Now
Fair
45°
High
58°
Low
34°
Full Forecast

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > News > Local
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Deena Winter: Council members to keep free Internet

Comments 34 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

Friday, Jul 18, 2008 - 12:47:10 am CDT

Next week promises plenty of budget cutting by the City Council, but the free Internet service two council members receive is likely to stay off the cutting board.

All council members are eligible for the free perk, but only two take advantage of it: Jon Camp and Ken Svoboda.

When former council chairman Dan Marvin was preparing the budget earlier this year, he proposed to cut the free Internet service from the council’s budget, saving the city about $1,000.

Story Photo

But during a meeting last week, Camp and Svoboda indicated they’d like to keep the perk. To do so, they’ll have to vote to restore the money in coming budget meetings.

Camp wants to examine injury leave program

During a recent fire department budget briefing, Councilman Camp said he’d like to examine the city’s “fairly expensive” work injury benefits.

The city paid out $2 million in worker injury benefits during 2006-2007. Of the 267 claims that year, 41 were fire-related injuries.

Camp said he saw a “lot of weight-lifting injuries” on the list.

“There were some expensive claims,” Camp said.

He wanted to know whether the benefits could be changed only through union negotiations, or whether they could be changed by ordinance.

Under the injury leave program, injured workers are paid full salaries for six months to a year.

Camp asked whether the city could pay 80 percent of injured workers’ salaries, for example. The city personnel director, Don Taute, said that would have to be negotiated in labor contracts.

But Taute said it’s important to remember the vast majority of cases are minor injuries that don’t take workers out for more than six months.

Camp questioned whether instead of paying benefits from the minute the employee is injured, they could instead use sick leave.

Taute said sick leave is for sick employees.

But Camp said if the city were to adjust its benefits, employees would probably take sick leave instead.

“We might save a million dollars,” he said.

Risk management employees said it would be difficult to change the benefits, which have been negotiated.

School resource officers

It’s possible the council will take a look at how school resource officers are funded.

The city is now compensated by the school district for having 10 school resource officers in middle and high schools. The schools pay for about half the cost, Police Chief Tom Casady said.

He argues the officers cost about $70,000 (total compensation) each, because they can’t just take off the summer when school’s out.

They do help cover summer vacations, though.

Councilman Camp asked Casady what he’d think of asking the school district to cover more of the cost, to which Casady replied, “And the hammer I’m gonna use to back that up?“

“Maybe we are the hammer,” Svoboda said.

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Local > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
Seriously wrote on July 18, 2008 1:00 am:
" He won't give up his expensive internet ($1000?) but he'll stick it to injured workers? Who in Lincoln keeps voting for this guy? He's an embarrassment. "

 What a guy wrote on July 18, 2008 4:55 am:
" Jon Camp wants to reduce firefighters benefits for injuries, yet he does not want to give up his free internet because he likes the perk? My guess is that Mr Camp is too smart to want to have to deal with Time Warner Cable on a personal level. I say, take care of the firefighters and, Mr Camp, buy your own internet service like the rest of us do. "

 me wrote on July 18, 2008 6:09 am:
" The so-called "resource officers" are a waste of money anyhow. Get rid of them. If parents and teachers alike, would take a firmer stance, there would be absolutely no need for these people at all. We never used to have them, but back then, kids had RESPECT, and were taught values and common sense. Anymore, the school ia just a "babysitter" for parents. Get rid of the officers, and let's go back to the way things were when we were young! "

 john q wrote on July 18, 2008 6:28 am:
" Why not cut all the perks for the city council, also look at the perks that LES admin are getting, before a rate hike "

 Let em stand in line wrote on July 18, 2008 6:59 am:
" If Council members Camp & Svoboda want free Internet service, I say make 'em stand in line at the Bennett Martin Library computer room like everyone else. Who knows, they may even have to talk to actual citizens and learn what real people think about cutting more important services. "

 Vern wrote on July 18, 2008 8:26 am:
" Gotta agree with "seriously". Who do these jokers think they are? The whole council is embarassing. "

 What to keep wrote on July 18, 2008 8:30 am:
" As the Council decides what to cut and what to keep, I hope the majority of the Council does the right thing by ending free Internet access for themselves. As one other person commented, if the Council members cannot provide their own access to the Internet, they can go to their local branch of the public library and use the services provided there.

