South Glenellen (What's so unusual?)

[Youngstownshrimp]

No, give him all the rope he wants, so he can hang himself,  I guess he already did.

[jazz218]

At least he stopped posting. He was sounding so ridiculous that I was starting to feel sorry for him.

[Youngstownshrimp]

This thread right here tells the story I have been trying to tell all along.  This same character tried to enforce DEVELOPMENT Construction requirements on farming.  Notice the arrogance in this public servants post; Its time to pick up the shovel and clean out the barn.

[cts714]

If you are really interested in the info you will come see me.  8-4 m-f
See you soon.

[jazz218]

Mr. DPW - As stated in my previous post, I will take my issues with your department to a higher authority. I made a very simple request to which which you never responded: Since as a public official you see fit to use this forum  to selectively "inform" the public on the vast "progress" being made by your department, please also inform us on the outside engineering fees expended to accomplish this "progress", and also on the contract change orders for these projects. I think the public has a right to know the whole story. For example, I read several weeks ago that a $20,000 contract your department is handling has turned into a $120,000 contract, and isn't finished yet! I also read that you missed the V&M railroad siding bid estimate by $5 Million. Can you blame anyone for questioning your competency? I or any other taxpayer should not  have to come to your office to or spend a day with you to appreciate your efforts. Blogging at 8:11 AM on a workday tells that story. We don't care what it's like to run your department. The proof is in the pudding, baby. Quit with the smokescreen, answer the questions, and be accountable.  You have a nice day too!

[cts714]

Jazzy,
I would say yes it strikes a nerve when someone who doesn't know anything about the deparment questions my competency.  Again, I am there 8-4 M-F please come see me  I would LOVE to discuss these issues with you.  Or you can call me at 330-742-8800.  Or you can submit  a public records request. You can find the form at www.cityofyoungstownoh.com.  You seem very concerned about my competency to perform my job.  I am very concerned that my performance is not up to your standards.  Why not come down and spend the day with me to see what running the department is like?   I really can use your input.  This is a standing invitation and I welcome you any time.  I will also be sure to update the readers of this blog, (during non working hours of course), as to the status of your exceptance to my invatation.

[jazz218]

Mr. DPW - I can see that our conversation has struck a nerve with you. First of all, if your department has only 4 employees and 2 are secretaries, something is really, really wrong. I suggest that you lay off the secretaries and hire a competent engineer. Secondly, you are the one who is volunteering information and engaging in self-ingratiation. I only ask that if you put forth information as to the activities of your department, that you give us taxpayers the full story on how our money is being spent. Remember, you initiated this exchange, not I. Thirdly, you are a public servant, and I find your tone and demeanor to be completely out of character with what I believe most taxpayers would expect. Reading blogs or posting arrogant messages during working hours is forbidden in most work environments I am familiar with. I believe in most state agencies it is grounds for dismissal. You are correct, the Mayor is your boss. I hope he is satisfied with your performance and your attitude. If so, it speaks volumes about the problems with city government. In the future, I will take my questions regarding the operation of your department to a higher authority.

[cts714]

Richard,
Andrews is on the list. Pay attention to what you read. Wick is on the horizon but we are waiting for the safety study to be completed.  Actually large quantities of concrete pavement is becoming more and more competitive with asphalt these days. We are installing a storm sewer on Hubbard Rd. You can tie your detention basin in after we install it.  What happened is that the junk yard may have crushed the culvert on the other side at some point.  I believe that what we are proposing will reduce flooding extensively.  Finally, I can't controll your opinion of the Department, nor do I care about it, but I do feel the need to respond publicly to your comments from about a year or so ago regarding the stormwater plan for your little development.  The truth is that your Architect who I will not mention, spent months arguing with me about the need for the plan.  Now I do not know who was instructing him to do so but that is the reason the project was delayed.  I didn't hear from a civil engineer regarding your plan for months.  I do not typically post here but I do feel that everyone needs to know the actual reason.  Of course the same invitation to discuss any of this that I extended to Jazzy applies to yourself.  I am there Mon-Friday EIGHT to four.

[cts714]

Jazz,
Considering the Engineering Department has 4 employees and two of them are secretaries we really don't have much of a choice but to use consultants. I'll dig up those numbers for ya though.  Or if you would like to see me on the 5th floor of City Hall and I will explain every one of them to you.  Of course you can just post anonymously and take my word for it. I'm guessing the later. Oh and as far as what time I start work, when you become the Mayor of Youngstown you can tell me when I start work.

[jazz218]

Mr. DPW - While you're running down the all of the projects and busy schedule for your department, why don't you include for the public the list of change orders and outside engineering fees paid by us taxpayers because of the incompetence/lack of knowledge of you and your employees??? By the way, what time does your department open for business? I see you're busy reading blogs at 8:11 AM???

[Rick Rowlands]

The reason that I am uninformed is that those of you in government have been keeping this information to yourselves and not sharing it.  Thank you for coming out of the closet and informing us!

I still didn't see Wick Avenue on the list.  What about Andrews Avenue?  Yes I know that will be pricy due to it being concrete, but there is a lot of business on that road that pay taxes.  Albert Street is also not listed.

When Hubbard Road is repaved will the drainage problem at the City limits be resolved? DPW spent a lot of time last year clearing out the pond, putting in rip rap and cleaning the culvert, but there is NO OUTLET for the water on the west side of the street.  Why didn't you dig a ditch to the north end of Passarelli's property so that the water could drain into the existing drainage ditch?  Why does that section of road way have to flood every time we get a big rainstorm, when a few hours with an excavator would have solved the problem?  It is situations such as this that make me question the competence of the DPW, to waste money and effort and not solve the problem.

[cts714]

Judging by Richard's comment he appeared to be uninformed. Or I could have just let him spew missguided info like most do on here.  Just making sure that everyone understands what is going on down at the DPW.  We've been somewhat of a target on this site as of late Jazzy.  Have a nice day.

[jazz218]

Spoken like a true pompous, arrogant public servant!!!

[cts714]

The City of Youngstown does not have enough funds in its local program to resurface arterial routes correctly.  ie 3" overlay with partial and full depth pavment repairs where needed.  That being said the City, with the cooperation of ODOT and our MPO Eastgate, has resurfaced the following arterial routes since 2008: (I will not post the limits due to space restrictions)
Belmont Ave, Wirt Street, SR 616, Market Street, Glenwood, South Ave., East Federal St., Woodland Ave.,  Schenley, Bears Den, Industrial Road, Vestal Rd.,  Oak Street Extension, East High.

The following projects are in the bidding process and will be paved this summer:
Glenwood, Poland Ave., Hubbard Road, Market Street, MLK, Teamster Drive, Old Furnace, Mahoning Ave., Canfield Rd. (soon)

The following pojects will be paved next summer:
Market, Connecticut, Oakwood, Bellevista, Midlothian (possibly), Jacobs Rd., Andrews Ave.

I may have missed a few.

So Richard, are you SURE that "main roads" are not being paved or are you just uninformed?

In addition to that the Department of Public Works will be administering over $38 million in projects that do not include those that i have mentioned above by fall of 2011 including MILES of new roadway, MILES of sewer, MILES of railway and several waste water projects. The DPW will EASILY surpass $50 million in capital improvement projects in less then 3 years. 

Any more quetions??? 

[Rick Rowlands]

Why is that street being resurfaced when many of the main roads in the city are not being repaved?