There is another story in The Courier today (read it before it goes in the archive) about the ineptitude of city and county leaders. What?!?!? Yes, I am as shocked as you are (he wrote sarcastically).
The issue of how to merge the county and city health departments has been around for awhile now. I can remember back to the last mayoral election and how the idea was discussed then. For this to still be an issue almost two years later...I am not saying whether it is a good idea or bad, but seriously, waiting this long to make a decision and move forward on a project? It's not like we're asking for someone to settle the River Place issue (he wrote sarcastically).
If you don't want to read the article, here's what happened: since August 2007 (remember the flooding issues at the time) the city and county were being reimbursed by FEMA for the cost of renting a temporary location for the health departments (around $38k annually for each). Fast forward two years...since neither the city nor county health departments have a plan in place to move to a permanent home, FEMA said "that's enough" and the payments stopped May 31.
Yes, I know that the money they were getting was from the taxpayers (so it was really a wash for us - at least some of it was coming back into the area in the form of rent). However, we're still paying taxes to the federal government, and now we're on the hook to fund the housing of two health departments. Before, we weren't directly on the hook for the cost. Well, I guess the city and county are doing well enough financially that this shouldn't be a big issue (he wrote sarcastically).
SERIOUSLY!!! - doesn't someone know that this was going to happen? We constantly hear how the city/county are facing a crisis of finances, yet no one can take some simple (or should be simple) actions to find some permanent office space? They passed on the old Washington school (I guess anything North of the Blanchard River is verboten)...they have passed on the numerous empty buildings that dot the Main Street landscape...they have passed on their duties to be responsible!!
It will be interesting disheartening to see how this is going to be spun by Ed Ingold/Pete Sehnert/Bruce Hardy, but that doesn't change the facts. On the surface it may seem like a minor issue, but lack of action just shines a big ol' spotlight on the larger problem: the inability of our elected officials to plan and lead effectively.
The possibility of developing a charter for the city seems to be gaining support, and when events like this happen, it is very enticing. Even though we could not change how the county commissioners act, creating a charter for the city gives us an opportunity to construct the virtual shell of a local government that is more responsive to the needs of the citizens and gives our electees the power to act accordingly.
I am confident that the only thing our elected officials needs is the right framework and our support to take action and be successful. With both those things, we will give them the right environment to lead, and I am sure they will shine brightly and not let us down again (he wrote sarcastically).
-RSKnopfJr
I would hve to agree with fema because they have given the city enough time to handle their business. Now the rest is up to them. I don't understand why the health dept. wont jst find a building in the nonflooding zone.
Posted by: simplyplenty | June 29, 2009 at 02:00 PM
FEMA is not responsible for Findlay's health departments. Findlay officials need to take responsibility and put a plan in place. There are plenty of places available out of the flood zone.
Posted by: Fares A. | July 07, 2009 at 01:13 AM
Well, obviously they are not worrie about the money that they have to spend, since fema is no longer paying for it, Must be nice!
Posted by: simplyplenty | July 13, 2009 at 09:32 PM
I really agree with the writer about this problem, They need to solve their problems. FEMA just give they the money and they must find places and department it should be a way from flooding zone.
Posted by: Mansour Aljabri | July 22, 2009 at 10:42 AM
I agree with this writer, frustrations about our leaders not doing what we think makes sense are paramount, especially in today's society when there is so much access to information. But, for a moment let's consider a moderately well known saying, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Often times the complainer is the last to let his/her actions speak louder than his/her words. Are you the complainer, looking to pitch in and help sove the problem that plagues you so much or are you just interested in actionless finger pointing?
Posted by: bs1 | August 24, 2009 at 09:12 PM
Have we finally seen the last of this blog?
Heaven forbid!
I would imagine that within the past three months, with everything going on locally and nationally (political wise) that there would be something to write about on here...
Posted by: Azrael | October 01, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I know this blog was wrote a few months ago, but at this time, aren't both the city and county Health Departments in the same building? I do believe it is the city's fault of taking up so much time without making any decisions of what to do.
Posted by: Park | October 04, 2009 at 08:50 PM
I feel that F.E.M.A has no responsibility in findlay health departments. It is up to the city of findlay to fix thier own problems. F.E.M.A should only be used for bigger disasters such as huricans and earthquakes.
Posted by: kyle brunner | October 04, 2009 at 09:41 PM
I also agree with the writer. It is definitely not assuring to know that they were given a simple task to do to receive help and never came through on it. If you were a victim of the flood you would need all the help you could get because just like a hurricane or earthquake it made a impact on these people lifes. Something needs to be done and yes the health department does need our support and to see that this is still a big issue for the people of findlay.
Posted by: B. Kendrick | November 05, 2009 at 01:56 PM
I hope you realize that our government at every level has its agendas, these agendas rarely match the logical agendas neccesary to preform their jobs adiquitely. Someone is probably trying to make money for a friend.
Posted by: jason oliver | November 05, 2009 at 03:33 PM
So I understand that two years is a long time and they should have found a place by now, that part is rdiculous. However, I am not about to pay taxes and support the local governments rental. The FEMA should extend the money a little while longer giving the government enough time to find a right place. And as for the government they need to get out there and start actually looking for a place.
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