Ed McDonut

jspeer · Guru

RE: Ed McDonut

kspeer · Senior Member

I tried to call Scott's show today, but could not get through. That's a good sign...means people are listening and interested! My question was - Are you willing to give up the cosmetic surgery now because you (or your family) have already used it?

And you stated that the ball diamonds were moved to 100 Davison Rd. from the Day Rd. site. Those diamonds at 100 Davison are strictly for AnJo. Didn't the league pay a dollar for that land? Does the county maintain those diamonds for AnJo now? They are NOT diamonds that can be used by just any taxpayer...they are strictly for AnJo. Now I have nothing against AnJo, but isn't that kinda the same thing? You stated the town should pay the county union workers for upkeep of Day Rd. Who pays for 100 Davison?

And as far as Krull park diamonds being maintained...that's a little iffy too.

Ed McDonald · Veteran Member

kspeer wrote:

I tried to call Scott's show today, but could not get through. That's a good sign...means people are listening and interested! My question was - Are you willing to give up the cosmetic surgery now because you (or your family) have already used it? And you stated that the ball diamonds were moved to 100 Davison Rd. from the Day Rd. site. Those diamonds at 100 Davison are strictly for AnJo. Didn't the league pay a dollar for that land? Does the county maintain those diamonds for AnJo now? They are NOT diamonds that can be used by just any taxpayer...they are strictly for AnJo. Now I have nothing against AnJo, but isn't that kinda the same thing? You stated the town should pay the county union workers for upkeep of Day Rd. Who pays for 100 Davison? And as far as Krull park diamonds being maintained...that's a little iffy too.

Cosmetic Surgery: The Union has always been willing to negotiate away this benefit. It has never been whether my family has used a benefit provided to us by a contract in which both sides agreed to. And quite frankly it is none of your business or anyone else’s if my family or any county employee has used this benefit. On the other hand, would you think it is OK for every member of the Union to pry into your health care issues? Sorry, but that’s the truth.

Ball Diamonds: As far as I know, Niagara County Parks Department owns the diamonds behind 100 Davison Rd. I know for sure the parks maintain them. Any one can play on those diamonds, but AnJo has first dibs so to speak. Niagara County taxpayers pay to maintain the diamonds behind 100 Davison Rd.

Krull Park: Like I said on the show "you can’t do the same amount of work with half the staff" The diamonds at Krull used to be the best diamonds in the county. Unfortunately, with cuts in the parks staff, budget cuts and the loss of specialized equipment the diamonds have gone down hill. It is the same old story; you can't do the same job with less manpower, money, and equipment. It just can't be done. The size of Krull Park has doubled in the last 5-6 years and the staff size gone down. Taxpayers ask for cuts and then complain the work isn’t done. If the number of employees shrinks, so does the amount of work that can be done in 8 hours (overtime has been cut too).

kspeer · Senior Member

Thanks for the reply. Fair enough on the surgery thing. As far as the ball diamonds go...AnJo has sole dibs, not first at 100 Davison. So does the league kick in for maintenance costs? It sounds like there is a real manpower issue for the county, and I just wonder why some things seem to get preferential treatment, that's all. I guess it's probably not a question for you to answer. I don't think the manpower issue will be solved. The county is not going to hire more workers to maintain Day Rd. So the park may just remain at a roadblock. It's a shame.

Mindcrime · Guru

Ed McDonald wrote:

Cosmetic Surgery: The Union has always been willing to negotiate away this benefit. It has never been whether my family has used a benefit provided to us by a contract in which both sides agreed to. And quite frankly it is none of your business or anyone else’s if my family or any county employee has used this benefit. On the other hand, would you think it is OK for every member of the Union to pry into your health care issues? Sorry, but that’s the truth.

To a certain degree, I think the public does have a right to pry into these kinds of medical procedures. It has been established and argued many times on this board that when you run for public office, you accept a certain amount of public scrutiny. Taxpayers are footing your salary. So why are public employees who are not elected, but rather hired, any different? If my taxes are going to pay for routine checkups and kidney stones, fine. That should be kept private. But if my tax dollars are being implanted into someone's breasts, I have a right to know I'm paying for unnecessary surgery.

