Budgetary Cuts- the Inevitable

Gary sorry but it is no more horrific than what has happened in the private sector.  As has been discussed on here many times the way Ohio handles Public Safety Unions is detrimental to the well being of any city.

Bobbie you need to look into how the Union Contracts work in Ohio as far as Public Safety is concerned.  The city has little choice but to capitulate to what the unions want.  Public Safety makes up the bulk of the General Fund almost if not 70% I believe.

Wasteful - some of these contracts were negotiated last year - management new at that time what was happening with the budget.  If they didn't they should not be in management.  They did not have to agree with what the union asked for - remember a few years ago AK and the year long lock out.  My issue is upper management always wants cuts from staff - but does not look at themselves to take cuts as well.  It needs to be across the board.

wasteful wrote: Bobbie like I said research how Public Safety Union contracts work in Ohio.  There is a little matter called conciliation which the city loses when it is used almost everytime.

With all due respect, how can you say that? Do you even understand the Process. I think you simply are one of those People who automatically think any process that does not give the wanted result is faulty.

When you lose at Poker do you call the other Players "Cheats"?

Bobbie, the point Wastman is making, is that Public Safety People are unable to strike, for good reason,and in place of striking the Contract Issue goes to binding arbitration which is referred to as "Conciliation". To suggest that an arbiter is biased to the benefit of Labor would be very foolish, as most Unions would probably say that they lose more than win.

A lot of Rank and File Unions members actually somewhat distrust the process as they see the Companies win so often that they assume Big Money is greasing some Palms. I don't believe such things,as the AAA (American Arbitration Association) seems to be an honest bunch. Unfortunately some people are never satisfied until Labor works for nothing.

Thus, Bobbie's point about Management and Labor contracts is very valid.

I agree Murdock- Jobs are the answer to our budget problems as it relates to revenue. That being said, why don't we ever hear of any activity by the econ.dev. department and their plan to bring new jobs into this town? Why is Council/Gilleland relying on revenue from the federal government through town destroying programs like Section 8 instead of procuring jobs like most surrounding communities? Is this city government incapable of developing revenue like other cities? (Or, are they just stubbornly refusing to?) Are they not smart enough to figure it out or is it easier to ask the feds to provide the money by taking on programs no respectable town would tackle?

The way I read it is that Mr. Barge wants some city services to be transfered/taken over by the Hamilton city government to reduce cost for Middletown. This is not privatization of services--- this is transferring the services to another government and having that government entity take on the responsibility for providing the services. Perhaps I read the meaning of his post incorrectly.

Murdock- I've been here since 1948. In the 80's, LONG before this "stunted or stagnet growth", I proposed (in a letter to Council) to Bill Donham and the rest of Council, that they become more diversified and get away from this "steel/paper industry" mentality and start developing alternative industries and technology avenues to absorb the loses of these old industries. Here it is 2009, and this Council (and all that preceded it) failed to act on the suggestion. It's not like Middletown just realized their plight with old school industry. Rather, Middletown's leaders since the 80's, have failed to recognize AND ACT on what was the obvious thing to do back then. Now, because of the procrastination, it is almost too late to begin and expect success within a reasonable time. New high tech/decent paying jobs should be a high "#1" priority for this town and it is not. Very frustrating.

Section 8- Nothing more to say except PREVIOUS COUNCILS WERE INEPT AND ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL on this one. We have over twice what we should have. Still don't understand why the city leaders can't say "come and get the excess and distribute it out to the other Butler County cities that don't have their fair share". Why are we locked into keeping this overabundance of Section 8? It is KILLING this town. IMO, this oversight that created more Section 8 than what we are suppose to have is serious enough to dismiss city leaders and admin. that were responsible for this fiasco. It needs to be greatly reduced for the health of the city. We don't need added "problem children" in this community.

Barge and Hamilton taking over some of Middletown's services. Don't know. Maybe Mr. Barge didn't mean the actual City of Hamilton but rather the county offices that are located in Hamilton. You say that privatization has been explored as to cost versus service provided? ANd how did that breakout?

You give indications, based on your presentation, that you are a member of the Middletown city leadership in some capacity. Is that a fair assumption?

Well I guess no one knew that Hamilton was in Butler Co. Thanks for clearing that up!!!!!

tootie wrote: Well I guess no one knew that Hamilton was in Butler Co. Thanks for clearing that up!!!!!

What?

Rail Fan wrote: One year ago two City Council members confidentially told me they privately lamented supporting the hiring of the current City Manager.  A third member of this faction did not express these sentiments directly to me, but seemed supportive of this goal.  It was also at this time that these elected officials were strategizing how to secure the support of a fourth City Council member to take matters into their hands.  Now, all is well at City Hall as evidenced by the hollow praising of city management that we all view twice monthly at City Council meetings.   I welcome and encourage supporters of the two above noted City Council members to refute what I have said.  The same holds true for these two elected officials to take issue with my comments.   This is HYPOCRISY at its' very, very worst.  Vote for Barge, Soppanish, Nagy and Laubach in November!  These four candidates represent the only opportunity for practical decision making, the end of back door deals, the end of substantial political influence that the MMF imposes on us, etc.! Nelson Self

Uhh- "One year ago two City Council members CONFIDENTIALLY told me....."

"Who were the two members?" "You refer to "the two above noted councilmembers", yet fail to say who they are".... "tell us"

CONFIDENTIALLY

Hey Rail Fan- If they could hire her, they can fire her. Wonder why they changed their minds? Think the MMF'ers told these council people she would stay and to drop the pursuit of removing her?

Ooops.....................