Open Forum: What sacrifices have you had to make as a result of the recession?

I have taken furlough time. I have cut back on expenses: reducing phone bills,cable bills and eat at home more often than going out.

It's really not that bad to live a little more modestly. It's too bad some people feel they shouldn't have too even where everyone else is.

I dont't believe you have to "support the Irwindale Police Department AND feel that they have sacrificed enough" ,I support the Police Department but feel concessions should be made and I believe they will. I don't feel like you have to be on one side of the fence or the other. We have all made sacrifices in this economy and I believe we will get through it TOGETHER!

Yes, it is really silly how anytime you suggest the police should share in the sacrifice you immediately dismissed as being against law enforcement or the very concept of polcing. It's pretty heavy handed rhetorically speaking to say that and diminishes the legitimate fiscal concerns of residents.

I work in the private sector and my works hours have been reduced. I have dealt with this by cutting back on personal expenses. Fortunatley, I was also fairly caught up with my bills.

I do have freinds and neighbors whos spent money they handn't yet earned when times were good living the high life but who are suffering now that times are bad.

The moral of the story, don't assume good times will last forever, don't spend money you have not yet earned and save save save for rainy day.

We have all too some degree taking a pay cut. Shame on these city officials and that includes police and firefighters, for not voluntarily taking a pay cut. The tax payers were more than generous when times were good. Well times are not so good any more. Shame on you, what you are saying is, cut programs from the children and senior citizens, but don’t touch my pay check. And by the way where is my raise. It is unbelievable; your arrogance is putting more tax payers into poverty. And when these desperate once law abiding citizens turn to crime, I hope they know who to rob.

Wow James, promoting crime? I hope when you do get robbed, you don't call 911, you won't need an arrogant officer to save your life I'm sure.

James Hunley is the toilet of our society. he doesn't know his ..... from a hole in the ground.
But, back to basics. How about Teresa Olivares ( Housing Director ). She has publicly stated that before she's done with the City of irwindale she will be a millionaire. Mind you, just what is she receiving a paycheck for when there aren't any housing programs at this time or in the near future. By the way, is it true that our new Finance Director makes 40 thousand more a year than Abe DeDios did when he retired recently and 6 months severance. Talk about obscene, have a look at what city hall employees make every year. Remember, they are not protecting our lives and our liberty. Hats off to those who protect and serve the City of Irwindale and elsewhere.

James Hunley is the toilet of our society. he doesn't know his ..... from a hole in the ground.
But, back to basics. How about Teresa Olivares ( Housing Director ). She has publicly stated that before she's done with the City of irwindale she will be a millionaire. Mind you, just what is she receiving a paycheck for when there aren't any housing programs at this time or in the near future. By the way, is it true that our new Finance Director makes 40 thousand more a year than Abe DeDios did when he retired recently and 6 months severance. Talk about obscene, have a look at what city hall employees make every year. Remember, they are not protecting our lives and our liberty. Hats off to those who protect and serve the City of Irwindale and elsewhere.

This has gone too far. We as Irwindale RESIDENTS and EMPLOYEES have given in to these childish games. We have let this newspaper and its blogs show the ugly colors of our city. This city is comprised of people like Theresa Olivares who are hard working and have taken advantage of programs that make us better and educated people, like the education foundation. She donates her time by being a member of that board to give back to this community. I didn't hear anyone complaining when she did everything she could to get us in to houses that we all enjoy. Educate yourself, she is not just the housing director she is also in charge of all the purchasing in the city and that is for every department. I myself am guilty of reading these blogs because I am frustrated with some decisions the city has made but come on, to call someone out by name like Theresa, who is one of the hardest working people in this city. Lets stop this already, by continuing to air our dirty laundry for all to read is disappointing. Yes it may be funny to some and yes there is some truth to what is said on some of these blogs but there is a platform for all of this. It is called a city council meeting. If you feel that strong about voicing your opinion do it in person don't hide behind a keyboard. That's why I served this country so we can be a free society and voice our concerns in a constructive atmosphere. I personally know Theresa and know she is a much bigger person than to acknowledge your fruitless comments, but I won't stand for it. We our a proud community and our founding fathers who have past are rolling over in there graves and the other who is still alive did not envision a community that when faced with hard times point fingers and blame. They wanted a safe family community which gives all of the residents and employees the greatest opportunities to succeed. This is not who we are and if you have gone down that road turn around it's not to late. Let's come together and we will succeed. WE the employees and residents of this city have created something great. A community where people only dream to live because the Police have made it safe and the other City Departments have created and continue to create programs to increase our quality of life. Lets come together and stop slinging mud. We are better people than this. I challenge you to be a better person and to be an active member in OUR community. Lets not let this paper bring us down by feeding in to gossip and rumors. I challenge you to stop blogging it only brings this community down and creates descention among all of us.

