It’s a start!

Some of us could save another one million dollars from this budget in the arts budget. People will have other things to complain about like roads and pot holes. More security on the Monon Trail. But where is the money going to come from without raising taxes? But I ask those of instead of blaming Ballard that they come up with some ideas of how to raise the money without raising taxes. This city has borrowed money against the new county tax raise of last year. They had to borrow money this year because we have not collected property tax for this year as let.
If you think that people are complaining now, wait still they get there Christmas present from the state in the form of you property taxes this year. The only reason that they funded the township assessors was because of the hearing where all those people were crying about their jobs. If this referendum passes, and I look for it to pass, there will be a $2.6 million savings in this year’s budget.
Here is where I have a few questions. What happen to taking away some of the city employee’s cars that drive less then 10,000 miles per year? Was this only an election ploy by the city council last year? They said they would have an audit by May 2008. What is holding up the policy of having the police contribute on the gas they use off duty? Why is the democrats on the council still cover up for Gray, Bateman and our dear Doris? Why does it take over three months and still no charges concerning her arrest? Care to comment? They can point of order all they want but the facts still remain.

“But where is the money going to come from without raising taxes? But I ask those of instead of blaming Ballard that they come up with some ideas of how to raise the money without raising taxes.”
Thank you to Mr. Myers for all your points, particularly this one. The mayor is trying to be deliberative in picking cuts that are lesser priorities. I suggest everything short of public safety by an across-the-board percentage. If you don’t like any of these ideas, instead of just complaining, what’s your idea?

Let us not forget that I have volunteered sales/marketing help for up to 40 hours per month to help any arts organization that needs to raise money.
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There are witnesses to this. At the budget testimony I volunteered to give my time to the Asante theater. Their director said she didn’t want it.
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There you have it. I was willing to volunteer up to 40 hours per month to these cry babies with their hands out. I was rudely told to kiss off by their director.

Oh, and still not one organization has called me to take me up on my volunteer offer. Not one.
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No one mentioned the three people sitting with laptops on the right side of the auditorium. They were the arts administrators (from Hamilton county?). The guy had on a $1000 dollar suit. Are they the people that paraded in the weak, the poor, the disabled in front of the news cameras to evoke sympathy?

Expensive suits don’t mean squat, Melyssa. King Ro used to wear one. I rest my case.

As a longtime conservative businessperson, I can attest to the good cash management skills of the past administration. Say what you will about Bart–his treasury people were tight-fisted and good money managers.

That isn’t to say we all agree on the items or services bought by the city. But for sheer cash management, their tactics couldn’t be beaten.

I’m over Frank Anderson. Way over him. He needs zero cars, several paddy wagons, and a bunch of jail officers. Period.

As for township assessors, perhaps someone smarter can help me out. Is the referendum this November binding, and are its results effective immediately?

As bad as township assessors are (I’m voting “no”), you can’t dismantle their system in six weeks. A proper transition needs to be accomplished or we’ll have years of fouled up records to deal with.

By the by, the assessor referendum is sitting there quietly, attracting little voter or media attention. The assessor folks think they’re going to win it. That nutcase Ricketts is lending support and muscle to their organization. After all, if assessors are deemed to be surplus bilge by voters, his entire public service legacy will be flushed.
And the legacy of many of his family members.

Is anyone going to shed some light on this important issue? I’m interested in our next president and governor, but this assessor referendum may honestly be the most important thing on the ballot this fall.

If you factor in the bond debt they ignored from 2007, are they still in deficit spending?

Also, my phone has been ringing off the hook with positive comments about last Monday’s comments to the Council. Apparently, they are not used to being lectured on the Constitution or dogged about their inability to govern themselves; much less the city government.

Many of you get around more than I. But, over the past 14+ months, I haven’t seen any bunch of guys in expensive suits with laptops representing the average taxpayer in meetings, protests, or rallies.