PFM's report FAILED to address the call volume of the Fire Department. It utilized statistics that did not take into account the City's astronomical arson rate. Furthermore, if you are going to quote the report (as if it were worthy of being followed in the first place), quote the entire report: the Department was recommended to shrink-THROUGH ATTRITION, as the amount of fires (hopefully) were reduced by demolition of vacant structures. Current station locations are in sensible geographic locations. Your reference to the Department having a "much better website than the Council" is inaccurate as well. The website you reference is maintained (and paid for) by a private citizen who has an interest in history and the fire service-IT COSTS THE CITY NOTHING! IT-IS-NOT-A-CITY-WEBSITE!!! The reductions that you suggest will cost the City (and its residents) MORE when insurance rates are increased due to a reduction in fire protection. Response to calls for service are dictated by national standards and best practices. Your insinuation that waste is rampant is simply unfounded and erroneous. Your reference to the rank structure fails to mention the ten year step program that all new hires are under, resulting in a starting salary of approximately $9.00/hr. for the first two years, and increasing to barely $15.00/hr. after five years. Your suggestion that a "reduction in full-time employees would result in (the) need for fewer fire stations" is also false. The reduction in FTEs would INCREASE insurance premiums for residents, actually costing taxpayers money. Your reference to the 2002 tax increase needs to attribute "fear-mongering" to the appropriate political interests. However, the residents (voters) approved the level of service which they wanted for their city. Is your opinion somehow more valid than a resident's right to vote on matters? One of two conditions apply to you: either you are a City resident or you reside outside of the City. If you are a City resident then your vote was not the majority regarding this matter. If you reside outside of the City, then you have no say on matters regarding City political initiatives requiring a vote. I would caution you against attempting to assert tax-paying status as a condition for voting rights. As the busiest fire department in the area, your statement regarding a "high level of unused capacity" is ridiculous as well. Lanacek, you sound like a disgruntled has-been-who-never-was, now attempting to be a keyboard-know-it-all.
Dr. Allen-"thank you" for your service to this country. And you have every right to express your opinion...NO MATTER HOW ASININE THE MEDIUM YOU CHOOSE TO EXPRESS IT IS. My opinion (which is just as valid as yours) is that: Conservatives such as yourself are simply "out of touch." That, coupled with your "sore loser" mentality (as fd6636 stated), makes you into more of a caricature than anything resembling a legitimate harbinger of true conservative values. Take a lesson from biology: "Evolve"...or risk losing any legitimacy, except as part of the fossil record. (Don't tell me you're one of those "educated" right-wingers who mixes their politics and science..? If your are, please re-read the posts referring to the right's "out of touch" dogma and agenda.)
The Vindy telling Ytown that it faces extinction is akin to the T-rex telling the wooly mammoth that its days are numbered. Newspapers, especially sophomoric attempts at "journalism" like the Vindy, are vestiges of the broken down past. And the Vindy, unlike Ytown, doesn't have any options to change its fate. "The Jambar" is more representative of true journalistic effort than is on display here. Oh, and Vindy? Since you advocate "consolidation" so much, surly you won't protest THE CITY exercising its rights as upheld in the 2006 Ohio State Supreme Court Case "Bakies v. Perrysburg." -Grab a glass of water while you read,some of it may be hard to swallow.
@Thinker, and UticaShale...I agree that consolidation should be the word of the day. Evidently, so does the Ohio State Supreme Court. In 2007 they ruled on a case, "Bakies v. Perrysburg." To summarize, the State Supreme Court ruled that absent a contract, a municipality that supplies water (Youngstown), is not obligated to do so (to the 'burbs). Quit freeloading-build your own water system (ROTFLMAO)...or, welcome to "New Youngstown!" Howdy, neighbor.... ;> FYI: this little bit'o jurisprudence is how CBUS grows, so its doubtful that any appeal is in the making...like I said, "Howdy, neighbor!" -Or if you don't want to be part of the City...MOVE! Good luck digging that well...
Alex, get over yourself. Living in your parents basement, playing with your Star Wars toys, and watching too much of Fox News DOES NOT qualify you in any way shape or form to become an architect of political policy (no matter what Munroe tells you). Get over the spanking you got on SB-5. get ready for the spanking you will receive in November. Thank Guv'nor Johnny-boy for ensuring that the Republican agenda falls on largely deaf ears. In terms that you can understand: The Guv'nor was like the Emperor in Star Wars. SB-5 was like the Death Star. The middle class is like the Alliance. Get the picture?
"Public employee pillaging..?" PUH-LEEZ...how do you define "pillaging?" As making a liveable wage? The whole talking point about public employees and their salaries has proven to be false. When compared to COMPARABLE POSITIONS, public employees actually make less in many cases than their private sector counterparts. Your oh-so-well-quoted "Buckeye Institute" likes to slant the numbers by using data from private sector "jobs" and then compare that against public sector "careers." Now you dare equate the constant vilification of public employees as some sort of "moral crusade?" I do believe that you have admitted, in a public forum, to an obsession of sorts. I hope and pray that you get the necessary mental health care that one such as you obviously needs. So, in addition to the above mentioned physical fitness regime, you also can now seek therapy for your "moral crusade." You should have plenty to occupy your time rather than playing sycophant for de Souza. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and successful reintegration into society.
