Council hears a report on city hall remodel in progress

titanicsdoom, I believe that is for the small auxillary police station and police coverage of Chapman Estates (I think that's the name) in the north part of town. They were having elevated crime levels (drugs, theft, etc.) in that area several years ago and started that program which helped tremendously, if I remember correctly.

Voted 4-0 to give final approval to a special ordinance approving up to $25,000 additional policing services for the Nevada Housing Authority from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011. The Housing Authority will provide office space and reimburse the city for salary and mileage.

Soooooooooooo many questions!

Who is this rent-a-cops boss???

Hours of work?

Why????

The list of questions goes on and on!!!

Not ALL facilities can afford to have their own police force even a one man force.

Our city could not afford a school officer so the county stationed an officer there.

None of this makes any sense. Not even to acquaintances that work for REAL police forces in other cities.

Now that the floodgate is open will we start seeing police offices at other business that can afford to rent-a-cop.

I believe that is for the small auxillary police station and police coverage of Chapman Estates (I think that's the name) in the north part of town. They were having elevated crime levels (drugs, theft, etc.) in that area several years ago and started that program which helped tremendously, if I remember correctly.

-- Posted by willybishop on Wed, Aug 4, 2010, at 11:51 AM

Crime is all over town!!! But rest assured the tickets for derelict cars will be written. People might want to check ordinances, there is no ordinance for "derelict vehicles". The only use of the word "derelict" has to do with signs. Our cop shop needs to get back to law enforcement and let code enforcement do their job. Police have better thing to do than code enforcement. They could actually get to "protect and serve" which they are trained to do. Please let our policemen go back to real police work and not code enforcement.

The contract is for Fairground Estates. Chapman is the senior and handicapped housing.

I too would like to see some real police work. Let our police do as they are trained. Until recently we "common" Citizens felt like we had some security with our police force. Now as priorities change most officers seem to not have time to work on real public safety and law enforcement.

What will be next? Will a fire or fear of a fire cause our fire department to contract to respond to Housing Authority above others or place an office with a truck at their facility??

What will be the next service to go contract???

Further thoughts might even bring about pay for services. It is a new world we live in. The bumper sticker of the 60's might have meaning now "don't like cops? Next time your in trouble call a hippie"

Neighbor hood watch might just take on a whole new meaning?

So I wonder how many of you that try to make a big deal out of everything on here and complain all the time actually go to any of the city meetings? I don't think that your words makes much of a difference on here...

My Gosh Glynn!!! Dont say that!....three of our bloggers have retreated to their mother's basement and have locked the door to their rooms....you have shattered their world!

They wont come out until you say you sorry....their words do matter!!!

We are sorry Leland, Mike & Janyce....your opinions do matter!!!

TerryB, thank you for the correction. Yes, it is for Fairground Estates, not Chapman.

So I wonder how many of you that try to make a big deal out of everything on here and complain all the time actually go to any of the city meetings? I don't think that your words makes much of a difference on here...

-- Posted by Glynn on Thu, Aug 5, 2010, at 11:11 AM

Been there, done that. Most issues are already worked out before any public input is asked or even before the meeting. The packets go to council members well in advance. Public input has in the past seemed to amount to nothing more than useless dribble and carries little or no weight on any votes.

Also there are some of us that are lucky enough to have two jobs. One that keeps some of us from attending most meetings. While I didn't feel a big deal was being made of this article, I was under the impression we could however post our feelings without being belittled by others, simply because opinions were different.

Your words probably carry the same weight as others that post.

"Don't make much of a difference" But your thoughts are welcome, and agree or not you should have the right to post here without being belittled or attacked.

Sorry to have seemed to try to make a "big deal" of things guess I misunderstood the purpose of blogs. In the future , now that I know how this works I guess I can still look in and read comments. Again I thank you for your wonderful assessment.

Boz, I was going to take them to task also but you did it for me so will leave it at that.

Well said doom.

Can anyone tell me the salary of the new city manager? By law it is supposed to be public record but I can't find it.

Terry, Here is a link to a pdf on nevada's web site. I googled it by the way. It just amazes me what you find on google. Anyways, looks like JD makes "$3461.54 will be the gross bi-weekly salary (26 pay periods per year)

of Mr. Kehrman for the first twelve (12) months of this contract. In March of each year

the performance of Mr. Kehrman will be evaluated by the City Council and an

adjustment in salary will be considered based on satisfactory and meritorious

performance and funds available. If an increase in salary is warranted it shall be

effective on the first day of March next succeeding the performance evaluation. In no

case shall such increase be of a greater percentage than the average merit increase

given to all other City employees during the prior year". Thats right from the pdf. Here is the link. http://www.nevadamo.org/uploads/council/feb_16/2010_03_kehrman.pdf Hope this helps.

