==============
The latest cuts are part Akron's effort to trim a projected deficit of $12 million by the end of the year caused by a larger-than-expected plunge in revenues, including income taxes, property taxes and local government funds from the state.
==============

Lord knows that Plusquellic wouldn't dare even whisper that wasteful spending under his administration of the City of Akron might have had anything to do with the $12 million deficit.

I'm surprised he didn't try to somehow blame it on Bush.

==============
The voluntary furloughs are first being targeted to nonunion employees
==============

Aren't all 15 members of Plusquellic's cabinet "non-union" employees?

==============
Other cuts include eliminating the September issue of City magazine
==============

Oh, the humanity!

How will Plusquellic ever survive without one of his hundred different, taxpayer funded, self gratification publicity outlets?

Sad, sad story. I hate to see anyone lose his/her job. . .

....but we still have free internet! At a cost of $795,000 !! Well part of the city does...the part that pays very little taxes

Why are there ANY employees in "non-critical" positions to begin with?

According to the City's press release, 16 of the 21 positions being eliminated are "co-op" jobs in the engineering and public utilities departments.

What are "co-op" positions within city government?

@Grubby

Let's not forget the $1,960,000 per year (through 2013) 'mortgage' payment that Akron taxpayers will be making towards the debt from the Inventor's Hall of Fame building.

Oh, that's right, Mayor Don wanted this as another part of his Legacy, but instead it becomes just another taxpayer burden... especially since the HOF announced it is moving to Stark County.

"The City That Canceled Christmas". Look for the movie this holiday season on the Hallmark Channel

I love that he mentioned that he will be cutting travel expenses. Isn't that one of the reasons big Don got in trouble in the first place? I guess he lives by the saying "do as I say, not as I do." Now the workers who actually do good for the city have to pay for his incompetence.

Too bad that no one could convince Mayor Don that...

http://www.jahozafat.com/0085412111/MP3S/Movies/Top_Gun/ego_cash.mp3

pauliechop - how true!!!

i liked Chriskindl Market!

Instead of bashing the Major why aren't you people focusing on 21 more unemployed residents?! Sad, sad world we live in.

Can he be recalled for being a fool?

This is only the beginning.

Between "Over taxed and grubby" they just came up with a way to save over $275,000! That should save the 21 jobs. And if it doesn't then they are getting paid too much anyway! I bet if asked to take a pay cut or lose your job......most would go with the pay cut! I think BIG DON needs a pay cut!

OT spewing your usual hatred for the mayor. They can't targe the union jobs because they're all protected by the union contracts.

The layoffs are Akron's first in 27 years.

Wow, that's pretty impressive. And may account for part of the financial problems. I don't know of many businesses or government bodies that have gone since 1982 without a layoff.

I see no police or fire are being laid off. I also see that the unions didn't offer any other cost cutting measures. Where is the mayor's vendetta against the police that so many here always talk about. I thought for sure that a bunch of cops would be laid off as well.

Hmmm... you dont see the MAYOR taking any pay cuts !!

Sure. To save money, let's cancel a revenue producing event..... "but not my trips to China with my teenaged girlfriend."

The Chriskindl Market was my favorite part of Christmas in the City.

How about the Young's restaurant investment! Almost $800,000 to buy it then who know's how much it has cost us since then. I know the tarps that where used to cover the roof(that are now in shreds) weren't cheap! How about that Softball team we had to have? The list goes on! I hope the public understands why the unions will be resistant to making consessions when we see first hand all this useless spending. That coupled with the fact that we have heard no mention of Deputy mayor cuts!

Of course 7 weeks ago everything was grand. I read here, and was told to my face many times that we needed to keep Plusquelic (even though he's a jerk was almost always added) because he does a good job running the city. I was told this was evidenced by the fact the citys finances were good while other cities were struggling. RIGHT!

How is the mayor going to layoff cops then acept stimulus money for adding cops?

Did you see where the cities that got the stimulus money are the ones in the worse financial shape? Umm, when did that paperwork have to be turned in?

Smells like politics as usual in crAkron.

Oh, thanks to all you wise voters that kept the mayor. I realize this would have happened anyway, but at least we'd have the satisfaction of knowing we eliminated a part of the problem.

What no Deputgy Mayors eliminated. They cancelled the city Magazine so Mr. P.R. Billy Soul can go,

What they still have a police auditor.

I guess if you do nothing to help the city and just collect a pay check you can stay on the dole. Sounds like Sommerville and Plusquellic are running the government

Couldn't happen to a nicer place!

============
@Steve who posted:

OT spewing your usual hatred for the mayor.
============

If pointing out facts about Mayor Plusquellic's administration of Akron is 'usual hatred', then I am guilty as charged.

============
I see no police or fire are being laid off.
============

You missed this line from the story...

