Do you think that Homeless and Unemployment are an issue in our area?

[Chuck]

How well do you think our area holds up with regards to Homeless and the Unemployed in our area.

In the past election, many candidate made claims on both sides of the fence. Some concerned that the 4%+ figure our area is rated at are too low. Others claiming that the figure is great for a national level.

As a member of the community, were do you think we rate?

[interestedreader]

I can't vote in this poll b/c the option I would choose isn't avaliable. I would say that we have a small problem with homelessness of those who are from the community - and a larger problem with those who are passing through and then stay.

Unemployment is an issue - not b/c there are not avaliable jobs but b/c many who are seeking employment are underqualified, or can not pass a drug test, or are unable and too often unwilling to support themselves on the hourly wage offerred.

And, unfortunately a lot of these folks are repeat jail names (if you look at the Court record there are a lot of the same poeple) - which makes it even more difficult for them to find and maintain employment and housing.

Sure would like to see some cooperative work between the housing authority, local business, the city and the county to address some of these issues.

[Sofa King]

Unemployed meaning by choice or by no fault of their own?

At any rate, there are several that are homeless in our area, but again I'll attribute 80% of the chases to be by choice. ( Don't want to work, and don't want to spend the government check on rent.) At any rate, we don't have homeless sleeping in boxes in the alleyways 'round here.

[who cares??]

We do have low numbers of homeless and unemployment as reported throughout the state however even low numbers are cause for concern in my opinion!!!

[who cares??]

There is a place in Maysville called the Hole in the wall it is a place dug out along the river bank where many homeless stay.....I guess out of sight out of mind, as long as they are not laying around on park benches then we don't have a problem in Maysville!!!!

[TheMan]

Hmm.. I check the hole in the wall every night I work.. ( don't ever get off any earlier than 0230.) And all I've ever found there were teenagers smokin' some dope. Nothing that would indicate homeless living in there.

We can thank the Shelter for controlling that problem in our city..

[interestedreader]

I is a concern - and one that we should recognize early (like now) so that pre-emptive solutions can be found. If we solve the problem before it becomes really bad, it is easier than trying to fix it later. But no one wants a homeless shelter in their back yard (NIMBY) and there are those who will not go to a shelter which requires religion as a part of a place to eat and sleep.

So solutions anyone?

[ponto]

I would like to hear from our local law enforcement on the steps taken when a person is found camping out in Mason County, what is done with them?

How often does this happen?

How many people actually are referred to the downtown mission and how many referrals do they get from local law enforcement.

Besides the mission, where do the homeless go for shelter in Mason County?

[mark]

.............sorry, being homeless and/or unemployed in Maysville is a personal problem. I'm sure some libs here will argue with me over this, but, it's the truth. Unemployment in the U.S is around 4.5% & those folks won't work if you pointed a gun to their heads.

The Housing Authority can house folks for very little rent if unemployed. I look at the want ads in the Ledger & there are jobs out there. If the applicant can't pass a drug test....well.....that's another argument.

Employers don't want to hire drug addicts.

Now to the unemployed.........there are jobs out there that isn't in the paper. Word of mouth & friends are who most folks gets their jobs from. Ever heard of Headhunters??

Yes, they are out there for those who wants to work.

If you're unemployed......try this.

Get up tomorrow morning put some nice clothes on & go out to a place of employment. Let's say it's......Green Tokai, Stober, etc.

Walk in there at 9am & ask for the person who is in charge of hiring. Convince that person you're ready to work any shift & are willing to do any job they want done......even if it's the worse job there. If they say they'll get in touch with you, thank them, leave & go back the next morning.

.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.

Then convince them you'll show up daily for work.
Try this for several employers ( after all, you are unemployed with lot's of time, right? ) & eventually you'll get selected.

You'll get hired.

Remember, employers are always looking for reliable hard working dedicated workers. All you need to do is convince them you're the person for the job..........see ya mark

[mark125]

.............sorry, being homeless and/or unemployed in Maysville is a personal problem. I'm sure some libs here will argue with me over this, but, it's the truth. Unemployment in the U.S is around 4.5% & those folks won't work if you pointed a gun to their heads.

The Housing Authority can house folks for very little rent if unemployed. I look at the want ads in the Ledger & there are jobs out there. If the applicant can't pass a drug test....well.....that's another argument.

Employers don't want to hire drug addicts.

Now to the unemployed.........there are jobs out there that isn't in the paper. Word of mouth & friends are who most folks gets their jobs from. Ever heard of Headhunters??

Yes, they are out there for those who wants to work.

If you're unemployed......try this.

Get up tomorrow morning put some nice clothes on & go out to a place of employment. Let's say it's......Green Tokai, Stober, etc.

Walk in there at 9am & ask for the person who is in charge of hiring. Convince that person you're ready to work any shift & are willing to do any job they want done......even if it's the worse job there. If they say they'll get in touch with you, thank them, leave & go back the next morning.

.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.

Then convince them you'll show up daily for work.
Try this for several employers ( after all, you are unemployed with lot's of time, right? ) & eventually you'll get selected.

You'll get hired.

Remember, employers are always looking for reliable hard working dedicated workers. All you need to do is convince them you're the person for the job..........see ya mark
you've never fell on hard times!/ how about your place of employment, to get a job! are they hiring?

[whodey9]

.............sorry, being homeless and/or unemployed in Maysville is a personal problem. I'm sure some libs here will argue with me over this, but, it's the truth. Unemployment in the U.S is around 4.5% & those folks won't work if you pointed a gun to their heads.

The Housing Authority can house folks for very little rent if unemployed. I look at the want ads in the Ledger & there are jobs out there. If the applicant can't pass a drug test....well.....that's another argument.

Employers don't want to hire drug addicts.

Now to the unemployed.........there are jobs out there that isn't in the paper. Word of mouth & friends are who most folks gets their jobs from. Ever heard of Headhunters??

Yes, they are out there for those who wants to work.

If you're unemployed......try this.

Get up tomorrow morning put some nice clothes on & go out to a place of employment. Let's say it's......Green Tokai, Stober, etc.

Walk in there at 9am & ask for the person who is in charge of hiring. Convince that person you're ready to work any shift & are willing to do any job they want done......even if it's the worse job there. If they say they'll get in touch with you, thank them, leave & go back the next morning.

.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.

Then convince them you'll show up daily for work.
Try this for several employers ( after all, you are unemployed with lot's of time, right? ) & eventually you'll get selected.

You'll get hired.

Remember, employers are always looking for reliable hard working dedicated workers. All you need to do is convince them you're the person for the job..........see ya mark


Do what....everyone falls on hard times from time to time.....Its easy for someone to judge, but there are physically and mentally challenged people that can't get jobs and are out on the streets. Not everyone is as fortunate to walk into work and pickup a check each week or every other week. Some of our vets are unable to get jobs because they are physically challenged and for a time people can't find immediate jobs therefore they are homeless. No silver spoons here born in the mouth. Have you ever been in the unemployment line, how can you go out on a limb unless you have been there......I don't know maybe you have been but then again I doubt you would post like this.

[mark]

...............no, my place of employment isn't hiring.

To get a job where I work takes a wing & a prayer. You must pass a tough test & wait about 10+ years to get a chance to be employed. I started in Cincy Ohio & did just what I said above to get transferred here..........drove my boss crazy till they said OK.

Before that, I was a telephone bill collector & a good one at that. Not too much physical work there, just persistent phone calling to track down debtors.............and...........get them to pay past due bills.

We only had 26 collectors at that office................and.............room to hire 25 more.

The problem was.............they paid 8.00 per hour plus commission ( I did see some commission checks for $2800.00 -- $3000.00 per month ) & they couldn't hire any more than 26 collectors, even with daily ads in the Cincy Enquirer.

Annual salaries there were minimum $25,000 & up if you wanted to work.

We had an ol' joke at that office.

We didn't bother remembering the new hire's name unless they were there 30 days.

Sad but true.

There IS work out there, but, it won't come looking for you.

One has to get out there & seek it............see ya mark

[whodey9]

...............no, my place of employment isn't hiring.

To get a job where I work takes a wing & a prayer. You must pass a tough test & wait about 10+ years to get a chance to be employed. I started in Cincy Ohio & did just what I said above to get transferred here..........drove my boss crazy till they said OK.

Before that, I was a telephone bill collector & a good one at that. Not too much physical work there, just persistent phone calling to track down debtors.............and...........get them to pay past due bills.

We only had 26 collectors at that office................and.............room to hire 25 more.

The problem was.............they paid 8.00 per hour plus commission ( I did see some commission checks for $2800.00 -- $3000.00 per month ) & they couldn't hire any more than 26 collectors, even with daily ads in the Cincy Enquirer.

Annual salaries there were minimum $25,000 & up if you wanted to work.

We had an ol' joke at that office.

We didn't bother remembering the new hire's name unless they were there 30 days.

Sad but true.

There IS work out there, but, it won't come looking for you.

One has to get out there & seek it............see ya mark

Bill collectors........those phone calls are annoying

[ponto]

You'll get hired.

Remember, employers are always looking for reliable hard working dedicated workers. All you need to do is convince them you're the person for the job..........see ya mark


What a crock............

The amount of money required to visit these businesses without any hope of being hired is ridiculous.

