jazzbode's Blog

So, what kind of nonsense is this?  The mayor submitts two budgets to the Common Council, and tells them to pass one.  Both include cuts to the Fire and Police Dept.  One doesn't cut the MPD as much, but requires a bigger increase in taxes to those who pay them.  Is this mayor Barrett's way of dodging the responsibility for the budget, in the hopes everyone will vote for him next time around and not hold him accountable?  Stand up Mr. Mayor!  Is it that hard to make a decision, or have you been too busy starting up your own restaurant.  You know, the "Waffle House"!

Two more people dead from fire yesterday.  SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES!  Working smoke detectors might have prevented yesterday's tragedy.  To all those tenants out there, leave the batteries in the smoke detectors please!  If you hear them chirping like a bird, they need a new battery.  This is your LANDLORD's responsibility to provide working smoke detectors--It is a City Ordinance.  It is your responsibility to report to your landlord when the detectors need new batteries, and to leave the batteries in the detectors!

By the way, the firefighters yesterday busted their humps trying to save those people.  The City just made more cuts to staffing on the Fire Department, for the 3rd year in a row.  Ask the mayor and your aldermen how many more they plan on making before they think it's going to affect public safety. 

Does anyone else see the irony in August 7th?  It was National Night Out.  An evening when people are encouraged to be out in an effort to take back their neighborhoods.  Alot of neighborhoods did just that.  Block parties, lining the sidewalks with chairs etc.  Good for them, they are to be commended.

The irony is this:  5 shootings that evening.  Four were accidental, 3 of those were self-inflicted.  To the 3 buffoons that were probably intending to be out ruining someone else's day, I say good for you. Stupid is as stupid does.  Maybe a gun safety course would help.

I think Friday was the last straw.  I have a minivan with 31,000 miles on it.  I like to take it to the dealer for servicing as long as it is under warranty.  That being said, a year ago I took it to the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation.  They told me my brakes needed cleaning, and it would be an additional $107 to do it.  Since they had already put the tires back on, and I felt it should have been addressed prior to repeating labor, I declined.  I had a relative check the brakes, and was told DISC BRAKES are self-cleaning!  Only drum brakes need cleaning!

Fast forward a year.  Friday, I was told my front brakes needed to be done, and new pads and rotors would be $303.  I have not had any problem stopping, shimmying when using the brakes, or grinding.  They told me I only had 5% of my pads left.  I got that in writing!  Today, I took the car to a Meineke Shop.  They inspected the brakes for free, and told me they were only worn about 50%.  BIG discrepancy!  I will probably need pads only next Spring.

Several years ago, with a different car, I sat in a waiting room for an oil change and was told by a "service rep" I needed about $300 of repairs. I might have bought into it, but a different rep had just told an older lady, sitting next to me,  with the same type of car as mine,  the same story 15 minutes before.  Needless to say, my trusty relative checked the car, and told me it would be 6 months to a year before I needed the work.

Once again, it's the first week of the month.  Once again, the EMS System has a rash of seriously ill people who probably would be okay if they just got their prescriptions filled.  We get people with chest pain because they ran out of blood pressure pills a week ago.  We get asthmatics who ran out of their inhalers, diabetics with no insulin.  Most of  the people we see, have T-19, or are eligible for assistance at free clinics if they would make an appointment.  Most don't work, so they have time to go to the doctor.

Instead, we take them to the hospital, usually about $500-800 charge to the system, and then they spend 4-8 hours in the Emergency Dept, racking up thousands more in charges to the system, only to go home and start the cycle over again next month.  Most don't care about the costs, because they don't pay the bills.  It's no wonder the County is broke, when it continues to enable bad behavior.

In my perfect world, let's not charge them co-pays for doctor appointments and medications.  Let's take the reward away for bad behavior.  Let's cut them a check at the end of the year, maybe a $1000 each (patients, not their doctors), for staying out of the hospital, and staying well.  Let's reward people for taking care of themselves, and maybe this could create a change. 

HOW CONVENIENT!  The price of oil just went up because of lower than expected "reserves".  Oh, it just happens to be right before the 4th of July.  How many saw this coming?  Come on, raise your hands!  How stupid do they think the American public is?

