Are we really broke?

**Trucker** · 07-27-2010 05:39 PM

I had a citizen come up to me today wanting to know why the CM is cutting Police, Fire, and DPS personnel, and budgets, and services and yet just had his office area remodeled. I had no idea what to tell her, for one, we are not allowed in city hall without special permission, we can't even call the HR office without permission, so I don't know what was actually done. And if he did have his area remodeled, it sure wasn't by the Building Maintenace department, like any other improvment is. So, could someone find out were he got the money to hire contractors and remodel, when we are suppose to be broke, and he is cutting personnel and services to the taxpayers?

**Sissy** · 07-28-2010 08:27 AM

I believe anyone who thinks remodeling an office is the same as annual salaries for city workers need to take an accounting class.

**rezin** · 07-28-2010 11:00 AM

Are we BROKE, hA HA HAHA? THAT'S A LOADED QUESTION. iT IS USUALLY ASKED BY PEOPLE ,,,,,whohave a total lack of municipal finance . Lincoln Park is in seriousfinancial trouble. Just like 80 otrher cities in Michigan. There sre solutions. The State and Federak Government has the neans available to proceed forward.

Cities must recognize the the blundrers passes by uninformed elected oficials They spent money for legacy costs . They had no idea that their decisionns would impact the future. Ignorance and greed caused the problems. Have a solution.

Even cities that have made ignorant decisionns can survive. The state and Federal Branch. has a legal obligation to protect the taxpayer. We are protected fromgreedy employeesthat are into their personal agendas. They don't care.

There is money avaikable to reconstruct and improve a cities plant services. We are protecred bt the federal and state

**Underthesun** · 07-28-2010 12:31 PM

Trucker I dont think it was just done. In is last part of his frist yr or the start of his 2sc. that whole floor was redone. So maybe that is what there talking about. I was just in there a month ago and I didnt see any current remodeling.

You have to ask permission really. What happen to that open door and open communacation he promissed to the all employe's you remember that black binder he sent out when he got hired.

**Michael Myers** · 07-28-2010 01:37 PM

I warned everyone during my first year on council that tax revenues would decrease and the budget needed cuts right away and all of this has come to a head with next years budget. The City Manager has cut most departments to the full extent possible and now comes the police and fire department cuts. This was inevitable. This city, like many across the country, has agreed to unreasonable pensions and wage concessions and will now pay the price for these mistakes.

We all see the news about unfunded pension accounts. Why are these unfunded? Because the costs are too high for the budgets that they come out of and the law allows cities to short change them. At some point I see a special assessment being tacked onto our property tax bills to fully fund the woefully short changed pension accounts.

**Trucker** · 07-28-2010 04:04 PM

Underthesun: The remodeling I am talking about was just done. It started as soon as one of the employees retired last month. I still haven't found out who did the work, or who approved the spending.

**Underthesun** · 07-28-2010 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by Trucker

Underthesun: The remodeling I am talking about was just done. It started as soon as one of the employees retired last month. I still haven't found out who did the work, or who approved the spending.

OH well I was in there befor that one retired< I think couple day befor that.

**rezin** · 07-29-2010 12:20 PM

2 former council members wanted offices. The losers voted for funding for offices,for the council. The CM has a budget he can spend that money on his office. As long as he doesnt go over budget.

Is the city Broke? What a simple minded question. Every city in Michigan is in financial trouble . WHY? Legacy costs for employees. Iggnorant elected officials agreed to budget breaking contracts.

A police officer with a $50 ,000 retirement plus $30,000 in heallth care. The GOLDEN COWPAID TO MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES. The biggest CON game in 50 years. A total assault of city taxpayers . Call it what you want. These plans did not plan on serving the community.

How far could it go .$780,000 s year with a $700,000 pension. It happened in California.

**Michael Myers** · 07-29-2010 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by rezin

2 former council members wanted offices. The losers voted for funding for offices,for the council. The CM has a budget he can spend that money on his office. As long as he doesnt go over budget.

There was absolutely NO expenses or a budget for that office. CM moved a desk out of storage for it. The phone was already there. This was all clearly stated during a council meeting. There were no expenses except to pay the 2 guys who moved the desk.

Where does this stuff come from?

**Trucker** · 07-29-2010 04:59 PM

Rezin: What kind of pension do you have? I will bet you get more than I will. We have been giving up benefits since 1993, don't beleive it? Check it out before you open your mouth. And no pay raises in 6 years. Up until a few years ago people were still getting raises, even McDonalds. I work my ass off for everything I get, how about you come out and work with me for 1 week and see if you last, I am 60 years old and I gurantee that I will outwork you any day. I take pride in what I do, can you say the same. If I am sent out to do a job I complete that job and more. And what do I get for it? People like you constantly complaining that we do not do enough. How about you shovel 1/2 ton of cold patch in a day, or remove 3 trees in a day, try sweeping the street when idiots wont move there cars and put there trash cans in the street. Try standing in 3 feet of water in the bottom of a hole in the middle of the winter, or plowing the street and having people run out in front of you or throw shovels at you because they don't want snow in there driveway. You don't have a clue. I am done with you and this web site. All I have ever done is try to let the citizens of this city know what is really going on, but no one cares, they would rather ignore the truth and keep blamming the workers. And to any of you who do care, I am truly sorry, but I have had enough, you can only take so much of people telling you that you are worthless every day.