"Plusquellic is considering other steps to reduce spending"

Please note that the Plusqellic press release doesn't try to contend that the announced changes will close the entire $12 million deficit.

More savings will have to be found, so don't be lulled into some sort of false sense of security that Police and Fire protection are not still on the chopping block.

============
I also see that the unions didn't offer any other cost cutting measures.
============

Or so says the Mayor.

His track record of 'telling the truth' hasn't been very good.

I feel for these families and anyone that has lost their job during this awful recession. Is the Mayor not traveling now around the world? Or does this not include the King?

I've heard that the German proprietors that set up shop at the Chriskindl market had the following paid by the city of Akron:
a) paid to come here
b) air fare
c) transportation while here
d) accomadations
e) meals

Just need one of the Beacons investigative reporters to look into this, oh, thats right there aren't any. I think that may be why crAkron is such a great place to be a politician.

Don...What is your problem? You are putting people out of work.....nice job buddy. Any other bright ideas?

I can't wait until the FBI comes to our fair city to investigate local corruption. I am sure it exists. Maybe this current chapter of the ongoing saga will spark some interest in that investigation. It is a shame that people have to loose jobs when there is so much wastefull spending..

@ Steve - Y'all haven't read any of the stories on the subject, have y'all??

A pity.

All full time employees have until the middle of August to decide to take the early retirement. That might have sumthin' to do with no lay offs to safety forces, or any other full time employees yet.

Next, can y'all please point to any city employee contract that has a no-lay-off clause?? Sorry again, there isn't one.

The unions said they'd be happy to look at contributin' information toward cost cuttin' measures, as soon as the city opens their books to them so they know where the city stands and where cuts would be most helpful. The city has yet to do that.

I know y'all are an avid city hall hero supporter, but at least y'all could look at the information before y'all try to take down sum-buddy who has.

How disappointing! I have been to every Chriskindl Market at Lock 3, and at least once or twice made the trip from Avon Lake twice the same season. Having grown up in Akron and leaving when I graduated from The University of Akron, the Chriskindl Markt(Market) was the one event I loved so much it drew me back to Akron without fail every year. The parade was wonderful too!
I imagine the expense of private funding at this late date would be too much, but I'll hope that next year perhaps the local German club/s and other cultural groups might look into this.

@Overtaxed Voter, "co-op" in industry has always meant engineering college students working as paid interns. If that is true here, it saves very little as they make little and get no benefits.

@Proud to be an American, you need to take math lessons. There is no way that $275,000 saves the 21 jobs. That is not even minimum wage.

@Steve, the city may have not done layoffs but it has changed the number of employees. They have just relied on not filling open positions, which is what many business do. The article says they have about 70% of the workforce now that they had at the highest.

@Meow....and putting up german visitors in the fire stations

No deputy mayors nor cloned created position are mentioned, MARK WILLAIMSON AND BILLY SOUL.

Wow, I agree with almost everyone on here. He should take a pay cut!!!

Betamax:as soon as the city opens their books to them so they know where the city stands and where cuts would be most helpful. The city has yet to do that.And they will not do that.Than the truth will be known.The unions should take this to court and force the books open. And where misappropriated funds and funny accounting and other misdeeds should be turned over to the FBI.

@GainSome

"Proud to Be An American" put his decimal point in the wrong place. He meant $2,755,000

Maybe a 'wrong decimal point' is what caused Pinocchio Plusquellic to miss the budget by a mere $12 million.

As Bob Ueker/Harry Doyle once said:

http://www.entertonement.com/clips/ltgvvhtxlk--Just-a-bit-outsideMajor-League-Bob-Uecker-Harry-Doyle-Softball-Sounds-

@ Datcyl.....

Come on now, no need to bitter he was sleeping in your old room ;)

@ Steve

1. GSMR said it best, lay offs through attrition "3,100 employees to a work force of 2,150" I guess reading isn't fundamental for some.

2. The Union's have not, at least to my knowledge, been shown actual figures. The article even states that the Mayor didn't detail the savings from the current cuts. How can you reasonable expect a bargaining unit to make concessions if your not sure what agreements to. Further there has been no guarantee that any cuts/concessions made will actual apply to the Unit making said concessions.

My heart goes out to those who have lost their jobs!

As to the Chriskindl Market ~ I attended it last year for the first time. The food was wonderful!
So glad that I bought all the ornaments that I liked that day ... They are awesome! The zeppelin was the best!

Have the chriskindl market moved to copley township its a wonderful place to live and they could host an event as such

==========
Have the chriskindl market moved to copley township
==========

Or move it to Stark County where it can share a building with the new home of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

@John Galt haha :)

and I really was joking....I thought he was a nice kid.

Maybe Cuyahoga Falls will pay the Chriskindl market $40,000 to set up at the riverfront.

