38 replies to this topic

[Robert Giacometti]

Steve,

I agree with you on the discussion about what levels of government service are considered basic by some and then uneeded by others. Since we both claim to be moderates, maybe we are not that far apart from the line in the middle.

My frustration with this topic of contracting out for garbage services is simple, it has NEVER been considered. There are NO STUDIES by the city to show the pros or cons about this issue. Therefore I could never make an informed decision one way or the other and neither could you!

This is where I feel the council and administration is failing the citizens, by not exploring opportunitiues to save money and cut costs when they present themselves. If we were to get some bids on this with similiar service we could then compare these costs to what we are paying and getting now. Who knows, we may find out that we are getting is a bargain and this issue could be put to rest!

I and many others feel that the council and administration are more interetsed in protecting the staus quo, rather than doing whats best for its citizens. I guess that is why we have elections! ( Of course with our current system, 2 seats and 8 candidates it is very difficult to unseat incumbants)

Again, I do appreciate your response and thoughts. Sometimes gentlemen can agree to disagree!

Robert Giacometti
Candidate for City Council

[Steve Heard]

Robert

There is no harm in considering it, and I don't know if it has been in the past.

I don't think that it is the biggest issue facing the citizens of Folsom, however.

I think transportation, controlled development and school issues are more important to the average citizen, don't you?

Steve

[kanda]

I also fear that if we save a couple of bucks a month, it may be at the expense of quality, jobs, service, and the environment.


Just doing some rough figuring, if we can save $4 per household per month, and the average household has 3 people, that's a savings of $16 a year, per person. I have no idea if that is accurate or not.

Although I'd like to save $16 a year on anything, I don't want to find myself having to pay that back if I have too much trash in one week, or if I need to throw out a bunch of yard waste.

I don't know if that will happen. I may just be seeing boogey men around every corner. I am just afraid of going down that road, 'cause there'll be no turning back.

[Robert Giacometti]

Steve,

Your statement about there being more important issues in Folsom today is exactly the reason why looking into government costs never gets addressed until it's a crisis. Then when it is finally addressed those whose policies led to the crisis are long gone collecting their generous retirements while you and I and our children are left holding the bag. So then we are paying 3 times what we should be paying for less service, than we have today. I don't want to leave this to our children! Just ask the good citizens in San Diego about this.

I agree that traffic, development issues and schools are the hot buttons that get reactions from people and could possibly get somebody elected. ( provided they have the resources, networks and willingness to work).

Let me try and illustrate why administrative costs need to be addressed now and what their effects are on us the taxpayers when they are not.

About 4 years ago or so( I don't know the exact date) the Library commission selected a site for the Library. They had found a piece of land near Mercy Hospital. The land owner was willing to discount the property to help build the library. The administration stepped in and claimed it could not afford to buy the land and build the library there at the same time for about $7 million. The city then started the long process of site selection and hired the extremely costly consultant ( see they do contract out) to do this process. They came up the plan to pass a bond a tear down the fire station and build a library there. Well the bond didn't pass ( we never did hear how much that special election cost us the taxpayers) so the city arrived at its current plan, which will probably easily exceed $14mm plus all the previous costs no one is keeping tack of. Since we did not hold the line on administrative costs then, we could not use COPS (certifcates of participation) to build the library for about 1/2 the cost we will pay now! Also we would not have to loose a ballfield and most importantly we all would have been using the library for the last 2 years instead of waiting for another year plus.

Yes traffic is bad in town! It is actually terrible! We should have built the new bridge crossing years ago and we could have had we kept our administrative expenses in check and we would NOT be having the traffic nightmare we are having today!

The developers all know first hand about the waste that goes on in the building process regarding their impact fees. They can not say anything about this as they need City Hall's approval for them to build so some kinda view this as "cost of doing business" ( I am not suggesting we take up a collection for them as they are doing quite well) However when impact fees are being used by administration instead of the intended infrastrcture, we the citizens end up short with infrastructure.

I can give you more examples if you want. So I believe cutting costs is related to the other concerns you mentioned and just as important. I hope you and others understand why I am running for the city council, it is to cut the administration expense and put the money back into our community.

It is not easy fighting city hall, but I am willing to try!

If anybody wants to help you can contact me at ragiacometti@aol.com

Thanks for listening

Robert Giacometti
Candidate for City Council

[Steve Heard]

Robert

I admire your tenacity and willingness to step forward.

Steve

[old soldier]

I just want to say that I like Robert Giacometti and the fact that he is not afraid to speak his mind and not hiding out like some of the other candidates who are wishey washey because they don't want to make anybody mad.

That Val Doss Joyce the other day responded to a post of mine wondering if I was being serious or funny. This weekend at dinner my son made the same comment when I was talking about the presidential race. I am serious but I guess thats good if I am funny at the same time.

I like to think I have what the old Lt. said was horse sense, which takes a lot of living to get. I can seem to see bull.... faster than most and I try not to get too mad about it. The worst thing is the guy who speads bull.... and he thinks he is fooling folks. Thats really bad cause this kind of person goes into politics...if fact we have some on our council.

With that said its funny that everything that Robert says makes sense to me. I just hope enough people get to hear what he has to say because he doesn't have enough signs out to get elected without folks telling their friends to listen to how he might just bring the citizens voice to the council meetings.

[The Voter's Choice]

After seeing the debate last Week and listening to the candidates speak I felt concerned about our City's future. One of many concern's that I speak of, relates to the integrity and commintent that our City's Councilmen must uphold and honor. Though Folsom is a relatively small community, compared to larger metro city's such as Sacramento, and the Silicon Valley. It is still an afluent city nonetheless. Out of all the canidates that I heard speak my vote would definetley be for ALBERTO MANFREDI.

- MANFREDI shows the drive and determination that Folsom needs in order to continue to grow in the right direction. He has the personality of a leader that has trained men/women both in the civilian and military world. His views were well prepared and straight forward. Alberto Manfredi shows a true concern about the residence, unlike opposite to incumbent Starky (No Show), and King (All Show).

- GORDON: Well... You have follower's, and then you have leader's... and I didn't see a leader. Better luck next debate.

- STARSKY:

- CARTER: If his speech was indicative to his ability as a City Councilmen, then God help us all.

- KARNIS: a little less talk about your success, and little more talk about how you plan to accomplish your goals as a City Councilmen.

- UDELL: As an Asst. City Manager money talks with your track record, and unfortunatley your BS walks. Need to more convincing if you want to win my vote.

- KING: His speech was very nice and articulate, but remember, that even a rose has thorns. His track record speaks for himself.

- Giacometti: Seems like a nice guy. He needs to be careful when making promises. I'm still undecided.

[Alberto Manfredi]

The Voter's Choice,

Appreciate your support and I hope to see you at one of my events.

Alberto Manfredi

[Kayak63]

We should have more debates in the next election.