Marinette County Budget Games

M C Raines

It is with gut wrenching anguish that I review the "deep cuts in every area" proposed by Mr. Corbielle and rubber stamped by the finance committee. I ask when is Marinette County going to get serious about “across the board” budget cuts and control and not simply follow Mr. Corbielles support of those departments and programs he perceives as important and cuts into those departments he does not support.

If the Marinette County Board is truly serious about controlling the budget over the long term, and still providing essential services for the citizens of Marinette County, I ask the following questions:

Why are there cuts in only a few departments when clearly other departments should also contribute to budget control. With a reduction in staffing why is � of a position not being cut from human resources, why in the county administrators secretary not being cut to � time, why is � of a position not being taken from the clerk of courts, why not � a position from child support, the district attorneys office? I understand there are 5 secretaries working for the sheriffs department, why not reduce that by one position?

The budget for the Marinette county jail staffing is one of the largest in the county � why is there not a 10% staff reduction there? They baby sit people locked in cells � surely staffing can be reduced in that area.

Does Marinette Count really “need” forest patrol or parks patrol? Why not eliminate the forest patrol and parks patrol positions and have the sheriffs department answer emergency calls within those areas. They are out there riding around anyway. If the sheriffs department would cut all non essential, non emergent services they would have plenty of time to take up for the parks and forest patrol. For example, eliminate any snowmobile patrol, ATV patrol and boat patrol � these are sports for the rich. Eliminate all extra programs at the sheriffs department that cost time and money � such as diving, dogs and nite out!

I believe the sheriffs department delivers papers to people for court � why not have private groups do this. I would think someone would be willing to do this. The sheriffs department should also not go to minor accidents or spend so much time writing tickets. There are hundreds in the paper every week � why not stop this practice and only write tickets for extreme violations at accidents etc. This would also be less for the courts so the court staff can be reduced as well.

Stop going to non emergency calls in the communities that have their own cops � have the people wait until their own cop comes to work to report minor things. Think of the time they would have to do other things.

Why not return the 3 police operators to the city that the county took on last year and also return any money the city gave the county, minus the wages and benefits already paid to the three girls. Then eliminate the dispatch supervisor job � this will save 4 positions over the long term, add up that savings! Also, reduce the staffing in the radio center � remove the TV, stop the wedding planning, the head on the counter when tired, Avon selling, house selling, checkbook balancing, computer game playing, nail paining and so on and the staff can be reduced and they will still have time to spare! This will not happen simply because this is one of Corbielles favored areas.

With further reductions in staffing I also envision a � time reduction in staffing in the computer department � less people to support means less people necessary! Why not a salary reduction for all department heads � say 5%? In the next contract period every employee must be forced to pay at least 10% of their health insurance costs. I understand they pay 2 � 3 % now? What a joke � 10% must be the minimum!

Lets get to the county board � why are they so against a $25 reduction in their pay? It all adds up � if they were serious about cost cutting they would be all for it! Why not reduce the number of committees and number of committee members. Less committees, less members means less money paid out for people attending meetings. More usually gets done with less people anyway and more savings!

Why dont we see reductions in the assessment department, land department, treasurers department? Why not eliminate the print shop and contract with private industry for printing services. Less long term cost to the county, more income for local business.

Why not implement a tourist tax on tourist services, such as hotel rooms, ATV or snowmobile rentals, park reservations and all related tourist items. Let the tourists and weekenders help pay the bills. Why not add a fee or surcharge onto every ticket written in this county? A lot of tickets are written � why not add $10 to each one! It all helps.

I cannot believe Corbielle suggests not plowing on weekends! Does he not feel that fire trucks, ambulances and police officers need to get to people residences on weekends! Does he not understand that people work on weekends! Not everyone works 9 � 5 Monday through Friday Mr. Corbielle. Imagine the legal repercussions if a fire engine cannot get to a house because a road is not plowed.