The City Council members should not expect people to support loss of services, when the Council members give up none of their services. "

 Huh wrote on July 18, 2008 8:32 am:
" If there are only two members using the free internet service, why does it cost $1,000. "

 Dano wrote on July 18, 2008 8:34 am:
" They have a non-public bathroom built with emergency money, they get free internet at taxpayer expense, but can't make good decisions to repair failing fire station facilities, or treat truly injured folks correctly, I also have to ask the question: HOW DOES THIS GUY, OR ANYONE ON THE CURRENT COUNCIL KEEP GETTING RE-ELECTED???

Pay for you own internet, like the rest of us serfs do, you cheap skate (not the word i want to use). Elected office is not a free check book for your personal desires and perks. I hope people start remebering stuff like this when election time rolls around. "

 JJ wrote on July 18, 2008 8:37 am:
" Sorry "me," teachers can't take a tougher stance like they used to because parents won't allow their kids to be disciplined by anyone, let alone do it themselves. Don't even for a second think that the teachers woulnd't love to be a little harder in teaching these kids respect, but if they do, they will be sued and it will cost you and me even more money to pay out a giant settlement. "

 as wrote on July 18, 2008 8:46 am:
" Why am I SO not surprised to find that it is Camp & Svoboda who use free internet? When will Lincolnites stop being snowed into believing that these 2 care of anything BUT themselves! Citizens of Lincoln need to flood the offices of both of these 'upstanding public servants' with phone calls letting them know what they think of the perk & other perks that the council most likely enjoys. "

 citycouncilisajoke wrote on July 18, 2008 8:55 am:
" Maybe Mr. Svoboda should take the $1,000 he is saving off free internet and pay one of his employees to spray all the medians he is suppose to be maintaining for weeds. They truly look terrible. Especially along 84th St. Since obviously no maintenance needs to be done on the medians, I would like the contract.Easy money, huh Ken? You two are jokes, neither of you can pay for your own internet? Give me a break. Why must we keep voting these types of people into our offices.Its amazing you two can make decisions for yourselves let alone all of the city. "

 Scott B wrote on July 18, 2008 8:56 am:
" To "me," The Police officers in the schools are a good thing. Wait until somebody calls a bomb threat in or lights trashcans on fire, then tell me you wish the cop hadn't been there. "

 Robin wrote on July 18, 2008 9:14 am:
" Holy guano, batman. You mean Svoboda and Camp don't make enough on their contracts with the city to pay for their own internet service? Does it smell like self-interest yet or do the good citizens of Gotham City still think these jokers are protecting the taxpayer? "

 Red wrote on July 18, 2008 9:18 am:
" For Svoboda & Camp to ask and expect everyone else to cut budgets but keep their "perk" of free Internet - wrong, wrong, WRONG!!!! Hey guys do the standup thing, let it go, and pay for it yourself. I hope that the other council members will not vote to restore the money. If everyone else is expected to make sacrifices - they should too!!! "

 Eric wrote on July 18, 2008 10:19 am:
" Resource officers are needed because for years the State has been eroding my parental rights to discipline my kids. Dont believe that? Try slapping your child sometime and let one of these resource officers hear about it. The result will be a felony child abuse ticket that takes months and lots of cash to fight. Trust me. I seen it happen locally. "

 natefrog wrote on July 18, 2008 10:22 am:
" Here's how it adds up to about $1000 for internet. We have two council members, twelve months a year, and about $50/month for Time Warner internet. 2x12x50 = $1200. $1000 may be obscene when you think about it, but it's not unexplainable. "

 NIce wrote on July 18, 2008 10:28 am:
" Well it must not be dial up service as it comes to $41.67 a month for the service.
Is this considered job related or just a perk for being on the council?