Did you even stop to consider that maybe a decline in enrollment could possibly be a sign that the economy is improving? Of course not-because to guys like you the entire thought of improving oneself is alien. Instead you would rather "covet thy neighbor." (Ask about that whole bit next time you are in church.) I am willing to bet "Jessiedavid" that your current lot in life is more the result of your own failures rather than any employee, public or private. Let me help you: Rather than post on here and play cheerleader for the Vindy as it attempts to spew rhetoric for the right,...use that energy and go to the library. Pick out a book that interests you. Then, every day for one half-hour, go to the gym and walk on a treadmill and read. I bet that within in a month you will be down right embarrassed at some of these posts submitted by you because in all reality they are not about public employees. Rather they serve as an indictment exposing your own dissatisfaction with YOUR LIFE. Best of luck!!!
So...You call me names yet you haven't even met me? You accuse me of unsubstantiated behavior? All the while you...LOL...you admit to "sitting in church." Here is a hint-pray for the ability to improve your own life. You might just find that once this happens your bitterness towards others decreases. In the meantime, though, please don't call others names. And most definitely do not accuse me of being insensitive to what this economy has done to many. If small-minded, myopic lemmings such as yourself didn't spew rightwing rhetoric constantly we could actually improve the economy for everyone. But instead sycophants like yourself wish to parrot what the talking heads tell you to. The result? People like you get used by the right as they attempt to turn the middle class against itself. When I see what is happening in this country and hear guys like you cheerleading for more of it, it makes me believe that laws against relatives marrying may need to be enforced more!
Youngstown to consider building new fire station
PFM's report FAILED to address the call volume of the Fire Department. It utilized statistics that did not take into account the City's astronomical arson rate. Furthermore, if you are going to quote the report (as if it were worthy of being followed in the first place), quote the entire report: the Department was recommended to shrink-THROUGH ATTRITION, as the amount of fires (hopefully) were reduced by demolition of vacant structures.
Current station locations are in sensible geographic locations. Your reference to the Department having a "much better website than the Council" is inaccurate as well. The website you reference is maintained (and paid for) by a private citizen who has an interest in history and the fire service-IT COSTS THE CITY NOTHING! IT-IS-NOT-A-CITY-WEBSITE!!!
The reductions that you suggest will cost the City (and its residents) MORE when insurance rates are increased due to a reduction in fire protection.
Response to calls for service are dictated by national standards and best practices. Your insinuation that waste is rampant is simply unfounded and erroneous.
Your reference to the rank structure fails to mention the ten year step program that all new hires are under, resulting in a starting salary of approximately $9.00/hr. for the first two years, and increasing to barely $15.00/hr. after five years. Your suggestion that a "reduction in full-time employees would result in (the) need for fewer fire stations" is also false. The reduction in FTEs would INCREASE insurance premiums for residents, actually costing taxpayers money. Your reference to the 2002 tax increase needs to attribute "fear-mongering" to the appropriate political interests. However, the residents (voters) approved the level of service which they wanted for their city. Is your opinion somehow more valid than a resident's right to vote on matters? One of two conditions apply to you: either you are a City resident or you reside outside of the City. If you are a City resident then your vote was not the majority regarding this matter. If you reside outside of the City, then you have no say on matters regarding City political initiatives requiring a vote. I would caution you against attempting to assert tax-paying status as a condition for voting rights.
As the busiest fire department in the area, your statement regarding a "high level of unused capacity" is ridiculous as well.
Lanacek, you sound like a disgruntled has-been-who-never-was, now attempting to be a keyboard-know-it-all.
April 16, 2013 at 6:07 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Protests unfurl over display of flag at Allen's office
Dr. Allen-"thank you" for your service to this country. And you have every right to express your opinion...NO MATTER HOW ASININE THE MEDIUM YOU CHOOSE TO EXPRESS IT IS.
My opinion (which is just as valid as yours) is that: Conservatives such as yourself are simply "out of touch." That, coupled with your "sore loser" mentality (as fd6636 stated), makes you into more of a caricature than anything resembling a legitimate harbinger of true conservative values. Take a lesson from biology: "Evolve"...or risk losing any legitimacy, except as part of the fossil record. (Don't tell me you're one of those "educated" right-wingers who mixes their politics and science..? If your are, please re-read the posts referring to the right's "out of touch" dogma and agenda.)
November 17, 2012 at 11:11 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Y’town government’s future bleak unless officials act fast
The Vindy telling Ytown that it faces extinction is akin to the T-rex telling the wooly mammoth that its days are numbered. Newspapers, especially sophomoric attempts at "journalism" like the Vindy, are vestiges of the broken down past. And the Vindy, unlike Ytown, doesn't have any options to change its fate.
