WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE INEFFECTIVE?

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING REPORT

In a board meeting that was once again under-reported by the Reporter-Times, the local paper since 1889, the township board met and some interesting things were said and unsaid at the meeting regarding the fire truck purchase and the competence of  our trustee.    Why actions or statements are NOT reported  in the local paper is always a mystery to me.  They will be reported here, for all taxpayers to read.

A NEW FIRETRUCK (PUMPER)

Fire Chief Mike was all spiffed out for the occasion to ask the board to vote to solicit bids for a new pumper truck with a cost not to be greater than $220K.   Mike Herrington had on his white pressed starched shirt, tie, and "mirror-shiny" black shoes for the presentation.   The board voted to seek quotes for a new truck.

According to the Chief, this new vehicle will replace two working vehicles, the EMS truck and the brush fire truck.  The Chief also said that they would get rid of (his) the chiefs' vehicle.    Mike reported that the total cost of the new truck would be offset by selling the other vehicles and that the cash from the sales of the old vehicles would probably bring in about $40K.   However, no one really knows what they will bring until put on the market and someone buys them.    

"Fire" Chief

Because the township has a rolling debt fund for capital equipment, the taxpayers are still paying on the last firetruck that was purchased for $328K. Mike reported that this loan will be paid off in June 2013.  He stated that since the current tax rate assessment from the current debt will not change when we go into debt again, your property taxes would not increase if we bought the new truck.

A TAXPAYER VIEW  

Over the course of the last 6 board meetings or so, several individuals appeared presenting positive re-enforcing statements telling us how marvelous the Washington Township Fire Department is.   This usually happens around budget time, interestingly enough. 

Questions/statement that come into mind regarding this purchase that were not discussed in the meeting are:

1)  If the service is so wonderful, as many witnesses have testified at the board meetings, why do we need new equipment at all?  

2)  If we swap two service vehicles for one, will the fire department be able to continue that marvelous service?  What if we have 2 calls and we only have the one vehicle?  Are we then going to have to go into debt MORE and buy another vehicle?

3)  Sure, the tax rate will not increase if we continue being in debt again, but what was unsaid is that the tax rate will decrease if we do not buy the new truck and we pay off the old loan.

4)  There were no discussions or questions by the board at all like this: 
     -Are the maintenance bills on the old truck too high?  No.  What is wrong with the current truck?  Anything?  Interestingly enough, after reviewing the township financial records through April 2013, no money from the maintenance account has been spent this year to repair old firetrucks.  Seems like the old trucks work just fine for now.     
     -If the township fire service is so wonderful as reported by many individuals in the township meetings, then why do we need to indebt the taxpayer again?
     -What would happen if we wait a few years till the economy picks up?
     -What happens when I-69 splits the township and the firemen will not be able to get across the highway?

These are the questions that the board has to ask and ponder.  I'm not sure why they did not ask or discuss any of these points.

  TRUSTEE'S EFFORT AND COMPETENCE QUESTIONED   

Board member Bob Bolin drove to all the township cemeteries and did an inspection of their condition last week.  Bob reported, "I am not happy!  There are no paths cut to walk on, there is brush overgrowing, the grass and weeds are not cut to the fences.  The condition of our township cemeteries is sad, and of the last 4 Washington Township Trustees, they (the cemeteries) have never looked worse.    I was shocked and saddened at their condition".

In a second blow to the bow of the good ship Scotty Manley, his competence was directly questioned regarding the management of the township cemeteries by a local resident and subcontractor of the township.  Hartley and Son has been working with the trustee to fix and/or replace some cemetery signs.  See the signs below.  A representative from Hartley monument reported that "she was done dealing with the Trustee".  After a year of confusion, having her financial capital tied up in the signs, and having to deal with a complete a lack of business etiquette from the trustee's office, a frustrated Mattie Hartley told trustee Manley that he was "incompetent" and that getting anything done through him was pretty much impossible.  Looks like we won't be getting those signs replaced any time soon due to the problems with the trustee.

Hartley and Son high quality cemetery signs.

A TAXPAYER VIEW

In Indiana, all township trustees have ONLY 3 major responsibilities.
1)  Pay the firemen
2)  Administer the poor relief in the township
3)  Maintain the cemeteries

Paying the firemen is automatic.   It is all done by the payroll system and this responsibility is primarily done by the Scotty's wife who works for him in the trustees office.  The poor relief is also administered and managed primarily by Scotty's wife, as she is the only person in the office during township service hours.  

That leaves one thing left for the trustee to do and it seems that he is failing miserable in this responsibility.   Our cemeteries are an embarrassment to all of us.  Scotty is busy though.  Maybe too busy to be trustee.   He already has a full time government job working for the city.   In addition, he is getting paid $15K to be the trustee and the cemetery grass and overgrowth are not being properly controlled.   How hard can that be?   

