Sunday, September 16, 2012

Where are our tax dollars being spent?

Just received a tip that this could be the new Fire Chief's pick up. If in Coleman drop by and have a look where your dollars are going. I did not realise we were in that desperate need of new pickups.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

An employee told me they would feel safer driving their own vehicle instead of their ancient municipal truck to a meeting in Calgary, but but Policy did not allow that.

Just looking at the truck, I would agree.

Anonymous said...

Coming to a parade near you

Anonymous said...

I think it's to early to jump to conclsions. It is most likely part of the new transit system promised in the last election.

Anonymous said...

Sure folks, the proper CNP solution for both the Fire Chief and Peace Officers would have been to buy three old beaters. These would fit in quite nicely with all the rusty old heavy equipment scattered around, the derelict vehicles in front yards, crappy unkept houses etc. etc. Is it any wonder that people who are considering building residences here or starting a new business just keep on driving down the road?

Anonymous said...

Yes, I really agree with that. Not too many municipalities have "junk" vehicles. I do not believe we need to be privy to every little decision; ie. equipment, etc.

Anonymous said...

Several things first of all. I agree nobody should be required to travel around in junk.
That being said have you ever sat down in one of the restaurants in Blairmore and watched the number of municipal trucks go by in one hour?
The much larger issues here are not the trucks.
Two much larger issues:
(1) being the need for these positions and (2) the affordability both now and in the future.
Fire Chief we have a Director of that department who has 20+ years of experience why do we now need a fire chief as well? Is this not a duplication of skills?
The Community Peace Officers why two we live in a community that is old, we don't need two. These two employees are now CUPE members what happens when they get through all the clean up bylaw infractions. Do we have qualified peace officers running a zamboni at the arena?
If they were truly going to pay for themselves hire one, once he proved that he could paid for his position, plus everything else that comes with his job hire the second.

Former CAO Robins told us at the public forum that the fire chief would make $105,000 a year. Now with the truck hopefully people will understand it's not just the wage that constitutes the cost of a position.
Bottom line if we did not have these positions there would not have been $200,000 spent on pick ups.

Thomas


Anonymous said...

Anon 8:49 wrote:

"what happens when they get through all the clean up bylaw infractions"

When are they going to start? All the dumpy places are unchanged. Yes, I know miracles don't happen miraculously overnight.

Anonymous said...

So 10:39 do you think spending $300,000 PLUS a year will fix that. There are many legalities involved here. If it was that simple it would just be a matter of dropping of an order with a certain number of days to clean up then the courts take over.
You don't need to spend $300,000 a year to do that.
Why do you think they have not taken on the commercial clean up. (Reference Drains, Seamens etc because these guys have the dollars to tie it up in court for years)
The approach this council takes would be to hire a commercial side to the enforcement division. (2 more officers)

They are not going after the commercial side of the cleanup and you will not see a huge difference in properties around town for a long time.
Because what this Peace Officer Program is really about, is a consultant convinced these guys that it is going to be a cash cow for this community.

Jack E

Anonymous said...

Dean stop by the Blairmore shop and have a look at the $80,000 single axle truck (Brand spanking new 2 years ago) that has never moved.

D

Anonymous said...

Lease to the end of the year then they will buy it.
Help to keep this years budget in line

Anonymous said...

Seen this truck on the weekend. It is now all decked out with flashing lights and logos and such.We must have money to burn.