So I can't even do ANYTHING right today

Dave wrote on May 1, 2006 in his post titled, "So I can't even do ANYTHING
right today
"
 
"By the way, I think Chris Coleman is right to do the police hires the way
he's doing it. Problem is, we really don't have money forecast right now for
the
next few years and its very expensive to lay off staff in suceeding years. We
really have tried for several years to simply raise the city's share of
property taxes enuf to cover inflation, but for political reasons, republicans
have
made these no new tax pledges and we basically drained all of our reserve
accounts to cover for that grandstanding..."
 
Response:
 
For the sake of public safety, we need to complete the goals of the approved
budget for 2006 for the hiring of the 25 new police officers. This is only
prudent in light what is happening in Minneapolis. The low police staffing
ratio to residents St. Paul is currently operating under is simply asking for
trouble. St. Paul is the Capital City no less. Many other residents and I
feel
the public was sold down a hole on this one. The City Council and Mayor signed
off on this 3% or $1.88 million dollar tax levy for the hiring of 25 new
police officers. This is not just a one-time thing, but yearly income to pay
for
these police officers. Internal budgets (police) were shifted to also raise
more money for this goal. Fees at the Impound Lot were also raised as well.
This was multifaceted financial plan to bring 25 new police officers to St.
Paul to address many public safety issues. By not following through on hiring
these 25 new police officers and only hiring 12, the city is doing disservice
to
the citizens of St. Paul. By just paying additional overtime instead of
hiring permanent replacement police officers is just putting a patch on a much
larger issue and not addressing the real issue. Paying overtime is a big waste
of public dollars. It only solves the problem for the short term and does not
address the real issue of staffing issues in the police department.
 
By not using this 3% tax levy, to hire the 25 new police officers is simply
wrong. The city is doing a disservice to the citizens of St. Paul by not using
the money it asked the residents of St. Paul to pay for public safety and
then only doing half the job.
 
With the creation of Housing 5000, the tax base in St. Paul has increased.
This is an example of good public policy. The city is getting more tax dollars
now then they did before Housing 5000. Just think what the budget would look
like if Housing 5000 were not created. The services that our police
department is required to perform are increasing and this costs money. The
city must
be committed in providing public safety like they were in the 2006 budget.
This half approach to public safety is very poor public policy.
 
The last part in your post, Democrats blaming the Republicans and the
Republicans blaming the Democrats is old. The time is now to start working
together.
The key words here are "working together", putting aside differences to work
for the common good of the city. Example, the Police Union supported
then-Mayor Randy Kelly. The Fire Fighters Union supported Mayor Christopher
Coleman.
To the victor go the spoils. I do not see the Fire Department budget getting
cut and nor should it and neither should the police department. The hiring
of these 25 new police officers is vital for our public safety and the plan as
outlined in the 2006 budget needs to be kept. No matter who the mayor is, the
public safety of the city should be the top priority and politics need to
stay out of the public safety issues. It should be as basic as filling
potholes.
If you do not fill them you are going to have a bumpy drive. If you do not
support public safety, then the public is not going to be served as they should
and their lives will be put at risk.
 
I am glad you decided to stay on SPIF. As busy as I have been, I was going
to write you and encourage you to stay. I am glad you decided to stay! I will
let you get back to your yard work and your ducks. It sounds like the duck
are a distraction.
 
Dave have a good Saturday!!
 
Sincerely,
 
John Krenik
Highland Park, St. Paul, Minnesota