Lebanon proposes job cuts, tax hike to close $800,000 funding gap

[Kathy-City Resident]

I attended the budget meeting on Monday night (where were all of the residents complaining anonymously on Topix???) and wonder why John Latimer did not mention in his article that Mayor-elect Sherry Capello is willing to give up over $13,000 of benefits but Mayor Trish Ward and City Council will not entertain the IRA contribution for her that is in the city charter and was put in 2009 budget for Mayor Trish Ward. To my knowledge, she is the one and only Mayor that has received this $6000 IRA contribution. Also not mentioned, the $500,000 of OT budgeted by Barry Fisher for Career Fireman, 1/2 million dollars of schedule built in overtime is excessive anyway you look at it.

[jack]

how much loss taxes because of bridge across railroad?

[What]

Kathy-City Resident wrote:

Also not mentioned, the $500,000 of OT budgeted by Barry Fisher for Career Fireman, 1/2 million dollars of schedule built in overtime is excessive anyway you look at it.

Tell that to a family that just lost everything becasue of a fire. Explain to them that their loss is justified because you had to have overtime for a fire fighter cut.

[PalmyraJoe]

The Local, State, and Federal governments should just get together and tax us all at 100% and be done with it. They then can issue us our Mao suits and bicycles.

[DUH]

Clown Patrol wrote:

This town needs an enema.
I also agree that of the cops started busting people for speeding, running stop signs and red lights, they'd have the money.
You could make a million dollars a week just busting people running the light at 12th and Cumberland.
but NOOOOOOOOOOO.

The City only gets $12.50 (half the fine block) per citation. The rest of the total - over a hundred bucks, goes to the state. SO- not revenue source you think it is.

[Correct]

DUH wrote:

<quoted text>
The City only gets $12.50 (half the fine block) per citation. The rest of the total - over a hundred bucks, goes to the state. SO- not revenue source you think it is.

If they persue Parking violations they would do better. They get the full amount of that ticket.

[Chief flamesalot]

What wrote:

<quoted text>
Tell that to a family that just lost everything becasue of a fire. Explain to them that their loss is justified because you had to have overtime for a fire fighter cut.

That OT is used when there is a fire and they have to call in off duty fireman( union rule) Now really, you think calling in an off duty fireman from outside the city (where they often live) is gonna make a life saving difference?

Heres what happens at a bigger fire... Off duty get called and immediatley so do the surrounding city volunteer stations, guess whats faster? Thank the UNION for that $500k

[Well Thats Special]

Chief flamesalot wrote:

<quoted text>
That OT is used when there is a fire and they have to call in off duty fireman( union rule) Now really, you think calling in an off duty fireman from outside the city (where they often live) is gonna make a life saving difference?
Heres what happens at a bigger fire... Off duty get called and immediatley so do the surrounding city volunteer stations, guess whats faster? Thank the UNION for that $500k

The off duty fire fighters are recalled for back-up and also for any other fires that might occur in the city. Can't always have all fire fighters at one scene.

[carl]

Well Thats Special wrote:

<quoted text>
The off duty fire fighters are recalled for back-up and also for any other fires that might occur in the city. Can't always have all fire fighters at one scene.

mutual aide from other volunteer companies accomplishes the VERY SAME THING, They could be back ups and stand bys.. BUT the CITY MUST recall because of the union and that's a fact Jack

[Mike in Rockville]

Bob Hardy wrote:

Where is the average homeowner supposed to come up with the money to pay these rising taxes. We are already having our electric go up 30 percent fuel has gone up 50 cents a gallon for no reason sewage going up 30 percent. This is not what our fonding fathers had in mind we are all taxed out Government needs to stop wasting money not cutting jobs there is a big difference.

You're right Bob. The Founding Fathers definitely did not have electricity, gasoline, and municipal sewage systems in mind when Thomas Jefferson wrote that "The government is best that governs least." So, if you want to follow the Sage's advice, simply get rid of your electricity, gasoline, and municipal sewage systems and you won't need all that government. Simple.

[Mike in Rockville]

DUH wrote:

<quoted text>
The City only gets $12.50 (half the fine block) per citation. The rest of the total - over a hundred bucks, goes to the state. SO- not revenue source you think it is.

More importantly, you have to collect it. How often do you think the city gets stiffed on tickets? Just like taxes, there is an unacceptably high rate of scofflaws. Bottom line: the $$ aren't real.

[Stupid people]

Freedom fighter wrote:

Republicans??? I think everyone posting here ment RINOs. When Rs act like Ds welfare rolls do rise and taxes do increase. If our lawmakers stopped ingaging in constitutional treason and put government back into its proper role taxes would go DOWN WAY DOWN and investment in the city would commense. Of cousre without a nanny government we would have to engage in personal responsiblity so I guess we are doomed to serve lord Obama

Prices go up and taxes go up, Yet Republicans still think they can defy history.
Good luck with that one.

[Stupid people]

carl wrote:

<quoted text>
mutual aide from other volunteer companies accomplishes the VERY SAME THING, They could be back ups and stand bys.. BUT the CITY MUST recall because of the union and that's a fact Jack

If the choice is between Republicans that want kill jobs at all costs or unions that protect jobs, it's a no brainer, and in that lies the problem concerning you.

You're brainless.

[Stupid people]

PalmyraJoe wrote:

The Local, State, and Federal governments should just get together and tax us all at 100% and be done with it. They then can issue us our Mao suits and bicycles.

At least you would have a job, healthcare, housing, heat and food, thats a hell of alot more then Bush and the Republicans left most of us with.

[Stupid people]

jack wrote:

how much loss taxes because of bridge across railroad?

The railroad bridge in Lebanon City is like Sarah Palins two bridges to nowhere in Alaska. The Republicans will suck the federal, state and city taxpayers dry and we the people will end up with nothing.

Where's Senator Folmer ? probably sleeping comfortably with a full belly.

[Union FF]

Gee, the copy of the budget I have says there is 218K budgeted for OT in 2010, not 500K as stated. That includes FLSA pay mandated by Federal law because the Career FF's work a 56 hour work week. You know the fire department has 6 men on duty 24/7. The police are looking at having 3 men patroling and they have over twice as many cops as there are firefighters. Do a little researc folks. BTW Kathy, if you thinking parking is expensive in Lebanon, check out the rates in Harrisburg. Oh yeah, their firefighters get paid more money and work a 42 hour work week.

[Moonshine]

Capello needs to reverse what Ward is doing. Ward is just making things nasty as a vendetta for losing to Capello. Every department under Wards control has go into the sewar. Police ad Fire just are terrible and their leadership is just plane incompetent. Capello has her hands full. I have lived in the City all my life but I am no seriously considering getting out of dodge. I will stay here to see how things work out and will give it a year, but I am also planning on getting out of the city if things continue to go down hill.

[Union FF not]

Union FF (CE) just go back to being a paid maid and worry about driving and let the few real union and volunteers fight the fire.

[Top10]

Moonshine,

Get out for the children, get your ass and run.
Get out of this stinking mess, to a safe suburban slum!

I live in the city, I breath dirty air.
I ride busses with junkies, & welfare cheats who don't care! Lebanon,PA

[galvodog6]

Mike in Rockville wrote:

<quoted text>More importantly, you have to collect it. How often do you think the city gets stiffed on tickets? Just like taxes, there is an unacceptably high rate of scofflaws. Bottom line: the $$ aren't real.

scofflaws? get the vehicles towed.. revoke their hunting and fishing and drivers license...real simple