| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MonroeWatch |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 4:17:32 PM
 Emergency Resolution No. 73-2009. A Resolution approving a Then-and-Now Certificate in the amount of $50,074.63 to Van Kley & Walker, LLC, and declaring an emergency.
And why does this have to be an emergency. Didn't we see this bill coming. Is the next one going to be an emergency too?
Source: Monroe Council Agenda September 22, 2009 |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| cmsquare |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 11:06:10 AM
People actually drink the Monroe water?
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| Doc |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 10:59:50 AM
quote:
[i]Originally posted by homeowner[/i]
[br]I have zero confidence in the click runing this city into the ground. The first i knew about the water rate increase was when I got the notice in my water bill, that the water rates were going up 7% this year 5% next year, and 3% every year from now on. this is nothing but a back door yearly tax increase. with no input from the citizens. and no vote allowed.i have no dought the city water dept. budget is being stacked to help increase city revenue.
Yep. I can NOT understand for the life of me exactly WHAT is the justification for a rate hike. We have the worst water I have EVER experienced and I've lived all over this fine country. |
| cmsquare |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 10:32:26 AM
I wonder why suncoke isn't building?
I drive by there but nothing is ever happening....Why? |
| Mr.Baseball02 |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 09:30:43 AM
ummmm...I win the ranch because yet again none of you showed up to express your opinion to council. |
| homeowner |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 09:27:56 AM
I have zero confidence in the click runing this city into the ground. The first i knew about the water rate increase was when I got the notice in my water bill, that the water rates were going up 7% this year 5% next year, and 3% every year from now on. this is nothing but a back door yearly tax increase. with no input from the citizens. and no vote allowed.i have no dought the city water dept. budget is being stacked to help increase city revenue. |
| Tom B |
Posted - 09/23/2009 : 12:19:31 AM
quote:
[i]Originally posted by Bartleby[/i]
[br]However, without the dual resolution process the constituents no longer have a direct say, unless of course you believe in an indirect republic (or a pure republic); where you elect someone to make the correct decisions for you
I am torn on this issue. I believe the use of emergency resolutions has made it "seem" like the people do not have a voice. Therefore they do not come to the meetings because why bother it will pass with an emergency resolution anyways.
Your points are quite valid. I think you are right in the belief that Monroe citizens feel left out in situations like this. But I believe that it need not be that way.
If the council (or school board) spends the majority of its public meeting time focused on individual spending details, it is inevitable that the community will come to believe that is the important place to focus upon as well. Conversely, if the council spent most of its meeting time on the big picture, I believe the great majority of the community would follow suit.
Furthermore, I believe it is very difficult, if not impossible, for even the most involved constituents to maintain a really informed viewpoint at the individual spending resolution level. They simply can't stay well abreast of such detail, and I think pursuit of it is misplaced. But I go further than that. I don't think it is reasonable for a council, or school board, to work at that level either.
For example, I strongly believe that the best person to determine a specific police or fire department purchase is its chief, backed up by the city manager. Give him strategic goals, and a budget, and then get out of the way. For a council, or school board, to believe it can reasonably second guess city department leaders who have spent decades at their profession is folly. If it can't trust and depend upon such leaders to manage the details, then we have the wrong people in those jobs.
I believe that both the council and public should focus on the bigger picture, the city's strategy, its long term planning, its total annual budget, etc. Choosing IF to pursue the SunCoke lawsuit is most certainly a very big picture item, appropriate for community and council alike. Choosing HOW to pursue it is much more narrow, requiring volumes of information and effort not generally possible for the public. That role most certainly lies upon the Council. We elected them, and we should trust them, or vote them out of office. Finally, the mechanism of actually making the payment for it is a minor detail. |
| Bartleby |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 10:25:46 PM
However, without the dual resolution process the constituents no longer have a direct say, unless of course you believe in an indirect republic (or a pure republic); where you elect someone to make the correct decisions for you
I am torn on this issue. I believe the use of emergency resolutions has made it "seem" like the people do not have a voice. Therefore they do not come to the meetings because why bother it will pass with an emergency resolution anyways.
