While it is a nonevent that we should not fail to do what is necessary to protect our Police Officers while out and about each day, we still need to use some common sense in what we do?
In the March 9th 2017 City Council Meeting, it was approved to buy ten (10), new Bullet Proof Vests and Carriers. At the time it was noted that the Vests were made to last 5 years, but still would extend a bit past those dates (Purchase/ Expire).
Now when it went through the Budget and Finance Committee on the 6th of March 2017, it was for 10 Vests and 20 Plate Inserts. What the exact difference is, I am not sure except that it was for only 10? As we all know, we have a 20 Man PD.
It was questioned here on why just 10 and for whom? I queried on our PD OR for a Vienna Swat Team if such a beast existed? OR for the multi agency group that is in play it seems for drug arrests/ seizures in Wood County as another idea? Of course, no answers were forthcoming.
Here we are a year later and now 20 more Vests? Were did those other 10 go or where will they go now?
The rational put out by Mr. Pifer at the 24 May 2018 City Council Meeting was that they were more comfortable and lighter by some pounds. The problem is the safety factor which did NOT even come up? And in case anyone tries to go back and rewrite the Council Minutes to reflect the safety issue, I would caution that they are recorded now.
The City is somewhat prone to seem to want to spend money because "We have it and it is ours". Again, WHY are we buying 30 Vests in a year? Comfort and lightness for people who drive around in air conditioned/ heated vehicles is a bit of an oxymoron. So how about a little more information on were have all the Vests gone and what will happen to the prior 10 Vests if and I repeat if still in the City's possession?
We buy Coffee (although, it was said some at VUB do a cost sharing?) , Cocoa Mix, bottled Water (that's right, the City cannot drink its own water, but is okay for the common folks), new clothing for the Staff each year? I am talking the new Sweat Shirts/ Hoodies/ Polo/ Rain Jackets and so on that run thousands every year? I would suggest I have just opened the lid on about $35.- 50K in a year for goodies that may well not all pass the infamous smell test.
But remember the VUB Budget for 2018- 2019 is beginning starting Wednesday. There are a lot of places the City/ VUB can cut costs even if only a minimal amount in the grand scheme of things. They all add up and are just part and parcel of the huge Tax Payer paid benefits to the City overall.
This week will be full of Meetings for next year at VUB to the beginning of the wind up for the City in 2017- 2018.
Special Budget and Finance today, the 29th at 8:30 A.M.- City Building.
Special VUB on the 30th at the VUB site on 60th St.- 9:00 A.M.
Special City Council Meeting on the 31st at the City Building at 7:00 P.M.
Any and all of the above subject to be changed/ cancelled on a whim.
In the next day or so, we will talk more about wells 7 & 8. 'nuff said'.