Bob Confer · Member

I completely disagree with the assessment of cosmetic surgery being nobody's business. Considering it is a county-funded elective above and beyond the normal range of health benefits, its users MUST be held accountable for the travesty that it is. It's disturbing to know that millions have been dedicated to VANITY when the millions could have been dedicated to issues that really matter...like combating Medicaid deficits or taking care of the parks in question on this thread. I really doubt the union has been deligent in removing this little gift either...if it was, the surgery portion of the contract would have been dropped when the bad press appeared many moons ago...and the employees would not have flooded the court house during the Legislature meeting many months back when it was one of the key topics of the meeting.

Jim Sacco · Senior Member

ED,

GREAT SHOW TODAY!! You presented your issues honestly and very well.

Scott tried to trip you up with a question he would refer to later... I don't remember what it was but I doubt if his question had any merit. The way you closed the show by asking Scott about that question proved it was just to throw you off, and you did not fall for it!!!

No matter how many people badger people like you or I on this website, or even John Villella, the idea that we use our own name does add credibility to our words!!

Your comment about how it was under Burmaster when the deal was negotiated on the Davidson Rd. park was also good (not Brad Erck). Unfortunatly the Republicans got away with that lie in 2005.

Kudos to you Ed on your efforts to counter the grave misrepresentations, half truths and outright lies of the "Majority Caucus". Keep up the good work.

Jim Sacco

Ed McDonald · Veteran Member

Taxpayers are footing your salary. So why are public employees who are not elected, but rather hired, any different? If my taxes are going to pay for routine checkups and kidney stones, fine. That should be kept private. But if my tax dollars are being implanted into someone's breasts, I have a right to know I'm paying for unnecessary surgery.
Taxpayers are footing your salary. So why are public employees who are not elected, but rather hired, any different? If my taxes are going to pay for routine checkups and kidney stones, fine. That should be kept private. But if my tax dollars are being implanted into someone's breasts, I have a right to know I'm paying for unnecessary surgery

This was Scott’s question "Why do you think you don't have to answer to the taxpayer?"

The answer is a simple one; when you pay your taxes, you get a product. Whether it is a clean road, a well-maintained park, or a clean safe public building, it is a product.

When you buy a car, you buy a product, you pay for the wages of the manufacture, management, sales ect.., Now tell me does anyone on this site, or in the world think for 1 second that they are the boss of General Motors, or Ford and everyone who is involved in the manufacturing of a car. Of coarse not. It is really stupid that you or me as a taxpayer has the right to look into anything that involves employees health. Neither you nor I know why anyone has cosmetic surgery. If you want to get rid of it call your legislator and tell him\her to settle the contract. Until then it is a benefit, just like holidays and health insurance, negotiated by two parties and agreed to. It will remain in the contract until it is negotiated out. After 4 years, the County has spent almost 4 million dollars on cosmetic surgery and until a contract is reached, there is no end in site. Call your legislator.

-- Edited by Ed McDonald at 22:15, 2006-01-17

-- Edited by Ed McDonald at 22:33, 2006-01-17

Ed McDonald · Veteran Member

GREAT SHOW TODAY!! You presented your issues honestly and very well.

Thanks Jim.

Ed McDonald · Veteran Member

Bob Confer wrote:

I completely disagree with the assessment of cosmetic surgery being nobody's business. Considering it is a county-funded elective above and beyond the normal range of health benefits, its users MUST be held accountable for the travesty that it is. It's disturbing to know that millions have been dedicated to VANITY when the millions could have been dedicated to issues that really matter...like combating Medicaid deficits or taking care of the parks in question on this thread. I really doubt the union has been deligent in removing this little gift either...if it was, the surgery portion of the contract would have been dropped when the bad press appeared many moons ago...and the employees would not have flooded the court house during the Legislature meeting many months back when it was one of the key topics of the meeting.

Sorry to disagree with you but.............It is nobody’s business no matter how you feel. Just because you don't like something doesn't give you the right to pry into someone’s health. It is not above and beyond, it is negotiated.

You're right on one thing, it is a shame that Niagara County has not put the effort into settling a contract and possibly get rid of cosmetic benefit. It cost you and me about 1 million dollars a year. To top it off, not everyone in AFSCME has NOVA, 1/3 of the members don't recieve any health care benefits and 1/3 are in other insurance plans.