I do hope the police will reconsider and give up their 4% increase right now. I support them but urge them to make this important sacrifice along with everyone else.

Thank you.

It amazes me that there are individules that would rather restrict our free speach rather than promote it. I personally know for a fact that Irwindales Housing director Theresa Olivares was one of the first residence to get a new home. She was instramental in kicking the only resident at the Meradian street project to the street. What a blatent conflict of interest. What about Steeve Blancarte, He left Irwindale with a million dollars. Irwindale just gave him another 260,000 $ Irwindale Police officers are making 200,00 $ a year when their base pay is 65,000 $ a year. City employees pay is public records, check it out for yourself what these employees are haulin home. Botom Line is, Irwindale is in trouble. And City officials need to get rid of the fat at city hall, rather than cut services to its residents. Irwindale dosnt need a assistant City Manager, or a housing director at this time. What about the 200,000 $ former Mayor Breceda spent in New York for bace ball games and concerts, and two thousand dollar dinners. If you can follow me for a moment, Ok Irwindale and other cities as well as the state of California believe that the only thing they can do is cut services to the kids and the elderly. And cut health care to the less fortunate. close libraryies, cancel summer schools, close parks, and pools. All so they can pay its obligations like excesive payroll and needless travil expenditures, car allonces, and lord knows what else. What are they going to cut next year when the payroll is higher and they have done nothing to fix the problems. Just make the tough calls now and get our economy back on the road to recovery. Stop impacting the seniors, They have paid their dues. they have served the public. they have protected our lives and our liberties when it was their duty. And in my opinion deserve better than impacting them so you can retain your inflated payroll. I will say it again SHAME ON YOU.

To James Hunley, I notice you have forgotten. conveniently, That your own Julian Miranda Jr lost 1.2 million of city coffers by halting the Merdian street project just a few years ago. About former Mayor Breceda that is so old news. We all read about it in the newspaper. Let's see 200,000 verses 1.2 million. It's a no brainer. What you need to do is have all your ducks in a row before you make a judgement call.You don't live in Irwindale. We all know who is behind you pulling the strings. You are just a puppet. To all reading these blogs, in Irwindale we all know who James Hunley is and most certainly know his cronies. James Hunley is not the sharpest tool in the shed so you don't have to wonder who is behind his writings.

Let’s call some facts to the table. Obviously there are many on this blog that are not doing their homework. They believe they know something, but in reality know absolutely nothing. Ok, does everyone know that there are City employees that only work 38 hours per week? Yes, you heard it right, only 38 hours per week and are getting PAID for 40 hours. You might say… how can that happen? Well, when you have a large number of employees living in the City and are active voters anything is possible.
Now follow me for a minute. For the sake of argument we’ll keep it simple and use someone who makes…hmmm… let’s say $20.00 an hour. Now keep in mind this is just a random amount so that a point can be made. If an employee only worked 38 hours and gets paid for 40, they would actually be getting $40.00 of FREE money per week for those extra 2 hours that they don’t work. Or you can even say they are not actually making $20.00 an hour, but in reality are making more per hour. This is because when you divide an employee’s weekly base pay into 38 hours it actually comes up to being more per hour.
Ok, let’s move on. There are 52 weeks in a year. Now multiply that times the $40.00. Ok, you should come up with… $1,040.00 per year for each of the employees. Now once again, just for the sake of argument, let say there were 40 employees that made this extra $40.00 per week. On a side note, I’m sure many of them are making way more than just $20.00 an hour. Ok, let’s get back to it. If you have 40 employees that are making $1,040.00 a year extra the next step would be is to multiply the two. 40 X $1,040.00 would equal…$41,600.00. WOW !!! Let me repeat that… $41,600.00 of FREE money for all 40 employees per year. Let’s go just one step further. Let’s multiply the $41,600.00 over 3 years….Are you with me? That would equal $124,800.00 of FREE MONEY !!! 
This practice of giving away FREE money is totally unheard of and not to mention irresponsible. Now remember that was just using $20.00 an hour. Can you imagine what the actual figures would by using the true hourly wages?
It’s quite evident that the City MUST contract with the Sheriff Department, they’re running out of FREE money.