Please find below the Q&A with Miles Atkins, candidate for mayor. Note that questions 7-28 were asked of every candidate. The top six questions were individual questions posed to Atkins:
1. You have been criticized for having a wife who serves as the executive director of the Mooresville Downtown Commission, which receives funding from Mooresville's board of commissioners, on which you serve as a commissioner and are seeking the mayor's seat. Some people call this a conflict of interest. Do you believe this is a conflict of interest?
My wife, Kim Atkins, was hired as executive director by the board of directors of the MDC, a non-profit entity separate from the Town of Mooresville. As such, none of the members of the board of the directors, nor the executive director, are employees of the Town of Mooresville.
Because I sit on the town board as an at-large commissioner, it is important the public understands I have always recused myself from discussion and votes regarding any MDC funding.
To ensure no conflict of interest, I requested our town attorney Steve Gambill, seek the guidance of the Office of the North Carolina Attorney General on the interaction between myself, as an elected official, and the Mooresville Downtown Commission. This underscores my transparent and ethical governance.
You can visit www.milesatkins.com to find the response from the attorney general’s office in full.
A former downtown business owner, Kim was hired on her own merits and has been a key figure in the revitalization of downtown Mooresville. I am proud both heads-of-household in my family are dedicated to serving Mooresville and working diligently on behalf of our community.
(Editor's Note: Atkins also forwarded a recent e-mail exchange between Mooresville resident Suzanne Yurkanin and Town Attorney Steve Gambill on this matter. The e-mail is public record. To read it, click on the document below:)
2. You have been criticized for accepting a substantial campaign contribution from a local businessman who himself has caught criticism for at one time trying to use his advertising dollars to attempt to control the flow of information from the press to the people. How do you respond? (Editor's Note: the following question was submitted after the deadline, but Atkins agreed to respond to it; it has been tagged onto this particular question due to relevance:) You have taken a sizable campaign donation from Randy Marion. Presuming you are elected and a matter arises that would benefit him but be a detriment to most of the average citizens of Mooresville, on what side would you come down on? In other words, have you been bought or are you here for all of us since this issue has been raised several times?
The additional information provided by the commenter was as follows:
It is a down payment on a road behind the dealership......such a campaign donation will not buy much but will buy attention from the Mayor. The next time the Mayor buys a new car I am sure Mr. Marion will give him a bargain.
I am humbled that many Mooresville residents and leaders have chosen to support me in various ways: through a range of donations (73% of which were under $100 & 90% are from the Mooresville-Charlotte region), as well as their time in volunteering and helping us get our message out. From newcomers to long-established business and civic leaders in our community, I am grateful they support my vision for the future of Mooresville.
Throughout my term as your at-large commissioner, I have a track record for standing up for what I believe in and doing what’s right.
No matter the size of the contribution, should any matter come before the Town Board that could present a conflict of interest; I would recuse myself.
Specific to the connector road, the discussion and vote regarding that came before the Town Board last month and I recused myself due to the campaign contribution.
3. You have been criticized for your home being designated historical, which gives you a property-tax break. How do you respond?
Just as my wife Kim and I chose to live and raise our family in Mooresville, we chose to live in a historic property in Mooresville to do our part in retaining the vibrant history of the town.
The Mooresville Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC) preserves historic neighborhoods and assets in our town. Through this organization, any owner of a home 50 years or older may apply for local historic landmark designation. That designation includes guidelines the homeowner must follow to maintain the exterior of the home, plus any exterior modifications must meet historical guidelines and requires approval of the MHPC.
4. What makes you any different than the current status quo?
I am an experienced leader who brings people together. As commissioner at-large, I have earned a reputation for asking tough questions and advocating for citizens. My record shows I consistently make sound choices for all of Mooresville. In addition, I am:
- willing to stand up for what I believe in
- compassionate about individual needs and work to connect the right people/services to find solutions
- committed to efficient government
- passionate about public service
5. What private-sector experience, if any, do you have, and how would that come to bear on your performance as mayor?
After serving as an at-large commissioner for the past four years, my firsthand knowledge of our town operations means that as mayor, I will continue making Mooresville a great place to live and work by taking action on day one. I have 25 years experience working in private sector businesses, corporate businesses as well as start-ups and small businesses. I have managed employees, budgets and am seasoned in implementing solutions that generate results. I look forward to creating efficiencies in town government and getting our agencies to work better together.