On the courthouse matter; we flooded the building that day because the Niagara County Legislature (majority caucus) was about to feed the public a bunch of bull about cosmetic surgery. There is one and only one thing that will get rid of this item and that is a contract. Not grandstanding in the courthouse. Bad press doesn't work either.

-- Edited by Ed McDonald at 22:49, 2006-01-17

Ed McDonald · Veteran Member

kspeer wrote:

Thanks for the reply. Fair enough on the surgery thing. As far as the ball diamonds go...AnJo has sole dibs, not first at 100 Davison. So does the league kick in for maintenance costs? It sounds like there is a real manpower issue for the county, and I just wonder why some things seem to get preferential treatment, that's all. I guess it's probably not a question for you to answer. I don't think the manpower issue will be solved. The county is not going to hire more workers to maintain Day Rd. So the park may just remain at a roadblock. It's a shame.

Sorry to ruin your day but I agree with you. The ball diamond thing, AnJo not sure about.

jspeer · Guru

Ed can you find out the deal with AnJo and post it. Thank you!

jspeer · Guru

Hey Jim...Spit or swallow?

Ed McDonald · Veteran Member

jspeer wrote:

Ed can you find out the deal with AnJo and post it. Thank you!

I will be happy to. It's nice to see you have a mild side.

Jim Sacco · Senior Member

Ed,

On the Cosmetic Surgery, wasn't that something that the County gave to the Union during previous contract negotiations??? It was probably at a time when it did not cost that much to add it on as a rider.

If they want to take it out, I would think they would have to NEGOTIATE it out with the Union.

Ed McDonald · Veteran Member

Jim Sacco wrote:

Ed, On the Cosmetic Surgery, wasn't that something that the County gave to the Union during previous contract negotiations??? It was probably at a time when it did not cost that much to add it on as a rider. If they want to take it out, I would think they would have to NEGOTIATE it out with the Union.

You are correct. In the late eighties early nineties it was a rider that cost the county less than a dollar per person. Now that we have NOVA it is no longer a rider, and since the county is self-insured they foot the whole bill.

Just so you know, the Union did not want to go self-insured in the mid-90's. Our experts told the county self-insurance would cost the county too much and would not work. After all the Union doesn't know anything about insurance. So the county fought and fought to get the self-insurance and finally they did. How are they making out now?

jspeer · Guru

Who was the genius who suggested self insurance? I would have to guess his initials were GM.

Ed McDonald · Veteran Member

jspeer wrote:

Who was the genius who suggested self insurance? I would have to guess his initials were GM.

No, this was way before his time. I think it was the county risk manager at the time( Wayne Shalen). He is not with the county anymore....go figure.

Ed McDonald · Veteran Member

Did anyone hear the caller who said the county management sent one of our employees to salt the parking lot of the building we lease from Ulrich. I checked this out and it is true. I called the Human resources director and asked him why we are using county employees, county equipment and county materials on private property. Maybe more people should call and ask why. Talk about a waist of tax dollars.

jspeer · Guru

See Ed....I'm not a bad guy. I just want the facts. I understand that being short handed sucks.... I just think that if people sat down and talked things could be worked out. I also believe that the public should be more involved with Gov't. I think all meetings should be open door so no one can pull anything...then the people would know things were not being kept secret.

Jim Sacco · Senior Member

jspeer wrote:

See Ed....I'm not a bad guy. I just want the facts. .... I think all meetings should be open door so no one can pull anything...then the people would know things were not being kept secret.

Ed,

This is the posterchild of all comments.

With the Maziarz Majority Caucus in charge, how can the County live up to this request???

jspeer · Guru

Published: January 17, 2006 11:36 pm

Half way there

New An-Jo diamond are a boys’ best friend.
By John D’Onofrio
Lockport, N.Y. —

The transitional “jump” from local youth baseball leagues to adult loops has been reduced to little more than a hop for Lockport-area ballplayers, thanks to the An-Jo Baseball/Softball League.

The 51-year-old An-Jo organization is continuing to promote its new, 75-foot ball diamond at the An-Jo Complex behind the Niagara County Infirmary Building on Davison Road..........

The rest can be found on today's sports page