In todays ONW we see that Susan Kepplinger has inserted her extensive architectural background in a project to renovate a residence in the Near East Neighborhood. On a house with a porch that has serious structural problems she objected to the owner using modern treated lumber because it is square rather than round from the "period" that it was originally constructed.
One question I have is... who's money is it? OK, more than one question. Why does she have the say? I posted on the "teaser" story on the ONW site but when they reposted for today, the comment didn't transfer so I will post a copy here...
[Susan Kepplinger knows what is best for her "crown jewel". She is the champion of this neighborhood and heaven forbid someone spend thousands of dollars to improve a house if it doesn't "fit" in her opinion of what should be there. Make no mistake, I am not a favorite of Kepplinger. I was a vocal critic of the Near East Neighborhood when this all started because she blew her budget on condemned houses to tear down rather than let the owners deal with it. One of those houses was owned by a corporate entity from out of town.The bottom line is that if the Redevelopment Authority has an idea or opinion of how it should be, they will do just about anything to make sure it is that way.You know what they say... "it is our way or the highway". That should be their motto.It would serve Kepplinger right if they left it alone and let it be an eyesore. That would be so much better.]
Leave it to the Redevelopment Authority to screw up a good thing. Rather than letting this house get a face lift into the 21st Century, it will remain an eyesore. I think it would be good for Kepplinger if they left it... maybe then she will use grant money to buy it and tear it down.
This would be a good chance for our new City Manager to take a look at this and actually take control for the taxpayers sake.
What are your thoughts??
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29 comments:
And I ask you, why O why is Kepplinger still an employee of the city of oshkosh???
A lot of people are waiting to see what our new city manager will do with his (our) staff. I would say Kepplinger may be on the outside looking in shortly. If our new city manager doesn't do anything with his (our) staff, he maybe on the outside looking in in a short period of time.
For crying out loud, 11:41, the idle threats of the new city manager already having his job status threatened is just simply rediculous.
Furthermore, you may think the city staff is 'yours,' but you have no direct control over what city staff does or doesn't do. You are not their boss. If you have a gripe, take it to a department head, or the city council, or the city manager. Have you done that? Of course not. You're too much of a chicken.
8:57. I dind't say it was "MY" staff. I said it was "OUR" staff. Good grief, can't you read?
And you obviously don't understand government! The citizens ARE THE BOSS, and unfortunately that means you too! It's unfortunate because of idiots like you that shoot your mouth off and you don't know what you're talking about. And how do you know if I haven't taken my "gripe" to a council member, city manager, or department head?
You're a NUT!
The citizens are not the boss in the sense that they have direct control over city employees. The city employees work for everyone who lives in Oshkosh, but to term the residents the "boss" is a misrepresentation.
By living in the city, you have the right to cast a vote on election day. You can lobby city councilors for a specific change, but even city councilors do not have direct control over city employees. Any orders, prescribed duties, discipline, etc, MUST come from department heads.
So, 11:08, You aren't the boss. Who's the idiot?
The editorial in the Northwestern today summed it up. Many city employees have a cavalier approach to their jobs, and the city taxpayers they are hired to serve. I can only hope our new CM can turn this tide around and get a service minded culture built back into city hall and all the departments. I think some of this comes from the union based thinking that "no matter how bad I do my job you cant fire me cuz I'm union". Well that simply must change Mr. Manager!
"the comment didn't transfer so I will post a copy here..."
I will transfer mine here too just in case you hadn't seen it in the ONW.
kmonte-
I am curious about your comments and their personalization rather than problems with the process.
Could you provide some backround source data in reference to the chief planner "blew her budget on condemned houses to tear down rather than let the owners deal with it. One of those houses was owned by a corporate entity from out of town."
Any backround source data you can provide would be helpful. Thanks.
It took a bit but I found the resolution that I was talking about. The background on this particular situation is the two Jefferson properties were owned by the same individual. They were purchased in order to acquire a commercial property on the corner and neither house was inhabitable. The city bought the properties and saved him the trouble and expense of tearing them down. Reality was, he didn't want the houses anyway.
The Oxford Ave property was owned and was occupied at the time of acquisition. That meant relocation expense on top of purchase and demolition.
I found out this evening that Habitat for Humanity was interested in this property but Susan Kepplinger has been trying to prevent them from acquiring it.
I don't have anything personal against this woman. I just don't think that she has the taxpayers best interest in mind while doing her job though and should be either shown a new path that does represent the taxpayer or shown the door to waste someone elses money.
The link to the resolution is: http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/weblink7/DocView.aspx?id=424929&dbid=0
KM
BTW CJ, you were correct. I did not see your comment on ONW. I watched the thread for a day or two and when there wasn't a response, I quit checking.
Thanks for posting it here.
KM
I'm saddened to read 1:52's comments. It's no wonder there is apathy in elections.
There you have it ladies and gentleman, 1:52 says you the citizens are not the boss. Lord have mercy!
1:52 is clearly a city UNION worker.
The reason we have so many problems in our public sector areas today. Schools, cities, counties there is no difference, they all have union workers who feel entitled and always want more money from the taxpayer even in these times when taxpayers are having trouble supporting their own families.
Seems the editorial in the Northwestern today is basically suggesting the same thing I’ve been saying… “Cut jobs, don’t raise taxes”.
