Comments on: ‘Look deeper at budget cuts’

By: Wes Cannon

Wes Cannon — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:09:14 +0000

Having a low population is Homer’s main revenue problem. Combined with a record of unsustainable public projects, both in construction and continuing maintainence and personnel costs, aka living beyond your means, has led to the current shortfall.
Homer has a comparatively high tax rate in the Western US and simply has little to offer its citizens in terms of jobs and the things that make it possible to sustain growth.
Having said this, I feel Homer HAS a lot to offer – just not the things that make possible the kind of growth some would like to see.

By: Bruce Hess

Bruce Hess — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:54:08 +0000

One more time. The conditions placed on Fred Meyer were not the reason they did not build here, unless you do not want to believe the statements from Fred Meyer themselves. They have met such standards in many communities and have minimal effect on whether they locate in a community or not. It’s important for people to realize that Fred Meyer did not locate here because of internal re-evaluation of the overall economics conditions not because Homer did not allow them.
The Save-u-More store was built before Homer had large retail standards and other conditional use standards and was one impetus behind putting such standards in place. Another important fact about Save-u-More is, in the case sales tax revenues, we’ve lost much of what that seemingly successful store generated because we voted to no longer tax many of the items they sell. This is a partial cause of the current budget shortfall that Homer currently faces I agree Homer’s current zoning rules should be enforced or if not than we should eliminate the ones we don’t want to enforce.

By: Wes Cannon

Wes Cannon — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:29:18 +0000

Shorten the library hours to 3 days per week. Years ago people got along with 1 day per week. Next, sell off all that city land that is not generating revenue. Then install CCTV cameras to “partrol” the harbor and lay off or part – time half the harbor officers. No more new firetrucks and city vehicles for 1 or more budget cycles.
It may not be possible to cut PW too much unless people want less services. The extra services, such as trails, flowers etc may not make much difference in savings but all the cuts in the article do add up. Homer will just have to wait until the population increases to support its Colorado lifestyle.

By: Budget Cutter

Budget Cutter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:41:18 +0000

OK you want to talk BS. Sure you gave them a wonderful conditional permit. You will only have this many square feet, you will make the outside of the store look more natural, sort of like it blends in with the surroundings, you will put so many trees in your parking lot, you will only have so many outdoor lights so that you don’t pollute the night time air, your parking lot will look like this………………….And then look at that wonderful artistic masterpiece we call Save-u-more. Don’t you think Fred Meyer knew how big of a store this community could support? They weren’t going to build a Super Freddies. City council should be ashamed. City council is filled with incompetent oil painters and tree huggers. If you want everything so wonderful and natural, lets put the Cousins spit boat yard on the cover to the Welcome to Homer visitors guide. Welcome to our Hamlet by the Sea….PS:Bring extra money!

By: Bruce Hess

Bruce Hess — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:43:42 +0000

Sorry, but Fred Meyer was NOT run out of town. I’m so tired of hearing that BS. Fred Meyer was issued a Conditional Use Permit to locate in Homer! They decided after reexamining the economics that it just didn’t pencil out. Maybe their accountants foresaw the downturn in the economy better than many of us.
As far as the City’s budget problems are concerned not only has the economic downturn had an effect but so have the decisions we’ve made via the voting booth to continue to cut revenue to pay for services. Remember that when you complain your street hasn’t been plowed or your calls to 911 go unanswered. Maybe we should just dissolve the city and let the borough provide the limited services that apparently many believe are appropriate. Personally that’s not why I chose to live in the City of Homer.

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:39:21 +0000

Maybe we ought to close the library for good… it is just a burden… I think the library is not as important as snow removal, sanding and police and the fire department…why dont you make the library city hall and sell city hall to the college and call it a good day..

By: Budget Cutter

Budget Cutter — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:52:32 +0000

I’m glad the city has to live with their past poor decisions. Do you remember running Fred Meyer out of your little Hamlet by the sea. Bet you wish you had their tax money now. How about that stupid water generator piping coming down the hill from the water tanks on Skyline. Simple math shows that it’s going to take 20 years just to break even on that boondogle project. Put an unmarked patrol car on the Sterling Highway by Bidarka in the mornings and you would pay for that extra officer everyday. Now the “sneaky” cops almost park on the sidewalk to check your speed.. Maybe they should have a big neon sign that says SPEED TRAP AHEAD. Sounds like the city better go to the Annex Board and Annex all the way out to Fritz Creek .