6. What are the top 10 things you intend to do as mayor?
- Champion priority based budgeting best practices
- Guide responsible growth and thoughtful revitalization while ensuring effective public safety
- Encourage community building through active participation and cooperation
- Promote forward-thinking ideas that enhance our citizens' quality of life
- Work to attract diverse and emerging businesses that spur quality job creation
- Advocate for small business and entrepreneurship, promoting the success of Mooresville's business community
- Collaborate with local, state and national levels of government to address issues and opportunities for Mooresville
- Enhance the processes that connect citizens and their government
- Demand fiscal responsibility from town government
- Increase effectiveness and efficiencies in the town services that our community values
7. What can be done about the potential traffic back up on Brawley to US 21 after another Mooresville "gateway" opens at Exit 35?
As a current commissioner, I am proud to say the Town of Mooresville has a good working relationship with the NC Department of Transportation, which ultimately controls these roads. We are working with them to prioritize this project from Talbert Road to Hwy. 21, but unfortunately the project is currently unfunded by the state. I plan to utilize my already strong relationships in Raleigh to give a voice to Mooresville residents on how important this project is to our area.
8. Re: MI-Connection: What do you believe we should do with the system? What will ever happen that might possibly make it a viable (sellable) business venture? If it can't generate a consistent profit, should it be auctioned off? Would you consider a plan to make MI-Connection reimburse the Town of Mooresville for its budget shortfalls, assuming it eventually breaks even? Are you planning to refund most of the $16 million in reserves to the rightful owners, the taxpayers? Why is the town in the cable TV/Internet/phone-service business anyway? Wouldn't there be a temptation to violate email privacy on some level or another since the town is involved?
I wasn’t a commissioner when MI-Connection was purchased, and would not have voted for it had I been in office. It was a bad idea then. It’s a worse idea to throw it away now. For additional insight into MI-Connection visit www.milesatkins.com.
9. Re: town employees: Are you going to take away town cars and just pay mileage when the workers are in town at the office? Are you going to put town employees' pay and benefits on par with the taxpayer? Are you going to stop the fire trucks from running up and down the road wearing out the trucks and wasting gas? Is there is a formal grievance procedure against town employees?
The largest policy document the town board is responsible for is budget. This document is reviewed and approved annually. Last year, I championed priority-based budgeting which resulted in a $400,000 personnel reduction and an overall savings of $3.8 million. As mayor I will continue to champion this budgeting process which allows for service delivery efficiencies and cost accountability.
In regards to the other individual questions posed, my approach to every town policy and budget decision is based on the most fair and efficient use of people, equipment and taxpayer dollars.
10. Re: the Mooresville Municipal Golf Course: The golf course has been a financial drain for many years and unfairly costs taxpayers to the advantage of non-residents. Will you finally lease this business to private enterprise? Would you be willing to sell or close the golf course? Are you willing to change the golf course into something that either makes money or is at least usable by more people than a handful of golfers? Do you know how many golf pros we have on the payroll? Do you know how much we're paying those pros? Do you think we need that many pros for a golf course that's been losing money for over 10 years? How exactly do you plan to cut costs at the golf course? Do any town employees get to play golf for free at the Mooresville Golf Course? If so, who are they? Do they get free carts, free golf clubs, etc.? How does this affect the bottom dollar?
Making sound business decisions and being accountable for those decisions has been a priority of mine as an at-large commissioner and will continue once I am elected mayor. The golf course may be one area where the Town of Mooresville can be more efficient and improve services through privatization and/or outsourcing. We have to explore all options and get citizens’ input to understand what the best solution may be for the golf course as well as other town services.