Is this for Home or Office? I guess if it was in Office I do not have a problem as it would be very handy to check on things quickly, But if this is home service then I guess let them get their own service like the rest of us. "

 dont sweat the small stuff wrote on July 18, 2008 10:33 am:
" Getting bent out of shape for $1000 isn't reasonable. These people make very little money for the amount of time that they spend on this job. Reading email from their constituents, reading online codes, regulations, and researching are a part of this job. If you want better representation, make this a real job with real pay. Regarding the proposed cuts, I work in the private sector and the benefits to the public employees seems quite excessive. I'm willing to give firemen and policement the full benefits for actual job-related injuries but not otherwise. I'd like to see a breakdown of the savings and the actual total amount. LPS gets so much of our property tax, that they should foot the whole bill for school resource officers. "

 No good deed goes unpunished wrote on July 18, 2008 10:40 am:
" Perhaps the council people should lead by example, however, the internet service is provided so YOU, the citizens of Lincoln can write them regarding concerns you have. This is a tool for their job. The council people spend many hours dealing with citizens either on the phone, cell phone, face to face or email. If you added up the hours they spend with that and the time involved with meetings, both public and private, it would not take a rocket scientist to realize they are compensated very little for the time they spend. Then again, taking away the internet would free them from dealing with stupid requests like "help me, the rabbits are eating my garden" You think they don't get calls etc like that, better ask them. Council Members, maybe you should delete the internet service, it could help get rid of the idiots taking up your time when you have more important items to attend to. "

 perspective wrote on July 18, 2008 11:48 am:
" Let's see...firefighters drops barbell on toe and gets paid 80% of their salary for a year, firefighter sells realestate or some other non phyically demanding job for the year and gets a double income for a year and you folks are defending this rip-off of your tax dollars?
For the defenders of LFD..I'll make this trade, I'll trade you a 1,000.00 so that you can have free internet if you will pay me 1,000,000.00 a year to do with as I please.
For those complaining about Mr.Camp...where were the defenders of the little guy...you know the democrats while LFD consummes 1,000,000.00 a year on weightlifting injuries...why didn't any of the dem's who have controled the city council you the last 20 years squelched this rip-off before now?
So again if you want my 1,000.00 please contact me with your 1,000,000.00 and we'll trade......didn't think so!
Next maybe we can discuss why we need to send cops to watch strippers on the taxpayer dime! "

 Dont sweat the...... wrote on July 18, 2008 11:51 am:
" "Don't sweat the small stuff" doesn't seem to grasp that it is the message, not the $1,000, that puts the bee in our bonnet. None of the city council members look to be so destitute that they cannot pay for their own internet. Yet they seem to find it easy to tell us what we can do without. The $1,000 may be small in the bigger picture of the city budget. What Camp and Svoboda's stand on keeping the service for their own personal benefit is not small stuff. It is a clear message of arrogance and it should not be ignored. "

 No good deed..... wrote on July 18, 2008 12:16 pm:
" Hmmmm, so by "No good deed goes unpunished's" understanding, only two of the city council members are accessable by email?? I think your logic is flawed there. "

 JR wrote on July 18, 2008 12:43 pm:
" Wow, "Perspective" sure threw out a lot of numbers to back his argument. Too bad he didn't give us all the facts to back up his numbers. If the city paid out $2 mil for 267 claims, and one person got $1 mil of that, then we are looking at 266 claims getting paid a total of $1 mil, or roughly $6,000 per incident. Now, did the employee get all of that $6,000, or did most of it go for Drs. and treatments? Somehow I am thinking "Perspective" is just repeating anecdotal evidence he heard around town somewhere.

And one more thing. Can Camp and Svoboda actually vote for the $1,000 to be reinstated since it obviously a very direct conflict of interest. "

 Lincoln Rocks wrote on July 18, 2008 12:59 pm:
" When Im stranded in a fire I sure want to know I have the strongest,healthiest firefighter coming to rescue me! Not someone injured and on the job because he has no sick days. I think ol` camp should have to ride along and do the job of a firefighter for a week. "

 Hypocrisy Deluxe wrote on July 18, 2008 1:08 pm:
" Multiply the annual internet cost by the years these guys have been on the council for the five digit total you've subsidized. They get free internet at the office. The question is would they NOT have it at home if the city didn't pay for it? Don't think so. It's taxpayer abuse. Cut everything else but leave their perks alone. "