Your right about having a lot of time to make these visits, but the rudeness of the hired help and the cost of transportation makes your plan seem unrealistic.

I dare you or anyone reading this to name one place in this town that would hire a 59 year old, drug free, average person with a decent education to a job that pays enough money for a car payment ($250), house payment/rent ($500), insurance ($100), utilities ($250), phone ($50), cable TV/ INTERNET ($50) groceries/food ($600), and spendable income ($200) to support a meager lifestyle.

This works out to around $500 a week take home pay and would be considered average in today's economy.

From this, one would be required to pay a $100 a week or $5,200 a year in local, state and federal taxes.

[Sofa King]

.............sorry, being homeless and/or unemployed in Maysville is a personal problem. I'm sure some libs here will argue with me over this, but, it's the truth. Unemployment in the U.S is around 4.5% & those folks won't work if you pointed a gun to their heads.

The Housing Authority can house folks for very little rent if unemployed. I look at the want ads in the Ledger & there are jobs out there. If the applicant can't pass a drug test....well.....that's another argument.

Employers don't want to hire drug addicts.

Now to the unemployed.........there are jobs out there that isn't in the paper. Word of mouth & friends are who most folks gets their jobs from. Ever heard of Headhunters??

Yes, they are out there for those who wants to work.

If you're unemployed......try this.

Get up tomorrow morning put some nice clothes on & go out to a place of employment. Let's say it's......Green Tokai, Stober, etc.

Walk in there at 9am & ask for the person who is in charge of hiring. Convince that person you're ready to work any shift & are willing to do any job they want done......even if it's the worse job there. If they say they'll get in touch with you, thank them, leave & go back the next morning.

.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.

Then convince them you'll show up daily for work.
Try this for several employers ( after all, you are unemployed with lot's of time, right? ) & eventually you'll get selected.

You'll get hired.

Remember, employers are always looking for reliable hard working dedicated workers. All you need to do is convince them you're the person for the job..........see ya mark

Not a very Christian-like view.........

[Anonymous Coward]

First, Mark you and I usually see eye to eye, but lately wow are we on polar opposites.
Being homeless is a personal problem?? WOW… that was way out in left field. I thought that you professed to be a Christian!
To get a job at those plants you cannot just walk in, you must go to an employment place like Kelly or Nesco. And like Ponto says the gas is ridiculous.

As for working any shift? That is not always possible; some people have children and no family to watch them, or day care that is open for those 3rd shift positions.
Secondly, the housing authority does not help everyone; there are many hoops you must jump through to get a home there.

[TheMan]

I would like to hear from our local law enforcement on the steps taken when a person is found camping out in Mason County, what is done with them?

How often does this happen?

How many people actually are referred to the downtown mission and how many referrals do they get from local law enforcement.

Besides the mission, where do the homeless go for shelter in Mason County?


Been here more than a few years in the law enforcement area. On occasions I have ran into homeless people, only one was actually camping out. The rest were either trying to solicit donations or hitch a ride outta town. This doesn't happen very often, but to put a number on the occurrence would be impossible for me. ( Maybe 1 in every 2000 calls I take.) But the ones that I have dealt with I take them to the mission and they welcome them with open arms. But they make it very clear what the rules are. Some follow them until they get back on their feet, some are kicked out the same day.

Having the small town mentality that our city has, most of our "resident" homeless find shelter with friends and family. Jumping from one house to the next. So most of what I deal with are the ones passing through or looking for a hand out.

As far as other alternatives, I know of none for the home town homeless. There is, however, an alternate source for people passing through. The Maysville Ministerial Association provides out of towner's that are low on cash and down on their luck with a night's stay at a hotel, and a few bucks for gas to get them on their way.

Hope this helps Ponto..

[interestedreader]

Everyone has the potential to lose their employment - companies leave, businesses shut down, or cut back - even judges lose elections. And if you are over forty with experience it becomes more challenging to find a job b/c, even though you may be reliable and show up for work every day, you are also a much more expensive hire. You can hire a young kid for much less - and even though they may not last for long, many employers do not see that in the long run it costs them more not to hire the more experienced and expensive person (since they only have to train one person who will stay and show up).

But, that being said, there are too many young people who drop out of school, no job no prosepects and even McDonalds wants people to show up, be clean and on time and work hard - and for a reasonable wage. But kids think they are entiled to a job that provides them with enough money to have TVs Cable, cars, expensive "toys", etc.

[Rebelyell]

What a crock............

The amount of money required to visit these businesses without any hope of being hired is ridiculous.

Your right about having a lot of time to make these visits, but the rudeness of the hired help and the cost of transportation makes your plan seem unrealistic.

I dare you or anyone reading this to name one place in this town that would hire a 59 year old, drug free, average person with a decent education to a job that pays enough money for a car payment ($250), house payment/rent ($500), insurance ($100), utilities ($250), phone ($50), cable TV/ INTERNET ($50) groceries/food ($600), and spendable income ($200) to support a meager lifestyle.

This works out to around $500 a week take home pay and would be considered average in today's economy.

From this, one would be required to pay a $100 a week or $5,200 a year in local, state and federal taxes.
Ponto,

Not everyone can be rich and live a rich lifestyle. Maysville is full of very nice, affordable apartments in the $200-250 range. Why does your 59-year-old need such a fancy place? A phone costs $17 per month, why spend $50? Why $600 per month for food? Is this for a family of eight?

This last item really catches my eye. Do you ever shop for food? While I cringe at the price of lobster, filet and other such luxury goods, I find basic foodstuffs in this country to be priced so low as to be virtually free.

There is a difference, in my view, between destitution and not being able to afford the lifestyle one finds comfortable and desireable.

[Rebelyell]

Not a very Christian-like view.........
I read Mark's post, and I found nothing at all un-Christian about it.

I really don't believe Christ's message was about giving out free food and lodging to able-bodied people who just wouldn't work. In fact, I personally believe those who do this are doing Satan's work.

[whodey9]

I read Mark's post, and I found nothing at all un-Christian about it.

I really don't believe Christ's message was about giving out free food and lodging to able-bodied people who just wouldn't work. In fact, I personally believe those who do this are doing Satan's work.

Huh?....

[Rebelyell]

Huh?....
I'll gladly repeat myself. SofaKingWhat said Mark's views were not Christianlike, when in fact they were. I was pointing this out.

Christ never said to give to able-bodied people who just refuse to work. I think it is a sin to do so.

[mark]

Not a very Christian-like view.........


.............Not a very Christian-like view??

Hmmm, please explain that comment.

What's wrong with getting out & looking for work?

Even my Bible says this:

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

Mt family & I like to eat, so, I'll get out there & work...........see ya mark

[mark]

What a crock............

The amount of money required to visit these businesses without any hope of being hired is ridiculous.

Your right about having a lot of time to make these visits, but the rudeness of the hired help and the cost of transportation makes your plan seem unrealistic.

I dare you or anyone reading this to name one place in this town that would hire a 59 year old, drug free, average person with a decent education to a job that pays enough money for a car payment ($250), house payment/rent ($500), insurance ($100), utilities ($250), phone ($50), cable TV/ INTERNET ($50) groceries/food ($600), and spendable income ($200) to support a meager lifestyle.

This works out to around $500 a week take home pay and would be considered average in today's economy.

From this, one would be required to pay a $100 a week or $5,200 a year in local, state and federal taxes.


You are right.............for around here. To get that type of wages, one must drive to the city & convince a larger business you're worth their time.............see ya mark

[mark]

First, Mark you and I usually see eye to eye, but lately wow are we on polar opposites.
Being homeless is a personal problem?? WOW… that was way out in left field. I thought that you professed to be a Christian!


Sorry we don't see eye to eye on this one. Yes, I think it's a personal problem & here's why. In America, there is very few excuses to be homeless. Most of the time a person professing to be homeless usually does so on their own. Even the libs here would agree with me on this one..........if someone wants help in any way, it's out there for the asking. There are AA , NA, housing authorities, food stamps, WIC, free cheese, free shots, SSI, welfare & lot's of other types of help out there. If a person is truly homeless & has too much pride to ask...............well..........none of us can help them either. The homeless cannot get out of their slump by waiting for someone to get them a job. They must get out there like the rest of us. Sorry, IMO, there nothing anti-Christian saying that.

I help folks in need whenever possible. I spent last Sunday afternoon with Boy Scouts collecting literally car loads of food for the homeless or whomever needs it.............or...........asks for it.

Check it out:

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l310/yardhunter/usedoncepics001.jpg

I hope some of the homeless gets some of that large table full on Saturday.




As for working any shift? That is not always possible; some people have children and no family to watch them, or day care that is open for those 3rd shift positions.
Secondly, the housing authority does not help everyone; there are many hoops you must jump through to get a home there.


This maybe true, however, not all of us has a 9-5 job. Most start up job are lousy hours. Those that excel usually get better jobs and/or better hours eventually.


Secondly, the housing authority does not help everyone; there are many hoops you must jump through to get a home there.

If you have a criminal record, drug addiction, or owe the Housing Authority back rent, you are right....there are many hoops to jump thru to get there.

If you have none of the above, you are welcome & encouraged to apply for housing.

I get that info 1st hand..............see ya mark

[Daphne]

Why $600 per month for food? Is this for a family of eight?

This last item really catches my eye. Do you ever shop for food?

