RE: http://www.tribune-democrat.com/editorials/local_story_318103109.html

I have to wonder if the alleged breakfact breaks at Eat n' Park has the same participant that spends time at the electricans shop at 10th ave and Chestnut St, and the same guy who attends classes a couple a days a week on city time, who parks his trucks, oops I mean the City's truck in Lower Yoder for days without it moving, the same guy that he told council the other night what his job entails. If you heard his expalnation and credits to himself, you would wonder why the city needs anybody else. Save more money by getting rid of 6 to 8 other employees and let Super-Supervisor, when he not at Eat n Park, the electrical shop or school do all he says he does.

But you can't depend on that for long, he is on Davis short list for the Police officers job, then the city can lose a few other cops, because the will then have Super-Cop to handle crime between his stops at eat n park, the elctrical place, school and any new hang out he finds as the City's Super cop.

Would hope that somebody other than Davis does a back ground check on this guy and his track record and treatment of the ladies as a Super-jerk, a Super-Super-Supervisor, and maybe but hopefully not a Super -cop in waiting.

To bad city employees can't find a city establishment to have breakfast from business that help pay thier salaries.

quote:

Originally posted by Granny Donna:
RE: http://www.tribune-democrat.com/editorials/local_story_318103109.html

I have to wonder if the alleged breakfact breaks at Eat n' Park has the same participant that spends time at the electricans shop at 10th ave and Chestnut St, and the same guy who attends classes a couple a days a week on city time, who parks his trucks, oops I mean the City's truck in Lower Yoder for days without it moving, the same guy that he told council the other night what his job entails. If you heard his expalnation and credits to himself, you would wonder why the city needs anybody else. Save more money by getting rid of 6 to 8 other employees and let Super-Supervisor, when he not at Eat n Park, the electrical shop or school do all he says he does.

But you can't depend on that for long, he is on Davis short list for the Police officers job, then the city can lose a few other cops, because the will then have Super-Cop to handle crime between his stops at eat n park, the elctrical place, school and any new hang out he finds as the City's Super cop.

Would hope that somebody other than Davis does a back ground check on this guy and his track record and treatment of the ladies as a Super-jerk, a Super-Super-Supervisor, and maybe but hopefully not a Super -cop in waiting.

To bad city employees can't find a city establishment to have breakfast from business that help pay thier salaries.

Is this the same part-time cop in West Hills, who I am told works when it is convient for him, I have often wondered why such a good departmet as West Hills is, puts up with this, when I'm sure they could find others who would probably be glad to work. Come on Chief you guys do an excellent job, don't let someone who works when he wants, not when you need him.
If it is the guy I beleive it to be, good luck to the rest of the city cops working with "the new Barney Fife" Remeber 1 bullet in his shirt pocket.

Yeah Granny, the whoops said a lot: "...my truck, uh, the city's truck..."

Am I the only one who noticed Public Works' arrogance? "I can close any street I want any time I want," Or words to that effect. Who are these guys?

And don't get me started on being locked out of the meeting in the first place....

Interesting article. What bothers me even more than seeing and hearing employees having breakfast on the taxpayers time (VERY UNACCEPTABLE) is the fact that Davis STILL does'nt get the big picture. Some on council are clueless. I'm relieved that they did'nt listen to Davis's advice and take out the 5 million bond issue, however the problem is still not solved. The peaches and cream scene that the situation has been made to look like for now at least is lacking the following:

Were in a recession, so tax revenues will be less this year.

Unemployment is on the rise so again no EIC increase and less in commuter tax cash.

Obviously we still have a certain amount of city staff that needs reduced: ie: Assistant City Manager entirely for starters and how about the dog catcher! Work up a deal with the humain society to take over. Even with compensating them it would still be more cost effective.

It is certain than the new tech park will be fighting to reduce their tax burden after everone has bragged about the cost...But I'm sure they will be in Ebensburg singing the blues that it's now worth that much now, so count that out as well.

Census is down in the city so again less revenues.

Get the picture? 2008 is a cop out and 2009 will most surely be a repeat and worse IF further adjustments are not made

Just read an article about the budget on WJAC, the competition, and saw where the city is going to use the money left over from a bond. That is a large sum of money to be left-over from a bond. Does anyone know which bond it was to be applied to and if so, was the purpose of the bond fulfilled? Seems final budget woes will be solved at next meeting on December 10th, might have to do a road-trip up North.

