By DENISE NEPHEW
I have recently read three Speakout comments I feel I must address.
One being the parking-enforcement-officer position being cut and how parking is out of control on Olivetti Place in Plattsburgh.
In January of this year, the current parking-enforcement officer and I spoke at the Common Council meetings and urged mayor and councilors not to approve the mayor's executive order abolishing this position, as it generated well over $80,000 worth of revenue on a yearly basis. Confirming documents were given out also.
However, councilors Carpenter, Valentine and Rabideau's vote was to get rid of that position, with their reason being "police officers" can do that job. Now look at the loss of revenue (which the mayor already complained about) and how parking is "out of control." I have also been advised that they call police officers on overtime to write parking tickets. Is this the best way to spend the taxpayer dollars and our vital police coverage?
Another Speakout addressed "Durkee Street ticketing." Again the downtown parking problems are a direct result of the abolishment of the parking-enforcement-officer position. May I suggest that whoever wrote these Speakout letters get to the council meetings and ask to reinstate the parking-enforcement officer. Downtown businesses — how do you like it without parking enforcement?
Also in Speakout was a reference to the building inspector vehicles being "gas guzzling" and how manpower is not used judiciously. How dare you criticize the vehicles they drive. The building inspector, for years, has put new vehicles for purchase in his budget, along with more personnel and a request for an extended work week. Each year they were cut from the city budget.
The city can purchase vehicles under state contract, which is usually up to 56 percent off the list price. Also requested in previous years were 40 hours for the staff at the Building Inspector's Office. Again, that request was deleted from the city budget. I ask you to come forward and speak in favor of replacing the "gas guzzlers," extended hours and more staff for the Building Inspector's Office, and the reinstatement of the parking enforcement officer position, as these requests have fallen on deaf ears and every day this city loses valuable revenue and enforcement.
Denise Nephew is president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees local.