I do not mind driving on rough roads in the summer � just drive slower, but I cannot drive down roads with 6 inches of snow on them! Keep the plowing and reduce the road maintenance in the summer. Spread road maintenance over years, not just a single year. Roads last a long time � let futures pay for them as well. Has anyone looked at contracting out all road services, such as plowing, maintenance etc? Not just at wages but at a total cost vs. cost comparison!

The bottom line is this � winter road maintenance, police, fire and rescue services are essential, life saving services that require people to function and should not be touched. These four areas are the things I would believe that most people want the most and are most willing to pay for! WE NEED THESES SERVICES! It already takes 2 or more hours, in most instances, to get a police officer in Marinette County and Corbielle wants to cut officers and add administrative staff. What sense does this make � absolutely none!

I ask the County Board as a whole to look at serious budget cuts in all areas, not just those proposed by Corbielle and to review those proposed by Corbielle.

As for use of the sales tax revenue for the operating budget. This is not what the people voted on or asked for. The approval of the sales tax was for debt reduction. Now Mr. Corbielle and some supervisors want to change the rules in the middle of the game. If the county has extra money in the debt reduction fund why not pay off as much as possible early. Why not borrow for major projects or capitol items and use the sales tax to pay off that debt since we are so far ahead in payments! Not go against what the people voted for.

Finally, every elected board member is elected by the people to serve the people! This means to vote the people wishes � not their own personal agenda. For any board member to think they are “smarter” than the constituents they serve is nothing but an insult to those who have elected him or her! I cannot believe any board member would be so self centered and egotistical as to believe their beliefs are above those of their constituents. Be sure you vote accordingly during the next elections!

