Heavy Hitters!

In today's DM>>>
Thursday January 29, 2009
Letters to the Editor: Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009
Businesses pay much of the Nitro levy

The city of Nitro's levy election is Saturday. The following are relevant facts and comments.

The city of Nitro's budget is not $4.91 million, it is $4.8 million; although this includes $150,000 from the "doughnut hole" surrounded by the city. The city has received nothing this fiscal year.

The budget 12 years ago did not have $4 per gallon gasoline, landfill charges of $162,000 per year, or commercial and medical insurance costs of $266,000 and $658,000 annually.

Also, it is easier to have a lower budget when you underfund the police and fire pensions. These pension funds are now being funded at the current proper rate, but were underfunded by $104,709 during prior administrations.

Neither the police nor fire chiefs received any overtime in 2008.

The total overtime paid to the police and firemen in 2008 was $300,130. The average wage of patrolmen, (not including higher-ranking officers) was $40,590. The average wage of a fireman, (not including higher-ranking officers was $46,126.

If we are overpaying our firemen, why do they keep leaving to go to other cities for more money?

The city of Nitro spent close to $200,000 in fiscal year 2008 defending itself from frivolous lawsuits, many of which were brought by individuals whose only agenda appears to be to destroy the city.

Failure of the levy will result in a tax break for the Nitro Marketplace and Tri-State Greyhound Park. Those entities pay over 28.5 percent of the levy or $105,000.

To advocate defeat of the levy makes no sense unless these persons have ulterior motives.

The city of Nitro has not wasted its revenues.

It has taken control of its expenses, which, as in other areas of government and business, have increased considerably. The levy is needed to pay for those expenses.

John Young
Nitro

Young is treasurer for the city of Nitro.

With all due respect, John Young's info is full of holes.

There was also an article months back about the attorney costs due to my lawsuits. Cost the city less than $4,500. That one, John, is just an outright lie.

If the city had not fooled around with the contract, they would be receiving money from the donut hole. During the financial crisis, the businesses gave the city $50,000 - even without a contract.

How much are the pensions underfunded currently?

The chiefs received the overtime in 2007. But it was in the 2007 - 2008 fiscal period.

So far, only one firemen has left. Who knows other than pay why he left. Could it be for additional reasons?

The employees pay just a little over $25 per month for health insurance. What a deal!!!

Why is John Montgomery now being paid, $2,200, for work on the Brownsfield project and why is he being paid out of the general fund. That is against the covenants for grants. The administrator of the grant pays all bills related to the Brownsfield work. John, you should know that by now.

The list could go on and on. John Young might have the numbers on the page, but figures don't lie - liars can make the figures look anyway they want.

At the audit exit conference, John Young told the auditors that the detail paperwork for the audit was spread out all over the place in boxes and other buildings. He just couldn't find everything. He told the County Commission that the paperwork just wasn't there. Which is it? Spread out or non existing.

So, NOW John Young is a liar too? You beat all I ever saw.

freddy wrote:So, NOW John Young is a liar too? You beat all I ever saw.

If the shoe fits then the shoe fits Freddie.
In today’s newspaper John Young says: "The average wage of a patrolmen, (not including higher ranking officers) was $40,590. The average wage of a fireman, (not including higher-ranking officers was $46,126."
After reading this I started thinking, how many patrolman and fireman are high ranking officers. I remember hearing at council meeting that our firemen are the Best In The Valley.
These figures could be a lot higher if the rank of our patrolmen and policemen are all high ranking. I remember hearing that there are far too few firemen these days. I would think with thes men putting their lives on the line and the fact that there are not being enough firemen in the valley that they all should have a Very High Ranking position.
It would be nice to see all the actual figures instead of "if we're overpaying them why are they leaving for other Cities."
When John says that the medical insurance costs are $665,000 a year, just remember how last year this amt. was brought down in size and at Council Meeting every one was saying what a big savings this will make for us along with the new THF Deal Deal and Table Gambling.
Contradictions...Contradictions....Contradictions.....
Then there was todays Ventline wondering why the Mayor always singles out Brookhaven when he talks about the Levy.
Well, the truth is he's just using more scare tactics, but let me tell you one thing, Brookhaven doesn't believe a word he is saying. Forty one years I've lived here just to see our beautiful Brookhaven go down day by day. He needs to put out some work. He needs to get GRANTS for the Roads, get out and walk door to door for donations and be honest with the Good People Of Nitro instead of scaring the day light out of the kids about the Pool closing and the Senior Citizens will hurt and the Library will be cut back on time of being open and Street Lights will be less.
When the budget was much smaller all of these family programs ran very well. It is just because of bad management that there is not enough money. Big Time Bad management. I've read the the year end reports about our money and either put up or shut up Nitro. VOTE NO FOR THE LEVY

If the levy fails (and I doubt it will) don't you complain when even less gets done.

I voted FOR the levy and everyone I have spoken with (outside this board) has or plans to as well, with a single exception who said they were not voting at all. I really expect it will pass since most folks are like me and don't want to give them an excuse to raise our fees. They KNOW a no vote is biting off your nose to spite your face!

freddy wrote:If the levy fails (and I doubt it will) don't you complain when even less gets done.

