The mayor could not control whether this was part of a public debate. These letters are all matters of public record. Every public employee's personnel file is a matter of public record.
In an attempt to ascertain whether Mayor Sammarone had followed through on his pledge to hold workers accountable - something long-ignored in city hall - we sought these files.
There's a trade-off for public employees: If you want a job that pays better and has better perks than private sector employees, you are open to this kind of scrutiny. If you are bothered by this scrutiny, you can always go into the private sector and surrender some of the perks.
These folks all know the rules. I am a little surprised by some of the comments generated by Phil Kidds' rather uninformed Facebook post. We need transparency in government. This mayor seems to be following what he said he'd do. This would be a good thing.
Actually, when the story made it's way from the printed page server to the online server, the lede of the story got severed. This happens sometimes when the page designer uses a drop cap (in print, it was a giant "J") that is not recognized by the online software.
Not to bore you with too many details, but I wanted to fulling explain the facts behind the amusing concept of "clever concealment of vital information."
If you want us to look at "crime stats," why don't you share with the class what the latest FBI Uniform Crime Statistics tell us about race and crime in Mahoning County. (Hint: I know the answer.) But, it will be illuminating for you to tell us all what you know about "crime statistics." I know many are used to just posting whatever pops into their brains and spewing it all over our website without challenge. Today, let's put your minds to the test.
Your comments are misinformed and beyond insulting.
There are thousands of black people who have "come into" Boardman to live, abide by the law and raise families. FYI: The last two Boardman bank robbers have been white – and not too smart. Maybe police should profile you...
One caveat: Unless I misunderstand the impact, doing away with busing actually impacted ... the parents! By shifting the burden of transporting kids from the district back to the parents, that was, in a way, a hidden "tax" for many, especially on days when the weather was inclement.
So, while this was certainly not good news for bus drivers, it increased the burden on parents/taxpayers. It is part of a pattern that many see and are troubled by.
I agree there are no easy answers here. And I really would just like to see everyone's thoughts. I am troubled that some parents have viewpoints that they don't want to express in public, so if by posting them here gets some discussion going, then it's all for the better.
What do taxpayers not working in a publicly supported government job pay toward health care? I know I contribute more than 5 percent. How much do those in private fields pay toward a retirement? What are those in private enterprise paying for co-pays? Deductibles?
You have to consider this: Taxpayers not only pay into THEIR benefits, but they also support, say, teachers' and administrators' benefits. So, when the topic is "fair share" or "everybody has to give," I wonder what this really means to those in government jobs vs. those who support those government jobs.
Or, as a parent who wishes to remain nameless called the newsroom to say, parents already pay property taxes and tuition fees, support a never-ending shopping list of school supplies, support boosters clubs, buy tickets to events and purchase things that kids always seem to be selling to support one school project or another...
So, if these same parents - facing wage freezes and cuts and increases contributions to their benefit packages in their own lives - are going to face new fees in pay-to-play next year for, say, football, what new ways will teachers and administrators add between $100 to $200 each to the cause? That amount certainly won't change the matrix on the 5 percent for health care (add $100 and the amount would still be about 5 percent and still below what most contribute in the private sector).
It is a compelling point and I just wanted to add it to the mix here...
That sentiment seemed to be a recurring theme of the board last night, UNCOMMON. On TV this morning, I caught the Poland school board president saying, "People have to pay their fair share," saying sports "isn't an entitlement."
An odd choice of words, in my opinion, which made me ponder how the district is also handling "entitlements" such as health insurance, pensions, pay, et al. For instance, is every employee in the district now also going to contribute an additional $100-$200 back to the district in increased insurance, co-pays, pay cuts, etc. as part of the collective "fair share?"
By far the biggest share of the budget is in employee costs, not extracurricular activities, after all.
Obviously, we will follow this up. But I am curious: What does everyone else think about the choice of language by the board as it approached a difficult decision?
Or you could pay $1.50 and buy the print edition to find the box inset into the review with all of the information you seek. Not every item makes it online to be viewed for free.
We have suspended the accounts of those who chose to make racist statements here about a worthy youth project. The terms of service you agree to for an account to post here does not allow for such ridiculous statements.
Remember, anyone can alert the Vindy.com staff about offensive posts simply by clicking the alert under each statement.
Workers for city taken to task
Thanks, Phil. Anytime I am able to help folks understand public records and public access to those records, I am always glad to lend a hand.
Mark Sweetwood
Managing Editor
May 21, 2012 at 11:11 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Workers for city taken to task
Peggy:
The mayor could not control whether this was part of a public debate. These letters are all matters of public record. Every public employee's personnel file is a matter of public record.
In an attempt to ascertain whether Mayor Sammarone had followed through on his pledge to hold workers accountable - something long-ignored in city hall - we sought these files.
There's a trade-off for public employees: If you want a job that pays better and has better perks than private sector employees, you are open to this kind of scrutiny. If you are bothered by this scrutiny, you can always go into the private sector and surrender some of the perks.