And I always wanted to go downtown to the market but never made it :( Guess I wont be able to go this year

@ Dactyl

I was just kidding as well :p

Mayor Don Plusquellic announced the cutbacks today. He did not detail the amount of the savings.

Of course not............ it's not likely he would know anyway. So..... wonder which country he will be jetting off to to hide from all of this?

Surprising that the article doesn't mention that the mayor told the police union they were definitely losing 30-60 jobs. Someone please explain to me how you take millions from the stimulus fund to add 23 jobs, but end up having a smaller police force when it's all said and done. Oh, wait it was doen when they took money under the Clinton plan to add officers. That time they created a new COP's unit, transfered several officers from patrol to that unit and paid them with the federal dollars. The result was fewer street cops answering emergency call, but hey who cares so long as we get fed money and can get the local rag to spin the story for us.

Mayor Canmpbell laid off police and fire in Cleveland.In returm she got laid off in the election.Mayor Jackson hired them back.Shouldn't we take a lesson from Cleveland?

campbell

any clue who is gonna pay Dons Rocknes tab?

I hope city auction has those cute little barns for sale!

@WLFN ~ "Have the Christkindl Market moved to Copley Township its a wonderful place to live"

Are you forgetting that Copley Township cancelled there Heritage Days this year, which is normally held the first weekend in August, due to lack of funding?

''These officers will go to where they are needed most,'' Holder said, adding that the decision about who gets money was made ''based on crime rates, financial need and community policing activities.''

they are providing the money to communities that have a rise in crime and our first solution to trimming the budget is cutting police and fire?? i may just be a everyday person but this makes no sense to me. the first responders should be cut if absolutely necessary last...not first! they are the biggest percentage of the budget, i understand that...they are also the ones that put their lives on the line daily, don't think you will die from a paper cut working in an office or sitting behind a desk.

there has to be so many other places to cut cost that with the police and fire depts, if the mayor and council where willing to look for them. here are a few ideas... free internet downtown, buying up property, traveling (instead invite those people to the city you are trying to sell?), along with those retiring. i don't know but those things wouldn't cost people jobs and would save alot of money.

I doubt the buyouts are going to generate very many takers. Just not worth it.. Somewhere I read that a $70,000 employee would get something like $16,000. Remember that is BEFORE taxes. They would have had a more positive response if they had bought a couple years service time.

Given what I have heard there will be a LOT of layoffs come fall.. I sincerely hope I am so wrong.

Are we ready for a recall?

How many in the city are workers who "retired and have been rehired back - perhaps those folks should be gone as well.....they are already double dipping....

How was the sales last year, "meaning Dec.08-Jan.09? We must be specific when speaking politics." Right!
Maybe it is the vendors who are the ones not returning!!

@ farwest side - I semi-agree, the offers really aren't that good. They could sweeten the pot in a number of ways - but I think they will probably pick up at about 200 takers. Especially, if someone is considering retirement. Those eligible for retirement are a big number.

Where is the Original Jason during all of this? Quick someone look under the mayor desk.

It simply amazes me. Many of you blog all day but offer nothing, no solution, no insight, nothing. Your very ignorant and simplistic understanding of government is astounding. I ask you to study other cities compared to Akron. Akron is light years ahead of the devastation facing Mid-Western cities. Akron is a diamond in the rough. This is not an opinion but rather fact. Akron continues to experience areas of success in an otherwise devastated environment facing urban communities. Please take some time and research the facts. I think many regular bloggers sit in their basement and fail to understand what the nation is facing and how Akron in fact still represents a beacon to struggling communities nationally. Akron is discussed nationally very often for what a community can be in these very unfortunate times. What do you offer?

Not to get off on a tangent here, but I keep hearing how the City form of government (as opposed to Commissioner/County form) is so good. Why such dire straights for Akron all of the sudden? Has anyone been listening the last year of the warnings of problems coming down the pike? Is there ANY financial planning going on? Could our elected officials be sub-par? Say it ain't so!

It's very sad to cancel the Christkindl Market. Many of the patrons who attended the Larry Wilgus "Christmas Music Spectacular" holiday show at the Civic theatre enjoyed the added festivities.

History: Early 90's there was a thing called Issue 8, this was for mini. #'s pf police and firefighters. Once in 1991 we met the 392 for the fire department. Since we have been under man'd, this posses the question: where is the money generated that was to pay for all wht police and firefighters when both departments were operating under those #'s.

Add it up, there should be hundreds of thousands of dollars from that Issue alone. But all who voted for the Crook of Akron need to realize the Mayor has stolen your money again and used it for what????? There are NO check in this city crookier, known as city gov.

Second, Why all the deputy dog suck tax dollar?/? More that cities much bigger than Akron. With all those people working so hard what is the Mayor doing, Just saying yes and no, oh and taking trips on our $'s.

