Are we losing the Forester or is the position already half gone? The Village Public Works department had 8 workers up until last year. A vacancy caused by a resignation was left unfilled. In the 2011 budget a cut of one more worker is proposed. Looking at the budget we can see that the department has 3 people who run the water system. Since the Village selected to go to a highly complex direct pumped system (leading to $9/1000gal water rates) those 3 people are pretty much committed. There is also a mechanic to keep all of the equipment/vehicles running. That will leave one worker and the Forester. When requests come in for replacing knocked down STOP signs, emptying trash containers, removing graffiti from the train station, fixing broken street lamps, street sweeping, Guthrie Park banners, block party barricades, spreading mulch in the Tot Lots, etc. who is realistically going to be tasked? That's right, the forester. And since the lay-off of a union member triggers the "no seasonal employees except for the summer months" clause in the contract, there isn't a practical way to fill the gap. In fact we will have to lay off any seasonals currently helping. The landscaping volunteer work days, CBD landscaping, commons maintenance will slowly erode in quality and quantity. Just thought I'd bring this up now so nobody has to start a thread next year asking "Why does the Village look so shabby?"
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Losing the Forester?
(6 posts)-
Posted Wednesday Oct 20, 2010 08:43 #
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Even if they keep a 'forester' position, I can't imagine Mike sticking around to be the general maintenance guy. He was already doing some of the plowing and shoveling last year, and I understand that role will increase dramatically this year. For all the hoopla about his hire a few years back (an advanced degree and great experience as a forester coming to the 'Village in a Forest'!), we have reduced him to a common laborer and I would assume he will be looking elsewhere soon (if he isn't already).
Maybe that's the plan? Lonnie can go over to Home Depot every morning and pick up a couple guys to come do our work on the cheap!
Posted Thursday Oct 21, 2010 07:30 # -
He'd better make sure they are legal.
Posted Thursday Oct 21, 2010 10:17 # -
I sure hope this is just cynicism.
IMO, losing the Forrester role would be a negative blow to our Village in a Forrest that we will all see.
Posted Thursday Oct 21, 2010 14:20 # -
The only part of my post that is cynical is the Lonnie part. It is true they are trying to whack the budget in the Village Services area and our Forester will be required to do all the odd jobs required to keep things running - something I doubt he will put up with for long.
As much as the volunteer efforts we have seen recently are an inspiration and a step towards greater community involvement, I worry the fearsome foursome see it as a reason they can provide us with less, we have proven we can do it ourselves...
Posted Thursday Oct 21, 2010 15:54 # -
Hey, that was me working on Lonnie's lawn, and I was born here. Yak se mas!
Posted Thursday Oct 21, 2010 17:34 #
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