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Read comments (52)"It's no time for a tax raise," County Mayor Eugene Ray said after the meeting.
The finance committee approved a school system budget, and tentatively approved a county general fund budget, pending resolution of an issue about depreciation for Volunteer Fire Services Inc. Those budgets will now go to the county commission for final approval.
But the budgets considered Tuesday night will mean no across-the-board pay raise for county employees, and could result in the closure of one or more county ambulance stations.
The sluggish economy has resulted in sluggish tax revenue for the county. This, coupled with rising costs for food and fuel, has made this a tight year for local budgets.
Even the general fund budget approved Tuesday night, which requires most county departments to cut their spending by 5 percent, represents deficit spending and is therefore projected to reduce the county's "fund balance" -- the reserve funds needed for cash flow and unexpected mid-year expenses -- by $1.4 million over the course of the fiscal year.
"We're spending more than we're taking in," said County Finance Director Robert Daniel. He noted that if energy costs increase dramatically during the coming year, the county must have some funds available to address that.
The spending will mean no across-the-board pay raise for county employees, and could result in closure of a county ambulance station.
A flyer had been circulated to county employees complaining about the lack of a pay raise and urging employees to attend the committee meeting. The small third floor courtroom was standing-room-only.
"I don't believe in wasting money," said Register of Deeds Johnny Reed, "but I believe in paying my employees, and they deserve what they've earned."
Instead of a cost-of-living increase, county employees will receive a one-time $400 bonus under the proposed budget. In the case of departments which have longevity or step raises for employees, that bonus will be reduced by the amount of the raise.
Educational incentives offered by some courthouse offices were eliminated as well.
"I think if we're cutting, we cut," said Commissioner Joe Tillett.
Daniel said he understands that the state is giving bonuses instead of pay raises this year.
Commissioner Bobby Vannatta asked whether the only options were cutting department budgets or raising taxes. Daniel said that is the case.
"We've used every method we can come up with," said Daniel, and hard decisions had to be made.
Bedford County Emergency Management Services, which has been building a new headquarters station, had asked for money for additional employees to be able to staff it. Those employees were turned down, and BCEMS director Chad Graham told the committee he and his board will have to look at how best to allocate its existing employees. One possibility would be to staff the new headquarters station but close smaller stations like the one opened earlier this year in the Cascade School area.
The BCEMS board will hold a special called meeting at 4 p.m. Monday at the current EMS headquarters on Union Street.
Bedford County Communications Center had asked for four additional dispatchers. The county won't fund the new positions, but the Emergency Communications District -- an independent agency which is funded, not by tax revenue, but by surcharges on telephone bills -- may be able to fund two of them.
The committee discussed the budget for Volunteer Fire Services Inc., an independent agency that receives a contribution from the county for the lion's share of its budget. VFSI's budget includes a $123,187 line item for depreciation that finance committee members thought could be safely eliminated but that VFSI officials and their auditor said is required because of the difference in accounting procedures for governments and independent agencies.
The finance committee will discuss more about the VFSI depreciation issue at a special called meeting which had already been scheduled for Monday night. The finance committee, and then the full commission, will meet Monday night to take care of housekeeping issues before the close of the fiscal year.
The county will not have its full budget passed and finalized by that time, so the commission will need to pass a "continuing resolution" allowing departments to continue operating at their current spending levels until a new budget is in place. A continuing resolution has been the standard procedure for decades, although at one point county officials had hoped, because new financial policies and procedures, to have a budget in place before July 1 this year.
Well Well Well Bedford Countians as scannermaner said the shoe hurts when its on YOUR FOOT!!!!!!! No I am not beating a dead horse here as I never have. And to you Joe my name will proudly be affixed at the end of this posting. I have stated before, if you do not have to put your name to it you can write what ever you like. Joe how many Bedford County employees make $7.00 an hour, do you know how much a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk costs? Apparently in the times you live they are still 25c -- 50c. Most county employee's make between $11 and $18 an hour; bread costs $2.oo and milk $3.50 almost as much as a gallon of gas. As to the rest of ya'll, you get what you vote for. You continue to vote as your father, you stay in your father's time. You go to the polls and never pay any attention to who these "minor" elected officials really are. You are voting department heads, department officials, and BOE employees to these seats then wonder why they are lining their own pockets, showing favoritism for certain departments, and you have little or no control over who teaches your children, you get what you vote for. Have you noticed these very commissioners are going to get a pay raise but YOU are NOT. How many of you were at the court house last night??? I don't know and really do not care because as I have seen in the past you get all wound up for a few days then apathy sits in or that yellow streak shows back up. Independence Day is coming up, how many of you forget that when your Vets remind you, "Freedom comes at a high price", you forget the price may be YOUR anonymity not someone else paying the price for you. Until you are brave enough to stand up to these leaders you can follow them straight to ----! You get the idea. As for Bo, if he has to go this far to get ONE PERSON to take action I believe he will retire to the farm with a very big smile. Wake Up only you can take control of YOUR COUNTY back. Did you notice who did get a pay raise this year???
Ok little joe! Lets talk about your nice long winded artical that you wrote to try to blow smoke up everybody's butt!! Whats wrong? You trying to do a little damage control? Lets start at the top like you did!
1- Yes a taxes increase would be small and not off set the budget alot. But your not telling the people it is small and every dime you take in helps the overall picture. but what your not saying also is that it really wouldnt affect the average land owner by about 50- 100 dollars a year. Oh but it does affect the pockets of the landowners on the commision. Huh? Forgot to mention that!
2- yes you ask each department to cut 5%. But at what cost? Not only to the saftey to the community but the health and well being of your public saftey workers.
3- You are basing a bonus of $400 on a $15000 a year salary were the average public saftey worker salary is between $26000 -$35000. Now keep in mind all of these positions are skilled labor and some require upwards of 3 years college.
4-The educational incentive for elected officials? Hum.... dont you think that Fire,EMS, and the sheriff's deputies come back and train there fellow employees after that go through any continuous training. you think that there time is free?
5-The new EMS station....well like was said in previous text, population has increased , so call volume has increased. You are running your EMS crews from zone to zone and at times to the point of total exhaustion. What happens when theres not a crew in your area to respond to you or one of your loved ones cause hey are running there tails off, or you think that you should keep a station in your area open and close one in another rural district. Is you or your family more important than them???? How can you justify the death of anyone to save you or your "GOOD BUDDIES" A FEW DOLLARS!!!
6- THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER! Im not going to take a shot at them, but they need all the help they can get, because in the long run they are the core to all emergency response.
7- you say that no employee's pay will be reduced..hum... lets think about this for a second.... well you fore go the basic 3% raise this year and me miracle next year we get a raise, what are you going to base it on? The previous years salary!!!! So you have taken 3% away from us. So how can you say that you havent taken any thing from use.
8- You are eliminating a $123000 contribution from VFSI. That means you are causing 3 trained firefighters to loose there jobs. And lets keep in mind that all of the men volunteer there time away from work to help there communties they live in. What do you think is going to happen to there morale if your house catches on fire???
And there is the issue of the nursing home. Yea its bleeding. So sell it! Yea you were right for a change. Dosent happen much but you got that one. But also consider this, the hospital is moving so would the energy bills go down if you close that section of the building down...HUM...Lets see, over half the building closed, seems like half the utilities.
And now to the proposed HR dept. Isnt all the job openings posted at the employment agency??? SEEMS TO ME IF YOU WANT A JOB, LOOK FOR A JOB! It is still in the same place right? hasnt moved in years right? If the jobs are being given to friends and relatives without it being posted there first, means somebody is crooked!
In closing it just seems that you are trying to blow a big smoke ring so that the GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB wont get anymore attention. Well guess what? if I have anything to do with it everybody will know how corrupt you all are.
Oh yea Bo! since when has Mike Fisher been elected to commission?
Here we are going into a new year with a budget that we cant afford. Its funny that we have smaller counties around us that have no problem making sure that they have all the services that they need throughout there county. Do we need to get a little help on balancing the budget and cuttting the REAL FAT? We have unneeded staff positions in the county offices now and ready to create more. FOR WHAT? To fleece the people in this county, to lie to them on where there money actually goes. LETS BRING SOMEONE IN FROM THE OUTSIDE AND LOOK WHERE THE MONEY IS REALLY GOING AND WHO IS BENIFTING FROM IT!!! LETS SHOW THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY AND THE WHOLE STATE ABOUT SMALL TOWN CORRUPTION AND HOW IT IMPACTS THE PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY. While there pockets are staying fat they are jeapordizing the people around you.
evil monkey correction on my email address it is help.u.shelpyou@hotmail.com
Joe you and your article are wrong. You will be cutting service to the citizens by not funding EMS personnel. There is a rise in call volume every year due to growth and guess what I will try to write this so you will understand. Calls go up personnel does not what does that mean Joe I will give you a minute --------- Okay wow that was hard that means you provide less service to the public next year than you did this year. Lets think about this for a few you and your buddies voted to build a ambulance station and then when the completion comes you don't staff it. You people are crazy I also called the news stations but I called to let them know how corrupt the Bedford County Government was. I hope they come how I would love someone to look at you guys for a while. I guess by your article you sure do wish we did not have the right of freedom of speech. WELL WE DO! VOTE JOE AND HIS LITTLE FRIENDS OUT THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT US.
Amazing that the county commissioners gave themselves a raise but not other county employees....there is much waste in this county's spending from making the mayor's new place look nice to having private companies mow the courthouse lawn instead of inmates...my biggest gripe is Robert Daniels and his staff who are doing what County Mayor and staff used to do...what are the County Mayor and staff doing now if someone has their responsibilities? Double staffed for the same amount of work once done...and the result is cutting emergency workers...guess when we can't get someone to answer the 911 calls in time we will wish we had gotten more dispatchers instead of a county financial director...and by the way...how's that working out...seems the finances are in a bigger mess than ever now that he's in charge....but as long as we have our priorities in order...
Amazing that the county commissioners gave themselves a raise but not other county employees....there is much waste in this county's spending from making the mayor's new place look nice to having private companies mow the courthouse lawn instead of inmates...my biggest gripe is Robert Daniels and his staff who are doing what County Mayor and staff used to do...what are the County Mayor and staff doing now if someone has their responsibilities? Double staffed for the same amount of work once done...and the result is cutting emergency workers...guess when we can't get someone to answer the 911 calls in time we will wish we had gotten more dispatchers instead of a county financial director...and by the way...how's that working out...seems the finances are in a bigger mess than ever now that he's in charge....but as long as we have our priorities in order...
it seems everywhere we turn, there are people that want to cut throats to save money. for the most part i read where employees or people defending them complain about money and benefits. commissioners did what they THOUGHT was best for the county. and the employees despise them for it. maybe this all should go before a county referendum during the upcoming election. then if it passes to the approval of a raise, then the employees can stand proud and say "we told you so!!". But what if it failed? then what?? its the peoples money, let them have the say. that would be intersting. how would the people vote knowing that if they knew thier vote of YES, would guarantee a tax increase. i just don't think anyone would vote YES for a tax increase or they would had voted in a wheel tax a few years back.
this vote would resolve atleast 2 issues. 1. we would know if the commissioners have correct;y done as the citizens in thier distrcts wanted them too. 2. emplyees would know what the public thinks of them.
Ok lets stop talking and start doing. Wouldnt it be so nice if the commisssioners and the mayor read all of our comments?? But lets be sure they probably won't...i bet some of those dinosaurs don't even know how to use a computer, much less know what a blog is.
There are clearly many intelligent people writing their intelligent thoughts here....lets start focusing on intelligent actions!!
Who wants to start making suggestions? Lets make some real plans....Let's let all of this be said to those who really need to hear it, from all of us, our families, our friends, everyone who cares...there are certainly a lot more that do care than the commissioners have taken into account.
THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE MAYOR ARE COUNTING ON OUR SILENCE AND SUBMISSION!!!! There is a meeting this Monday...what are we going to do?
Let us no longer be anonymous!! Any ideas?
Title Unknown
The medic stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his uniform was clean,
He'd gotten dressed kinda fast.
"Step forward now, paramedic".
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my honor have you been true?"
The medic squared his shoulders and said,
"No Lord I guess I ain't,
cause those of us who wade in blood,
can't always be a saint".
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was tough.
