I’m not alone in my frustration and concern over potholes and the overall conditions of our streets. I hear about it constantly.
Usually the conversation begins with something along the lines of” “When are you going to do something about the streets,” or “Why aren’t you doing something about the streets.”
Sometimes the comments have been a bit more accusatory, as if I and other members council and the city staff simply want to see our roads deteriorate.
I always try to explain it comes down to money. That seldom makes anyone feel better. And there are always the few who come up with a response like “That’s right, just a politician you want more tax money to take care of what you should be taking care of.”
If only someone would tell me how we could pave our streets without additional money. What would they suggest we cut to make that possible?
A huge problem we face is that you just can’t pave streets, you have to bring the curb cuts at every intersection up to current wheelchair-ramp standards – even if there are existing curb cuts.
An example is Colbert Avenue. We set some money aside to pave Colbert this year, but it now appears that the need to re-do all the curb cuts could easily take every cent we set aside for the paving. We – or more correctly our Public Works Department – have not given up. The search is on for some innovative ways to address the problem.
The city has a large backlog of capital needs and street paving is high on that list. I wish I knew how to address it.
I’ve mentioned only half-jokingly to people that we should put a $104 line-item into the budget to buy a Powerball ticket for the city every Wednesday and Saturday.
About Me
- John Noel Bartlett
- Oil City, Pennsylvania
- A retired journalist now employed by the Foundation for Sustainable Forests and a member of Oil City Council.
Links of Interest
- City of Oil City
- Erie Blogs
- Foundation For Sustainable Forests
- Friends of Allegheny Wilderness
- Oil City Arts by Joann Wheeler
- Oil City Arts Council
- Oil City Southside Association
- Rebuild Oil City -- Scott Smail
- Venangago-go -- Mike Dittman
- Venango Area Chamber of Commerce
- Venangoland -- Peter Greene
25 comments:
I'm probably beating a dead horse here but Council approved an additional $80,000 to the budget that could have gone to streets, or capital improvements. There actually are places to cut the budget if you and council are brave enough, or if you put the city first and not the council or personal agenda's first.
Can someone tell me why the individuals that are running for council are putting up signs all over the place when they will all go through to the general election? It makes the town look trashy. On that note has anyone noticed that a certain "community enhancement" sign has shown up in the lawns of some of the city's most blighted properties?! Pretty ironic isn't it!?
To anonymous 1.
Council did not so much approve an additional $80,000 to the budget as order some things moved around to free up that $80,000 for other uses, including paving.
I'm not yet convinced that money is really there.
I don't see any place to cut the budget without doing real harm to existing services, which are running pretty thin as it is, or cutting those things that desinged to make for a healthier future.
Give us some specific ideas of what you would cut. I might disagree, but at least there is subject for discussion.
To number 2,
I suspect candidates are preparing for the fall election, and you can't always control where your signs go up.
I also just noticed I should have previewed and checked for typos before posting.
Sorry.
John: It is very difficult to know the whole picture unless you are Tom or Janet and it is also easy to throw stones at decisions you all make, so I won't do that. I would encourage the future use of CDBG funds for the MOST important purposes. Paving and infrastructure should lead the list. Playgrounds and the like should be at the bottom. There are other grant sources for those.
The recent headline on the front page of the Derrick regarding how the stimulus money is being doled out says a lot. Imagine if more than the paltry 6-10% of the $700+ billion went to small towns with hardworking people what we could do? I would love to know what we received that will stimulate jobs here.
Perhaps Jack Baker (Derrick writer) could pull some strings with his beloved democrat collegues (he apparently feels will save the world) and just get us some paving money. That's all, not FREE healthcare, homes, food, cars, etc. Just smooth, safe roads would be nice.
This is not going to be popular considering that your son is on the force but the Oil City Fire Dept looks to be overstaffed. If not by the lower echelon members certainly in officer personnel. Add to it that we currently have two firehouses and the one on the northside is less than 5 miles to Cornplanter's we could cut one of those and co-opt with Cornplanter to continue to provide adequate protection to the northside. I do have more than this but in the hope this does start some discussion I will wait and add as we go.
To the last anonymous,
I would argue the point of the fire department being overstaffed, and not because my son is on the force, of which I am quite proud.
The city learned a lesson a few years ago when several full-time positions on the department when unfilled. Even with the use of part-timers overtime costs soared.
