While I don't doubt some of the VFD's need money, I know that Vienna does not with over $600K in City Support this year (2016- 2017). That is an already budgeted $579K plus another $62K from the Capital Reserve for new breathing equipment I believe is the item? It is one of the not so well kept secrets that we have close to $20K per each fireman/ secretary if you divide the 600 by the 30 guys/ gals. And I am not saying each of the Volunteers are getting $20K. They are not; it is what is called in-kind support. Example the new ladder truck that the City is paying their share of at $770K. That is about $110K over a seven year financing period. That comes out to about $3,700 per member per year. Not cash in hand, but as I said before in-kind support. And I am not sure we still have a total of 30 folks?
There is pretty much open agreement that Vienna, Williamstown and maybe even Mineral Wells does not need much if any support. I am basing that on the people from Mineral Wells commenting at the Fire Board Meetings I have attended who all the time say their guys/ gals are doing okay.
Where I got ticked off the other day was the infamous and esteemed Mr. Linder allegedly saying and I am now quoting " All of the Volunteer Fire Departments in the county are in need of funding". Mr. Linder, you should be running for the State Legislature. You can spin the Truth with the best of them. Again, for those who are having problems with the Truth, look above at the $600K for Vienna and than add in the Ice Cream Social and other options that the VFD use for funding and the $62K from the State/ County. Than try that line again? It really ticks me off when someone twists the Truth. We all can make a mistake Mr. Linder; but this is no mistake. I can not speak for Williamstown, but am inclined to say that they are not back on their heels either. And yet again, the folks in Mineral Wells if their residents have any idea of what is going on.
In fact, two (2) of the VFDs have just received some nice grants for new trucks. That is maybe only a one time shot in the arm but those vehicles are supposed to have a 30 year life span. That will give them some much needed breathing room for other money uses.
I was again surprised to see the sweet heart deals made for the Churches and those receiving the Homestead Act reductions for taxes. I get it and am not sure I really want that benefit at the expense of those who are going to pay full tab on the Tax? If my memory is correct and I will do some "Truth in Advertising" here, but I seem to remember that about 30% of the folks in Wood County are receiving that relief. Now that includes P'burg so it would bring the total reduction per year down for what the Tax would lose by that .02 dropping to .0125 for the Homestead Act folks. Now I know how tight it has been and is getting for those on fixed incomes. I as have many have not gotten any increase in my Pensions for three (3) of the last seven (7) years. And we have gotten only 7- 8% over the other four. All of us on fixed incomes are feeling the pain more so than some with large pay increases over the past three years. This is a two sided coin as are most of the arguments for exceptions, exclusions and exemptions that are popping up for this Fee (Tax).
The cut for the Churches makes more sense as they can and do so much for their Communities from the Donations they receive. So I have no dog in that fight. Just the wear and tear on that bone getting some relief.
Still think the farmers got too much of a good thing but considering where most of the VFDs are located, would anyone expect them to go against their neighbors and maybe fellow fire fighters by not giving them a neat deal?
Saw on TV where our Mr. Scholl had a ugly face in that Thursday meeting or at least seemed too? Did he see the 20% of the remaining $400,000 to 600,000 pie shrinking a whole lot by the above two changes for the fixed income and Churches? At $600K with 20% of the non P'burg count coming to about 50K population and 10K in Vienna; it could have expected up too another $120K on top of the already allocated $80K each VFD would get. That is $200K/ year more and a possible reduction of $105K if Mr. Rapp really did reduce our City Fire Fee? Still Another $90K in the cookie jar if one rounds up and down. Wonder what the new numbers are now?
And the fact that this is being steam rolled through when it was initially said would not come up till after the first of the year? More of County Commission B.S. that is becoming so prevalent with the PSD water increases and now this. Would like to suggest that we buy the County Commission some nice lounge chair pads so when they are laying on their backs that they don't get their nice suits dirty. :-) So, by about 10:30 or so today (Monday) this Fee (Tax) will be ready to go to press. Than the 45 day clock will soon start. Think they will need one more vote on Thursday?
Since the Commission did not want to address the question on whether Williamstown or Vienna should even be in this deal if there are not 10% of the signatures on the Petitions from each City, think there may be a legal challenge to our even being in this deal? Mr. Couch as I said just sluffed off my question on the issue as Mr. Wharton was not there Tuesday night to answer on the letter I had from the State Attorney General to Mr. Wharton. What was interesting was Mr. Wharton asked for the opinion on behalf of the County Commission. Can anyone see the Wood County two step here?they ask for the interpretation, but will dodge answering questions on it? Neat work if one can get it?
Was advised Saturday that some of our police officers were allegedly getting about 10 cases of bottled water left on their porches by City workers? Why? What would make them so special and if on their porches was not just for them. Word is going out that every time one of you see something funny going on to take a picture and Mr. Uhl would like to get contact from you. Between the allegations of Scott's mowing City property with supposedly no contract and now this deal on the water can we not ask just what is going on at 29th Street? Those of you who have lived here for awhile probably have a pretty good idea? Some of course are still drinking the Obamalite Kool aid.
Tomorrow, I am going to provide an article that came to me on the C8 in the water back in 2009 and how it possibly could have affected the little ones? Since the water was "safe" here in the P'burg area, it did not seem to get the legs it should have? But read it and think about it ladies. 'nuff said'.
(Paid for by the Candidate- Lawrence J. Wilson for Mayor of Vienna).