornings With Marty. I know I need it and I am sure many Observers would appreciate his style.

As for privatized collection for apartments and commercial businesses. I was paying for garbage stickers 10 years ago when I moved into my offices. When I lived on the Gold Coast I just assumed it was part of the monthly service fee. I am not opposed to commercial enterprises like apartments and offices paying for garbage collection as they can recover the cost.

I am always interested when private companies can make money doing what the government looses money doing. I think it points to opportunity lost.


FWIW


.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:I am always interested when private companies can make money doing what the government looses money doing. I think it points to opportunity lost.

Private companies are in business to make a profit, otherwise the owners capital would be put to another use. Do you think the people who work for private companies picking up the apt trash get paid an average of 62k in salary and benefits like City R&R employees? Do you think private companies have 1.5 vehicles per employee as our City has? I highly doubt it.

Government’s view this as a service. In general, government’s don’t really care about making the services pay for themselves. Which isn’t a bad thing in most cases. However, when the service is inefficiently structured and managed, the costs of the service rise. In many cases, the first response of a government is to raise taxes and fees to cover the increased costs, not to say how can we do more with less. Fortunately, our City is looking at things differently nowadays. If only this attitude would percolate up to the county, state and federal levels.

You get what you pay for.

Our City has provided very good trash service to apartments (and residents FWIW). If trash is in the vicinity of a receptacle, it gets picked up, no questions asked. This costs money and when run inefficiently, a great deal of money.

With a private company, the truck pulls up, empties the dumpster and their on their way to the next stop. All without the driver leaving the truck. One person, one truck leads to an efficient process. If there’s a mattress or other crap that’s not in the dumpster, too bad, it doesn’t get picked up or the company charges extra for this service.

To make this work, peoples (apt dwellers and owners) behavior need to change. Trash has to be in the dumpster, not next to it. If there’s overflowing, maybe the owner needs to add another dumpster or have twice a week pickup.

Whatever the answer may be, it’s not throwing our hands up in the air and saying it doesn’t work after less than two months in operation, as the title of this thread suggests.

Charlie Page wrote: Whatever the answer may be, it’s not throwing our hands up in the air and saying it doesn’t work after less than two months in operation, as the title of this thread suggests.

Agreed.

I always think of the Indiana Toll Road, that was sold to a German company. They are doing very well with it, where Indiana, ran it in the red.

Just makes me wonder.

Not about everything, but certainly about this.

FWIW


.