My personal opinion is that it would be impossible to rely on Cornplanter to cover a large section of the city. As good as Cornplanter Fire Department is, like all volunteer departments staffing can be an issue. In the city the houses are close together and are of older construction a quick response is absolutely essential. A five-minute difference in response time is the difference between putting out a small kitchen fire and having a fully engulfed room or even an entire floor.
There have been three examples of this in recent months. Without the response made possible by a fully-staffed paid department, those fires would have been significant losses and made headlines. As it was, they were quickly contained and extinguished.
Also, don’t forget putting out fires is just one part of what we expect of our firefighters. They respond to med calls providing advanced life support. The call volume is incredible. I can say with certainty providing that service has saved hundreds of lives of city residents, and made the eventual quality of life outcome better for hundreds more. (I think you would be shocked if you saw the time it can sometimes take for an ambulance to arrive on scene.)
The fire department is also taking on a larger role building inspections. Six of the firefighters have been certified in fire safety code inspection and will soon be adding property maintenance code certification. Other firefighters provide electrical services and maintain our street lights, along with other responsibilities.
In all honesty, one of the reasons Kathy and I chose to live in the city was because of our services, notably the fire department. This was long before we had our son. I’ve always said I’m much better prepared to personally deal with the criminal invading our home than I am the fire or the heart attack.
Now all of this does not mean I am opposed to trying to gain efficiencies within the fire department, or any other department.
I hope you do realize that the city cannot continue to squeeze more out of the remaining residents.
The council members were not elected to complain they don't have enough money. Lots of residents don't have enough money these days.
Hey John how about not approving every single thing that the arts people ask for like $1200 for more banners to be put up downtown. How about that as a way to save money for asphalt and paving!
I look at that $1,200 as a very small investment in helping eventually grow our tax base the the success of our downtown.
I know others might not see it htat way.
In the long term, we need to have our downtown succeed if we are going to be able to avoid future tax increases or draconian cuts in services.
Yeah, $1200 is a very small amount.
Typical politician attitude.
Well, apparently there's now at least one person less than pleased with my performance on council.
I do understand people's frustrations. They should see it from the inside, or at least up close. The frustrations can be even greater.
In terms of marketing, yes $1,200 is not very much, but it might be enough to draw a bit of attention to an area downtown that is growing some business. It might not be a lot of businesses, or a lot of people, but it is more than we would have without the artists' initiative.
In other ways, $1,200 ia a great deal of money. For me, it would be fully one-tenth of a Buell 1125r. For someone else, it is the winter heat bill. There's no disputing everyone's perspective is different.
Staffing is another way to cut a budget without relying on "Draconian" cuts to services. Looking at the budget and in particular the staffing at City Hall there are a few places where positions are redundant, and some where they can be eliminated altogether. Savings in payroll and benefits could be a moderate boost to a very tight budget.
I give anyone credit who is willing to step up and run for elected office. It has to be thankless and you will never please everyone.
I can also see the frustration of those on the outside looking in. We all agree that the streets need repaired but then we see an excessive amount of plantings in front of City Hall that will require manitenance. A lot of residents would consider the new sidewalks, bricks and lighting as unnecessary given the condition of our streets.
Tax payers don't fully understand how funding is obtained and how decisions are made to spend it. They just know that driving over the crappy paving patch work job on Central Avenue is more of an annoyance than an old sidewalk by empty storefronts like the former Social Security office. Sure it looks (sort of)prettier, but what is more important?
John,
Comparing your want of a Buell 1125r racing bike and somebody's heating bill shows just how out of touch some of you people on council are.
“but it might be enough to draw a bit of attention to an area downtown that is growing some business.”
Howdy John it’s been awhile but with everything that’s going on in the city right now there’s plenty to talk about. First I’d like to address the above quote and say with all due respect this talk about growing business has left me feeling confused and scratching my head. Where are these businesses that the downtown is growing? The city has lost numerous businesses over the last couple of years and there are lots of rumors of several more closings. Speaking of rumors it does seem a little odd that Mr. Rockovich would resign so hastily. I for one feel that he did a good job keeping the city afloat during these hard economic times however maybe some new blood won’t hurt. I just can’t help but feel some remorse if indeed Mr. Rockovich was forced out as seems to be the popular opinion. If that is the case then all I can say is it’s just another day in Oil City politics with the new good ole boy network hard at work.
Till next time take care.
- The Oil City Outsider
I’m going to try to respond to the last several comments as best I can. This will be long.
Anonymous said...
