"Business is like a man rowing a boat upstream. He has no choice; he must go ahead or he will go back."-Lewis E. Pierson
I think you can apply this to a Village too.
--------------------------
Sent using BlackBerry
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I'm back
Took a little hiatus, I am sure most of you have been aware of my wife's medical issues and how busy I get at work. The posts will begin picking up again as we head toward elections this fall.
Couple things:
Had a few hoodlums trying to set off fireworks on my street this morning at 4:30am. Kudos to Officer Kyle Sheehan for responding lightning quick. Also kudos to my dog Spyfox for alerting me.
Idea for the day: Instead of talking about local people who made the national spotlight this week. Remind your friends to drive past St. Mary's and look at how great our church is going to look when it's done....spread some good news.
Couple things:
Had a few hoodlums trying to set off fireworks on my street this morning at 4:30am. Kudos to Officer Kyle Sheehan for responding lightning quick. Also kudos to my dog Spyfox for alerting me.
Idea for the day: Instead of talking about local people who made the national spotlight this week. Remind your friends to drive past St. Mary's and look at how great our church is going to look when it's done....spread some good news.
Monday, April 20, 2009
History program
Dave Graves will be putting on another wonderful History of Wakeman program this Wednesday at the library. If you want to learn more about our towns heritage this is a must-see event. It starts at 7 pm.
Sent from my Windows Mobile® phone.
Sent from my Windows Mobile® phone.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Masonic Lodge Open House
This Saturday the Wakeman Masonic Lodge will be having an Ice Cream Social and Open House from 1:00 to 4:00. If you ever wondered what Masons do and who we are, now is a great time to stop by. Even if you just want a tour of the building and look around you are welcome to stop by. Freemasonry is the worlds oldest fraternal organization and our local lodge has been around for over 1oo years. We are one of the largest lodges in the area with 243 members.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
By The Way....
I forgot to post this when I received word. We got the grant money to replace the Hyde Street bridge!!! Kudos to the Mayor, Grant Committee and everyone involved in securing that for us!!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Reality Check
Sorry this is such a long post. As always I will be happy to discuss any issues with anyone.
I see that Marilyn Dillon wrote an editorial piece for the Norwalk Reflector. I couldn't find it online so I am posting it here for you to read at the end of this post.
I am going to take some of the best parts and give you my commentary on them. Her words are in quotation marks.
"Fact: Some of the council
members believe that the residents
do not have the right to
vote on taxes. They have been
heard saying that they (the council
members) deserve this money
and they should just enact the
one-percent permanently without
going to the people."
The state has given municipalities the power to enact a minimal income tax without asking the residents for a vote. Some of us (myself included) feel that this was done because of the fact that many people do not attend council meetings and do not always understand why a tax is needed. You also voted for me to take care of things like this so you don't have to go to all the meetings I do. I have stated this here on the blog before. Safeguards are in place for the people to revoke a tax like this, even when its passed by an emergency ordinance. Do I think we deserve the money? No, we need the money in order to keep the village moving forward.
"Fact: The people who were
going to referendum the quickly
passed three reading ordinance
decided to keep their heads about
them and allow for the council to
show fiscal responsibility. ...
...They gave the appearance of
working on doing the right thing.
Certainly we could give them one
more try at the cookie jar."
They can say they kept their heads about them but they didn't have a choice. We are placing the tax vote on the November ballot, which is the earliest they could have placed an initiative on the ballot to repeal the tax. The reason we did it that way was because a referendum would have stopped the tax until this November. An emergency ordinance keeps the tax until the vote this fall. Marilyn evidently is a part of the group that was seeking the referendum since she used the word "we". Also the money we have to budget is not a "cookie jar". Using language like that to refer to taxpayer money is a bit immature in my opinion.
"Fact: At the regularly
scheduled council meeting in
January 2009, it was determined
that even though at the
December meeting they
agreed to pay the employees
the same amount for the last
year, they had no official ordinance...."
We did not agree to keep their pay the same. It was a tie vote and the mayor voted no that night as the tie-breaker. Shortly after that he apologized for his vote and supported the pay raise. Not passing any pay ordinance in December was an error on Council's part. It was an unfortunate error for those of you against pay raises because it gave those of us in favor of them one more shot at passing them which we did. The mayor did not have to break the tie that time.
"Not having the needed five votes
of council to pass an emergency
ordinance that contained
pay raises for everyone,
some council members agreed
to pass the old ordinance for
the new year keeping the set
pay in place. They assured
those members who were not
going to vote for pay raises
that that was all they were
doing. The ordinance was
motioned and passed by six
votes. Immediately, Mr.
Morman motioned to amend
the current pay ordinance to
include the pay raises that
were in question and Ms. Frey
seconded. They no longer
needed five votes to amend an
existing ordinance and the four
votes passed it, those yes votes
being Mr. Morman, Ms. Frey,
Ms Delong and Mr. Wilson."
The first payroll of the year had not occurred when that meeting took place. We had to pass some type of pay ordinance that night in order to pay our employees. In effect the two people voting no on the emergency pay ordinance (Tansey and Tkach) would have technically kept our employees from being paid. They knew we had enough votes to get the raises through. I stated at the meeting that even if we passed it that night without raises I would have motioned to have the raises done in three readings, which would have taken four months to pass and would have been retroactive to January 1, which would have cost the village time and money to do. In January of 2008 the exact same thing happened and Jan Tkach voted for the emergency pay ordinance then because she stated she knew we could and would pass it in three readings anyways. This time however she felt differently, I guess. Jim Tansey voted no for pay raises that time as well.
"Yes our
budget balances. It is required
to by law, but to do that and to
keep afloat we have to borrow,
sell bonds and other means."
I am not even sure what Marilyn is referring to there. We are not selling bonds to stay afloat. We are getting a loan to buy a police cruiser, but that is a routine thing for us. We usually finance equipment purchases like that. I have mentioned here before that the budget is in great shape and the reason why is because of the income tax.
"We are no different than any of
the other communities in
Huron County. We have not
done anything more courageous
or more intelligently
than any other community. If
anything, spending like we
have it and don't really. Is that
being fiscally responsible?"
