I'm back! Sorry everyone, I have been very busy and wanted to get back into the blogging. I would like to know what you think of the new council make-up. The 5-2, The super majority.
How about the job Councilor Benson is doing as chairman?
If you have been watching the budgets, how are we as councilors doing with YOUR tax dollars?
BC
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9 comments:
Get rid of Kevin and his puppet Janet and I will say you are doing a super Job
I know it's early, but so far I am impressed with the direction the current council has established. As long as the council continues on course and does what it needs to do to benefit the town, I will be happy.
I was also impressed to see the DFD union step up and prove to the town that they are NOT the "bullies" a certain councilor(s) have tried to make them out to be. Making an offer to open their contract to help save the town money??? If everyone comes to an agreement on that than it would be a great accomplishment!
Maybe that "Horrible Money Sucking Union!!" isn't what a certain un-majority of the council would like to make us believe.
I'm curious to hear what the un-majority can do to try and spin this. Maybe some help from DJN???
Quick link for those who care...
http://www.derryinklink.com/2010/04/firefighters-union-steps-up-gives-back.html
Sorry to say but this blog no longer matter BC. Your neglect, especially after stating that you would keep it current, has relegated its status to nill. Too bad as it could have been a great source for information, and debate. now its all done.
The move by the Derry Firefighters union to give back next years raise was a pleasant suprise. They certainly stepped up to help out all of derry.
BC...I don't like the "super majority" mentality. Makes you all appear arrogant and vindictive. It is plain to see that you folks are going to do whatever it is you please, and not listen to anyone else. While I rarely agree with KC and JF, they from time to time make good points which seem to fall on deaf ears because it comes from them.
One final point was that all the candidates promised transparency to the public, yet you have already held two non-public meetings. How is that transparency?
When a union agrees to "give something back" it is pretty clear that too much has been given in the first place!
And I am truly surprised that Councilors did not demand more detailed research regarding the Ambulance contract for our neighbring towns. I think the new Chairman should demand that our Town Finance Department does some analysis to prove that the town is getting the best deal. I'm not sure I like the DFD negotiating these things directly without some oversight. Seems like a conflict of interest. It may very well be that what we got is the best deal and I'm not sure I agree with Mr. Newell's analysis, but we shouldn't be left wondering.
It should be fairly easy for Finance Dept. to do the research needed and provide cold hard facts and numbers and comparative bids from similar sized towns around NH to know if we sold ourselves short. We have this type of analysis on everything from pavement costs to personnel costs.
Anon 1:53...
You're absolutely right. To heck with the union "giving something back". Let's just go along with the contract the way it stands, the contract that was negotiated in good faith, and let's just pay them the COLA increase of 2.5%. Whether or not you agree or disagree, the contract with the union is BINDING. That means that the town is OBLIGATED to pay them or give them EVERYTHING in that contract, PERIOD... END OF STORY. If the DFD "thugs" are stepping up to the plate and forgoing their LEGALLY AND BINDING increase, than it really doesn't matter whether or not you feel they had to much to begin with. They may be willing to open their contract to try and help the town. DAMN THOSE SCOUNDRELS!!!
The next time your boss tells you you are getting a 2.5% raise, tell him/her you don't want it. Put your "money" where your mouth is. You probably get "paid too much" at your job as it is....
As for the ambulance contract, insinuating that the "finance dept" could negotiate a contract in an area where they have absolutely NO EXPERTISE WHATSOEVER would be akin to you telling us that YOUR hair stylist would be a perfect substitute for deciding whether or not you have rectal cancer. You don't ask your barber why your butt hurts when you go to the bathroom. You go to your DOCTOR... that guy/gal who is the EXPERT in that field.
As a taxpayer I feel damn well confident that the EXPERT, in this case the EMS Director for the DFD, put forth every effort to ensure that the town could gain as much income for the town as the current climate would allow for the services rendered. Of course, we could always just say "Bullocks!!" and tell those towns we don't WANT their money and "Nah-Ner!! Go and get your own damn ambulances!"...
That way yourself, DJN, and your good friends Kevin and Janet can claim victory over those towns and then CUT your IN-TOWN services to try and make up for the 200+ THOUSAND DOLLAR shortfall.
Sounds like a fantastic deal to me....
11:36 - reread the post. Not calling the DFD any names. I appreciate their generosity to the town. Just questioning whether there was too much in the contract to start with for these economic times and the Firefighters realize that.
Did not say the Finance Dept. should negotiate the contract or that we got a raw deal from the EMS Director. Just stating that it should be very easy to put some cold hard facts behind things to prove it one way or another. My guess is we gave those towns a pretty good deal. The question is was it too good? Seems pretty easy to determine that and then use the info for the next go round in 3 years.
Mr. Benson got a legal opinion and opened up the curtain on the 4A documents and now it seems to be a non-issue for most in town. How much time and effort was wasted arguing "opinons and innuendo" on that issue.
Transparency and working with facts is what works in government. Show the people the data and make informed decisions. Not decisions based on gut feelings and one or two people's "expert opinions".
I don't align myself with either "faction" in this town's politics, so please don't assume who my "good friends" are.
In fact, I mostly like what I see so far from this new council and Mr. Benson's leadership. However, I think some good points and pieces of information are brought to the table by all TC members (well most anyway).
If the whole "us vs. them" mentality was put aside, the taxpaying townspeople would end up being a lot better off.
I like the way things appear to at least progressing. I would like to see the Town in general take a more concerted effort to support local childern's athletics & outside activities. We hear so much about the alarming rate of child obesity yet the School Board does not allow promotion of activities of local athletics & clubs etc. I hear many times: "I wanted to sign up but did not know about it." A lot of these organizations do not ask for town $s but only ask that they be given the opportunity to promote their sport, activity or organization. We need to look at what we are doing to promote activities for the kids of the town of Derry, if not people will seek out more progressive towns such as Bedford, Londonderry or Salem.
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