Do you really think you can feed eight people for $2.65 each a day? That won't even get a complete meal at McD's, you need at least $3.18 for that and that's just one meal.

I guess you really don't shop for groceries much. $600 a month boils down to basically $10.00 per day for 2 people, so $20.00 a day. I don't think I would consider that being lobster and filet. I don't think this budget has the budget for luxury.

My budget for groceries runs about $1200.00 for a family of four, this is basically $10.00 a day per person with about $80.00 flexiblity due to price fluxuation or special occasions such as B-Days, Thanksgiving etc.

[ponto]

Rebelyell said:
Not everyone can be rich and live a rich lifestyle. Maysville is full of very nice, affordable apartments in the $200-250 range. Why does your 59-year-old need such a fancy place? A phone costs $17 per month, why spend $50? Why $600 per month for food? Is this for a family of eight?


Ponto Says--OK, I will revise the budget, the 59 year old can really be any age. I almost went on a tangent about hiring old people.....

Lord knows what a great, luxurious place you can rent in Maysville for $500 month. Maybe an old frame house. So I will move into that $50 a week place you think is so great.

I will now deal in after tax income.

$7.00 an hour = $5.60 after taxes.

40 hours = $224.00 per week (most places won't give you a full 40 hours)

Gas to get to work $15.00
food 7 days $100.00
rent $50.00
car pmt. $50.00
car insurance $10.00
__________
$225.00


no home phone
no cable
no internet
no pets
no electric
no water
no gas
no movies
no cell phone
no heat or A/C
no______
no__________
no_______

Hard working, honest people deserve better than what is being offered in this town.

If you own a business, take a good hard look at what you are paying the people who work for and with you.

You will notice there is not a lot of money for work clothes, personal hygiene items, tools of your trade and all the other things employers expect from the labor population.

PS - And that showing up every day to show people are dedicated you are only cost $75 a week while you are being paid nothing.

[Sofa King]

.............Not a very Christian-like view??

Hmmm, please explain that comment.

What's wrong with getting out & looking for work?

Even my Bible says this:

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

Mt family & I like to eat, so, I'll get out there & work...........see ya mark

Your Bible also says this:
Leviticus 25:35

35'Now in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you.

Of Course your bible also says this:

Matthew 6:2
2"So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.


Of Course there are so many contradictions in there that we could do this for eternity.

Oh and what are these "libs" you keep referring to?

Fact is, I still find it hypocritical to say it is a personal problem not a societal one.

[kenny2567]

How well do you think our area holds up with regards to Homeless and the Unemployed in our area.

In the past election, many candidate made claims on both sides of the fence. Some concerned that the 4%+ figure our area is rated at are too low. Others claiming that the figure is great for a national level.

As a member of the community, were do you think we rate?
if you want to see how things really are in are town come to the food bank on pelham and forest ave on tuseday night from 6pm to 8 pm and you see for your self you may be shocked ive run the food bank for the last 4 years and it has got really big come take a look
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rebelyell]

Do you really think you can feed eight people for $2.65 each a day? That won't even get a complete meal at McD's, you need at least $3.18 for that and that's just one meal.

I guess you really don't shop for groceries much. $600 a month boils down to basically $10.00 per day for 2 people, so $20.00 a day. I don't think I would consider that being lobster and filet. I don't think this budget has the budget for luxury.

My budget for groceries runs about $1200.00 for a family of four, this is basically $10.00 a day per person with about $80.00 flexiblity due to price fluxuation or special occasions such as B-Days, Thanksgiving etc.
Daphne, all I can say is you are spending a lot of money on groceries. The $600 figure was cited as the grocery bill for a single person, and I was making light of it, but I do think you could feed a family of eight on $600 per month.

Let me be plain. I would much rather make a lot of money and not worry about how much I spend on groceries. I am not suggesting that having to struggle to make ends meet is great fun. But basic foods are really, really cheap.

Some examples: I recently purchased a 25-pound bag of rice for $5. It contains 250 servings with each serving having 150 calories. That comes to two cents per serving, or 15 cents per 2,250 calories. I am not suggesting one live on rice alone -- dried beans are dirt cheap, as are potatoes and pasta. Flour for baking is really cheap. Eggs cost about six cents apiece. A six-pound bag of penne pasta can be had for under $3. Potatoes often sell for little of nothing.

To answer your question, yes I think I could feed eight people on $2.65 each per day. Many do it for much less. It would be a basic diet with few prepared foods and few or no restaurant meals, so it would be a very healthy diet.

If you are really spending $1,200 per month on food, then I must say I think a family of eight could almost live off your table scraps!

[mark]

Oh and what are these "libs" you keep referring to?

Fact is, I still find it hypocritical to say it is a personal problem not a societal one.


WOW!! Excellent post with the scriptures, I love it. You are right in saying the Bible verses can be thrown back & forth.

Regarding the libs, most libs (especially the flaming liberals ) doesn't want the homeless to get better. I have no problem helping a person who wants to help themself, that's Biblical. However, If all the homeless gets up on their feet economically & socially, the social workers will eventually have NO job. We all know that won't happen.

Regarding the personal problem statement......
I may not have explained myself very well. I feel it's a personal problem because............it's a issue of choice.


One has basically two choices on this earth.

1. They can stay at the bottom of the economic ladder & await for someone to dress them, feed them, etc.

2. Or............one can pull up his boot straps & get out there & participate in society like the rest of us. There is no excuse for normal Americans to be homeless in this great country. America is the best place on the planet to make something of yourself. It has been tried & tested for over 200 years by people all over the world.

Most people that is reading this post chose the 2nd option.

The choice is still theirs...........hence.......it's a personal problem..........see ya mark

[Chuck]

Everyone needs stay on topic. It is hard to get opinions and take a poll when everyone is jumping all over each other.

You can argue all you want. If there are 16,000 jobs in the area and 17,000 population 1000 people will be unemployed and homeless. Doesn't take a college graduate to do that math.

We now have 2 pages of hate mail complaining about how to employee a few hundred people when there are not but 5 jobs listed in the paper they would be qualified for.

Nothing that really addresses the issue cause there is NOTHING available for these people.

[Sofa King]

WOW!! Excellent post with the scriptures, I love it. You are right in saying the Bible verses can be thrown back & forth.

Regarding the libs, most libs (especially the flaming liberals ) doesn't want the homeless to get better. I have no problem helping a person who wants to help themself, that's Biblical. However, If all the homeless gets up on their feet economically & socially, the social workers will eventually have NO job. We all know that won't happen.

I really don't under stand this statement. I've read it several times not but the first sentence just don't make sense to me. Are you saying that homeless are job security for some people? And therefore those people (Social workers) don't what the homeless issue fixed? Social Workers not only deal with homeless people, they deal with family issues as well. Trust me. If the homeless issue was resolved Social Workers would still have plenty to do.

Regarding the personal problem statement......
I may not have explained myself very well. I feel it's a personal problem because............it's a issue of choice.


One has basically two choices on this earth.

1. They can stay at the bottom of the economic ladder & await for someone to dress them, feed them, etc.

2. Or............one can pull up his boot straps & get out there & participate in society like the rest of us. There is no excuse for normal Americans to be homeless in this great country. America is the best place on the planet to make something of yourself. It has been tried & tested for over 200 years by people all over the world.

Most people that is reading this post chose the 2nd option.

The choice is still theirs...........hence.......it's a personal problem..........see ya mark

While I totally agree that there are people that depend on the system to take care of them. I also believe that there are people that just plain fall on hard times. As a matter of fact, my mother was one of those people when I was little. My mother needed a little assistance getting back on her feet. Once she did, she never looked back. Had that program not been available, society would have given up on a good woman that had allot to give back. ( I don't think this is the issue that we are not agreeing on.)

I think your statement would be better said " The homeless who choose to be homeless is a personal problem." That, I would agree with. But it don't take a "flaming lib" to be a caring moral person who wants to help people in need.

[mark]

I really don't under stand this statement. .

Have you ever seen a social worker take anyone off the welfare system unless forced to??

I haven't. That's where the job security comes in.




I think your statement would be better said " The homeless who choose to be homeless is a personal problem." That, I would agree with. But it don't take a "flaming lib" to be a caring moral person who wants to help people in need.

OK, I accept the above statement. However, even those that are homeless that doesn't choose to be, shouldn't stay there forever. When or if they decide to move from hard times to thinking they just have "bad luck", well, that's where I think it gets back into a personal problem.

Remember, I believe all of us has only 2 choices on this ol' earth regarding this issue.

We either make it happen or we don't.

Great debate, I love it........see ya mark

[interestedreader]

I have seen social workers expend numerous hours and much of their personal time to help folks get on their feet - to locate appropriate housing, help locate employment, help find services to assist with child care and transportation.

We have homeless and we have the unemployed - both those who want to work and those who do not- how do we help those who want to be productive and how do we encourage those who do not to become productive citizens?

Calling them name does not help.

Didn't some one write - "no man is an island, no man stands alone, each man's joy is joy to me, each man's pain is my own. We need one another and I will defend each man as my bother each man as my own." Amen

[Rebelyell]

I have to say after reading all of these posts, including mine, that I think there is a problem of defining exactly what homeless of unemployed means.

