Fired up and Ready to Fight Back?

In the City of Norwood we have a general fund.  For 2012 the police and fire department received 70% of the money in that fund.  Let me say it again.  The police and fire department got 70% of the money.  To be exact the fire department received $6,654,721 dollars.  Their percentage of the budget was 34.71%.  The police department received $6,371,376 dollars.  Their percentage of the budget was 33.23%. 

At Norwood News and Views we ask the question is that acceptable to the taxpayers? Is that fair to the other departments? Is it fair to the public workers who has not received a pay increase in four years?  Is that fair to the recreation department when year after year their budget gets cut and the police and fire department gets increased?  Is that fair to the Parks department?  The Norwood Community Center does not get 1% of the budget at a time when we need them the most. 

Are you fired up and ready to fight back?  Then start with your city council members.  Year after year this type of budget get passed.  The council members see the numbers and vote on this matter.  What is your ward member telling you?  What are their reasons?  Are they not asking questions?  Are they afraid to fight back with some fire in their belly?  It is time to hold the council members responsible for the city expenditures.  It is simply time.  Our council members have had it too easy.  Not a single member on City Council ask tough questions.  Not a single one.  The residents have made it to easy and smug for the Council Members.  It's time to demand accountability to the citizens, homeowners, and taxpayers of Norwood, Ohio.  It is time for those on council to pound the table and say we have other departments in this city that need attention!  We have shut down pools.  Our infrastructure is falling down.  Our streets are beyond patching.  Our park equipment is old and dangerous.  Our community center is all but closed.  Our crime rate is going up.  Our businesses are being robbed.  Our health department is underfunded.  Our crossing guards are all gone.  Our city hall needs a serious make-over.  Our water rate is forever increasing.  Yet, the departments that is getting the money is costing us money.  The lawsuits for police misconduct is costing you the taxpayers.  When will you get fired up and ready to fight back?  When? 

Norwood News and Views will be here when you are ready to get fired up and ready to fight back.  Let's start to hold our Council Members responsible for the money.  We love our fire and police departments.  Yet, it simply is not fair to over fund their department and under fund other departments.  Do you agree with Norwood News and Views?  Let us know.