The Public Opinion Soapbox

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 73

Now that the old board of commissioners has finally gotten off the stage (almost, anyway), what should the new commissioners ' priorities be?

Here's a start:
* Increase funding for the county drug task force.
* Look at increasing the $12 per hour paid to guards at the county jail.
* Review spending at the county jail to see whether overtime expenses are still too high.
* Put some pressure on the county coroner to comply with the law and file his records in the prothonotary's office.
* Review and tighten procedures for monitoring grant spending (so no more money is wasted like the tobacco money).
* Start having real give-and-take discussions at public meetings rather than rubber-stamping all decisions. Have at least a few 2-3 votes.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2267 Location: Chambersburg

In other words Mavis... raise taxes?! Uh oh, they're not gonna like that!

It's far easier to complain about the inefficiencies and shortcomings of our public services than it is to pony up the dough to actually improve them.

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 73

Oops, I should have said a few 2-1 votes. Yes, I think the county should raise taxes. Just like the school district, the county faces a backlog of problems due to years of a being a skinflint and bragging about it.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2267 Location: Chambersburg

Have you ever noticed the "Welcome to Franklin County" sign as you come up I-81 North just before Chabmersburg? It used to have a little blurb on the bottom that said "Lowest Property Taxes in Pennsylvania!"

The irony, of course, was that the sign was weathered, worn, peeling and in a general state of disrepair... like much of Chambersburg! But the best part is that about a year ago, someone painted over the "Lowest property taxes" part, so now it's just an old, beat-up sign that welcoming travelers to Franklin County, except with a big black line painted on the bottom. It's as if someone went over it with a huge sharpie.

Well, after about a year, THAT black paint is beginning to fade and you can now, once again, see the "lowest taxes" part.

What a sad thing to be proud of. They should just make a new sign that says "Hey, you'll love it here 'cause we're cheap!"

Irish1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 60 Location: Montgomery Township

I agree I have always laughed at that piece of (you know what sign), but I always thought it just represented Chambersburg since there is only one sign and it's basically right in the middle of the county. A friend of mine ran (unsucessfully in the Co. com. primaries) and I asked him if elected please take that sign down and put a sign on 81 as you enter the county from the north and south. It would let people know that there was more to Franklin Co. than just Chambersburg.
Here's a couple of thoughts for the list:
Have the meetings in some of the other municipalities that make up Franklin County.
Get out and go to some of the boro and township meetings.
Since the Fendrick Library does not recieve county monies and the book mobile does not stop in Mercersburg refund my Library tax and I'll add it to my annual donation to the fendrick library.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2267 Location: Chambersburg

Irish, as far as I know, this is how the library system works.

When the libraries in Franklin County consolidated into the Franklin County Library System, Fendrick chose to remain private from this network and, for that, if you live in Mercersburg you pay a whopping extra dollar to support Fendrick in addition to the county system. This seems fair since many Mercersburg residents actually travel to other libraries in the system to use their services in addition to Fendrick's. Ft. Loudon and St. Thomas have libraries that are relatively close and quite accessible to Mercersburg residents with a Franklin Co. library card.

You are correct that the bookmobile does not stop in Mercersburg, but there is a very specific reason for that. You see, the bookmobile also does not have a stop in Chambersburg, Greencastle, Ft. Loudon, Saint Thomas or Waynesboro. This is because those communities have access to a library and the entire point of having a bookmobile is to provide the library service to outlying communities whose residents do not have direct access to a physical library.

This may be a moot point to those who drive, but there are many elderly people living in communities around Mercersburg, such as Lemasters, Shrimpstown, Markes and Welsh Run, where the bookmobile does stop. These are all communities I would consider to be part of the "greater" Mercersburg area, just as the other bookmobile stops are not directly in, but are part of communities that are near the larger Franklin County towns that have a physical library.

Just to emphasize, the Fendrick Library chose not to receive county monies but your tax paid to the Franklin Co. Library System allows the bookmobile to stop in those communities mentioned above that are outside of the limits of Mercersburg.

Hope that clears things up Smile

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2267 Location: Chambersburg

FCLS Bookmobile Stops:

[Map too big; linking instead]

As you can see, the bookmobile stops are all in communities without a brick and mortar library. While the folks who enjoy this service may not be shouting from the mountaintops (or online) they most certainly do appreciate it.

Irish1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 60 Location: Montgomery Township

thanks, I was aware of everything you mentioned, just trying to stir things up a little. Now you've ruined my fun of watching people react! But I am sure serious about each municipality hosting a commish meeting and the same goes for that awful sign, I thought i was the only one that saw it sticking out of the weeds. even if we are cheap at least they could show some pride in how cheap we are. we also need to let others know there is more to franklin county than just C-burg.
Too bad about your experience at Flannerys, I,am heading up the street in a while to toss back a few pints and a couple of bombs.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2267 Location: Chambersburg

Oh man, now I feel like a total buzzkill! Don't worry, I'm sure people will be stirred up.

