-Lawrence Wilson
Would like to say another thing on the Council Meeting of the 24th. It was a very pleasant and actually sound decision for Mr. Pifer to go for a ten year rotation on the Police Fleet. For I don't know how many decades, it was a practice to turn three vehicles a year which of course put us on a six year rotation. I preached, howled and kicked the can on those three magic words that seemed to evade the City of Vienna Dictionary- Maintenance, Maintenance and Maintenance.
Having been a Property Book Officer in the Army and being Accountable/ Responsible for as much as $300,000,000. Million dollars in all kinds of Property from 1/4 ton Jeeps to 10 Ton Recovery Vehicles, I was exposed to proper maintenance and how it extends the life of a piece of property. As also being a Repair Parts Technician, I saw even more what happens when proper maintenance is not performed. Some of the Trucks in my sphere of control lasted up too twenty years before finally being replaced. So ten years is NOT a pie in the sky idea. P'burg seems to have a very good program and working for them?
That is in my mind a reason to give Mr. Pifer a resounding Atta-Boy, if he really does it? Now we will have to be realistic and understand that if one of the lads totals a vehicle in what should be a legitimate use of a vehicle, than it will need immediate replacement.
And that folks will reduce the City Budget by about $35K/ year for each non replaced vehicle. They run about $33K- 35K to buy and outfit. And instead of spending $105K each year, it will be as noted only about $75K? The additional four years per vehicle will save in the hundreds of thousands of dollars LESS maintenance costs. Now lets start thinking about the VUB with its supposed 7 year rollover?
But as noted yesterday and being pushed at the State Legislature, the elimination of the B&O Tax will have an impact when it goes into effect? Probably 1 July 2019?
The City needs to do away with the Police Fee line (351), and just add into the General Police lines in the Budget. It is a SLUSH fund and not needed as classified. As with many programs, it may well have had value in the day. But those days are now gone.
We finally got the Shutdown settled for three weeks minimum. Mr. Trump will not do it again. While many say he folded and is a wimp, I agree he folded on something he started weeks late and than handled badly. The only way he will get his Wall money is to declare a "National Emergency", use money from other accounts and build his wall. BUT, if he allows one of those limp wristed Judges in the 9th Circuit, or any other lower Court to stop him, than he is just about beat on that too.
It is necessary that the Supreme Court decide if the Constitution is a viable and legitimate Document or not? If the President has the authority to declare a "National Emergency" or not and than render a decision that no subordinate venue can stop such an action without coming to the SCOTUS immediately. Those States/ Cities/ Counties/ Politicians/ Judges in lower Courts that choose to try and stop a proper action need be held accountable for that IF found to be illegal in their actions? We have had three branches of Government for over 230 years (1788 when Constitution adopted till now),and that premise seems to need reconfirming?
For anyone who might be unsure, Political Patronage is alive and well in West Virginia. Mr. Justice appointed a Lobbyist that represents several of his companies to the vacant seat of Mr. Ojeda. He is the one that was running for President of the U.S. in 2020, but quickly found out the Media was not about to give him a hand up as one on his back as it shoved him off the train. Expect potentially, one of two things to happen? Mr. Justice will again flip to run for Re-election as a Democon or change quickly after the Election is over and/ or Mr. Hardesty will flip to the Republicrats? In either case, will it really matter when the dust settles?
While reviewing the Civil Suits that were in the Daily Blat of the 19th of January, the fact that the list was so long caught my eye. It went from 10 December to the 31st of December. I have found that when the Blat does this, it is to hide a case it does not want to be readily visible to the Public. It has done that to me versus the City/ Mr. Rapp. So I looked slowly and carefully at the cases listed. And than up jumped this one "James P. Weigle v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co and Bob Marshall Insurance LLC". It does not say what it is about, but Mr. Weigle is known to stand his ground when he feels he has been wronged?
It has been made clear to me by Mr. Rapp and crew that Mr. Marshall is held in high esteem by the City and therefore the local Media. It will be interesting to see how that plays?
Budget Meeting today at City Building at either 8:00 or 8:30 A.M depending on who you listen too? Will be brief and concise.
Talk going around there will be a meeting at the Judge Black Annex, Wednesday night at 6:00 P.M. It is called a "Legislative Engagement Workshop". But looking at a who's who that is going there, it appears it will be so Left Wing that they will have to walk sideways and on a 90 degree tilt? So if one want to be indoctrinated to the Far Left, that is your got to go spot.
"nuff said'.