Tuesday, November 13, 2007

MAYOR GARNER WANTS TO RAISE OUR GARBAGE FEES...

What in the world is going on?

Garner states: Garbage collection in New Albany would cost an extra $1 per month for most customers if the City Council approves this proposal.

Source: Tribune Nov. 10, 2007

Did anyone else catch the words "most customers?"

Again:

* selective enforcement and
* selective billing

First, why should the current city council approve this sanitation fee increase now? Council should wait until after January 1st and let the new 2008 City Council review and make the decision to raise our fees if necessary.

Why is Jimmy pushing for this fee increase right now?

Is Jimmy pushing for this increase so that Mayor-Elect England won't be blamed for the fee increase?

Is Mayor Garner involved with this private sanitation company? Why have the investors of this private sanitation company never been made public? What do they have to hide?

Or should we say: What does Jimmy have to hide?

Why raise sanitation fees for this company when our City Street Dept. employees have to pick up some of the garbage?

The facts are that the costs for our "street department" have increased after the sanitation department was privatized. Our street department has to use their staff and equipment for garbage work and our streets and allys remain in bad shape.

Freedom of Speech feels sorry for our street department employees as they are overworked, underpaid and under ~ appreciated by this administration.

Plus they get all "the blame" for our dirty streets!

2nd ~ the newspaper listed an increase on charges from $5.00 to $15.00 for large items to be picked up. Does this include some elected officials who get their items picked up for free? Will the street department continue to move certain city and county employee's household goods for free?

You think it's bad now...wait until England gets back in!

3rd ~ garbage containers must be out by 6 am and be removed by 5:00 on the next day. A violation of this rule would result in a fine of $25 and $100.00 per violation, per day.

Source: Tribune Nov. 10, 2007

Freedom of Speech would like to know: Who wrote this Ordinance? Anthony B. Toran?

Maybe the mayor needs to stop throwing money away and stop funding developers and development. How about spending money on adequate fire, police, garbage collection, sewer, and road maintance.things that actually make life in this city worth living, you know. Things the city exist to provide, instead of funding every other thing under the sun. If all of those things were already fully funded, then maybe we would not complain about all the other "boondoggles" quite so much, but until this city gets it's funding priorities sorted first, We say cut this mayor and the new mayor off at the knees and not give them another dollar to waste.

THEN maybe the city can start trying to allocate funds for other uses, that is how we and most other citizens deal with our budgets.

Freedom of Speech would LOVE to tear into the city's budget on a line-item by line item basis, I'd be willing to bet we could shave at least a few million dollars out of it while increasing essential city services at the same time.


Freedom of Speech would like to ask Councilman Blevins: would you like a bunch of new customers for your sanitation business?


Good grief...What will Jimmy come up with next?

One final thought:

Attention Readers!! Donations of boxes suitable for moving urgently needed. Please deliver to Garner & Toran Inc.

Only 49 days to go!

What will the new year be for us in New Albany? Will it be better or worse?