11. Re: water/sewer costs: Our water/sewer rates are some of the highest in the region. How do you plan to address this? Can you bring them back in line? We keep increasing water and sewer capacity and claim that we must increase rates to pay for it. Doesn't the additional capacity generate additional revenue? Do you plan to cut water/sewer rates?
Since being elected, I have voted against all water/sewer rate increases. In the 2011-2012 budget, the Town Board voted to keep water/sewer rates flat. Increasing commercial consumption will help further stabilize rates.
12. Re: Town-issued credit cards: Are you aware of who (elected or non-elected officials) has town-issued credit cards and how they are used? What is your opinion on upper-management having such credit cards? How closely would you supervise the usage of such credit cards?
Elected officials are not employees of the town and thus do not have town-issued credit cards. Those town employees who do have town-issued credit cards must follow the town policy that governs their use.
13. Re: Town ordinances: If you are elected, you will take an oath to uphold Mooresville ordinances. The town's sidewalk ordinance states property owners are responsible for the cost of sidewalks. Why are tax revenues being used to pay those costs now? Mooresville's garbage ordinance states that garbage is to be collected in 96-gallon (town provided) containers only. Why are bags and boxes of garbage picked up daily? Mooresville's garbage ordinance also states that building materials, carpet and padding placed at the curb will not be accepted for pickup. Why is it being picked up daily? Mooresville's parking ordinance states that vehicles are to be parked along the curb facing the direction of travel. Why is that not enforced? We have had a traffic engineer for two or three years now and there have been no improvement whatsoever in downtown traffic flow. How and when is this going to be addressed? Despite having a traffic engineer for two or three years, the State spends $46 million on Brawley, complete with 100 yards of two-lane bottleneck between I-77 and US21. How and when will this be addressed? Mooresville spent $100,000 to install fiber optic cable for Cornelius Park this past year. What possible justification can there be for this expenditure when entire towns can operate on four fibers? When will these misappropriations stop?
In any healthy municipal government, ordinances should be reviewed periodically to ensure they reflect the needs of the residents and I believe it is time to do an overall review of our ordinances. Similarly, enforcement of those ordinances should be well-supervised and consistent. As an at-large commissioner, I have encouraged citizen participation in this process and will continue to do so as mayor.
14. What is your position on a commuter rail to Mooresville? Would you support Mooresville being the end of the red line to Charlotte?
Through my relationships with other elected officials throughout region, I hope to chart a course for a vibrant future for all of us. We must speak with a unified, regional voice on transportation and land-use issues if we are to be taken seriously on funding and policy priorities at the state and national level.
With that said, I am in favor of the Red Line to Mooresville if CATS pays for the building and ongoing operations of the system. I do not support using Mooresville tax dollars to fund it.
15. Exit 36 is an example of uncontrolled business growth that strangles the infrastructure. What will you do to prevent the new I-77 exits from turning into the same?
The Town of Mooresville, working in conjunction with Iredell County, has adopted small areas plans with stronger guidelines in place to address how the interchanges can or cannot be developed. As stated in the question above, we are in a fortunate position to control where, how and when we grow. It is up to us, your elected leadership, to manage growth that balances the benefits of an increased tax base that provides improved facilities and services with any perceived headaches that may result.
16. Would you support a change to the full-time mayor concept vs. the town-manager form of government? Why or why not?
There are 23 North Carolina towns or cities with a population of 25,000 or more. None of them has a full-time, paid mayor. These municipalities, like we do in Mooresville, have a council-manager form of government. That means the mayor and commissioners are elected, they hire and supervise the town manager and in turn the town manager hires and supervises all town personnel and operations. I support the council-manager form of government because it is recognized as giving citizens more of an opportunity to participate in their government.
The council-manager format works better because it allows elected officials to be the representatives of the citizens and the town manager (who is most often professionally educated and trained in municipal government) to manage daily operations and personnel.