Nonetheless, it is his responsibility, not a board members', to drive out to the cemeteries  inspect them, maintain, them, and make them accessible and pleasant to the eye.

Recently, Scotty and the board awarded a new contract to a lawn cutting business to maintain the cemeteries   The board assumed that the trustee would actually "manage" the subcontractor.  Think again.  There was nothing in the contract that showed any sketches or drawings of the areas that must be maintained and it is painfully clear that the trustee has not visited the cemeteries WITH the subcontractor to SHOW them what needs to be done.   Maybe he does not care, or he is too busy to be trustee.   Your guess is as good as mine.

MARTINSVILLE YOUTH CENTER

City councilman Eric Bowlen gave an impassioned presentation at the board meeting regarding the future Youth Center in Martinsville. "Too many kids are latchkey kids" he stated and "there are a lot of bad things that can happen between 3pm and 5pm before mom and dad get home if the kids are there by themselves".   

He is gaining momentum with sponsors. The financial donation goal for 2013 is $200K.  Our children need our help.  The children ARE the future.  If you can manage to give up one soft drink a week and donate that small amount to the center, that is all Eric asks.  We know that you can sign up and contribute.     Several businesses have signed up for a small weekly payroll donation and the Washington township firemen will be seeing Eric's presentation soon.  If interested, contact Eric at bowlen@yahoo.com or call him at 765.318.3039 to contribute to our future.

NEXT MEETING

Recently, the board voted to meet every other month.  The next meeting will July 10 in the County Building at 0530.   The only question that needs to asked is this:

If the board just cut the number of meetings that they are required to attend, why did they not also cut their pay?   How many of us can vote to cut our hours in half and keep the same pay?

Your government working (less) for you!!!

BIG DOIN'S IN MARTINSVILLE

TIME TO GO DOWNTOWN

If you like to get out and do things, this is the month for you.   May 17-19 IS the big weekend.  There are BBQ's, downtown cart racing, car shows, children's activities, food, BEER, WINE, and community band performances.  (hyperlinks in Blue)

The cart racing is presented by the Southern Indiana Racing Association and the city of Martinsville.   

Quit complaining about nothing to do in Martinsville.  This month, there is plenty to do!  Get out and spend that pile of cash you've been sitting on all winter.  

For all you bikers, on Saturday May 11, there will be a benefit ride for National Guard families.   Be at the American Legion in Martinsville about 7:30 am for breakfast, then be ready to ride sometime after eating.  After you return from the ride, there will be more food and entertainment.

Below are the official posters circulating around town, but for more detail, click here:

Grand Prix in Martinsville

MAKING DOWNTOWN LOOK GOOD

Also, sometime this year or next, you will notice downtown looking a whole lot better.  Through the hard work of many dedicated people, some $464K will be spent improving the appearance of our downtown buildings.  The Rediscover Martinsville folks should be applauded for their dedication.  Here is a copy of the revised planning budget that was presented 5/6/2013, to city council last night.  Lot's o' money.  

FOLLOW THE MONEY PART II

MONEY MONEY (where did it all go?)

Bolin at work Wednesday Night

For years, Martinsville City officials and the general public have been unable to understand how and why the Washington Township Government has been so flush with cash, pay, and benefits, and the city has been so cash strapped.  During the Wednesday, April 10, Washington Township meeting, answers to some of those questions may have been finally answered.  After spending a considerable amount of his personal time over the past two years doing research and following the money trail, Bob Bolin presented eye-opening findings to the public Wednesday evening.   Bolin showed the budget process and money trail, which hinted that the township may have been using and spending money that should have been applied elsewhere.  At this point, Bob had the full attention of the audience.

As previously reported in the Martinsville Report, township spending for fire protection is high.  It is the highest in the county.   In the article, HIGH COSTS AND IDLE TIME and this article, FIREMAN FINANCIAL RESULTS ARE IN, the spending is detailed.   The Washington Township board is (supposed to be) the final controlling legal authority for all money spent in the township.   However, past boards have seemingly delegated the budgeting and financial controls to those who spend the money.

THE CONFUSING PROCESS  

At the meeting Wednesday night Bolin produced a process flowchart showing how state money should be/is distributed to the county and then re-distributed to the townships.

#1 The Money/budget and process Flow Chart

  He also showed how the legislature intended that money, in part, to be used equitably and fairly to reduce local property taxes and support local government.  

This money, commonly called CAGIT money at the statehouse, (comprised of what is called County Adjusted Gross Income Tax money AND Property Tax Replacement Credit (PTRC)),  is sent yearly from the state to the county in a form known as "certified shares" money, and then distributed to the townships.   After it is distributed, it is the responsibility of the township Board to see that it is properly spent.  The whole funding process is complicated and trying to explain it clearly is a difficult task.

