| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| massdee |
Posted - 05/05/2009 : 10:41:26 PM
The budget is due to be submitted on May 15th. Anyone know when the budget hearings will start?
"Deb" |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Cruller DaVille |
Posted - 06/13/2009 : 05:53:15 AM
This is precisely what I've been saying. When this was previously done in the proper manner, above board, the masses went wild.
This group does everything underhanded and they get away with it. In fact, their actions are applauded by our watchdog BOA and CC (with a few exceptions) and the local media. It appears that here in our fair city, the slight of hand and dishonesty is the playing field which we accept. As long as someone is getting a piece of the pie, we're good to go.
What does that say about us? I think our priorities are a little out of wack and I agree Justme, we're heading down the slippery slop to receivership.
Just MY Humble Opinion
"Cruller DaHville"
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| justme |
Posted - 06/11/2009 : 6:53:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by charm
wait and see we will be like chelsea in another couple of months, with all these new hired people that are not budgeted for
I'm beginning to think that's not such a bad thing.......... At least the city would be properly run! |
| charm |
Posted - 06/11/2009 : 1:02:15 PM
wait and see we will be like chelsea in another couple of months, with all these new hired people that are not budgeted for |
| Tails |
Posted - 06/11/2009 : 12:15:40 PM
LOL....That site is hysterical. From the site, and I have to agree:
Mayor's Budget is setting the stage for major layoffs in the coming months, layoffs that will top the layoffs he claims to have stopped a month ago. He didn't save jobs he saved his own ass with a proposed budget that exceeded Prop 2 1/2.
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| incompetency |
Posted - 06/11/2009 : 10:23:47 AM
Mayor DeMaria is driving Everett into financial ruin.
Tax bills over the next year will triple due to mismanagement.
5% increase this quarter even higher next quarter.
DeMaria is waiting to drop the triple tax rate bomb until
he sees if anyone is running against him.
Just when other cities are climbing out of their money woes Everett
will be taking major hits financially.
http://citizensforeverettma.com |
| carlost everett |
Posted - 06/10/2009 : 8:48:37 PM
The idea that the $947,000 didn't belong in the budget was ridiculous. Too bad Vancampen was the only one who fought for us. The rest of them were like the living dead sitting there. Yet, I guess if they moved, either them or their relatives who scored jobs for votes would have been in jeopardy.
Maybe the next sign on the Rotary should say "FOR SALE" EVERETT.... BEST OFFER
CarloST Everett |
| Tails |
Posted - 06/10/2009 : 2:15:40 PM
Well……the Independent seems to back up the idea that the 947,000.00 *is* part of the FY10 BUDGET. On page three, they add it up.
I'm a firm believer that it should be included in the budget. I wonder if the Department of Revenue likes the idea of fudging numbers around.
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| Cruller DaVille |
Posted - 05/30/2009 : 09:21:06 AM
JME: You are probably right. These individuals were probably compelled to attend; however, that being said, I am equally sure that since some of the monies that were being discussed do directly affect either their livelihoods or programs their children/grandchildren are enrolled in, there just might be some legitimate interest in the topic.
Be that as it may; the arguement is valid. If people could find their way up there on a number of issues, we very well may see different results. Putting elected officials feet to the fire by being present in the chambers may make them accountable. Perhaps we would put an end to those "slam dunk" moments when items are truly not discussed properly and railroaded through.
Just my humble opinion....
"Cruller DaHville"
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| tetris |
Posted - 05/30/2009 : 09:17:23 AM
Cruller,
I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. The ability of the School Department to pack the audience any time that they have an issue on the City Council agenda seems suspicious; especially, in a community where it's getting harder and harder to get people to come out for any issue. Of course, there's no proof but the assumption is that that FFF "asks" a number of them to attend. It's an intimidation tactic. The council members seem afraid to even ask questions about these items when the audience is packed. Last year, the council was mocked by the principal of the Parlin School when they dared to ask a question about last year's loan; Tails will back me up on that. And if you read my comments about this week's BOA meeting, there were some questions that probably should have been asked at that meeting. Not having seen the special CC meeting, I don't know if anyone asked the questions there either. And it's an election year; no one is going to risk standing up against the School Department and risk the fury of FFF anyways.