Third, it is great that the city is getting 5.7 million $ for the police. We need them. BUT no is mentioning the fact that that money was given to city where the crime rate is high... so much for a safe city the Mayor has created.

I'm glad that there are going to be lay offs, that means the city will be smaller and less crime, fires and EMS calls.....oh yeah that's right, the city size will be the same so hope your not sick, have a fire or need the POPO. love

Meow,

Thanks for looking out, but I've been on the other stories. Check them out and bring your best.

Meow,

After reading the 2nd sentence, that wasn't even funny and I can appreciate some good trash talk. Weak. A little tip, a lot of comedy is in the subtlety. And if you are being overt and not making a point, it's twice as bad since it doesn't really count as satire.

Step it up.

akronisdynamic,

To be fair, McDonald sits in Larry Parker's office and not his basement.

@akronisdynamic You must either work for the mayor or the chamber of commerce. As was just noted the cities that got the money for police were those cities that have a crime rate that is going UP. I do not consider that a positive, though I am glad we got the money.

Enlighten all of us bloggers to all the wonderful positives taking place here in Akron that the rest of the nation are talking about and we are too blind or ignorant or jaded to notice.

@Overtaxed Voter, the HOF is NOT in Stark County. That is nothing more than their office for administrative duties. The museum is in Virginia and it is there to stay now.

@stephend6, how does you statement about Campbell and Jackson prove anything. Jackson may lose his job in the next mayoral election as well despite hiring back the officers.

@Tommyboy, have you not seen what every other city is already going through? If you think Akron is in "dire straight", you better be happy you do not live elsewhere. Akron was lucky to hold off the cuts this long compared to most cities.

@Wrong is Right, any monies agree to in the early nineties when have a much lower value in how many people you can hire with the same amount of money now. It is simple economics.

The fact is no matter what budget numbers a government unit set, every form of tax money keeps dropping. Their income streams are becoming less and less. Until the economy turns, anyone that relies on a government-provided service or works for the government should be really concerned.

Wow. 21 temporary jobs saved $12 million. Cut another 20 or so.

@Gain Some More Reality - The citizens passed issue 8 because they wanted their safety forces to be at full strength. If the ammount coming in is lower then it is up to the city to renew the levy. The fact is that ever since then the police and fire departments is budgeted according to what their full strength #'s are. If we are 50 people below what we are supposed to be where do you think that money is going back to every year? It is going back to the general fund! Imagine that! It was a perfect way for the mayor to fool the taxpayers and launder the money back into his "slush fund"

No disrespect meant. I am not a city worker, nor am a fan of any politico. But if you want to see positive changes in the city you need look no further than Main Street. Then you may wish to travel to the "pit" and take a look around. Going a bit south you might want to check out the extraordinary efforts to breathe life into the old Firestone Bank. And going east there's the new stadium. These things aren't happening in lots of similar cities. And they don't happen without lots of officials working together. Can the mayor or city government claim all the credit? Heck no. Are they altogether to blame when the economy goes down the drain? Again, heck no. Maybe, though, we would all be better off if we came up with positive solutions rather than seemingly partisan grousing.

@Brotherhood, From my understanding issue 9 from 1991 was NOT a levy so there is nothing to renew to get more money.

==================
@GainSomeMoreReality who posted:

Overtaxed Voter, the HOF is NOT in Stark County. That is nothing more than their office for administrative duties. The museum is in Virginia and it is there to stay now.
==================

It appears that YOU have not been keeping up on "current events".

Check out the ABJ story from less than 3 weeks ago:


INVENTORS MOVING TO SITE IN STARK
Mayor is angry that hall of fame is leaving Akron

By Carol Biliczky
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Saturday, Jul 11, 2009

The National Inventors Hall of Fame will leave Akron for a new home in Stark County's Lake Township next year.

The full story may be found at the link below:

http://www.ohio.com/news/50521422.html

@ Botherhood - Nicely said. It can also be said that the city charges for ambulance services for some folks. That money doesn't stay to fund the Fire Dept, it also goes into the general fund.

Why don't you put our people in the "village?"
The crafts they make around Akron and Ohio is the best anywhere. Bucyrus Ohio draws a 100,000 a year for their Brat festival. Lieberth ought to go an invite them to Akron for Christmas. Darn, what a novel idea. We will give Lieberth fifty bucks for gas and couple of brats and he could fill the village. It beats Donny's twice a year trip to Germany with entourage spending $40,000.

I thought it was interesting that in the new travel restrictions which the mayor sent out today to city employees, he left open the option for continued funding those who travel to bring jobs to Akron or travel with the "potental" to bring jobs to Akron. I guess that means the mayor still plans to travel the world on Akron's dime.

Wow, did you hear? The entire city council has just agreed to give up their pay until the city is back on track! Thank you Mr. Summerville and Mrs. Greene.

