Get involved: Moultonborough town meeting Saturday March 13th, 209

[Heaven]

I didn't mean to start what could be a heated argument. I wasn't responding to the comment about raises this year, either. I was responding to the general view that government employees (and let's talk state and local, I don't know anything about Federal) have a "cushy ride" and I simply don't believe that is true, generally, on the average. I make less than 40k with a masters degree in an engineering field, so 40k plus my 12k health, plus someday a pension (BTW, I will not collect any Social Security on the earnings from public sector work, so please keep that in mind). Just on the face of it, someone in a similar position to mine in the private sector is making in the 60's with a health package that is decent if not "Cadillac", earnings going toward SS retirement, and also a 401k matching plan or similar.
I just don't see that huge a cushy difference. And yes, there is 10+% unemployment, which means that 8 or 9 people out of 10 are still working, even if tightening up a bit. Public sector jobs get cut or go unfilled also, it is not immune.

[lawn psycho]

Originally Posted by Heaven

I make less than 40k with a masters degree in an engineering field.

Are you an actual engineer with an engineering degree or do you have a non-engineering degree and work in the "field"?

Something doesn't add-up. Are you a new grad?

[Heaven]

Originally Posted by lawn psycho

Are you an actual engineer with an engineering degree or do you have a non-engineering degree and work in the "field"?

Something doesn't add-up. Are you a new grad?

I suggest you go on to a state job board and look at the qualification "wish list"" for advertised positions and check out the salary ranges, and compare to what you see in private industry.

[lawn psycho]

Heaven, you did not answer my question. Do you have an engineering degree?

I am a professional engineer and know the pay ranges. Key word, RANGE. Sumpin' don't add up....

[Heaven]

Originally Posted by lawn psycho

Heaven, you did not answer my question. Do you have an engineering degree?

I am a professional engineer and know the pay ranges. Key word, RANGE. Sumpin' don't add up....

Maybe this conversation should be put in its own thread,
I am not a "stamped" engineer, if that is your question. But I have qualifications, experience and education that would bring a salary in the 60's+ in the private sector if I were to choose to go that route, which I obviously don't (I have had the offers). I am not complaining about my compensation, there are other things important to me and they pick up what I perceive as the "slack", but I do get unhappy with the opinion that public sector employees are on the "gravy train" and are not worth our compensation (in general, as a group). I do think the compensation packages have changed over the last 5 or 10 years and much of what is seen as "outrageous compensations" are the tail end of contracts made long ago. As to the cost of living raises, one year forgone isn't going to send anyone onto skid row, but please try to keep in mind that the cost of living raises never are as much as the cost of living index when it goes UP, and there are no bonuses or merit raises, ever, as is typical in the private sector.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by Heaven

Maybe this conversation should be put in its own thread,
I am not a "stamped" engineer, if that is your question. But I have qualifications, experience and education that would bring a salary in the 60's+ in the private sector if I were to choose to go that route, which I obviously don't (I have had the offers). I am not complaining about my compensation, there are other things important to me and they pick up what I perceive as the "slack", but I do get unhappy with the opinion that public sector employees are on the "gravy train" and are not worth our compensation (in general, as a group). I do think the compensation packages have changed over the last 5 or 10 years and much of what is seen as "outrageous compensations" are the tail end of contracts made long ago. As to the cost of living raises, one year forgone isn't going to send anyone onto skid row, but please try to keep in mind that the cost of living raises never are as much as the cost of living index when it goes UP, and there are no bonuses or merit raises, ever, as is typical in the private sector.

You answered the question without answering the question. So your a electrical engineer, mechanical engineer? You have a four year degree (at least) that reads "Bachelors degree in _______ Engineering?" I'm not an engineer but deal with them every day at work. Some make 40,000 and many make in the middle 80's a year. Here it depends on age, experience, schooling, etc.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by dpg

You answered the question without answering the question. So your a electrical engineer, mechanical engineer? You have a four year degree (at least) that reads "Bachelors degree in _______ Engineering?" I'm not an engineer but deal with them every day at work. Some make 40,000 and many make in the middle 80's a year. Here it depends on age, experience, schooling, etc.

Is this discussion relevant to this thread?

[breathe easy]

There is only one contested election in Moultonborough this year. Two of the three candidates have made public statements about their positions , reasons for running and what they hope to accomplish. Both are incumbents. Here are links to both:

http://moultonborospeaks.blogspot.co...candidate.html

http://moultonborospeaks.blogspot.co...candidate.html

[breathe easy]

And don't forget to get an absentee ballot if you can't get to the polls Tuesday. They can be turned in up until 5pm Monday at the town clerks office.

http://www.moultonborough.org/Pages/...absenteeballot

[Sue Doe-Nym]

All Moultonborough voters should make a special effort to attend the School and Town Meetings on Saturday the 13th, one week from today. If any Moultonborough voters care about unjustified increased spending be sure and be there for the 9:00 school meeting. The budget committee has recommended AGAINST the school union agreement and the school budget.

ALSO, Moultonborough taxpayers should be aware that Moultonborough is on tracik to become a DONOR TOWN again in 2012. Plan on your property taxes going up $1.25 per thousand.

[SAMIAM]

I would encourage anyone who cares about business and jobs to vote for Chris Maroun for planning board. The present board has and will do anything that it can to throw up roadblocks to any kind of building or development. They tried last year to change much of rt 25 to residential zoning, a move that angered and upset property owners and would prevent anyone from starting a new business on our only commercial road. They favor harsh restrictions for steep slope development (much of Moultonborough fits this category) and strict controls of business signs and lighting.
Their vision of a town with nothing but farm houses and church steeples would be wonderful thing if nobody needed to work.
Most of our young people leave right after school because there are so few opportunities here......they should be encouraging small busness instead dreaming up new restrictions.
Chris, on the other hand has a business in town, has been in the trenches, mentoring at the school, sponsoring and raising money for youth hockey and other sports and is on the board of United way.
Chris would be the only voice of reason for sensible growth and jobs.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

I would encourage anyone who cares about business and jobs to vote for Chris Maroun for planning board. The present board has and will do anything that it can to throw up roadblocks to any kind of building or development. They tried last year to change much of rt 25 to residential zoning, a move that angered and upset property owners and would prevent anyone from starting a new business on our only commercial road. They favor harsh restrictions for steep slope development (much of Moultonborough fits this category) and strict controls of business signs and lighting.
Their vision of a town with nothing but farm houses and church steeples would be wonderful thing if nobody needed to work.
Most of our young people leave right after school because there are so few opportunities here......they should be encouraging small busness instead dreaming up new restrictions.
Chris, on the other hand has a business in town, has been in the trenches, mentoring at the school, sponsoring and raising money for youth hockey and other sports and is on the board of United way.
Chris would be the only voice of reason for sensible growth and jobs.

Don't you love the candidate pushing for "work force housing" and at the same time making it difficult for business. What does "work force housing" prove if there are no jobs ???

[tis]

Isn't it funny, it seems like most towns are going through the same thing. Moultonboro sounds like Wolfeboro the way you describe it, Sam and Sue. I don't know how these people think.