Comments on: UPDATED: City Council Agrees to Recycle Yard Waste, Charge Senior Citizens for Facility Use

By: Brokelyn

Brokelyn — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 19:51:54 +0000

Joe — You made some great points. Can you attend Monday’s Council meeting at 6pm and bring this up for the record? It owuld be good to hear if the City Manager agrees or pushes back against your keen observation.

If you go, please report back!

By: miltonwatchdog

miltonwatchdog — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 22:21:04 +0000

If it is true that Bellaire spent $30,000 more on a garbage truck by going with a chosen vendor, how much money could West U have saved by buying fire truck tires and/or tires for city vehicles at best quality and price? Likely the City Attorney and Council were fully aware, but the political machine did not investigate, nor regulate.

Colonial Colonel, my neighbor has a beautiful dog. Her name is Mrs. Colonial Colonel.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:12:55 +0000

There are two ways to avoid a public bid for capital equipment. The city can skirt the traditional process through organizations such as Buyboard or HGAC which provides a wide range of expensive vehicles such as refuse trucks. The Director of Public Works could simply make their choice on whatever piece of equipment they wanted and present their singular choice the city council. Not telling them what was the cheapest, just the one they wanted! So in this case they never have to go with the lowest bid out there. In Bellaire they spent over $30,000 more going with who they wanted not what was the best for the city. If this kind of money can be saved buying a garbage truck just think what else can be saved buying other items to save money and we can help out the senior citizens without making everyone to pay for services.

By: Brokelyn

Brokelyn — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 01:22:59 +0000

Colonel–I get your point, but c’mon keep this civil.

Milton–I get what you’re saying but representative government should represent the citizens so the citizens don’t have to do all the governing. If you have concerns that something illicit is happening then please provide evidence or cause, bring that up to the city attorney, and request an investigation. If you’re just afraid of what might be happening then seek out more evidence. Keep in mind that the added burden of opening all disbursements to bid, reporting on all disbursements, and dealing with all of the protests requires time and taxpayer money. Are you willing to put up the money necessary to start that effort (not knowing if there will indeed be a payback)? Are you will to slow down City activity due to increased red tape?

By: Colonial Colonel

Colonial Colonel — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 17:13:43 +0000

Miltonwatchdog sounds silly. He says, “Curious purchases from favorite vendors may or may not be happening, ” It is also true that Miltonwatchdog may or may not be having anal intercourse with their neighbor’s dog.

By: miltonwatchdog

miltonwatchdog — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 16:49:28 +0000

Agree with Joe. If we had oversight over City purchasing, the money saved would more than pay for every senior citizen to swim free. Leave the old folks alone, rich or poor, and monitor spending at City Hall. How much would we save if purchases over $25,000 required an open Request for Bid/Proposal, published responses and published results of bid opening. Curious purchases from favorite vendors may or may not be happening, but the taxpayers should know how our money is being spent, by whom and with whom.

By: GoldBacon

GoldBacon — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 16:43:31 +0000

Facts, who needs ‘em? ROFL

By: West U Resident for 70 years

West U Resident for 70 years — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 16:37:54 +0000

Huh?

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 02:12:29 +0000

The city is about to spend up to $200,000 for new equipment. What is the new equipment they are looking at buying? How does this new equipment go out to bid? Maybe we need to look at how we are spending our money in West U before raising fees on all other residents. Bellaire just bought a brand new garbage trucks and did not have to go out for bids.

By: West U Resident for 70 years

West U Resident for 70 years — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 23:08:35 +0000

No not really, but I did attend the council meeting last night. Regarding senior fees, everyone seems to have missed a major point that was made last night. Any senior that has a financial need simply needs to sign a single paragraph form saying that they have a need and they will not pay anything. No proof required. It will be based on the honor system and each individual’s own conscience. Not sure why anyone cares if millionaire seniors have to pay something as long as those in need don’t.

By: West U Resident for 50 years

West U Resident for 50 years — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 21:40:28 +0000

I agree with Tangley Resident, the yard waste problem in West U is a direct result of Obamacare. I can’t believe that people can’t see this.

By: West U Resident

West U Resident — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:11:11 +0000

as a hypothetical: should a 65 year old CEO get in free and a young mom have to pay??

I think asking Seniors to pay a discounted rate is more than fair.

As for greed, I highly doubt the council is trying to line their coffers with $60/year. There are costs associated with maintaining these facilities and my guess is that current memberships are running short of covering them. I use both pools weekly, if not every day. The vast majority of people there are Seniors.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:10:40 +0000

Haha, what?

By: Mardi Turner

Mardi Turner — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:08:07 +0000

Thanks to Council for approving the re-introduction of green waste recycling! I am happy to pay $2 a month to help the planet.

By: Sonny Brandtner

Sonny Brandtner — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 17:43:28 +0000

The elderly in our community should not have to pay to use our pool. Although I support our council and Mayor, this is unbelievable. Most of the voters that put council back in public office were senior citizens. Now they a fee change against them.

As I voiced in the election, we have big issues to focus on in our City, NOT term extensions and how we can get more money out of our seniors!

With the constant increase in our property values, we should have enough money for our budget. Heck, we should be able to offset the property value increases with lower rates.

Respectfully,

Sonny Brandtner

By: LHG

LHG — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 17:06:04 +0000

I am sure it must bother some who see wealthy older people who live with their wealthy children and their non-resident wealthy friends who don’t pay to use the nice facilities the city has to offer. There are still seniors living in your city who need the social interaction available to them and will be discouraged by fees. I remember when there were no organized groups in the city, other than the churches, that reached out to them and as a result there were some tragic and sad events. When I lived in West U, I understood that the city was aware of their older citizens so that in a city emergency, like a hurricane, etc. they could do welfare checks. Why not form a Senior Trust like the Tree Trust. I paid a lot of money into the Tree Trust. It would have been fine if I had been given the option to put the money into a Senior Trust. Such a trust could receive donations and provide qualified seniors an exemption to the fees.

By: Bink 79

Bink 79 — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 11:37:25 +0000

All of the fees are too low. The pools and Recreation
Center ate heavily subsidized by tax dollars. Silver
Sneakers Program pays for one gym membership
for over persons on Medicare. While I never
use either facility and I am in my sixties, I pay
a lot each month in my property tax for them,
Seniors can afford $12:month.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 04:56:16 +0000

Seriously? Our democracy is composed primarily of a 2 party system. We are Americans regardless if you vote Republican or Democrat. It is so disappointing that a topic cannot be discussed without someone attacking the politics of fellow Americans.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 03:51:37 +0000

Shame on Council. Their day will come.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 03:49:46 +0000

Nothing to do with Obamacare. A lot to do with Republicans wanting to run government like a business for profit.