THE DETAIL as presented by Bolin

#2 Property Tax Relief Credit and CAGIT math 

 From chart #2, the assessed value in the city is $359M and the assessed value of the township (not including the portion that lies in the city) is $332M.  The mathematical ratio between the two is noted in the chart.


THE SHOCKER

#3  The MONEY

In Bob's chart #3 the CAGIT certified shares money distributed to the township in the form of "certified shares" has been over $1.112M over the last 5 years.   However, what was done with that money will stun you.

The township is comprised of both township outside the city and township inside the city.  A long long time ago, CAGIT was SPLIT and spent proportionately, based on assessed values, between general township outside the city, and township within the city.    Somewhere along the line, that changed.   No one recalls when that change took place.  However, the lawmakers made a huge mistake and left a loophole big enough to drive a Washington township firetruck through it by giving township boards the option of where to allocate the money.   

The result of this, at least in Washington Township, was that the Washington Fire Department snatched all $1.1 Million over the last 5 years and spent every penny.  None of the $720K of certified share money was distributed back to city related township business, poor relief, or property tax relief.        


DOUBLE TAXATION

City taxpayers essence have paid twice for fire services.  They paid first for city fire protection and secondly, by not getting the certified shares money they were due, also paid for the township fire services that they will never use.   City residents then probably had to be taxed even more by the city to make up for the certified shares not received.   Township taxpayers not in the city also had to be taxed more to make up for the certified shares that were not credited  to general township expenses.  Every taxpayer in the township loses, except the fire department employees.

NOW WHAT? 

The legislature knows about this loophole.   Once it closes, what will happen?  The first thing that will happen is that the township fire protection will no longer be subsidized by the taxpayers in the city.  Next, city taxpayer may see both their township property tax rates and poor relief tax decreased.

DECISIONS

Township taxpayers not in the city need to make a decision.   What kind of fire protection do they want?  Do they want their property taxes to increase or stay the same?   After this years re-assessment, no one wants more taxes.  If the taxpayers want to continue to fund the highest cost fire station in the unincorporated portion of Washington Township, taxes will need to rise to keep fire protection employees living in the manner to which they are accustomed.   If not, change is on the way at the township fire station. 

From a financial perspective, the Washington Township fire department could survive in its entirety without tax increases if the cost structure is re-aligned on par with the Martinsville fire department.  Many townships across Indiana have reformulated their fire stations and gone with part time firemen, volunteers, market wages, and a mix of full time firemen in order to keep their cost and tax structure reasonable and competitive. 

During the meeting, Lonnie Kern, the highest paid fireman of all, who was paid over $70K last year, stood up and said, "I just wanna reiterate, what is being done is perfectly legal, if we're gonna change the system, we need a plan to replace the funding in advance".   

SUMMARY

Your property taxes will either increase if Washington Township officials continue their current course (business as usual) of action or.........................................................your taxes will stay the same when and if the Washington Township board exhibits the foresight, leadership, and courage required to properly manage their own cost structure.....and your property tax bill.

I told you it was complicated.

MAYOR RETURNS AUCTION MONEY TO CITY

CAMPAIGN SLOGAN: HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

About a month after the Reporter-Times interviewed Mayor Deckard about his role in the surplus auction last fall, he quietly paid back the 3% money that he originally billed the city for.  In that interview, Deckard strongly defended his making money from the auction.  

THE MARTINSVILLE REPORT was first to disclose that Mayor Deckard was paid $2,592.23 when he auctioneered $80K+ of surplus city equipment sold last fall.   Since this story broke in Follow the Money Part 1,  Ron Hawkins did an interview with Deckard and wrote a comprehensive article about the auction in the Reporter-Times on Feb. 16, 2013.  

In that article by Hawkins, in the first paragraph, the mayor said that he did not see anything wrong with him making money from the city auction. He also stated "No one can do it better than the mayor being associated with the city". “You can never say that I was derelict in my duties.” 

These mayoral statements and ones made prior to the auction about  not charging the city for being the auctioneer riled up Martinsville residents and council members when they discovered that Deckard indeed had cashed in on the auction.  Evidently, the auction was done for free until an invoice arrived at the Treasurers office last fall. Few knew about that invoice and the subsequent payment to Deckard.  Those who did know were keeping very quiet, presumably to protect the Mayor.

Since the story broke, the mayor has taken major heat from both voters and council members. There were also questions about "becoming the auctioneer with no competitive bids" being in direct violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act which was passed by Congress in 1890 to prevent these type of transgressions. Potential investigations at the State level were rumored.


HERE'S YOUR MONEY BACK


On March 12, 2013, the mayor quietly waltzed into the treasurers office and wrote them a check for the balance of the 3% fee on the auction.  The amount, as you can see below is $2,592.23 which is the exact amount that was reported in my first article on this conflict of interest transaction.  

