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[The Fuzz]

Quote
Sullivan/Pat & Tonya.......would either of you support a merger of the city, Frenchtown, and Monroe township as other progressive communities are at least investigating to capitialize of reduced overhead structures and other economies of scale?

I would be more than willing to look at merging if it would help us out financially. If a complete merger was not in our best interest, then certainly we need to look at consolidating services. Several other cities are looking into this here in Michigan and Ohio. Why shouldn't we?

Nothing is a waste of money than duplicate services.

Thanks Tonya.....that was the answer I was looking for; a potential candidate who would support a study to determine feasibility in spite of a few folks getting mad because they don't get leaf pick up!

Pat.....you let the council off the hook tonight.....no answer on if there was a colaboration with our neighboring communities for any possibility of bulk purchases for the goods or services.....and, you should have asked what is the expectation of how progress is going to be published to the citizens.

[Will Sweat]

Intergovernmental cooperation is a terriffic idea, but it will never float, so why waste the money and time studying it. Best to just look at duplication of services and work from there.

It had better work - with continued projections of reduction in income from the State and Federal government along with the possible reductions of income from ACH and DTE the City, County and all Townships need to begin to be realistic. 

Forming authorities for services is a good concept and has proven very usable in many communities.  Change will be difficult but is going to be necessary. 

[The Fuzz]

I misused the word study, my apologies.

What I think could be done is a series of investigative articals by the MEN to explore the advantages and disadvantages so that it could be absorbed by the subscribers to the paper.  If written properly where facts are presented, both pro and con, a larger cross section of the local population could make an evaluation one way or the other.  If those in favor are a significant voting block within each of the communities then a change has a better chance in moving foreward since it would be pushed forward by citizens.

Face it, no change that could benifit the entire area is going to go anywhere with our current local politicians......it will take support from a larger population of voters.

It may not end up as a total melding of the local governments, but the ability  of procurement of goods and services HAS to be advantageous to us all. 

I just feel that seeing what is going on across the rest of the country with falling revenues where communities that have transparent borders such as ours are AT LEAST INVESTIGATING local government mergers as a way to offset costs.  It appears our community has too much animosity towards each other (which I don't understand at all), personal political ambition conflicts, and other reasons such as leaf pick up that is preventing even an open discussion to see if there is a benifit to our whole local economy. 

[Mayonnaise]

Sullivan/Pat & Tonya.......would either of you support a merger of the city, Frenchtown, and Monroe township as other progressive communities are at least investigating to capitialize of reduced overhead structures and other economies of scale?

I know the question was not directed at me but I would like to comment on the merger thought.

I honestly would support the idea of a merger, because how the City is separate from the Township.
Providing, I was allowed to vote on City Issues.

These are just some of the examples that I feel this way.
I am sure that there are more.

If I need a Lawyer, I have to go into the City.
If I have to go to Court, I have to go into the City.
If go to a Parade, I have to go into the City.
If I want to start a Business,  I have to go into the City.
If I take by Son to or from School (MMS), I have to go into the City.
If I attend my Veteran Meetings, I have to go into the City.
If I had an issue involving the Police, I have to go into the City.

I live in the Township, and do conduct a lot of business in the City and making purchase’s, putting my money into City Business’s  yet, I am not allowed to vote for a Mayor.

Kind of makes me feel that I am from the “wrong side of the tracks”, they take my money but won’t let me have a say (vote) in City issues.

[Will Sweat]

Mayonnaise wrote:

I am not allowed to vote for a Mayor.

Kind of makes me feel that I am from the “wrong side of the tracks”, they take my money but won’t let me have a say (vote) in City issues.

But your "money" does not go directly to support City services.  Plus, as I don't live in the Township - but, have to do much of my shopping there (or Frenchtown, or Bedford, or . . .) I don't get to vote in your elections either. 

Bullcans wrote:

You can get better services, parades, the ability to vote, and all you have to do is pay more in taxes.

Or you can stay where you are, continue to enjoy the parks paid for by others, parades paid for by others along with other amenities that only the City provides (Jazz Festival, Downtown Hoe Down, Fourth of July Festival, Art Fair, Ice Festival).

[The Fuzz]

So I guess because the municipalities can not get along that at the very least a coop couldn't be formed to purchase supplies and services.  How sad this is, and an injustice to the taxpayers of the area.

It appears that its easier to argue if you live in the townships or city and not see the bigger picture of savings.

[The Fuzz]

I reread my post twice bullcan.....where did I say I wanted to do away with the police department?

I am trying to at least open the dialog of cooperative purchases between the townships and city.  Chlorine for instance at our water facilities.

