The Observation Deck

While reviewing the city's capital projects, I noticed that the city is going to contract with Statewide Ford Lincoln Mercury to purchase a new 2016 Ford Utility Interceptor for use by the parking enforcement people. The approximate cost is $28,000. For those who don't know, a Utility Interceptor is an SUV that looks much like what the cops drive. Bear in mind that we already bought one SUV for parking enforcement a year or two ago which I believe cost close to $30,000.

The parking enforcement people downtown Cleveland drive Honda Civics or Honda Civic Hybrids. These appear to be about $10,000 cheaper than the $28,000 Utility Interceptor, and they use much less gas. I don't think they need a huge car when all they do is check parking meters.

While walking around this summer, I came across the wife of a former Lakewood policeman. She told me that the parking enforcement people make more annually than police dispatchers do. If this is true (I don't think she would lie), then I think that is really awful.

I have gotten to know the one parking enforcement gentleman quite well over the past six months as he has been one of the ones accompanying me up and down all of Lakewood's streets while I have been walking for Skindell.

The Interceptors were chosen over other vehicles in the event they need to be transitioned into a police vehicle. Also, it is cost effective to have similar fleet of vehicles for repair and maintenance purposes. Plus the parking meter attendants need larger vehicles for transporting the coins, as well as materials for installation and repair of meters.

Dispatchers on average earn $45,245.
Parking Meter Attendants on average earn $43,711.

Lori -

For being a citizen of Lakewood, you surely seem to put our city down. I don't know you more then a fly on the wall, but out of all your threads, it is far few and between that any of them having anything positive to say about our city. Whether its about peoples yards, or garbage, city employees, and now purchasing city vehicles. Instead of assuming that everyone is out to ruin our city, why don't you seek to understand first.

I think it is very smart for the city to stream line our city vehicles, it SAVES US MONEY and makes the department MORE EFFICIENT! All major businesses do it because it focuses training on technicians, limits inventory of replacement parts, and allows them to streamline the preventative maintenance. Southwest Airlines is a prime example, they only use 1 model plane for all the same reasons.

Also, don't pry into peoples salary's/earnings, its none of your business....

Joe

Joe,

Although I disagree, I respect your viewpoints.

When so much is wrong, it is rather difficult to find the positives, even though there are many. The reason why many of my threads are negative is because I want to get people to open their eyes and pay attention to what is happening around them. It is very easy for all of us to drive around with tunnel vision and not notice boarded-up houses, garbage out for days upon days before garbage day, and so on.

I agree, it is great that our vehicle fleet is being streamlined. On the other hand, I don't think the majority of the fleet needs to be composed of gas-guzzlers. I'm sure there are less expensive, more Eco-friendly options out there.

Although I respect your viewpoint, I must disagree with you on your point about salaries. One should be aware before they take a job in the public sector that their salary, benefits, overtime, vacation days, etc. is public record and may be released to anyone and everyone. If one is not prepared for this, I feel that they should seek a job in the private sector.

The reason why you may perceive my threads as negative is because I am frustrated with what my city has become.

Finally, I don't think I am the only person on the Deck that is negative. Almost every other person that posts here regularly is frustrated and filled with negativity about the hospital controversy. For this reason, I don't feel I should be singled out as being the only negative person on the Deck.

Again, thanks for sharing your viewpoints even though we disagree. I look forward to seeing you back on the Deck soon.

I agree with Joe. Lori, you take every single post on the deck and turn it into a absolute indictment of the current administration. "Leaf collection schedule" to quote Lori "there is total lawlessness in Lakewood! Really! A crack in the sidewalk. A new restaurant opening. You poop on everything. It's a joke. You do realize that you are diminishing your credibility with every single post. chill out. BTW, your post about the leaf collection when you called me a troll and then erased it. Classic. Remember when you talked about rapists on a "Lead collection" post. Pick your spots Lori. Your opinion matters but when you turn a leaf collection post into "rapists are on the prowl. Resonable people tune out. As well they should. "Lori Allen, Endorsed by nobody".

Sorry Patrick,

If the current Administration were doing their jobs, in particular, the Mayor, perhaps the posts would be more to your liking. However, the hospital ordeal is just one example of what I believe to be an example of this poor and unethical leadership. Since you always seem unhappy with some of us here that post on the Desk, perhaps you would be happier reading Onelakewood.com or BuildLakewood's website. The Deck is to share our facts, opinions, etc. Even if you don't like some of the posts here, that does not give you the right to tear us apart, especially me. You will not stop any of us from posting here on the Deck. There is such a thing as the 1st Amendment rights and freedom of speech. We welcome you to post your thoughts and opinions, however, I ask that you be a little more respectful of both me and my others that post on the Deck. Thanks.

I didn't think Patrick's post was disrespectful. He's just trying to remind you about the lesson of "the boy who cried wolf". You do rarely say positive things about our city. I think that's why the Clouds Got In The Way thread is so important. When it seems to me like the deck has gotten too nasty or negative, I go check out some awesome sunsets.

The majority of my threads deal with facts. Again, I'm sorry that my threads are not always to everyone's liking. If one doesn't like my threads, then it would probably beehove them not to read them. As I said before, I put facts out there in an attempt to make people aware of what is going on.

This will be my last post to this thread, as it has gotten way off subject from city spending to attacking Lori Allen.

The majority of my threads deal with facts. Again, I'm sorry that my threads are not always to everyone's liking. If one doesn't like my threads, then it would probably beehove them not to read them. As I said before, I put facts out there in an attempt to make people aware of what is going on.
This will be my last post to this thread, as it has gotten way off subject from city spending to attacking Lori Allen.

So now that you've explained that you are just posting to get the facts out (even though the only fact was how much the SUV cost followed by your opinion on what vehicle should have been chosen and how much it should have cost and then thread drift into rumors/hearsay regarding the salary of the parking enforcement versus police dispatchers) are you willing to re-post to say that the city has made a wise decision about how to save money on their fleet now that you've learned the reasons they've chosen the vehicle they did? You know, to get the facts out there?