These folks all know the rules. I am a little surprised by some of the comments generated by Phil Kidds' rather uninformed Facebook post. We need transparency in government. This mayor seems to be following what he said he'd do. This would be a good thing.
Mark Sweetwood
Managing Editor
May 21, 2012 at 10:20 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Transit of Venus
Actually, when the story made it's way from the printed page server to the online server, the lede of the story got severed. This happens sometimes when the page designer uses a drop cap (in print, it was a giant "J") that is not recognized by the online software.
Not to bore you with too many details, but I wanted to fulling explain the facts behind the amusing concept of "clever concealment of vital information."
Mark Sweetwood
Managing Editor
May 14, 2012 at 10:20 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Police searching for robber of Shell gas station in Boardman
OK, MFC997:
If you want us to look at "crime stats," why don't you share with the class what the latest FBI Uniform Crime Statistics tell us about race and crime in Mahoning County. (Hint: I know the answer.) But, it will be illuminating for you to tell us all what you know about "crime statistics." I know many are used to just posting whatever pops into their brains and spewing it all over our website without challenge. Today, let's put your minds to the test.
MFC, you are on the clock... Illuminate us.
Mark Sweetwood
Managing Editor
May 4, 2012 at 11:07 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Police searching for robber of Shell gas station in Boardman
yng:
Your comments are misinformed and beyond insulting.
There are thousands of black people who have "come into" Boardman to live, abide by the law and raise families. FYI: The last two Boardman bank robbers have been white – and not too smart. Maybe police should profile you...
Mark Sweetwood
Managing Editor
May 4, 2012 at 10:01 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Board OKs fees for pay to participate
Poland 21:
More good points. Thanks for the input.
One caveat: Unless I misunderstand the impact, doing away with busing actually impacted ... the parents! By shifting the burden of transporting kids from the district back to the parents, that was, in a way, a hidden "tax" for many, especially on days when the weather was inclement.
So, while this was certainly not good news for bus drivers, it increased the burden on parents/taxpayers. It is part of a pattern that many see and are troubled by.
I agree there are no easy answers here. And I really would just like to see everyone's thoughts. I am troubled that some parents have viewpoints that they don't want to express in public, so if by posting them here gets some discussion going, then it's all for the better.
Mark Sweetwood
Managing Editor
April 24, 2012 at 5:26 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Board OKs fees for pay to participate
Frank:
Good points. Allow me to throw a swerve:
What do taxpayers not working in a publicly supported government job pay toward health care? I know I contribute more than 5 percent. How much do those in private fields pay toward a retirement? What are those in private enterprise paying for co-pays? Deductibles?
You have to consider this: Taxpayers not only pay into THEIR benefits, but they also support, say, teachers' and administrators' benefits. So, when the topic is "fair share" or "everybody has to give," I wonder what this really means to those in government jobs vs. those who support those government jobs.
Or, as a parent who wishes to remain nameless called the newsroom to say, parents already pay property taxes and tuition fees, support a never-ending shopping list of school supplies, support boosters clubs, buy tickets to events and purchase things that kids always seem to be selling to support one school project or another...
So, if these same parents - facing wage freezes and cuts and increases contributions to their benefit packages in their own lives - are going to face new fees in pay-to-play next year for, say, football, what new ways will teachers and administrators add between $100 to $200 each to the cause? That amount certainly won't change the matrix on the 5 percent for health care (add $100 and the amount would still be about 5 percent and still below what most contribute in the private sector).
It is a compelling point and I just wanted to add it to the mix here...
Mark Sweetwood
Managing Editor
April 24, 2012 at 5:18 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Board OKs fees for pay to participate
That sentiment seemed to be a recurring theme of the board last night, UNCOMMON. On TV this morning, I caught the Poland school board president saying, "People have to pay their fair share," saying sports "isn't an entitlement."
An odd choice of words, in my opinion, which made me ponder how the district is also handling "entitlements" such as health insurance, pensions, pay, et al. For instance, is every employee in the district now also going to contribute an additional $100-$200 back to the district in increased insurance, co-pays, pay cuts, etc. as part of the collective "fair share?"
By far the biggest share of the budget is in employee costs, not extracurricular activities, after all.
Obviously, we will follow this up. But I am curious: What does everyone else think about the choice of language by the board as it approached a difficult decision?
Mark Sweetwood
Managing Editor
April 24, 2012 at 12:09 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Strong performances fill dark ‘Buried Child’
Or you could pay $1.50 and buy the print edition to find the box inset into the review with all of the information you seek. Not every item makes it online to be viewed for free.
Mark Sweetwood
Managing Editor
April 15, 2012 at 9:34 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Mime team adds dimension to worship at St. James
We have suspended the accounts of those who chose to make racist statements here about a worthy youth project. The terms of service you agree to for an account to post here does not allow for such ridiculous statements.
Remember, anyone can alert the Vindy.com staff about offensive posts simply by clicking the alert under each statement.
Mark M. Sweetwood
Managing Editor
March 15, 2012 at 10:58 a.m. permalink suggest removal