I still feel this is a short-term fix for a problem that needs to be addressed. Staffing issues need addressing. Johnstown does not need 200 employees on the payroll.Employees should not be having meals or using city time to eat meals as pointed out by this article. Why are city vechicles being used then for private time and travel? Most important, the current city manager needs replacing. Willing to take a $10,000 salary reduction .. how many out there wish they made half of his salary? The town needs to bring in a new city manager at $50,000 with strict guidelines in place to obtain a bonus. How much does the city's attorney make? Has his building sold for? If it is not in the process of actively being sold, he should be asked to resign also. As taxpayers, you should demand that your money is effectively working on your behalf.

Short-term fixes are just that .. they will not fix the problems causing the continued budget deficit!

It�s about time the TD finally commented on the feelings that many have within the Johnstown area. While the city has remained in a distressed state for so many years, it is vital to ask the key question - WHY? The current plan of management with the city has failed since the �City Manager� concept. The town needs to go back to a �Mayor� that runs the town. It is obvious that Mr. Davis has his own interest at heart by offering to take a reduction in salary. What the taxpayers and city council needs to do is request his resignation from office and bring in an individual that truly wants to see the town flourish. Bring in a city manager with a salary of $50,000 with quarterly bonus program based on goals. Mainly, reaching budget quarterly based on a new mission statement with goals.

Kudos to Councilman Williams and Gentile for their concern! It is representatives like this that should be rewarded for their efforts. �Monumental challenges face budget-makers in 2009�, no these challenges have been faced the same budget-makers in past years. Until the town council demands the resignation of Mr. Davis and holds the new city manager accountable for the running of the town, Johnstown will remain as a distressed city.

*No property-tax increase is anticipated but if the loan is approved and implemented, the residents will ultimately being paying the interest on these loans for the next generation. It will be those of the next generation that will feel the impact of this quick fix.

*Property tax proceeds will come from other newly constructed businesses! While some may bulk at this comment, it was Murtha that made this happen through government contracts. Murtha may speak inappropriately of the area and its residents, but he speaks his mind as many do. He has been overall an effective leader for this community.

*While Conemaugh Health System is going to make a slightly higher payment in lieu of taxes what are the details surrounding this deal? Will this be another short term fix for a loan that will keep the city in its current distressed state?

*Elimination of 14 jobs, while some may say �OH MY!� I have to ask what exactly does a town the size of Johnstown need 200 employees for. What exactly does each person do? What duty/responsibility can be done by multi-tasking with half the current staff? Where is the staffing study that is still being kept secret by all? 14 positions, I find it difficult to believe that the town cannot function on half the staff.

*Healthcare expenses, not being factored into last years budget? It is a given that healthcare costs rise each year anywhere from 7-15% overall based on claim usage. What plan benefits are cosmetic for city employees and should no longer be a covered benefit, thus decreasing the costs? Again, why is Mr. Davis still holding his position within the structure of management when you know annually there are two things that will never change unless they increase - healthcare and retirement costs!

*Damn the Unions, a 3% increase and how much did they increase the dues? Are Unions still needed in a distressed town? Bring in non-union workers next time contracts are due and thus decrease the costs of these services. Employment opportunities do exist within this town and the workforce is there. STOP THE CONTINUED RECRUITMENT OF PROPERTY OWNERS BECOMING SECTION 8. If the town continues to allow poorly kept properties to exist without holding the owners accountable, it will not encourage growth. Why is the city�s lawyer still in his office while a property of his is unsafe? Should someone be hurt or killed is the city liable for this having the building�s owner work on staff? City council needs to address this and ask for his resignation. �Building in process of being sold�, hell may freeze over quicker.

Residents/taxpayers you have rights. Ask your Attorney General for an explanation of these rights and hold those currently in office accountable. Seek assistance from the AG into why such budget errors were overlooked and stop this loan. There are too many questions that are going unanswered; money supposedly is available from a bond - why was it not utilized with the original bond? Does this money exist or not? Will taking out a loan be a quick fix for now, but affect the next generation of taxpayers? Why are the city manager and its current staff still in their position with such a blatant oversight in the budget? Bring back the Mayor that can run the city effectively!