17. What opportunities to reduce town spending do you see, and how would you realize them?
As an at-large commissioner, I championed a priority-based budget for 2011-12 resulting in a $400,000 personnel reduction and an overall savings of $3.8 million. As mayor I will continue to champion this budgeting approach, which allows for service delivery efficiencies and cost accountability. I would also explore appointing a citizen-based budget review task force to identify areas where privatization, outsourcing or other best practices could reduce expenditures and increase service levels.
18. Would you pledge to hold all taxes at their present rate by adjusting spending to address inflation and not vote to increase them during your elected term?
During my four-year tenure as at-large commissioner, I have never voted to increase property taxes or water/sewer rates. As mayor, I will continue to advocate for fiscal accountability and responsibility for the taxpayers of Mooresville.
19. Would you be in favor of establishing a committee of non-elected, non-government employed, citizen volunteers to investigate charges against elected officials' integrity as it applies to selling favors or otherwise realizing improper gain while in office?
Yes. In 2005 and before becoming elected as commissioner, I proposed a code of ethics that included an independent, outside ethics advisory board. As mayor, I will continue my advocacy for ethical and transparent government.
20. What is your position on any public official (elected or otherwise) accepting any type of “gift” from developers? What would you classify as a “gift”?
That is addressed in the Town of Mooresville Code of Ethics which I originally proposed as a non-elected, concerned resident in 2005. At that time, the Town of Mooresville adopted a code of ethics but I was gratified in 2009 when the N.C. General Assembly saw fit to require all municipalities to adopt a resolution or policy containing a code of ethics to guide actions by the governing board members. On October 4, 2010 the Town of Mooresville adopted an updated & modified code of ethics.
21. Why isn't there a disability-resource person, or even a volunteer, in a town this size?
I would support an initiative that would ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to programs and services provided by the Town of Mooresville.
22. Do you think that a person's religious views would interfere with him or her being a good mayor or commissioner? If so, why?
I am active member and leader in Saint Patrick’s Episcopal Church. As a servant leader, my faith values are an important part of who I am and guide me in terms of how I chose to lead my life. However, I believe in a clear separation of church and state.
23. All the candidates touted the sidewalk program, but West Wilson Avenue, which is a main gateway to Historic Downtown Mooresville, has none. What do you propose to enhance this boulevard-style street that leads to downtown?
Several plans are in place to address sidewalks and gateways into Mooresville. The pedestrian steering committee recommended sidewalks on West Wilson Avenue as well. It’s a matter of prioritizing the project and finding funding for it.
24. Many municipalities have passed ordinances prohibiting parking cars on front lawns. Many homes have multiple vehicles parked on the lawn, which is perfectly legal according to current zoning. What would you propose to do about this unsightly practice which also causes front lawns to deteriorate thereby giving the impression that the town is a rural, backwoods place?
In any healthy municipal government, ordinances should be reviewed periodically to ensure they reflect the needs of the residents and I believe it is time to do an overall review of our ordinances. Similarly, enforcement of those ordinances should be well-supervised and consistent. As an at-large commissioner, I have encouraged citizen participation in this process and will continue to do so as mayor. In addition, I have heard from many citizens of the need for overall improvement of the aesthetics of our town, including cleanliness and improving the gateways into our town.
25. How closely do you know the current town manager, Erskine Smith? Considering all the past controversies surrounding him, would you be a proponent of conducting a search for a more viable replacement?
Since I was elected four years ago; I have worked with three town managers, two of which were hired through an outside search process. In 2011, Erskine Smith was named Town Manager and is now accountable to the Town Board.
26. Would you support hiring an internal auditor who reports directly to the town board? Why? Why not?
Overall, we need fiscal transparency and accountability and I would support any initiative that would ensure the town’s funds are properly audited.
27. Are you aware of double standards and selective leniency when it comes to payment of dues for rooms rented at the Charles Mack Center? It is my understanding, for example, that the Chamber of Commerce strong-armed the town into not collecting any dues for its use of the facilities. Is this true? If so, what is your opinion on this matter? How would you rectify it?