I don't know about now, but in the past some of the officers did side jobs, like plumbimg and construction to pay their bills.

I don't know about now, but in the past some of the officers did side jobs, like plumbimg and construction to pay their bills.

-- Posted by TerryB on Tue, Aug 10, 2010, at 2:21 PM

Kinda sounds like military families having to get public assistance to provide for their families while the brass gets far to much?

I have a friend that works for public works. They too haven't had a raise in two years and it isn't looking good for another year. When I was in the Navy I knew several families that were on food stamps. We were told that our pay was set to keep us 1% above poverty. Thats sad for men and women dying for a bad idea from people who didn't send their sons or daughters. Oops got off the subject. I'm not sure I think what jd does is worth 90,000. Seems to me that is a little high when I only pull down a little over twenty.

He spends alot of time getting bashed on web sites, you have to pay to get someone willing to be publicly slandered on a regular basis. I recently met Mr. Kehrman for the first time and had the opportunity to speak with him regarding his vision on the future of Nevada. It was a very enlightening conservation. I would also dare to say at your "little over twenty" job you are not running multiple departments, overseeing multi-million dollar projects along with keeping the city running smoothly on a day to day basis. This job, in reality, should be viewed at the same level as the CEO of a major business. Check the pay scale of the CEO's at the hospital, Heartland, American Standards, 3M, and I'm just talking about the top people at our local level not of the entire company, and then see if you think Mr. Kehrman is over paid.

I do feel he should be held to the same standards as those people. And I guess I don't understand what has been taken from the community since he has been here. So I would be glad to comment on that if you would be more specific. Also, no soap box just opinion. I am outside city so I just make observations and comments it doesn't have any bearing on my life. I do however enjoy the discussion.

Kehrman is only here to try to look impressive so he can move on to a bigger city.

I should clear up something. Im not saying JD is doing a bad job or a good job. What I'm saying is I don't think his job is worth 90 thousand. Just like I don't think any of the other ceo's you mentioned should be getting that kind of money. I really feel that one thing wrong with this country is people getting paid a huge amount for doing nothing. ccmom, I be willing to bet you could do the job and not have to be paid 90 thousand to do it. People of nevada should be up there jumping on someone's desk demanding to know why he gets paid so much. I know that other towns pay their's the same. I just think its to darn much. By the way, making fun of my "little twenty something" job only proves my point that Nevada has always thought that it is better than the rest of the towns in the county. My little twenty something job takes care of my kids and I can proudly say I have never once taken food stamps or welfare. I may not drove the benz that jd does but my ford gets me to work. I can't blame him. Heck if someone was going to pay me that kind of money I'd take it a laugh all the way to the bank.

truthseeker I wasn't cutting you down your twenty something it's the same job level I'm at and also doing fine. No disrespect was intended.

So the money is an issue with some. I see that. Correct me if I am wrong but the man has not held his postion for years. He was recently hired and went straight to work making changes and improving things with in the city. I do live in the city limits and for one will not hold him responsible for the past managements mistakes.

I am sure he will never be able to run this city to everyones satisfaction, but I am willing to stand up and support him for the good he has done so far. The red tag game upset a lot of people, but it did open up our eyes to what we looked at as we drove through the city. I do feel it has made a difference.

In the hard times we face as a people, should we not embrace and support what we have to make it a better place for all?

I do have to give him credit for trying to do something. I was talking to a feller that lives in nevada. He has heard JD talk about his plan for the city. He has some good ideas if the will work. He actually is working on a plan to bring real jobs here and not the payday loan type. Just from what I've read on here, it seems the red tag deal was handled wrong. Unless I'm wrong, I feel the city should have mailed out letters to those that were in violation. I don't think they should have posted a red scarlet letter in people's front yards letting anyone who drives by know they are a dirtbag. Now I know the city wasn't saying that but I can see where the folks that had signs put in their yards may feel that way. I know that the right thing to do would be to keep your yard clean. On the other hand no one wants to be singled out. I may be a bum but I don't want people putting a sign in my front yard saying I'm a bum. Other than his pay, don't have any big problems with him. I'm a little concerned about him putting signs on public property tell you not to smoke. I don't know if that was his idea or the boards. I don't smoke but I feel if you are standing in the grass at the community building you should be able to if you choose. I'm not saying by the door, I'm saying in the grass away from the doors.

