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Political Issues/Comments / Re: unemployment trust fund

« on: April 22, 2010, 08:23:05 AM »

As somone who works in unemployment, albeit on the side of employers, I need to correct you Mummy that that we as employees pay in to the unemployment system as we work.  In fact, it is the employers who pay for unemployment through their tax rates.  If someone is fired from a job, a common misconception is that they have been paying into the fund, and generally that is the argument used when one is rightfully denied benefits.  That is why companies such as mine exist, to help employers process claims and ensure that all state requirements are being met while at the same time keeping their costs and tax rates as low as they can be. 

With that being said, as Caroyn stated Vermont certainly is not alone in struggling to find money to keep money in their unemployment funds, as every state seems to be having the same issues.  I have to agree with Ed that steps need to be taken to ensure that those collecting benefits against their old employers and the fund need to adhere to the requirements of unemployment (both being unemployed and also actively seeking work).  My thought is that the problem will not be corrected until a balance can be found between the amount that one as an individual can collect in unemployment benefits and the amount that employers are required to pay into the fund.

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Current News & Events / Re: Planning Commission Minutes For January 19, 2010

« on: February 05, 2010, 08:56:34 PM »

I think what makes it tough in relation to the sidewalk issue is the manpower.  I know that where I live in MA we have to shovel our own sidewalks, and I dont mind the extra excercise, but then again we face fines by the town should it be found that the sidewalks in front of your house are not clear.  With that being said my city also requires it because of the large number of children that walk to school, and for their safety they want sidewalks cleared so the kids are not venturing out into the roads.  If you live witnin a mile of school than bussing is not available to you.  Is it the same for children that live in Fairfax village?   

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Uncle Mike's Thoughts Of The Day / Re: Picture of the Day 9/16/09 and Blog- A Sports Voice is Gone

« on: September 16, 2009, 06:11:35 AM »

To bad really, though younger I never really got the chance to appreciate him, however on the sports talk radio shows down here in MA yesterday a lot of them were playing some of the more memorable moments of his career.  He was due to be enshrined into the MA Broadcaster's Hall of Fame today to, kind of sad that he missed out on enjoying the moment by one day.

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Current News & Events / Re: Pot Decriminalization Bill is Back

« on: February 04, 2009, 08:01:04 AM »

This same bill just passed down here in MA during the November election and went into effect at the beginning of December.  What the state is now pushing for which I am sure that Vermont would as well is stricter local ordinances, so taking it out of the states hands and putting it into the hands of the cities and towns.  To me down here it seems as though it was one of those bills that the state did not think would get through, and then when it did they are not in a panic mode as to how to control it. 

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Current News & Events / Re: Chris Santee Has News About School Budget Cuts

« on: January 31, 2009, 09:13:40 AM »

Ironically the same day I posted I to was informed that I would not be seeing a raise this year.  They cited being thankful to have a job and to prepare the company financially should things get any worse.

Now I took administration for just that (principals and athletic directors).  I certainly don't think that they should be cutting any increases for teachers or para professionals who work with the kids day in and day out.  As someone who worked at the school for a year as a para I can tell you that it is one of the most demanding jobs I have ever had.  Those people are worth every cent!

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Current News & Events / Re: Chris Santee Has News About School Budget Cuts

« on: January 29, 2009, 07:52:00 AM »

maybe its just me but in the dire times that people are going through, perhaps the administrators could go one year without a pay increase rather than trimming it down to 2.5%.

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Current News & Events / Re: Interesting What Some People Do To Save Money

« on: January 29, 2009, 07:47:04 AM »

As someone who works in unemployment the above statement could not be any truer.  It certainly is a scary situation out there.

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Current News & Events / Re: Interesting What Some People Do To Save Money

« on: January 28, 2009, 01:57:27 PM »

I live out of state where the city has us "pay as we throw."   Used to be $2.00 for a sticker which you placed on the top bag of a barrell, however thrifty people were either stealing stickers off of the neighbors barrells or going so far as to photocopy the sticker onto pink paper and taping them on to the bag.   To combat this starting two weeks ago you now have to buy trash bags from the city at $2.00 a pop, and the city will now only collect your trash if it is in their bags.  The city is now worried that people instead of using their bright purple bags (think of driving down the street and seeing barney color trash bags everywhere, just an eyesore) are going to start dumping their trash in the woods.  I guess this problem is everywhere!

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Current News & Events / Re: Gas Prices

« on: August 19, 2008, 10:37:37 AM »

down here on the MA north shore we are at about the same $3.59, but what is great and I don't know if they are doing it up north is knocking off another 10 cents if you pay with cash so the stations do not have to pay the credit card fees... slowly but surely the prices are falling