Staffing is another way to cut a budget without relying on "Draconian" cuts to services. Looking at the budget and in particular the staffing at City Hall there are a few places where positions are redundant, and some where they can be eliminated altogether. Savings in payroll and benefits could be a moderate boost to a very tight budget.
May 27, 2009 10:18 AM
MY REPLY
I truly don’t see the overstaffing and redundancies at city hall. If someone has specific suggestions let me know. I will give them honest consideration.
Anonymous said...
We all agree that the streets need repaired but then we see an excessive amount of plantings in front of City Hall that will require manitenance. A lot of residents would consider the new sidewalks, bricks and lighting as unnecessary given the condition of our streets.
Tax payers don't fully understand how funding is obtained and how decisions are made to spend it. They just know that driving over the crappy paving patch work job on Central Avenue is more of an annoyance than an old sidewalk by empty storefronts like the former Social Security office. Sure it looks (sort of)prettier, but what is more important?
May 29, 2009 11:38 AM
MY REPLY
First, the project that just ended was begun way before my time on council. To halt it midstream made no sense. And even if I was there at the beginning, I’m not sure I would have opposed it. The real value isn’t what you see on the surface, but the water mains, sewer lines and other work under ground that the “beautification” project provided for.
You are right in noting not all funds, especially outside funds (grants, etc.) can be used for all purposes. That does limit what we accomplish and says why many things are or are not done.
A note on Central Avenue: We’ve been holding off on paving because there is a major water line project planned that will require trenching much of the street.
Anonymous said...
John,
Comparing your want of a Buell 1125r racing bike and somebody's heating bill shows just how out of touch some of you people on council are.
June 2, 2009 11:07 AM
MY REPLY
I guess my subtlety was either lost or I poorly made my point – perhaps both.
What I was saying in the post referenced by the above anonymous is that we all have to remember $1,200 is a huge amount for some people and very much a necessity, as opposed to those of us who are relatively fortunate. I hope that doesn’t make me out of touch.
I think I have a pretty deep understanding of struggling to maintain the necessities of life.
As for the Buell, it is one of my fantasies.
Finally, to the Outsider:
Yes, there probably are some businesses in trouble, but I think we are also establishing some new small businesses as well. The artists are very much a part of that. It’s not the solution, but it is value added and provides more than we would have without it. Revitalization of our downtown is like a jig saw puzzle, each piece is important to make the whole.
I urge everyone to get involved and support the Main Street Program. It offers a lot of opportunity.
And finally, I share your remorse at Tom’s leaving. As I said in my post on the subject, I believe he was incredibly valuable to the city.
I can only speak for myself; but he had my support.
$1200? Art Inside? Are you kidding me? What an embarrassment!
I have to agree with the last poster. The "ART INSIDE" banners are hideous, cartoonish, and just plain ugly. They don't tie in with anything. If this is the best our local artists can do we are in trouble.
To each his own, but they are really sad. If those involved are honest with themselves they will admit it and get them down.
How is it that Franklin has people making design choices that coordinate and accentuate the downtown and we continue to have disjointed, wierd contributions?
The MESS of plantings in front of City Hall is a good example. I know, I know, you weren't on Council when that was planned. I still would have asked " Uh, just curious, what are you going to do in front of one our main intersections with tax payer dollars?". My next comment would have been "Let's talk about that. Let's get the Garden club's input - those folks sure do a bang up job".
I absolutely would not think "Oh well, I wasn't here when that was planned so I'll just live with it even though I live here, too and will have to look at the mess every day".
So there you have a $7000 consultant to find a city manager and another consultant to draw up contracts. Why not just get rid of council and the manager position and we'll just have a consultanting firm run the city. Seems they're the only ones that know how to do anything. And yeah the banners are hideously ugly. Where was your consultant on that one?
John - I just figured out the new theme the "ART INSIDE" banners are promoting for Oil City: TOON TOWN! I get it! We should put up big replicas of Roger Rabbit everywhere and have a contest to paint them. That would really tie things together and kids would love it! Plus it would be so avant garde and artistic.
John - Regarding the mess on the other side of Main St. from the beautiful gateway gardens. Apparently ... (edited to eliminate an unproven allegation: JNB) you don't have to maintain your commercial property and you get a pass from cutting down weeds on one of the MOST visible properties in town.
I agree with the last two postings. Art inside what? And why does the owner of the old service station get away with such an unkempt property?
lol...roger rabbit.the art signs are really bad man put up some oil heritage festival ones instead!
Thank you Mr. Bartlet for getting the property across from the gateway garden taken care of. Cheers!
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