And at times I've been abrasive,
cause the streets are awful rough.
But I never took a penny
that wasn't mine to keep...
although I worked alot of overtime,
when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
except to calm their fears.
If you have a place for me, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or to be handed much,
But if you don't I undestand.
There was silence all around the throne,
where saints had often trod.
As there medic waited quietly
for the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now, paramedic".
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on heavens streets.
You've done your time in hell.
help_u_shelpyou@hotmail.com
helpushelpyou,
Already in the works, want to be involved to? How can people contact you?
All the posting to date have pretty much hit the nail on the head. This is 2008 not 1968. We have voted in commissioners that live by the old rule "DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO". They do this in order to benefit there own personal agendas. Its funny that they say "guess we will just have to close a station". Funny thing is, it wont be one in there district or the one close to were they live! Lets all stand together and let them know that we are no longer going to stand for the good old boy mentality anymore!
OH YEA BY THE WAY MR. SCANNER MANNER !!!!
THERE WERE SEVERAL OF US THAT DID PROTEST YOU LEAVING AND THE MANNER YALL WAS TREATED! THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY TIMES YOU CAN BEAT A DEAD HORSE!!
Here's the issue. We can sit and type to each other in agreeance as to what should happen. Every time something like this comes up that affects the 9-11 community, we allow it to fester and boil on these online forums without action chasing it. Perhaps now is the time that not only us but also our families to become involved in this. After all, it affects them too.
I say that when the rubber meets road; whenever the next important meeting occurs, the final phase in these budget process, us, along with our families, stand in front of the committee and have them explain why they are voting they way they are. I am going to try my best to do what needs to be done but something has to change.
The commissioners need not fear us if all we do is weather the storm and seek not the remedy for the problem.
To everyone who is writing in support of all the Bedford County employees: thank you, thank you, thank you. Thanks also to all of those who are taking the time to inform everyone of the FACTS...the 2008-2009 fiscal year's budget will hurt people in many ways. And there is no evidence that the commissioners have made any effort to avoid this. Its going to be a long, hard year ahead, and if nothing is done, it will most likely be even worse the next year.
Thank goodness people are taking the time to write about the specifics as to how the commissioners' approval of this budget will impact this county's ability to provide services for its citizens, and how it hurts its dedicated employees. Because the sad reality at this moment is, NO ONE CAN SAY A WORD ABOUT IT TO THE COMMISSIONERS' FACES!! Maybe not to the Mayor either. This was made clear to me when I attended the meeting Tuesday night.
I have never seen such blatant disrespect shown to a group of good people in my life. The fifty-or so employees that sat through this meeting, despite their faces weighing heavy with concern, were ignored. Not even acknowledged...and by the end of the meeting, met with the faces of apathetic, arrogant commissioners who seemed at that time to rather have their nails pulled off than listen to anyone's concerns. Much less say thank you to THEIR employees for the hard work that everyone does and all the sacrifices many of them make.
There were a few employees that stayed after the meeting--read other blogs describing this--one commissioner was especially cruel, another pushed through the small remaining crowd of disgusted employees with a big smile on his face. From the beginning of the meeting till the very end, the commissioners made it abundantly clear...NO ONE'S VOICES WOULD BE HEARD!!
They rehearsed everything before the meeting; anyone could clearly see that they met beforehand to script everything out. They were mean and rude, to put it mildly,at the end when they were confronted by some people. And if any of them knew who was writing these blogs, they would probably see to it that they lose their jobs, for having the nerve to disagree with them and express any true and real concern for themselves and for their county.
Reading these blogs have made me feel so much better, but unfortunately, the commissioners will not read what we are writing. Or maybe they will but they won't listen, nor care.
No wonder someone anonymously sent out a flyer to all employees. Otherwise, the commissioners would have quietly gotten the budget approved with no opposition. And who knows, anyone who had anything to say about it could be "written out."
How many more people would have attended that meeting if they weren't afraid of potential consequences (like having the commissioners come down on their budgets or somehow threatened their jobs)?? Lets be honest....HOW MANY EMPLOYEES ARE STILL AFRAID??
My guess is that there are many, might even be most of us. What I want to see accomplished now is this:
1. WE WILL NEVER LET THEM STIFLE US AGAIN. We will attend financial meetings from now on, and if we want to say anything, we will say it!!
2. COUNTY EMPLOYEES WILL BIND TOGETHER TO BE PROACTIVE!! We have to get more involved so that we will no longer be bullied!
Let's get organized. Let's do something. There is a financial management meeting this Monday. Lets get all our fellow employees,our families, and our friends,together and MAKE THEM HEAR US FROM NOW ON!! LET'S DO WHAT WE CAN UNTIL IT'S TIME TO VOTE THESE DINOSAURS OUT!!
Bedford County has cme to a cross-roads. To continue down the road of 1960's thinking or come to the realization that it is 2008.
VFSI continues to be allowed to spend unneeded money while not working to lower the ISO rating for the county. The mentality of getting the top of the line rather than getting only what you need. That is allowing them to spend 40% to much.
The Comm Center is understaffed, yet the commision continues to deny there staffing. The mayor and commision alos agreed to hire a manager over the comm center has gone unstaffed. The commision also has failed to monitor what Cathy Mathis has done with the comm center resulting in problems in the past. The commision has totally failed in management of the Comm Center.
The EMS service has continued to try and grow over the past ten years. The commision made a commitment to EMS to staff the new stations when the time came. The Time is now and you see what the comisions commitment means while they deny the fifth truck.
The sheriffs department is so understaffed it takes 10-15 minuted sometimes for one to arrive. They can only do so much. they just need more staffing. Randall Boyce has done a fabulous job with the amount of money the commision allows. But again they have dropped the ball on them as well.
These county commisioners have continued to neglect the Emergency services in this county. They deny raises, give poor insurance and have a horrible retirment plan for employees. The three reasons we cannot keep experianced and committed people in this county.
The county needs, 4 new dispatchers, 1 new ambulance, 2 new deputies on every shift, 2 new firefighters on every shift. AND A RAISE EVERY YEAR.
VOTE THESE OLD TIMERS OUT IT IS A NEW AGE AND A GROWING COUNTY IT IS NOT TIME TO TAKE A STEP BACK.
