I have to pat myself on the back for this one

[FirstLight]

I am officially a Labor Advocate!

Just finished a story about city worker layoffs and the new city manager basically screwing the citizens of our town by 're-organizing' the city structure and firing all the long timers. So the union guy is hoping this story will generate enough PUBLIC OUTCRY to help turn the tide.

We have a "Little Wisconsin" happening right here in my mtn town of 20K!!!

Personally, it is a huge triumph because i have not written hard news in probably over a decade. And to get the chance to tell the side of the story that the other TWO news outlets in the city are NOT touching is so awesome! I am even more excited because the city keeps acting like they 'can't talk about negotiations' when the union guy says not at all...the city wanted a gag order for negotiations, but he refused because the PEOPLE need to know how this goes down.

such juicy journalism!

I will post the link when it goes live tomorrow, the print version is out today...which means that my fellow citizens are already learning about this travesty, how cool is that? I am hoping for a big turnout at the council meeting ...what a follow up that will be! :bounce:

[KansDem]

1. Excellent!

I'm always impressed with the talent and intelligence of DUers!

Congratulations! :toast:

[chill_wind]

2. Outstanding!

:thumbsup:

K & R.

[safeinOhio]

3. Solidarity, First

:toast: :thumbsup: :hi: :fistbump: :yourock: :woohoo: :applause:

[Vincardog]

4. Please keep on top of the story and keep us informed

[The Doctor.]

5. "Be the change"

Well done and a good start!

[FirstLight]

6. I just got some feedback from the workers i interviewed

BTW - this was also a big deal because the editor offered to protect their identities because they are slated for layoff and they are in fear of the city because they could deny them severance, etc...

what's funny is that the employees, while afraid to talk openly, have A LOT to say about the culture of fear and the bullshit attitude of the city manager towards certain departments. In fact I even quoted one of the employees saying they were put on the chopping block because they stood up to him.

They came back and said it was TOO balanced! :rofl: I had to laugh...
I hope the citizens of the city rally behind these poor people. The other news outlets and the Council have been bad mouthing the city employees and saying they were unwilling to negotiate, when they were in the process of trying to get new union representation, cuz the old union guy was a flake and probably on the side of the wrong people...
One of my best friends is one of the ones to go, and she has been there since we were in college together, starting as an intern...that's just so wrong to kick her to the curb. There are more than three departments that will be decimated by this...

Besides, you can't layoff most of the city street workers right before WINTER! we will have NO plow people, and we get 3-6 foot storms!!! :scared:

[bigmonkey]

17. Not plowing the streets is my only observed certain political suicide move.

Any time I've seen a mayor, even one just elected, pull this crap, they get voted out the next time. People remember this. My Mom told me the same happened in Boston when she was a kid (that would be the 30s). I'm assuming that the same thing will apply to city managers - they will lose whatever political capital they had.

[FirstLight]

18. Here's the REALLY interesting twist here:

The City Council got schmoozed by this guy and they hired him because he was flashy and understood how a 'mountain resort town' works...YEP he is from VAIL, which just happens to be our biggest competition, and the corporations from there are always trying to buy up pieces of Tahoe.

The city council elections were three months AFTER his hire-date, but his 5 year plan to fuck the city was certified by THIS council.

His plan, as the people on the street see it, is to really screw the town and decimate the city's services, then take his moneybags and go home and set his friends loose to pick over the carcass...

I really hope that the people show up and say something!

[FirstLight]

7. just a little kick

for my ego ;)

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. kicking and congrats on you!!!

[FirstLight]

9. :) I'll be happiest if there's a big public response!

I would like to see some actual activism on the part of the pubic here...and yet as a journalist, all I can do is tell the story, i can;t go out there and stir them up ...I hope they will freak out about the snowplows and show up at the meetings...

[Kind of Blue]

10. Proud of Ya, FL!

I hope everyone reads your report and it motivates them to attend :bounce:
KnR

[Starry Messenger]

11. k&r

[I Have A Dream]

12. Keep on fighting the good fight, my friend!

:bounce:

:loveya:

[midnight]

13. K&R

[druidity33]

14. K&R, nt.

[FirstLight]

15. psst! It's happening! online now...

http://southtahoenow.com/story/09/12/2011/more-city-services-chopping-block-budget-meeting-thursday


The budget Meeting that was moved to Thursday had the time changed three times! They obviously don't want the public coming.
Oh, and the budget won't be SEEN until that meeting, so nobody knows the details until a 7pm meeting.
....and there's word on the street that it won't matter what people say, the council is already planning to ram it through...

I have to go to the council meeting tomorrow at 9am, and I am trying not to be nervous. It is a little scary since none of these people on council know me for who I am. They know my maiden name and me as a rookie for the tribune about a decade or more ago, if at all... that could be a benefit or detriment. I dunno, but it's times like this I certainly FEEL like that 20 yr old rookie again, scared and sick and excited all at once, lol

[FirstLight]

16. kick!