====================
@NathanG who posted:

Wow, did you hear? The entire city council has just agreed to give up their pay until the city is back on track! Thank you Mr. Summerville and Mrs. Greene.
====================

You appear to be confusing "giving up their pay" (what you claim) with "giving up their annual pay RAISE" (which is the fact).

There is a HUGE difference.

@Overtaxed Voter, I can read. That is only office moving. The actual museum has been gone for some time now and operates out of Alexandria, Virginia. see: http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/1_5_0_museum.asp

how many deputy mayors, how mant cronies jobs are there duplicating each other, Billy "Soul" , right, lotta soul or wisdom there, Mark Williamson, old family friend from WAKR, it goes on, lay them off , give me 2 more policeman

Donny, aka, smoke and mirrors, hasn't brought a single job to Akron. Plustic is one double talking piece of work propped up by the Beacon and his fat friends with city contracts.

Wow! The Ohio.com site is full of blogging idiots. No wonder I got a job and got back in the game.

Akron is cutting non-essential postitions; the first to go in any RIF. The "Kindlfest" could possibly be saved by charging admission, but who could guarantee a gate total given the 10 % employment rate; which, by the way is faring better than many other parts.

I suggest some of you knuckleheads take a good lesson in economics and civics. Oh, and try to read a paper/website outside your hometown. I recommend the Detroit Daily News if you want some cheese with your whine. Your constant spewing of nonsense is really getting old.

BTW, Overtaxed. I recommend you get a job. I hear McDonald's needs a fry-cook! (No offense to the hard-working fry-cooks at McDonald's) You are wasting bytes with your extreme viral stupidity.

Man, I enjoy "flaming"!

:0)

@GainSome

My original comment and the ABJ article are both addressing the HOF.

YOU are the only one talking about the Inventors Hall of Fame "museum".

Quit arguing with yourself.

Finally! Snobby, smug government workers feeling the same pinch the public sector feels.I hope the same fate befalls lots of snobby smug postal workers.

@Burgermeister...

I have all of the work that I can say grace over, but thanks for thinking about me.

I'll leave the McD job available for you to take when your position as "price checker" at the 'Everything Is A Dollar' store gets phased out.

Didn't the mayor travel to Europe on the City's money to create the Christmas Market downtown? Hopefully he will cut back on his travel as well.

Mayor jack(*^. Stop the fence on the bridge and keep the jobs.

LET'S JUST HAVE ANOTHER RECALL THATS ALWAYS FUN. WE COULD CREATE WORK

Ba. humbug! What a bunch of Scrooges! The next thing you'll be saying is that there's no Santa Clause!

@Overtaxed,

Still bitter about that Recall beatdown, eh? ROFLMAO!

Also, please don't knock on the hard-working folks at the "Dollar" stores. These days, a job is a job; and that is a blessed thing. But, what do you care, your just an "Overtaxed Voter" who votes for the likes of Mendehall.

Again, ROFLMAO!

:0/





:0)

Keep the police, fire and city workers. Get rid of the high paid deputy mayors.

Has the City loooked into highway workers riding around in trucks for at least 2 hours of overtime every day? Do our streets and highways look any better for the overtime? Yes, overtime, not comp time.

@Burgerboy

The recall and this budget crisis has exposed Pinocchio Plusquellic for what he is, a world class liar!

Recall supporters knew it before July. Donny Boy supporter probably knew it as well, but chose to keep their heads buried in the sand (or firmly inserted up their backside) until the "Lyin' King" didn't leave them any choice but to believe after telling everyone 'Akron's finances are fine' during the Recall, then boo-hooing 'We've got a $12 million deficit' days after the election.

Since I've never voted 'for the likes of Mendenhall', it looks like your fallback plan of taking a position with the "Psychic Friends Hotline" isn't going to work out for you.

@BM. No one from Change Akron Now is "bitter" about the recall. Although the Mayor seems bitter even though he won. Maybe it is because the folks who supported the recall are being proved right. The recall triggered interest in City politics as evidenced by the 56 candidates in council races. It is now proven that Plusquellic lied to win the recall election. Change Akron Now said crime was up, the Mayor said it was not. Now we learn that Plusquellic was playing with the numbers and that crime is up. Change Akron Now said, last year, that the City was out of money, the Mayor said we were in great financial shape -- exceptional among Ohio cities. Now we learn Plusquellic was hiding the information that we as a city are broke. Change Akron Now said that we were in too much debt. Meanwhile tens of millions are paid in debt service while employees are being laid off.

All this has happened in a few weeks since the recall election. The bad news for Plusquellic is just beginning. At least it will be clear who was responsible for this mess.

I love the Christkindl at christmas..I guess I won,t be coming into Akron this winter..

@bergermeister UUUmmm.. you come on here ranting and raving.. to use your term "flaming" but added nothing of substance to the dialogue.