Good Neighborhood vs Bad Neighborhood?  What makes a neighborhood?  It's not necessarily an address, but it's the people at that address. 

It's the lady next door that will bake cookies for your kids, or watch them for you when you have an errand or emergency.

 It's the person(s) who will mow the lawn if they know you are sick or will be out of town.

It's the person(s) who will offer to take an elderly neighbor to the store, or the doctor's office if needed.

It's the person(s) who will pick up the litter in the yard, rather than create it.

It's the person(s) who will  help you shovel snow during the winter.

It's the person(s) that always seem to be  in everyone's business, but know what is going on, who belongs where, and when things aren't right.

A good neighborhood consists of people who are there for each other.  They watch out for each other, and take care of things for each other.  It isn't an address, or zip code, but individuals that live by the golden rule.

What makes a good neighborhood for you?
 

Remember the Workers

The tragedy of the plane crash yesterday is devastating to all who have any part in organ transplants.  Our sympathies to the families whose loved ones perished in the crash.  Some comfort may be gained in the thought they were trying to help someone else when this occurred.

Please remember also, the workers involved in the rescue/recovery operation as it continues over the next few days, or stretches into weeks.  These people have a grusome task ahead of them, looking for parts of the plane, and human remains.  These folks are accustomed to rescuing people, and saving lives. Looking for pieces of people is just as hard for them, as asking a man on the street to do the same.  Remember them in whatever prayers you say please, as this will affect them for some time to come.

Is Alderman McGee finally getting his due?  Arrested for corruption; what a surprise that is, NOT!  Maybe whatever charges issued by the State and Feds will finally stick.  Stay tuned for the news conference, it should be interesting. 

Can an alderman serve his term from jail?

Does he still  collect a paycheck if he's convicted?  I bet he'll still get one from the city while he's fighting these charges.  Those of you who think it's wrong for police to get paid under similiar circumstances, might want to consider the parity here.  Unfortunately, we can't fire the alderman, but there should be rules to prevent him from running again if he's convicted.  Comments?

I was reading some of the earlier blogs about what a bunch of whiners and how awful the younger generation can be, and I thought back to earlier today.  I went over to my parents' home, did a few chores for them, and my Dad wanted to go out to lunch.  We went to lunch, and every outing is a bit of  an adventure, because my Mom walks with a cane, as does my Dad. My father is very unsteady on his feet, because he is missing half a foot.  He wears a prosthetic, so nobody knows.  

We got to the restaurant, and several young couples, in their teens held doors for us as we entered, and when we left the restaurant.  I just want to say, that there are polite young folks out there, and it was much appreciated.

So, let's hear it for the youngsters out there who do have consideration for others, and manners!

The Milwaukee Fire Department responded with the Police Department in 2006 to well over 2,000 shootings, stabbings, etc.  The City sustained a homicide rate of about 120.  The Fire Department does good work.

The Milwaukee Fire Department is facing a 2.8 Million dollar deficit next year.  They expect the cuts to come in staffing.  Bottom line, who's going to respond?  Fewer hands to care for these victims, as well as calls for Asthma, Heart Attacks, Diabetics, Pulseless Non-Breathers, and whatever else comes their way, will affect efficiency caring for these people.  Oh, by the way, they also go to fires, haz-mat, heavy urban rescue, and dive responses in between. 

Bottom line:  If something happens to you, whose going to do the most to help you?

I know there will be alot of comment on the overnight shootings that took place.  In honor of mother's day, let's have some "momisms".  I'll start.

Mom always said nothing good happens on the street after midnight!

Mom always said wear clean underwear--You never know when you're going to be in an accident.

I know alot of people love to cycle to work for the exercise and environment.  Please remember, being on a bicycle does not give you the right of way on the road. You are subject to the same rules as drivers of motorized vehicles.  By the same token, you are entitled to be on the road.  It would be helpful if you could:

1. Wear a helmet

2.    Wear reflective clothing, or at least, don't dress in all dark clothing.

3.   Use reflectors on your bicycles.

Remember, most drivers on the road during the week after 2:30 am, probably have a few cocktails in them, and it might not be the safest place to be without the above equipment!