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
05-16-2013	Front Page	Mike, Anita Folgert Are Recipients Of Touhey Award
05-16-2013	Front Page	Predicts New Learning Center Will Be “A Shining Light” For Marinette Schools
05-16-2013	Front Page	Tourism Draws Millions For State, 4 County Area
05-16-2013	Front Page	Water & Sewer Committee Moves Ahead With Loan
05-16-2013	Front Page	Commend City Officer’s Work On Murder Case
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Lorna M. Techmeier
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James R. Schaut
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Nora E. Salewsky
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Ralph R. Runge
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James P. Reindl
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Uta Rasmussen
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Virginia Ellsworth Plier
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Ursula J. Peters
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Walter J. Moucha, Sr.
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Kasimir Melnyk
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Bernadette E. Meek
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Shirley Jean Johnson
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Julie N. Jeske
05-16-2013	Obituaries	George L. Hayden
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Patricia L. Gomber
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James A. Erickson,
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Frank M. Dudek
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Judith A. Carrillo
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Shirley Ann Bishop
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Donald M. Allard
05-16-2013	Sports	Marinette Golfers Win Menominee Meet; Bieberitz Is Medalist
05-16-2013	Sports	Track Regionals To Begin May 20
05-16-2013	Sports	Peshtigo Captures M-O Conference Crowns
05-16-2013	Sports	Coleman Finishes Perfect�Again!
05-16-2013	News	Set Babysitting Class for May 25
05-16-2013	News	Town Peshtigo Sets Cleanup Day
05-16-2013	News	Marinette Legion Brat Fry Dates
05-16-2013	News	Church Dinner, Auction May 19
05-16-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-16-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-16-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Grand Germany Tour Sept. 15-24
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive is June 10
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Memorial Services Slated May 27
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Students Help Plant Nursery Stock Trees
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Jeff Diges Memorial Bike Run June 29, Hold Pool Tourney
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	TB Rescue Bake, Rummage Sale
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Co. Elderly Golf Scramble July 12
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Sister Cities Future On Line At May 22 Meeting
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman High School Graduation is June 1
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	2 Top Coleman Seniors
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Fine Art Nite at Coleman School
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman Services for Memorial Day
05-08-2013	Front Page	Marinette Police Memorial To Officers Lost In Duty
05-08-2013	Front Page	City Adopts New Sewer Rates, Fire Dept. Fees
05-08-2013	Front Page	Co. Move Toward Medical Examiner Model Rejected
05-08-2013	Front Page	Centenarian Marks Birthday May 5th
05-08-2013	Front Page	Folgerts Chosen For Touhey Award Recipients
05-08-2013	Front Page	Million Dollar Bail Set In Homicide Case
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Irene Zoellner
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Lila V. Tippett
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Clarence E. Treptow
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Dennis L. Tachick
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Roger K. Schiefelbein
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Sharon A. Ronan
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Robert Ranallo, Sr.
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Jerry Rakowski
05-08-2013	Obituaries	James Prefontaine
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Spencer B. Patz
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Lila E. Miller
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Patricia Mathey
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Helen J. Lemery
05-08-2013	Obituaries	William H. Keller
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Alice Johnson
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Ronald Cedric Henning
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Algin T. Hendricksen
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Paul G. Grunwald
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Cheryl Lynn Gallo
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Gyneth Gadtzke
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Crystal Ann Gabriel
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Curtis P. Frank, Sr.
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Della A. DeStarkey
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Daniel P. Barney
05-08-2013	News	Girl Scout Carnival at Peshtigo June 2
05-08-2013	News	5th Annual EMS 5K Walk/Run
05-08-2013	News	Brazeau Annual Fundraiser July 27
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wagner Board Meets May 14
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Auxiliary May 13
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lions To Clean Hwy. 180 May 11
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Post 66 Meeting May 11
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	CHS 5K Run/ Walk is June 1
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Legion Trap 22
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Plans for Memorial Day
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Plans 33rd Annual Reunion
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Area Cadets at State Challenge Academy
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Parkway Ladies Start
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Comins Graduates Basic
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Graduates Basic
05-08-2013	Sports	Wausaukee Golfers Win 9-Hole M-O Tournament
05-08-2013	Sports	Bulldogs Grab M-O Lead
05-08-2013	Sports	Marines Shine At Home Invite
05-08-2013	Sports	Coleman Clinches M-O Title Share
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Patricia J. Waschbisch
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bessie Riley
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Russell D. Thurow
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Anne Schumacher
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Janette B. Perry
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Marilyn Mc Keefry
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Timothy J. Lynch
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Donald J. Kubiak
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Marilyn Mc Keefry
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Reino L. Lampinen
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Lonnie L. Kasbaum
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Dave Gajeski
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Gyneth I. Gatzke
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Virgil L. Erdman
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Albert J. Demers
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bernard L. Courchaine
05-02-2013	Obituaries	David Campbell
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Roy Bylund
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Dale P. Bundy
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Gerda M. Barrick
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Antoinette A. Bacon
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bonnie R. Artz
05-02-2013	Front Page	Peshtigo Woman Murdered
05-02-2013	Front Page	Crivitz High School Ranks 22 in Survey
05-02-2013	Front Page	Heyer Changes Plea in Murder
05-02-2013	Front Page	City Parks, Recreation Director Marquardt Takes County Job
05-02-2013	Front Page	Public Hearing On 4 Ordinances Precedes May 7 Council Meet
05-02-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-02-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-02-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-02-2013	Sports	Oconto Falls Girls Dominate Invite
05-02-2013	Sports	Suring Cruises To Track Sweep; Cops 22 1st Place Marks
05-02-2013	Sports	Bulldog Booster Bash On May 4
05-02-2013	Sports	Coleman Improves To 6-0
05-02-2013	News	Walking Club To Paddle on River
05-02-2013	News	Pound Senior Club Meeting is May 6
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Car, Lightning Cause Outages
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Auxiliary May 13
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Ladies Luncheon at Assembly Church
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Eight Wausaukee Music Students Advance to State
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz High School 2013 Graduation Ceremony May 18
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	OWI Task Force Town of Stephenson
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	List Theme for July 4th Parade
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	CYI Summer Youth Programs
05-02-2013	Community - Coleman	Smarter Than 5th Grader at Coleman
05-02-2013	Community - Coleman	Pound Senior Club Meeting is May 6
05-01-2013	Front Page	Suspect Will Face Homicide Charges In Marinette County
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Roger C. Winter
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Alfred W. Weissgerber
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Josephine H. VandenBush
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Julius Torzala
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Anna Szkolny
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Sylvin J. Steffes