It was a dumb idea to sell off the sewer system. He should propose outsourcing the fire dept and then all the city workers except for the police. It would be a good way to get rid of the unions.

 

I don't know that it was so dumb. Other cities have done it and it has worked out well. I admit, ideas like this are scary just like Obama's government option proposal. But 9 out of 10 times, these things can be done in a way that protects everyone involved. I don't know that over extending The Fire Department is such a good idea, either.

 

As far as the recall: Thank Goodness voters rejected this stupidity!

Outsourcing doesn't always save much money, and in fact often ends up costing even more.  In the defense sector at the national level, outsourcing in some areas has become a complete fiasco--not only were private consulting firms charging more than the government was paying its workers when it was doing the work in-house, but there were often security breaches and other major instances of shoddy work, due to private sector cost cutting to increase profitability.

 

I agree that selling off the sewer system was probably not a wise long-term move.  However, there probably won't be political impetus for reclaiming it until the private company does something really stupid (something more than just raising rates--something more along the lines of flooding the streets with sewage).

 

As for getting rid of the unions: Well, he can always put the city into Chapter 9 [bankruptcy].  :evil:  However, I hesitate to lay all the blame for deteriorating city finances at the unions' doorstep.  I'm betting it was more a case of unrealistic expectations on the part of the city council and others responsible for the city budget--expectations that the boom would never bust.

Recall to cost city $195,604.18

By Stephanie Warsmith

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

POSTED: 06:58 p.m. EDT, Aug 27, 2009

 

The final price tag for the failed recall attempt against Mayor Don Plusquellic: $195,604.18.

The Summit County elections board on Thursday approved the charge, which Akron will have to pay.

Estimates had put the cost for the June 23 recall, which was rejected by nearly three-fourths of the voters, at $175,000 to $200,000.

 

More at http://www.ohio.com

What a waste!!!!!