The city of Norwalk administration hopes to develop a five-year financial forecast.
To do that, city council has been asked to approve $24,000 which would fund the hiring of an outside firm to help develop that plan.
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Comments
You kidding?
I am not Nostradamus or anything.. but I would guess that the 5 year forecast is going to be financially bleak... I can't see spending $24,000.00 to find that out.. I think it is pretty safe to say, that crime is increasing daily, and with less people working, I think there will be more crime.. I do think that one thing that actually increases crime is darkness.. with darkness you will see neighbors not willing to look out to see what that "noise" was that they just heard, so the Police will be almost blindly chasing shadows to try to apprehend criminals.. I would rather see the $24,000.00 spent on trimming trees back and installing more lights in older neighborhoods so neighbors can actually look out for one another...crime grows really fast in bad economic times, and especially in dark places... unless that $24,000.00 can actually assure without a doubt jobs landing here
Why would they hire an outside company to perform this study? Perhaps it is so that when this company makes recommendations such as cutting non essentials and eliminating unnecessary positions-the administration could escape the blame and point to this outside company. Or maybe they really just lack the common sense to figure these things out on their own. Either way, it is a joke.
Come on Norwalk Officials its time to spend money for city, clean up,remove cable taxes if we have a surplus to spend $24,000. For a suvey that will only point fingers at other departments. VOTE NO
$24,000 for this and $25,000 for a garbage study....huh...I guess they figure the casino will pay for all of it.
"No battle plan survives contact with the enemy" - Moltke
$24K of hard-earned taxpayer money wasted on a "study," with a possible short survival rate?
Once again, this Admin. is demonstrating that it is a profligate spender.
It'll make a fine expensive paperweight for the Mayor's desk, or it'll look smart on his bookshelf. Maybe have it bound in "Corinthian leather?"
Reads more like the man is panicked. And in the process he is willing to squander good taxpayer money in a search for magical answers to complex and difficult fiscal questions.
City Council: Ask to see a cost-benefit analysis for this so-called plan.
@ Contango : Certainly, my opinion mirrors yours as to the final value of this plan: " A fine expensive paperweight for the mayors desk" Then ,I would add my normal opinion is if you have to have someone tell you how to run your business---your in the wrong business.
Yet,given the lack of insider knowledge we have here in 'blogville' who knows for sure,the merits or lack of the same of this proposal ?
So,I'll disagree with you on " reads like the man is panicked " Then,anxiously await city councils knowledgable probing questions on this expense.( that also,makes it easier to scrape egg from one's face :)
P.S. Quoting Moltke ? You do love W.W.1 don't you ? 1 thing is for sure. He was good at screwing up battle plans.
@ CC:
Until proven otherwise, I'll stick to my use of the rather strongly phrased term "panicked." Also, I gave myself an out with the use of "reads."
For my tastes, my posting was getting a bit long and hackneyed but I wanted to add:
When in doubt call in an outside expert.
I'm also a big fan of the Peter Principle and somewhat see that dynamic in play.
Actually, not so much Moltke as military tactics in general.
@ Contango : Where do I start ? I did see you editing your original comment till it was 'just right' Yet,being a veteran 'long and hackneyed ' guy,I must ask what's wrong with that ? :)
The thing about calling in an "outside expert " may not be 'doubt', it may just be wanting to see a "bigger picture" .Which is why pending councils finding out the answers they need to make an intelligent decision. I as a half informed blogger can not pretend to know the right thing here. ( just know in general, I dislike intensly consultants )
The ' Peter principle' also finds me a fan. Moltke being a prime example of it in action. Obviously,he had the lineage,yet.... What he did do extremely well, as you no doubt remember is learn from mistakes. Too bad, his wife wouldn't publish those findings upon his death as requested. Might have saved the planet from W.W. 2.
F.Y.I. In case you missed it in last night's paper. Former Mayor Lesch's mother--- Virginia Opper passed away.
It her step-by-step mother who raised them like her own.
She was a great lady and will be missed
Card has been sent
Kat
It her step-by-step mother who raised them like her own.
She was a great lady and will be missed
Card has been sent
Kat
IT,S WASTE LIKE THIS IS !!THAT HAS TO STOP!!VOTE NO!!!ON MORE TAX!!!
How about a study to show the mayors lack of presence, awareness, and ability.
Good point!
How about a $25K study on how to fulfill Mayor Duncan's campaign platform pledge of "jobs, jobs, jobs"?
Perhaps he could donate a portion of his salary to help fund it?
IMO, this Admin. already foresees a future with serious revenue losses, inevitable fee hikes and tax increases along with probable austerity measures and is looking either for a magical panacea and/or political cover.
@ Contango : " Actually, not so much Moltke as military tactics in general. " Sorry about that. When,I first replied to you,being excited to talk about the man who possibly could've stopped W.W.2 from happening. I ignored "the military tactics in general " statement.
So consider this cliche if you will : " The loser of the 'next' war always uses the tactics of the 'last' war . " Will you buy that ?
Now, let's look at W.W. 2 German " blitzkrieg " ( lightening war) tactics. Basically,it is Shermans " March to the sea " brought into the modern era, in large part by Erich von Manstein.
Obviously,it worked very well to start the war.Yet Manstein, who's " new idea" almost led to a german speaking Europe. Because of his insistence at trying something new, beyond trench warfare style tactics, was outcasted to the point for his "new idea " that this genius of fast movement,was given command of a reserve infantry unit to start the war.Obviously,today he widely regarded as THE top German tactician in the war.
I mention this,because I found your prior idea for city hall to partner closely with the schools in regards to funding. Not only a great 'new idea' for fighting the 'next war' with new tactics,then point out that there are always genius' like Manstein ( or you) willing to be 'outcast's' to help implement those ideas.So here's rooting for all the Manstein like person's to get promoted
No doubt today,only the willfully blind do not " foresee a future with serious revenue loss " for how else will "gov't" from the federal level all the way down balance their debt laden books ? Which means barring new factorys opening here at a brisk pace, "austerity measures " will become part of life for us,won't they ?
Personally,I am confident considering the amount of veteran talent on council, as well having the most eFFicent school board in Huron county that led by brilliant " Generals ". Brilliant tactics for fighting the 'next' war will come about and that Norwalk will remain awesome.
Does that mean change will be tomorrow, or that this $25,000 study will not happen ? Don't know.
What I do know is one man--- Moltke, had the chance to change the future ( possibly avoid W.W. 2) and didn't( because of 'politics'). So here's looking forward with great confidence to bold new ideas,that working in close cooperation with others, will help change the future in the best way possible for our beloved Norwalk.
Because one thing,is sure. If we fight the 'next' war with 'last' war tactics.......we will lose.
Oops
It was
Duncan is just admitting he is in over his head with his job. Norwalk is simply on auto-pilot. Perfect reason to go back to the two year term, lol.