Eastpointe, MI - Simple Catch Basin Repair Gone Wrong

Resident wants Eastpointe street repairs done before Sept.
July 17, 2007
Bridget Baulch / The Detroit News

What's the problem
After more than a year of phone calls and e-mails, and eventually speaking at a City Council meeting, the collapsed catch basin in front of Gail Starzynski's home, on Johnston Street in Eastpointe, was finally repaired this month. (It wasn't repaired, just another patch on a patch) Starzynski thought that would be the end of her problems, but it was just the beginning.

Status
While repairing the catch basin, city workers struck a gas line causing a leak and leaving Starzynski without gas in her home for nearly 12 hours.
"They completely disregarded the gas line flags," said Starzynski. (Yellow paint markings were also present) "Now my and my neighbor's front lawns are dug up and the street is all tore up. It looks 10 times worse than before."
After Consumers Energy repaired the gas leak, (which will cost the city) Starzynski wanted to know when the orange barrels would be gone and the street repaved. After daily unanswered e-mails to City Manager Darwin Parks, Starzynski got a response stating repairs would not take place until the fall.
"They said it looks like they'll try to get it fixed in September," said Starzynski. "It would be nice to get it done before then."

Who's responsible
The Public Works Division is responsible for the maintenance and repair of city streets. To report a street in need of repair, call Department of Public Works manager Greg Brown at (586) 445-5040 or City Manager Darwin Parks at (586) 445-5016.

From the Blog Editor
This should have been simple straight forward repair, remove 1-2 rotten concrete sections of street, raise the sinking catch basin (several can be found throughout the city) fix the sinking, crumbling curbing and street, all at the same time. Actually several concrete slabs should be replaced in this same general area of the street.

Actually, others on this street are irritated as well not just one resident.

The city has a sidewalk program that they strongly enforce (a good thing) but when it comes to items such as this, they are typically put off, delayed, forgotten or ignored. A poor looking broken up street or the mess left behind is not at all appealing to one's property.

Here we are, nice looking homes, well maintained properties...... and no Thanks to our city, now looking like a wart on the face of a beauty Queen!

Instead, it turns into another city "Oops" event.

Eastpointe, MI - New City Hall Petition (for the people)

CLICK ON TEXT or PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Eastpointe, MI - Let Residents vote on spending, new city hall

COLLECTING SIGNATURES: Group sets out to get city hall issue on ballot
Residents want say on project
February 1, 2007
BY DAN CORTEZ FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Ken Brown wants to be clear. He does not oppose the decision to build a new city hall in Eastpointe.
What Brown does not like is the plan city leaders have settled on to pay for the project -- $4.5 million in bonds. That's why he is among a group of residents -- Let Eastpointe Residents Be Heard -- spearheading a petition drive to get the issue on the ballot.

(RASHAUN RUCKER/Detroit Free Press)












Ann Vieira pauses before entering the Eastpointe Post Office to sign a petition for Ken Brown and James Collins, all of Eastpointe, on Friday.

"I'm not saying we're against a new city hall, but let's put this to a vote," Brown, 51, said Monday. "It's a big ticket item, and it's for a long term. I felt the need that people need to vote on something like this."

The group has until the end of February to collect about 2,300 signatures -- 10% of Eastpointe's registered voters -- required to put the issue on a ballot later this year. The group is going door-to-door and spending time at the local post office to collect signatures. Members say they have several hundred already.

It was November when the City Council voted to build a new structure at the same location on Gratiot Avenue. City leaders spent more than a year debating whether to renovate the structure, build a new one or turn an existing building somewhere else in the city into a new home.
In June, the City Council said building a 17,000-square-foot city hall -- estimated to cost $3.6 million to $3.8 million -- would be a better choice than spending a projected $3.2 million to bring the current building up to date. The project would not have an impact on taxes paid by residents.
"The council carefully studied this," councilwoman and Mayor Pro-Tem Veronica Klinefelt said Wednesday. "We have to make a decision to move forward."
James Collins, a former council member who advocates making repairs to the current building, said a financial decision that has so much impact on the city's future finances should be decided by a public vote.

