Greg Fischer says his administration and Metro Council have a good, positive working relationship. Says he accomplished his 2011 pledge of working together.
But…
Jim King tells people not in the press that there’s no cooperation, no working relationship.
And other Metro Council members have been coming to me for weeks to tell me of their plans to work against Fischer. From Metro Animal Services to Housing.
Guess that “good, positive” working relationship is more of that legendary transparency.
He also said Louisville would not end up like Birmingham, Las Vegas or Detroit. That’ll be accomplished by working “smart.” Because Louisville “has a reputation for being a well-run city.” (his words, verbatim)
More:
- “If you have a deep-seated need to be loved every day, you don’t need to be mayor – you need to work at a pet shop.”
- Lots of talk of privatizing city services because pensions and overtime are outta whack.
- “Asking tough questions”
- Goals for 2012: delivering excellent city services (“best in the country,” “best municipal government in the United States”); take job creation to the next level; continue investing in our people and our neighborhoods; create plans for a vibrant future – 25-Year City Vision.
- Louisville has a reputation for “compassion” and for “getting things done”… unless it comes to caring for indigents, unwanted animals, waste services or, everything
Some questions were asked:
- Will we drop “Metro” from branding? That could be on the table
- When will police begin fining people for running red lights and speeding? (because that’s clearly the biggest problem) “We are enforcing our laws as good as we can”
- Bridges project being split a problem? Fischer said David Williams should get better informed
- Have any reaction or thoughts on charter schools? “Any time we have a discussion on improving the quality of public schools is a good thing.” “Need people bragging on JCPS, becoming best school system in the country.” “Put pressure on school board members.” “Evidence is really unclear, good ones, bad ones.”
- With bonds maturing, are there any opportunities for increased bonding capacity? There are if we can afford them
- Empty discussion about budget and funding with zero specifics
- What went wrong with garbage pick up? What will be done to correct it? “Saved $50,000 in overtime.” “Could have been better communication, hard to communicate to the whole city.” “Real interesting scenario for everyone to think about.” “Small group of people that are very loud … you deal with it because you have to … that’s a rational response.”
- “Absolutely, we’re ready for snow! We’re ready for anything!”
Possibility City.
7 responses so far ↓
1 curtis morrison // Jan 12, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Alderman Owen’s legislative aide, Terra Long, told the Belknap Neighborhood Association last night the first time Tom and her heard about the garbage schedule was when the Mayor’s press release came out about them, which is an indication that you’re right about a lack of cooperation/working relationship.
That being said, there are much bigger problems facing our city than that inconvenience, and so I’m giving him a pass on that.
But that part where he claimed “We’re out of last minute options to cut funding” is very convenient, since in December he had the Metro Council rubber stamp another $500,000 for GLI they didn’t have to give it!
And now we’re going to cut social service agencies? This is why I want to be a council critter, btw. Yes, he’s the mayor, but he’s not the pope. Instead of challenging the mayor only on stuff they get phone calls on, like garbage, they should have challenged him on the budget, and they shouldn’t have passed along that extra $500k to GLI for Christmas.
2 Mark H (Not Hebert) // Jan 12, 2012 at 1:22 pm
“has a reputation for being a well-run city.”
I didn’t know Greg formerly worked as the Iraqi Information Minister. I guess that’s technically a true statement when compared to Detroit.
3 Rosebuds // Jan 12, 2012 at 1:56 pm
so, when your city animal shelter is comparable to a toxic waste dump, it might be in poor taste to mention “feeling loved” and “pet shop” in same sentence. Oh, the irony.
4 Roger // Jan 12, 2012 at 2:28 pm
“has a reputation for being a well-run city.”
(snicker) … tee heee…. Heh… HARHARHAR….. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA… >gasp< aheh. Thanks, Greggy. I needed that.
5 Earl // Jan 12, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Driving around town today, and flipping through the channels, I keep hearing the phrase “projecting a $12 million deficit, with an even bigger deficit in the next fiscal year budget”.
If you’re predicting a deficit in a budget you haven’t even started, then wouldn’t you adjust the budget so there was no deficit prior to going into effect?
Anybody starting off with deficit in a local government budget needs a swift kick in the nuts as a severance package. We don’t print money on the local level.
6 jake // Jan 12, 2012 at 5:29 pm
You know what I do when I know I can’t afford it but have to have it in business?
Exactly what Earl suggested. I adjust my budget so the purchase can be made.
I no longer believe Greg has any experience with budgets at all. He totally farmed that shit out to others at his companies.
7 rico // Jan 12, 2012 at 6:29 pm
I could cut out 10% of my Metro Government Department budget and improve service, all before lunch.
No one has ever asked since Rebecca Jackson….
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