As for Flannery's, it was really just a dinner thing. I'm positive it's a great place to toss back a few pints; their on-tap beer selection was impressive to say the least for the area. I saw they have Stoudt's Tripel on draft... gotta love that strong Belgian beer!

They just didn't do it for me as a dinner place in the dining room; it should be casual and relaxed... not stuffy and boring.

BadKarma42 · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

Back to the topic at hand...

Here are a few thoughts:
1) Actually act you care about the employees of the County. Not the ones in your office, but the ones who actually do the grunt work in the County. Talk to them. Find out why so many are disgruntles and leave. People seem to think that the County employees make good money thanks to the posting of what the administrators make...WRONG! Here's some simple math folks, 3% in addition to nothing equals nothing.

2) How much money is the DRC actually saving or costing?

3) How about facing reality that things are changing, times are changing and preserving farmland isn't the answer to world's problems. This place is "growing." How about making sure it grows econimcally, not just by warehouses.

4) Never speak of the G-man and his mistress again!!!!!!!

BadKarma42 · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:50 am Post subject:

5) Actually explain to the employees what happens to the MANDATORY 9% of their pay that is stolen from them to pay for "retirement."

I had a County employee try to explain their retirement to me (its seems to be different than a traditional 401k). They have no idea where their money is, what it does, and what they can expect from it. They told me that people in Human Resources couldn't even explain it!

I even heard that Carol Diller couldn't even explain it when the Probation Department unionized. SUA, do you have any knowledge of this as a former employee?

Paxton · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Quincy

I definitely second the motion on the G-Man and his lady. Please go away and I hope we don't hear from them. I'm just waiting for the new board to invent some honor for them (again). I can see the photo ops now.

I agree with everything the prior posts have suggested. These candidates said so little during the campaign, it will be hard to measure whether they are living up to promises or not. One of my favorites was Keller's claim (via PO article) that he was going to combat alcoholism in the county. Wow, I'm curious to see his plans for that.

Generally, I'd like to see more debate and discussion on issues and [b]NEW IDEAS[/b]. Is it me, or do you all sense that this board historically just sort of reacts to whatever happens? Very little in the way of new ideas/proposals. They acted like DRC was such a big deal, but other counties had started DRCs many years ago. Also, anyone here who is familiar with the DRC knows what a disappointment (and maybe even a failure) it has been. That's for another time.

As far as debate and discussion, I've never seen this board really hash out anything. Even during the campaign, all they could talk about was feel good stuff like "consensus building". The purpose of these boards should be to deliberate -- not to rubber stamp everything. One the primary candidates (probably Barkdoll) criticized the old board for voting 3-0 on everything. They jumped all over him for making such an ignorant observation. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I agree with the criticism on the 3-0 votes. It's almost unthinkable that they could cast tens of thousands of votes, and ALL were unanimous. That suggests to me that they are just going through the motions. I'm hopeful for this board, but we'll see. I think enough of us are watching to keep them honest!

Wile_E · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 51

Unfortunately, the political system in the County is a "good old boy" network. I doubt much will change: it's interesting to go into the Human Resources office and see the "customized" job postings for someone's friend or family member. "Successful candidate must have 2.5 years of college, 3 credits in Subversion Studies, and live at 15446 Simth Road...starting salary $18.95/hr." Mr. Green

_________________
"You know the score pal. If you're not cop, you're little people!"

Dave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 162

County taxes have risen faster than school taxes (tusacrora district). We all hear complaints about the school tax because it is so much more money. Since 2003, country taxes have gone up 49.4%, Tusc. school taxes went up 37%.

Lets see, how much was I making in 2003 and how much now..............

One thing about overtime. Some overtime is good.

Look at it this way. In the first 40 hours, you have paid for all the benefits. Supervision is typically salaried so, in effect, it is also paid the first 40 hours. The first 40, you pat the guy his wage + supervision + insurances, etc - the overtime hours you just pay wage + 1/2 wage.

There is a break even point where it is cheaper to payout some overtime that hire more people. When I was managing things, it was 48 hours or 8 hrs per week overtime. That was a while ago, so with health insurance these days it is probably over 50 hours.

Another factor in overtime is that employees tend to look at the amount on the paycheck more so than the wage per hour. If you are making $15/hr at 40 hours, that's 600 bucks (gross). If it is a 50 hour week, thats $825.00 (gross). That's a difference between a $31k job and $43k job .

It is a wash for the employer and the employee is closer to a living wage. We used to work 55 hours a week. It may not have been the best option from the wage cost aspect but paid back in almost zero turnover. People had a chance to make a living - that is the key to eliminating turnover.

OK, that's my lesson today in management.