I don't know about you but I am sick of all of these negative political TV ads. The "Tribune" ran an editorial the other day stating they did not know who started the negative ads between Shane Gibson and Ed Clere. Really. Everyone knows which party sent the negative mailings again this year just as in previous years. I have heard many people discuss their dislike of such ads but everyone agrees that they work.
I have a novel thought. Let's not vote for the party which starts throwing rocks at the other candidates.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
JIM FRIEBERGER ON THE LOIT TAX
Floyd County Council candidate, Jim Frieberger answered my inquiry about the LOIT tax. With his permission I am posting his email.
"After having talked to numerous voters in my District, an overwhelming majority do not want a new tax passed at this time. So I have committed, as my opponent, not to vote in favor of the LOIT Tax if it resurfaced. In articles I have read, close to 50% of the people are being affected by the current economic downturn right now. Either them or their spouses being unemployed, having their hours reduced, taking a pay cut, or at the least, having a pay freeze, which doesn't allow them to keep up with current inflation levels. A majority of the people are cutting back during this downturn and feel that the Government should do so as well. They feel that the Council and County Government need to stay within their budget for now and unfortunately, make the tough decisions necessary to continue staying within their budget until the economy improves."
"I am hoping with my financial background and experience, I will be better equipped than my opponent to look a the currenct office budgets and try to find the best way to support the offices or programs that are essential to the county. One thing I would like to try to look into is the County Council itself being offered full Healthcare benefits for them and their family. I don't think this is reasonable for a position that is only a part-time job. This is the type of item I would like to dig into and see if there are some savings I can find for the county. We also have some tremendous inefficiencies in the County Sheriff Department due mainly to the overcrowding and ineffective lay-out of the jail. We are spending too much money on Deputies to guard prisoners when looking at typical guard to prisoner ratio's for the state, but we are being forced into for safety issues as well as keeping down our liability risk issues. We really need to push for building a new jail and using those funds that would be saved on Deputy salaries to be used for other public safety purposes."
He also added:
"I was disappointed with the Courier Journal article because it only covered about one fourth of our interview. It dropped all of my issues about the economy and me against voting in favor of a new LOIT Tax but that's what led into my support of pushing for a new jail because it is the greatest opportunity for cost savings for the county that can be used for other safety issues or projects. I think the editor didn't have enough space since he was covering three races instead of one as in his other articles (which I feel was a disservice to all of the candidates) and that he was trying to differentiate Dana Fendley and myself as much as he could."
Mr. Frieberger asked how I stood on this issue. If I have not made it clear before I will say again that I am also against the LOIT Tax. I know the city and county are in financial trouble but we must look for ways to cut expenses at this time. We taxpayers are in a financial bind ourselves and we don't need additional cuts to our net pay.
"After having talked to numerous voters in my District, an overwhelming majority do not want a new tax passed at this time. So I have committed, as my opponent, not to vote in favor of the LOIT Tax if it resurfaced. In articles I have read, close to 50% of the people are being affected by the current economic downturn right now. Either them or their spouses being unemployed, having their hours reduced, taking a pay cut, or at the least, having a pay freeze, which doesn't allow them to keep up with current inflation levels. A majority of the people are cutting back during this downturn and feel that the Government should do so as well. They feel that the Council and County Government need to stay within their budget for now and unfortunately, make the tough decisions necessary to continue staying within their budget until the economy improves."
"I am hoping with my financial background and experience, I will be better equipped than my opponent to look a the currenct office budgets and try to find the best way to support the offices or programs that are essential to the county. One thing I would like to try to look into is the County Council itself being offered full Healthcare benefits for them and their family. I don't think this is reasonable for a position that is only a part-time job. This is the type of item I would like to dig into and see if there are some savings I can find for the county. We also have some tremendous inefficiencies in the County Sheriff Department due mainly to the overcrowding and ineffective lay-out of the jail. We are spending too much money on Deputies to guard prisoners when looking at typical guard to prisoner ratio's for the state, but we are being forced into for safety issues as well as keeping down our liability risk issues. We really need to push for building a new jail and using those funds that would be saved on Deputy salaries to be used for other public safety purposes."
He also added:
"I was disappointed with the Courier Journal article because it only covered about one fourth of our interview. It dropped all of my issues about the economy and me against voting in favor of a new LOIT Tax but that's what led into my support of pushing for a new jail because it is the greatest opportunity for cost savings for the county that can be used for other safety issues or projects. I think the editor didn't have enough space since he was covering three races instead of one as in his other articles (which I feel was a disservice to all of the candidates) and that he was trying to differentiate Dana Fendley and myself as much as he could."
Mr. Frieberger asked how I stood on this issue. If I have not made it clear before I will say again that I am also against the LOIT Tax. I know the city and county are in financial trouble but we must look for ways to cut expenses at this time. We taxpayers are in a financial bind ourselves and we don't need additional cuts to our net pay.
Monday, October 4, 2010
COUNCIL MEETING 10/3/10 YES, IT WAS A LONG ONE
We had another marathon city council meeting again tonight.
The first topic of discussion was the newly released audit from the State. Since some of the members had only received their copy today, Mr. Coffey asked for a meeting on a Saturday to go over the budget. The date and time decided on were 10/16/10 at 10:00AM. I do not know if this will be a closed meeting or if we the public are allowed to attend.
Mr. Zurschmeide asked Mrs. Garry when the decrease would take effect on the sewer bills. She said it will be on the November statements since sewer bills run a month behind water bills.
Mrs. Benedetti asked why there has been no paving since the council appropriated the 1 million. Mr. Rosenbarger said the milling person is working on a large project in Louisville but will get to us next week.