"Something this big for a city of our size, let the people vote," Collins, 70, said this week.
Brown, 51, who works as a sales manager in the auto industry, said the city should use reserve funds instead of assuming such a substantial debt.
"I don't think this is the right solution," he said. "We already have a few big ticket items for other buildings."
But Klinefelt said the expense is a worthy one. The new building will cut down on energy and maintenance costs and could spur new development along Gratiot.
"I understand the state of the economy, but you can't let your city fall apart," Klinefelt said. "There have been repairs that have been needed for years."
Contact DAN CORTEZ at 586-469-1827 or dcortez@freepress.com.

leteastpointeresidentsbeheard@yahoo.com

Eastpointe, MI - Committee seeks to place new building question on ballot

City Hall too costly, group says

Committee seeks to place new building question on ballot
PUBLISHED: January 25, 2007
By Mitch Hotts Macomb Daily Staff Writer

Macomb Daily photo by Craig Gaffield











Former Eastpointe city councilman James Collins, left, watches as resident Robert Landino prepares to sign a petition demanding an election for a new City Hall. Also looking on is Ken Brown, a member of the committee requesting the election.

A group of residents in Eastpointe has formed a committee to collect signatures on a petition to force a referendum election on whether the city should use $4.5 million in bonds to construct a new city hall.

The committee, Let Eastpointe Residents Be Heard, needs to gain approximately 2,300 signatures by Feb. 27 in order to conduct an election. If that happens, it would essentially stop the city from tearing down the existing City Hall on Gratiot Avenue and constructing a new municipal facility.
Organizers said the committee was launched because they felt residents in Eastpointe should be allowed to vote on the bond issue as residents in some other communities did.
"We're not talking chump change here," said Ken Brown, one of the group's organizers. "This is a very large financial commitment by the city and by the taxpayers for years to come. We want a voice in this process."
The Eastpointe City Council in November voted 4-1 to remove asbestos at City Hall, demolish the building and erect a new structure on the same property. Councilman Ron Selvidge cast the vote against the project, saying it was too expensive in an uncertain economy.
City officials say the project will not require a tax increase and will be paid off through a bond issue over 25-30 years.
The building is expected to cost $3.8 million, but the city added another $700,000 in the bond issue as a cushion against overruns.
James Collins, a former council member who is part of the committee, said the public's response so far has been supportive of the effort.
"Everybody I've talked to in the past couple of days can't believe they were not allowed to vote on something of this magnitude. I've never had this much support for an issue," Collins said.
Other committee members include Kevin Grand and Ken Brown.

They have set up an e-mail address at leteastpointeresidentsbeheard@yahoo.com.
Mount Clemens-based Partners in Architecture was hired by the city to assess the physical condition of all city-owned buildings. The firm found it would cost almost as much to renovate City Hall as it would to construct a new one.
City Council members said they conducted a number of public forums on the subject to gauge sentiment on the project and did not find overwhelming opposition.
Mayor Pro-Tem Veronica Klinefelt said the council votes by proxy for the residents on building a new structure by virtue of being elected representatives.
"We as a council have gone through all of the facilities, we've seen the deteriorating structure, we've read the paperwork on the pluses and minuses of building versus renovating. We did the homework. That's what the residents voted us to do," Klinefelt said.
Councilwoman Suzanne Pixley said she hopes the new municipal building will serve as a catalyst for private investment along Gratiot, the city's main commercial corridor.
"Just due to the fact that we're moving ahead we've had calls from people interested in some of our vacant properties on Nine Mile, on Gratiot and elsewhere," Pixley said. "Things are moving in this community."

Eastpointe, MI - "Let Eastpointe Residents be heard"

A campaign committee has been formed known as:
"Let Eastpointe Residents be Heard"

The sole purpose of this committee, it's campaign intentions and goals is to circulate a petition asking The Voters in the City of Eastpointe if they should have the opportunity to vote on such a bond request for a new or refurbished city hall.

The following notice was published in the Macomb Daily News, Sports Section, Saturday 1/13/07. Please read this information carefully and note the process and obligations that will take place.

