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Why can’t President Obama fix this park picnic table?Submitted by Jeff Buster on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 14:51.
With many, many peunemployed across the county, why haven’t we instigated a re-creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Projects Administration? The Nation's largest banks and corporations had no hesitation or embarrassment in taking public money to keep themselves afloat. Our federal legislators were able to pass TARP and other stimulus packages which helped large businesses, but federal legislators have not been able to pass any legislation to aid individual homeowners or the unemployed. Getting unemployment insurance is not the same as getting employment. And to receive unemployment insurance you need to have had a job and been laid off. This doesn’t help those who are just entering the employment market or those who have been unemployed for months and months. Millions of hours of human work and talent have been squandered – because there is no leadership or organization which allows the unemployed to be productive. --------------------------------------------------------------
So what is the difference today which prevents our government from easily providing jobs to every citizen? The Davis Bacon Act , also instituted in the 1930’s, requires that any federally funded construction labor be paid “prevailing rate”. The “prevailing rate” has been interpreted to be the local union wage rate for the trade. The local union wage rate in a metropolitan community is usually the highest wage rate for the trade in that area. For example, a union bricklayer will be paid a higher labor rate than an open shop bricklayer in the same labor market. The topless picnic table in the photo above is in a public park in the jurisdiction of a town. If federal money were to be used to employ labor to cut new planks and attach them to the concrete table supports, that labor would have to be paid “prevailing wage”. The picnic table cannot be repaired with labor paid the going local rate for what amounts to unskilled labor. There is another hitch in allocating money to fix this picnic table: Turf War. If federal money were used to employ labor to repair the picnic table, the local municipal service union would be loosing the work. Work means wages – or better yet – means OT – overtime. Fixing the top of the picnic table is work that “belongs” to The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO AFSCME . Any federal money used to hire a non- AFSCME worker will create a fight which will damage the election chances of any legislator who would vote for a WPA of CCC like jobs corps. So the table sits topless. Useless. Americans remain unemployed. The country falls apart while we look at it and do little or nothing. Young people fail to get training. Community spirit dwindles.
Boy are we SMART!
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Obama won't fix it because
Obama won't fix it because it's protected under the new "Old Table" protection act enacted by the 111th congress and enforced by the EPA as a means to curtail the "family barbecue" activity of most Americans due to the release of carbon dioxide from increased activity. Members of the SEIU, GM, MSNBC, undocumented workers and GE have applied for exemption status.......besides, Obama is on vacation again anyway....
Staying in tune....Jonny Chepe
i guess yogi & me will have to repair the table with jeffs help
yogi and guy - http://www.disclosureproject.com TRUTH - EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL http://www.nationalwardogsmonument.org
Turf war-unions
If federal money were used to employ labor to repair the picnic table, the local municipal service union would be loosing the work. Work means wages – or better yet – means OT – overtime. Fixing the top of the picnic table is work that “belongs” to The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO AFSCME .
Jeff, I don't see SEIU contesting any outside labor efforts that would employ folks, regardless of the circumstance. Has the AFL-CIO really contested any federal programs recently?? I am not all la, la on unions--but, I am grateful for the protections that have been afforded to me. I wish we instilled a work ethic in kids. It's not happening. I wish I had more talents when it came to physically repairing, anything.
Also-
RE:Overtime. I am grateful that my employer eliminated it this year. I have always been opposed to overtime.
Better to light a candle....thanks Henry :)
Director Withers, Chief Ferguson, Brenda Nelson, Councilpersons, Friends:
(At the I-176 exit into West 14th Traffic Circle – Round flat style fixture)
(Pole 200ft. north of 2510 Elm Street) - Street presently closed for repairs
03-28-10 - #170032810 - West 14th St. at Jennings Rd., NE corner 1st pole - bad fixture - 06-08-10 (V)
(First going on eastside of West 14th setback about 150 ft from Jennings close to RR tracks)
(On West 53rd St. between Walworth and Lorain First NW)
(Pole east of 1283 Riverbed Rd.)
(Pole Circuit Id: IL-33)
(In front of 4431 Lorain Ave.)
(In front of 2810 Division Ave)
(In front of 2817 Detroit Ave. at intersection)
(East to West Northside fifth pole) -Crews state power problem
(Opposite of 8318 Lorain Ave.) – Crews state power problem
(Pole Number AOM 20-3) Crews state power feed removed has new fixture installed 06/23
(Second going north in alley from Koch Ct.) - Crews state broken power feeder
(Second on westside of bridge over 1-71 going south CPP #42) New fixture 07/08 - Power issue
(Opposite of 4284 Pearl Rd.) - Crews state Circuit trouble
(In front of 2009 Brainard Ave.) – Crews state Re-wire
(Dual fixture second going west from Scranton Ave.)