Next were the comments from the public. Several business owners spoke about how 1SI had helped them get started. Most prominently was John Van Cleave from T G Missouri. They plan a large expansion costing 3 million dollars, they will also hire 30 more employees. More on that later.
Agenda items:
A-10-10 Ordinance for Appropriation and Tax Rates (this is the budget)
Mr. Caesar thinks the next year will be better for the budget since the only wage increase is the 1% longevity for the police and fire depts. The budget is based on the current insurance plan, if the employees accept the new plan there will be more savings. He also cannot understand why the city and the county each have a 911 system.
The vote was 3 yays Ceasar, Messer, Gonder, and 6 nays.
The second reading was the same.
A-10-11 An Ordinance to Fix the Non-Reverting Budgets for the Year 2011
The first and second votes were 1 yay Gonder, and 8 nays.
The council will have their meeting before voting on the third reading.
Then the real fun started:
A-10-08 Ordinance For The Appropriation of EDIT Funds
This was 1SI's request for $70,000. Mrs. Benedetti asked for an amendment which would reduce the amount to $30,000. The amendment passed.
Mr. Gahan brought up the recent political endorsements made by 1SI. He asked how endorsements made our city more attractive to new businesses, which is what he thought was the job of 1SI.
Mr. Dalby went to the podium to answer questions. He said the endorsements were made by a separate committee. He said the businesses wanted a voice and this is how it is expressed. Mr. Price questioned Mr. Dalby and 1SI's position on bridge tolls. Mr. Dalby said he did not want tolls either, he just wants the bridges built ASAP however that can be accomplished. Mr. Dalby went on to say that 1SI helped create 1,600 jobs and expanded the tax base by 80 million. He added that 90% of their funding is from private donors and the public funding can only be used for economic development.
The Ordinance passed 5 yays Coffey, Caesar, Benedetti, Messer, Zurschmeide and 4 nays.
Mrs. Benedetti tabled the next resolutions. Regarding the reserved parking places for residents, she wants to change from street signs to stickers for the cars.
Regarding T G Missouri, she tabled the tax abatement and the request for $150,000 matching funds for a new HVAC system until they can be amended. The council wants to put a time limit on the non-reverting fund for businesses to purchase equipment, make sure they purchase energy efficient equipment and use only local contractors.
When I left Chief Juliot was at the podium explaining to the council the request for matching funds to purchase radios, software, etc. Guess you'll have to read Daniel's report in the "Tribune" for that one.
The first topic of discussion was the newly released audit from the State. Since some of the members had only received their copy today, Mr. Coffey asked for a meeting on a Saturday to go over the budget. The date and time decided on were 10/16/10 at 10:00AM. I do not know if this will be a closed meeting or if we the public are allowed to attend.
Mr. Zurschmeide asked Mrs. Garry when the decrease would take effect on the sewer bills. She said it will be on the November statements since sewer bills run a month behind water bills.
Mrs. Benedetti asked why there has been no paving since the council appropriated the 1 million. Mr. Rosenbarger said the milling person is working on a large project in Louisville but will get to us next week.
Next were the comments from the public. Several business owners spoke about how 1SI had helped them get started. Most prominently was John Van Cleave from T G Missouri. They plan a large expansion costing 3 million dollars, they will also hire 30 more employees. More on that later.
Agenda items:
A-10-10 Ordinance for Appropriation and Tax Rates (this is the budget)
Mr. Caesar thinks the next year will be better for the budget since the only wage increase is the 1% longevity for the police and fire depts. The budget is based on the current insurance plan, if the employees accept the new plan there will be more savings. He also cannot understand why the city and the county each have a 911 system.
The vote was 3 yays Ceasar, Messer, Gonder, and 6 nays.
The second reading was the same.
A-10-11 An Ordinance to Fix the Non-Reverting Budgets for the Year 2011
The first and second votes were 1 yay Gonder, and 8 nays.
The council will have their meeting before voting on the third reading.
Then the real fun started:
A-10-08 Ordinance For The Appropriation of EDIT Funds
This was 1SI's request for $70,000. Mrs. Benedetti asked for an amendment which would reduce the amount to $30,000. The amendment passed.
Mr. Gahan brought up the recent political endorsements made by 1SI. He asked how endorsements made our city more attractive to new businesses, which is what he thought was the job of 1SI.
Mr. Dalby went to the podium to answer questions. He said the endorsements were made by a separate committee. He said the businesses wanted a voice and this is how it is expressed. Mr. Price questioned Mr. Dalby and 1SI's position on bridge tolls. Mr. Dalby said he did not want tolls either, he just wants the bridges built ASAP however that can be accomplished. Mr. Dalby went on to say that 1SI helped create 1,600 jobs and expanded the tax base by 80 million. He added that 90% of their funding is from private donors and the public funding can only be used for economic development.
The Ordinance passed 5 yays Coffey, Caesar, Benedetti, Messer, Zurschmeide and 4 nays.
Mrs. Benedetti tabled the next resolutions. Regarding the reserved parking places for residents, she wants to change from street signs to stickers for the cars.
Regarding T G Missouri, she tabled the tax abatement and the request for $150,000 matching funds for a new HVAC system until they can be amended. The council wants to put a time limit on the non-reverting fund for businesses to purchase equipment, make sure they purchase energy efficient equipment and use only local contractors.
When I left Chief Juliot was at the podium explaining to the council the request for matching funds to purchase radios, software, etc. Guess you'll have to read Daniel's report in the "Tribune" for that one.
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