If it grows into more opportunities for lower taxes by combining services.....so be it!

[sullivan]

Quote
Sullivan/Pat & Tonya.......would either of you support a merger of the city, Frenchtown, and Monroe township as other progressive communities are at least investigating to capitialize of reduced overhead structures and other economies of scale?

I would be more than willing to look at merging if it would help us out financially. If a complete merger was not in our best interest, then certainly we need to look at consolidating services. Several other cities are looking into this here in Michigan and Ohio. Why shouldn't we?

Nothing is a waste of money than duplicate services.

Thanks Tonya.....that was the answer I was looking for; a potential candidate who would support a study to determine feasibility in spite of a few folks getting mad because they don't get leaf pick up!

(quote) Pat.....you let the council off the hook tonight.....no answer on if there was a colaboration with our neighboring communities for any possibility of bulk purchases for the goods or services.....and, you should have asked what is the expectation of how progress is going to be published to the citizens.(/quote)


Fuzz ,
     Let Me Clarify My Role As An Outspoken Critic of our city government : RESIDENT---PROPERTY OWNER--CONCERNED CITIZEN!!!!

I have not portrayed myself as anything more and do not perceive myself to be the" mouthpiece or voice" for you or anyone else other then myself.

You like myself are very opinionated and have some good ideas to share.Come to the city council meetings ,call your elected officials , call the department heads but don't be APATHETIC and sit at home and complain where nobody that actually is in the decision process can hear your voice and ideas.

I believe the art of communication is just that : An Art.

 If you are continually complaining without giving possible solutions that will not create more problems then what you are attempting to resolve ---it will fall on deaf ears.

If you are constantly criticizing without giving any encouragement or compliment when you feel it applies ,your words will fall on deaf ears.

Last night the council made a positive step by in theory approving the Operational Assessment and those like myself that have followed this process recognize that as being a step in the right direction.

I commend them on that decision because many that work for the city may be feeling betrayed by even that small step toward our overall financial health.

There are many components to the Operational Assessment of which wages & benefits are only a part.

George Brown( City Manager )  could not move on any portion of the assessment regardless of how small it may be without council approval ( that has now been done ) but we are far from implementation  agreement.

A democracy gives you a voice in the process of decision ( even though it may be small or even ignored ) that you need to exercise yourself instead of telliing me I let the council off the hook.

Please join me at the next council meeting and if I am in agreement with you --we will both hold their feet to the fire . J. Pat Mc Elligott

 

 

[The Fuzz]

Are township residents allowed to address the city council?  I spent the first 5 of my 10 years here in the city, and now in the township.

I applaud you Pat as a concerned citizen....don't take your intrepretation of written word as it sometimes sounds harsher than intended.  I think you would make a very solid council member as you articulate well, and are truely concerned for the good of the city.  It appears that way anyway.

Last night was a good step and quite honestly should have been put to motion the way it passed last night at the meeting immediatly following the initial presentation.  Not too much time was lost though, let George do his job now.  I do think though that maybe a status report every month or so by the city manager towards "the intent" of the operational analysis would be prudent.  How else do the citizens understand the performance to the plan.

My ideas are not unique, and not impacted by what things that happened in the past here that would prevent at least some discussions with the other local governments to see where some synergies can be achieved.  This idea actually came out of a recent Free Press artical a few weeks ago.  When I saw it, our local circumstances made perfect sense.  It is happening around the country Pat because there are a lot of bordering communities out there facing the same declining revenue we are.

I've worked in the automotive most my life and have seen first hand what mergers and aquistions can do in the long run.  They save operational cost in light of declining production cuased by the decrease in market share our major customers have been experiencing. 

I just don't understand the local history here well enough to understand why this idea has so much resistance in the community!

[sullivan]

Are township residents allowed to address the city council?  I spent the first 5 of my 10 years here in the city, and now in the township.

I applaud you Pat as a concerned citizen....don't take your intrepretation of written word as it sometimes sounds harsher than intended.  I think you would make a very solid council member as you articulate well, and are truely concerned for the good of the city.  It appears that way anyway.

Last night was a good step and quite honestly should have been put to motion the way it passed last night at the meeting immediatly following the initial presentation.  Not too much time was lost though, let George do his job now.  I do think though that maybe a status report every month or so by the city manager towards "the intent" of the operational analysis would be prudent.  How else do the citizens understand the performance to the plan.

