Comments on: County Board Split on Police Services Issue

By: Murph

Murph — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 19:27:34 +0000

One question that I always think of when I see the issue of Washtenaw County PSUs brought up is, “How does this compare?” A quick google found this article by Tom Perkins over at Annarbor.com, comparing the PSU cost to the costs of policing in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Pittsfield – [link]

The fact that Tom has to slice the cost three different ways (cost per road officer, cost per sworn officer, cost per resident) shows how complex an issue it is – but it also appears that even the highest per-PSU costs being discussed are cheaper than any of these standalone departments, under any of the ways to slice it. In my mind, that weakens any argument of unreasonableness or price gouging on the County’s part.

Also, a quick copy edit note – in the paragraph before the last block quote, WBWC’s full name should read “Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition”.

By: Rick Stevens

Rick Stevens — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:27:56 +0000

Barbara’s comment ‘Regarding the cost of a sheriff deputy: It is really sad when Commissioner Judge, who is in a leadership position responds when asked “Is everyone happy?” that “It only takes six.

hese are times of great financial stress. In order to meet the needs of the citizens of this county we commissioners need to work together and find points of consensus. Divisiveness is counterproductive at this time.”

I’d have to say it’s a surprise to hear her say that. It’s called voting and majority rule. If all decisions are subject to her ‘Is everyone happy?’ ‘ consensus then nothing will ever get passed or done. It’s amazing that Barbara can’t see that. The County spends way too much time going over the same ground over and over again and never making decisions and that has to stop.

You’re being paid by us taxpayers to make the hard decisions. Make them and stop the endless discussions that go nowhere and delay real change. If you can’t make decisions then we need to vote in more Kristin Judges who will make decisions.

By: Barbara Levin Bergman

Barbara Levin Bergman — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:58:02 +0000

Regarding the cost of a sheriff deputy: It is really sad when Commissioner Judge, who is in a leadership position responds when asked “Is everyone happy?” that “It only takes six.”

These are times of great financial stress. In order to meet the needs of the citizens of this county we commissioners need to work together and find points of consensus. Divisiveness is counterproductive at this time.

Barbara Levin Bergman, Washtenaw County Commissioner, District 8

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 01:16:27 +0000

I haven’t ever been in the fray, but consider that they are considerably underfunded (all money comes from the state gas tax) and can never do all they are asked to do. We need more robust transportation funding. Pam Byrnes tried.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:53:07 +0000

In my (admittedly limited) experience with the Road Commission, they were indeed unresponsive and arbitrary. If there’s a County department that needs an overhaul, that’s it.