I'd say we are very different than other communities. Look at New London and the problems they are having without their income tax. We certainly ARE NOT spending money we don't have. Even though the council members disagree on how the money should be budgeted and spent, we are certainly being fiscally responsible.
"Do we really
need to legislate what one
does with their house or do we
need to be a little more neighborly
and make the necessary
improvements by encouragement.
I remember a house on
Clark street that took an
extremely long time to put an
edition on and no one hassled
that family as the addition
stood in a variety of stages."
Ouch! I think she is referring to my house. Let's get something straight right there. I filled out the proper paperwork and paid for a building permit for my "edition" to my home. The zoning states that work must be started within one year of the permit being issued. As far as I know, there is nothing in the zoning to specify when the work must be completed. I have spoken with the Zoning Inspector several times to make sure I was in compliance. The permit which hung in my window for quite a long time is no longer there. I offered to buy a new one or get a replacement. I asked most recently before my election to council as I was sure someone would bring it up. He assured me I was fine. If I need to do something to be in compliance, I will do it. As far as the Exterior Maintenance Ordinance is concerned, that will be presented at the next council meeting. I am sure Linda Rogers would be happy to explain her situation and how far being neighborly has gotten her with the issues she is having on Pleasant Street.
"Besides even the business
downtown that runs the loud
machinery has promised to do
something to decrease the
noise level and we have been
gracious to that business while
we wait for them to comply,
haven't we?"
I know that council, the mayor and Marilyn have received two letters from that business regarding that issue in December of 2007 or January of 2008. Anyone can get a copy of those from me, they are not secret. This post is too long already to repost them here, but I will quote the last sentence of the second letter, "..the next time Marilyn Dillon decides to disrupt my business I will contact my lawyer to see if we can't work out some type of harrasment suit".
One thing to point out for all of you. Marilyn has only attended one council meeting since I took office (and she was voted out of office) and she was not even there for the entire meeting. Just putting that out there for you.
Here is the entire article for you.
That was a great section that
you had in the paper recently
about Huron County cities and
villages.
At a time like this it is great to
see the positive aspects of our
community. There is so much
bad news that a wink and a smile
always makes one feel better.
Alas, along with the good, a
reality check for even the best
communities is necessary.
Fact: The village of
Wakeman voted for a municipal
income tax more than five
years ago for a set time to see
how well the village was able
to manage its finances. It
passed by a slim amount but it
passed and villagers were willing
to give the tax and the
budget makers a try.
Fact: In November of 2008,
the villagers voted down the
income tax by 70 some votes.
It was a big election, as we
were deciding on a president
and the turnout was bigger
than we usually see at our
elections. The mayor and some
of the council believe that the
people were confused about
what they were voting on. I
rather doubt that because our
residents do keep up with
what's going on, just meet
downtown to go to th,e bank or
have coffee at Sterk's, etc ....
Fact: Some of the council
members believe that the residents
do not have the right to
vote on taxes. They have been
heard saying that they (the council
members) deserve this money
and they should just enact the
one-percent permanently without
going to the people.
Fact: Following the
November 2008 election, a
member of council motioned
an ordinance in place to enact
the income tax even though it
was voted down. It was seconded,
even though this item
was not on the published agenda
and the agenda had not
been moved to be amended.
On the first reading it was
passed by a majority vote. It
had two more readings before
it could be enacted. The mayor
allowed the next two meetings
to be scheduled within one
week of each other and even
over protests, the majority of
council voted the ordinance in
place. As soon as this was
done the process for a referendum
was started. The required
signatures had been assured
and it would have been done
except that the mayor and
council at the next council meeting,
a little more than a week
later, chose to adjust their strategy.
They came to the regularly
scheduled December council
meeting and rescinded the justpassed
income tax ordinance
and proposed an emergency tax
ordinance for an income tax for
the year 2009 and promising
that it would again be put on the
ballot. The mayor and some of
the council were hoping that the
residents would clear the cobwebs
of confusion out of their
minds for a more amiable vote
in November of 2009.
Fact: The people who were
going to referendum the quickly
passed three reading ordinance
decided to keep their heads about
them and allow for the council to
show fiscal responsibility. They
(council) did reject the pay raises
for the village workers at the
December meeting and Mr.
Strickler took back his increase in
the retainer fee and the increase
he requested in his hourly wage.
They gave the appearance of
working on doing the right thing.
Certainly we could give them one
more try at the cookie jar.
Fact: At the regularly
scheduled council meeting in
January 2009, it was determined
that even though at the
December meeting they
agreed to pay the employees
the same amount for the last
year, they had no official ordinance
to pay the village
employees so of course they
needed to do emergency legislation
in order to do this. Not
having the needed five votes
of council to pass an emergency
ordinance that contained
pay raises for everyone,
some council members agreed
to pass the old ordinance for
the new year keeping the set
pay in place. They assured
those members who were not
going to vote for pay raises
that that was all they were
doing. The ordinance was
motioned and passed by six
votes. Immediately, Mr.
Morman motioned to amend
the current pay ordinance to
include the pay raises that
were in question and Ms. Frey
seconded. They no longer
needed fi ve votes to amend an
existing ordinance and the four
votes passed it, those yes votes
being Mr. Morman, Ms. Frey,
Ms Delong and Mr. Wilson.
This council has not told the
residents that after the audit of
2006 we barely escaped fiscal
watch and that the council in
place at the time had to work
endlessly to satisfy vendors,
retirement funds and make
some really hard decisions
about health care and what
infrastructure could be
repaired and improved on. We
are still not to the point of
being able to do these things
without incurring more debt
for the community. Yes our
budget balances. It is required
to by law, but to do that and to
keep afloat we have to borrow,
sell bonds and other means.
We are no different than any of
the other communities in
Huron County. We have not
done anything more courageous
or more intelligently
than any other community. If
anything, spending like we
have it and don't really. Is that
being fiscally responsible?
Some of the council members
want to enact an exterior
maintenance ordinance. They
will establish parameters for
how the houses should look
and if you don't meet these
requirements they will fine
you. When you ask yourself
how you are tightening the
belt, don't forget to ask yourself
who you are telling that
you are having some financial
problems? Are you doing a little
better than your neighbor?