For example, many people count as homeless someone who is without a place to live and must count on the kindness of relatives for a place to stay. I don't. An interesting note: In cities, every time new homeless shelters open up, the homeless population increases, as relatives throw their often-difficult homeless kin out, knowing there will be shelter space for them.

The overwhelming majority of single homeless people are either mentally ill or alcohol or drug abusers. If they are mentally ill they should be forced into treatment, and institutionalized if necessary. If they are drinking or using drugs in public they should be thrown in jail. This would solve most of the urban homeless problem.

Is a person who feels his skills are worth $12-an-hour but refuses to take a $6-an-hour job unemployed? If so, Maysville has an unemployment problem, as do most places. But let's face it, anyone who is neat, clean, literate and well-mannered can get a job here, even if it might be a low-wage one. Maysville is a low-wage, low-cost town. I think one would be much better off making $9 an hour in Maysville than $12 in Cincinnati or Dayton, for example.

I'm sure Maysville has plenty of people who might be without a place to live and must rely on the kindness of friends or relatives, perhaps temporarily. I'm sure there are plenty of people who are not able to get a job they they believe matches their skill level, and are thus unemployed.

BUT, does Maysville have local people forced to live on the streets, no. Does Maysville have any clean, polite, hard-working people unable to get any job? Few, if any.

[tkcomer]

I voted “No Clue” because I don’t have a clue when it comes to the homeless. I mean, I don’t see panhandlers everywhere. I’m not even sure about the unemployed. I do see a lot of people looking for jobs that pay more and/or have more hours than where they are working at right now. A person that only works 25 to 30 hours a week is not considered unemployed. I can’t remember the figure, but the number of kids that are eligible for reduced/free lunches was unbelievable. To me, that’s a better indicator of what’s going on in an area. And yes, a lot of people won’t work. Hard to blame them. Last I saw, it takes at least 12 bucks an hour to “purchase” the benefits you get from the government. And if I remember right, that’s for an individual.

[TheMan]

Here's the problem. The poll say homeless AND unemployed. There is an unemployment problem. Think of the many two income families that are now one income families. Stay at home mom's or dad's by virtue of no gainful employment that it makes more sense to stay at home and have less. Or the unemployed living with mom and day now, when at one time they had their own place and was moderately independent from their family.

Case in point: My wife lost her job as part of the State cutbacks. She could have went and worked some low wage job until something better came along. But we found this challenge in our lives as an opportunity. Instead of going back to work, we tightened our belts and she went back to school. She is working toward a nursing degree as we speak, and the rewards will far outweigh the sacrifices we are making as we speak.

In my profession, I meet allot of people who have hit hard times. Some by their own hand, others, by no fault of their own. I have met more than a few people who are homeless but are employed, and many that have a place to stay but are unemployed. I just think that this issue can not be debated together, but rather should be two totally different issues. ( Sorry Chuck)

[mark]

I have to say after reading all of these posts, including mine, that I think there is a problem of defining exactly what homeless of unemployed means.

For example, many people count as homeless someone who is without a place to live and must count on the kindness of relatives for a place to stay. I don't. An interesting note: In cities, every time new homeless shelters open up, the homeless population increases, as relatives throw their often-difficult homeless kin out, knowing there will be shelter space for them.

The overwhelming majority of single homeless people are either mentally ill or alcohol or drug abusers. If they are mentally ill they should be forced into treatment, and institutionalized if necessary. If they are drinking or using drugs in public they should be thrown in jail. This would solve most of the urban homeless problem.

Is a person who feels his skills are worth $12-an-hour but refuses to take a $6-an-hour job unemployed? If so, Maysville has an unemployment problem, as do most places. But let's face it, anyone who is neat, clean, literate and well-mannered can get a job here, even if it might be a low-wage one. Maysville is a low-wage, low-cost town. I think one would be much better off making $9 an hour in Maysville than $12 in Cincinnati or Dayton, for example.

I'm sure Maysville has plenty of people who might be without a place to live and must rely on the kindness of friends or relatives, perhaps temporarily. I'm sure there are plenty of people who are not able to get a job they they believe matches their skill level, and are thus unemployed.

BUT, does Maysville have local people forced to live on the streets, no. Does Maysville have any clean, polite, hard-working people unable to get any job? Few, if any.


WOW, that's a post after my own thinking..............see ya mark

[mark]

Case in point: My wife lost her job as part of the State cutbacks. She could have went and worked some low wage job until something better came along. But we found this challenge in our lives as an opportunity. Instead of going back to work, we tightened our belts and she went back to school. She is working toward a nursing degree as we speak, and the rewards will far outweigh the sacrifices we are making as we speak.



This is a prime example of what I've been talking about on this thread.

TheMan's wife could have went out & collected the free cheese, welfare, food stamps & who know what else the gov't hands out................or...............she could get up off her duff & make something of herself.

As I've said earlier, One has basically two choices on this earth.
( copied from earlier post )

1. They can stay at the bottom of the economic ladder & await for someone to dress them, feed them, etc.

2. Or............one can pull up his boot straps & get out there & participate in society like the rest of us. There is no excuse for normal Americans to be homeless in this great country. America is the best place on the planet to make something of yourself. It has been tried & tested for over 200 years by people all over the world.

Most people that is reading this post chose the 2nd option.

..............and that's what TheMan's wife did.

Thanks TheMan for the post............and..........good luck to you & your wife.............see ya mark

[TheMan]

An opportunity knocked.. And this time I was awake to answer the door...

But the free cheese is the bomb man... I considered welfare just for the cheese!

[kdown]

Here are the 2005 stats for the Buffalo Trace, Gateway area
Population over 16 = 107,121
Employed = 55,548
Unemployed = 5,589 = 9.1% National Ave = 5.3%

Obviously, there is an unemployment problem in the area

[tkcomer]

Wow, I didn’t realize it was that high.

[TheMan]

Here are the 2005 stats for the Buffalo Trace, Gateway area
Population over 16 = 107,121
Employed = 55,548
Unemployed = 5,589 = 9.1% National Ave = 5.3%

Obviously, there is an unemployment problem in the area


Never argued that point.. I just argued the homeless point. Thus the reason I think they should be in separate threads..

[Chuck]

The 2 actually go hand in had for this thread. The reason being is I am looking for a conversation that shows the line. The line that branches unemployment and homeless.

Not talking about the chronic unemployed or the chronic homeless. I am talking about people that would work if they had the opportunity.

To find these people you would need to take off the rose colored glasses that only allow you to see in black and white. You would have to quit being judgmental and except the people and the facts as they are and not funnel people into a category.

People that have mental issues are more than likely chronic homeless.
People that have been in the welfare system for more than 5 years are likely to be chronically unemployed.
People that had a job 4 years ago and lost the job, there hose and their pride are more than likely Unemployed and Homeless.

This post is not judgmental or is it my intent spark anger. I am not even trying to be condescending. It is my intent to get you to open your mind. See the people not the category.

If 1000 people are unemployed and 500 of them are homeless. 250 of them are only unemployed and Homeless.

If you look you will see them.

[Eddie]

There's a lot of good thoughts within this tread. I find myself leaning more towards Mark's views, in as much as I do think most unemployed people are unemployed by choice. You know, working at a fast food place may not be our choice of jobs, but it is a job none the less.
That's where the American welfare system fails. Those are the people that should be receiving government help. Those that are working, but simply not making enough to live. I actually know people who draw more money than I make a month, simply because they have a drinking problem, and I work 60+ hours a week. That's just plain wrong. I wonder, of the 9.1 percent that's unemployed, just how many are trying to find work, how long they've been unemployed, and what other income they have.
I also know of people who are listed as unemployed, but work jobs that pay them under the table, simply so they can keep drawing their government checks.

[kdown]

Kentucky Council On Homeless
2005 preliminary data states there are approx 19,141 persons who experience homelessness each year in Kentucky. Those who are chronically homeless represent approx one-quarter of the homeless population; however they consume 50% of the homeless resources.

[TheMan]

Lets not aSSume that just because your unemployed you are receiving government assistance.My grandmother never drew a check, yet she never relied on the government.. She was a homemaker. And those drawing unemployment, in my opinion have paid for that service in advance.
I'd love to look at everything in black and white. But then we forget about all those people on the gray area. Nothing is simply black and white unless you limit yourself to think so. (Love ya Chuck!)

[Chuck]

Lets not aSSume that just because your unemployed you are receiving government assistance.My grandmother never drew a check, yet she never relied on the government.. She was a homemaker. And those drawing unemployment, in my opinion have paid for that service in advance.
I'd love to look at everything in black and white. But then we forget about all those people on the gray area. Nothing is simply black and white unless you limit yourself to think so. (Love ya Chuck!)

LMBO, Luv ya 2.

I concede that. I couldn't resist the rose colored glasses comment.

You still missed it, you missed it, you missed it.

kdown got it and you missed it,,, BAD. But you close...

lol

Unemployed and Homeless is the gray area. People that want to work but can't find job's. It is a select group that have delete all services that are available to them.

If you have a college degree for a large university McDonald's won't hire you and services you paid for run out. How about the 50 year old man who lost everything in the dot com days.

To be ready to work but no place to take a shower and change clothes.

I know you luv me but if I lost everything tomorrow and need a place for me, the wife and kids would you take us in for the (up to) 6 months it would take for me to recover????