I voted FOR the levy and everyone I have spoken with (outside this board) has or plans to as well, with a single exception who said they were not voting at all. I really expect it will pass since most folks are like me and don't want to give them an excuse to raise our fees. They KNOW a no vote is biting off your nose to spite your face!

How could I complain when I have told the truth and have stood up for what I feel is right, Fred. I will never get down when I know I've done everything I can to get the word out. Day light is very bright and there will come a day when the people will do the right thing. It was so close last year, but the people voted NO for the Levy. Saturday will be another day and I will not vote for the Levy because I feel that Nitro needs to make a move to get real and start doing the things that will make for a better future instead of having another spending spree. VOTE NO FOR THE LEVY PLEASE

I know that I don't have a dog in this fight, but why should salaried employees(chiefs and such) receive overtime pay anyway?

In the real world, it doesn't happen this way.

Letter to the editor from Nitro City Council...

Karnes And Fritz Are Wrong About The Levy

Don Karnes and Karen Fritz are wrong about Nitro....Again!

In response to Former Mayor Don Karnes and Karen Fritz's letters to the editor, published Jan. 27th, the members of the Nitro City Council would like to strongly disagree with their misinformed views and offer the facts to the public.

Don Karnes claim that the $380,000 funded by the Levy, ($368,995 to be exact) comes out of the citizen's pocket is not completely correct. The truth is, 65% of the Levy funds; ($240,546) is paid for by the businesses located in Nitro. The businesses located at the Nitro Market Place shopping area and the Tri-State Gaming Center alone pays 29% ($105,414.20) of the Levy. This leaves the citizens of Nitro paying 35% ($126,449) of the Levy, or an average of $52 a year per tax paying household. The current Levy has been in effect since the founding of Nitro in 1932, including through former Mayor Karnes administration, and will NOT result in an increase in taxes.

In regards to Mrs. Fritz's comment on "who is watching the store?". We, the newly elected City Council have strived to keep on top of the City finances. At each council meeting we receive and review a bi-weekly budget report, a list of checks written by the City, a report on the wages earned by the City's employees as well as report directly from our Treasurer. All questions or concerns that the City Council or citizens have had regarding these reports or any other financial matters have been promptly and professionally addressed by our new City Treasurer John Young, CPA

In Mr. Karnes and Mrs. Fritz's letters, neither of them offer a reason why eliminating these much needed funds benefit the City. Voting No simply puts the City in a bleak financial situation that would stop Nitro from moving forward. As a City Council, we are working diligently towards addressing the needs of the City in a fiscally responsible manner. With an open-door policy, we strongly encourage the citizens to contact their local Councilman with any suggestions or concerns.

We ask each Citizen to Vote Yes, for the City Levy, and to become actively involved in the future of Nitro.

David Casebolt, Councilman at-Large

Bob Fields, Councilman at-Large

Jim McKay, Councilman at-Large

Joe Savilla, Councilman Ward 1

Bill Racer, Councilman Ward 2

Craig Matthews, Councilman Ward 3

Bill Javins, Councilman Ward 4

Rita M. Cox City Recorder

Nitro

Time....the Chiefs of the PD and FD have NOT gotten overtime since Young took over. Prior to that the ONLY OT they got was for the Tire Fire and the County paid THAT.
The constant reference to the Fire Chiefs home being so nice gets me too....his wife is employed by a large Corporation in a high management position and makes close to 200 grand every year. The house was NOT bought with the Cheifs pay.

freddy wrote:Letter to the editor from Nitro City Council...

Karnes And Fritz Are Wrong About The Levy

Don Karnes and Karen Fritz are wrong about Nitro....Again!


We ask each Citizen to Vote Yes, for the City Levy, and to become actively involved in the future of Nitro.

David Casebolt, Councilman at-Large

Bob Fields, Councilman at-Large

Jim McKay, Councilman at-Large

Joe Savilla, Councilman Ward 1

Bill Racer, Councilman Ward 2

Craig Matthews, Councilman Ward 3

Bill Javins, Councilman Ward 4

Rita M. Cox City Recorder

Nitro

Why should I go to my Councilman when at one of the Council meetings he made the statement that Brookhaven should never have been brought into the City of Nitro in the first place. This statement was made when I was trying to get road work done on my own street and my Council Man made this statement. I can tell you almost everyone in that room that heard his statement.
Do you really think we could trust our Councilman after that? We did get a few squares of Concrete replaced last year that were life threatening to our community but, after 41 years of no updates our roads still look like crap. We all in Brookhaven pay our taxes and for what....A subdivision that has horrible roads...The costs of our homes are brought down due to this factor alone...One lady was even told that when the Bridge deal came thru that money would be repave Brookhaven. Grant money must be used for the Grant. It cannot be used elsewhere....So, To me your statement is another cheap shot.
And for your statement about the amount of money that THF and the Dogs bring in, why would you dare say Don Karnes words were wrong. We would not even have that money being paid if his deals hadn't been consummated.
You must remember that something had to be brought into Nitro when all the business' left our town. We lost tons of transfer people, we lost buyers, we lost a lot but we were paying our bills.
And how did we find out about our misuse of funds in Nitro.....By Karen.....Look at the Audit...Just think how worse it would have been if she hadn't come along. It took a lot of spunk to do what she did. It cost her a lot out of her pocket that will never be replaced. Go to the Audit and be thankfull all was found out.
For sure, no one is perfect in Nitro, but you can fool some of the people sometime but not all of the people all the time. VOTE NO FOR THE LEVY

Hey LP...I didn't write the letter, the City Council did....see the names on the bottom? I just posted it from where I read it. Better ask the writers those questions. And in re to you neverending last line...VOTE YES FOR THE LEVY!