NOTICE From The CITY OF EASTPOINTE
OF INTENTION OF ENTERING INTO LIMITED TAX-SUPPORTED CONTRACT OF LEASE AND OF RIGHT TO PETITION FOR REFERENDUM THEREON TO THE TAXPAYERS AND ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF EASTP0INTE. MICHIGAN:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City of Eastpointe intends to approve and execute a Limited Tax Full Faith and Credit General Obligation Contract of Lease with the Eastpointe Building Authority pursuant to Act No. 31, Public Acts of Michigan, 1948 (First Extra Session), as amended. Such Contract will provide, among other things that said Building Authority will acquire, construct. furnish, equip a new City Hall facility, undertake site improvements, together with all necessary appurtenance and attachments and demolish the existing City Hall building.
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL ISSUE ITS BONDS TO FINANCE THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE SAME (New City Hall) FOR THE CITY IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $4,500,000. Said bonds when issued will mature in not to exceed 30 annual installments (meaning 30 years) and will bear interest not exceeding 6 per % annum on the outstanding principal balance. (Interest is not included in the $4.5million) or items required to convert Senior Center and then remove/relocate temp city hall.
The Contract will further provide that the City will lease said facilities from the Building Authority and WILL PAY AS RENTAL TO SAID BUILDING AUTHORITY ALL SUMS NECESSARY TO RETIRE THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON SAID BONDS. TOGETHER WITH ALL COSTS OF OPERATING AND MAINTAINING SAID BUILDING AND ALL COSTS of said Building Authority in connection therewith, regardless of whether the building is tenantable. The principal amount to be borrowed by the Building Authority will be indebtedness of the City for purposes of statutory and constitutional debt limitations, and said principal amount, together with the City's rental obligation for payment thereof, may be increased to cover increased costs of acquisition, construction, furnishing and equipping of the City Hall building.
CITY CONTRACT OBLIGATION
BY VIRTUE OF SAID PROPOSED CONTRACT AND SAID ACT, ALL OF THE CITY'S REQUIRED PAYMENTS UNDER THE CONTRACT TO THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL BE A LIMITED TAX FULL FAITH AND CREDIT GENERAL OBLIGATION OF THE CITY PAYABLE FROM ANY AVAILABLE FUNDS OF THE CITY, AND THE CITY WILL BE REQUIRED TO LEVY AD VALOREM TAXES ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS REQUIRED TO RETIRE THE BONDS AND INTEREST THEREON IF OTHER FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND AS LIMITED BY LAW. THE OBLIGATION TO LEVY TAXES IS LIMITED BY APPLICABLE CONSTITUTIONAL, CHARTER AND STATUTORY TAX RATE LIMITATIONS.

SAID PROPOSED CONTRACT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE WITHOUT VOTE OF THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY, AS PERMITTED BY LAW, UPON THE EXPIRATION OF 45 DAYS FOLLOWING THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE, UNLESS A PETITION REQUESTING AN ELECTION ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER SUCH CONTRACT SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE, SIGNED BY NOT LESS THAN 10 % OF THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE CITY IS FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK WITHIN SAID PERIOD. If such petition is so filed, the Contract described in such petition shall not be effective without an approving vote by a majority of electors of the City voting on the question.

This Notice is given pursuant to the requirements of Section 8b of the afore-said Act 31, as amended. Further information concerning the details of said Contract, the acquisition and construction of the Improvements being financed and the matters set out in this Notice may be secured from the City Clerk's office. A copy of said Contract will be on file in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection.
Darwin D. Parks, city clerk M.D. – 1/13/07

A group of concerned individuals have stepped up and assembled a campaign committee since many other residents have also expressed "Why dont' the residents of Eastpointe get a chance to vote on this item" ? Apparently our elected officials, Do Not Need, Feel or Want to give the residents an opportunity to vote, on the matter of going into further debt or not over the issue of a new city hall!

This issue of not allowing the city voters (electors/residents) a chance, which should be one of our rights to vote on such a commitment will, of course affect all of us for many years to come. Many of us can't even keep up with the current city taxes, water rate increases, safety milage (which will be back for approval in a few short years), state increases, and we haven't even mentioned the unknowns we all need to save for. Additionally, there are several other major points of concerns in this city notice of intent (you must read this very carefully as there are a few got-chas). These major concerns will affect many of our cities future financial obligations as well as proper city growth, proper city maintenance, lack of residency, along with many more, far greater, important city items that will need to be put off, if not totally, deleted in Eastpointe.