I like to think I have resources to prevent this from happening but you just don't know.

[tkcomer]

Define homeless for me. If I lose my job and camp out at a friend’s (Or family’s) place until I get back on my feet, technically, I’m not homeless. But in reality, “I” don’t have a place of my own. To me, I would be a homeless person mooching off my friend’s generosity. And if that’s considered homeless, there’s a lot of that around here. And if unemployment is truly that high, that’s a huge incentive to hold wages down. We all know this is pretty much a low wage area. That puts a huge amount of families just a few paychecks away from disaster if anything goes wrong. And let’s face it, not everybody has the brains or the means to go to college. The jobs they used to do that supported their families got shipped to another country. Which caused an increase in government assistance. If you want to reduce government assistance, ya gots to find them jobs that pay a decent wage. A lot of people want to work, they just can’t take the chance. I think people misunderstand “proud to be working” versus reality. Should a parent take that low wage job, roll the dice, and pray they or their loved ones don’t get sick?

[Jeremy]

Cure for homelessness: Go down to the library and hop on the Internet. Post a picture of a hot blond to your MySpace profile, say it's you, and add a PayPal donation button.

:D

[Eddie]

Cure for homelessness: Go down to the library and hop on the Internet. Post a picture of a hot blond to your MySpace profile, say it's you, and add a PayPal donation button.

:D

Jeremy, Thats one of the smartest ideas I've seen posted on this site for some time. You should run for office some day, I'd vote for ya.

[TheMan]

LMBO, Luv ya 2.

I concede that. I couldn't resist the rose colored glasses comment.

You still missed it, you missed it, you missed it.

kdown got it and you missed it,,, BAD. But you close...

lol

Unemployed and Homeless is the gray area. People that want to work but can't find job's. It is a select group that have delete all services that are available to them.

If you have a college degree for a large university McDonald's won't hire you and services you paid for run out. How about the 50 year old man who lost everything in the dot com days.

To be ready to work but no place to take a shower and change clothes.

I know you luv me but if I lost everything tomorrow and need a place for me, the wife and kids would you take us in for the (up to) 6 months it would take for me to recover????

I like to think I have resources to prevent this from happening but you just don't know.


Of course I would sir.. If ya don't mind sleeping on the floor...;)

[TheMan]

My only concern with the statistics is that it encompasses ALL unemployment and ALL homelessness. There are good people who choose to be unemployed to raise their children. These people are included in the statistics. There are unemployed going to school full time. These people are also included in the statistics. Same with the homeless situation. I'm not trying to ague the points here, but there are many things to take into consideration when debating these two important issues.

And Remember:

"Statistics: The only science that enables different experts using the same figures to draw different conclusions."

[Eddie]

My only concern with the statistics is that it encompasses ALL unemployment and ALL homelessness. There are good people who choose to be unemployed to raise their children. These people are included in the statistics. There are unemployed going to school full time. These people are also included in the statistics. Same with the homeless situation. I'm not trying to ague the points here, but there are many things to take into consideration when debating these two important issues.

And Remember:

"Statistics: The only science that enables different experts using the same figures to draw different conclusions."

I thought at some point you fell off the unemployment radar screen. I don't recall the time frame, but I think after you've been unemployed and are not seeking employment, you no longer count in the unemployment statistic.

[TheMan]

"Statistics: The only science that enables different experts using the same figures to draw different conclusions."

[Jeremy]

Jeremy, Thats one of the smartest ideas I've seen posted on this site for some time. You should run for office some day, I'd vote for ya.

Considering that my suggestion is probably illegal, I'd fit right in with the elected officials :cool:

[interestedreader]

Any of you work at Polly's yesterday? I did and saw an outpouring of faith, love and a helping hand to those in need. One of the things that Polly says every year before we deliver meals is that there are those out there who have no place to go - or are afraid to ask for a helping hand - so be kind, offer a smile, the food and be on the lookout for those who need more.

How many of you particiapate in the food drives - to help stock the Food Bank - we contribute every Sunday at least a can or two.

How many of you take your cast offs to the Women's Crisis Center to help the families there get on their feet - or provide toiletries?

Each of these serve people who are not the chronic unemployed or chronic homeless - but those who got a tough break, and are trying. Not all of us have a spouse to rely on when we lose a job or have the resources to return to school (buth thank goodness for those who do- especially in nursing!!!).

During the depression my grandparents - who had very little themselves- not even a car, rented their home - always helped those who came to their door in need. Everyone knew it could happen to them. More caring and less judgment would be a good thing for us all.

[jlmer]

HOMELESS???????? my son always wanted to be a police officer, just finish five years of college ,,, in debt about 50,000 , three degree, dean list five every year, now he ready, applied at maysville p.d. they are going to hire two , took test passed, not hired. word is that they allready had two guys pick out that they were going to hire,test was just a put on, the ones hire, one work at jail,, these other dad is sheriff in another county , sent his son to police acadeny in richmond under the dept he work for , but his son didnt work for him ?????????????????????????????? just sent him to school so he could get on maysville,,, so maysville does not want college boys,,or girl,,, they want good old boys,, my son has offered from kentucky state police and lexington police , but wanted to return to maysville where he was born and raised , to start his family , but he mess up and went to college he should had stay here and got a job at the jail,,, homeless, no he will live with mom and dad. but no job , but he will go to work at a fast food place until something come along,,,,,

[mark]

HOMELESS???????? my son always wanted to be a police officer, just finish five years of college ,,, in debt about 50,000 , three degree, dean list five every year, now he ready, applied at maysville p.d. they are going to hire two , took test passed, not hired. word is that they allready had two guys pick out that they were going to hire,test was just a put on, the ones hire, one work at jail,, these other dad is sheriff in another county , sent his son to police acadeny in richmond under the dept he work for , but his son didnt work for him ?????????????????????????????? just sent him to school so he could get on maysville,,, so maysville does not want college boys,,or girl,,, they want good old boys,, my son has offered from kentucky state police and lexington police , but wanted to return to maysville where he was born and raised , to start his family , but he mess up and went to college he should had stay here and got a job at the jail,,, homeless, no he will live with mom and dad. but no job , but he will go to work at a fast food place until something come along,,,,,


I think you guys figured out what most of the rest of us around here already know.......


It's not what you know but who you know that gets you a decent job around here. It's been that way for years.

Encourage him, he'll find something good soon..........see ya mark

[TheMan]

Ya call 11 dollars an hour a decent job? working 10 hour shift work and hardly ever get weekends or holidays off? If so then I've got one heck of a job.

And the PD hasn't decided who they are hiring yet. And no, it's not two, it's one. I do not know your son, but from the sound of it, he's serious about his career choice. Sadly, a college education does not mean that an individual is ready for the job. There are allot of things that go into it. including written, physical agility and oral interviews. Blow any one of the three and you re-apply next time.

When I was hired I was an out of towner, no one pulled for me. I nailed all the tests and had prior experience. I suggest if Maysville did not hire him this time, to take one of the other offers. (KSP especially, because the NEVER offer people jobs.) Then once he gets his feet wet that's one less obstacle to over come if he comes home to work.

Just so you know.. 8 of the last ten people hired at the PD were not home town boys, and had no real political ties in Maysville. Maybe if you understood the requirements and the process better you could see that the "good 'ole boy" thing just don't cut it any more.

[TheMan]

Now to the unemployed.........there are jobs out there that isn't in the paper. Word of mouth & friends are who most folks gets their jobs from. Ever heard of Headhunters??

Yes, they are out there for those who wants to work.

If you're unemployed......try this.

Get up tomorrow morning put some nice clothes on & go out to a place of employment. Let's say it's......Green Tokai, Stober, etc.

Walk in there at 9am & ask for the person who is in charge of hiring. Convince that person you're ready to work any shift & are willing to do any job they want done......even if it's the worse job there. If they say they'll get in touch with you, thank them, leave & go back the next morning.

.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.
.............and the next morning.

Then convince them you'll show up daily for work.
Try this for several employers ( after all, you are unemployed with lot's of time, right? ) & eventually you'll get selected.

You'll get hired.

Remember, employers are always looking for reliable hard working dedicated workers. All you need to do is convince them you're the person for the job..........see ya mark

Your last statement kinda contradicted your first there Mark.......;)

[mark]

.............yes, it is.

However, I know of a case in particular ( probably more if I took the time to think about it ) where a fellow I went to school with applied for and got a job at power plant years ago.

The sad part is.............this guy took all short cuts, just barely made it thru school & probably couldn't spell his own name, yet, he had a connection & landed a great paying job for around here in the early 80's.

The PD job is specialized & the good ol' boy probably doesn't apply too well, but, I would have to beg to differ when it comes to factory employment....................see ya mark

[TheMan]

Naw.. I can't argue that point.. I know nothing about the hiring practices of factories.

[Eddie]

I think you guys figured out what most of the rest of us around here already know.......


It's not what you know but who you know that gets you a decent job around here. It's been that way for years.

Encourage him, he'll find something good soon..........see ya mark

Mark, I have to agree, in most cases it is who you know. I worked with a girl who was three fry's short of a happy meal. Couldn't find her way out of a wet paper bag with a flashlight. Got hired at a very good high paying facility here in Maysville. There is no way in the world this idiot could have out scored the others who applied and tested, but she had told co-workers that her aunt was on the hiring board, so she had nothing to worry about. She was right, as she was hired. She lasted two weeks.