07-31-10 - #117073110 - Metro Health Dr. at West 25th St., NE corner 2nd pole - day burner - 11-07-10 (V)
(Dual fixture second going east from West 25th)
(In front of 3788 West 34th Street)
(First Sterner going east from West 25th Street)
(In front of 4228 Plymouth Ave.)
(In front of 3603 Cypress Ave.)
(In front of 3508 West 59th street)
(At intersection on Scranton Ave.)
(Opposite of 1381 West 83rd Street)
(Sistered to pole #305251 front Glad Tidings Church)
(In front of 5311 Denison Ave.)
(Eastside of Max Hayes School on West 45th) - First metal pole when you turn from Tillman
(In front of 5901 Clark Ave.)
(Pole east of 4204 Poe Ave.)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(In front of 4276 Fulton Rd.)
(Opposite of 1909 Kenneth Ave.)
(At intersection on Ridge in front of gas station)
(At intersection in front of auto dealership - Cleveland side of street)
(Westside of bank building)
(Opposite of 2177 West 41st Street)
(In front of 3601 Clinton Ave.)
(Opposite of 6420 Lorain Ave.)
(Just North of the I-90 underpass on West 65th)
(In front of 9019 Lorain Ave.)
(Opposite of 6904 Clark Ave.)
(In front of 3572 West 59th Street)
10-17-10 - #231101710 - West 35th St. at Library Ave., NE corner 1st pole - cycles on/off - 11-02-10 (V)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(Pole north of 4444 Fulton Rd.)
(Side of St. Mary’s Parking lot northside of street GOM 6-34)
10-17-10 - #269101710 - State Rd. at Stickney Ave., SW corner 1st pole - not in oper - 10-29-10 (V)
(In front of 4616 State Rd.)
(On eastside of Scranton Ave. on bridge over I-90)
(In front of 2218 Broadview Rd.)
(In front of 5110 Brookpark Ave.)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(Opposite of 3009 Clark Ave.)
(Opposite of 4430 Storer Ave.)
(In front of 7981 Lorain Ave.)
(Opposite of 2216 West 83rd St.)
(In front of 3136 West 97th Street)
(In front of 4265 West 30th Street)
(In font of 4282 West 23rd Street)
(In front of 2115 Saratoga Ave.)
(In front of 2500 Brookpark Rd.)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
11-06-10 - #270110610 - Whitman Ct. at Randall Ave., NE corner 1st pole - cycles on/off - 12-16-10 (V)
(Pole Number #32593 between West 65th and 68th)
(Pole Circuit Number LN 17-10)
(In front of 3420 Roehl Ave.)
(Pole Circuit ID: 1A-06)
11-06-10 - #346110610 - Denison Ave. at West 20th St., NE corner 2nd pole - cycles on/off - 11-21-10 (V)
(In front of 2000 Denison Ave.)
(In front of 4478 Broadview Ave.)
(Just south of Metro Hospital’s powerhouse behind fence)
(Second west on the exit drive from Scranton School)
11-09-10 - #119110910 - Jennings Ave. at Beltline Ave., NE corner 1st pole - not in oper - 11-20-10 (V)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
11-09-10 - #133110910 - Franklin Ave. at West 57th St., NE corner 2nd pole - cycles on/off - 11-24-10 (V)
(In front of 5510 Franklin Ave.)
11-13-10 - #135111310 - Crest Ave. at Crestline Ave., NW corner 6th pole - not in oper - 11-21-10 (V)
(Pole before the dead-end traffic circle)
(Pole Number GOM 14-63)
11-13-10 - #159111310 - State Rd. at Hillcrest Ave., NE corner 1st pole - cycles on/off - 11-21-10 (V)
(In front of 4549 State Rd.)
(In front of 3308 West 25th Street)
(On small RTA bridge eastside of West 25th St.)
(In front of 3200 Henninger Ave.)
( fell off mount missing Sterner)
(Opposite east of 3584 West 67th on Barberton) Crews state Re-wire
(Opposite 6605 Barberton Ave.) possible power problem
(No address located at intersection) possible power problem
(Sterner just SW of intersection see white tape X) Crews state Re-wire
(Sterner at intersection SE corner)
(Sterner missing first on SW corner on Lorain)
(On Abbey underneath the innerbelt bridge)
(First Sterner going south from W. St. Clair on eastside)
(In alley behind CMHA going west mounted on building) Crews State needs power feed by CEI
(Pole Number #536735) – Crews State Re-Wire
(In front of 3280 West 46th Street)
(First pole in alley from Abbey Rd.)
