Re: From St. Louis Today, July 20 Archived Message
Posted by machine  on July 21, 2011, 1:39 am, in reply to "From St. Louis Today, July 20"
Granite City officials say they may have to lay off police and firefighters if more money isn't made available to fund pensions. The question of where to get the funding may be put to voters.
I have an idea; Cut some pension funds out of the budget. Tell the state to shove it. (a move like might make me reconsider my Exodus.)
Granite City officials say they can't make higher contributions and keep the current level of police and fire service without increasing revenue, which primarily comes through property taxes.
I have already had two tax hikes to many to remain in the state any longer than is contractually obligated. If the city thinks that raising taxes yet again will actually help them, I might remind them another state is very nearby.
"What it boils down to is, do citizens in our community feel it is important? If they choose not to, you can't reasonably expect us to maintain that level of service," Kambarian said at a council Finance Committee meeting last week.
What level of service? When I lived in GC proper, I could not even get the police to file a police report when my house got broken into. I don't know how good the Fireman are, but when I had to drag my ass down to the police station to tell them house house got broken into (because they never responded to the call) and even then they would not file a police report? Needless to say I see 3 them sitting the QT playing tiddlywinks on my way home... well... maybe they have whats coming.
|
|
