HomeMy WebLinkAbout10- Public Comment Entered Into Rw. gl MCC/CDC Wg: S'y Enterer' 4 t }o:
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It was 44440 Wftthe City of San Bernardino has$]!bi}Iipn-iq,a{1 } 1 billion in
debts. Now let me repeat that again. $1 BILLION in debt. Take a second and let that sink in. My
question is just how in the world does anyone, outside of the federal government, get$1 billion in
debt. That is a figure that is unfathomable by most people. Just how long did that take to spend
that much money that you, the City, never had? Weeks, months, years, how long?
Reportedly there are several investigations going on within the City Hall, and hopefully one of more of
those investigations will reveal, how long it took to spend that much money, who is responsible for
spending that much, and why no one ever noticed before now that$1 billion was spent. Or as is
often said in federal government circles, "what did they know and when did they know it."
Someone(s) had to have known something was rotten in Denmark, so the real question is why didn't
they say something,or were they instructed not to, or were they paid off not to tell. The possibilities
are endless, but the citizens of San Bernardino need answers to these very reasonable questions. In
my, ever be it some humble opinion, someone(s) needs to go to jail for this travesty,for these illegal
acts,for total dis-regard of public monies. Whoever was responsible for this fiscal mess has no ethics,
morals and/or honesty, and is devoid of any real or human character.
Several weeks ago I posted 24 ideas that I, believed,the City of San Bernardino should, at a minimum,
look at and have discussions about. To date I have not heard of any other suggestions from anyone
at City Hall or the public. Am I the only person who cares enough about the City to voice my opinion?
I do not believe that is the case. There are many great ideas out there, but unless you make those
ideas known to someone, they will never be acted upon. If anyone will send me their ideas, I will
post them here and also forward them to the City Council and the City Manager. Those folks need
our help, as it is obvious that they cannot do it alone,or at least they haven't been able to do it for
some time, hence the $1 billion in debts. Dah!
Remember, the only wrong or bad idea, is the one that is never made.
On my first list of possible money saving ideas, I addressed pensions, but here is another idea about
pensions and again it is worth at least talking about. Here are several more ideas that are worthy of
consideration as well.
1. Consider the following when computing retirement for all City employees. Use the system
that the military uses. At 20 years of service you get 50% of your base pay. For every year
after that,you get an additional 2.5% per year, to a maximum of 75% at 30 years of service.
There is no additional money for working past 30 years. There is no cash for unused sick
leave, no adding extra money amounts whatsoever for the purpose of computing your
retirement benefit. This is the system that is in place, in the military,from a private (E-1)to a
4-star general, so it is fair. Now immediately we'll hear from Law Enforcement& Fire: Our
jobs are dangerous and we put our lives on the line on a daily basis! My reply is that
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public safety personnel should be held to the same standards -with respect to risk of life -
as are all US military personnel. No better and no worse
2. Sick leave accumulation is unlimited while employed by the City. However when you retire
there is no compensation for any un-used sick leave. Use it or lose it.
3. Stop the practice of employees taking days, weeks and/or months off, prior to retirement, to
use up accumulated sick leave. It's called sick leave for a reason.
4. Vacation time can be accumulated to a maximum of 40 days. Anything over 40 days will be
lost at the end of each year. Employees' need the time away from the job and that is what
vacation is for.
S. Employees must pay the entire employee share of their retirement. That's why it is called
employee share.
6. By instituting these ideas you will not have any employee retiring and the City be strapped
with a several hundred thousand dollar bill to pay out. This not, and never has been,
"reasonable, or anything that even vaguely resembles the real world."
7. Create a group of local business owners and pick their brains for ideas that will not only help
their businesses, but will encourage other businesses to expand and/or re-locate to the City.
8. Implement a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to code enforcement.
9. Increase the fines for code violations to the maximum allowed bylaw. This will not only
increase revenue for the City, it will make it much more attractive for a person to maintain
their property,then to let it fall into violation and have large fines staring them in the face.
Small, insignificant fines perpetuate non-compliance.
10. The City's white elephant (old Radisson Hotel) has been closed for several years. Do
whatever is possible to get it opened,foreclosed on,eminent domain takeover,whatever is
possible. This is a giant eye-sore and one that needs to be addressed, if possible.
11. Hold a series of meetings to get public input on ways to help the City move forward.
12. Stop doing what does not work; start doing what does work; be open to any and all ideas,
without regard as to who or where they come from, and evaluate all ideas for worthiness.
13. The City should state publicly that it is NOT a sanctuary city for illegal aliens. The City
needs to attract people and businesses with money and cities that cater to law breakers
(illegal aliens) do the exact opposite. You tell the world that you embrace people who
have no regard for the rule of law and they do not want to live here or establish a business
here. The City needs new businesses and having a lawful City will go a long ways in
making that happen.
There are many more ideas out there and my hope is that people will either relate those ideas
to the City Manager or Councilperson, or to me and I will forward to the proper City officials
San Bernardino can and will recover, if we all work together.
Ron Coats
25819 Date Street
San Bernardino