@ Original Jason
There you are! I thought that maybe the mayor cut his staff and you don't blog for free. Well now that you and GSMR are here there really isn't any point in commenting. I thought for a minute that you had enough sense to be embarrassed by your pre-recall election comments. Hey does Phil Young blog or has he still not figured out how to log on?

Meow,

Even worse. Oh, boy. I've already got a full plate of Ohio.com adversaries, so you'll need to do better in order to keep my attention.

This isn't really that big of a surprise. Layoffs have been happening right and left for some time now.

I just heard on the radio that First Energy laid off about 40 people this week, and it might not be over.

Why are people surprised that the city is having problems when all the business are having problems and laying off large numbers of people?

Things just don't look good these days, and there is no cure in sight. We're all going down hill on a very fast roller coaster with no brakes...Don't buy anything nice for your home. They'll just steal it. Hang onto your jobs if you have one...
You'll be considered 'the lucky ones '...

@farwest side,

Apparently, you caught the "flaming" part of my first post, but not the substance of my first post; typical Akron polithater/blogger (aka: knucklehead).

To reiterate, Akron ("The Don") is cutting loose the last of the jobs he ("the city") felt could go before the real cuts come. All due to a lack of projected-budgeted income for the coming year (s). As you recall, our economy is in a MAJOR down-swing. Still, even though it is a nationwide problem, you knuckleheads glare your viceral eyes on our mayor. Who, I might add, was re-elected/not-recalled by a landslide majority just over one month ago. The majority has spoken. Now, please sit down and shut up!

@Mendenhall (aka: Great Waster of Akronite Taxpayer Dollars!),

Since you are now in this fight (sadly, again), how would you, mayoral-wannabe and "has-been" come up with $12M in reductions?

I am hanging on your every word!


@ Overtaxed,

You posted:

"Since I've never voted 'for the likes of Mendenhall', it looks like your fallback plan of taking a position with the "Psychic Friends Hotline" isn't going to work out for you"

If you really meant that you never "voted for the likes of Mendenhall" than you just admitted that you are a poser on this site! You spewed "Change Akron Now" for about six months, but you never voted "for the likes of Mendenhall"?

A non-voter or a Don-supporter? Either way, you are a POSER with no credibility from this day forward! Fighting for an ignorant cause that you couldn't even go to the polls, or vote absentee, for! You &$%#&^ slay me! ROFLMFAO!!!!

"Change Akron? Now?"

:0)

Wow. Revenge of the Don?

@BM. Waster of tax dollars? You crack me up with your nuttiness. Plusquellic wastes hundreds of millions of dollars. Thousand of people tried to stop it. It was the Mayor's choice to hold the election not theirs. He could have resigned.

Do you even know how much the election cost? There is an exact figure now. I bet you haven't even looked at the bill from the Board of elections.

Aren't you embarrassed to support a liar? How do you explain the Mayors statements just 2 months ago versus now? Our city: financially fit, more police hires, no layoffs, strongest city in Ohio, low crime. Was Plusquellic lying or ignorant of the truth? Was the Beacon that credulous? To think about the answers to these questions means you will start to understand why thousands of us supported the recall.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda analysis: In the mid-1990s, I publicly discussed preparing ahead for a downturn. I was concerned about the city debt when it exceeded $238 million. I stated that debt destroys our resilience in response to an economic crises. I said that we cannot know when a downturn would come just that one would eventually arrive.

To change Akron now, I would reduce the top layers of the administration saving about $6 million. I would bring the legal defense of the city in-house saving $2-4 million. I would begin to auction off City owned property to the highest bidders gaining additional millions. I would cut the Mayor's salary down to 100k until the crisis passed saving about $50,000 and saving city employee's morale. I would eliminate all city vehicles except those used for public health and safety. I would eliminate most travel and meals.

That would be a start. What would you do BM?

By the way, I haven't been on the ballot since 2000 though I have helped out issues and candidates. I don't understand your POSER comment to OT. Have you ever been a candidate or organized an initiative or recall drive?

Thanks for the defense Warner.

Apparently BurgerBoy thinks your name is either "Yes" or "No" since that is the closest thing to a "likes of Mendenhall" that has been on a ballot I've cast in the last decade.

One of the expenses people forget to mention are the monies spent battling residency rules, a losing battle from the get-go. The city took it as far as it could go even after it was apparent it was gonna fail. I'd like to see how much that cost taxpayers in legal fees.Lets face it, that was one of the Mayors personal vendettas. I wish he was as passionate about fighting crime as he was about fighting residency. I would support some sort of temporary sales tax to help the city over the hurdle, but I just wish spending was truly brought under control before it got this bad.

@bergermeister WOW.. I must have hit a nerve.. such language.. You tried vainly to defend the "DON" as you called him, by the way, I always called him the mayor.