My ideas are not unique, and not impacted by what things that happened in the past here that would prevent at least some discussions with the other local governments to see where some synergies can be achieved.  This idea actually came out of a recent Free Press artical a few weeks ago.  When I saw it, our local circumstances made perfect sense.  It is happening around the country Pat because there are a lot of bordering communities out there facing the same declining revenue we are.

I've worked in the automotive most my life and have seen first hand what mergers and aquistions can do in the long run.  They save operational cost in light of declining production cuased by the decrease in market share our major customers have been experiencing. 

I just don't understand the local history here well enough to understand why this idea has so much resistance in the community!

Fuzz,

I believe you would be welcome to present your idea of a partnership between the local governments and if you believe it will work , then you need to present it to the council and / or the townships.

I believe you are correct , but I know enough history regarding ALL of the local leaderships within the county that I KNOW a full blown merger at this point would end up being a "turf war".

I believe the best approach is to find common ground relating to revenue savings without giving up that autonomous power that individuals "perceive they forfeit" by being a part of leadership instead of being the leader.

I know it is a play on words or title , but those kind of things are important to a lot of people.

I'm kind of a "let's cut to the chase and get something accomplished in the most efficient and least costly way without surrendering value or service" kind of person---which UNFORTUNATELY is not the way of any form of governing that I have observed.

I do believe this current national, state and local crisis has formed more cooperation and collaboration out of a sense of necessity which hopefully won't be to little --to late , but we just have to ALL try.

I do sincerely believe you should voice your opinion on anything that concerns you.

I believe when people invest in anything they should expect a return , which is why when elections are held and turn out is less then 25% of registered voters ---The message to the elected official regarding how to conduct themself in office is 75% of the people really don't care.


It is no wonder they can be bought by lobbys and special interest or just vote "their conscience"---instead of what their constituents want .

We create our problems with our APATHY!!!!

I appreciate your comments and input , you just need to expand your audience.
Thanks for your time!!!
J. Pat Mc Elligott

[munrow]

There are many components to the Operational Assessment of which wages & benefits are only a part.

 J. Pat Mc Elligott

There is absolutely no mention of wages or benefits in the Operational Assessment. Why are you repeatedly misrepresenting what is in the assessment? What do you hope to gain? 

[sullivan]

There are many components to the Operational Assessment of which wages & benefits are only a part.

 J. Pat Mc Elligott

There is absolutely no mention of wages or benefits in the Operational Assessment. Why are you repeatedly misrepresenting what is in the assessment? What do you hope to gain? 

And where do you or your family work within the city??

In answer to your question though , I hope to gain a city government and their staff and their employees that will be more sensitive to the citizens that "pay the bills" so we can be in the black for a change instead of robbing from Peter ( capital improvements and infrastructure ) to pay Paul ( our overstaffed and overfunded employee benefit and wage policies of the last decade or so ) .

I pay dearly in taxes for benefits I DO NOT RECEIVE!!!

 I live at 813 Reisig , come drive my neighborhood and compare my streets to the one you live on in Frenchtown and probably paying less in property tax to enjoy.

I believe there is enough" fat in the city system" in the area of less paid holidays and personal days off and paid vacation days as to not impair service or overwork employees  .

 I have witnessed personally the over staffing of departments so that an over abundance of paid days off did not impair operation because some were not asked to maximize their work effort because the city could just as easily do without them.

I don't want to see anyone lose their job ---but cuts and compromise must be made and reading between the lines of the Operational Assessment , that means not filling all positions when a person retires or leaves our employ and reducing the value of compensation in" some form" to the employees.

Don't shoot me--I just help pay the bills of which the Operational Assessment is part of the bills I pay .

I'm amazed at the arguement of people that work for the city but choose not to live in the city and assist in their own health and welfare.

I have heard some of the firemen "banter" that we are sacrificing our families health and safety by messing with their staffing etc. So I quess my family and my City of Monroe neighbors family mean more to them then their own families that are serviced by volunteer fireman and another fire rescue system at their various township residences?

I support police and fire service , but they gotta give me a better arguement then that if I have to continue to pay for diminished services in other areas that confront me daily ( roads & decaying infrastructure ) .

J. Pat Mc Elligott     
 

[munrow]

[/quote] I believe there is enough" fat in the city system" in the area of less paid holidays and personal days off and paid vacation days as to not impair service or overwork employees  .

 I have witnessed personally the over staffing of departments so that an over abundance of paid days off did not impair operation because some were not asked to maximize their work effort because the city could just as easily do without them.

I don't want to see anyone lose their job ---but cuts and compromise must be made and reading between the lines of the Operational Assessment , that means not filling all positions when a person retires or leaves our employ and reducing the value of compensation in" some form" to the employees.

