A couple observations on the time clocks. These are biometric devices, meaning they "read" your hand prints/finger prints. This prevents other people from clocking in or out for you. This is not an old-fashioned time-stamp system with time cards or something that merely requires you to punch in a code.
Also, the $23,000 investment likely included installation which required a lot more than putting it on the wall. These clocks probably had to be connected and mapped to a central computer or server in the finance department. And finally, I'm going to guess that the price also included technical support and maintenance from the manufacturer.
When you break it down, $1,770 per device was good considering the technology and the skills needed to install and maintain it. I particularly like the system because it's a bit hard to steal someone's hand and finger prints. This will produce the accountability the mayor is striving for.
The residents of Youngstown are too often the victims of decisions prompted by the fear of anticipated outcomes rather than the obligation to do the right thing. The fear expressed in this case is a statement that suggests “we’re afraid they’ll be confused” when in fact it’s a fear that accomplishes nothing except protection of the self-interest of the few at the expense of avoiding valuable input from the many.
Backpedaling on a plan that would enable Youngstown residents to weigh-in on Charter revisions through instant polling at a public meeting is cowardly if not simply lacking in needed transparency. Should the committee vote to short circuit the public’s ability to express its opinion, then they will likely have more to fear when the public finds other ways to demonstrate its opinions on proposed changes to the charter.
The teeth that have taken a year to locate may wind up on someone's backside soon.
The general public and public officials alike seem resigned to the expectation that the legislative process must be slow and methodical and more than a tad tedious. It’s true what Otto von Bismarck said about laws and sausages: you don’t really want to watch either one being made. However, a year without an ounce of progress toward vacant property registration is simply unacceptable. Months of relative inactivity on other solutions is likewise unacceptable.
Representatives of neighborhood groups did not ask for miracles back on March 3rd at the Covelli Centre press event. Practical recommendations were made and a deadline of July 1st was set for a progress report. Let’s be clear about that: a report was requested, not total resolution of all of the city’s problems. Residents wanted to see simple indications that meaningful progress was being made toward recommendations that will provide the basis for safety, security, and reinvestment in Youngstown. The county held up its end of the bargain by launching the land bank prior to that deadline, but the City has failed to demonstrate similar urgency.
When the mayor spoke at the March event, he clearly stated that steps were already being taken toward these recommendations. So why can no one step forward now and report progress? Did they think we would forget about all this and go away? Did they think that city residents would be satisfied listening to excuses rather than seeing work being done on solutions? If July 1st was perceived as an unrealistic date on which to be held accountable, why did no one complain back in March?
Indeed we want teeth in our ordinances, but those of us who live, invest, and still feel a tremendous sense of pride in our city want to see our municipal government sink its teeth into the real work of providing solutions.
Mayor seeks ‘accountability’ with time clocks for workers
A couple observations on the time clocks. These are biometric devices, meaning they "read" your hand prints/finger prints. This prevents other people from clocking in or out for you. This is not an old-fashioned time-stamp system with time cards or something that merely requires you to punch in a code.
Also, the $23,000 investment likely included installation which required a lot more than putting it on the wall. These clocks probably had to be connected and mapped to a central computer or server in the finance department. And finally, I'm going to guess that the price also included technical support and maintenance from the manufacturer.
When you break it down, $1,770 per device was good considering the technology and the skills needed to install and maintain it. I particularly like the system because it's a bit hard to steal someone's hand and finger prints. This will produce the accountability the mayor is striving for.
August 28, 2012 at 9:03 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Panel OKs more changes
Left out several words in the first sentence of the above comment. Should be "... rather than the beneficiaries of an obligation ..."
May 8, 2012 at 4:33 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Panel OKs more changes
The residents of Youngstown are too often the victims of decisions prompted by the fear of anticipated outcomes rather than the obligation to do the right thing. The fear expressed in this case is a statement that suggests “we’re afraid they’ll be confused” when in fact it’s a fear that accomplishes nothing except protection of the self-interest of the few at the expense of avoiding valuable input from the many.
Backpedaling on a plan that would enable Youngstown residents to weigh-in on Charter revisions through instant polling at a public meeting is cowardly if not simply lacking in needed transparency. Should the committee vote to short circuit the public’s ability to express its opinion, then they will likely have more to fear when the public finds other ways to demonstrate its opinions on proposed changes to the charter.
May 8, 2012 at 12:50 p.m. permalink suggest removal
MVOC: Youngstown did not act quickly enough
The teeth that have taken a year to locate may wind up on someone's backside soon.
The general public and public officials alike seem resigned to the expectation that the legislative process must be slow and methodical and more than a tad tedious. It’s true what Otto von Bismarck said about laws and sausages: you don’t really want to watch either one being made. However, a year without an ounce of progress toward vacant property registration is simply unacceptable. Months of relative inactivity on other solutions is likewise unacceptable.
Representatives of neighborhood groups did not ask for miracles back on March 3rd at the Covelli Centre press event. Practical recommendations were made and a deadline of July 1st was set for a progress report. Let’s be clear about that: a report was requested, not total resolution of all of the city’s problems. Residents wanted to see simple indications that meaningful progress was being made toward recommendations that will provide the basis for safety, security, and reinvestment in Youngstown. The county held up its end of the bargain by launching the land bank prior to that deadline, but the City has failed to demonstrate similar urgency.
When the mayor spoke at the March event, he clearly stated that steps were already being taken toward these recommendations. So why can no one step forward now and report progress? Did they think we would forget about all this and go away? Did they think that city residents would be satisfied listening to excuses rather than seeing work being done on solutions? If July 1st was perceived as an unrealistic date on which to be held accountable, why did no one complain back in March?
Indeed we want teeth in our ordinances, but those of us who live, invest, and still feel a tremendous sense of pride in our city want to see our municipal government sink its teeth into the real work of providing solutions.
July 15, 2011 at 10:05 a.m. permalink suggest removal