There currently is a policy in place that addresses how fees are charged for use of the Charles Mack Citizens Center. There are community partners and organizations that have been granted the use of the Mack Center to support our local businesses, recruit businesses and improve the overall quality of life.
28. Are you aware of the benefits package offered to town employees and elected officials? What does that benefit package include and how much is it valued at per year, per employee/official?
Each year, the town of Mooresville reviews its budget. This review takes place in town and is open to all citizens to attend.
During the annual budget process, there is a review of employee benefits and personnel costs. The Town of Mooresville is moving towards a consumer-driven health plan that puts more responsibility on employees to pay for their healthcare. In addition, longevity pay, merit increases and cost-of-living increases are now tied to performance-based compensation.
Posts
37 comments:
Miles Atkins: willing to answer questions from the citizenry. I guess they don't teach that at the Harvard School of Government.
Typical politician answers, a lot of fluff but not much meat. It's probably good for Miles that his only opponent is a goof ball wannabe.
Didn't mention the $16 million is reserves. The state asks for 8%, the town wants 20% but has 34%. About a refund of our money?
I have never seen such a complete waste of space and effort as this that has been offered by a candidate for office. Miles did not answer any question. He merely typed up a great and grand answer that failed to take issue with the question. Does he think that the electorate is this naive?
Actually, in Atkins' case there are actual answers to the questions as opposed to no answer whatsoever from Atkins' opponent. Even if you don't like Atkins' answers, what do you have to compare them to? A guy who promises that he is going to save teacher's jobs when the mayor has no say whatsoever over the school districts in Mooresville? The electorate simply does not have enough information about Atkins' opponent upon which to base a decision. As such, a vote for him is merely a vote against Miles Atkins. Atkins' record, regardless of his answers to the questions, is one of doing the right thing in tough situations. We have no such record from Atkins' opponent so anyone voting for him has only a guess as to what he will do in a difficult situation. To the degree Atkins' opponent has support, it is by and large by people who hope to manipulate that blank palate of an individual to do their bidding. Atkins has proven that he is there to work in the best interest of the community at large.
Tell it Larry Gregory. Atkins is still the best choice. He has certainly moved the town toward zero based budgeting. But the reserves need to be minimized. That money belongs to the people.
I still want to hear from Larry Gregory what he means by :on par with the taxpayers. Is this the same Larry Gregory that lives in a neighborhood where the houses average about $270,000? If so, I want to be on par with you!
On par means the same pay for a job as the in the private sector and same benefits. I don't know of many taxpayers that get 3 retirement accounts from their employer, health care paid for and other benefits. Remember they are getting the money for these benefits from the taxpayers. We are not asked to vote on benefit increases they just do it and then they tax us. I and the majority of people, if they have a job, pay for their retirement and health care from the money they earn and so should the government workers.
Ok, Larry..who in the private sector is on par with the police officer that will show up and protect you if someone in breaking into your house? Who is on par with the fireman that will risk his life coming into your house if it is on fire to save you, while spending several days and nights each week away from his own family? Do you prefer apples or oranges?
government employees pay taxes too Mr Gregory. We also contribute monthly into the retirement system from the money we earn while working. And just so we are clear, the health insurance is only the employee, NOT family...we Do pay for that out of the money we earn too.
You two anonymous: never said town employees didn't pay in, just said they have more paid for by the taxpayer. Every time someone mentions cuts, the argument always goes to police,fire and teachers. Do you think it is fair for the taxpayer who in many cases has had to take a cut in pay and benefits or may have even lost their job to continue paying every increasing taxes and water rates to fund your benefits? Now I find out town employees don't have to pay green fees and get other discounts at the Mooresville golf course. Every other taxpayer has to pay the taxes to fund the golf course and all the fees. Is this fair and "on par"? Fair is fair and that is where I stand and I do tell my name and not hide behind "anonymous".
yes, peolple mention Police, Fire and teachers because they are among the most important services offered by the government. I believe you were the one complaining about the Fire Deptpartment joyriding. I dont believe that is what they are doing. I dont believe they get in their trucks and ride around just for fun. I wonder why you are so convinced that they do? What do you do for your salary? Have you spent a day recently in a school to see what teachers deal with? Do you risk your life every day when you go to work like a Police officer does? As for Anonymous, I will continue to post this way simply because I dont wish to be personally attacked on here and called names the way others have been. I have not posted anything on here that is rude or hateful. I have simply asked questions to try and understand why town government is now the enemy.
