Lakeland to residents: "Just deal with it!"

The story noted below is from the COLA Facebook post.

As noted, while fees for trash pickup remains the same, the City reduced services as follows:

-No yard waste pickup (other than as part of normal pickup.)  According to the City web site, the yard waste is tossed "with the other trash", which means it is not recycled and goes to the landfill.  So much for recycling the large amount of yard waste generated by Lakeland residents.

-Trash pickup is now limited to the cart(s) plus "two bags", a reduction from the past "anything in a bag will be picked up".

-Recycling is now limited to once every two weeks, down from once weekly.

The city response to this:  "just deal with it, call a private hauler!"

(COLA Facebook post)

Clarification on yard waste/limbs in Lakeland

City Manager Chris Thomas wants residents to understand the policy about limb and yard waste pickup by Republic Services. You no longer have to separate the trash and yard waste. Also, please make sure the limbs in yard waste cart are cut to no more than 6’ or they will not be able to pick up.

“If you have anything more than the combination of two bags or two bundles per cart (so up to four of either, total) call a private company, “ said Chris. Sorry for the confusion."

Earlier this summer Chris said Lakeland would pickup extra limb piles or extra bags. However, that was during a period when the City was still trying to assess costs. It has been determined that monthly costs would have to increase to all home owners to pickup extra limbs or bags. "We are not doing that," We would also like to remind residents to place the cart with arrows pointing toward the street. said Chris.

Lakeland PTA-Did they REALLY check the budget before this was published?

Lakeland PTA

15 hrs · 

Be there tonight if you can, Monday, June 16 at 5:00 at City Hall. The Lakeland City Budget will be voted on at this meeting.
Lakeland Mayor, Wyatt Bunker, would like to see the budget support our schools and our children's education and hold off on creating new positions for parks, the senior center, etc. While these positions may seem ideal, now is not the time.
Wyatt would like to see as many parents as possible come out and let their voices be heard on Monday, June 16!

Like

(Published right before the BOC Budget meeting.  Is this authorized by a vote of the Lakeland PTA? Does the anonymous writer know anything about the city budget?  Why is the PTA acting as a roadie to the spoiled brat mayor and his tantrums?  

Another Charter Provision ignored by the City of Lakeland!

Lakeland City Charter:

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this charter, the compensation of all officers and employees of the city shall be fixed by the city manager within the limits of the appropriations ordinance and in accordance with a comprehensive pay plan adopted by the board of commissioners. [Acts 1921, ch. 173, art. 7, § 2; Shan. Supp., § 1997a158; Code 1932, § 3555; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 6-2102; Acts 1989, ch. 175, § 11.] 

Another provision of the Charter (the authorization from the residents to govern, and only can be changed by the Tennessee State Legislature) IGNORED by the current administration.

LAKELAND PTA OFFICIALLY OPPOSED PARKS?????

Lakeland PTA

19 hrs ·

In case you haven't heard the Board of Commissioners meeting that was scheduled for this Thursday, June 12 has been changed to Monday, June 16 at 5:00 at City Hall. The Lakeland City Budget will be voted on at this meeting. Lakeland Mayor, Wyatt Bunker, would like to see the budget support our schools and our children's education and hold off on creating new positions for parks, the senior center, etc. While these positions may seem ideal, now is not the time. Wyatt would like to see as many parents as possible come out and let their voices be heard on Monday, June 16!

NOTE:  THE ABOVE IS FROM A FACEBOOK POST BY THE PTA.  SINCE WHEN IS THE PTA INVOLVED IN POLITICS.

Obviously the Spoiled Brat Politician Mayor is playing politics with the Lakeland PTA.  Was this position voted on by the PTA?

Lakeland Charter Requirements concerning publication of Budget

6-22-130. Annual operating budget--Publication--Budgetary comparison.--

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, the governing body shall publish the annual operating budget and budgetary comparisons of the proposed budget with the prior year (actual) and the current year (estimated) which information shall include the following:

(1) Revenues and expenditures for the following governmental funds: general, streets/public works, general purpose school and debt service.

(2) Revenuesforeachfundshallbelistedseparatelybylocaltaxes, State of Tennessee, federal government and other sources.

(3) Expenditures for each fund shall be listed separately by salaries and other costs.

(4) Beginning and ending fund balances shall be shown for each
fund.

(5) The number of full-timeequivalentemployeepositionsshallbe
shown for each fund.

(b) The publication shall be in a newspaper of general circulation and shall be published not less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting where the governing body will consider final passage of the budget. [Acts 1991, ch. 484, § 9; Acts 1992, ch. 760, § 5.] 

NO PARKS, RECREATION, SENIOR CITIZEN FUNDING?

(NOTE RECEIVED FROM CONCERNED RESIDENT) 

All Residents, Seniors, or anyone who has Parents:
>
> I have just been informed that a large group of parents, who
> have children in our schools, are coming to Lakeland City
> Hall, Thursday, June 5th, at 5:30... Their mission is to
> STOP any funding of the Parks, Recreation, and the Senior
> Center, and only fund the school system. This makes me
> really sad, knowing how we have all supported the children,
> and voted to establish the best school system here in
> Lakeland...
>
> Our proposal to the BOC was for a part-time Director, and a
> small budget.... nothing compared to what the seniors
> contribute in tax dollars. I'm asking everyone to come
> support your Seniors, and finally open the door to our
> beautiful building, which was erected 2 years ago. 

(Maybe the City governing structure  should be turned over to the Lakeland Municipal School System and turn the City back to the County.  That is where it is going!)

City Hall Park Still Closed

One of the most used parks, City Hall Park in Lakeland, remains closed,while city crews and the city spend money and time tearing out good vegetation on the Canada Road Median and "beautification" while one of the most popular parks remains closed.

Appears the priories of the City of Lakeland are skewed, but, who is surprised?

The Canada Road medians were changed from a 'natural" landscape to something like you'd have in front of your house.  Difficult to maintain, and really weird.

Lakeland Board of Commissioner priorities: A Lakeland Senior Citizen, make them wait!

The following e-mail was sent by a Lakeland Senior Citizen after the Lakeland BOC meeting on Thursday, May 1.  While discussing "selling Lakeland" to developers, and other matters, they made 16 Senior Citizens wait.  

I felt embarrassed, insulted, disrespected, when they moved us to the bottom of the agenda, leaving 36 elderly seniors sitting in there listing to crap for almost 3 hours before they even heard us.  The room was full, and we had crippled, aging, a 86 yr. old woman from Bartlett... and the 2 professional speakers.  I think we have their attention, except for Wyatt.... He doesn't want a Senior Center, and wants to turn it into a community center by 2018, when the government stipulations are lifted.  Until then, he does not want to support an age group, as seniors... We should all be able to use all facilities.  He thinks we can come to the parks, and hit golf balls like him... He even said that... He's totally ignorant of our disabilities.  

      I guess that means we should all take up T-Ball.