Well remember that "There but
for the grace of God, go I"
before you judge. Do we really
need to legislate what one
does with their house or do we
need to be a little more neighborly
and make the necessary
improvements by encouragement.
I remember a house on
Clark street that took an
extremely long time to put an
edition on and no one hassled
that family as the addition
stood in a variety of stages.
Besides even the business
downtown that runs the loud
machinery has promised to do
something to decrease the
noise level and we have been
gracious to that business while
we wait for them to comply,
haven't we?
Russell and Marilyn Dillon
are Wakeman residents.
I see that Marilyn Dillon wrote an editorial piece for the Norwalk Reflector. I couldn't find it online so I am posting it here for you to read at the end of this post.
I am going to take some of the best parts and give you my commentary on them. Her words are in quotation marks.
"Fact: Some of the council
members believe that the residents
do not have the right to
vote on taxes. They have been
heard saying that they (the council
members) deserve this money
and they should just enact the
one-percent permanently without
going to the people."
The state has given municipalities the power to enact a minimal income tax without asking the residents for a vote. Some of us (myself included) feel that this was done because of the fact that many people do not attend council meetings and do not always understand why a tax is needed. You also voted for me to take care of things like this so you don't have to go to all the meetings I do. I have stated this here on the blog before. Safeguards are in place for the people to revoke a tax like this, even when its passed by an emergency ordinance. Do I think we deserve the money? No, we need the money in order to keep the village moving forward.
"Fact: The people who were
going to referendum the quickly
passed three reading ordinance
decided to keep their heads about
them and allow for the council to
show fiscal responsibility. ...
...They gave the appearance of
working on doing the right thing.
Certainly we could give them one
more try at the cookie jar."
They can say they kept their heads about them but they didn't have a choice. We are placing the tax vote on the November ballot, which is the earliest they could have placed an initiative on the ballot to repeal the tax. The reason we did it that way was because a referendum would have stopped the tax until this November. An emergency ordinance keeps the tax until the vote this fall. Marilyn evidently is a part of the group that was seeking the referendum since she used the word "we". Also the money we have to budget is not a "cookie jar". Using language like that to refer to taxpayer money is a bit immature in my opinion.
"Fact: At the regularly
scheduled council meeting in
January 2009, it was determined
that even though at the
December meeting they
agreed to pay the employees
the same amount for the last
year, they had no official ordinance...."
We did not agree to keep their pay the same. It was a tie vote and the mayor voted no that night as the tie-breaker. Shortly after that he apologized for his vote and supported the pay raise. Not passing any pay ordinance in December was an error on Council's part. It was an unfortunate error for those of you against pay raises because it gave those of us in favor of them one more shot at passing them which we did. The mayor did not have to break the tie that time.
"Not having the needed five votes
of council to pass an emergency
ordinance that contained
pay raises for everyone,
some council members agreed
to pass the old ordinance for
the new year keeping the set
pay in place. They assured
those members who were not
going to vote for pay raises
that that was all they were
doing. The ordinance was
motioned and passed by six
votes. Immediately, Mr.
Morman motioned to amend
the current pay ordinance to
include the pay raises that
were in question and Ms. Frey
seconded. They no longer
needed five votes to amend an
existing ordinance and the four
votes passed it, those yes votes
being Mr. Morman, Ms. Frey,
Ms Delong and Mr. Wilson."
The first payroll of the year had not occurred when that meeting took place. We had to pass some type of pay ordinance that night in order to pay our employees. In effect the two people voting no on the emergency pay ordinance (Tansey and Tkach) would have technically kept our employees from being paid. They knew we had enough votes to get the raises through. I stated at the meeting that even if we passed it that night without raises I would have motioned to have the raises done in three readings, which would have taken four months to pass and would have been retroactive to January 1, which would have cost the village time and money to do. In January of 2008 the exact same thing happened and Jan Tkach voted for the emergency pay ordinance then because she stated she knew we could and would pass it in three readings anyways. This time however she felt differently, I guess. Jim Tansey voted no for pay raises that time as well.
"Yes our
budget balances. It is required
to by law, but to do that and to
keep afloat we have to borrow,
sell bonds and other means."
I am not even sure what Marilyn is referring to there. We are not selling bonds to stay afloat. We are getting a loan to buy a police cruiser, but that is a routine thing for us. We usually finance equipment purchases like that. I have mentioned here before that the budget is in great shape and the reason why is because of the income tax.
"We are no different than any of
the other communities in
Huron County. We have not
done anything more courageous
or more intelligently
than any other community. If
anything, spending like we
have it and don't really. Is that
being fiscally responsible?"
I'd say we are very different than other communities. Look at New London and the problems they are having without their income tax. We certainly ARE NOT spending money we don't have. Even though the council members disagree on how the money should be budgeted and spent, we are certainly being fiscally responsible.
"Do we really
need to legislate what one
does with their house or do we
need to be a little more neighborly
and make the necessary
improvements by encouragement.
I remember a house on
Clark street that took an
extremely long time to put an
edition on and no one hassled
that family as the addition
stood in a variety of stages."
Ouch! I think she is referring to my house. Let's get something straight right there. I filled out the proper paperwork and paid for a building permit for my "edition" to my home. The zoning states that work must be started within one year of the permit being issued. As far as I know, there is nothing in the zoning to specify when the work must be completed. I have spoken with the Zoning Inspector several times to make sure I was in compliance. The permit which hung in my window for quite a long time is no longer there. I offered to buy a new one or get a replacement. I asked most recently before my election to council as I was sure someone would bring it up. He assured me I was fine. If I need to do something to be in compliance, I will do it. As far as the Exterior Maintenance Ordinance is concerned, that will be presented at the next council meeting. I am sure Linda Rogers would be happy to explain her situation and how far being neighborly has gotten her with the issues she is having on Pleasant Street.
"Besides even the business
downtown that runs the loud
machinery has promised to do
something to decrease the
noise level and we have been
gracious to that business while
we wait for them to comply,
haven't we?"