I originally posted this earlier to another thread about TD editorial page.

I am not a big fan of Davis or the blunders made by most of the city leaders...but for those you complaining about them eating a meal on city time give me a break...do you not get a lunch break? OR do you work so hard for your employeer that you dont need one or dont take one. The meal thing is pretty trivial on the grand scheme of the trouble this city is in.

The 4.8 million was left over from a bond for the Point I'm told. They used nearly all the sewage plant money to pay for that. If I we a betting man I'd say as a guestimation that those who were opposed to using the 4.8 wanted to "finish" the job so to speak by putting in the shad at the Pointless Point. We definately do need a new City Manager, better yet the return of the strong Mayor. Thats when good things can happen for a city. I honestly don't think Davis has the ability to do the job and this is all way over his head. He should have never made more than $50,000 to start with and should have dropped off another $10,000 of his salary to assist the city. I think he could easily live off of $50,000 plus his $60,000 pension pretty nice $$$ for Johnstown.

I don't think anyone is saying they don't deserve a break but the times they are taking them. I've never gotten to start my day out on company time having breakfast.

Karen: Maybe everyone including myself should take a trip to Ebensburg and fight the assessed values of our homes. The blight is aweful! My next door neighbor is so lazzzzzzzzzy. He made hay 3 times total this year from his yard. Drives right thru the leaf piles that I cleaned up for him. Has a poach that looks like Fred Sanfords Salvage yard,......and the list goes on. Code enforcement is absolutely worthless as they don't follow up and one can only do so much on their own without going insane. Definatley a deterant though for newcomers to the area.

quote:

Originally posted by tiredofcityhall:
I am not a big fan of Davis or the blunders made by most of the city leaders...but for those you complaining about them eating a meal on city time give me a break...do you not get a lunch break? OR do you work so hard for your employeer that you dont need one or dont take one. The meal thing is pretty trivial on the grand scheme of the trouble this city is in.

So, what do you do for the city? Most companies do not pay employees for meal time, if Johnstown does, it is a practice that needs to stop immediately due to wasted costs.

quote:

Originally posted by tiredofcityhall:
I am not a big fan of Davis or the blunders made by most of the city leaders...but for those you complaining about them eating a meal on city time give me a break...do you not get a lunch break? OR do you work so hard for your employeer that you dont need one or dont take one. The meal thing is pretty trivial on the grand scheme of the trouble this city is in.

I had a lunch break, half an hour unpaid. Oh and if my area was too busy at my assigned time I was unable to leave and take my unpaid lunch.
I'm also wondering who was paying for their breakfast?

City employees that utilize city vechicles should use them only on city business (official). Have to wonder if enough residents contacted city hall when this is visible would it change? Why is this particular individual still on the payroll? (Well, Mr. Davis still is so that was a dumb question)

quote:

Originally posted by bleyeskaren:
City employees that utilize city vechicles should use them only on city business (official). Have to wonder if enough residents contacted city hall when this is visible would it change? Why is this particular individual still on the payroll? (Well, Mr. Davis still is so that was a dumb question)

park and eat turds

quote:

Originally posted by tiredofcityhall:
I am not a big fan of Davis or the blunders made by most of the city leaders...but for those you complaining about them eating a meal on city time give me a break...do you not get a lunch break? OR do you work so hard for your employeer that you dont need one or dont take one. The meal thing is pretty trivial on the grand scheme of the trouble this city is in.

Granny says

Don't consider it trivial, how can anyone get and eat a breakfast in 15 minutes, is what is alloted to city employees for a break, not to mention the travel time to and from their assigned work site. And did they use a city vehicle to travel from the city to eat n park? Don't know the answer, but I'm betting nobody and any resturant can order and eat in 15 minutes.

To many employees on the payroll with to little tax payer money to pay them. Do what other government, business and homes have to do, cut when necessary to live within our means, not Curt Davis in charge of our check book to do as he damn will pleases, Council remains a major factor in permitting these collection of "misfits" to control. No work, no pay and look for a job with the benefits and fringes elsewhere, you not going to find anything close, so be thankful for what you got,most of us don't have anything close to it.