To ccmom

First rule of management: Surround yourself with people smarter than you.

Second rule: Don't tell anyone about the first rule.

Third rule: Keep changing things to confuse the masses.

I do believe he does have enough assistants and dept. heads to keep him pretty well isolated from any conflicts. Rolls up then falls down. The person in the trenches usually has to take the abuse for his decisions. Being scorned on line is a far cry from taking the abuse the people must take while putting the red badges of courage in the areas they do. Just thoughts.

Although I do appreciate your comment I don't know why you addressed it to me personally, but thank you I guess.?.

He spends alot of time getting bashed on web sites, you have to pay to get someone willing to be publicly slandered on a regular basis. I recently met Mr. Kehrman for the first time and had the opportunity to speak with him regarding his vision on the future of Nevada. It was a very enlightening conservation. I would also dare to say at your "little over twenty" job you are not running multiple departments, overseeing multi-million dollar projects along with keeping the city running smoothly on a day to day basis. This job, in reality, should be viewed at the same level as the CEO of a major business. Check the pay scale of the CEO's at the hospital, Heartland, American Standards, 3M, and I'm just talking about the top people at our local level not of the entire company, and then see if you think Mr. Kehrman is over paid.

-- Posted by ccmom on Wed, Aug 11, 2010, at 8:25 AM

Understand now????

Having been in a similar position of management years ago I can tell you that your front line people are your right and left hand. But Never in my 20 years of supervising have I ever let my front line help take any kind of abuse for me or my actions as an administrator. That said I know for a fact that he has the same mind set and even went so far as taking an office so he is easy to acces within City Hall.

This has gotten way off topic. The man was hired for a price to do a job. He is doing that job and changes are being made. The tactics being used are getting results. You say it is embarrasing to have a red tag, I say it is just a piece of paper telling me I have to clean up my act. Mailing them out requires more money and time that would cost the city more money. I for one could care less if I got one what anyone else would think. It is not like this "Scarlet Letter" is for anything more than beautification of our city.

Stop the crying and whining because the new city manager is making these changes. Start supporting these efforts and before you know it you will have neighbors helping neighbors again. You will have people who are proud of the way our city looks. Stand together for betterment and watch the city flourish again. Dont do these things and you will watch it sit like it is and become another stagnant little town. I have seen enough of them.

Titanic, You have a good idea and yes I believe it would save even more money. My assumption was they would be mailed instead. So very good point. It is every persons right to question for any reason. I just hate to see bashing without any regard for anything. A friend told me to use the comparison of Freedom and Liberty. I feel just because we have the freedom to, should we take that liberty as well?

Thanks, You are right that it is kicking a down horse all the time with this stuff. I just have to learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes. HA HA

Its a love fest. lol Sorry, had to. I like the idea of signs on doors instead of out by the street. I somewhat feel for the guy. He is trying to change years of a certain mind set. For better or for worse is yet to be seen. I can't complain if the man is doing what he was hired for. Seems like the last guy just took the money and run to neosho to fire more people there. 30 at last count.

The red signs is getting very tiredsome to see.

I think the city should have sent letters to the people instead having signs put in their yards. I know it cost money to mail out letters, but at the same time they worry about sending out letters on anything else. Afterall, do they think about the gas and time to hire someone to just drive around to see what yards to put the signs in. Oh yes, I know they have the city employees(like the utilities)to turn in yards. But it still take a person to drive around to put in those signs. A person can say this is discrimination against some people.

Now I wonder what the city would think if people did not mow the 15ft to the curb that the city has the right-of-way. Then the city would have to mow and we the people could complain. We do pay taxes on that stretch of property. I know there is properties to be cleaned up such as the grass growing up in the brick sidewalks, the old Baptist Church, vacanted lots around town, do they do anything with these problems. NO! Do not make people feel discriminated in front of their neighbors or friends. Just send a letter and I think people would be more than likely to do a better job cleaning their yards. It is getting to the point, people are just waiting to see how many signs they get and laugh about it. Look around and see how many yards keeps getting signs every other week. I for one would like to see garage sale signs in people's yards instead of those ugly red signs. At least, people is trying to make money with garage sales. Now I wonder what the city will come up with this winter when we have snow, are they going to put in signs in people's yard because they have not removed the snow and ice. Think about that! Just wait, I know the city has something else in mind, it is only amount of time. I would only think if the city had only put an article in the paper or on the radio asking people to clean up their yards for the spring clean-up and then said if this was not done, a letter would be sent to them.

Wait for winter and see what will happen!