I know that council, the mayor and Marilyn have received two letters from that business regarding that issue in December of 2007 or January of 2008. Anyone can get a copy of those from me, they are not secret. This post is too long already to repost them here, but I will quote the last sentence of the second letter, "..the next time Marilyn Dillon decides to disrupt my business I will contact my lawyer to see if we can't work out some type of harrasment suit".
One thing to point out for all of you. Marilyn has only attended one council meeting since I took office (and she was voted out of office) and she was not even there for the entire meeting. Just putting that out there for you.
Here is the entire article for you.
That was a great section that
you had in the paper recently
about Huron County cities and
villages.
At a time like this it is great to
see the positive aspects of our
community. There is so much
bad news that a wink and a smile
always makes one feel better.
Alas, along with the good, a
reality check for even the best
communities is necessary.
Fact: The village of
Wakeman voted for a municipal
income tax more than five
years ago for a set time to see
how well the village was able
to manage its finances. It
passed by a slim amount but it
passed and villagers were willing
to give the tax and the
budget makers a try.
Fact: In November of 2008,
the villagers voted down the
income tax by 70 some votes.
It was a big election, as we
were deciding on a president
and the turnout was bigger
than we usually see at our
elections. The mayor and some
of the council believe that the
people were confused about
what they were voting on. I
rather doubt that because our
residents do keep up with
what's going on, just meet
downtown to go to th,e bank or
have coffee at Sterk's, etc ....
Fact: Some of the council
members believe that the residents
do not have the right to
vote on taxes. They have been
heard saying that they (the council
members) deserve this money
and they should just enact the
one-percent permanently without
going to the people.
Fact: Following the
November 2008 election, a
member of council motioned
an ordinance in place to enact
the income tax even though it
was voted down. It was seconded,
even though this item
was not on the published agenda
and the agenda had not
been moved to be amended.
On the first reading it was
passed by a majority vote. It
had two more readings before
it could be enacted. The mayor
allowed the next two meetings
to be scheduled within one
week of each other and even
over protests, the majority of
council voted the ordinance in
place. As soon as this was
done the process for a referendum
was started. The required
signatures had been assured
and it would have been done
except that the mayor and
council at the next council meeting,
a little more than a week
later, chose to adjust their strategy.
They came to the regularly
scheduled December council
meeting and rescinded the justpassed
income tax ordinance
and proposed an emergency tax
ordinance for an income tax for
the year 2009 and promising
that it would again be put on the
ballot. The mayor and some of
the council were hoping that the
residents would clear the cobwebs
of confusion out of their
minds for a more amiable vote
in November of 2009.
Fact: The people who were
going to referendum the quickly
passed three reading ordinance
decided to keep their heads about
them and allow for the council to
show fiscal responsibility. They
(council) did reject the pay raises
for the village workers at the
December meeting and Mr.
Strickler took back his increase in
the retainer fee and the increase
he requested in his hourly wage.
They gave the appearance of
working on doing the right thing.
Certainly we could give them one
more try at the cookie jar.
Fact: At the regularly
scheduled council meeting in
January 2009, it was determined
that even though at the
December meeting they
agreed to pay the employees
the same amount for the last
year, they had no official ordinance
to pay the village
employees so of course they
needed to do emergency legislation
in order to do this. Not
having the needed five votes
of council to pass an emergency
ordinance that contained
pay raises for everyone,
some council members agreed
to pass the old ordinance for
the new year keeping the set
pay in place. They assured
those members who were not
going to vote for pay raises
that that was all they were
doing. The ordinance was
motioned and passed by six
votes. Immediately, Mr.
Morman motioned to amend
the current pay ordinance to
include the pay raises that
were in question and Ms. Frey
seconded. They no longer
needed fi ve votes to amend an
existing ordinance and the four
votes passed it, those yes votes
being Mr. Morman, Ms. Frey,
Ms Delong and Mr. Wilson.
This council has not told the
residents that after the audit of
2006 we barely escaped fiscal
watch and that the council in
place at the time had to work
endlessly to satisfy vendors,
retirement funds and make
some really hard decisions
about health care and what
infrastructure could be
repaired and improved on. We
are still not to the point of
being able to do these things
without incurring more debt
for the community. Yes our
budget balances. It is required
to by law, but to do that and to
keep afloat we have to borrow,
sell bonds and other means.
We are no different than any of
the other communities in
Huron County. We have not
done anything more courageous
or more intelligently
than any other community. If
anything, spending like we
have it and don't really. Is that
being fiscally responsible?
Some of the council members
want to enact an exterior
maintenance ordinance. They
will establish parameters for
how the houses should look
and if you don't meet these
requirements they will fine
you. When you ask yourself
how you are tightening the
belt, don't forget to ask yourself
who you are telling that
you are having some financial
problems? Are you doing a little
better than your neighbor?
Well remember that "There but
for the grace of God, go I"
before you judge. Do we really
need to legislate what one
does with their house or do we
need to be a little more neighborly
and make the necessary
improvements by encouragement.
I remember a house on
Clark street that took an
extremely long time to put an
edition on and no one hassled
that family as the addition
stood in a variety of stages.
Besides even the business
downtown that runs the loud
machinery has promised to do
something to decrease the
noise level and we have been
gracious to that business while
we wait for them to comply,
haven't we?
Russell and Marilyn Dillon
are Wakeman residents.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Council Meeting
Council meeting was actually shorter than I thought it would be.
We passed an ordinance lowering the late fee for water bills from 10% to 5%. We all thought it to be a good way to help out the residents, or as I called it, "Our stimulus package".
We looked at a lease agreement for some property the village owns at the lagoons that has been farmed for a number of years. I actually voted no on this first reading. I didn't care for the changes that were made at the meeting to the agreement. It did pass however.
