Scottville dropping Ludington police contract?

[masonco]

I can't remember where I saw it, but I read that Scottville is considering dropping their agreement with Ludington police in favor of hiring a part time police chief and/or making agreement with MCSO to cut expenditures and because Ludington was increasing their charges a lot.

Has anyone else seen or heard about this?

[XLFD]

I don't know where you saw it Masonco, but I did put up a thread last night about it, and dealing with Ludington's John Shay's raising of rates elsewhere:  http://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/forum/topics/shay-raises-rates.

Up to $25,000 for additional training of Scottville officers to get them up to par with Ludington officers?  Scottville's city manager did the right thing in balking at that.  I'm hoping to get some additional info on this.

[AQUAMAN]

Yuuup Masonco, it was the Greedy Shyster SHAY that proposed it, to go up 85% over the last years contract for $50K. Plus, Chief Barnett and his Capt. each want and would get, another $5,000 Bonus Pay added to their payroll for the inconvenience of having to answer Scottville calls. That proposal would apply to 2014, as they already renewed for 2013 with Amy Hansen, City Mgr.. Fine way to treat our own sister-town if you ask me. Might be liability factors for insurance involved too, but it can't cost that much more for the work imho. Shame on greedy Shay Again!

[masonco]

Thanks guys.

I got a notice on facebook about it then could not find it. So I'm thinking it was with Mason county press but maybe it was in the Ludington paper too. Was sick at the time so much is in a fog so wasn't sure if I had it right.

It is about time someone told "the boys" at Ludington NO.

In yesterdays paper it said that Ludington is looking at making FOIA more difficult "for some people".

[XLFD]

The COLDNews isn't objective enough to use that exact phrase, Masonco, but the intent is patently obvious to anyone paying attention.  It really doesn't need to be said, it is implied.

[masonco]

OK it sure was implied when it talked about reviewing indigent policies and other limits

[Hulk]

I think it would be smart for Scottville to drop Ludington.  It would make more sense for the County get money from the City of Scottville to hire an extra person or two and have an extra person on the road in the County to be in the Scottville City limits area to take calls and patrol.  I do understand the Chief and Captain of Ludington taking an extra $5,000 to do the jobs for Scottville.  That really doesn’t seem like a lot considering if they had a part time Chief and Captain or just a Chief, they pay would be at least $20k.  I just don't think Ludington City Council should try acting like a tough guy and bullying Scottville with the muscle they have.  It seems that so many little Cities try bullying City employees and telling them what to do.  If possible, Scottville should just work with the County commissioners and Sheriff Cole.  It's nice to see Cole having an input and wanting to help out the City and Residents of Scottville.

[XLFD]

I have always thought that the sheriff's office would be most centralized if it were in Scottville rather than Ludington.  With the existing realities, I think having Scottville as the county road patrol's main office could effectively cut local police costs for Scottville dramatically.  But I'm sure there are a lot of political hurdles to jump for that. 

[AQUAMAN]

Hulk, you and some at the City Council seem to be missing an important point imho. What is and what should be of Primary importance to both concerned regarding Scottville LE is their Safety and Security,  not the feathering of their own nests to achieve it. Lest the LE officials, here the Chief and Capt., whom appear to put $$$ first. Sad, and lacking in leadership and setting a good example by deeds, not talk of increasing payscales.

[XLFD]

What I don't get is that if Capt. Harrie and Chief Barnett are say working 1/4 of the time down in Scottville, why is Ludington still paying them the same amount than when they worked in Ludington full-time?  Shouldn't Ludington taxpayers be paying them 1/4 less than they earned before?  And that's close to $20,000 each.   

[Hulk]

Hard to argue that point, I see what you are saying

[Lisa O'Brien]

 I am assuming they are hourly employee's, shouldn't they just receive their hourly pay, what difference does it make whether they are patrolling Scottville or Ludington. Why would a bonus be on the table?

[Willy]

I'm sure the Chief has a contract and he is requesting more money because Scottville is not a contractual agreement so he wants more money for the change. And X and Lisa are right. The only difference will be in the hours spent on Scotville calls and I doubt there will be any significant increase because the only crimes Scottville has are Mayoral in nature.