 Disgusted wrote on July 18, 2008 1:15 pm:
" The Internet "perk" for City Council members should be eliminated as an gesture of good will, if nothing else. Campand Svoboda can afford their own service, especially if the rest of the Council can do so. Whoever keeps these two knuckleheads in office should be the first in line to take any cuts in city services. Perhaps they can let the Fire and Police Department know not to respond to any emergencies at the Camp and Svoboda homes or offices. Sound idiotic? No more so than giving those two free Internet service or cutting any funding when it come sto the Police and Fire Departments. Those are two of our most crucial departments! Let me tell you, I and my family have found out first-hand what fantastic and highly-trained personnel Lincoln has it these two departments. I truly appreciate them and I don't agree with cutting any of their services or benefits to them. Maybe Camp and Svoboda should spend some of their free Internet time reading Chief Casady's blog!!! "

 Disgusted wrote on July 18, 2008 1:25 pm:
" The Internet "perk" for City Council members should be eliminated as an gesture of good will, if nothing else. Camp and Svoboda can afford their own service, especially if the rest of the Council can do so. Whoever keeps these two knuckleheads in office should be the first in line to take any cuts in city services. Perhaps they can let the Fire and Police Department know not to respond to any emergencies at the Camp and Svoboda homes or offices. Sound idiotic? No more so than giving those two free Internet service or cutting any funding when it comes to the Police and Fire Departments. Those are two of our most crucial departments! Let me tell you, I and my family have found out first-hand what fantastic and highly-trained personnel Lincoln has in these two departments. I truly appreciate them and I don't agree with cutting any of their services or benefits to them. Maybe Camp and Svoboda should spend some of their free Internet time reading Chief Casady's blog!!! "

 Go Deena wrote on July 18, 2008 1:29 pm:
" I want to personally thank Deena Winter for her good coverage of city council meetings! I haven't gone to a meeting, but I am considering going now. They seem so entertaining! I'm suprised that the entire room wasn't laughing at Camp. He questions and questions and questions every expense and then says, "OK, I want to keep my free internet." What a nerve!

Unfortunately, I'm not wealthy enough to live in the area of town where he does so he won't lose my vote. When is he up for re-election? I hope the people in his neighborhood read Winter's column!

Deluxe got it right by saying that both Camp and Svoboda have enough money to pay for their own internet service. Everyone on that council has more money than most of Lincoln's citizens.

Camp is being hypocritical when he questions the Mayor's budget but agrees to crazy perks himself. The Mayor has already made lots of tough cuts. Free internet is an easy decision to cut! "

 Lincolns fault wrote on July 18, 2008 3:12 pm:
" All of you are tax payers and you continue to vote these council people in. What amazes me is that they make desisions without actually knowing what is going on by visiting what the departments acutally do. Sorry Linoln it being on paper is not enough. They need to be educated in order to make the correct decisions. Stop complaining and do something about it. Alway reaseach the net - there are alot of towns whose Council Members do not get paid. Wow - wouldn't that help the budget alot. I believe they are making over $20,000 a piece. That would make a better inpact than the $1,000 lap tops. For those of you having children in college - don't you have to purchase their lap tops. Personally believe we need to stop complaining but come up with solutions. "

 Marisol wrote on July 18, 2008 3:33 pm:
" Camp always seems ready to scrutinize and publicly criticize what he perceives to be the waste and excess of others. Thanks for this opportunity to turn the lens back on him for a moment. Truly, that $1,000 could be better used elsewhere. "

 Citizen wrote on July 18, 2008 7:29 pm:
" Is there something wrong with checking into injury claims for injuries that happened while weight lifting? "

 XE wrote on July 18, 2008 9:19 pm:
" If I recall, there was only 2-3 injuries while lifting weights. One can't predict if the same injury would have happened on the scene of an emergency or at the station. Every firefighter should be encouraged to work out. A healthy lifestyle prevents the use of sick time and illnesses plus provides a more efficient firefighter. Keep up the good work LFR! "

 Come on wrote on July 23, 2008 11:43 am:
" Do you people have nothing else to worry about other than a silly $1000 expense. When you got to work do you have to pay for your internet services you use while doing your job? More than likely not, then why is it so absurd that the city council does not have to pay for their internet? Yes only two have them have taken that option so why does that make them bad people? "Disgusted" How could you say such an idiotic thing like that? In other words your wish harm on these to men, who have served your community well, over $1000 A YEAR? Really? that just makes me disgusted! "

Ads by Yahoo!