Our chief will be off this week and next and God willing will be able to resolve his health issues. We all send him our best wishes and prayers. The chief provided a letter with his recommendation of how to cover his shift during the next two weeks. No one seems to have a problem with his recommendation, but the issue of the sheriff's department came up again. I guess I have it wrong in that the suggestion was that we only use the Sheriff if it's an "emergency" because we just can't get anyone to be here. There never would be an emergency like this if we went back to having a second officer work day shift. When our current chief was a sergeant, he worked the day shift with his chief. At one point his chief was off for approx. a year with an illness. Tim took care of business and called the chief when decisions needed to be made. Now that we have only two full-time officers (Chief on first shift, Sergeant on third), we find ourselves in a situation where if either of them needs to be off for any length of time, there is little wiggle room to cover those shifts. We have placed ourselves in a dangerous situation.
Well, it becomes a dangerous situation because not everyone is willing to pay for police protection, or simply willing to pay more.
The reserve officers, those who work for free in order for us to hold their commission, simply cannot fill these open shifts. I keep hearing from different folks about our reserves, that many are not fulfilling their shift obligations. Except every time I hear this I call the Chief, and ask him if this is true and every time he tells me EVERY TIME (as recently as today) that there are TWO of NINETEEN, that are not. One of the two is excused because he is available here locally in an emergency such as when an officer is in trouble while on shift, which has happened recently.
Now that leaves 17. Two of those are not currently working because of their own medical reasons and one is right now serving us in Iraq.
I have nine part-time employees and at any given time there are at least two who are not available to work for me for whatever reason. Excluding the officer serving in Iraq, the chief and I both have the same percentage of workers available and doing what they are supposed to. Not bad I say. Good scheduling and good leadership. You can't ask these officers who already have other full-time jobs to simply pick up the slack or we pull your commission. There are other places they can go to work for free. However a paid employee in any job is going to be much more willing to come in and help when it is not normally scheduled for them.
Here is a half decent comparison for you. Your church calls you and says "We are short on help and you need to be at church for the next three Wednesday nights to help or else we will revoke your church membership". The drive and inner spirit to help your fellow man reaches a point and then you decide you could go to church somewhere else.
We keep saying we need to move the village forward. It seems to me that that concept has been falling short in some areas. It's time to move the Police Department forward. The manpower cutbacks that we have maintained over these years, are now coming back to haunt us.
Remember last week when I said that if you simply maintain what you have and do, you will find yourself behind?
We passed an ordinance lowering the late fee for water bills from 10% to 5%. We all thought it to be a good way to help out the residents, or as I called it, "Our stimulus package".
We looked at a lease agreement for some property the village owns at the lagoons that has been farmed for a number of years. I actually voted no on this first reading. I didn't care for the changes that were made at the meeting to the agreement. It did pass however.
Our chief will be off this week and next and God willing will be able to resolve his health issues. We all send him our best wishes and prayers. The chief provided a letter with his recommendation of how to cover his shift during the next two weeks. No one seems to have a problem with his recommendation, but the issue of the sheriff's department came up again. I guess I have it wrong in that the suggestion was that we only use the Sheriff if it's an "emergency" because we just can't get anyone to be here. There never would be an emergency like this if we went back to having a second officer work day shift. When our current chief was a sergeant, he worked the day shift with his chief. At one point his chief was off for approx. a year with an illness. Tim took care of business and called the chief when decisions needed to be made. Now that we have only two full-time officers (Chief on first shift, Sergeant on third), we find ourselves in a situation where if either of them needs to be off for any length of time, there is little wiggle room to cover those shifts. We have placed ourselves in a dangerous situation.
Well, it becomes a dangerous situation because not everyone is willing to pay for police protection, or simply willing to pay more.
The reserve officers, those who work for free in order for us to hold their commission, simply cannot fill these open shifts. I keep hearing from different folks about our reserves, that many are not fulfilling their shift obligations. Except every time I hear this I call the Chief, and ask him if this is true and every time he tells me EVERY TIME (as recently as today) that there are TWO of NINETEEN, that are not. One of the two is excused because he is available here locally in an emergency such as when an officer is in trouble while on shift, which has happened recently.
Now that leaves 17. Two of those are not currently working because of their own medical reasons and one is right now serving us in Iraq.
I have nine part-time employees and at any given time there are at least two who are not available to work for me for whatever reason. Excluding the officer serving in Iraq, the chief and I both have the same percentage of workers available and doing what they are supposed to. Not bad I say. Good scheduling and good leadership. You can't ask these officers who already have other full-time jobs to simply pick up the slack or we pull your commission. There are other places they can go to work for free. However a paid employee in any job is going to be much more willing to come in and help when it is not normally scheduled for them.
Here is a half decent comparison for you. Your church calls you and says "We are short on help and you need to be at church for the next three Wednesday nights to help or else we will revoke your church membership". The drive and inner spirit to help your fellow man reaches a point and then you decide you could go to church somewhere else.
We keep saying we need to move the village forward. It seems to me that that concept has been falling short in some areas. It's time to move the Police Department forward. The manpower cutbacks that we have maintained over these years, are now coming back to haunt us.
Remember last week when I said that if you simply maintain what you have and do, you will find yourself behind?
Follow-up
I talked to the mayor this morning. He doesn't think I used his comments correctly. I will give him the benefit of the doubt, even though the post itself is still a valid one. There are folks who feel its ok that the Sheriff cover for the village at times as the primary protection. He did bring up a point that frankly, I had forgotten about.
We currently leave the station unmanned on a regular basis during the week. The Chief goes to court twice a week, along with occasional prisoner transports and meeting with the law director, and there is no one here covering for him. The practice has been going on for several years. When I thought about this after talking to him my first thought was, "Well what has happened while he was gone?" Well I can't give you a list today but I can give you one quick instance. Last year we had a suicidal person in town with a gun and who fired a shot off in his home, while the Chief was at court. He had to run back lights and sirens. The response time became 20 minutes instead of 1-2. Fortunately the situation was resolved without injury.
We used to have two officers on duty during the day, and that was ended by previous administration. If we have the funds currently (thanks to the 1% tax) to get an officer to work those times, why wouldn't we? We need 24/7 protection.
