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What Would You Like To See in Toledo's Budget?

I wonder what effect the privatization of garbage collection would have on our budget? Never mind if it would be worse than the "gold plated" service we have now, but would it make more sense in the long run. Would it be better for the city's government to privatize as many services as possible to save the future costs of health care, and retirement? Would it be better to arm the citizenry (such as giving them a rebate for the purchase of a "good" weapon) rather than relying on police to clean up after the fact? Is it cheaper to arm citizens at a discount than have police classes?

I read that many are disgusted with the leadership in city government. Where should the cuts be made? Are we paying too much (and how much) to the various managers in departments, and is the way around this to "farm out" operations to the private sector on the lowest bid possible. Would these private enterprises be subject to lawsuits (which the government is not), or would they freely operate under the flag of city government.

created by oldsendbrdy on Nov 23, 2008 at 01:27:53 am     Comments: 20

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Instead of continuing to spend so much money on parks and recreation without a hint of getting back a cent, consider the offer I proposed:

A $5000 "investment" for materials to build boards for an outdoor rink at an agreed location. In return, our league would do all the labor and pay a monthly fee (around $100) for exclusive use of said rink.

I know it sounds like a lot of money and risky, but we have grown in just our first year to over 100 players in the roller division, 4 foot division teams and a 14 & under program that is great for the young ones. This plan at least offers a way to pay back the money and could be build on 2 existing tennis courts. Besides, right now tennis players do not pay a single cent to use the courts and they were built with taxpayer's money.
I can think of several other uses of tax payer's money that they will never see a return on, ie. erie street market, carty's shower, flowers, etc.
At least it's a plan with some kind of return.

posted by hockeyfan on Nov 23, 2008 at 03:30:13 am     #



Cut here and cut there but what we need are jobs.

Toledo must become more business friendly. Tax abatements for new businesses for a period of time for starters. Free parking areas down town would be nice too. One reason I dont go down town is the lack of free parking. There must be many other ways to make Toledo more appealing to business.

No more free pools.. period. They are too expensive to run. Maybe allow certain days for free like the ozone action days.

I know there use to be a police class at Owens.. so why does Toledo have to pay for that? My business didnt pay for my education. I dont see why the city is expected to pay for new recruit education.

City workers simply need to know they are not immuned to being layed off. I see trash pick up. two or three guys. Then down the road I see someone sitting in a city jeep watching them. Why? Did the city hire untrustworthy employees? That is wasteful.

When they make cuts and layoffs, they need to do it across the board. Top heavy management is part of the trouble with Jeep and its trouble with the city. City officials need to take a hard look at there list of management workers and see where cuts can be made there as well as with the maintenance and other areas.

Police and fire should not be cut at all. Before any of our security areas are cut, government jobs sould be cut. Carty doesnt want anyone owning a gun but he doesnt want to keep police in full force to protect and serve. Every household should own a gun and learn how to use it safely. We can not depend on police to protect us anymore.

posted by swantucky on Nov 23, 2008 at 07:12:14 am     #



The elimination of unions.

posted by babbleman on Nov 23, 2008 at 11:12:43 am     #



running the pools is expensive, but you can't open them for some days and not others because you still have to monitor the water and add chemicals.
Charging for the pools is a must. Maybe offer free pool passes in exchange for litter clean up or some other community positive thing.

posted by hockeyfan on Nov 23, 2008 at 11:19:10 am     #



I said free pools not closed ones. :)

posted by swantucky on Nov 23, 2008 at 12:37:05 pm     #



I think Swantucky made some very good points.

Babble, appropriate name. I get a kick out of folks who are most likely underpaid and instead of wanting to improve their standing, wish to drag the ever shrinking percentage of decently paid people down to their level.

Last year Jeep had a bit over 4000 people working on 3 shifts, by the end of the year it will be around 1300-1400.
Do you think it's a coincidence that the city is broke? Where do you think their tax revenue comes from, people working at Burger King for minimum wage?

Get over your petty jealousy and pull your head out of your ass. I have no doubt you couldn't have handled a job at the old plant, maybe one or two at the new plant but thats iffy.

posted by JeepMaker on Nov 23, 2008 at 12:38:48 pm     #



Here's a link to the city's budget, http://tinyurl.com/2lf5kq. According to it the city received $32,000 in revenues from the swimming pools in 2007. Not much, but they are not "free", I guess. Look under "#6030 Recreation", or "6730 Swimming Pools".

The "exclusive use" might be a problem. At first, I considered the liability issue, but there is a skateboard venue over at Highland Park so that must no longer be an issue.

