11/29/10
The Buffalo News reported that the ideas were dicussed on the 17th.
11/17/2010
I noticed this in the LUSJ article last week:
...After the public hearing, five of six aldermen said they’re prepared to vote “yes” to adopting the 2011 budget as it stands. Fourth Ward Alderman Andy Chapman’s yea is tentative, he said. He’s made a list of 12 reform/downsizing type items he wants the Council to commit to exploring in 2011. If the rest of the aldermen promise to look, he’ll vote for the budget as-is, he said...I inquired about it and Andy quickly got back to me with it. Here are some of his thoughts on items that should be looked into in anticipation of the 2012 budget process.
The full document is here.
11 comments:
Well lets see here 1. You already have that system for the FD minus the volunteers, if he looked at all of NYS the Vol. Depts are going to Paid due to the lack of Volunteers. 2. He wants to lay-off LPD officers and go to a system that says it will be free, but we live in the real world and we all know that NC will be asking for $$. 3. not familar with the contract. 4. Prob. a good idea to see if NYSEG has a better rate or could update to more efficent lights. 5. Good idea on paper what would the $$$ to set-up and maintain. 6. Reopening contracts is a BAD idea look into that in a few years when the new contracts are up. 7. Not sure where this will save $$$ each Dept. has special needs for tools computers etc. have general vehicles wouldn't work. 8. Not familar with what mail system the city has. 9. $1-$2 to stand and listen to a concert, thanks I'll stand on a sidewalk for free and listen. How about having the promoter pay for the stage, and save the city $100,000 a year, she is selling more than enough beer to pay for the stage.
anom -
1. - thats ridiculous, where did you come up with the idea that in NY there's not enough volunteers?
2. n.c. will not/can not specifically ask for dollars for it but might require more people who's cost will be spread over the entire county.
9. - once again you don't have a clue. the costs the city has agreed to are already there, i don't think a $1-2 fee will kill anybody but will help the city. but you would be welcome to stand outside, probably even encouraged too!
I don't agree with a lot of chapmans thoughts, but he has some good ideas here. and though i love the concerts, I don't believe the cost of them is worth laying off 2-3 city employees for.
If I wanted volunteer fire personnel and a smaller police force, I'd move to the town. I moved into the city 10 years ago for all the services a city provides: A full time, professional fire department that is there ready to come to my aid at a moments notice. Also a police force that is fully staffed, driving around my city prepared to protect me and my family at once.
Nothing against Vol. FD but, these are the reasons I moved into the city and ended up paying higher taxes. Take away all the benefits of living in the city (along with the higher taxes) and I might as well live in the town!
Maverick.. I posted that same thing up in a different thread, where my words and intent were intentionally twisted to have a different meaning. But yes, when I bought a house, I bought one in the city knowing full well that taxes would be higher (or at least not buried under the guise of 'fees'), but I would be buying into a full time fire department, and a local police department. If these were things I did not feel were worth paying for, I could have bought a house a few minutes away, and been in the town.
But I digress. These things are not bad proposals, but why do I get the feeling that Chapman will not be happy unless he gets things his way? Look, we all know he's against the concerts (after being for them), so we can dismiss the admission fee right then and there. Also, it's not like you can't hear the music from, well, anywhere else downtown.
The funny part is that I live in the Chapmans ward, and so far, he is not representing my opinions or those of my neighbors, and friends. It would be nice if he (and the other council people while we're at it) would solicit the opinions of their constituants before trying to push their agenda through. Ask most city residents, I bet most if not all appreciate their fire and police...
What do you mean by "solicit"? His phone number and address are on the city site and this site. It is much easier for a constituant to call an alderman with input then the alderman trying to contact all of his constituants. Have you (and your friends) personally called him and spoken to him? I find him rather easy to talk too, even if I don't agree with is stance on some things and even though he is not my alderman.
I believe first responders should be paid. And I also believe that there is a better use of manpower out there for the number of calls that we appear to see at the LFD. I also believe that police should not be inside of their vehicles all day. This is not suburbia with spread out houses. An officer can not take in the small things going on around them when they are supposed to be watching where they are driving.
As for the concerts: instead of trying to shake visitors down for a dollar or two, how about putting our efforts to being able to show them a progressing city when they show up here 9 Fridays a year? Houses being rehabbed, Harisson partially going to lofts, new stores opening, etc. The $10 a year is cost each taxable property in the city is pry the best piece of advertising we can get. It is a fraction of the price of one ticket for one person to one show. These people come out of their own free will and have a good time. It's up to us to make sure we have things to advertise to these "outsiders".
Here is a novel idea, I have a scanner and hear how long the Vol.FC have responding to calls, Why not Contract with the town to have the LFD respond to assist, it keeps them busy and helps the town and makes some $$ for the city.
By solicit, I mean come through the neighborhoods that they represent, knock on some doors, talk to some residents and guage their opinions on city issues. The only time I see the alderman is during election time when they want our votes. Then you see them in the neighborhoods talking to residents at least pretending to care about what we think. Just as you suggest for our police, get out and walk the neighborhood you represent.
While on the subject, why doesn't the council all have email adresses as a way to communicate?? And when is the city going to have online payments of water bills and taxes!!!
The water bill is pretty much the only check I write, then have to find a darn stamp to put on it!
I understand what you are saying. My only point is that it is a lot easier for those who have issues they want to share to contact thier aldreman than the alderman cold calling and hoping that they come across someone who does.
I agree with your comment on the water bill. It is also the only paper check I write. Even through the city would be required to tack on the 3% credit card service charge by law, I'd pry still be willing to pay it for convenience.
I also agree that the city should have some official email addresses for the council members as they do for the mayor. The only issue there is that you start to open the door to trolls who only want to cause trouble.
Mr. Johnson, I appreciate your comments and I am concerned that you believe that I have failed to address the concerns of my constituents. I can assure you that none of the ideas listed above were originated by me, they are a preponderance of suggestions made to me through multiple means of input by our fellow neighbors of the 4th Ward.
I agree that the City should have a emails addresses for their Alderman. However, the City doesn't so I bought my own andy@lockportalderman.com, please feel free to contact me with your concerns. Additionally, my home phone number is 716/433-2006. If you have ongoing urgent needs, I would be happy to give you my personal cell phone number when you call.
In addition to the Council Meetings (where I always attempt to greet everyone), Ken Genewick, Jack Smith and I have held Ward meetings where everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend and given an open forum for positive communication.
Finally, I completely agree with you in regards to our cumbersome and antiquated billing system. This is why I have included this suggestion within the document provided to the Council and the media.
Thank you,
Andrew Chapman
Mr. Johnson,
I appreciate your comments and I am concerned that you believe that I have failed to address the concerns of my constituents. I can assure you that none of the ideas listed above were originated by me, they are a preponderance of suggestions made to me through multiple means of input by our fellow neighbors of the 4th Ward.
I agree that the City should have a emails addresses for their Alderman. However, the City doesn't so I purchased my own email address, andy@lockportalderman.com, please feel free to contact me with your concerns. Additionally, my home phone number is 716/433-2006. If you have ongoing urgent needs, I would be happy to give you my personal cell phone number when you call.
In addition to the Council Meetings (where I always attempt to greet everyone), Ken Genewick, Jack Smith and I have held Ward meetings where everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend and given an open forum for positive communication.
Finally, I completely agree with you in regards to our cumbersome and antiquated billing system. This is why I have included this suggestion within the document provided to the Council and the media.
Thank you,
Andrew Chapman
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