We currently leave the station unmanned on a regular basis during the week. The Chief goes to court twice a week, along with occasional prisoner transports and meeting with the law director, and there is no one here covering for him. The practice has been going on for several years. When I thought about this after talking to him my first thought was, "Well what has happened while he was gone?" Well I can't give you a list today but I can give you one quick instance. Last year we had a suicidal person in town with a gun and who fired a shot off in his home, while the Chief was at court. He had to run back lights and sirens. The response time became 20 minutes instead of 1-2. Fortunately the situation was resolved without injury.
We used to have two officers on duty during the day, and that was ended by previous administration. If we have the funds currently (thanks to the 1% tax) to get an officer to work those times, why wouldn't we? We need 24/7 protection.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
We have a winner!
Our wonderful fiscal clerk trish summers answered my pop quiz question from my previous post.
The answer: Rush Limbaugh
Sent from my Windows Mobile® phone.
The answer: Rush Limbaugh
Sent from my Windows Mobile® phone.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Great idea
I hear that this morning the mayor has suggested in an open public meeting that it is ok for the Sheriff's office to cover for the village. That we don't always need an officer here in town. That idea is one of the most absurd I have heard of. One thing I enjoy doing is "illustrating absurdity by being absurd". (Pop quiz: if you know who uses that phrase on a regular basis, I will give you a $10.00 Sterks gift certificate.)
So lets use the mayor's idea and apply it to some other things:
The Wakeman Fire Department decides they don't need to be available all the time. For several hours a day we will have to contact Townsend or Berlin Township if your house or business catches fire. I wonder how long it would take them to respond?
Citizen's Ambulance decides that its a waste to have paramedics sitting around all the time. They decide to turn over paramedic service to North Central EMS in Norwalk. So now during certain times you will have to wait another 10-15 minutes for an ambulance to show up.
DOES ANYONE LIKE ANY OF THESE IDEAS??? I don't.
Now, here are some real world examples. The Sheriff's Office does an outstanding job, don't get me wrong there. Unfortunately in a high concentration group of people, like our village, you need someone available for the protection of the residents and their property. The Sheriff's office cannot handle the needs of our village. Ask some of the residents out at Firelands Manor how long it takes for a deputy to respond. Our chief has witnessed first hand 30 minute response times to Firelands Manor for a domestic dispute, one of the most volatile situations that can occur. Do you think they will come any faster for us?
Here's another real world example. a friend of my wife was recently involved in an accident. Her vehicle lost control and ended up laying on its side. She called the sheriff and they told her they did not have the manpower to assist her. SHE WAS IN A VEHICLE ON ITS SIDE!!!
I want to move this village forward and I thought the mayor did too. This idea of using the sheriff is a giant step backwards. The village needs 24/7 police protection.
Intentionally allowing our police department to be unmanned is like turning on the timer of a bomb and not knowing how much time is left. You'll be safe for a while, but sooner or later it will blow up in your face.
So lets use the mayor's idea and apply it to some other things:
The Wakeman Fire Department decides they don't need to be available all the time. For several hours a day we will have to contact Townsend or Berlin Township if your house or business catches fire. I wonder how long it would take them to respond?
Citizen's Ambulance decides that its a waste to have paramedics sitting around all the time. They decide to turn over paramedic service to North Central EMS in Norwalk. So now during certain times you will have to wait another 10-15 minutes for an ambulance to show up.
DOES ANYONE LIKE ANY OF THESE IDEAS??? I don't.
Now, here are some real world examples. The Sheriff's Office does an outstanding job, don't get me wrong there. Unfortunately in a high concentration group of people, like our village, you need someone available for the protection of the residents and their property. The Sheriff's office cannot handle the needs of our village. Ask some of the residents out at Firelands Manor how long it takes for a deputy to respond. Our chief has witnessed first hand 30 minute response times to Firelands Manor for a domestic dispute, one of the most volatile situations that can occur. Do you think they will come any faster for us?
Here's another real world example. a friend of my wife was recently involved in an accident. Her vehicle lost control and ended up laying on its side. She called the sheriff and they told her they did not have the manpower to assist her. SHE WAS IN A VEHICLE ON ITS SIDE!!!
I want to move this village forward and I thought the mayor did too. This idea of using the sheriff is a giant step backwards. The village needs 24/7 police protection.
Intentionally allowing our police department to be unmanned is like turning on the timer of a bomb and not knowing how much time is left. You'll be safe for a while, but sooner or later it will blow up in your face.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Something to think about
If all you do is maintain what you have and what you do, you will find over time, that you have fallen way behind.
Sent from my Windows Mobile® phone.
Sent from my Windows Mobile® phone.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
News of Note
Someone wanted me to blog about the snow removal in town. So I will! I think the guys have done a great job. We have gotten a LOT of snow, close to a record I hear. Naturally, no matter how a job gets handled in town, you cannot please everyone. At my businesses every year, the sod gets peeled back around the parking lot, BUT, I have got to keep the parking lot clean and wide for my families. The more they scrape off, the quicker it melts.
Here is a headline from the Morning Journal:
Didn't I just blog here a couple weeks ago that the Village finances were in good shape? Oh wait they are!
Here is what they headline should have been:
Wakeman only gives cost-of-living raises, despite finances
Have a great weekend!
Here is a headline from the Morning Journal:
Wakeman gives cost-of-living raises despite poor finances
Didn't I just blog here a couple weeks ago that the Village finances were in good shape? Oh wait they are!
Here is what they headline should have been:
Wakeman only gives cost-of-living raises, despite finances
Have a great weekend!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Rural Small Business Trends
Very important article for us. It also touches on something that I talked about last year for the business association that with gas prices creeping up we need to emphasize shopping local to save money.
I will copy the whole article here, but here is the link to make sure I show the source.
Being in business in a small town or a rural area is different from being in a metropolitan area. Your local economy is certainly different from the national big picture. That’s why rural small business needs its own list of trends for 2009.
I will copy the whole article here, but here is the link to make sure I show the source.
Being in business in a small town or a rural area is different from being in a metropolitan area. Your local economy is certainly different from the national big picture. That’s why rural small business needs its own list of trends for 2009.
Here are my picks for the top trends for rural small businesses.