I agree with Tom's discussion in a previous thread. Lets change the city charter to allow the council to operate within certain boundaries, i.e. a balanced budget etc.
quote:
[i]Originally posted by Tom Birdwell[/i]
[br]The never ending crying about the city's use of emergency ordinances is much ado about nothing. The bottom line is that when our city council is so very united on an issue, like in this case, it really doesn't matter financially if the council uses the dual resolution process, known as first and second reading, or if they use an emergency resolution process. Either way it is going to pass, and its funding will be spent. The only difference is that in using an emergency resolution, the city is free to act immediately, vs wasting time and money watching a clock tick, for 30 days after passing the second one. If an issue is going to pass regardless, we are all better off with Council using the most expeditious process that they can.
As an example of the utter uselessness of the dual resolution process in the charter, can anyone here remember examples where the council passed an issue's first read, then rejected it in the second? Unless that happens occasionally, then good or bad, the dual resolution system does nothing to serve its intent.
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| Tom B |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 9:01:35 PM
The never ending crying about the city's use of emergency ordinances is much ado about nothing. The bottom line is that when our city council is so very united on an issue, like in this case, it really doesn't matter financially if the council uses the dual resolution process, known as first and second reading, or if they use an emergency resolution process. Either way it is going to pass, and its funding will be spent. The only difference is that in using an emergency resolution, the city is free to act immediately, vs wasting time and money watching a clock tick, for 30 days after passing the second one. If an issue is going to pass regardless, we are all better off with Council using the most expeditious process that they can.
As an example of the utter uselessness of the dual resolution process in the charter, can anyone here remember examples where the council passed an issue's first read, then rejected it in the second? Unless that happens occasionally, then good or bad, the dual resolution system does nothing to serve its intent. |
| Tracy |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 11:18:11 AM
In response to why we use emergency resolutions. We have answered this during a council session and it can be found on the meeting minutes. I hope this helps answer your question.
From the meeting minutes - http://www.monroeohio.org/pdf/mayor_council/2005CouncilMinutes/7-28-09.pdf
Mr. Shell said there have been questions about Emergency Resolutions and how we conduct business and asked Mr. Callahan to explain.
Mr. Callahan said the primary purpose of an emergency resolution is that when you adopt it the resolution becomes effective immediately. The normal process is you have two readings at two different meetings and it is adopted at the second reading, however, it does not go into effect until thirty days after the second reading. It is necessary to have five votes to waive the rules and adopt an emergency piece of legislation and this is usually done because of a time issue that is not created by the City. Mr. Callahan said you are trying to accommodate or fit into another schedule. Mr. Callahan said you adopted bond legislation tonight and staff can try tomorrow to secure the bonds. Mr. Callahan said there are certain things that go into effect immediately without the necessity of being an emergency such as the Appropriation Ordinances to be adopted on the first reading and not be declared as an emergency. Mr. Callahan said there are also things in the Charter where the Charter prohibits some things ever being an emergency such as the rezoning of property and so you must go through the multiple step process. Mr. Callahan said the primary reason you go through the multi step process is a piece of legislation does not go into effect for thirty days after its adoption and this enables the electorate to circulate a referendum petition and have the issue placed on the ballot. |
| Mr.Baseball02 |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 11:08:45 AM
quote:
[i]Originally posted by buckeyenut[/i]
[br]For those with questions or comments, the Council meeting is tonight at 6:30p. Let your Voice be heard where it counts (while this is a fun place to b*tch, gripe, complain, or toss opinions back and forth, it accomplishes little)
lol... I bet you the ranch none of them will show up..... |
| buckeyenut |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 10:58:15 AM
For those with questions or comments, the Council meeting is tonight at 6:30p. Let your Voice be heard where it counts (while this is a fun place to b*tch, gripe, complain, or toss opinions back and forth, it accomplishes little) |
| John Beagle |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 10:05:03 AM
Ok, lets just say for the sake of argument that I agree with the lawsuit and we should fight pollution in our town at all costs. That still leaves me with 2 questions.
1. Monroe isn't the one breaking laws here...it's AK and SunCoke. Why do we have to pay to enforce the law?
2. Why is it an Emergency Resolution?
I want what's best for Monroe, don't hate me because I allow all sides to post on this argument. It's really not black or white. What is just for one side isn't just for the other. No matter what decision is reached.