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Would the money have been returned if neither the Martinsville Report or the Reporter-Times had not exposed this and no one ever knew about it?

What else in the city is happening like this that we never find out about?

ASSESSMENT
We all make mistakes.  The mayor should be commended for returning the money and righting the wrong.   The mayor however, made several rookie mistakes which cost him some political capital.   As a long-time veteran politician, he should have known better.  

Surprisingly, in the Reporter-Times article, it was clear that the Mayor still did not "get it" that mistakes were made.  Sure, Deckard did the auction for a very reasonable cost, but unless competing bids are solicited, many do not believe that he acted in the best interest of the city, just self interest.  There may very well have been other auctioneers in the area that would have done it for free.....but no one asked for them and therefore trust in the Mayor's office was lost.  

In addition to that, the mayor, in telling many that he would auctioneer for the city at no-cost, and then redefining what "no-cost" means with a stealth 3% invoice, upset the voters.  This was very Clintonesque.    (Remember?   "It depends on what your definition of "is" is").

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

A golden political opportunity was missed by the administration again.  See #4.  
  
Mistake #1 -  Being the auctioneer with no competing bids.
Mistake #2 -  Telling the public that you did nothing wrong.
Mistake #3 -  Stealthily paying back the city.
Mistake #4 -  Not admitting nor apologizing for mistakes 1,2,and 3 above.

The administration had the chance to come forth, apologize for the one sided approach of the self appointing of Deckard to being the auctioneer, and to defending something in the paper that most voters felt was questionable, but they did not.  Now we discover the stealth mode with which the money was returned to cover tracks.    

The money was returned not because anyone was feeling guilty or because they thought that they had committed a possible unethical act with a conflict of interest.  No, it was none of these things.

The money was returned because the mayor got caught and you the voters and council members spoke up loudly.  Also, there were probably concerns about potential legal ramifications.  

Contrary to what the Mayor said above, it is clear that throughout this entire auction debacle, our gut tells us that "yes Mr. Mayor,in this instance, we taxpayers CAN say that you were derelict in your duties and our confidence in this administration has faltered yet another notch".

Democracy works if you engage.  This IS proof.     

BOLIN - "$1/2 MILLION MISSPENT"

FOREWARD

Many think that being a fireman is always easy.  Nothing is “always” anything.   Like any job, there are those days where the time passes slowly, medical runs become routine, the book you are reading gets boring, and the day lingers.   However, there are those days that you wish would have never happened and pray that you will someday forget…but you can’t.

Examples of those days include the day that you were called into a house where an 8 month old had stopped breathing.  As a trained EMT, you do everything in your power to resuscitate the child, but in the end, the child fails to respond.  Although you did your level best, your responsibility now is to cradle that lifeless child, gently hand it over to its mother, and tell her that you are sorry.

Another day you are called to an accident scene where several teenagers are trapped in a badly mangled car.  As you are cutting them out of the car, you think of your own teenager as you feverishly work to free the trapped occupants.  You free them, only to have two of them flown to the hospital in the emergency helicopter.  You are not sure they lived or died.   One of them for sure will only have one leg if they live.   You wash the blood off of your hands and go back to the station in silence and make out your reports.   Later on you go home and give your own children a long hug. 

On another call, you respond to a domestic violence case where you have had repeated visits.  Instead of finding the usual, you have the unwanted privilege of watching a stressed out man in his car put a gun under his chin and pull the trigger, ending it all.   You are left to wonder why, and if the remaining occupants in the house are dead or alive.

Links are in BLUE (but not this one)

When you do get home, the night can be your worst enemy.   There are the nightmares, bad dreams, cold sweats, and re-runs of the above incidents in your mind.  (See the movie Groundhog Day)  You ask yourself, could I have done more?  Could I have done better?   What did I miss?   You lose sleep.   These moments affect your mood, personality, family, and your personal life because trauma and stress will change you.   These men can be called heroes when they step up and save lives.  They are an important group of men and I cannot envision a world without them. 

We all need to remember that in midst of all the budget/financial squabbles and problems that we face in the township and the country, they are nothing compared to some of the horrible things that the firemen can be faced with on any day at any time. 

In the big scheme of things, the politicians are the ones that get us into financial trouble, not the city workers or the firemen.   The politicians spend our money like there is no tomorrow, and cause us to point fingers and fight amongst ourselves on how to pay the bills and fix the aftermath of their bad decisions.  The blame must always lie with the elected politicians.   

The wet paper bag..what's inside?

Unfortunately, once the politicians get us into trouble, their cures are often worse than the disease.  They exit office and leave us holding the wet paper bag.   The next group of politicians comes in and their solution is usually “more taxes can solve everything”.   It’s true in Washington DC and it’s true in Washington Township.    Just check your property taxes this year.

