On July 29th, I went to the councils Double secret meeting (the one about going back to at-large elections vs district ones). While at it I asked if they were opening up the ordinance in the charter, then they should open their FULL time benefits and retirement (for a part time job). City attorney William E. Vinsko, Jr told me that the citys home rule charter would not allow this and he would e-mail me a copy by noon the next day. It is now Aug 7th and still not e-mail. I called on Wednesday and again left my email and a quick message. Obviously I am being ignored even though this is one of the city documents that we, the citizens, are supposed to have easy access to. I'm not surprised. When this started back in March another Firefighter asked for the salaries for every employee of the city. Again public information that should be easily available. He was told it would take a week. What did he get? The total amount that was paid to all the cities employees. One number, not the salaries of everyone he asked for, Oh is that what you wanted, It'll take a week. Does this sound like a government that we should trust?



The Fountain
$75,000 dollars for repairing the fountain. Well after GIVING the ice rink a free (we the citizens paid for it) Zamboni, that cost around $80,000, there is no more money.
I guess after selling the Old River Road Bakery, for 8 cents on the dollar (the equivalent of selling a gallon of gas for under 24 cents a gallon), to a campaign contributor there isn't enough money for the fountain.
Maybe it was because the city had to pay Denise Carey $67,000 when Mayor 'I Believe (in higher taxes)' Leighton violated her CONSTITUTIONAL Rights.
Maybe it was the $220,000 in legal fees Denise Careys lawyer is seeking from the city.
Maybe it's the $225,000 the city had to pay Bob Kadluboski (of City-Wide Towing) after violating his contract with the city.
Maybe it was the money that was spent on the city attorneys to fight the wrong fights
Maybe it was the MILLIONS spent on an ice rink that the public 'can use SOMETIMES'
Maybe it was the MILLIONS spent on the Big Brother Camera system that work occasionally
Maybe it was the sidewalks downtown that didn't need to be replaced near as much as some of the ones away from downtown
Maybe it was the cost over runs on the intermodel center
Maybe it was the cost over runs on the Coal street 'get outta the city faster' project
Maybe it was the $17 million for the riverside project that has no parking and no bathrooms

Maybe it's time for a mayor that places the citizens safety before his pet projects

Remember the Cities own study claimed 17/shift was the MINIMUM, not the mayors 12! He's putting our loved ones at risk so he can fund HIS projects!!

Dan Emplit WBFD