As to the "charge" of running vehicles in the parking lot of local businesses, public service vehicles such as ambulances have multiple battery chargers, radios, electronic equipment, cardiac monitors, defibrillators and computers that must be kept charged.
There is also the sad fact that some of our public service vehicles (Sheriff, Police, Fire and EMS) have been held over for service for several years beyond what is considered normal retirement age for vehicles that are used 24/7/365 in all weathers and speeds. (This to keep ambulances, patrol cars and fire trucks available at the lowest possible costs, in the atmosphere of "...lets fund a new department that we haven't needed before to provide a sweet salary for one of our members--so we are cutting YOUR budget...") To be frank, in order to respond to emergencies, these older/higher mileage vehicles have to start. It is sometimes more reliable to let an engine run a few more minutes to warm the engine block than to cut it off and start up cold. Frankly, if I am shot, I'd rather the ambulance or patrol car be already running than not be able to start!
The particular ambulance at Rite-Aid was there to get a medication that an employee needed. The person had not been able to get to the pharmacy all day due to calls, so they could keep working to provide ambulance coverage to protect the public's health--even at the expense of their own. Those who do not work, much less work 24 to 48 hours in a shift, probably wouldn't understand.
I'm glad that the city employees got the raises they deserved and noone lost their jobs. It is a known fact that 90 to 95 percent of policeman,fireman,and EMT's have second jobs to support their families and how the county can even consider cutting jobs is beyond me. These men and women who do these jobs do not do it for the pay becasue the pay base is low compared to other counties, they do it because they want to serve the community and save lives. So how our county commisioners could even consider lowering the budget in those areas and do away with jobs is really to me unethical. These men and women cannot survive on the changes that would have to take place if this budget passes, therefore the county would lose all of their dedicated employees and what would you replace them with????
Temporaries at a lower cost??? The service and dedication of all of these men and women who serve this community is one of honor in my book. If we could impeach county commisioners I know of at least two that would go today because they have no regard for the service and dedication these people give to their community and being underpaid by other counties standards. I hope they can rest well at night knowing that so many could be out of jobs and nowhere to go in this county because industry here is moving out or closing down.
Let's please tone down the rhetoric a little. There are legitimate problems in the country as a whole. It is a fact that most public safety professionals are paid very much lower than the responsibilities of their jobs entail. It seems that most public officials deplore that fact, without doing anything to eliminate the problem. The personnel of most services are already behind the curve financially. They are on duty for long hours away from their families in order to provide services to the public. Most have to work long hours at more than one job to provide for their families. The quick pop-back answer is that is their choice... Well, yes, it is my choice to protect the public on Christmas day, and maybe Thanksgiving, and New Years and July 4th and many of the days in between. I am glad that most folks get to enjoy their holidays without having to worry if they are going to have a heart attack, have their house burn down or get stabbed by a drunken neighbor--but a few don't get that lucky. Do you want Joe-blow off the street taking care of your momma, or do you want someone who has devoted years to taking care of such problems?
The County Commissioners have a responsibility to make the budget work. There is presently a gap in funding to provide that budget. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that isn't going to work. The country as a whole is in trouble, and not likely to dig out in the near future. We are all going to have to pitch in to survive. We need flexible leadership that can make tough choices to provide the most services with the least cost, but spread around enough so that the most benefit can be provided to the most persons. This does not mean that we should not express ourselves by voting rascals out.
Journalist makes a good point. By not allocating the necessary funds for operations, it is a slap in the face to the EMTs and paramedics that provide care for Bedford County residents in their most distressed time. And this, all in order to save face value and to get re-elected again. These distasteful politicians would rather cut costs on Bedford County's most important responding agencies rather than raise a tax and place their name on the line. One must ask then, who are the commissioners serving; you or themselves?
For 24 hours, the EMT and paramedic respond to emergency calls throughout the city and county. Sometimes they sleep, but often times that is a pleasure that escapes them. Yes, they volunteered to do this and do so willingly but who are the commissioners to shirk them in their time of need? Bedford County needs more EMS crews. There is only 1 ALS ambulance covering a zone that used to have 2 ALS ambulances. But this was okay because they were told it would only be for a month or two. Oh, how they and the residents they respond to have been misled?
Director Chad Graham gave the commissioners a 3 year growth a plan; a plan they agreed upon (it's on paper, folks). This would provide for another ALS crew so that one zone would not be overtaxes with calls and, more importantly, so the residents could recieve emergency responders in a shorter amount of time. What a great idea!And now, the commissioners are backing out of their commitment.
But the fault lies within our careless zeal and their ignorance. We have failed to educate the masses and we have continued to tolerate their arrogance. Wait until one of the commissioners has to wait an extra 10 or 15 minutes for an ambulance and then the funds will be alloted. Then it will be an issue worthy of noting and syphoning funds toward. But until then, we must absorb their ignorance and hope that the paramedics and EMTs continue to do a wonderful job despite the hill they must march against.
Don't you just love election time! Empty promises, lies, pats on the back and under the table politics. Does it get any better than this?
It mystifies me that we, as taxpayers, citizens, and voters, idly stand by and let this happen. Hey guys, wake up-it's our fault. We elected them, keep electing them, and do nothing to get them out. It's time that the rubber hits the road, and the passions that are posted in the forums leaves a stinging sensation on the backsides of the so-called politicians that are supposed to be taking care of us.
Education
Isn't it amazing that such uneducated people have control over our lives? What qualifies someone to be a county commissioner? Seems to be nothing more than a popularity contest. How many commissioners have business or management degrees? How many of the board members or commissioners actually know anything about the departments they represent? And who ends up suffering for their ignorance? That's right, you and me.
As someone below said, the county is 20 years behind the time. Growth, in this day and age, is inevitable for Bedford County. What worked in 1960 will no longer work today. But that's the mindset that you get. If you always do what you've always done, you always get what you've always got.
If the county employees don't like it, then they can leave, right Bo? That sounds like leadership you can count on. After everyone leaves, I hope you have a friend left to drive you to the hospital if you need to go.
I want to take the time to explain a little to everyone how this decision will affect you. From an emergency services standpoint, they are forgotten about until they are needed. Then everyone wants(and deserves) the best (and for a long time they have gotten that.) But the public just doesn't seem to understand what they do (Mr. Carney even incorrectly called the ambulance service "Emergency Management Services" (the Emergency Management Agency is Scott Johnson's department.))