However, we know the difference.  More taxes do NOT solve everything.   Making government efficient does.  This is the principal core and foundation of my beliefs and that is why I write like I do and say what I say. 

CEMETARY MAINTENANCE BIDS REVIEWED

The Washington Township Board met last night, 3-13-13.   All board members were in attendance as well as the Trustee and the Fire Chief.

8 bids were reviewed by the board for the grass cutting and clean-up of township cemeteries.  The job requires mowing at certain intervals and cleanup of brush, paper, etc.   Most bids were in the range of $4K-$5K for this mowing season.  However, one bid from South Central Contracting was a whopping $16,100.  That was the first one thrown in the circular file.   2 bids were too confusing to read and the rest were very competitive.  The contract was awarded to Payne Lawncare out of Monrovia (317) 224-7989.  Their winning bid was for $4,230.     Here is their website:  http://paynelawncare.com/

FIRE REPORT

Chief Herrington reported

28 runs

17 Medical

6 Vehicles Crashes

5 Fire Reports

If you have a dry hydrant on your property, the FD will be flushing them soon.   If you have a big pond and would like one installed on your property, then the FD would be more than happy to facilitate this and put you in contact with the right folks that do this sort of work. 

ACCOUNTING

There was an accounting error several months ago.   $23, 963.52 was deposited in the firemen’s account in error.   The money needs to be transferred out of the fire fighters account back into the township account.   The board is still waiting on guidance from headquarters, the DGLF, on how to accomplish this seemingly easy but apparently difficult feat.  They are trying to decide whether it is best to do it by an appropriation or a resolution.   They each have consequences and using one over the other may bring on excessive paperwork and/or meeting requirements.   The board is looking for the best way to do this.  The board has been thinking about this for over two months. 

It does appear that they may be intentionally stalling until the Spring money deposit by the State.  There is some concern that the fire fighters account may not have enough funding to last to the next deposit, henceforth, the $23.9K can be looked at as a short term loan to the account to keep it from going dry until the cash deposit by the State.  When that happens, then the board will find a way to return the money.     

LEGAL BILLS

A resolution passed 3-0 to establish a legal fund within the fire budget to pay any legal bills incurred by the firemen in the course of their employment.  In previous years, the township paid all legal bills.   Board member Bolin did some great research and found out that this was improper accounting as tax payers in another taxing district (city) were paying the firemen’s legal expenses.  It is against state rules for this to happen.  With this resolution, the issue is gone.

Discussion followed regarding the legal bills.  Chief Mike asked the board how this would work.  The board’s advice was that firemen should not just go to see a lawyer without going through the proper chain of command, that being the chief and the trustee.   “If you don’t do that you may end up having to pay the legal bills out of your own pocket” Merideth said.   Everyone agreed with the chain of command procedure.

CAGIT MONEY-$1/2 Million gone?

Bolin brought up a discussion on CAGIT money.   CAGIT money is money given to the townships by the State.   The primary intent of this distribution is to reduce local township property taxes.  In Washington Township, the money should be split approximately 53% going to the city and 47% going to the township.   Bolin did his research again and found some shocking facts and numbers.

Past Washington Township Boards did not follow the intent of the legislature.  Bob went to the statehouse and pulled records back to 2009.  From what he reported, past Boards took the entire amount of distributed CAGIT money and dropped it into the fire fighters budget, when they only should have gotten about half of it.  Bolin estimates that well over $½ Million, yes he said $½Million, was used in the fire department that should have gone to either township poor relief or property tax reduction.   Doing the math, if these funds had been used in past years in accordance with the intent of the legislature, the general property tax rate in Washington Township would be zero.  Yes, I said ZERO.  That is the intent of your state legislators.

This year, it looks like the CAGIT distribution will be about $277,961.   The Board has promised to do the right thing this year.  Following the rules is a good thing.

DRUG TESTING FOR ASSISTANCE

Bolin reported that Posey County Indiana, Black Township has started a testing program for township benefits.  In other words, if you need help getting your rent, heat, lights, utilities, or food bills paid by the trustee, you must undergo a drug test.  When this was discussed, there was applause by the audience.  It was decided that Scotty would look into that in light of the rise in heroin problems in the city.   

When this has been tried in other cities, the number of applicants falls off, but hopefully, the cost of the testing will be offset by the savings due to fewer applicants.  Only time will tell.  It was discussed that generally, when someone is told that they have to have a drug test (and they have drugs in their system), they don’t get the test.  They just quit asking for assistance.  

You can read the article about it in the local Evansville paper here:

TESTING 

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Is former fireman Bob Bolin the only Board member who does the homework and research necessary to ensure Washington Township  becomes fiscally stable and compliant with State Laws?

The next meeting is April 10 at 5:30 in the County Building.