I would think that the city could pay an employee to take down the nets for the tennis courts in the fall, and put them up again in the spring. All the hockey players would have to be aware of would be the posts that the nets attach to, and those could be padded.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Nov 23, 2008 at 12:44:29 pm     #



On page 274 of the budget it points out that the total for running the swimming pools was $274,000. The cost of running the Ottawa Rink was $89,000.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Nov 23, 2008 at 01:13:32 pm     #



Close the pools. Then the inner city kids will open the fire hydrents. Still cheaper than running pools. That will save more than a quarter million right there. No public pool here in Swanton. I dont have one in my yard either. We manage.

posted by swantucky on Nov 23, 2008 at 01:51:39 pm     #



Another advantage to open fire hydrants is that water pressure would be down. A lot of the older neighborhoods could burn down, and people could then move to safer, more expensive housing, or out of the city for that manner.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Nov 23, 2008 at 02:03:53 pm     #



Babbleman mentioned the elimination of unions. The only way to do that, I think, would be the privatization of services. There is a built-in bias against that since those city workers who know their jobs depend on unions are going to vote for the candidates who support unions. Also, any of their relatives who like them (the city workers) will probably vote for that candidate, too, so their relatives can keep their jobs.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Nov 23, 2008 at 02:08:13 pm     #



Its a vicious spiraling circle, high paying union jobs are in a sense sucking the life out of Toledo. Along with stupid decisions at the top. How much were those landscaping lights for 1 government center last summer? How much did they spend on the Toledo Pride signs all over the city? Living high off the hog, how long till they are sucking off the carcass. Yeah keep voting in people with a lousy track record and keep funding wasteful programs. Maybe it time to really reduce the number of folks and lower the amount they are paid. Only good decision I have seen in a long time is Carty announcing hes going to take a pay cut.

posted by Linecrosser on Nov 23, 2008 at 04:08:38 pm     #



i would like to see the state of ohio set standards for contracts under which cities within the state get reimbursed. in order to gain union endorsements and votes, our pols gave away unrealistic compensation packages to city employees in almost all departments - these compensation packages are far more onerous than any other city in the state and they significantly contribute to our budgetary woes. i'm pro-union; they are there to lobby for their workers. but once again the problem turns out to be our pols who don't say "no" and instead use their office and their employees to guarantee their continued election and attaining these outlandish pensions for themselves. the state should attempt to void these current contracts and develop new contracts that match what occurs in the real world.

posted by enjoyeverysandwich on Nov 23, 2008 at 06:21:59 pm     #



Fix the effing roads. PLEASE. Not everyone in Toledo drives a JEEP.

posted by toledolen on Nov 24, 2008 at 11:47:07 am     #



I would like to see the City Of Toledo allocate money to tear down the 400 block of Chapin Street to rid the neighborhood of nosy neighbors who concern themselves with other peoples property instead of their own. You know what I mean Larry?

posted by sarge on Nov 24, 2008 at 03:55:55 pm     #



Thanks, Sarge.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Nov 24, 2008 at 05:33:31 pm     #



Maybe the City could add another auto impound lot or two. This additional income when added to the monies generated by the current facility should easily balance the budget.

posted by AmericanPie on Nov 24, 2008 at 11:00:58 pm     #



I would like to throw my support behind ToledoLen's "fix the effing roads" suggestion. My poor car's tires and exhaust system have been badly abused here.

posted by jmleong on Nov 25, 2008 at 04:09:10 am     #



The old South End of Toledo has been overlooked by the City of Toledo year after year. Crack houses,gangs and prostitution has been allowed to proliferate while longtime residents have been forced to live in fear for their lives and property or simply move away. What I would like to see in Toledo's budget is enough money to build a bigger jail to hold all of these criminals who have ruined this once hardworking and proud neighborhood. The old South End has been my home for all of my life. I have seen too many people come and go who did not give a hoot what kind of a mess they left behind when they moved out. They will move to other neghborhoods and then act like they were upstanding citizens who were too good for our neighborhood. Once again I say build a bigger jail and while Toledo is at it build a better drug rehabilitation program to deal with all of these young people who are running around stealing and mugging others. That would be a blessing for all of the residents not only of the old South End but all of Toledo.

posted by sarge on Nov 25, 2008 at 10:21:57 am     #



The old South End of Toledo has been overlooked by the City of Toledo year after year. Crack houses,gangs and prostitution have been allowed to proliferate while longtime residents have been forced to live in fear for their lives and property or simply move away. What I would like to see in Toledo's budget is enough money to build a bigger jail to hold all of these criminals who have ruined this once hardworking and proud neighborhood. The old South End has been my home for all of my life. I have seen too many people come and go who did not give a hoot what kind of a mess they left behind when they moved out. They will move to other neghborhoods and then act like they were upstanding citizens who were too good for our neighborhood. Once again I say build a bigger jail and while Toledo is at it build a better drug rehabilitation program to deal with all of these young people who are running around stealing and mugging others. That would be a blessing for all of the residents not only of the old South End but all of Toledo.

posted by sarge on Nov 25, 2008 at 10:23:16 am     #