Freddie says:

freddy wrote:Hey LP...I didn't write the letter, the City Council did....see the names on the bottom? I just posted it from where I read it. Better ask the writers those questions. And in re to you neverending last line...VOTE YES FOR THE LEVY!

Freddie no where did I say I was talking to you when I wrote my thoughts in my last reply. You always have to have the last say of anyone’s reply.
You don't think for one moment that council isn't keeping up with what is being said here on this site.
I've heard enough conversations to prove they know everything that is being said.
And if the real truth is spoken most of them wouldn't do anything to hurt themselves when it comes to voting. They want to make sure nothing upsetting gets done so they won't have to answer to the real truth. They are for themselves Not for the Good People Of Nitro. We wouldn't be in the shape we're in if they stood up for what is right. If they spoke up for where our money is being spent and if they would stand up against the family group that wants more and more for the family and not for the Nitro People. Then and only then will we get somewhere. When these problems get resolved only then will Nitro become a town that will be grow to be very healthy, wealthy and wise.
VOTE NO FOR THE LEVY

You always have to have the last say of anyone’s reply.

Obviously you have the same problem ... only windier.

What percentage of the levy goes towards side walk repairs and street paving?

freddy wrote:

You always have to have the last say of anyone’s reply.

Obviously you have the same problem ... only windier.

Freddie, I will say that I do a lot of talking on this site but normally I'm the one that listens to others.
Nitro is very important to me. I've lived here 41 years. I went to grade school in Fort Knox, Japan, East Bank, back to Fort Knox and back to East Bank. I went to St. Albans Jr. High and Pratt Jr. High. I went to East Bank High School.
I was in 16 different schools till I graduated from East Bank. I was an Army Brat and very proud of it.
I was raised in a divorced situation. Never saw my mother till I was 18 years old. My step mother beat me every chance she got and I survived.
I was born deformed and told just before graduation that I couldn't have a class ring because I'd never make anything of myself. I was told I'd just have kids and that I didn't have enough fingers for another ring. The truth really was that we were poor.
I had to go to work. There was no money because my father left us when I was 13.
I would get slapped if I ever spoke out of turn. I was hit over the head with a skillet when I came in 5 min. late.
Believe me I know what goes on behind closed doors.
I was lucky to have my own dance Band for 10 years. Several people mocked me at the meet the candidate night for just having a band but I did the bookings, I did all the people talking, I was the leader and one of the highest paid singers in the Musicians Union. I love people and knew everyone. That was something that wasn't heard of back then for a woman to master but I made it.
When my children got older I needed to be home with my little devils. They needed attention but we still needed money and I got into Real Estate. For over thirty years I have been selling homes to people that have come from all over the world to West Virginia. I've taken ever class that you could ever imagine that had anything to do with Real Estate just to be able to do the best job possible for my people. My people don't forget me. Many of them have asked for me time after time. They know that I expect the Best and give the Best.
I became interested in the political part of Nitro several years ago so that I could let my people know why they should live in this Valley.
I listen to everything that is said and I do ask questions.
Some of the answers I get remind me of a few slaps I got way back when, but I still stick to it because many people moving here have never heard of a Levy. They have never had to pay a toll booth before coming to West Virginia and want me to answer the question "Why do they have to pay these extra taxes."
When I broke my neck in a car wreck way back in 1972 I asked many times why I had to go thru so much and I tried to search for the answers but just had to live with the fact that life's problems just happens to the best of us. There is no rhyme or reason.
Well the Levy and the toll booths do have answers. Some answers aren't very good but I ask questions after questions till I can at least give a reasonable answer. I look for reasonable answers on this site and sometimes I get one but just like as a child, I have survived the ordeals of Nitro.
Life hasn't always been easy and I remember the bad times way back when we didn't have a telephone, I had to have a 6 cent ice cream cone instead of a 7 cent coke. I was in a one room school with 12 grades in that one room. I remember when our cars had no air conditioning, our homes had no air conditioning and I was the one that had to pin the lace curtains on a wooden frames to dry. My arm got caught in the wringer washer once and I've taken a bath in an old wash tub. I've canned my garden vegetables, I've made my children’s clothes, I can knit faster than a person with 10 fingers and if I'm windier than you then maybe I have a good reason and I do it well......LOL
Doing things the right way makes since to me. It is so much easier and I never have to make excuses when I do it the right way. I am very concerned about the finances of Nitro and how they have been handled. I want to be proud of my town.