[mark]

Mark, I have to agree, in most cases it is who you know. I worked with a girl who was three fry's short of a happy meal. Couldn't find her way out of a wet paper bag with a flashlight. Got hired at a very good high paying facility here in Maysville. There is no way in the world this idiot could have out scored the others who applied and tested, but she had told co-workers that her aunt was on the hiring board, so she had nothing to worry about. She was right, as she was hired. She lasted two weeks.


Lasted 2 weeks?? Hmmm, what a joke. I know of another individual that had a pull & got a high paying job in this area. He worked 3 days, said it was too cold there & quit! I couldn't believe it. Couple of months later, he was hired at another location that was a very well paying job too.

Yes, he quit there too...saying it was too hot to work outside.

He then was hired at another high paying job location ..........and.........the last I heard, he is still there.

I couldn't get 3 high paying jobs in a lifetime let alone 3 of them within 2-3 year's time.

So, I've seen what I'm talking about 1st hand & believe it's true...............see ya mark

[User Name]

jlmer, I would like to congratulate your son on his recent graduation from college. I hope, for his sake, that he did not study criminal justice as a major, but instead got his bachelor's degree in something more practical.

If he did, he's now limited to strictly law enforcement careers, but I would hazard a guess that if he would like to do that, it's entirely possible that he now qualifies for several federal level jobs that probably have a much better pay scale. FBI, ATF, Federal Marshall, etc. His diploma will also be attractive to KSP and KVE. With the state agencies, he'll either be able to live in Maysville right away, or transfer to Mason County quickly.

So, chin up, it's not so bad after all.

[interestedreader]

A criminal justice major does not limit career options at all. Just as a bachelors in english doesn't mean you can only teach english. A criminal justice degree can open all kinds of doors - it all depends on what the individual wants to do . . . and sometimes it is really good to work somewhere out ofthe area for a while, obtaining experience, and then looking for something here. And don't expect your first job to be high paying - expect to make the bottom of the wage scale, work hard and prove you deserve more.

And it has always been the case that connections can help you land a job - fathers hire children, aunts hire nieces, friends recommend people they know to others they know, etc -but its what you do once you are there that keeps you there and moving up the ladder. And then you make connections, which improves your chances for promotions.

And if you are the one that makes a recommendation or uses a connection to help get someone hired, you lose your credibility and have egg on your face when that person leaves after 3 days or two weeks or whatever. Most people are careful about using their connections to "get someone hired".

[saundra_poe]

homless i know there are a few around,unemployed yeah thats a big problem here because in this town to get hired you have to know someone.it does not matter how qualified you are for the job,if you dont fit the type of person they like as a friend your not getting the job.maysvilles biggest problem causing unemployment is simply the big man here is a bios pig

[kdown]

Excuse me. What exactly is a " bios pig "?

[jlmer]

to the man,,,,,,,,, u said maysville is only hiring one........so the boy whose dad is sheriff in another county and the deputy jailer, are not hired..... than why are they picking up uniforms on the 15 day of dec...... maybe iam wrong and if i am i am very sorry, but i dont think i am ...... just a concern parent who want the best for his child

[Jeremy]

Aberdeen is hiring police according to a classified in the Ledger. If that helps.

[TheMan]

They are not. I spoke to Jared Friday and he said he's had no offer. I spoke with Chief today and they have not made an offer. They are still only hiring one, no matter what you say or think. PD can only hire what commission approves, and I am sure you can go back on records and see that they only approved of one. I'm sorry your son didn't get in the final cut. I'm sure that he'll keep trying. If he don't they he really didn't want it in the first place. But I will no longer defend my department against rumors and personal feelings. If the "Other county's Sheriff's son" is hired, it makes perfect sense to me. Thats 18 less weeks we have to invest in a recruit. Economics will get him hired not politics. The deputy jailer? Yeah he has a one up too. He's been part of the system for a while, and proved he knows what's going on on the streets. You call it politics, we call it simple common sense. Again, I am sorry if you feel your son has been wronged. There are well over 200 of departments in Kentucky and literally thousands across this great land of ours. Maysville is not the only place to be a police officer.

On a side note. There have been no uniform orders since the fall order in July. There has been no FTO set up for any recruit. Those two things are a necessity in order to start a job with us.

[Foxy]

jlmer,
First I think you might do more harm than good by coming here and dogging the Police Department. It doesn't not show your son in a good light, not saying that he is wrong, or bad or anything, but by trashing and questioning your son's potential employer cannot be good for him.
Secondly, I agree with The Man, if I were going to hire say a nanny, I would want someone already in that field, there is no training, and I can put her right to work, where as if it was someone with little to no experience I would have to explain how to change a diaper, feed a bottle, and in general it would not be economical to do that, when there is another person that applied and has been a nanny before. I wouldn't care if her mother was Mary Poppins, her experience counts.
Thirdly, for this particular discussion on who you know crap, it is just that, crap. I know a lieutenant, detective, and several officers, I am a criminal justice major, and I got the second highest score on the written test just a couple of months ago. But I didn't do so well on the running around the track thing. (those that know me, know the fastest I run is late)(SHUP)...
anyway, my "knowing the right people" didn't help me a lick! I hope they hire someone with the experience, it means they are faster to be put to work on the streets, not 21 weeks in the academy.
I have a friend that applied twice before they were hired, and it took about 3 years before they were hired, and he was a cop in another county... just something to think about.
Be nicer to those that might hire someone you love....
Best of luck to your son and you.

[TheMan]

Another note to the PD and the rumors surrounding hiring. As of Dec 28th, we will be losing another officer. The Chief asked to go ahead and hire two and city hall refused him that request. So we are still hiring only one and are now 4 or 5 down. That, my friends, isn't even politics. Heck I don't know what you call that.

[Foxy]

I call that messed up! We are a small town, and to keep us safe we need well rested officers that have shifts well spread out and enough cars for them to take home so if there is a problem they can respond no matter where they are and what they are driving!
Come on .... Commissioners I voted for you... DO SOMETHING!!! I will remember how this is handled come the next election year.

[kybikertrash]

As for the factories, I know a lot of people in this town, my parents knew more people, and when I applied at a local fatory they didn't want to hire me because they thought the job was "beneath me" considering I had a college degree and my family background. But I really, really needed a job to pay my bills, so I called the plant manager every other day until he hired me. I did not take anything for granted and worked my butt off and was one of the most productive workers in my unit. In that case, I almost lost out on a job because of "who I knew". I think some people today do not have a good work ethic and they don't want to work, like the person mark spoke of. "Too hot", "too cold" ...always an excuse. People are just lazy. I see this with the younger generation quite a bit. Most are better at "working the sytem" than they are at working. Which brings me to the homeless. I don't see much of a problem with that around here, plenty of government programs to keep them housed and fed.

[jlmer]

first off, my son dont know i even question the hiring, second, i didnt know u werent allowed to question the maysville p.d. i guess now i will be pull over every time i go anywhere, third, the man said, having the school make more sense to him, wow so u say if my son could lied, cheat his way in to school he would have a better chance at the job... wow working in law and lying and cheating ok, u as a police officer should be the one complaing, u should want honest people working the dept.... so what everyone is saying is when a young person get out of high school they should leave maysville and get jobs in other towns, they are not wanted here...... going to the service or going to college and then coming home they are not wanted...... but get out of school mess around a few years , turn 21 , have dad get u in the police academy ,, anyway he can ??????????????? and maysville will want u........... get out of high school mess around a while turn 21 get job at jail, u are now ready to be a police officer.. wow all this money for college and i could have just had him mess around a few years and then work at jail,,,, thank you for your help i have another son in 11 grade, he want to go to e.k.u; but i will save a bunch by not letting him go........... and if i am hurting my son by speaking my opinion than i am sorry again, just trying to fine out some answers, and all i get is people telling me not to talk about the maysville police dept.....

[Foxy]

I think you are taking what we are saying the wrong way. Questioning is OK, just accepting the answer seems to be a problem. The laws change, I know that in Texas you are required to have a degree in criminal justice to be hired on their police force. It just varies. All The Man was saying is that in order to get on the force here, it is not a requirement, and that if you already have the experience then you have a better shot. Which is also what I was saying.
I am glad that your son went to college, and you should be proud. And for your other son, EKU is an great school. EKU's Police academy is the second best school in the NATION for a careerer in law enforcement. Go for it.
All we are saying is that politics has nothing to do with getting on with MPD., and I am glad it is that way.
I have great knowledge of the law, great friends on and off the force, and friends that some would say help me get a job on the MPD, the fact is that I failed the physical test. There is nothing any of my friends could do if I can't pass any part of the testing process. And I am glad for that!!