1. Local Economy - Each small town economy is different. Of course we are all interconnected, but each region has different dominating factors, whether it’s agriculture, minerals, small manufacturing, or something unique. It’s a better indicator for your business than the Dow Jones. Two bad wheat crops in a row will touch my business quicker than the tightening of the national credit market.
2. Energy Production - Oil and natural gas prices have fallen far from their record-breaking levels in 2008, but are still high enough to support continuing exploration. Wind power and other alternative manufacturing and production have boosted many local economies. This means opportunities to build businesses supporting larger energy production companies, as well as new opportunities in helping small businesses, local governments and homeowners adopt renewable energy.
3. Shop Local - High gas prices were the catalyst; lingering interest in shopping locally is one result. Combine that with the falling economy, and we’re seeing more small towns start or revive hometown shopping promotions. Searches on Small Biz Survival for “shop local” have quadrupled over the last four months. As an individual business owner, it’s your job to constantly, repeatedly communicate what you offer to your local customers.
4. Online Shopping - High gas prices have had a second effect for small town businesses: driving sales online. Entrepreneur.com reported a prediction that online retail will rise 17 percent this year to $204 billion. If you can compete online, it’s high time you do. As a small town business, you have a chance to tell your unique story and create an online shopping experience that big businesses have to pay dearly to try to replicate.
5. New Residents - Small towns will continue to see an influx of residents, escaping from metro areas. If the economy slides seriously downhill, I expect this to accelerate. Have you thought about how your business would serve new residents?
6. Atwoods Effect - Many new residents will be of the gentleman-farmer type. They may only have half an acre, but to them it’s a spacious ranchette. They need all the farming and country accessories that go with a rural lifestyle. You can be the one who provides them.
7. Regional Tourism - Instead of flying out to the tropics, many city residents will be looking for chances to travel regionally. Expect to see more family driving tours. The big beneficiaries will be the businesses that offer a slice of rural life, or a connection to the culture. This can be anything from traditional food making, old time crafts, old-fashioned farms, and even modern but rustic wineries.
8. Wildlife Assets - 87.5 million U.S. residents fished, hunted, or watched wildlife in 2006, up from 82 million in 2001, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All together, they spent $122 million, primarily in rural areas where you find most of the wildlife. Small town businesses have opportunities to provide the individuals with more services, not only lodging and food, but also equipment, and even other activities for families.
9. Local Foods - Transporting food long distances costs not only dollars, but also has an environmental impact. Foodborne illnesses have been linked to imported foods and huge food processors. Put that together, and you have a growing group of people who are actively seeking local foods from smaller producers. (Do a Google search for “localvore“.) Small town businesses can take advantage of this by not only feeding local residents, but also by reaching the nearby metro areas. Local food businesses can band together to promote a regional food experience.
10. Millennial Generation - The millennial generation is bigger than the Baby Boomers, more entrepreneurial, more civic minded. You’ve never had a better chance to engage the youth of your community. These are the kids who will help many small town businesses adopt new technology.
Bonus Trend:
11. Online Interaction - Even in my small town of 5,000 people, I’m seeing waves of locals on Facebook and other social networks, as well as reviews of local motels and restaurants on TripAdvisor. Not only should you be present in these places to interact with your customers, but you can also actively encourage your fans to post their reviews.
Part of the Small Business Trends 2009 Trends Series.
* * * * *
Friday, January 16, 2009
Fun Stuff
Here is one of the unique things you have to deal with when you are on Council.
One of the police cruisers has been sitting at Shaw's waiting on tires. I have no idea why the car isn't done yet. However, since its sitting there where everyone can see it, you get a flood of people whose main concern lately seems to be when that car will be done. If the car was sitting at the station, or somewhere else where you couldn't see it everyday, then no one would even realize it wasn't being used. It's just sitting there bothering them and hour by hour it gnaws at them.
My official statement on the issue: Don't worry folks, when it's done, it'll be done.
One of the police cruisers has been sitting at Shaw's waiting on tires. I have no idea why the car isn't done yet. However, since its sitting there where everyone can see it, you get a flood of people whose main concern lately seems to be when that car will be done. If the car was sitting at the station, or somewhere else where you couldn't see it everyday, then no one would even realize it wasn't being used. It's just sitting there bothering them and hour by hour it gnaws at them.
My official statement on the issue: Don't worry folks, when it's done, it'll be done.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Council meeting
I wanted to write when I got home from the council meeting but it was after 11:00 pm when I got home.
Highlights:
Did you know that River Street north of 20 is called North River Street, but River Street south of 20 is simply called River Street? It wouldn't be much of a problem except that we have a 18 River Street and a 18 North River Street. The previous owner of 18 River had a PO Box but now the current residents are having mail delivery problems. Kudos to the mayor for immediately checking with EMA to make sure emergency personnel know which house is which. The mailing solution? Well the council will vote on an ordinance next month to rename "River Street" south of 20 to "South River Street". I am sure that new signs will be bought once the change is approved. Unfortunately, the mail delivery problems will probably still continue to a degree.
Fourth quarter reports were approved last night and look very good. They look good because of the 1% income tax!! We have a number of projects that will be taking place this year, one of the biggest being maintenance to the water tower. Lots of things that would not be done without the income tax.
While we are improving things with the tax money, we also have to maintain equipment as well. We also have to maintain our personnel.
Let's talk about personnel. Much gets said about the village employees (that includes police) and some of it, by virtue of anonymous comments, is not favorable. I am at the village hall on an almost daily basis. I see first hand what is going on and what our people are doing. They are doing a great job. Many of them gave up health insurance several years ago when money was tight. Some of them are working for almost half of what their predecessors were and doing a much better job. You can walk into the village hall and see it first hand. Ask the mayor to show you the two boxes he carried out at the meeting last night. It was one of the coolest things I have seen done at a meeting.
So when I talk about the village being in good shape, there really are two reasons for that. The income tax and the sacrifices of our employees. They deserved the raise they got, it doesn't come close to what they have given back to us.