"The Jambar" is more representative of true journalistic effort than is on display here.
Oh, and Vindy? Since you advocate "consolidation" so much, surly you won't protest THE CITY exercising its rights as upheld in the 2006 Ohio State Supreme Court Case "Bakies v. Perrysburg."
-Grab a glass of water while you read,some of it may be hard to swallow.
http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/doc...
September 23, 2012 at 12:49 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Overhaul urged for Youngstown government
http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/doc...
A little reading...hopefully you enjoy it with a nice, refreshing glass of Youngstown water. Bottoms up!
September 21, 2012 at 10:23 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Overhaul urged for Youngstown government
@Thinker, and UticaShale...I agree that consolidation should be the word of the day. Evidently, so does the Ohio State Supreme Court. In 2007 they ruled on a case, "Bakies v. Perrysburg."
To summarize, the State Supreme Court ruled that absent a contract, a municipality that supplies water (Youngstown), is not obligated to do so (to the 'burbs).
Quit freeloading-build your own water system (ROTFLMAO)...or, welcome to "New Youngstown!" Howdy, neighbor.... ;>
FYI: this little bit'o jurisprudence is how CBUS grows, so its doubtful that any appeal is in the making...like I said, "Howdy, neighbor!"
-Or if you don't want to be part of the City...MOVE! Good luck digging that well...
September 21, 2012 at 10:19 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Voter referendums are a threat to Ohio and should be reined in
Alex, get over yourself. Living in your parents basement, playing with your Star Wars toys, and watching too much of Fox News DOES NOT qualify you in any way shape or form to become an architect of political policy (no matter what Munroe tells you).
Get over the spanking you got on SB-5. get ready for the spanking you will receive in November. Thank Guv'nor Johnny-boy for ensuring that the Republican agenda falls on largely deaf ears.
In terms that you can understand: The Guv'nor was like the Emperor in Star Wars. SB-5 was like the Death Star. The middle class is like the Alliance. Get the picture?
April 10, 2012 at 11:35 a.m. permalink suggest removal
YSU can’t spin the bad news
"Public employee pillaging..?" PUH-LEEZ...how do you define "pillaging?" As making a liveable wage?
The whole talking point about public employees and their salaries has proven to be false. When compared to COMPARABLE POSITIONS, public employees actually make less in many cases than their private sector counterparts. Your oh-so-well-quoted "Buckeye Institute" likes to slant the numbers by using data from private sector "jobs" and then compare that against public sector "careers."
Now you dare equate the constant vilification of public employees as some sort of "moral crusade?" I do believe that you have admitted, in a public forum, to an obsession of sorts. I hope and pray that you get the necessary mental health care that one such as you obviously needs.
So, in addition to the above mentioned physical fitness regime, you also can now seek therapy for your "moral crusade." You should have plenty to occupy your time rather than playing sycophant for de Souza. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and successful reintegration into society.
February 9, 2012 at 3:13 p.m. permalink suggest removal
YSU can’t spin the bad news
Did you even stop to consider that maybe a decline in enrollment could possibly be a sign that the economy is improving? Of course not-because to guys like you the entire thought of improving oneself is alien. Instead you would rather "covet thy neighbor." (Ask about that whole bit next time you are in church.)
I am willing to bet "Jessiedavid" that your current lot in life is more the result of your own failures rather than any employee, public or private.
Let me help you: Rather than post on here and play cheerleader for the Vindy as it attempts to spew rhetoric for the right,...use that energy and go to the library. Pick out a book that interests you. Then, every day for one half-hour, go to the gym and walk on a treadmill and read. I bet that within in a month you will be down right embarrassed at some of these posts submitted by you because in all reality they are not about public employees. Rather they serve as an indictment exposing your own dissatisfaction with YOUR LIFE. Best of luck!!!
February 8, 2012 at 5:21 p.m. permalink suggest removal
YSU can’t spin the bad news
^^^^Exactly^^^^, Spiderlegs....
February 7, 2012 at 10:08 p.m. permalink suggest removal
YSU can’t spin the bad news
So...You call me names yet you haven't even met me? You accuse me of unsubstantiated behavior? All the while you...LOL...you admit to "sitting in church." Here is a hint-pray for the ability to improve your own life. You might just find that once this happens your bitterness towards others decreases.
In the meantime, though, please don't call others names. And most definitely do not accuse me of being insensitive to what this economy has done to many.
If small-minded, myopic lemmings such as yourself didn't spew rightwing rhetoric constantly we could actually improve the economy for everyone. But instead sycophants like yourself wish to parrot what the talking heads tell you to. The result? People like you get used by the right as they attempt to turn the middle class against itself. When I see what is happening in this country and hear guys like you cheerleading for more of it, it makes me believe that laws against relatives marrying may need to be enforced more!
February 6, 2012 at 11:14 p.m. permalink suggest removal