I don't post anything bad either just factual information, but you do get personal when you ask about my salary and where I live. Those facts are not relevant since you and the taxpayer does not pay for them. I've worked for and paid for everything I have. You want to allow government take your money and other taxpayer's money for better pay and benefit you can, but I will fight to keep what I have earned.
Two other things I've never called you or anyone else a name and I didn't say the fire trucks are joy riding. The fire departments have expensive kitchens to cook in, but they go to diners quite often. That is wear and tear on the trucks and many times the trucks are out of their area. Fire trucks should be at the station when calls come in. I just want this government and all our governments to stop wasting our money.
So you are saying that government employees DONT work for and pay for what they have? Just because your tax dollars pay their salary and benefits? They still go to work like everyone else to earn that pay and benefits. It is not like you are paying them to sit at home and do nothing, which your tax dollars do pay for in the form of welfare etc. The reason I asked about your salary was that you seem to want people to be paid at or below taxpayers. So I am trying to determine just which taxpayers you think they should be beneath. As for the joyriding..this is what you said "Are you going to stop the firetrucks from running up and down the road wearing out the trucks and wasting gas? Are you going to sell?" Someone anonymously defined that as joyriding. I am not sure what else you could call that. And I didnt say that you called anyone a name, but there sure as heck has been a lot of namecalling on this blog!
There is no explaining to you anonymous. As simple as I can put it and this is my last try, government workers are no better than the taxpayer they take the money from. Everyone that works deserve fair pay for that work, not better pay, not more benefits, not more perks because they work in government.
The problem with that is that some taxpayers have great benefits and perks in their public sector jobs, others have none. Sometimes it is based on performance, and sometimes it is just company policy. Government workers pay into their retirement, and it is matched by the state or federal government. Many companies offer a match for 401K, so how is this different, other than the taxayers pay for it. The taxpayers can choose to pay for quality service or than can choose not to and get what they get, by placing their votes. There are a lot of government jobs where the salary is lower than the public sector but the benefits are better. Say for example, town attorney. I believe the report that came out recently had his salary around $100,000. Now if he chose to be in private practice, I would guess he would make a lot more than that. Same with engineer, chemist, HR director, town manager (CEO), etc. When times are good nobody wants the government jobs. But now that things are tough, everybody wants to beat them down. So what would make you happy? Gov. workers get paid a lower salary and no benefits? Maybe outsource the jobs and have Peggy from the Ukraine answer your water bill questions?
Vote for Pedro
let me transfer you..hello this is Peggy........transfer...Peggy....We have a fire......How far....no...fire...hello this is peggy
anonymous you sound like you work for the government or at least a very liberal pro government Obama supporter. government is not the answer, government is the problem.
every one wants a government job. where else can you get job security, good pay and lifetime benefits.
Yes I must be an Obama supporter if I dont believe the teachers, fireman, policemen, garbage truck drivers etc are ripping me off by having the gall to take pay and benefits for their work. How dare they expect to be paid for their service when that money could be spent bailing out bank execs bonuses and big oil!?
SOUNDS LIKE YOU SHOULD BE IN NEW YORK WITH THE OCCUPIERS.
Some of those government employees you are speaking about pick up your trash and maintain your sewer lines.
Sounds like you have lost sight.
Some of those employees are waking up each day and going to a job where they constantly have to deal with jerks like you, but they put up with it because it mostly pays the bills and they are able to put food on the table for their families. Sure some in top management makes 6 figures, but the majority of them are still scraping to get by, just like the private sector.