The committee (for the people) is in need of volunteers who are registered voters in Eastpointe to assist in the collection of required signatures within the next few weeks. Collection of signatures is currently scheduled to start this weekend 1/20/07.

This is your opportunity to stand up, speak out and support your rights. As of now, the citizens are being passed over, no formal opportunity to "let the Residents of Eastpointe be heard".

The committee sincerely asks for your support on this campaign, through a donation of time by collecting signatures and/or a modest monetary donation to cover the cost of materials.

This E-mail address leteastpointeresidentsbeheard@yahoo.com is available so you may contact them on your support allowing residents an opportunity to vote on such a bond commitment of $4.5 million spread over the next 30 years.

Do you really think this will be the end amount?

Have you noticed how the amount has been going up just over the past month or two? Remember what occurred with the building of the Police and Court House?

A disaster in city building management, poor and lacked important contractual items, it's already falling apart and improperly maintained just as with all the other city buildings. This is our Building Authority?

If you are a registered voter and interested in signing the petition, list your name, phone number, address with cross streets and the best time of the day to reach you and a volunteer will stop by.

Volunteers, as well as those that would like to sign the petition, may also contact James Collins between the hours of 9:00 am - 7:00 pm @ 771-1319. Please allow a fair amount of time for a committee volunteer to get back with you.

This is clearly not a fair, nor proper way for any city charter, elected officials to conduct such a process. Spending of our hard earned money, at the liberty of such a small group. Let's see, 1 mayor, 4 council members and 3 building authority members, some retired from the city of Eastpointe, one that does not even reside in Eastpointe and one that is a finance director. Is this a conflict of interest or what? Exactly what is the requirement to be on the building authority?

Many other surrounding cities allowed their residents to vote on their new city hall commitments, why not Eastpointe officials? Our elected officials never mention this, only that, "They have a new city hall, why don't we"? The real question here is, "Why don't you let the PEOPLE VOTE?"

The committee "Let Eastpointe Residents be Heard" is asking and inviting each and every one of the Eastpointe residents as well as business owners, to please attend the next council meeting at City Hall on January 23rd at 7:00 pm. Come and express your support even by attendenace, on the issue of an open vote by the residents on the bond for a new city hall $4.500,000.

Press release to follow in local papers on this petition.

Eastpointe, MI - STOP THE PRESS

It’s quite interesting, actually, no, “unjust”, when individuals and the media broadcast and issue one sided attacks that is a race to the bottom of news slime.

From what I can see, Eastpointe police wrote and issued the ticket based on multiple calls on the same day from neighbors. Our police department warned the homeowner. Police don’t just issue tickets to those talking on a mobile phone at a normal tone. Police have the discretion to issue tickets. This noise ordinance is a misdemeanor where the homeowner could have been arrested on the spot and taken to jail.

Let’s keep track of the “breaks” that were given to Ms. Carmen Granata
First break – Police Warning
Second break – Police did not make an immediate arrest

Eastpointe police officers must have been nice, as they probably could have written other tickets.

It seems to me that our police officers are doing their job, as good citizens/taxpayers would expect and demand.

Remember, the ticket was issued for noise at 4:00 a.m.!

Ms. C. Granata has been at this Donald address since April 2006, with on-going problems/complaints ever since (have you looked at the neighbors’ Petition? See documents at the site listed below).
Noisy parties all hours of the night and into the early morning hours, trash (beer cans & bottles) discarded on private and city property, urinating in public, on neighbor’s homes and plantings. Which one of us would put up with that?
The homeowner is responsible and must take control over these intolerable events and actions. Neighbors and children of all ages have been affected. Hum, I thought we were a “Family Town.”

Third break – Did not receive ticket for littering

Here you can find factual information on the case www.judgeredmond.com/06B107898.htm
It’s about time someone did!

The homeowner went to court and was given a chance to explain. She admits guilt. Look at her written plea yourself. See document at site listed above.

