TAX INCREASE! Why not cut salaries by 1% across the board?

[WNYresident]

From DT's link

Councilman Graber stated that yesterday the town received a notice of cancellation of all employees’ health insurance coverage effective July 31, 2008. While Supervisor Piotrowski was out-of-town last week, Councilwoman Bove reached out to the insurance expert that had been working with the town over the last couple of years to lower the town’s insurance costs. She was advised that the town had not paid its premium on the policy since August 2007. Because the town failed to act, rates were increasing and the town was not going to be able to get coverage within its budget if something was not done soon. The town’s policy was going to be cancelled effective July 31, 2008. A comprehensive solution was available that would both on a short term and long term basis save the taxpayers and meet the requirements of the contract. Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS) received a letter from the town authorizing its specific insurance agent to act as a broker for the town, but no Town Board resolution was ever passed appointing any broker to act on behalf of the town.

Why wasn't it paid?

[informme1]

So you agree with Hart and his vote to pass the budget

I'm not for a tax increase, but I do understand there is more to being a council member than just voting no. I think this is the problem with West Seneca politics, if Rusinski didn't believe in the budget why did he wait til the end of the budget meeting to express this? I mean this budget has been in the works for months. I believe that Hart and Meegan stand behind the budget and dont believe there are any more possible cuts to be made, so if Rusinski doesn't stand behind it then he should express what he believes can be changed. Honestly I'd love to hear them, so long as their realistic, I think there needs to be someone who stands up to the majority and if he wants to be that hero, great, but do it so it benefits the taxpayers not so it just improves his voting record.

[luv2fish]

Many schools in the BPS are quite good, actually. I have two students attending one of the only Montesorri programs in the area. And, we also have some of the top ranked high schools in the nation.

Besides City Honors the Buffalo Public schools do not meet State standards.
Thats why many flee the City of Buffalo.


http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/n...rn.html?page=2

[luv2fish]

Many schools in the BPS are quite good, actually. I have two students attending one of the only Montesorri programs in the area. And, we also have some of the top ranked high schools in the nation.
You never state facts just opinions, and yes everyone has one. Can I see your facts backing up your statements?

Hers is a nice article about BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Its called "Buffalo’s Schools a Mess Says State Ed Report; No News There"
http://www.nyfera.org/?p=2597

Among the findings in the Department Team’s report are:

Chronic absenteeism of students and teachers;
Students suspensions are rampant for seemingly minor infractions, and suspended students often do not return to school;
Direct instruction was not observed and was not a constant theme;
Test data from assessments is not shared among staff to help guide instruction as needed;
Insufficient textbooks to support a curriculum;
Too few parents involved in their children’s education;
Animosity is manifest between the district and Buffalo Teachers Federation; and
Teachers need more professional development to be effective.

[luv2fish]

What ideas do you have to cut the cost of Town Government? Not just schools but lets look at everything.

[reformthi$]

Old age question luv,
if we had the anwer to that, we would be in good shape.

Here is my take on how we could save money:
consolidation of services/merge the town parks with the highway dept.
consolidate the police-state/sheriff/local
force pensions/healthcare costs onto the government workers like private sector
to pay their fair share

schools need to come to terms with the fact that we have less
enrollment than when we were in school. In my class it was a norm
to have 35 kids in the classroom with 1 teacher so they need to consolidate
their teaching load
schools need to be on board with the new technology
go paperless