HIGH COSTS AND IDLE TIME

MARTINSVILLE CITY VS

 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP pay

After posting this chart to the right, I received feedback from many readers asking for a comparison of the Washington Township firefighters pay to the Martinsville city fire fighters pay.  

Most of the requests were civil, but many were not.  The uncivil requests and rude comments are always posted by folks with the last name of Anonymous. Please keep the comments coming.  I enjoy the rude ones even more than the nice ones. 

These numbers which I use come directly from either Trustee Scotty Manley or Becky Tumey in the city offices.   They are not made up.   The numbers are accurate and correct.  All charts are based upon the number of FULL time fire firefighters.

Having said that, here is the chart that you requested.  

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP FIREFIGHTER PAY VS MARTINSVILLE CITY FIREFIGHTER PAY

To help you digest all these numbers, here are the averages:

Average city firefighter pay -                                       $ 49,608

Average Washington Township firefighter pay-          $ 60,481  

        DIFFERENCE                                                    $ 10,873

Washington township firefighters make 22% more than city fire fighters.

AVERAGE PAY

AVERAGE PAY WASH TWSP VS MARTINSVILLE CITY

COST PER RUN

The township averages 360 runs per year.  In 2012 they had 405 runs.  The city averages 1,800 runs per year.  From this chart, you can see that Washington Township per run cost is 2.3 times more than the city per run costs.  Conclusion, we have too many expensive fireman or too few runs.  

UTILIZATION

If we divide the number of runs in each department by the number of full time firemen, you arrive at a "utilization" factor.   The number you calculate is the average "Runs per fireman".  Here is the chart for that.  

AVERAGE "RUNS" PER FULL TIME FIREMAN PER YEAR

From this chart, you can see that the city firefighters are busier than township firemen.   By the numbers, they are 2.4 times busier.  Stated differently, the township guys are 41% as busy as the city guys.   What a difference!   

Conclusion: it's just a good thing there is internet access at the Washington Township fire station.  That gives them something to do.

Summarizing all the charts, here is the data:

                                                   Washington  Twsp            Martinsville   

Average wage/yr                                  $60,481                         $49,608

Cost Per Run                                        $ 1,176                   $        496

Runs per fireman/yr                                   41                                100 

Fire protection costs are too high in the township, and the fireman in the city are very busy compared to the township firefighters.  In fact, I'm not sure why we even call them "fireman" anymore.  View the below chart and decide for yourself.   The real question is "why do we have so many firemen when all we really need are paramedics?"

 While you are pondering that, decide for yourself how much you like paying excessive taxes to support the township waste and inefficiencies which can be corrected.  

OPINION

Since there appear to be no spending reductions on the horizon, it would appear that the Washington Township Board (Merideth and Manley) are in support of the status quo/good-ol-boy club.  From a voters and spending perspective, it seems as though they are more concerned about maintaining the few, and ignoring the many (taxpayers).  Too bad.   Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. Washington Township Taxpayer lose again.    If you, the taxpayers do not show up at the township meetings, nothing will ever change. 

We voters would do well to consider these factors in the next election.  

WATER RATES UP AGAIN

Triple Header

Last night at city hall in Martinsville there were three meetings that in total lasted well over 2 hours.

1) City Council

2) Board of Works

3) Public Comments on Downtown Revitalization

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The Mayor announced that the city has been given a storm water planning grant for $27K.  “It will not pay for the entire study, but it makes a big dent.”

Poston Road or the Moon?

THE POSTON ROAD BLUES

Next week, our top notch road builder, Milestone, the one that put down Poston Road last year, will bring a big dump truck to Poston road.   They will tear up Poston and haul it away on that dump truck as the shoddy work they did last year needs to be re-done.  No one knows why these guys were hired or even claims responsibility for bringing them on.  The city has been very displeased with their work.   Gary Lester wants everything they have done torn up.  The only question is, why are we letting Milestone re-build Poston Road if they have proven to us their incompetence the first time?

YOUR  SEWER BILLS JUST WENT UP

Last year, the city accountants, Umbaugh and Associates did a study and recommended that the city put a $4.75 per household rate increase per month on all city homes to pay for storm water drainage.  In 2012 the city spent $216K on storm water costs.  A rate of $4.75 would offset all of those costs.  However, the board only voted to raise your rates by $2 per month leaving the city with a huge shortfall in revenue.  Everyone, you, me, your neighbor, and even Wal-Mart with their 40 acres of land and parking-lot-runoff-nightmare will only pay an additional $2 per month.  Holloway says that $2 is low and he named other cities that routinely charge $3-$17 per month for runoff.  It is hoped that a tiered rate structure will be enacted SOMEDAY since your 1/4 acre of home and lawn does not throw off nearly as much as the 40 acres of Wal-Mart asphalt.  It is wrong that you pay the same as the folks who own gigantic concrete lots. 

