Greenville County getting it done right. (2009, how much, house)

[g-man430]

I would like to applaud Greenville County for being able to pass a budget that includes hiring new police officers, more EMT's, potential three percent pay raise for county employees, and giving more money to public transportation without raising taxes. This budget does not include stimulus money either: Greenville Co. Budget Done Without Stimulus Money - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville If they're able to do this then why aren't other cities and counties across the country able to?

[JViello]

Originally Posted by g-man430

I would like to applaud Greenville County for being able to pass a budget that includes hiring new police officers, more EMT's, potential three percent pay raise for county employees, and giving more money to public transportation without raising taxes. This budget does not include stimulus money either: Greenville Co. Budget Done Without Stimulus Money - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville If they're able to do this then why aren't other cities and counties across the country able to?

Well since you brought "why can't others do it" up, I would ask a few questions.

What are the current legacy costs of Greenville country. Do they have the same burden as other "more established" areas? (Most likely not)

How much is that new police officer salary? 20K? 30K? Probably not the 100K+ of areas in CA and CT etc.

Public Transportation projects are usually bonded out, thus does not create a burden on tax payers.

3% of what?

Not hating, just putting some reality into your post about how "other" areas work and why they "can't".

[Greenville]

Police officers routinely making $100K in certain areas? Surely you jest.

[Intergalactic]

Originally Posted by Greenville

Police officers routinely making $100K in certain areas? Surely you jest.

Police Officer's Association Salary Ranges (per month)

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.s...n_as_road.html

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Intergalactic

Police Officer's Association Salary Ranges (per month)

Mass. Turnpike detail seen as road to riches for many state troopers - MassLive.com

You can add this link as well.

Police dominate list of Stamford's highest paid employees - The Advocate

It's good work if you can get in.

[motonenterprises]

And the cost of living in those areas are nuts, so they may as well be making 20k. Its the same. Back to making hate posts I see Jveillo.

[MT Man]

Originally Posted by JViello

Well since you brought "why can't others do it" up, I would ask a few questions.
What are the current legacy costs of Greenville country. Do they have the same burden as other "more established" areas? (Most likely not)
How much is that new police officer salary? 20K? 30K? Probably not the 100K+ of areas in CA and CT etc.
Public Transportation projects are usually bonded out, thus does not create a burden on tax payers.
3% of what?
Not hating, just putting some reality into your post about how "other" areas work and why they "can't".

The "reality" of other places is that they can be completely mismanaged and they just keep spending. Even a New Englander can understand the nationwide outrage of the Big Dig. Every union bum was making huge money on that job and Uncle Teddy kept the gravy train running.

Using CA as an example for anything is rediculous. They are 25 billion in debt and Arnold's highest priority, until the most recent vote, was to convince Obama to demand stricter emissions standards. Their house was on fire and he's picking out curtains!

Mass may have higher costs, but they also have 3-4 times higher property taxes that they take in. It all comes down to living within a budget. Whether you make $20k or $200k, people (and governments) need to meet their needs with the money they have available.

I agree G-Man - Kudos to the county!

[myrc60]

I don't see Jviello's posts anymore unless someone quotes him...he must be jealous that Greenville County doesn't have to increase taxes.

I had a rep comment that someone left without identifying themselves. "You have no idea about jviello - he posts under different names and ruins the CT forum." Why don't the mods do something about him?

[JViello]

Originally Posted by MT Man

The "reality" of other places is that they can be completely mismanaged and they just keep spending. Even a New Englander can understand the nationwide outrage of the Big Dig. Every union bum was making huge money on that job and Uncle Teddy kept the gravy train running.

Using CA as an example for anything is rediculous. They are 25 billion in debt and Arnold's highest priority, until the most recent vote, was to convince Obama to demand stricter emissions standards. Their house was on fire and he's picking out curtains!

Mass may have higher costs, but they also have 3-4 times higher property taxes that they take in. It all comes down to living within a budget. Whether you make $20k or $200k, people (and governments) need to meet their needs with the money they have available.

You missed a few things and never addressed my questions.

1. I've never denied the fact that some things are out of control here such as Sargent's making 250K+ per year.

2. It doesn't change the fact that apples are being compared to oranges.

3. If you think that somehow the difference in living costs is 20K in Gville is "okay" and equal to needing 100+K here, that's just crazy talk. Every COL calculator on the web will tell you differently.

So if you would like to have a mature discussion about why others "can't" and Greenville country "can" I'm all for it. If you wish to bury your head in the sand and just say "mine is better" I have no time for it.

BTW it's ridiculous, not rediculous.

Originally Posted by motonenterprises

And the cost of living in those areas are nuts, so they may as well be making 20k. Its the same. Back to making hate posts I see Jveillo.

Where is the hate. Guess I missed that...

Originally Posted by myrc60

I don't see Jviello's posts anymore unless someone quotes him...he must be jealous that Greenville County doesn't have to increase taxes.

I had a rep comment that someone left without identifying themselves. "You have no idea about jviello - he posts under different names and ruins the CT forum." Why don't the mods do something about him?

Well this has been brought up before. I'm a well respected member of the CT forum and in fact started a post about this and the general response was "no you are fine with us". We have a rat on the CT forum. A senior moderator has been contacted and I hope this will be finally looked into.

Take that as you wish.

So, back to the subject at hand. Anyone wanting to address my talking points?

[Greenville]

Originally Posted by JViello

We have a rat on the CT forum.

Funny, we have one here in the Greenville forum too.