(In front of 1505 West 25th Street) – Crews state power feed problem
(In front of 1513 West 25th Street) – Crews state power feed problem
(In front of 1525 West 25th Street) – Crews state power feed problem
(Second Sterner going east from intersection)
08-31-10 - #145083110 - West 98th St. at S. Marginal Rd., SW corner 1st pole - not in oper - 09-30-10
(Pole marked with Circuit ID: 31- AL - 1) – Crews state power problem
(Only single Sterner between Scranton and West 25th)
(Opposite of 2306 Forestdale Ave.) – Crews state Re-wire
(Opposite of 3304 Erin Ave.)
(Opposite of 2916 Erin Ave.)
(Opposite of 4325 Howlett Ave.)
(In front of 3182 West 41st Street)
(Opposite 3572 West 32nd Street)
(First in alley going west from West 32nd St.)
(Opposite of 3434 Sackett Ave.)
(Pole Number: #988530)
(Pole Number #511238)
(In front of 3917 Poe Ave.)
(In front of 3012 West 51st Street)
(In front of 3180 Holmden Ave.)
(Pole Number EOM 16-80)
(Opposite of 1443 West 80th Street)
(In front of 2048 West 85th Street)
(Second east of 3935 Valley Rd. #38857)
(Second west of 3965 Valley Rd.)
(Third north of Henninger Ave.)
(In front of 3520 West 46th Street)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(No Address or Pole Number Available) - Crews state Re-wire
(In front of 1776 Columbus Rd.)
(Between West 25th and West 24th Place) Problem with Power feed
(Opposite the end of Abbey Rd. behind plaza)
(In front of 5405 Storer Ave.)
(First in alley going east from West 43rd)
(First on bridge going south westside of bridge)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(Pole Number AOM 4-167) - Power feed broke
(Pole Number AOM 4-168) - Power feed broke
(Pole Number AOM 4-169) - Power feed broke
(Pole Number AOM 4-170) - Power feed broke
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(In front of 3340 West 90th Street)
11-09-10 - #129110910 - Bridge Ave. at West 59th St., NW corner 1st pole - cycles on/off -
(In front of 5902 Bridge Ave.)
(In front of 1828 West 57th Street)
(In front of 1812 West 57th Street)
(Pole Number #11017)
(Pole Number #37250)
11-09-10 - #143110910 - Pear Ave. at West 74th St., SE corner 4th pole - not in operation -
(Pole Number AOM 31-98)
(Pole Number AOM 31-96)
(Opposite of 7206 Clark Ave.)
(Opposite of 3349 Wade Ave.)
(In front of 2180 West 114th Street)
(North of 2180 West 114th St. past RR tracks)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
11-09-10 - #285110910 - Lorain Ave. at West 85th St., SW corner 3rd pole - cycles on/off -
(Next to bridge over I-90 on Southside)
(Opposite of 7217 Lorain Ave.)
(Opposite of 4203 Storer Ave.)
11-09-10 - #299110910 - West 46th St. at Storer Ave., NW corner 1st pole - not in operation -
(Opposite of 3353 West 46th Street)
(In front of 4104 Fulton Parkway)
(Pole in dead-end traffic circle)
(In front of 1725 Treadway Ave.)
(In front of 3766 Ridge Rd.)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(Opposite of 7810 Halle Ave.)
(In front of 3266 West 82nd Street)
(Opposite of 3249 West 82nd Street)
(Opposite of 3134 West 82nd Street)
(In front of 3136 West 82nd Street)
(Opposite of 8652 Denison Ave.)
(In front of 3222 West 90th Street)
(In front of 3120 West 90th Street)
(Opposite and north of 3111 West 90th St.)
(First in alley going west AOM 22-79)
(In front of 3130 West 100th Street)
(Third in alley going north from Pennant)
(Pole Number 29945)
(In front of 2102 West 81st Street)
(In front of 1428 West 80th Street)
11-13-10 - #201111310 - West 80th St. at Elsa Ct., NW corner 2nd pole - bad fixture -
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(In front 1415 West 81st Street)
(In front of 1465 West 77th Street)
(In front 6912 Wakefield Ave.)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(Pole north of 1381 West 74th Street)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(In front of 1293 West 85th Street)
(Opposite of 1388 West 83rd Street)
(In front of 8300 Baker Ave.)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(In front of 7001 Detroit Ave.)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(In front of 1444 West 51st Street)
(Pole north of 1416 West 51st Street)
(Third Sterner going north from Southpointe)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(Pole Number #44141)
(First before Harvard-Denison Bridge)
(Opposite of 1293 West 67th - #37215)
(No Address or Pole Number Available)
(Pole Number AOM 11-117)
(Between entrance ramp and bridge eastside)
(Pole Number #12992)
(Southside of 3361 West 84th St., but on Almira)