I've spoke with a number of folks, trying to learn about the fire chief position. So far:
All of council
A number of firemen
Current fire chief (will @ 6pm)
A number of citizens
Solicitor
What I've heard:
Big savings oppty
Avoids cuts that would be more painful
Anberly and oakwood do this but both are fully trained firemen+policemen
Mason tried this and went back but was left with incremntal safety dir layer
Avoids 2nd fire layoff
1st fire layoff is costing more post and will for 15mo
Curr fire chief goes on nearly all fire runs and acts as experience proj mgr
Chief hines would get 36hr volunteer status
140 hours of training gets part time status, 240 gets full time status
No one has reached out to the fire dpt to get their perspective
Asst chief does more than job description today
Chief hines is a good leader
Chief hines is a very busy leader
Volunteer status is acceptable for fire chief
May be 3 phases: pre volunteer cert, 6 month probation, permanent hire
1 guy in 2 jobs is legal and ok
More to come!
Cortney Scheeser
Senior Analyst, Global Home Care & PGP
Phone: 513-983-0463
Mobile: 479-221-1752
Email, IM: scheeser.cm@pg.com
Please consider the Environment before printing this email
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sworn in as of Saturday
Jeff, Andy, Joe and I were sworn in Saturday @ 12:00 by Dan. Quick ceremony but I had my kids there to watch anyways.
I asked about what to expect Monday and was told about the Bond (budget number that lives for 1 calendar year) a few appointments, and an idea to bring in Chief Hines as acting Fire Chief.
I had heard about this rumor, but I was surprised by the speed in which it's come to life. Here's the plan:
-Chief Hines gets is 36 hour Volunteer certification during a 180 day probationary period
-He becomes a desk-type Chief who doesn't fight fires
-Village saves 80% of current Chief's salary (20% ish salary bump for Chief Hines)
-Village may save cost of 2nd car
-Amberley Village and Oakwood (Dayton area) use this model
The Mayor wants to "move quickly" on this. I have some questions that I'll bring up tonight around Safety, Cost, and Communication. More on these in a future post.
Cortney
I asked about what to expect Monday and was told about the Bond (budget number that lives for 1 calendar year) a few appointments, and an idea to bring in Chief Hines as acting Fire Chief.
I had heard about this rumor, but I was surprised by the speed in which it's come to life. Here's the plan:
-Chief Hines gets is 36 hour Volunteer certification during a 180 day probationary period
-He becomes a desk-type Chief who doesn't fight fires
-Village saves 80% of current Chief's salary (20% ish salary bump for Chief Hines)
-Village may save cost of 2nd car
-Amberley Village and Oakwood (Dayton area) use this model
The Mayor wants to "move quickly" on this. I have some questions that I'll bring up tonight around Safety, Cost, and Communication. More on these in a future post.
Cortney
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Reach out to Fire Chief
As you know, the Fire Chief announced his abrupt retirement last month, effective this week. I think this is a failure on both sides of the relationship. There should be no 'resign in anger' happening in a sweet place like Mariemont. We need to do better all around.
I asked the Chief to meet with me and share his thoughts on how to "Heal" the Fire Department. Safety is vital, and I want guys and girls who love their jobs, love the Village on the truck. And I want to help provide an environment where this can happen.
Jack graciously offered to meet with me. I'll report back on what he says.
Cortney
I asked the Chief to meet with me and share his thoughts on how to "Heal" the Fire Department. Safety is vital, and I want guys and girls who love their jobs, love the Village on the truck. And I want to help provide an environment where this can happen.
Jack graciously offered to meet with me. I'll report back on what he says.
Cortney
conversation with Resident
Had a great conversation with a Village Resident who's seen lots. I reached out to him/her with the hope of some insights as I show up for work on Day 1 without any real experience.
It was helpful so say the least. Lots of perspective on various topics ranging from Deer Hunting to Police Overtime to potential of Village Administrator to rumor of new "Safety Director" to why people in other communities are saying "Mariemont has slipped" to morale issues in Fire & Maintenance to to effectively navigating Council to reco of showing up with utmost Professionalism. And no, it didn't scare me away! I firmly believe there is so much opportunity and so much room to navigate that we can do lots of good work for the Village.
I'd like to meet every month or so. Such a wealth of information and experience.
Cortney
It was helpful so say the least. Lots of perspective on various topics ranging from Deer Hunting to Police Overtime to potential of Village Administrator to rumor of new "Safety Director" to why people in other communities are saying "Mariemont has slipped" to morale issues in Fire & Maintenance to to effectively navigating Council to reco of showing up with utmost Professionalism. And no, it didn't scare me away! I firmly believe there is so much opportunity and so much room to navigate that we can do lots of good work for the Village.
