Using Contractors for City Services

There is some talk out on the back porch about contracting public works to a private company. This is not a new subject for Gautier and it is done by several cities along the coast with what seems like good results.

Gautier already uses contractors for garbage pick up, engineering on some projects and some larger utility jobs. A few years back some grass cutting was hired out too.

So far most of the discussion was about how this change would affect city employees and while that aspect should not be ignored, the main question is how it would affect the citizens and taxpayers. If using a contractor would

1. improve the quality of service
2. lower cost to the public
3. or even hold down cost to where they are today

Then this should be given serious consideration. Remember how a decision benefits the taxpayers should always be the first priority.  After all IT IS THEIR MONEY.

VOTE TODAY !!!

Please remember to vote today as this next election will have a major impact on not only Gautier’s Future, but the future of the Republic. All Republicans should share the view that Obama MUST not be re-elected. I fear that 4 more years of Democratic Control in Washington will take us closer to a European form of socialism that will destroy our country. Today I had a hard choice, while I agree with most of what Newt and Santorum say, I think Romney has the best chance to win in November, so I voted for Mitt. 

What is more important ,once we get a nominee, we all need to fully support that person, by putting all our differences aside and make sure we retake the White House.

A New City Manager

Well we have added another name to the long list of Gautier City Managers. I hope that all the citizens and Council can move past the shabby treatment of Sidney Runnells and support the efforts of Samantha Abell.

It is all our best interest for her to do well. So good luck to our new City Manager, I do hope she knows that nationwide the average length of  time a city manager serves is less than three years.

Change one thing!

If you were king of Gautier for one day and could change any ONE thing what would it be ?

 

Please give only one thing per comment and I know this won’t happen, but try to be nice.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all

 

What went on at City Hall

I have talked to several people over the last few days, who shared information about a very disturbing incident at City Hall earlier this week. I will have more to report as I verify the story. If any of the readers here want to share what they know you can do it online or send me an email.

Shopping at Home

It is time of the year for my annual shop at home rant. But first we all need to stop for a moment today and give thanks for all we have.

In this mornings paper there were pages of sales ads and tomorrow kicks off the official start of the Christmas shopping season. I know many complain about the lack of retail in Gautier, but there are many stores both large and small here in Gautier. So please consider our local merchants first when doing your shopping

Check out http://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday to help you find local businesses. If you find something locally that you want to share please do so here

So have a a good Thanksgiving and then shop at home.

About the Blog

Over the last few weeks I have had several comments that asked questions about the blog. While discussion of the blog itself  is not usually something that is discussed, I will try to answer a few of the questions.

1. this blog was started almost 4 years ago to give people interested in Gautier’s Future a place to discuss things that effect Gautier.

2. I am the only one who can create a post, if someone wants to discuss other issues, you do that on the back porch page.

3. if you want your comment to be posted, you must enter a name in the box marked name, I don’t care if it is your real name or a made up screen name, just don’t leave it blank or most likely  you won’t get published.

4. while I am willing to post some comments that are critical of me, if you talk bad about me it does lessen your chances of seeing your comment published.

5. read the rules page.

I don’t have numbers on the old site we started out on but since we have been on WordPress, we are at just under 70 thousand visits to Gautier’s Future.

thanks to all who contribute

Jeff

Taxes are going up in Gautier

If you haven’t heard taxes are going up by over 6 mils this year in Gautier. The city officials seem to still be bothered by the lowering of  tax rates back in 08. The rates were lowered to offset the tax increase reappraisal  would have caused. It seems the City Manager, City Clerk and the Mayor and Council are all against the city living within its means. Is no one paying attention to the problems created when government spends more than it brings in? We need growth in Gautier, but raising taxes will kill growth.

According to the City Clerk the fiscal year 2012 budget projects general fund revenues of $8.9 million, up slightly from the current year’s projected ending total of $8.8 million.  Yet they want to spend about $9.5 million.

If we only have $8.9 million what is wrong with limiting the budget to $8.9 million? Times are tough and we may be heading back into a recession, people are out of work, the stock markets are dropping fast, home sales are flat, yet our city officials want to raise property taxes by over 25%.

I think all the elected officials but one claim to be Republicans yet the Mayor is quoted in the paper that we need to raise taxes every year.  Maybe this bunch needs to be in Washington helping Obama bankrupt the country.

Don’t raise taxes.   Limit spending to projected  revenues.

Secret Illegal Meetings

Over the past 2 years I have heard many rumors of secret meetings, but today I heard more than rumors. I talked to several people who told me that early in the day members of the Gautier City Council tried to meet with a quorum, but too many people saw them so they changed the plan . I have been told that later in the day at least 4 members of the council met at a councilman’s house, there was also a red truck parked there. I have heard that there are both pictures and video of the comings and goings and if someone with these would contact me privately, I would be happy to post them on this site. I also encourage the folks that saw the attendees of this meeting to contact the Ethics Commission. Gautier had a problem with secret meetings back in 2002 and 2003 and apparently some people never learn. I should point out that it is illegal for a quorum to be present at a secret meeting even if no action is taken. One of the exceptions would be a chance meeting, such as a  Christmas party, but I don’t think Christmas comes in July.