Tell you what, next time your weekly garbage truck comes by, why don't you head out the door and talk with them about how they are overpaid.
Maybe go chat with the ladies in the Water department that take unmeasurable amounts of crap from the public but yet still come back to do their job each and every day.
The town has two openings right now. http://www.egovlink.com/mooresville/postings.asp?listtype=JOB
Go ahead and apply. If it's sooooo wonderful to work for the Town and the salary and benefits are so overblown like you claim, go ahead and apply.
You tell them 8:17! Finally, someone on here that doesnt think everyone that works for the government is corrupt. I have friends that work in town and state government, and it just kills me to see them turned into the enemy, when I know they are good honest people that work hard every day.
all government employees are not corrupt, but government over all is corrupt. those is charge have voted themselves benefits and pay and do what special interests want and now this country and countries all over the world are going bankrupt. all this starts here at the local level and gets worse as you go up to the state and federal.
8:17, why don't you go talk to the trash guys and see if they are the ones who fished out trash and threw it back on the lawn of the old lady with cancer which is a criminal act? See if they got disciplined or even told off about it. It was criminal littering. Those ladies were not told what to do with their trash that the town let sit there for over a month and when they put it in a bin, the town snuck it back in broad daylight and were witnessed throwing it in their yard, sneaky though, in the side. IF this was so right, why didn't they knock on the door and cite them? I heard the ladies filed charges but the town got off scot-free. We pay for this shit. So yeah, you go out and talk to those overpaid clowns who abuse sick old ladies.
10:30am, if only you could see the forest for the trees.
By your rationale, if two employees are bad they must all be bad. Makes total sense.
Anonymous,
Public employees might "pay" taxes, but are net consumers of taxes. They add $0 to the tax base. Do not consider this an attack on public employees, merely an acknowledgment that they consume taxes and don't really pay taxes.
1:15 I did not sat all town employees were bad but it's pretty damn low when a couple of trash guys walk on a criminal act--and who knows what boss said to do it and how many were involved and don't forget they kept driving by the things for weeks--and then those ladies have to go to court about their cats and I understand they cleaned up but they didn't get to walk like thoe taxpaer paid punks did. Their boss cleaned up their mess and he did it on the clock. What do you think that all adds up to? I'm damn sick of it. If they were picking on kids you all would be having shit fits. Oh wait, didn't Crone do that?
Well, by golly, Hugh lets just get rid of em all then and let YOU protect YOURSELF and your country, clean up your own trash, make sure your water is safe to drink and the air is safe to breath, make sure you money is safe in the bank, make sure your kids have a nice and safe park to play in, make sure your kids have sidewalks to walk on instead of streets, make sure your kids are educated, etc, etc, etc....since government employees are such a drain on society.
Government has a role, just limited. At least that is what the founders wanted.
Anonymous,
I did not say anything about getting rid of public employees. I merely pointed out that they consume more in taxes than they pay.
well by the simple fact that their salaries are paid by the taxpayer, this will always be the case. Otherwise we would have no government employees at all..dont think people are likely to volunteer for the jobs.
NOW THAT YOU ARE THE MAYOR WILL YOU FIRE THAT NO GOOD BASTARD ERSKINE SMITH?
Anonymous,
No one expects people to volunteer for a job. I was only pointing out your statement about public employees paying taxes was illogical.
Ok, so by the mere fact that public workers are paid by taxpayer dollars, they consume more taxes than they pay. But, they provide services for those taxpayers dollars that people need. Many times they are services that people dont realize the need, until they need them. For example, peolple who dont have children might think they dont need to pay for education. But if they own a small business and need to find good employees, then they need educated employees. People seem to be so caught up in what public servants cost them, that they forget what public servants provide for them. Though there may be some bad, I would say most puclic servants are hard working people trying to make ends meet just like everyone else. I think the tax dollars we spend in credits and subsidies supporting big businesses that ship jobs overseas while paying huge bonuses to management are a much bigger drain on our society, than the garbage collector or teacher who gets to retire after 30 years of service.
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