Part of the EMS plan was to add an additional crew this fiscal year (July 1) to staff the new Cascade station. That station was finished before the new EMS center, so the Union St. crews (there used to be 2 ambulances that responded out of there) were split to add service to the Cascade area.
Here's the problem that Bo, and even Mr. Ray, doesn't seem to understand (they should, they get monthly reports.) Fifty to 60% of the entire call volume for the service originates from the zone that those 2 ambulances used to cover- now only one does. The call volume for that one truck has effectively doubled. Director Graham's employees understood that this would be a short term sacrifice until the new budget was passed. As I understand, Dir. Graham has prepared the commission for this for the last 3 years. No hidden agendas.
If that one truck is on a call (and more than likely it will be, a busy day at that station is 12-15 calls) an ambulance from another station will have to come to you. If Union and Madison get a call at the same time, guess where your truck comes from? Cascade or Unionville.
EMS administration have a contingency plan to handle this, but it comes at a high price- the physical and emotional health of the employee, which many of them are willing to pay (if there's an end in sight.) Ultimately, I fear, we will lose some of the incredibly talented people that we have to other counties that seem to care more about their employees.
Another thing that seems to slip through the cracks concerning the EMS budget is that over $1 million is generated by the fees that the ambulance service charges. No other county department can say that they contribute as much. Dir. Graham has always been very budget conscious and asks for nothing more than is needed to operate at the level that the citizens deserve. Ask any of his employees and they will tell you the same. I would love to have an educated conversation with anyone who would take me to task on this.
I think we all should be burning up the phone lines and packing the courthouse every time the commissioners meet. It seems like they have forgotten who they work for, and I think some of us have as well. I think that we deserve more as a citizenry.
Lower Taxes Please,
Can you or duck post one comment without taking a shot at the 911 communication center, it happened a year and a half ago let it go.
lets talk about the running vehicle, did you confront these people, ask them to please shut off the vheicles so that it does'nt waste tax dollars or confront the fire department about running to calls that they were not needed to save tax dollars, or you just trying to find something to complain about. you waiting for someone else to take action, why not try and do something about it for your self.
We are all human and make mistakes, We all have room for improvements we are not all perfect. Sleep well if they take the ambulance from your area, sleep well if the sheriff department cant get there when someone is breaking in your house, and sleep well if the county fire department cant get to you in time if there is a fire on your property.
Joe Tillet, you are a hollow man. And so are the rest that choose to adopt resolutions that do nothing except degrade the service being provided for the community. You politicians and your promises are nothing but shadows in the depths of greater men and greater ideas. You have become the counterproductive mechanism that will continue to hold back the protection of our community and all who live in it. What are our taxes paying for?
No, you, Joe Tillet, and all like you are hollow men. Men of no principle and value. Men and women that seek the vote but scorn the voters. Your sense of entitlement to the best care offered by the EMS service is not only deplorable but shameful. You are not entitled to best emergency care by Bedford County EMS, it is a privilege and it is about time you start acting like it.
We all know this is a political ploy to keep you guys in office when ,in reality, you should be ashamed of your stance. I know I am. But, as I said before, I expect nothing less from a man who quivers beneath the shadows and the work of those greater. You are a hollow man.
Hey gottago,
The employees of bedfod county are not only asking for a raise, they want to be able to hire more staff to protect and serve the 5th fastest growing county in the state.
These people spend ONE-THIRD of their life caring for and protecting your family's welfare SO WHY IS IT that you DON'T CARE about the welfare of theirs.
Lets look at the real issue at hand. It is Bedford County. This county is 20 Years behind the times. We have county commisioners that are living for the past and not the future. It is inivetiable that with the changing times and changing economy that there are going to have to be new taxes. Taxes from, wheel tax, property tax, etc... It doesn't matter If you want to improve on what you have you are going to have to raise taxes. This county is in dire straits and it is going to get worse if we continue to allow the same people to be in charge of our future.
And Bo, for you to tell county employees that have lived here and served and protected the people of this county to go somewhere else and work, that just shows what kind of "politician" you are. You will want someone with several years of experience when it is you or one of your family members lives on the line. If you don't think experience is an assest to this community then you are terribly wrong. You can deny it all you want but i was there at the meeting and heard you say it. Also "bo " heard you say when asked about how public service workers were supposed to provide the same quality service to the new citizens of the county when our reources were being cut 5% you said loud and clear you did not give a DA*% ABOUT THE NEW GUY.
I ask you people of bedford county IS this the ATTITUDE you want in charge of the future. I for one do not. BO maybe you should go somewhere else.
This is a 3% raise for these employees that spend ONE-THIRD of there lives away from there family to protect yours. I am willing to pay a little extra tax for that security.
Most of these people live and work here this is where they spend the money they earn, they dont travel to murfreesboro, nashville, or where ever daily to go to work and spend their money else where they spend it right here put it back into the community.
I for one think that these people both need and deserve the extra money and personnal to help them better serve you.
Isn't it funny how things seem to happen for a reason? It's all together a different game, when a decision is made, and it directly affects you. I am all for raises, who doesn't want more money? I have many great friends in the emergency services in Bedford County. Bur, it is the same employees that sit idly by and allow good employees to be terminated, from a job they are very good at, for B.S. reasons. I say "good" at because I have heard the compliments, even after those same fired employees have been gone for 1 ½ years. They always looked out for emergency personnel and the citizens they protected, but those same people that they took care of, STILL sat there and let it happen. And now, sit there and complain about the quality of dispatching. I have heard department heads also complain and they STILL let it happen. This goes for the county commissioners and the Mayor. Heck, the 2 fired dispatchers, I am talking about, were even screwed out of unemployment.
I would be willing to bet the Director of the 911 center will get her raise, because her pay comes from the 911 surcharge on your phone. It's her personal puppets {Board of Directors} that make that decision. I would suggest to the 911 dispatchers, you need to watch Director Mathis' salary. Why should she get a sweet raise and not you?? Who cares where her money is generated from, its still taxpayers money. She and her Board has already pulled this stunt, giving {or requesting} more money for herself than her employees.