So let's continue to have a fair debate and listen to all sides of the SunCoke - Monroe Council lawsuit. |
| Jane Smith |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 07:30:51 AM
Monroe watch - you are Homer?
Isis never says, "Not in my backyard". I say there's a better way~ they just don't pay~ |
| cmsquare |
Posted - 09/22/2009 : 07:09:20 AM
quote:
[i]Originally posted by Boomer[/i]
[br]The point is, City leaders are spending this money like it's what the people want. When in fact, it's just what a few want.
Council is spending in the best interest for the future of this town. If you are too blind to see it now; perhaps you will thank them later on when our schools aren't on par with Middletown's?
There are long term effects that are far greater than the reach of these 50 jobs we are talking about. When your taxes go up...just to make up the difference in hundreds of thousands of dollars annually our schools will lose what are you going to say then?
We don't need irresponsible companies like suncoke polluting our town.
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| sportsnut |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 8:37:36 PM
Council has my support. |
| nellyb |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 7:44:54 PM
Council has my support and my vote . |
| cmsquare |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 6:38:20 PM
well if they had a leg to stand on right now why aren't they building?
ANYONE?
Monroe isn't the one breaking laws here...it's AK and SunCoke. 55 jobs....how much are they really worth?
council has my support, and those up for re-election will have my vote come election time.
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| Bartleby |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 6:08:14 PM
Be careful Boomer, you will be accused of being Pro AK or worse yet a Glenn Beck follower. |
| MonroeWatch |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 5:48:53 PM
quote:
[i]Originally posted by Mr.Baseball02[/i]
Answer my question first...
SunCoke and AK Steel have a permit to install on public record. Why is SunCoke/AK Steel not currently constructing the SunCoke facility in Middletown, Ohio?
In the words of our former president George HW Bush, "It wouldn't be prudent at this juncture." |
| Boomer |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 5:35:57 PM
The point is, City leaders are spending this money like it's what the people want. When in fact, it's just what a few want. City Council appears to be accountable to no one and just keep writing check after check....and for what??
Why the emergency legislation....because why open it up to a 1st reading and then a 2nd reading...then council may hear from the people and god knows they wouldnt want that to happen!!! What a bunch of crap! |
| Mr.Baseball02 |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 5:32:52 PM
quote:
[i]Originally posted by MonroeWatch[/i]
[br]Ditto: And why does this have to be an emergency. Didn't we see this bill coming. Is the next one going to be an emergency too?
quote:
[i]Originally posted by Mr.Baseball02[/i]
[br]Yeap Monroe Watch... Whats keeping them from building? You have dodged every single question I have thrown your way.
Answer my question first...
SunCoke and AK Steel have a permit to install on public record. Why is SunCoke/AK Steel not currently constructing the SunCoke facility in Middletown, Ohio?
Note: There are no injunctions or court orders from the city of Monroe, Sierra Club, SunCoke Watch and the NRDC as of September 21st 2009 at 5:30PM.
I suggest you gather up your construction friends and go to AK Steel West Chester and call the SunCoke office Knoxville Tennessee and demand them to start constructing the facility. Just passing friendly advice! |
| MonroeWatch |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 5:26:38 PM
Ditto: And why does this have to be an emergency. Didn't we see this bill coming. Is the next one going to be an emergency too?
quote:
[i]Originally posted by Mr.Baseball02[/i]
[br]Yeap Monroe Watch... Whats keeping them from building? You have dodged every single question I have thrown your way.
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| Bartleby |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 5:20:18 PM
I will save everyone time.....
10 Print "Not in my backyard says Isis"
20 Print "Why not let AK do whatever says Bartleby...."
30 Print "Beat dead horse"
40 Goto 10 |
| Mr.Baseball02 |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 5:19:38 PM
Yeap Monroe Watch... Whats keeping them from building? You have dodged every single question I have thrown your way. |
| cmsquare |
Posted - 09/21/2009 : 4:57:17 PM
Why isn't suncoke building again?
They have nothing stopping them. |
