I do not think cutting into the smallest department in MC will solve anything, but making more of a problem. I'm talking about the Parks Department with a depleted department of three individuals. These guys are spread to the point of nothing at this time.
They are responsible for taking care of all the parks and fields around this town. I think they do a great service to this community and do a fine job. You talk about visitors thinking MC is a nice town and the fine job of up keep. Those visitors are usually talking about the how well the parks are kept looking nice.
Their is alot more that goes into the work on the parks then most will admit. So, do you think that having 25 people mowing the parks is the answer. I'm talking about the good people that would voluntering their time. How long do think that would last? Are they going to do this after they get off work?
The other comment that bothered me was about the new vehicles that the City Department has gotten in the past. You need to do a little more research into how old the vehicles were that got replaced. I think that most of the vehicles were replaced around the time that other departments recieved new vehicles. The vehicles that were replaced for the City Department had to be close to twenty years old.
The other reason for replacement was the condition and safety of those vehicles for the workers.
I agree that the police department needs to be brought up to the 17 positions, but not at the expense of the workers of another depatment. I heard the comment of the reserve always having extra revenue at the end of the fiscal year. Don't use a lawnmower that the Parks Department purchased for 40,000 as your reasoning.
The way that I understood the money situation is that it is broken down into 10,000 over a four year period. My point being I don't know many officers that would want to make that wage or willing. I'm also sure that their is some expenditures that the Police Department or Fire Departmnet has in their respective departmnets.
I believe that all departments need to stand on an unified front and not start the negative talk amongst departments. How much in wages go to the different heads of departments in the city? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we have the water departments split into two with two different people in charge? The Public Utilites Department and the Water Plant/Waste Plant?
I think that the city has down away with head of the Parks Department and Street Department, where they have combined the two under a foreman head. Then they having someone overlooking the operation of both and dealing with the foreman. This is not fact and should be checked into before quoting.
It comes down to plenty of chiefs in the City making a good wage, but not enough workers. Their are some hard decisions to be made and different paths to look at. I personally don't want anyone to loose their job to find the answer, but maybe some refiguration at the high end. I also know that's where the power seems to be and good friends of the hierarchy of this town.
I'm sure that as good citizens that they would be open to discussion on the matter. I guess they should not be opposed to working regular shifts with the regular work force. Just my opinion.... SORRY CORY for the long writing.