[Jeremy]

Is a mustache required? Not every cop has one, but it's sort of the trademark. That's how you recognize an off duty police officer. Buzz cut and mustache. :D

(Please don't pull me over. It was just a joke)

[TheMan]

first off, my son dont know i even question the hiring, second, i didnt know u werent allowed to question the maysville p.d. i guess now i will be pull over every time i go anywhere, third, the man said, having the school make more sense to him, wow so u say if my son could lied, cheat his way in to school he would have a better chance at the job... wow working in law and lying and cheating ok, u as a police officer should be the one complaing, u should want honest people working the dept.... so what everyone is saying is when a young person get out of high school they should leave maysville and get jobs in other towns, they are not wanted here...... going to the service or going to college and then coming home they are not wanted...... but get out of school mess around a few years , turn 21 , have dad get u in the police academy ,, anyway he can ??????????????? and maysville will want u........... get out of high school mess around a while turn 21 get job at jail, u are now ready to be a police officer.. wow all this money for college and i could have just had him mess around a few years and then work at jail,,,, thank you for your help i have another son in 11 grade, he want to go to e.k.u; but i will save a bunch by not letting him go........... and if i am hurting my son by speaking my opinion than i am sorry again, just trying to fine out some answers, and all i get is people telling me not to talk about the maysville police dept.....


Your problem is you have the answers they are just not what you want to hear. Besides that and your screwed up statements you call facts. You need to get facts straight first. 2nd you need to grow up a little and not have fits when things don't go your way and 3rd don't make up stories to fit your opinions. The Wagner kid did not just mess around until he was 21. But since you didn't take the time to find out, and instead chose to slander his name, I will not take the time to explain the real facts behind his academy training.

I will say this for the last time.. The police department is only hiring one person and one person only. I'm sorry it is not your kid, and I'm sorry you are taking it so personally. As far as my authority to speak on this matter? Ask any site manager and they will tell you what I do for a living.

As for pulling you over every time you get out on the road. I assure you we have better things to do than to "pick" on you. However just like everyone else, you must abide by the traffic laws or you run the risk of getting pulled over.

If you feel that your son was so badly wronged why sit here and debate it with me? That's why you elect commissioners every two years and a mayor every 4. Take your half-baked facts to them and complain.

I won't even stoop to answer the cheating and lying portion of your rant or the fact that you would honestly consider not giving your other children the education that they deserve.

[mark125]

Another note to the PD and the rumors surrounding hiring. As of Dec 28th, we will be losing another officer. The Chief asked to go ahead and hire two and city hall refused him that request. So we are still hiring only one and are now 4 or 5 down. That, my friends, isn't even politics. Heck I don't know what you call that.
I call it crap and unsafe to the rank and file of the mpd.

[Rebelyell]

first off, my son dont know i even question the hiring, second, i didnt know u werent allowed to question the maysville p.d. i guess now i will be pull over every time i go anywhere, third, the man said, having the school make more sense to him, wow so u say if my son could lied, cheat his way in to school he would have a better chance at the job... wow working in law and lying and cheating ok, u as a police officer should be the one complaing, u should want honest people working the dept.... so what everyone is saying is when a young person get out of high school they should leave maysville and get jobs in other towns, they are not wanted here...... going to the service or going to college and then coming home they are not wanted...... but get out of school mess around a few years , turn 21 , have dad get u in the police academy ,, anyway he can ??????????????? and maysville will want u........... get out of high school mess around a while turn 21 get job at jail, u are now ready to be a police officer.. wow all this money for college and i could have just had him mess around a few years and then work at jail,,,, thank you for your help i have another son in 11 grade, he want to go to e.k.u; but i will save a bunch by not letting him go........... and if i am hurting my son by speaking my opinion than i am sorry again, just trying to fine out some answers, and all i get is people telling me not to talk about the maysville police dept.....
If your son has an attitude anything like yours, you may have left him unemployable for ANY job. Why not ease up and bit and accept that none of us gets exactly what we want in life, or at least not exactly when we want it!

There are tons of factors that go into hiring someone. I personally think working at the jail, where one's work habits can be observed by all and sundry, would be a real asset for someone wanting a police job.

If your son has any potential as a policeman, he can get a job somewhere. If he gets some experience, proves himself to be outstanding, and still wants to work in Maysville, my guess is that eventually he will be able to get a job with local law enforcement.

Unrelated, but you might want to be aware that on your computer keyboard, near the bottom left and bottom right, are large buttons labeled "shift." If you will press one of these while typing it will produce a capital letter, which you should use on the first lettter of each sentence, and also for the first letter of proper nouns. You should make sure your son knows about the "shift" key as well, as not using this will cause job applications to be dismissed out of hand.

[User Name]

jlmer, why the vitriol? Why the half-baked assumptions? Your son was obviously not the best candidate for the job.

Why do you keep bringing up the sheriff's son and the jailer? How do you know all of these things? I mean, you obviously don't know them, you've just gotten some information from someone that is clearly wrong, but you keep interjecting it as if it were relevant.

Here's the best tip I can give you, let your son get as far from you as possible. Your conspiracy theories will only poison him. For goodness' sake, he's at least 21 years old, I assume. Time to let the boy fight his own battles.

[drago]

oh no jlmer now you have the real police and the grammar police after you lol

[jlmer]

OK, I FOUND THE BUTTON. PLEASE DONT PUT MY SON DOWN FOR WHAT I DID.... I WILL SAY IAM SORRY, BUT STILL BELIEVE I AM RIGHT AND TIME WILL TELL, BUT IF IAM WRONG I WILL APOLOGIZE TO THE SHERIFF SON IN THE NEWSPAPER, ( i dont use names here) I UNDERSTOOD THE THREADS TO BE SOMEWHERE TO GET OTHERS OPINIONS ON DIFFERENT THINGS, I SEEM TO HAVE COME OFF AS A HOTHEAD, REALLY NOT THAT WAY, AND I AM SORRY IF I APPEAR THAT WAY, AS FOR ME IAM NOT DUMD, JUST HAVENT BEEN TYPING FOR YEARS,, BUT I HAVE ATTENDED EASTERN KY.; POLICE ACADEMY, (1978) STATE OF NEVADA POLICE ACADEMY (1981) I DO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THINGS WORK,,, I WILL APOLOGIZE TO ANYONE I HURT, I GUESS IAM NOT WELLCOME IN YOUR LITTLE WORLD, NOT EDUCATED ENOUGH FOR U GUYS....... BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH WHAT GOING ON AND ALL WILL SEE. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE BACK, EVEN IF EVERYONE WAS AGAINST ME (LOL) BE SAFE AND HAVE A HAPPY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS ... THANKS

[Rebelyell]

OK, I FOUND THE BUTTON. PLEASE DONT PUT MY SON DOWN FOR WHAT I DID.... I WILL SAY IAM SORRY, BUT STILL BELIEVE I AM RIGHT AND TIME WILL TELL, BUT IF IAM WRONG I WILL APOLOGIZE TO THE SHERIFF SON IN THE NEWSPAPER, ( i dont use names here) I UNDERSTOOD THE THREADS TO BE SOMEWHERE TO GET OTHERS OPINIONS ON DIFFERENT THINGS, I SEEM TO HAVE COME OFF AS A HOTHEAD, REALLY NOT THAT WAY, AND I AM SORRY IF I APPEAR THAT WAY, AS FOR ME IAM NOT DUMD, JUST HAVENT BEEN TYPING FOR YEARS,, BUT I HAVE ATTENDED EASTERN KY.; POLICE ACADEMY, (1978) STATE OF NEVADA POLICE ACADEMY (1981) I DO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THINGS WORK,,, I WILL APOLOGIZE TO ANYONE I HURT, I GUESS IAM NOT WELLCOME IN YOUR LITTLE WORLD, NOT EDUCATED ENOUGH FOR U GUYS....... BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH WHAT GOING ON AND ALL WILL SEE. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE BACK, EVEN IF EVERYONE WAS AGAINST ME (LOL) BE SAFE AND HAVE A HAPPY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS ... THANKS
Jlmer,

Thanks for using capital letters. Unfortunately, when you type in all caps it is known on the Internet as SHOUTING, and is considered impolite. It really is very, very difficult to read anything written in all upper case or all lower case letters. So I would urge you, when posting here or elsewhere, to take the time to capitalize appropriately, namely at the start of a sentence of for proper nouns.

This whole thread started talking about joblessness and such. I hope you will urge your son to take whatever job he can get. Nothing looks better to an employer than honest work well done.

[Chuck]

OK, I FOUND THE BUTTON. PLEASE DONT PUT MY SON DOWN FOR WHAT I DID.... I WILL SAY IAM SORRY, BUT STILL BELIEVE I AM RIGHT AND TIME WILL TELL, BUT IF IAM WRONG I WILL APOLOGIZE TO THE SHERIFF SON IN THE NEWSPAPER, ( i dont use names here) I UNDERSTOOD THE THREADS TO BE SOMEWHERE TO GET OTHERS OPINIONS ON DIFFERENT THINGS, I SEEM TO HAVE COME OFF AS A HOTHEAD, REALLY NOT THAT WAY, AND I AM SORRY IF I APPEAR THAT WAY, AS FOR ME IAM NOT DUMD, JUST HAVENT BEEN TYPING FOR YEARS,, BUT I HAVE ATTENDED EASTERN KY.; POLICE ACADEMY, (1978) STATE OF NEVADA POLICE ACADEMY (1981) I DO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THINGS WORK,,, I WILL APOLOGIZE TO ANYONE I HURT, I GUESS IAM NOT WELLCOME IN YOUR LITTLE WORLD, NOT EDUCATED ENOUGH FOR U GUYS....... BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH WHAT GOING ON AND ALL WILL SEE. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE BACK, EVEN IF EVERYONE WAS AGAINST ME (LOL) BE SAFE AND HAVE A HAPPY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS ... THANKS

No need to apologies. You are allowed to have and voice your opinion here. I am sorry I did not read this thread closer. No matter what people say about grammar we don't grade for it. Only 1 maybe 2 people in 5 years has posted using good grammar so don't take it to heart.

