Finally completed another major and I mean major project on the dog and pony show going on with the City. Of course, the "Lawsuit" is in play. It was actually interesting in that as I went through the 700 pages of shuffled cards the Good Lord knows how many times again, I was also using this time the Court directed listing of documents in a numbered order and what was supposed to a dated system. As was the case noted earlier, the City had given me the equivalent of 14 decks of cards that they were kind enough to shuffle. Made finding anything really neat.
The five years requested ended up being 24 separate groupings of documents in an "any which way but loose" sequencing. And one wonders why I have so much contempt for Mr. Rapp and some of his crew? A bunch of corrupt individuals who are desperate to hide what I have alleged for years on the sweet heart deal with his medical coverage. Actually, I found what I was looking for this time on what they did and it ain't pretty. It seems, that with the preexisting clause in effect for 2013, he was not eligible for coverage till 1 Jan 2014? Sure as Hell got it on 1 Jan 2013, though. It was a bit tough to find, but finally fell out.
I have alleged for years that he should be in jail and I can assure you, he would not be alone. Enough other Vienna Crew to set up a Pinochle Table. And you folks have paid for it dearly with excessive Health Care Premiums that while would have gone up some anyway, would not be as bad as they are. Bit hard to give 100% coverage for just about everything and not be expensive. Especially when it appears was using the City Employees as a cover?
Coverage has almost tripled in the past five years due to Obamacare and the deal noted above as I have alleged? Was said to be a bit over $500,000., in the 2012- 2013 FY, to what may be as high as $1,550,000., in 2018- 2019 FY? I will do a bit of "Truth in Advertising" here that I could be $50- 75K off in the 2012- 2013 FY and up to a $100,000., for the upcoming next year, but I would have to see the numbers to know? And NO ONE is talking even with a FOIA after a FOIA, after a FOIA, anyone getting the idea?
But the alleged shenanigans with his coverage were not the reason for this Lawsuit. It was to as I said find out how much was the "actual" cost of Health Insurance for 1 July 2013- to what would have included a "to date" number for the beginning of the 2018- 2019 year. this based on actual end of year adjustments for whatever reason (and their are at least nine)? Will admit, I did ask for other documentation to see if City was following State Law/ City Ordinance on Bidding? Per the WV State Auditors Office, it appears was off the rails as I suspected?
The secret numbers on the Health Insurance which do not seem available (as usual), with the noted 7% increase per Ms. Roberts, if and I repeat only on the quoted from Ms. Roberts at $1,250,000/ this year will go up about $85- 90K for the 2018- 2019 FY. If on the $1,450,000 that is supposed to include the Dental/ Vision/ STD, etc., would be about $101,000? Once again, getting any numbers is like pulling hen's teeth and why we are in Court again. AND, still would not give the numbers...…….. The City receives numerous documents in February most years with the "estimated" cost for the next year. Now due to the City/ Schwendeman "negotiating", the numbers don't seem to get finalized till after the March Budget submission.
1. Allows for the infamous "Guestimate" that may be a lot off or and later just disappears into the various lines of the Budget.
2. Maybe if the winner for the past 20 years gave their very best price and was provided before everyone else (if any), submitted their attempts to get the Contract and not allowed to "re-negotiate" was done we would have less confusion and delay?
So for the sake of argument, let us say the low end $1,250,000., plus $85K increase? That would still bounce in at about $1,335,000., for only 81 People. That would be about $16,500. per Employee cost. And Remember at a MAXIMUM, City Employees pay less than $1,200./ year for their family share. Single are still at $0./ year and there are about 30- 35 of them. Pretty sweet deal for those on the Good Ship Vienna as it heads for the fiscal rocks.
But, too many of the folks that are all up in arms on the JM Site costs, and the City Wells are not as usual paying attention. I have listened as there are statements that Wells 7 & 8 are going to poison all of us and need be shut down. THEY were shut down as soon as the C8 issue hit. It was a God send for Mr. Rapp/ VUB to avoid the cost of rehabilitating them which was supposed to be done every 10 years; had been stretched they said to 20 years and than this morning at the VUB meeting said had not been done since the 1960s.
I am not very smart and will be the first one to admit it, but from the 1960s to now is one Hell of a long 20 year period? It was planned before to shut them down and dig a new well (or wells), at the 60th St. site. Now, with Chemours/ DuPont on the line for Water Filtration Systems, the wells are to be brought back up on line.
But what about this magic Plume of contaminants that no one seems to know where it is coming from but for sure said to be aimed straight at those wells? What is the plan for that alleged Plume? Is it expected that the Filtration Systems will protect us from that too?
What seems to be an alarming process, at least to me, is either not using the new ($800., Microphones), in the Council Chamber or sitting with one's back to the group in the VUB?
It may well be a not very well hidden attempt to insure that hearing what is being said is as muffled to the Audience as can be done. I was sitting right behind Ms. Roberts in the VUB meeting Wednesday during her presentation and it was a bit tough to catch all she was saying.
And at the Budget & Finance meeting on Tuesday, she had the mike "hanging" over the edge in front of her? Once again, we get back to two issues:
1. $800., per new microphone for the Council Chamber and Ms. Smith's has been MIA almost from the start? Mr. Skogstad seems unable to get within 4 feet of his most meetings and even the hero of the Council, our Mr. Conley got called out by Mr. Leach for not being audible? But in Mr. Conley's defense, Mr. Leach was God know where for about the third or fourth time, but at least made that meeting even if only by phone.
They are either junk that we paid too much for, or some as in Ms. Smith's/ Ms. Roberts case, don't want to use it. I would suggest if broken, why is it taking so long to replace/ repair? If because they do not want to use it, maybe resign from Council/ City?
2. Seems one and all need to be again reminded who each and everyone of them work for and it is not Randi Rapp. IT IS the People of our fair Community.
So may I suggest that a few of them learn to talk with some clear pronunciation and loud enough to be heard; or get the mikes back in play.
It is always something with this bunch that hampers the ability to even get the tiny bit of data that is being put out? The Special VUB meeting was pretty much a waste today. The Draft Handout with whatever in it could have been put in their drop boxes and questions directed to whomever. The only value was that no one could say that such and such was not requested in the meeting today come the next meeting. 'nuff said'.