Hello out there folks. Got some issues coming up here. First of all the County is trying to do us a favor by consolidating the fire departments. I say do us a favor because it will save us some money. That’s probably why the Mayor and Mr. Riddler are opposed to it. It will save us approximately $5 million dollars of the cost the City has imposed against us, the resident taxpayer. Eighty-eight firefighters and their civilian counterparts cost the City approximately $10 million plus annually. Once again its time to think of the resident taxpayer and save them some money and quit playing politics.
The next issue is Senator Gross’s bill that would require cities with casinos to spend the money they get from the casino on improving and rebuilding the City’s infrastructure, not spend it on city employees salaries. The excess money is required to go against the property tax so the residents would have to pay less. Once again, the Mayor and Mr. Riddler are opposed to this. No surprise here huh folks?
Community Center. How many do we need? Right now we don’t have any. Pretty soon we could have five. Why should the City build a community center when in fact you are going to have two YMCAs, one Boys and Girls Club and the Show-Me Aquatics facilities. Here again $12 million that somebody has to spend for another unneeded, unnecessary facility. Why don’t we take that $12 million and get rid of the utility tax? Why don’t we take the $5 million that could be saved from the fire department and provide trash service for the residents?
Once again folks, the resident taxpayers are getting it put to us. Let your Councilman know how you feel about this. Speaking of cost, why should we give the fire department a two percent pay raise based on the fact they might get into good physical shape and they know how to install a baby seat in a car? Doesn’t sound like justification. What do we tell the rest of the City employees? They can’t get a raise only, the fire department gets a raise.
Out of 465 city employees only 131 of them live in the City. Why is the emphasis on hiring non-city residents? Do you ever get the feeling you are second best according to some folks in City government? Pay attention folks. Let your Councilman know how you feel on this and all issues. 949-0956.
