As a follow-up to the comments in the prior blog, let me make a few comments on the Small Community Air Service Grant. In the fall of 2004, the City of Worcester received a $455,000 Small Community Air Service Grant from the DOT, mainly due to the efforts of Congressman McGovern, after failing in two previous attempts. Many things were stipulated in the application including preparation of 5, or maybe 6,airline packages to recruit and retain a commercial airline as well as 6 months of free parking.
Although a Blue Ribbon Committee was suppose to be assembled to determine how the monies were to be spent, it was not and sole discretion was left up to the Airport Commission. Immediately the 6 months of free parking in the application was abandoned, when Allegiant came to ORH. This was a mistake since any othersuccessful second-tier airport located in close proximity to a major airport not only offer free parking. but market that fact extensively. To date, I know that two packages have been prepared. To whom were they sent or what is the status, I have no idea and I never received them .
How has the $455,000 been spent?? Recently even Airport Commissioner Nemeth mentioned in one of his Sunday stories that he was unsure how the monies have been spent. In addition my request for all the qtrly reports filed with the DOT on this grant over a month ago has not been answered.
In the past the airport administration said that another application could not be applied for while a grant was outstanding. The current $455,000 was to be spent over three years. Although I believe this factually incorrect, I have found out that the DOT puts alot of weight into a new application based on the performance of past grants. What do we have to show for the $455,000 grant that the DOT has already given us?? Other then IMG (consultant), who has received approximately $200,000 of the grant, our return has not been very good and I highly doubt another application for more monies would have been received very favorably.
Same Time Next Year
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It’s been nearly a year since I wrote about the problems that come from
having 11 bosses who are not on the same page about anything, as well as
suggestion...
5 months ago
18 comments:
Let us also not forget the $1,000,000 that we will not receive this year b/c we did not meet the 10,000 passenger benchmark.
Not sure if it's based on fiscal or calendar year, but regardless we're toast.
Conjecture: The rumored pending deal with Massport will not happen by July 1st. Will be delayed. 55 days and counting.
There will be way too much manpower burned up with the budget problems in next 2 months. School dept bleeding major red ink. Fees to play sports, charges to ride school buses, no money for anything; yet we continue to pay school custodians more than three what their private sector counterparts earn.
What's wrong with this picture? The School dept. should follow Springfields example and hire Educlean for school custodial services. Betcha never, ever hear that mentioned by the school committee or the administration.
Why not?
RyanAir B737-200 landed at Worcester per flightware 5/7/07. Could be good news for the airport
Ryan Air, I believe is behind Festival. This could be good news.
Dont get all excited guys. This isnt the Irish Ryanair, its an American charter company Ryan International Airlines. These guys have 732's coming into worcester a few times a month with charters generally to atlantic city. Sorry to burst your bubble but its nothing new here.
We get 4-6 RyanAir's in Youngstown every month for casino charters.... That is likely who it is.
Festival won't start up. Haven't you noticed no articles in the paper for it in months and no mention of it at RFD.
IT'S DEAD
To the first blogger, who wishes to remain anonymous: I'll pose the question to a Worcester School Committee member and see if your idea has merit. Don't know how I'll get an answer to you, though. I sure won't post it here. And when they DO mention it, wouldn't you like to "ever, ever hear" the answer? Your sarcasm poisons your comments.
Got an answer to your question. Imagine that. In fact, they have discussed it in the past.
Thomas, FWIW I am not sitting here salivating for an answer. My work is such that I have other things to do than sit all day or sit all day and wait for answers.
You're welcome to do as you see fit with your alleged answer, however your logic escapes me. On the one hand you state, "dont know how I'll get an answer to you. Sure wont post it here". So ....I guess you do in fact know how to get an answer to me? Post it here.
If the school committee should mention it (answer it), I can assure I will never know of it, unless it is printed in local media. Some folks dont have the time to sit around and watch school committee and council meetings. Others have the luxury of doing it whilst they work.
Sarcasm......yup...I do use it to drive home a point....guilty as charged.
I choose not to use any blog as a primary means of relaying information. It can serve as a way of promoting conversation, but beyond that, I like to know who I'm talking to. If you have a genuine interest in getting an answer (which took me all of a half hour to obtain), give me a call at 799-1820 and leave your name and number.
If you choose not to exercise this option, it will be clear that you enjoy posting questions but not hearing the answers.
And am I to understand you correctly that those who choose to inform themselves of local events by watching these meetings "whilst at work" are exercising a luxury? I'd call it "socially responsible". Guess we're different that way. Keep on drivin'!
Tom & Jahn:
Apologize for going down this road, but.. The blog is for the free flow of information, with sources cited hopefully....
Tom, in the past you were mad at me when I suggested that I would not post any information that may hurt current negotiations. Today I still stand by that.
Jahn, has asked some very simple questions today, that you apparently now have the answers to. Why would you not post these answers for all, anonymous or not, to see versus requiring him (or her) to call you?
Thanks
Bill
Thomas wrote:
"And am I to understand you correctly that those who choose to inform themselves of local events by watching these meetings "whilst at work" are exercising a luxury? I'd call it "socially responsible"."
I call it stealing from your employer. I'm paid to work, not watch TV.
If you're a government employee, you're stealing from the taxpayers.
Tom:
BTW, I was just bustin you.
Bill
1. "I like to know who I am talking to" Your likes and dislikes are not really relevant here.
2. You are not the one to decide if I have a "genuine interest in getting an answer", nor are you in a position to give me "option(s)" as to how you will deliver this so called answer.
3. Clearly social responsibilty has been defined downward. Deciding which channel to click on whilst drawing a paycheck is hardly socially responsible. Try that on a private sector payroll and see what happens to your gluteous maximus.
4. I do not drive anymore. Gave up my Local 107, Teamster's book years ago.
5. You're welcome to take your ball (answer) and go homne and play with it by your self.
6. www. educlean.com....They do all kinds of municipal buildings, but you wont be able to watch TV while they clean.
Bill, I never posted anything critical of you not posting information! That's the problem with this medium--you don't know who says what! Someone else used my name which has led to your confusion.
And to "Jahn":
1. How 'bout this: I don't like you.
2. You have made it clear that you don't want an answer to your question.
3. I'm not in the private sector, so why would I try anything there?
4. I'm glad you don't drive.
5. I'm a great ball player.
6. Don't know much about Educlean, but I know Worcester has no plans to use them!
I think, at his point, I am done with this particular thread.
Thomas, like I said before, time to take your ball and go home. I dont want to play this game of look what I've got and you dont have (an answer)!
Please feel free to substitute basketball or hockey stick for ball.
Thought (??) I heard on radio this morning that Logan parking rates were being ratcheted significantly upward again? Sure cant hurt Worc.
Just out of curiousity Jahn, did you mean Teamsters local 170 in Worcester? Just wondering because local 107 is in Philadelphia
Hey, if anyone has a question about Educlean, probably better to pick up the phone, call your School Committe or City Council member and ask them instead of posting it here and snidely quipping that "it'll never, ever happen"! I'm not their spokesman so I won't try and paraphrase their response...not my job to speak for anyone else. Oh, and by the way, home is where your friends are! Good to know ya, friend! Way to encourage dialogue!
Anonymous:
Correct that s/b Local 170 and not 107.
BTW, is that the Teamsters Logo I see on the sleeves of Worc's finest? Are the Worc police organized by the Teamsters?
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