But, in a perfect world, I agree with you. If that number of people showed up on any issue of their own free will, it would be a beautiful thing. |
| justme |
Posted - 05/30/2009 : 08:49:11 AM
An audience does seem to light a fire under our elected officials but why not be honest about the attendance Thursday? You weren't looking at a room full of concerned citizens, you were seeing a room full of school employees in attendance because they were told to be there!
They all show up out of fear............ They're afraid of Freddie so when he demands an audience, he gets one! If they don't pack the room, he goes on the warpath and heads roll.
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| Cruller DaVille |
Posted - 05/30/2009 : 05:59:08 AM
It was hard to because the room was packed to overflowing in typical School Department fashion. Sorry, I just don't see the need for that. The City Council isn't going to do anything to the School Department budget anyways; they pretty much can't. Tetris
I umderstand what you are saying Tet; however, it's nice to see that there's "an issue" that will motivate people to appear.
There are several issues, we discuss on this very venue, that would be dealt with in a more profound manner if a group such as the one in attendance the other evening showed up. Something about people in the audience sparks a fire under some of these lack luster elected officials.
"Cruller DaHville"
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| michael |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 04:15:36 AM
was there a wig on his head lol, his case is coming to court very soon |
| tetris |
Posted - 05/28/2009 : 10:10:36 PM
Watched the budget hearings on the School Department FY10 Budget tonight. About what you would expect. A couple of comments though but first, attendance.
Among the missing from the City Council: Marchese, Matewsky, Sachetta, Smith, McKinnon, B. Cardello. Marcus showed up late. Wish that he didn't, we'll get to him later.
And to be fair, among the missing from the School Committee: Baniewicz, Smith, Guiliano
All of the other usual suspects were around, including the long missing Joe Pedulla (he was around Tuesday night too). If anyone else came in late, sorry I didn't catch them. It was hard to because the room was packed to overflowing in typical School Department fashion. Sorry, I just don't see the need for that. The City Council isn't going to do anything to the School Department budget anyways; they pretty much can't.
Mr. Ela gave the Reader Digest version of the same budget presentation he gave at last week's School Committee meeting. General questions were then asked. Then, the school department budget was reviewed page by page with questions asked as they went along. The questions asked seem to be fairly intelligent; but not having seen the school budget, it was hard to tell. I did actually get something out of the discussions though that I didn't realize or I had forgotten. Though the School Department pays for it share of its employee's health care, they have no involvement in health care negotiations; that's solely the city's responsibility.
Something needs to be done about making the School Department budget more accessible. If the city web site is going to win a Common Cause award that requires budget information to be available, the School Department Budget should be part of the web site's budget information. Or it could be on the School Department's web site. It makes no difference to me; let's just see it.
It was stated that the city would be contributing over $300,000 more to the schools this year. However, it is never made clear than $200,000 increase for Special Education transportation will also be picked up by the city as it is another expense that can't be included in Net School Spending. It's never denied, but just left hanging there. And no one ever mentions how much money is been paid every year to pay off loans for the new and remodeled schools. Since there was not really much whining this year about how the School Department gets the short end of the stick from the city, I'll let that slide this year. Anyone should be able to find that information in the city budget if you are interested.
Jason Marcus is almost beyond words. First, he had to draw attention to himself to make it known that he was there. The first words out of his mouth were to say that he didn't know they were bothering to go thru the process when the School Department needs every dollar they can get their hands on (who doesn't?). Alderman Van Campen let it be known that it was the City Council's responsibility to review the budget and educate the public about it as well. The next time that Marcus opened his mouth was to praise the School Department for the fact that Everett is one of the few communities left that does charge user fees for extracurricular activities. He said that the student don't know how good they had it. FFF corrected him that the students do know how good they have it and are very appreciative of it. 0 for 2, Alderman Marcus. And although there were some lighter moments at the meeting, Marcus really needs to be aware that he wasn't part of any of them; his act is getting older and staler every time. And for someone who is the chamber all the time, how doesn't he realize that he needs to use a microphone? When the meeting was over, Marcus was the first one to the door. Hope that it didn't hit him on the way out. |
| michael |
Posted - 05/28/2009 : 6:17:14 PM
school budget going on now |
| Cruller DaVille |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 10:57:50 AM
"Absopositivelyfreakinlutely"
"Cruller DaHville"
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