What one could question is why do we have a Police Department when if you go in and are "not" connected you are just "b**ching? Neighborhood safety I would think is a RIGHT of each of us and an OBLIGATION of the Police to try and insure? Now I know I don't have any. That was made very clear to me last year when I stupidly tried to get a response to a questionable but possible crime on some of my elderly neighbors. All they had to see was my name and with nine (9) Officers available, no one came for about 20 minutes. Now in their defense, I do live about a mile and a half from the Station. And six of the nine were Sergeants, one lieutenant and two patrol officers. Can understand the possible confusion on the part of some in how to answer a call?
Now the brouhaha on the EpiPen hikes for people who need them for allergic injection pens is for sure understandable. But how many can still remember the same lady who had a big problem a few years back on her MBA from WVU and somehow could not complete the requirements to start with? Yep, same lady. Only now earning salary in the 10s of millions. How did she get past a resume for a real MBA? Never did hear where or if she completed the requirements? Well I guess, if your daddy is the "Gov", details can get smoothed out? Mr. Manchin is quoted as taking care of his constituents and the Company- Mylan, is said to be a huge employer in West Virginia. Says contributions to him from Mylan is not an issue for him. Wonder who the "Constituents" are? The company with family connections and deep pockets or the people who will swell up and die with out the connections or the injection pen?
The articles on Zika are again getting a bit scary. Thousands and thousands between the mainland U.S. and Puerto Rico. The little area they think they had closed down in Miami and then across the little inlet into the big shopping area. And now on the other side of the Peninsula by Tampa Bay or as they say, the County next to it. Wonder if those mosquitoes will start respecting those County lines? It seems we may get our pass if they can be slowed/ controlled in Florida. CDC is I think now questioning what happens when a person has Zika and gets bitten by a mosquito and passing it to another person through a bite? Cold weather here in a few weeks/ months will stop them for the year. Time to fine tune that vaccine in the works.
I had to chuckle reading Mr. Myer's "Their Opinion" from the 22d. He noted with some accuracy on the complete dissatisfaction with the Incumbents past and present. He is on the money again, sad to say. The part that bothers me is that no matter who is running the show, it is the same lyrics just a bit different music. By that I mean the end game is the same. Buy the votes of the State/ County/ City employees with the PEIA tax on cigarettes trick while the people got nothing but more problems for the current Fiscal Year. Supposedly, the deficit will be bigger this year than last and that like to have brought the State to a stand still. I still have mixed emotions on some of what the State Delegates are bragging about when the dust finally settles. Lower wages when too high versus just drive them down overall; and join or not a union but pay the dues anyway? The Truth will in time be out on both issues?
As a moderate republican have said many times I am all for less Government; lower taxes; BUT take care of the people. And as I have also noted before, that last one will and did get me kicked out of the Repub party. Some of them think their campaign slogans should be "To Hell with the People". But when all is said and done, I am what I am and not changing just to buy some votes. The People are what we are all about, or should be.
Have noted where another Rappite is after me. Guess my idea to refund the Fire/ Police Fee over charges for at least 10 years plus the "why don't we use the Senior Center" better ideas have gotten me into trouble with Mr. Rapp and his crew again? Lady who has long been suspected of being a supporter of Mr. Rapp called one of my supporters and started squalling about me "disrespecting' the Seniors by suggesting we make better use of the building before we think about throwing another $300K down the drain. (Now this kind lady has just popped up in a neat deal I will talk about later).
Of course my refund item in my "Platform for Tomorrow" was totally ignored and all she could talk about was my not liking Senior Citizens. Sounded like a shorter version of Ms. Smith and her tirade on how I disrespected the Gold Star families; Veterans and anyone working for the City. With all the due respect to the lady; are you nuts?. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN TOO.
You Rappites are so unable to address any issues and your try to kill the messenger antics are so sad that I am not sure if I should cry or laugh? For damn sure pathetic.
Do you really think the people in this town are that dumb? They are alert to the Corruption and have been for a long time. The only difference is I am willing to stand up and give them a chance to take back the City Council so that it works FOR the Residents instead of just a few friends, family and their neighbors. I am NOT going to be giving City assets to anybody no matter if just bottled water for their pumpkins or anything else they are not entitled too like everyone else. The old saying "All for one and one for all" are not just idle words in a lot of places. Talk to any combat unit Vet in the Military?
The "Our Opinion" column on "Wasteful" from the 24th of August on the State was really interesting. The folks almost never put a number to anything that is going on and how wasteful it is even in small amounts. It noted that three (3) Courts of Claims employees were paid for 64 days they did not work came to $6833. in pay and $2050. in benefits. Then the comment on the Water Development Authority Board Member who was paid nearly $60K in five years, but never attended a meeting. Little things sure; but they all add up.
Let me bring in a little closer to home. Take those who because the City Handbook does not seem to address Breaks and Lunches think it means as long as they want? Well in the real world and as a Public Debt lady noted to me in a "like" the process is laid out and the expectation in most places are clear. 15 minute breaks with a 30 minute lunch for the hourlies and maybe an hour for the salaried employees?
So when a few take too long, let us say 5 out of 81 each day for lunch at 43 minutes plus any travel time we have a minimum of 13 minutes x 5= 65 minutes a day just for lunches not including the travel time. That is right on 5 1/2 hours week. Since we pay these guys probably at least $16/ hour plus benefits, the City Taxpayers are out $88/ week x 4= $352/ month in excess pay x 50 weeks/ year= $17,600/ year? I only say 50 weeks cause I doubt what they do on vacations really matter; at least not to me. Now that DOES NOT include benefits paid while they are lollygagging around. We have folks in this town that just make $17,600 year if they get a full time job and if any benefits? 'nuff said'.
I am asking for your Votes. "Change is in the Air".
(Paid for by the Candidate- Lawrence J. Wilson for Mayor of Vienna).