I'd like to meet every month or so. Such a wealth of information and experience.
Cortney
new website work
I've been working with a few Council and Council elect on a new improved website. Lots of activity over the holidays. Think similar navigation skeleton but packaged in a cleaner, more stable way, that's easier to support. New functionality I know about for this release:
-Calendar to know everything going on
-Twitter Accounts for new avenue of communication
I'm sure I'm forgetting some. A test or "Beta" copy will be available separate from current active site soon.
Many of us running for Council talked about communication. This is a perfect way to kick off that promise.
Cortney
-Calendar to know everything going on
-Twitter Accounts for new avenue of communication
I'm sure I'm forgetting some. A test or "Beta" copy will be available separate from current active site soon.
Many of us running for Council talked about communication. This is a perfect way to kick off that promise.
Cortney
Swearing in Today!
Andy, Jeff, Joe and I are being sworn in today @ 12:00 PM in Council Chambers. This is the culmination of lot of hard work. I'm excited about it.
Now the real work begins!
Cortney
Now the real work begins!
Cortney
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Rumke saving oppty
MM is one of 2 municipalities (Glendale other one) that has rear yard pickup. This service costs us in 2 ways:
-addl $36K
-no competition for bidding
(obviously there is upside in terms of aesthetics)
I would like to field a survey at the beginning of 2010 to see if this cost is worth paying, considering many place at curb today.
I would also like to get bids if the front yard pickup were ok'd.
Additional $18K savings by going to a std barrel, but unclear of details.
I would support raising trash fees less (or maybe not at all) if the above is ok with Community.
Cortney
Letter follows:
------------------------
December 14, 2009
Attn: Sue Singleton
Village of Mariemont
6907 Wooster Pike
Mariemont, OH 45227
Dear Sue:
Per our discussion, should the Village of Mariemont choose to change the level of service from rear door to curbside for both waste and recycling collection, your monthly savings would equate to $3010.00 or $36120.00 annually.
Should the Village choose to utilize a cart program for curb side waste or recycling collection that monthly savings would equate to $1505.00 or $18067.00 annually. With the cart program, all residents would receive a 95 gallon waste container or the Village could choose to provide the residents with a 65 gallon recycling container. With this option, all residents would receive one of the options but the Village would have to agree to which of the options the residents would receive.
A third option would result in no savings but if would allow all residents to place both waste and recycling at the curb in a 95 gallon waste container and a 65 gallon recycling container.
The collection days would remain as they are current collected.
In addition, we would be happy to work with Village staff and council to develop a mailing to communicate the changes as noted above.
Thank you for your time and consideration! We aspire to be of service to you and we value our long-standing relationship with the Village of Mariemont. If you have any questions or if you need further explanation, please feel free to contact me at 513-200-0881.
Sincerely,
Rumpke of Ohio
Tom Turchiano
Municipal/Public Sector Manager
-addl $36K
-no competition for bidding
(obviously there is upside in terms of aesthetics)
I would like to field a survey at the beginning of 2010 to see if this cost is worth paying, considering many place at curb today.
I would also like to get bids if the front yard pickup were ok'd.
Additional $18K savings by going to a std barrel, but unclear of details.
I would support raising trash fees less (or maybe not at all) if the above is ok with Community.
Cortney
Letter follows:
------------------------
December 14, 2009
Attn: Sue Singleton
Village of Mariemont
6907 Wooster Pike
Mariemont, OH 45227
Dear Sue:
Per our discussion, should the Village of Mariemont choose to change the level of service from rear door to curbside for both waste and recycling collection, your monthly savings would equate to $3010.00 or $36120.00 annually.
Should the Village choose to utilize a cart program for curb side waste or recycling collection that monthly savings would equate to $1505.00 or $18067.00 annually. With the cart program, all residents would receive a 95 gallon waste container or the Village could choose to provide the residents with a 65 gallon recycling container. With this option, all residents would receive one of the options but the Village would have to agree to which of the options the residents would receive.
A third option would result in no savings but if would allow all residents to place both waste and recycling at the curb in a 95 gallon waste container and a 65 gallon recycling container.
The collection days would remain as they are current collected.
In addition, we would be happy to work with Village staff and council to develop a mailing to communicate the changes as noted above.
Thank you for your time and consideration! We aspire to be of service to you and we value our long-standing relationship with the Village of Mariemont. If you have any questions or if you need further explanation, please feel free to contact me at 513-200-0881.
Sincerely,
Rumpke of Ohio
Tom Turchiano
Municipal/Public Sector Manager
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