Are Mark Thomas{VFSI} and Chad Graham{EMS} getting a raise? If NO, then that's fair to their employees. If YES, then someone needs to be asking some questions.
So in other words, you{county employees} are not the only ones that have fell victim to small town dirty politics. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, IT HURTS, DOESN'T IT?
blue jay,
I will have all of their salaries posted in 10 days if people can be patient. Why do you all not get this upset over school board meetings? Seems like it would be pretty important to worry how people are going to afford paying for double the amount of clothes now too.
It would be nice if the TG would publish county employee salaries
Residents of Bedford County the commissioners have made there choice. Their popularity for your saftey. It is not very smart to send a message to the emergency workers in this county that the commission does not care about them being able to survive. 3% would not even cover the cost of living and they decide to take that small amount away. You can go ahead and crank up that HR department now, thgey will be working overtime trying to fill the positions when this county loses employees. Atleast they could try to give better insurance coverage rather than a joke of $700 per month.
it is easy to hide behind some cute name on the comment page. but lets step off the web page and show up on june the 30th at 5:00pm. and let the split tongues know what we think.. i am bedford county employee and i endorse this message...
you are right sirjim. i wonder how long it will take before t-g removes your comment like so many times before..
We don't know how the mayor will vote He seems to be pushed into things without any resistance. I have an idea for our commissioners. Go through with your budget cuts and no raises. When all your services fold here's what you do. Since you guys know how to manage everything so well you should be fine. Just go to paramedic school and the fire and police academy and just jump in a patrol car, Fire Truck, and a Ambulance and provide the services to the citizens that you as a whole let disappear. Oh did I mention you only get to receive the salaries you pay them now to try and provide for your families (sorry Bo no more country club). I am sure you would then feel the frustration and stress you get from anyone of these jobs. It is really easy to sit in your air conditioned offices and make stupid decisions that will make you rich while everyone else suffers. It has already been stated many times by your ELECTED commissioners that " this is just for a year and next year we are going to raise taxes anyway". All this so that by this time next year all of your quality employees have moved on to other departments and no one will come to this county and work. This will all be due to the non-supportive commission. Now you have the money and no employees, and guess what? We still have a tax increase! REALLY SMART. Oh did I mention Mr.Bo thinks he is going to be the next chair of the finance committee lets stop him now VOTE THEM OUT this is the only way to change things they obviously don't care about us anymore. No one wants more taxes but to compromise services to the public is not the way. WKRN,WSMV,and Fox news are always wanting new stories give them a call lets see what some media can do to help them reach a decision. If we dig a little maybe we will all see what is really happening with our ELECTED commissioners.
WHAT A JOKE, I was at the meeting tuesday night and it was so rehearsed it was unreal. rumor is their was a meeting that morning. which is a clear violation of the sunshine act. they knew what they was going to say when they showed up. they (the crawfishing, split tongue, tell you what you want to hear, panel of backstabbers) only wanted to hit on highlights. why? because they went over the other parts earlier in the day. and another thing we do not have enough money to fund the fire,ems,sheriff dept but we can hire a hr person (joe tillet) for 80,0000 dollars a year. bedford county has operated fine without one. now in tough times they decide they need one,, oh yeah i forgot, bo wilson told the county employees if they didnt like their jobs then walk,, i see why they need a hr person, there going to have to hire a lot of young unexperienced, entry level people to fill the spots the fin. board run off... one more thing, mr. daniels if u want to save money why dont you get some of those illegal mexicans you have working for you on your vineyard.to work for the county. you say you dont drink wine or even sell it. but you have enough income to hire 3 or 4 people to help you pull grapes. i guess bo is your biggest fan. BEDFORD COUNTY IS PRETTY FU?*%&NG SORE.
After speaking to the county commissioners after the last finance committee meeting I was appalled at the lack of respect they are showing for the citizens of this county. And yes, we are the very same citizens that elected them to office. They are willing to jeopardize our safety by not properly funding emergency departments on the risk that it may make them less popular when election time comes. However, they seem to feel that padding their pockets with taxpayer money for an unneeded HR department won't be a problem. I think they hope the citizens won't notice the extravagant 80,000 salary a committee member is voting for himself. They may feel that the people who elected them are too ignorant to notice that conflict of interest. They may hope to prey upon the unaware or careless and create an unnecessary new department with county money while drastically underfunding current and essential ones. I hope somebody informs them that restricting vital access to EMS, Police, and Fire services (among others) for the sake of their politics WILL make them less popular. As others have suggested, I also would like to see our commissioners show their dedication to this county by forfeiting their raises. They are certainly not doing it by playing political games with peoples lives and with dedicated employees livelihoods.
FYI, This HR dept will not happen. Mr. Ray has no intentions of it going through.
I am a long time resident and employee of this county. I realize that times are tough for everyone, all over. Not just Bedford County! To me it's a hard pill to swallow when you have people that you protect and serve say "if you dont like it, get another job". But yet they expect the best quality service when they call 911. With that kind of attitude how do you expect to retain the type of personel you want and need to take care of your family members.
I do this type of work because i love what i do! but, my family has to eat and they deserve the the same opportunity to recieve fire, medical and police services as the next. We are not only asking for our small 3% cost of living raise, we are asking for the little extra to open a station that would better benifit our county in general.
As a county in general we are behind the average pay scales of counties of the same size. And when you have county commisioners that line there pockets and expect my family and the people they are suppose to work for to suffer and struggle. They have ensured that they are getting a nice raise this year. I tell you what lets see how dedcated to the county they really are! Let them give up there raise and pass it onto the county. Not the employees, but to ensure our new ems and fire staions opens this year!
what the crap? joe tillet is going to be in charge of the most insane waste of money that could ever be thought of. 80,000 for this job and for what? in my opinion this is what the police, fire and ems should be making yearly. this is a joke. 80,000 for sitting on his dried up wrinkled A$$ pushing paper and causing more grief to the county workers. he was a pain in the rump of the people that worked at the hospital when he was there and do you think he has changed his ways since he retired, i dont think so. he comes into the hospital now thinking hes the stuff that killed elvis. let me just tell you joe, i didnt give a hoot about you then i dont give a hoot about you know.
