The Observation Deck

Ed Dickson wrote:I appreciate some of them being willing to come on here and post to clear up issues and discussions but I have had countless e-mails and direct phone calls not returned. I'm not pestering as I only try to get in touch once every two weeks and it's always the same issue.

I haven't asked for much information from this administration because most of what I am interested in has been released online. I am curious about what type of info others are asking for that is not being provided. Perhaps you could request it here so others might see it.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Shelley


Did you mention that they are planning to lease the new trucks?

Do they currently lease their trucks or do we own them.

Just curious.


peace

Jim,

To my knowledge the Cushman’s they are owned- cost @ 26,000 ( was quoted that price from another city in Ohio which use Cushman’s)
Packer trucks also from my understanding are owned cost - greater then 26,000 ...heh hee

I do recall being at a council meeting when they talked about how much they plan to make off selling off the refuse equipment.

No turning back if/when automation fails - the cost to repurchase would be astronomical

Shelley Hurd wrote:To my knowledge the Cushman’s they are owned- cost @ 26,000 ( was quoted that price from another city in Ohio which use Cushman’s)
Packer trucks also from my understanding are owned cost - greater then 26,000 ...heh hee

I do recall being at a council meeting when they talked about how much they plan to make off selling off the refuse equipment.

No turning back if/when automation fails - the cost to repurchase would be astronomical

Shelley

$26,000 for a Cushman!

I am just wondering if we always owned, why lease?


.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Shelley Hurd wrote:To my knowledge the Cushman’s they are owned- cost @ 26,000 ( was quoted that price from another city in Ohio which use Cushman’s)
Packer trucks also from my understanding are owned cost - greater then 26,000 ...heh hee

I do recall being at a council meeting when they talked about how much they plan to make off selling off the refuse equipment.

No turning back if/when automation fails - the cost to repurchase would be astronomical

Shelley

$26,000 for a Cushman!

I am just wondering if we always owned, why lease?


.

Why indeed....maybe so failure can be eaily walked away from?

Also of intrest pertaining to back yard pick up and the Cushman delivery system:

For our seniors, this service provides an element of physical safety from falls and muscle strains incurred if made to drag trash to the curb. For the visual appeal of Lakewood, this service helps to maintain clutter free streets and an impression of orderliness.

Coupled with the economic advantage to the city for continuing to offer back yard pick up and use Cushman as the delivery system, is the crime deterrent factor of having 40 some employees daily patrolling the streets of Lakewood. Just the fact of there mere presence on our streets has a positive impact on the deterrence of crime. People engaging in criminal activity prefer to not be seen.

- Cushman operators report hit and run drivers

- Cushman operators report scrapper infringements

- Cushman operators report people stealing recyclables

- Cushman operators report various other suspicious and criminal activities.

- Redacted (by me) in the intrest of the city.

- Cushman operators report high grass

- Cushman operators report obvious building code violations.

- Cushman operators issue notices for garbage ordnance violations

- Cushman operators have saved lives by calling for 911 for medical assistance

- Cushman operators report abandoned shopping carts

- Cushman operators report Graffiti

- Cushman operators report street lights that are out

- Cushman operators report stray animals

- Cushman operators are ambassadors for the city. They daily are engaged by residents and business owners in conversations about concerns and comments concerning Lakewood.

- Cushman operators are an integral customer base for many of Lakewood’s business’s both large and small. A fact which is not lost on business owners who often show their appreciation by a free doughnut, cup of coffee, sandwich and Christmas cards and gifts.

And Cushman operators pick up garbage

The refuse department off sets some of its operating costs via the recycling program. The recycling program if made to be mandatory could have a significant impact on generating funds for the city budget. Converting all the city’s fleets to natural gas also could have an imediant positive impact on the city’s budget, on emissions and Natural Gas… really is “Greenâ€￾

The refuse department has made significant cuts in worker comp claims, fuel usage, overtime, and payroll over the last three years. And the refuse workers negotiated their union contract to give back to the city budget via agreeing to pay toward their health care benefits and agreeing to take a zero raise for one year.

The whole of “Public Worksâ€￾ makes up a mere 27% of the total General Fund Expenditures. Even if every department was totally and completely eliminated the saving to the city ($10,100,749) would barely begin to reach just the salaries & benefits ($10,367,982) of the fire department in 2007. (Financial Overview - City of Lakewood - Fiscal Year 2007).

The Mayor is asking Lakewood residents to give up alot more then most realize.

The "savings" (sic) even if automation runs smoother here then it does in other communities is debatable at best.

So why is he taking this valued economical service away from Lakewood residents and busniesses... oh yes, maybe just maybe because we need money to fund jail building, jail running and to pay for inmate medical costs...or did we find a pixi to build a jail, a pixi to run a jail and a pixi to take care of inmate medical costs?

16814 Madison avenue (an apartment building) has had garbage on their tree lawn since at least Tuesday 12-22-08.

A call to the police department about it resulting in

Dispatcher :"I can transpher you to the refuse department,, oh ya, so you can leave a message...thats right.. the refuse department does nt pick up apartments any more"... "I can transpher you to the building department"...
To which I replied, doesnt the police department issue citations for ordiance issues? Shouldnt they go over there.
"They wouldnt know who put it out, who is responsible"....
To which I replied, maybe the manager or building owner , shouldnt they get a fine?

Oh ya, our Mayor has really thought his changes through

Seems Bullock is the only Council person unable to swollow, without chocking, the BS thats being feed to the rest. Of course he too goose steped with the rest to pass the Mayors agenda

Quote-

"The Mayor and Council need to address the real issues and problem departments NOW which are and have been sucking this city dry BEFORE they play with departments that are anything BUT a problem."

You know, all of this kind of reminds me about invading Iraq when the problem was elsewhere.....

What's REALLY going on here?

There are some excellent and eloquent posts here, stating a myriad of reasons to keep the Cushmans, as well as to continue back-yard pick-up service as being the absolute best way to handle Lakewood's rubbish situation.

I've seen no valid reason to change what we have with our current system of trash removal.

None at all.

For Real Change VOTE
Bill Call
Shelley Hurd
Gary Rice

for Council 2010

I think you three would work wonderfully together and for us! You have my vote!

Ruthie Koenigsmark wrote:For Real Change VOTE
Bill Call
Shelley Hurd
Gary Rice

for Council 2010

I think you three would work wonderfully together and for us! You have my vote!

God Help Us All.

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

WHERE was that banjo??????????????

Seriously, it is interesting how ordinarily disparate people are coming together in this particular rant-race (my new word- like it?)

Whazzat Arlo Guthrie sung about if you had 3 people, some might think it's a movement?