J. Pat Mc Elligott     
[/quote]

You are certainly entitled to your beliefs, however,the Operational Assessment is a very straight forward document. The recommendations it gives are very clear. I don't need you or anyone else to "read between the lines" for me. I find it disturbing that you repeatedly attempt to twist the assessment to fit your beliefs.  Frankly, you're  either incapable of comprehending the assessment or you are blatantly dishonest. This will be my last post on this topic and I will end it the way Mr. McElligott began it....I urge everyone to read the Operational Assessment and make informed decisions.

[sullivan]

Pat,
Do you really believe that the employees are responsible for the problems in the assessment? Don't you believe that the majority of the problems lie with the department heads and supervisors who look the other way when there is waste of labor?

You criticize paid holidays and personal time, but is that due to the false allegations you have made about an ex wife and her husband when they attend court cases against you? Are your concerns really about best for the city, or best for you. You elude to your Reisig St. address, but is that the worst street in the city, and the most travelled, or is it that it is your street and you want it fixed? I have driven down your street, and I know for a fact that Lavender St. is much worse, and much, much more travelled. Everyone wants their own streets perfect, but would you support a millage increase to fix more in a timely manner? You sound like the older guy that talks about illegal aliens at the meetings. He paid taxes his whole life, but his street doesn't get fixed every year. He lives on S. Custer for God's sake. His street gets fixed more than any. Don't act like him. You may run for Mayor? Can you look us in the eye and tell us that you want to raise our taxes in the economy we are in?

Bull,
I will address you or anyone else regarding my personal life and my personal agenda as you requested" looking you in the eye" .

You seem to think you know me and my business and I will tell you I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE but I will not discuss my personal issues on an open forum where people hide behind the shadow of anonymity .

 I research everything that I do personally and professionally so when I make an allegation it usually is accurate or reveals the TRUTH and that is all I seek is for the TRUTH  to be told and then let others affected determine what they will do with the TRUTH.

I'm sure you know how to reach me if you want answers to what you "think" my motivation and character is and I look forward to interacting with you" eye to eye".

I am not skirting any inquiry you or anyone else has of me but when things enter into a personal arena , it would be unfair of me to subject myself or my son Sullivan or for that matter my son's mother and her husband ( who are both non-resident employees of the city living in Bedford township ) to airing our dirty laundry in a public manner.

The Operational Assessment speaks for itself regarding  many of the deficiencies I have been very public about,  and mine and my son's mother and her husband's personal business is not mentioned and has no relevance in the overall goal of putting the City of Monroe on firmer financial footing ---which in the long run benefits us all.
 
Living in the light of responsibility, accountability and character of FULL  disclosure I am : J. Pat Mc Elligott

[sullivan]

I believe there is enough" fat in the city system" in the area of less paid holidays and personal days off and paid vacation days as to not impair service or overwork employees  .

 I have witnessed personally the over staffing of departments so that an over abundance of paid days off did not impair operation because some were not asked to maximize their work effort because the city could just as easily do without them.

I don't want to see anyone lose their job ---but cuts and compromise must be made and reading between the lines of the Operational Assessment , that means not filling all positions when a person retires or leaves our employ and reducing the value of compensation in" some form" to the employees.

J. Pat Mc Elligott     
[/quote]

You are certainly entitled to your beliefs, however,the Operational Assessment is a very straight forward document. The recommendations it gives are very clear. I don't need you or anyone else to "read between the lines" for me. I find it disturbing that you repeatedly attempt to twist the assessment to fit your beliefs.  Frankly, you're  either incapable of comprehending the assessment or you are blatantly dishonest. This will be my last post on this topic and I will end it the way Mr. McElligott began it....I urge everyone to read the Operational Assessment and make informed decisions.
[/quote]

Munrow,
Obviously some people are better at asking questions then they are at answering them!!!

 If you believe I have been dishonest with my portrayal of the city of Monroe's financial problems and their remedy , then come out of your anonymity by contacting me personally so we can discuss, but ALSO be prepared to ANSWER any questions I  may have of you and your interest in this matter and how you propose to resolve instead of just continuing down a road of financial instability.

Many factors regarding quality of life, property values , appeal to growth for business and residential , bond ratings and ability to borrow at competitive rates , etc. have a bearing on what we are doing now regarding addressing this issue NOW or defering it for others to suffer.

 Everyone as you indicate is entitled to their opinion.My opinion is that we have defered our problems to a later date for far  to long and now it is time for everyone ( which includes me ) to dig down deep and do something positive to save our city.

 J. Pat Mc Elligott