Let's get to your post though.. I would have no beef with the mayor if he simply had been HONEST about the City's finances PRIOR to the election. As you said we have had a major downturn in the economy and City income has not kept up with budgeted need. Do you believe that it SUDDENLY HAPPENED!!?? In June before the election, NO problem with the City finances, suddenly after the election POOF!!!! City is in a financial crisis.

Obviously, YOU are the myopic one here. You bow down to the mayor and say he is never wrong even when the facts are right out there in front of you.

Will you at least agree that the mayor HAD TO KNOW the City finances were in bad shape before the recall election?? If he was not aware of the City's poor financial status back in May and early June then I would say he is a very poor manager.

Warner,

You should not be posting at Midnight. You need to get to work to pay off those taxes!

OT,

You needed to get some rest too! Your mom wants you to clean your room today.

For me, I was in another time zone....working. I got my sleep. I have a busy day today not being a burden on the city, state or country.

:0/

@akronisdynamic

Do you really have a clue here. All your buddies who supported this liar of a mayor are all running and hiding. You can't see that they are distancing themselves from this loser.

His administration needs to be investigated and so does his past "deals" that will make the city better. I will offer a few of his "deals" for you to examine. (1) Akron Recycle Energy Plant (2) The Famous Scholarship Program (3) Young's Restaurant Purchase.

And where is this new Call Center that he touted. How about the Goodyear Project, too???

All of his supporters are running nad hiding their heads, but your's still seems parked squarely up where the sun doesn't shine.

Wake up. You are now a one-person parade in favor of our "city hall zero".

@warnermendenhall says "Thousand of people tried to stop it. It was the Mayor's choice to hold the election not theirs. He could have resigned".

This is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. It was the choice of the recall pushers to hold the election, period! They started the process, not the mayor.

We already now your definition of "choice" and how you run your life and business.

@grubby, the city had a responsibility to fight the residency rules because if you recall it was voted in by the citizens of Akron.

@get a grip, the call center is there and the Goodyear project is proceeding at the pace the economy warrants.

I wonder if Donnie Boy takes the time to read all these blogs and does he even feel any sense of remorse of how he has deceived the people of Akron all these years. Take a long hard look at the tone and maybe he will finally get the idea that people hate his guts.

Sick, does Donnie boy read these blogs you ask? I think Gain Some More Reality may have that answer!

This is not a blog. This is a comments section on a blog. A blog has an entirely different structure.

How many jobs could be saved if they got rid of the double dippers? You know, the ones that retired, collecting a pension and came back to work making more than everyone else. Get rid of them fist in the city and the sheriff's dept.

Warner,

Your tone is getting more acidic. If you had problems gaining mainstream acceptance before, how will becoming a public version of OV, Betamax or McDonald going to help?

I second the notion of the absurdity that the mayor caused the expense since he didn't resign. There are a lot of words for a <5% group of people who think they should control the fate of others when they are outnumbered.... and none are positive.

Your cost-saving ideas:

- Cutting top layers saving $6M. Your own link of personnel you posted yesterday would not seem to add up to $6M. Since I don't like to do research, maybe you can break down the headcount and associated salaries. And then you can detail how the City will operate afterwards.

- Bring legal defense in-house. Something tells me you'd engage in the same nepotism you charge of the current administration.

Populist rhetoric is great for comments and blogs, but it won't win an election. Just come out and call the voters fools because they won't see things your way. You're dancing all along that line, so why hold back, especially under your new, unfiltered persona?

CHAOS,

AGREED!

Gain Some More Reality
Akron, OH

Posted 07:38 AM, 07/30/2009 @grubby, the city had a responsibility to fight the residency rules because if you recall it was voted in by the citizens of Akron.


Just because something was voted on, doesn't make it legal.

In today's market, I agree that those who have retired and are/can receive a pension are then rehired should be forced to re-retire. They will have an income and medical benefits from their pension provider and will save many jobs of those who would otherwise be laid off.

In good economic times, rehiring retirees makes sense. They have valuable experience AND they do not need benefits as they are provided through their retirement systems.

@dduckster says "Just because something was voted on, doesn't make it legal".

And that was why the courts were involved. It is for the courts to decide the legality. Once the people voted in the requirement, the city had no choice but to fight on the citizen's behalf. Why would the city want to be the one saying that people are wrong when the courts can do it?

Fact: The Fire Dept. is currently running well within our budget for 2009. We are doing everything we can to be responsible and cut costs including running short manned and while doing so still sending people on duty to do jobs/details that have forever been done on overtime. This is the city taking aim at the police and fire dept because we are in a contract year. They want to get everthing they can out of us now and try and scare us with threats. The fact is, when we go to arbitration (because we can't strike) we always have the funds to call them on their lies when they cry poor. Numbers are numbers and it all comes out! How can the mayor stand in front of the union a month ago and state the city is ok right now and still running in the "black" and amonth later we are 12,000,000 in the whole and have to lay off. I don't know about you, but I smell a rat!