now for bo wilson. i wasnt there at the meeting last night but man alive i wish i was. i bet you had someone walk you to your gimp mobile last night after that meeting didnt you. you have the guts to say that all the county employees will be getting no raises, but yet you are not near man enough to say hey, if the people that voted me into this position arent getting a raise then im not taking one either. to tell the people that run this county, make the emergency calls, do the 12 hours sitting in a patrol car seven days a week, the fire and ems personnel that are at work for 24 hrs protecting you and your family being up for sometimes all day and night that if they dont like to go across the street and work there. you sir are a coward and a disgrace to the people that live and work here. how about you leave and go somewhere else?
you, bo wilson along with two other county commissioners are not in the best of health are you. how can you expect the employees of the county to respect you when you dont respect them. do you carry oxygen to your seat like the other two? yes they have a duty to act. but i can guarantee you one thing. police fire and ems watch each others back and they take care of each other. when you kick them in the seat like you did its a total travesty.
should we be calling someone else mayor, its my feeling that maybe mr. ray is being pushed into some of these things, ideas. i like mr. ray dont get me wrong. i agree with one of the posts above. the county employees should be managed by the county mayors office, not an appointed HR department comprised of some the already appointed good ole boys! thats money we can put somewhere else. like the finance committee, in my opinion is a waste of time and money. what was wrong with the way the county was being ran before that all started. since we are making cuts lets cut the problems that are causing the county employees problems (i.e.joe,bo).
you expect them to do more for less. if you decide to give them raises next year, its gonna be a measly 3% more than the raise they didnt get this year. the 400 dollar bonus? let me guess your gonna tax that too so they will end up with 300 bucks right. i hope you sleep well at night because i couldnt if i had done that to the employees of this county. one day you will have a need for these people and they just might not be there. what if one day they had enough of you and no one showed up for work at any of the county services. are you gonna be there to save the day, i doubt it seriously. you could only wish to be as strong and determined as the people that make this county safe for all of us.
Bedford County has been nothing more than a training ground for so many years. EMS gave their employees a nice raise a few years back to get the rate of pay comparable to other counties. Employees STILL left here. VFSI personnel left and went to Shelbyville Fire and Murfreesboro. The 911 center simply can't keep people. I can only think of one that is no longer employed with center that went elsewhere to dispatch, in the past 8 years. So, they can't use the excuse of "we are losing our employees to other counties" like EMS, FIRE, AND Law Enforcement. Their job is stressful, this is true. But no matter how much money you pay, if you can't keep employees, how can you ever get comfortable in the job. There is no security and that means more stress.
Why do they need so many MORE dispatchers?? Does everyone know, the center is fixing to lose a big part of their workload?? It is to my understanding, that Duck River is pulling out of the 911 center and starting their own call center. Also I believe if someone will check, there are only 2 dispatchers there now with more that 2 years off 911 dispatching in Bedford County. We have already seen and heard their quality of service!!
Go back and ask all the former employees why they left. I would be willing to say out of 25+ that are gone from there, that you may find 3 or 4 that would say mot enough money or benefits.
All in all I feel that it is human nature now to simply swap jobs on a whim. It's not all because of money, but more of change. The younger generation is not concerned with longevity, but more of variety.
countrygal2008,
Be careful what you wish for. Just talk to the department heads and just ask them what their turnover rate is.
1. When you pay someone not enough
2. Expect them to pay 800 dollars in insurance
3. Not give them a raise
4. Not add personel to ease there work load
THEY WILL FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO WORK.
You will lose experiance and knowledge of this county. That may be ok with you to hire people not fimiliar with this county so it takes them longer to find a residence. It may be ok with you to hire someone with less than one year experance while people with 5 or more years experiance walk out the door. It may be ok with you that the EMS, Sheriff, and other agencies are understaffed so when you do get someone they are worn out due to being overworked.
I AM SORRY IT IS NOT OK WITH ME.
Why should the employees of Bedford County suffer for the poor judgment and mismanagement of money in this county? The employees of this county have to be very dedicated to their jobs because most of them compared to the surrounding counties are UNDERPAID. The employees are not being given a cost of living raise because the Co Commission and CO Mayor want to fund a HR department. If we cant afford to take care of the employees we have now then where is the HR dept going to be funded from? (The taxpayers of course!!!!) Which will mean a tax increase in the coming year. Be AWARE taxpayers!! A few of the commissioners have stopped working for the people of bedford co and have in turn started making decisions that will benefit themselves.
blue jay,
most likely, we pay them ...
There is a lot of waste in the school system, start there if you want to save money. Lower paid county employees should get raises, those making over 50,000.00 shouldn't. We're a poor county we can't have a medical rescue team on every corner. There was an article about how much Bonnaro paid Coffee County for services, how much does The Celebration pay for the services provided by the city and county.
I am sure many of us will pay a small increase in taxes to keep ESSENTIAL servies afloat. That , however, does not mean a tax increase so every co employee gets a raise this year.
Look around you, county employees. Many other people are not getting raises this year. Why should the same people pay for yours?
i see different sides, i hate for anyone to suffer. everyone wants more money, but no one REALLY wants to pay more property tax. even that commissioner in flat creek, that was mentioned, does not want to pay more property tax. i bet there are a few county employees that don't own ANY land, they rent. and on top of that, they live in the city. therefore they will not pay 1 penny of property tax and thier sales tax money benefits the city more than the county. now i do not fault them for renting, because that maybe the only way they can make ends meet. now with that said i bet those same employees own a vehicle. so lets just impose a wheel tax. i am not for new taxes by no means, but if there is going to be one, lets do one that will effect alot more people. our tag renewals are ALOT cheaper than other counties. more property tax and sales tax is not the answer. you have people in the counnty that have farmed for years and that is their living, so taxing more on the property will make their income less, just to fund those raises everyone wants. yes that same farmer will have to pay a wheel tax also, but atleast they know that the same person his crops are feeding, is paying their share too. so in my opinion a Wheel tax is the fairest option.
Let me think....How much MORE money has the school system received from these same commissioners? Without even a question. Hr department will just waste even more money. What do we possibly have to gain from another department that the departments themselves will still have to manage themselves anyway.
Funny how none of his was even discussed before action was taken. We have more say so on this website than we actually have with our own commissioners.