The editorial goes on to say OPD will be cutting the “Victim Witness Coordinator” to help make up for the across the board 2.75% wage/benefit increase to OPD employees.
The editorial indicates citizens should complete the survey and return it to City Hall with their thoughts and recommendations on what departments and services are a priority for them. It appears that City Hall wants feedback to assist them in determining which services and jobs will be cut to aid in balancing the budget.
I’ve said this for years. If the GREEDY UNION would have held wages and benefits flat (no increase) I’m betting these jobs could have been saved. I wonder what those loyal union members who held jobs that will be cut have to say about this?
Never the less, at least in the absence of clear thinking on the Unions part, our city will do what’s needed to identify low priority services and then cut those jobs to balance the budget. (Here’s an idea, trash pick up every other week. Cut some sanitation jobs.) Too bad the union doesn’t live up to its “brotherhood” image. They toss their own under the bus to get more wages and benefits for those who remain.
So, the Northwestern heard me when I said:
CUT JOBS, DON’T RAISE TAXES!
There is only so much work that can be done in a 40 hour week. So if you want to cut jobs, go ahead. Unless the city wants to pay me overtime, I clock out at 3 o'clock on Friday regardless of how much work still needs to be done.
The idle threats of job cuts continue. But if the city is going to cut jobs, it will be through attrition, not laying off workers.
Guaranteed.
The “Victim Witness Coordinator" position may be the first position cut, but I'm betting it won't be the last.
As for ending your shift, that's great. Work 8 hours, give 8 hours of hard labor and all is good. Slack off and "lean on the shovel" and face discipline.
Very simple.
Cut the jobs, don't raise the taxes.
I am going to work exactly as hard after you cut the jobs as I do now. Eight hours and I go home.
Anonymous said...
"I am going to work exactly as hard after you cut the jobs as I do now. Eight hours and I go home."
That is all we want...no slackoff, no shovel leaning, good hard labor for a days pay.
Now happy labor day and get back to work!
And that's all it's ever been. Are there city workers that slack? Sure there are. Just like there are in your job, or any job. Some people just don't put forth the effort.
But don't let the few bad apples that exist everywhere put a bad name on city workers. City workers work their asses off to provide for this great city. We are proud of it just like you are.
"City workers work their asses off to provide for this great city."
GREAT!!...as well you should. You are not paid to lean on shovels.
As far as your comment "Are there city workers that slack? Sure there are."
If that occurs supervisors are not doing their jobs if they allow that to continue. Those that are slackers should be disciplined.
So you mean to tell me, 707, that you don't have any slackers in your line of work? I agree with you....those who don't work hard enough should be dealt with, but come one, people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
9:14, as my taxes pay for your employment, I may have higher standards than others. In any event, if you work hard for a full day, we have no problem. If you slack off and try to avoid work, well then its time to step-up or step-out.
Happy belated labor day!
YOUR standards don't matter. YOU are not my boss. My supervisors decide if my effort is adequate. I am happy to report they think it is, so you can stop worrying about me and concentrate on your own job performance.
...most of the warnings voiced about public-employee unions have proven accurate. Political leaders and labor experts predicted that government-employee unions would use their power over public services to win contracts with work rules far more generous and undemanding than in the private sector; and that without the restraints on salaries and benefits that the free marketplace imposes on private firms, unions would win increasingly meaty compensation packages that would be impossible to restrain or to roll back...
My compensation package should not be restrained or rolled back. My workload has increased WAY faster than my paycheck over the last several years. I am not ashamed to take the pay raise I get every year (whoopee...3% this year)nor do I feel it's unfair. If you want to cut my wages, then you can also cut my workload. If not, back off. That's the appropriate protection my union affords me.
Jealousy is a funny thing, isn't it?
12:00. You're the problem with government workers. I wish you would get fired! You keep talking about how much you work.....my ass! You're probably one of the slackers that holds down a shovel every day. We in the privated sector can't do that.
Your job needs to be cut!
Saw our new City Mgr on channel 10 talking about the budget and how with rising fuel prices and the cost of labor things are tight. He said that the 2.5% increase will be eaten up by labor and fuel costs so he's told the Dept heads to come in with ZERO increases in their budgets.
I'd say that's a start...but we need to reduce spending in departments and maybe even eliminate some jobs.
6:22, see, YOU are the problem. I work my ass off. I perform the work I am told, show up for my mandatory overtime, have NEVER had a disciplinary issue at work, and have I mentioned that I work my ass off?
But because you don't agree with my stance on city employees, because you don't agree that I think I earn my wage, you don't agree that my workload has increased, YOU think I should be fired. For what?
You provide no just cause whatsoever. You don't like me, so you want me fired. Sorry, my union protects me from thugs like you. Now get back to flipping burgers.
I just deleted a comment extending the argument that has been taking place. This is not a forum for that type of discussion and had I not been so busy, I would have cut it off days ago.
If you would like any further comments to be posted, please sign your name and not hide behind anonymous.
Thank you.
KM
KM why should some be required to sign their names and not all? You allow union bashers to hide behind anonymous. What gives? More hypocrisy?
The direction was to both of you... if I had been paying closer attention I would have cut you both off much sooner.
If you are going to argue on my blog, don't hide. If it is really worth saying, sign your name.
I am not taking either side. I think both sides have merit. You may continue your debate but it will not be published without your name. I will not allow the attacks (personal or otherwise) to continue on this forum.
KM
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