How often is the city updated on their various incomes sources like taxes? Is it "real time" or quarterly?

If it quarterly, it would seem to make sense that the situation may have changed from June to July, but they should have had some idea in mind what was coming.

@ HuggieHall- no doubt, my son used to work at Rocknes on market and he said don and his sidekicks were in there almost on a daily basis and would be drunk and acting immature as hell by the end of most nights! why do we have a drunk for a mayor? why is this ok?

Someone help me... so say these people take the petty cash the city is offering for early retirement... How are we paying for that? Is that figured into the $12 million shortfall, or do we have to find that money somewhere too?

Is this payback for the recall?

From my understanding, the answer has been that the City can cash in bonds or borrow it from various places. You know, like people that don't have money just put it on a credit card! How about we lay off Diane Miller-Dawson to!

===========
@Gain Some who posted:

How often is the city updated on their various incomes sources like taxes? Is it "real time" or quarterly?
===========

The city is updated MONTHLY.

The following entries come from the Akron City Council agendas.

AKRON, OHIO COUNCIL AGENDA OF APRIL 20, 2009
MISCELLANEOUS
FILED: VIVA VOCE. D-32-12. Income Tax Receipts for period ending February 28, 2009.

AKRON, OHIO COUNCIL AGENDA OF MAY 18, 2009
MISCELLANEOUS
FILED: VIVA VOCE. D-32-14. Income Tax Receipts for period ending March 31, 2009.

AKRON, OHIO COUNCIL AGENDA OF JUNE 1, 2009
MISCELLANEOUS
FILED: VIVA VOCE. D-32-15. 2. Income Tax Receipts for period ending April 30, 2009.

AKRON, OHIO COUNCIL AGENDA OF JULY 13, 2009
MISCELLANEOUS
FILED: VIVA VOCE. D-368. Summary of Income Tax Receipts through the end of May 2009.

I can't believe that Warner keeps posting and getting more and more into attacking people. Is this the kindler gentler person who should be running Akron.

Whata maroon. If it were up to him he'd probably just stop paying things, like taxes. Because you know sometimes we just have to make tough choices.

========
@Gain Some who posted:

the Goodyear project is proceeding at the pace the economy warrants.
========

However government spending of taxpayer funds towards the Goodyear project is proceeding at a "D*mn The Torpedeos, Full Speed Ahead!" pace.

@Overtaxed Voter, it makes sense the government is still spending on the project. The government agreed to invest in the services (like roads) that need done no matter what of the project is being worked first.

@ City of Akron Firefighter

-------------------------------------------
You could have called brother, I would have told you. That is if you are who I think you are?

The city has proposed to float a bond to pay for the buyouts and "payouts"....

@ Gain Some More Reality

----------------------------------------------
Fighting residency was one of the mayors hot button issues. The thing of it is, it has very little bearing on how a police officer, firefighter, engineer, garbage collect, etc... does their job. Had the city been smart and more fiscally responsible residency could have been made negotiable and the ability to move out of the city perhaps would have been trade for a pay increase.

As aside note, it seems that some who work for other city departments aside from police and fire are a little bitter towards those two unions, is it because we proved the city wasn't in better fiscal shape than they let on 3 years ago or because we footed the bill to get residency declared unconstitutional?

@JohnGalt, I personally do not think residency matters. I see the advantages and disadvantages for both views. I voted against it because I think I do not need to tell other people where to live.

But, if a law is voted in by the majority of the citizens, I do expect the city to enforce it and defend it, whether or not I agree with it.

But, I am still glad it was overturned. I think the largest factor in someone doing a good job is their personal happiness. If that means living elsewhere, go for it.

@GainSome...

You haven't posted anything in response to finding out that City officials receive MONTHLY updates on Income Tax receipts.

Care to share some thoughts on the matter?

@Overtaxed Voter, why would I need to posting something to your response? I asked a question and you answered it.

I had already said even if they received numbers quarterly it is hard to believe they could not see some kind of shortfall.

@GainSome...

Fair enough.

I thought (when you posted the original question with the possible answers of 'real time' and 'quarterly') that you might have been headed in one direction. With the fact that 'monthly' was the actual answer, I thought it might point you in a different direction.

@Overtaxed Voter, no direction. Just the options that first popped in my mind.

I have heard of universities making drastic changes later in a fiscal year because their income sources (enrollment, state, federal, endowments, etc.) did not pay as planned. But I think some of their numbers are limited to quarterly adjustments, so I can see how it can be hard. I was just surprised a city did not have closer to real time numbers. Monthly is more than enough to adjust without going into panic mode late a fiscal year.