Holloway stated “whether it’s fair or not, and some people probably say it’s not, the Wal-Mart’s of the world, at least for now, will pay the same as a family residence.”  Translated, we just hurt you and gave a freebee to Wal-Mart.  Holloway then blamed our past administrations (that would be Deckard and Buskirk) for allowing development with no storm systems at all, “we’re talking none” he said.    “In some places there is none and some places there is a 6 inch tile which is completely unable to do the job.  Today we do not allow this.  We are paying for the sins of our past administrations.  Retrofitting is very expensive.”

Rates will continue to rise sharply until all these old problems are fixed.  Currently, Martinsville still has the cheapest water, sewer, and drainage charges of any city within several counties.

The $2 fee passed 6-1 with Jeff Price voting nay.  I asked him why he voted no and he replied that “the people here are still in shock from the 40% increase in water rates.  Soon, they will be coming in here begging to get their water turned back on.”   Good point Jeff.   All water bills will increase in April of 2013. 

Look Familiar?

ANALYSIS  

From conversations I’ve had with folks in prior administrations, no one in the past wanted to raise any water or sewer rates, for fear of being voted out of office.  Now we are going to be stuck holding the bag for politicians who valued their office and power more than they valued the long term well-being and continued maintenance of the infrastructure of Martinsville.   Instead of communicating with the voters about the necessity to MAINTAIN a workable system by gradually raising all rates to pay for maintenance expenses, Deckard and Buskirk looked the other way, and kept the rates artificially low in return for the campaign pitch of cheap utilities in Martinsville.   With little or no maintenance done for years, the bills are now coming due.   The system is imploding from poor engineering and even worse upkeep.  Holloway has at least 2 lifetimes of engineering repair work here thanks to the last two career politicians and their buddies running the infrastructure, hopefully not into the ground.  Thank you very much. 

It is for this reason that Martinsville truly needs a professional city manager, and not a career politician, to run Martinsville.   If the past 20 years of the career politicians allowing this town’s infrastructure to crumble in exchange for votes has not convinced you that we need real leadership, nothing will.     

Besides, why should we give the water company more money when it was clear in the Reporter-Times article last week that it has been very poorly managed for at least the last 6 years?  Why has Deckard not put someone in that position that can actually do a halfway decent job?   All we hear from the administration are excuses and promises about improving things at the water company.  Do you believe him?   Read the Reporter-Times article here and decide for yourself.  After 6 years you’d think that they could figure out elementary bookkeeping.          

BOARD OF WORKS MEETING

JIMMY NASH PARK SEWER PROJECT

4 quotes for the sewer project at Jimmy Nash Park have been received and will be analyzed by Mr. Holloway.  The quotes were from:

1)      Robinson Trenching and Directional Boring (Indy)        $165,205

2)      Infrastructure Systems (Orleans, IN)                              $  93,685

3)      Sub-Surface (Morgantown, IN)                                       $  90,871

4)      CSU Inc. (Plainfield, IN)                                                  $  75,989    

The sewer department will pay for most of this since the park basically “has no money” according to Holloway.  The mayor was authorized to sign the lowest responsive bid.

RAILROAD CROSSINGS PROJECT

RR crossings in Martinsville are allegedly out of date and deficient.  A quote was received from only one vendor, Gridlock Traffic Systems (just their name gives me great confidence).   The work to upgrade the signs and concrete markings came in at $17,623 and $9,731.  According to Holloway, a grant for $13K is available to offset the cost of the signage as long as we fill out the paperwork for reimbursement by the end of June.

OTHER

Money left over from a previous grant was found in the amount of $87,588.  Paul Moore, the treatment plant boss and Holloway decided that the city needed cost saving automatic sensing devices at our major lift stations that will automatically notify management of a malfunction.  Currently, guys have to drive around town wasting gas and time looking at lift stations every day to see if they are functioning properly.  With new equipment, no one will need to drive around all day and their time can be put to better use, not to mention the gasoline saved and reduced vehicle mileage.  No detail was discussed on what the guys will be doing with their extra time now that they are not driving around checking the pipes every day though.

PUBLIC HEARING ON REVITALIZATION OF MARTINSVILLE

Through the tireless efforts of Ms. Stuttgen and the Rediscover Martinsville organization, the city of Martinsville is in the process of applying for a $250K grant to improve the buildings in the downtown area.  The city council has chipped in $103K and others have also donated money.  The owners of the buildings are required to contribute 20% or more of the total grant.  With the contributions of the building owners, the total investment in downtown Martinsville, could total $540K.   Thank you Ms. Stuttgen for your perseverance and dedication. 

As part of this grant process, a public hearing meeting is required.   There were more than 45 people attending the meeting to show their support for this effort.