This crime is punishable by up to 90 days in jail (remember she only received 30) and/or $500 fine, (only received a $300 fine) plus court costs and a term of probation with conditions, for up to 2 years. What’s that saying about ignorance of the law?

Fourth break – she only got 30 days of jail time
Fifth break – fine charged was $300 Vs $500
Sixth break – the judge still allowed her to go to work on a regular basis

Again remember, the City of Eastpointe (Mayor and Council) as well as the state, set the ordinances and penalties, the police bring the charges, and the court does its job to enforce it when the facts and the law match up which in this case they do.

Neighbors have been so upset with the on-goings of this homeowner and her friends they had a notion to just up and leave.

But wait…… why should several/many “good” neighbors be penalized for the improper, poor, disrespectful and disruptive actions of just a few? We should not, cannot and I will not!

I’m appalled Carmen’s own father, family, friends and even some outsiders are against this type of corrective action. Is this a Pity party or what?

She is an adult and responsible for her own actions. Her father, relatives and friends are actually causing her more problems with their disgusting and reckless comments. It’s quite obvious that her father, family, friends did not feel there was, or should be a consequence for these indecent acts.

The listed links http://goeastpointe.com/Article3.phtml and http://www.myspace.com/hungbybarbwire just affirms the poor, disgusting judgments, comments, unhealthy and threatening thoughts and minds of this girl’s friends and family. Look at all the grief her family and friends are causing and continue to created.

The 38th District Court Judge is and has been doing what is and has been best and just for our/my, city/community. I’m proud and I support that Judge Redmond stands firm in her decisions, unwavered by the media’s inability to properly get the facts and tactics by others involved in this case.
She has not misused her judicial authority nor has wasting taxpayer’s money as some have claimed. Actually, the individuals involved in this retaliation against the law and punishment have and plan to continue wasting our/my money with there frivolous claims.
For you individuals that don’t feel this is fair and just and apparently you and others do not what to follow the laws. Go ahead move, stay away as you have stated publicly. I/we will not lower ourselves to you’re misleading and skewed lower level of being a good citizen. Shape up or ship out – it’s that simple.

Breaking the law should be punished. A judge when issuing sentencing needs and should do two things;
1. Punish
2. Rehabilitate

A couple of other things are also good for our community.
Safety – By established laws and follow through by our courts
Justice – To be served

A good community of people/citizens and city administration should and would want to see that judgments are not soft but, rather firm, fair and carried out.

Why aren’t we as neighbors and citizens standing up to support out laws, instead of letting the bad neighbors pushing and possibly becoming the majority? This also seems to be the direction and views of the various media.

Biased information, spewed out from the mouths of Carmen’s boyfriend, family, with their calling the media with twisted, half-truths and you, the media, suck this garbage up and spew out the same. The media doesn’t even have the simple courtesy to publish a headline or even submitted comments from the other side! What happened to the rest of the story?
You’re notably biased, damaging and destroying the good individuals, along with taking my city down by your uncalled for and unprofessional tactics…...How dare you!
This is all about being a good citizen, a good neighbor. Why should we as a community lower our standards and allow this reckless and intolerable behavior continue? We won’t and we’re not going to!

This is our/my city and I’m not open (as I’m sure many others are not) to changing our logo, city statement and ways from a “Family Town” to a “Party, We Don’t Care Town”.

Even our own city government/elected officials are trying to distance themselves as noted at the 12/5/06 regular city council meeting. Why? One Councilmember said, “All we do is pass the court budget.” Oh really? First you have to even approve their budget and when you folks do it’s sliced, diced and shred into a greatly reduced budget beyond any other budget approvals.

Councilmen Mr. Ron Selvedge pushed as well as Mayor and all council members, the “Boom Box Effect / NOISE” ordinance. Great job all, well done! Now you’re also pushing for a “No Knock” city ordinance. You should be after ”No distribution of trash fliers”. Just how serious are you in seeing that noise is controlled and that the law is actually carried out?

Mr. Selvedge made a clear public, taped televised closing statement that he hoped Granata would prevail. Mayor David Austin and Councilwoman Ms. Klienfelt also made a similar reference with positive indications/outcome towards the pending Granata case. Hello? You want to tell all the residents that they should just put up with neighbors who party at all hours, trash the neighborhood. What in the world is wrong with you?
View the taped City Council Meeting for PROOF, closing statements by Mayor and Council.

