[RhettB]

Originally Posted by Vizio

LOL...he fell backwards into a miracle cure with the restaurant tax. Not a lot he really did to fix it...he just got lucky.

He's had plenty of miscues prior to and after that.

Handing out raises to his staff, just to name one. Only to have the council take them back.

[Vizio]

Originally Posted by RhettB

Handing out raises to his staff, just to name one. Only to have the council take them back.

And numerous other things. He's been one bungling mess after another.

[McBain II]

Originally Posted by Vizio

LOL...he fell backwards into a miracle cure with the restaurant tax. Not a lot he really did to fix it...he just got lucky.

He's had plenty of miscues prior to and after that.

"Falling backwards into a miracle" was Eli Manning hitting David Tyree on that 4th down pass in the Super Bowl. What Suttle did is called finding and implementing a solution. That's not luck.

Originally Posted by RhettB

Handing out raises to his staff, just to name one. Only to have the council take them back.

That's incorrect. The council did not rescind the raises, nor do they have the authority to do so.

Originally Posted by Vizio

And numerous other things. He's been one bungling mess after another.

What are you referring to? Be specific.

[Vizio]

Originally Posted by Bosco55David

"Falling backwards into a miracle" was Eli Manning hitting David Tyree on that 4th down pass in the Super Bowl. What Suttle did is called finding and implementing a solution. That's not luck.

I don't care to go look it up, but the restaurant tax was predicted to make nowhere close to what it did. Yeah--he fell backwards into it, as no one expected it to be as big of a money maker. He was expecting a fraction of what it was. He didn't plan that.

As for the rest of the things he's done? He's a laughingstock. You honestly need help coming up with more?

[McBain II]

Actually, if my memory is correct, the tax was set at the point where it was projected to cover the budget shortfall. Coming in above those projects and leaving us with some surplus was a real nice bonus, but your characterization of it is ludicrous.

Also, you've only listed one thing as a "miscue"...that being the raises, which he was well within his authority to do. If you have more, post it up.

[Mort Sullivan]

Jim Suttle has raised all kinds of taxes - including what was supposed to be a temporary restaurant tax - and still cannot get the budget in shape.

[RhettB]

Originally Posted by Bosco55David

Actually, if my memory is correct, the tax was set at the point where it was projected to cover the budget shortfall. Coming in above those projects and leaving us with some surplus was a real nice bonus, but your characterization of it is ludicrous.

Also, you've only listed one thing as a "miscue"...that being the raises, which he was well within his authority to do. If you have more, post it up.

The raises were not in the 2012 budget is what the underlying issue was I believe. They were taken away from those who received them. Suttle's image is that he can be a snake in the grass that tries to do things behind the councils back. Had he just put them in the 2012 budget to begin with, there would likely have not been an issue with it.

Another issue I have with Suttle was the wheel tax. I live outside the city limits and have to pay it. While I dot disagree entirely on paying it, there should be 2 tiers of the wheel tax. One for residents, and one for outside the city limits. Wheel taxes are used for the purpose that the tax denotes. However, as I do not maintain a residence within the city limits, I should not have to pay wheel tax to maintain residential streets. I would not object to paying a lower tax that accounts for that. My 4 messages to the mayor's office when the tax expansion was being discussed went unanswered. My belief is that Suttle does not really care about people as individuals and just wanted the tax money.

[Mort Sullivan]

Originally Posted by RhettB

Another issue I have with Suttle was the wheel tax. I live outside the city limits and have to pay it. While I dot disagree entirely on paying it, there should be 2 tiers of the wheel tax. One for residents, and one for outside the city limits. Wheel taxes are used for the purpose that the tax denotes. However, as I do not maintain a residence within the city limits, I should not have to pay wheel tax to maintain residential streets. I would not object to paying a lower tax that accounts for that. My 4 messages to the mayor's office when the tax expansion was being discussed went unanswered. My belief is that Suttle does not really care about people as individuals and just wanted the tax money.

Do you drive on the streets of Omaha? If YES, then quit whining. There is absolutely no question that you drive MORE miles on these streets than I do, and put FAR more wear on them than I do. You SHOULD have to pay for maintenance.

I get SO sick of pansies driving into Omaha to make money, but refusing to share the load and shoulder any responsibility for maintaining the city.

This is not a free country!

[SurfOmaha]

Originally Posted by RhettB

The raises were not in the 2012 budget is what the underlying issue was I believe. They were taken away from those who received them. Suttle's image is that he can be a snake in the grass that tries to do things behind the councils back. Had he just put them in the 2012 budget to begin with, there would likely have not been an issue with it.

Another issue I have with Suttle was the wheel tax. I live outside the city limits and have to pay it. While I dot disagree entirely on paying it, there should be 2 tiers of the wheel tax. One for residents, and one for outside the city limits. Wheel taxes are used for the purpose that the tax denotes. However, as I do not maintain a residence within the city limits, I should not have to pay wheel tax to maintain residential streets. I would not object to paying a lower tax that accounts for that. My 4 messages to the mayor's office when the tax expansion was being discussed went unanswered. My belief is that Suttle does not really care about people as individuals and just wanted the tax money.

I can't believe people are still fussing over the raises. The Mayor has the authority without City Council approval to give the raises he gave! Period! If it was such an issue, why didn't Jean Stothert introduce an ordinance to change it? You know why? Because she wants the same authority as Mayor to give raises.
If you use Omaha roads, you should pay for them like everyone else. Either that or expect a higher restaurant tax! The restaurant tax was a good move, and Suttle's legacy of balancing the city budget will endure because of it.

[RhettB]

Originally Posted by SurfOmaha

I can't believe people are still fussing over the raises. The Mayor has the authority without City Council approval to give the raises he gave! Period! If it was such an issue, why didn't Jean Stothert introduce an ordinance to change it? You know why? Because she wants the same authority as Mayor to give raises.
If you use Omaha roads, you should pay for them like everyone else. Either that or expect a higher restaurant tax! The restaurant tax was a good move, and Suttle's legacy of balancing the city budget will endure because of it.

I did not say I was against the wheel tax you idiot. Read what I posted. A lesser wheel tax for those outside the city limits.