We are already behind other counties in our services and they fiqure out a way to take care of things and move forward. What's our problem? Why do people seem scarred and intimidated by those on the hill? Never had one of them ever ask me my opinion, have you?
voting for a deficit budget IS voting for a tax increase.
it is just voting to make another set of commissioners impose an even larger tax increase when the money runs out, rather than man up and do it themselves.
This county is taking a huge step backwards. Where do the commissioners get off deciding what people live and what people die. When they decide not to staff an ambulance station call times are going to increase in these uncovered areas. I bet they hope it is not in their neighborhood. It is a hard pill to swallow to raise taxes. But at the same time it is a even bigger pill to swallow when you can almost guarantee a loss of life due to the actions of a few people what are they looking out for the public or their own wallets. I only hope these people or their families don't need emergency services in the areas that will no longer be covered. I also would like to point out with no raises the current employees of the county will leave. Other counties provide much better benefits and pay . The commissioners think that because they have supplemented the insurance for county employees they have done their part while at the same time doing nothing for family insurance. My question is what benefit does anyone have to stay here quality service providers are hard to find and this county is not only not allowing the staffing of an ambulance station that will cost lives,It is also pushing out the remaining few that stay because of their dedication to the people of this community. We do not need a new county HR department after all of this we won't have any employees for them to manage. I hope for the sake of the people of this county this does not pass the final vote which is Monday afternoon for all that want to attend. If it does as a county resident I pray for all of us and our families. I hope that this reaches the people it needs to so one bad decision does not cause someone or their families great tragedy that could have been avoided. DO THE RIGHT THING WHAT IS A FEW DOLLARS A YEAR FOR THE PIECE OF MIND THAT SOMEONE WILL BE THERE IN YOUR TIME OF NEED!!!!!!
This county is taking a huge step backwards. Where do the commissioners get off deciding what people live and what people die. When they decide not to staff an ambulance station call times are going to increase in these uncovered areas. I bet they hope it is not in their neighborhood. It is a hard pill to swallow to raise taxes. But at the same time it is a even bigger pill to swallow when you can almost guarantee a loss of life due to the actions of a few people what are they looking out for the public or their own wallets. I only hope these people or their families don't need emergency services in the areas that will no longer be covered. I also would like to point out with no raises the current employees of the county will leave. Other counties provide much better benefits and pay . The commissioners think that because they have supplemented the insurance for county employees they have done their part while at the same time doing nothing for family insurance. My question is what benefit does anyone have to stay here quality service providers are hard to find and this county is not only not allowing the staffing of an ambulance station that will cost lives,It is also pushing out the remaining few that stay because of their dedication to the people of this community. We do not need a new county HR department after all of this we won't have any employees for them to manage. I hope for the sake of the people of this county this does not pass the final vote which is Monday afternoon for all that want to attend. If it does as a county resident I pray for all of us and our families. I hope that this reaches the people it needs to so one bad decision does not cause someone or their families great tragedy that could have been avoided. DO THE RIGHT THING WHAT IS A FEW DOLLARS A YEAR FOR THE PIECE OF MIND THAT SOMEONE WILL BE THERE IN YOUR TIME OF NEED!!!!!!
Maybe Johnny Reed's employees could be like a lot of other employees -- at this "crunch" time, be thankful you have a job. Do you know the unemployment rate? Yes, raises are always good, probably expected -- but when your salary is paid with taxpayer's money, it could be somewhat different. Perhaps if you feel your pay should be increased, maybe you should look for a job that does not require being funded by taxpayer's money
bcresident,i agree 100% at what you are saying here.bedford county is the fifth largest growing county around and some of our commissioners are wanting to go backwards instead of foward with society.what it all boils down is that one commisioner is retired and has a lot of land in flat creek that all he does is farm and he dont want to have to pay taxes on it.well you know what is it every other bedford county citizens fault that he dont want to pay taxes on it.i bet you let something emergency wise happen at his farm there and 911 dispatched fail to answer the phone because there are busy with other calls or the fire or ems dont show up because there is not enough employees or help and i bet you he will think about what he done wrong then and he would also be crying the blues wanting to know what was the problem was for no emergency services not being there.all the employees are asking for is help and a cost of living raise.if bedford county has know money then theres is got to be a way of getting money in,if raising taxes is what it cost then that is what needs to be done.if a grocery store is buying milk and it goes up a dollar then they pass it on to the customer.well if the cost of running these emergencey service is having to go up then we need to pass it along to these citizens of bedfor county for our great work that we do.are you commissioner up there on those seats for yourself or for the citizens and employees of bedford county think about it guys.
I don't agree with more taxes until I see a lot of waste cut out. I see school buses parked at stores and left running for an hour each morning while the bus drivers eats and talk.
I see fire trucks running to a call when fire personnel are already on site and tell them that everything is ok and they should turn around, but they keep coming any way.
This week I saw an ambulance parking at Rite Aid and out of all the vehicles parked there, it was the only one that was left running while an employee was inside doing business.
You don't need more 911 dispatchers until you can train and keep the ones that you already have. Anyone that knows anything and becomes a threat to the Director or her daughter and is let go, so that her and her daughter can make more money.
If we need so many dispatchers to be able to keep up with the call volume then why are we receiving calls for DREMC when there is a power outage, maybe because Charles McDonald is chairman of the 911 board and also is management for DREMC.
Look at all the money that we have spent on County Finance Director Robert Daniel and his staff that are doing the job that the County Mayor office should be doing.
The County Commissioners voted in an automatic raise for their self's which they will receive without any votes each year.
I could go on and on and on. I don't mind spending when it is done right, but will be against it as long as I see this kind of waste.
It is a shame that this county is willing to take a step back when it comes to emergency services.
The 911 center needs to hire 6 dispatchers to be able to keep up with the call volume.
The EMS service needs there people to be able to keep from one area of the county not being covered. This is a shame that a brand new EMS station will go unstaffed.
Not raising taxes are a direct result of current politicians wanting to look good when it comes up for reelection later this year.
They need to explain to the people why there Emergencies are not as important as their getting re-elected.
It is time to take a stand Bedford County. Vote for commisioners and a mayor that will fund the things we need. I am willing to pay more taxes to insure the saftey of my family.