Why are you good folks not standing up, supporting the ordinances and laws which have been passed?
Why are you not standing up for the actions of our police department?
Why is our Judge being dragged through the mud for holding up the rules of law and attempting to insure our neighborhood continues to be safe and a respectful place to live? There is a big difference between campaigning on an issue and actually rolling up your sleeves and doing the work. Don’t you dare crawl into a corner on this!

Where are all you good people?

Regards,
Eastpointe Resident

Eastpointe, MI - MORE SPENDING - New City Hall

Well...... here they/we go, with another high cost, long term commitment, which Eastpointe does not need, nor can we afford another burden, and....
not allowing the residents to vote on such an important item.

Positive Item -
At least, the current elected officials have taken a direction to acquire a report of all our city owned buildings and facilities to see the bigger picture.
Ok, that's all for the positive.

Everyone should read this report. It provides many important findings. Past and present council / staff have not been taking proper action or care of OUR buildings.
Conditions of all our buildings require repairs and updates. Many have the same common problems; electrical, plumbing, leaking roofs, etc., and even the typical lack of general maintenance.
Enough with the comments and excuses on the past and get on with the future but.. in an appropriate, logical manner. Focus on resolving the MANY BUILDING CONDITIONS now, not just a single item replacement - City Hall. Plan for the future. Maybe some day, one of our elected officials will stand up and share such a master plan goal, more than once a year.

Now -
Why did this building status report take so long to request with the current administration, let alone the previous administration?
Let's not forget who the current and past administration are/were, what involvement do they/do not have in various EP city items, etc. today.

Why didn't our own building department officials supply the reports?
Elected officials must feel our own people are not capable of such a necessary task?
Apparently not, as they spent $30,000+ to have an outside firm provide a report on all city buildings, along with the new city hall study and an artist concept of a new city hall.

Why are budgets not including building repairs, updates each year?
Other items get put to the top of the list and/or approved before taking care of our buildings. Our city employees should be taking care of our buildings on a regular basis.

Applying mass quantities of monies into one building (City Hall replacement) is not the correct solution. Funds should be distributed over several building repairs not sinking it all into one.
So, how will the other building repairs be handled?
Our Mayor stated a comment along the lines of, "that's down the road, figuring out one at a time for now".
This is clearly not a proper, correct, thought out plan at all.

Where will the funds come from for even making temporary repairs to keep the other buildings up to proper operationing conditions?

Only when sufficient funds have been set aside, ear-marked to build or replace a building (without commitment for such a high, long term bond or millage increase) and only then, should forward direction be taken on a city hall or any building replacement. This is serving the needs of one and leaving out all the others.

The best route would be to incorporate several buildings into one and sell off the others to increase revenue and rezone. No reason that this could not start now, add on as we go, smaller amounts of money at a time.
Leasing space at a non-city owned building is foolish to say the least.
Modify and/or enhance an existing city building and be done with it. We have all invested in this city, not just a particular group or age of people.

Interesting that our money seems to find it's way into items that should be at the bottom of the want list or deleted altogether. The pool is one such item that should have stayed closed (set up a program with other cities and another is the support of a non-city event like the Gratiot Cruise (they give to local charity, ok but, when it's our city money we should be allowed to make our own decisions on charity donations).
At least on my own, I can gain a tax credit and help those I prefer to support. The few thousand dollars presented from Eastpointe Gratiot Cruise, Inc. to the city (not a city function) is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the ten's of thousands of dollars that it cost us as well as some businesses.

With the continuing increases in cost of water, taxes, special millages, you are breaking the backs of current and future residents, as well as, preventing others and new businesses from locating to EP.

By the way, what is the outcome on other reports/studies, approved by the mayor and council, regarding spending ten's of thousands? There should be no problem in providing an update at the next public meeting, 12/5/06.

Another item for thought, with the current rate of vacant homes in EP, equals a decrease in water/waste, usage/processing = income. One can easily predict another water rate increase spring, 07. The W & S department cost can't go down as we need the staff and materials for repairs, rate increases, insurance, etc. What's next, contract that out to?