Pat Jacobs of Architecture Trio in Indy, the firm who is working with building owners on property improvements, spoke of working with these various owners regarding the façade improvements, grant/match monies, and the general positive attitudes of all those involved in the Martinsville Main Street Revitalization Project (MSRP).  “We are at a critical juncture here since some of the buildings are almost 100 years old now and there is deterioration.  We’re working with your property owners in the most productive manner to begin the revitalization process. “ 

Here are a few public comments

Jerry Walden (director on Martinsville Chamber of Commerce) “We are very much in support of the efforts of Rediscover Martinsville as it will bring visitors and businesses to our community.”

Christa Ledbetter (Library Director) “We are here to voice our support for revitalization.  Nothing can be accomplished without funding.  This is a first step in making our downtown vibrant like it once was.”

Curtis Tomak (archeologist) “It will be very worthwhile to improve the appearance of the buildings downtown and to improve their quality within the context of the historic area.”

Brian Kohl (resident) “I’d like to think that we all envision our downtown as a place where we can all go shop, dine, meet with friends and family.   I think this project can give us some of those things.  This project gives us an opportunity for the future. “

 Chip Keller (building owner) “I care deeply about this city and witnessed this decline but there has been some very good work done by the Rediscover group.”

Rebecca Smith “A grant program like this ensures that the product is going to be a quality product.”

Amber Foster (Home Bank) “Downtown has deteriorated and the cost to the individual owner is estimated to be $10-$80K to refurbish their building.  Very few can afford this. If something is not done now, downtown may be lost.  I’d like to announce that Home Bank is donating $5,000 to rediscover Martinsville’s downtown revitalization.”

Tom Zoss of the Commuity Foundation of Morgan County also pledged $5K.

Tina Chafey “I’m so excited about this project and so thankful to the administrations.  It has been a long haul.  Since this administration has taken over it has been a much better spot.  Much better.  I see things going. I feel it going. I know we are going to be a Mecca once again."    

MECCA

33,000 MEALS FOR THE HUNGRY

CHANGE OF PACE

(BLUE are clickable links)

Two weeks ago after writing an article critical of the mayor called “Follow the Money Part 1”, a friend of mine asked me the following question.  It was “Does anyone ever do anything right around here?”  Since most of my articles have been “watchdog” type articles and normally ARE critical or satirical of the inefficiencies of the dukes-of-hazzard patronage style of government,  I paused for a moment and realized his question was valid.  My answer is absolutely YES, and here is the detail:

COMMUNITY TABLE MISSION STATEMENT

The Community Table – seeking to be (1) a tangible response to God’s call and commandment to be a hospitable people and (2) a figurative and literal extension of the Table of the Lord’s Supper –offers a weekly, free meal, as well as fellowship and prayer, to anyone in the community who wishes to participate.

This mission statement was created and adopted by consensus at First Christian Church (FCC) in Martinsville Indiana on March 26, 2007.  On Monday October 18, a sign was put up on the steps of FCC and about 50 no-charge meals were served to those in need.

FCC sign advertising the free meals

Since that opening meal and every Monday since then, FCC has served meals to as few as 35 and as many as 160.  Weather seems to affect attendance.  Some of the guests walk; several are on walkers or ride scooters so to get in and out of the building in inclement weather is difficult.  The last year or so has seen an uptick in the overall average of guests.  It is believed that this may reflect the difficult economy that negatively affects so many people.  Pastor Mark and the mission department, however, have been unfailing in their prayerful support and their monetary support, persevering, knowing full well that free-will offerings and gifts never fully support the cost of the food and supplies.

Perhaps the greatest boost to the morale of those of us who have been involved since the beginning has been, within the last year, people and teams coming forward from outside First Christian and wanting to participate.  At this time the number of teams has grown to 19, greatly reducing the strain on everyone and much more clearly reflecting the community of Martinsville rather than just that of First Christian Church, which is a delight.  Here is just a partial list of groups/names within Martinsville that come in and operate the kitchen and the dining room on Mondays:

WalMart                                                     United Methodist Church

Wells                                                           Hearts in Service

First Christian Youth                                  Tri-Kappa                

Wed. Night Bible Study                              FCC/Haven Staff  

First Baptist Church                                    St. Martin Youth

Appetites being resolved in the Dining Hall at FCC

What a blessing for the city of Martinsville and especially those in need of a good hot meal.  And what good meals they eat!  It my belief that most, if not all, team members and greeters would say that the blessings are as great for them as they are for our guests.  It is with constant prayer that our efforts reflect the face and hands of Jesus, who is so gracious and welcoming to all who come.  Anyone who reads this history is welcome, too, to cook, to serve, to greet, to pray, to eat and to fellowship.  We pray God’s blessing on this ministry for now and into the future.

How many meals have been served?  About 33,000.