Highlights:
Did you know that River Street north of 20 is called North River Street, but River Street south of 20 is simply called River Street? It wouldn't be much of a problem except that we have a 18 River Street and a 18 North River Street. The previous owner of 18 River had a PO Box but now the current residents are having mail delivery problems. Kudos to the mayor for immediately checking with EMA to make sure emergency personnel know which house is which. The mailing solution? Well the council will vote on an ordinance next month to rename "River Street" south of 20 to "South River Street". I am sure that new signs will be bought once the change is approved. Unfortunately, the mail delivery problems will probably still continue to a degree.
Fourth quarter reports were approved last night and look very good. They look good because of the 1% income tax!! We have a number of projects that will be taking place this year, one of the biggest being maintenance to the water tower. Lots of things that would not be done without the income tax.
While we are improving things with the tax money, we also have to maintain equipment as well. We also have to maintain our personnel.
Let's talk about personnel. Much gets said about the village employees (that includes police) and some of it, by virtue of anonymous comments, is not favorable. I am at the village hall on an almost daily basis. I see first hand what is going on and what our people are doing. They are doing a great job. Many of them gave up health insurance several years ago when money was tight. Some of them are working for almost half of what their predecessors were and doing a much better job. You can walk into the village hall and see it first hand. Ask the mayor to show you the two boxes he carried out at the meeting last night. It was one of the coolest things I have seen done at a meeting.
So when I talk about the village being in good shape, there really are two reasons for that. The income tax and the sacrifices of our employees. They deserved the raise they got, it doesn't come close to what they have given back to us.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
News of Note
We will be having a Special Ordinance Committee Meeting on Thursday at 7:30 at the Village Hall. We will be discussing a proposed Exterior Maintenance Ordinance.
If you haven't had lunch at the Poore House (former Buffalo Cafe) yet, you need to check it out.
The weather has kept me from getting the yard signs out yet, but I have them ready to go.
My hit counter quit working and I installed a new one today. It's a bit short but at least its back up and running.
If you haven't had lunch at the Poore House (former Buffalo Cafe) yet, you need to check it out.
The weather has kept me from getting the yard signs out yet, but I have them ready to go.
My hit counter quit working and I installed a new one today. It's a bit short but at least its back up and running.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Looking Good
We have our village council meeting next Monday. One of the things we will be discussing is the payroll ordinance. Last month, pay raises for the village employees and police officers were voted down by three council members and the mayor because it wouldn't "look good". Two council members voted no on a first reading to simply submit an application to obtain financing for the purchase of a new police cruiser. Our older cruiser as of the time of this post is currently inoperable. I guess even looking into buying a cruiser doesn't "look good" either.
You know what does actually look good? Our Village finances. We are in the black. Other municipalities are making cutbacks, we don't need to. Other counties are laying off literally dozens of workers, we are doing fine. That is in no small part due to the 1% income tax and the way that the Village officials, past and present, have handled things. It's not something that happens overnight, or even in one year. If we didn't have the tax we would be in the same boat as the others.
The proposed pay raises amount to a total of somewhere around 3500 dollars. That number is DIVIDED amongst all the workers (seven by my quick count, maybe more), not for each one. Some of the Police Officer raises were based on evaluations and weren't automatic. Some of those funds for the raises come out of sewer and water money, not all of the raise is paid for out of the general fund. It's not a huge raise by any stretch of the imagination.
This payroll ordinance failed on its third and final reading after being passed on the first two readings unanimously, because it wouldn't "look good". Hold on a second, we still have the income tax, nothing has really changed has it? We can sit and talk about all the other towns, townships, counties, whatever, that have had to make cutbacks. WE ARE NOT THEM! We should be pretty proud of that. I am. We need a cruiser and we can afford it. It's what we would do if the tax had passed. Wait, we still have the tax, why should we be thinking of not buying one all of a sudden? Our workers should get a raise, and we can afford the one that was proposed, why did it fail on the third reading?
Here is an interesting note for you to think about. In January of 2008 we voted for similar raises. It passed. I did not hear one person mention they voted against the tax because of that. Maybe it didn't look so bad.
You know what actually does look good? A council and a mayor that keeps the Village running as it should, and not base decisions like this on what "looks good" because of a ballot issue OR whether you are running for council this fall.
You know what does actually look good? Our Village finances. We are in the black. Other municipalities are making cutbacks, we don't need to. Other counties are laying off literally dozens of workers, we are doing fine. That is in no small part due to the 1% income tax and the way that the Village officials, past and present, have handled things. It's not something that happens overnight, or even in one year. If we didn't have the tax we would be in the same boat as the others.
The proposed pay raises amount to a total of somewhere around 3500 dollars. That number is DIVIDED amongst all the workers (seven by my quick count, maybe more), not for each one. Some of the Police Officer raises were based on evaluations and weren't automatic. Some of those funds for the raises come out of sewer and water money, not all of the raise is paid for out of the general fund. It's not a huge raise by any stretch of the imagination.
This payroll ordinance failed on its third and final reading after being passed on the first two readings unanimously, because it wouldn't "look good". Hold on a second, we still have the income tax, nothing has really changed has it? We can sit and talk about all the other towns, townships, counties, whatever, that have had to make cutbacks. WE ARE NOT THEM! We should be pretty proud of that. I am. We need a cruiser and we can afford it. It's what we would do if the tax had passed. Wait, we still have the tax, why should we be thinking of not buying one all of a sudden? Our workers should get a raise, and we can afford the one that was proposed, why did it fail on the third reading?
Here is an interesting note for you to think about. In January of 2008 we voted for similar raises. It passed. I did not hear one person mention they voted against the tax because of that. Maybe it didn't look so bad.
You know what actually does look good? A council and a mayor that keeps the Village running as it should, and not base decisions like this on what "looks good" because of a ballot issue OR whether you are running for council this fall.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Back to work
Well, I hope everyone had a great holiday. I will be back to my regular posting now that I am back to a regular schedule.
There are a lot of things that I will be talking about this year, and I will need to add a few things to the site. Since I have a committee set up for the passage of the income tax, I need to disclose that here, and assign a portion of the approx. 11 dollars I spent to set this site up as a contribution to the committee. Its really a hassle but you gotta follow the rules, right?
I hope that all of you have a great and prosperous 2009.
Sent from my Windows Mobile® phone.
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