This doesn't mean I agree with anyones opinion only that you are allowed to have one and voice it.

[TheMan]

Who ever spoke to the powers that be over the last few days about the police staffing issue, I thank you. It seems that the city has seen the light and MAY allow us to hire one more person.. that only makes us 2 or 3 short instead of 5.

[watzaspacebar]

People in all walks of life will disagree. I have friends here who get beat up on all the time. I still like them, just don't agree with what they have to say. Happens to me as well.
We all welcome the drama here, keeps thing interesting. Don't stop signing in and writing just cause you and others have a difference of opinion. Heck if that were the case many here would just leave and never come back. Look through past threads you will see (especially in politically charged threads) that things get heated in here all the time. That is the reason I come back.
Please don't YELL just speak your mind, and understand that others do not always think the same way as you do. It is nothing personal; this is the internet after all. People are always bigger sitting behind a keyboard than backing up what they say.

[jlmer]

Sheriff son 1 Deputy Jailer 1 ---------------------------
Equals 2 WoW whose said two would be hired. P. S. one also will be hired after the first of the year, and maybe just maybe now Iam still working my contact on this one, but maybe two will be hired after the first of the year. That would be four new officers. Now let me say one last thing before I go, Everyone seem to be missing the point, on what Iam trying to say. The city commissoners and mayor are always wondering how to keep the young men and women in town after they graduate high school, leave for college or service. So my point was these kids that are from Maysville Mason Co. should have a little advantage over the ones from out of town. You keep saying get a job out of town and than come back to Maysville. So Maysville is better than other Police Dept. that you have to go work for say Lexington or State Police and then apply for Maysville..We have a great Police Chief who I have known since I was a child here in Maysville, now I may be wrong , but did he not have any Police experience untill City of Maysville gave him a chance. Now look at how great he turn out......Oh by the way I heard of another young man who applied for the Police Dept. He also pass all the tests (as my son) is also born and raised in Mason Co. but after graduating he went off the navy to fight for our good old U.S.A. Done his time, came home , found a young girl from here who is going to Morehead to become a teacher, and want to teach in Mason Co. He want to be a Maysville Police Offficer, They want to raised thier chrildren here as they were. Now two fine young men from here, wanting to stay here and everyone is saying leave town and find a job somewhere else. I know a lot of the officers here and they are good, but please dont tell me we haveto get all of our offficers from out of town....... thanks for putting up with me and I hope I done better with my typing...LOL Please dont say anything about my spelling ,,,lol I scored 7 out of 15 on the test.

[Foxy]

Much better Jlimer, but then I would dare say that the one with military experience has a better shot. As far as passing the physical and written parts, you must also pass an initial interview. There are quite a few that will pass the first 2 and fail the interview, for what ever reason, then you have the extensive background check, lie detector tests, and 21 weeks at the Police Academy. All of this that you must pass is important to me as a citizen. All anyone is saying that if your son or anyone else’s child doesn't make it the first time and they really want to stay in Mason Co. as an officer then get experience else where, and come back, they conduct the testing every year. Doesn’t mean they will hire someone or 2 or 3 every year, only that they interview.
I wish you and your family the best in life! I hope that if your son is as passionate as you claim in his pursuit to be an officer for Maysville that he doesn’t give up. Also I believe that the Sherriff’s office is hiring, or going to. Maybe that would interest him??

[TheMan]

The Jailer didn't pass his background... so one Deputy Sheriff and no jailer does not equal two.

Fact is, anything worth having is worth trying for until you have it. I would not go to the State Police, nor Lex. Metro. Maysville is by far a better department then either of those two.. Wish your son good luck. And tell him to keep trying. Eventually he will get hired.

[Rebelyell]

So my point was these kids that are from Maysville Mason Co. should have a little advantage over the ones from out of town. You keep saying get a job out of town and than come back to Maysville. So Maysville is better than other Police Dept. that you have to go work for say Lexington or State Police and then apply for Maysville..We have a great Police Chief who I have known since I was a child here in Maysville, now I may be wrong , but did he not have any Police experience untill City of Maysville gave him a chance. Now look at how great he turn out......Oh by the way I heard of another young man who applied for the Police Dept. He also pass all the tests (as my son) is also born and raised in Mason Co. but after graduating he went off the navy to fight for our good old U.S.A. Done his time, came home , found a young girl from here who is going to Morehead to become a teacher, and want to teach in Mason Co. He want to be a Maysville Police Offficer, They want to raised thier chrildren here as they were. Now two fine young men from here, wanting to stay here and everyone is saying leave town and find a job somewhere else. I know a lot of the officers here and they are good, but please dont tell me we haveto get all of our offficers from out of town....... thanks for putting up with me and I hope I done better with my typing...LOL Please dont say anything about my spelling ,,,lol I scored 7 out of 15 on the test.
Jlmer,

Thanks for using uppers and lowers. You can't imagine how much easier it makes it to read your post.

I certainly don't know all the answers. I will share with you that I moved here from a town where few people ever moved in from outside, or took employment away and then moved back. Overall, I would say it is a real weakness to have all the institutions staffed by people who have never experienced life anywhere else. I think it is a good thing for Maysville to bring people in from outside, and I think it is a good thing for local people to find jobs elsewhere, either temporarily or permanently.

There are a million factors that go into hiring someone. Some years back I heard a police chief explain to a city board why he did not want to hire an outstanding candidate with a college degree. Said the chief: "He's told several people that he really wants to work for the Highway Patrol, and I don't want to spend two years training someone for the benefit of the Highway Patrol." I share this story because the young man rejected for the position was without question the most qualified, yet I think the chief was right not to hire him. There are just so many factors that go into a hiring decision, and I'm sure this young man though he was being treated unfairly.

It is in our very nature to believe that we are the best for any job we seek, but utimately these decision must be left to the hiring party. I do not doubt that personal relationships might sway a hiring, but I assure you that every law officer in Maysville wants the man covering his back to be qualified and dependable.

I'm not really a Bible-thumper, but I must say I do believe that God worlks through all, or at least most, things for good. I've had a lot of failures in my life, and a few times it seemed it was the end of the world for me. Yet I can honestly say that my life is better today than it would be if I hadn't failed. My failures opened doors for me that never would have opened had I achieved sputtering success.

Your son failed to get the job he wanted, and that you wanted him to have. That's a fairure and I dare say a bitter disappointment. But the door is open for him to work anywhere. He has the credentials, and he can get a job somewhere. It's a real opportunity for him. I hope he takes advantage of this opportunity and I wish you both well.

[kileyrowland74]

I am only just now reading through these. I have already posted my thoughts on the employment situation in Maysville before, so I guess I shouldn't launch into a long spiel here.

As I said then, though, I looked for work in Maysville, as well as Adams, Brown, Scioto, Clermont, and Hamilton Counties in Ohio for *over a year* (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and found nothing that was both *permanent* AND *full time.*

There is a reason the Midwest is called the Rust Belt. (By "midwest" I am including along the Ohio River, although I know that Maysville is very southern in feel and is, really, in the South.) And I would say the "Rust Belt" even extends to white collar jobs. (Such as mine.)

It got to the point where I had different resumes, some which included my "advanced" degrees and some which included my B.A. only. (Because I finally figured out that listing my MA and Ph.D. coursework was only *hurting* my job hunt. Even if you *really need* a job people are not going to hire you if they think you are "over qualified" and will leave -- or, I speculate, if they think you are "brighter" than they are.) And if you are a single person, you can forget any kind of "assistance." (Which, of course, I had actually been paying into, via taxes, since I first began working an "above the table" job, at age 18.) I am not trying to be "woe is me" here; I am just telling you all what it was like.

Okay, well, I won't go on. Suffice to say that *unemployment* and *underemployment* are problems in Mason County, as in many other parts of the country. (Luckily, that does not seem to be the case here in the Bluegrass region, unless one is simply unwilling to look for work outside of one's chosen/past field of employment.)

*Every single person I know,* with the exception of 1 contractor who owns his own business, who lives in that area (Mason, Adams, Brown) and makes $ 35K or above commutes to Cincy to do it. Of course, I am not friends with local school teachers, lawyers, doctors, contractors, or nurses in the area.

How many jobs there actually pay $ 30,000 or above? How about $ 25,000 or above? I am asking because I really wonder! (BTW, referring to a previous post here, I looked at lots of $ 200-250 apartments when I was first thinking of moving to M'ville and all I saw were roach traps. The houses up there, though, are *dirt cheap* compared to the Bluegrass. Of course, you still have to make enough money to make a house payment. I suggest everyone get married so as to have two incomes to do it.)

One thing I learned the hard way was that unemployment stats tend to track people who are drawing unemployment checks. I was unemployed for six long months *after* mine ran out, as were two of my friends. I am assuming we were not the only 3 in America.

I personally think opportunity is limited in Maysville, although it is redhot compared to, say, Adams County, across the river.

I wonder how many young people leave Mason County to go to college and never come back? Any stats -- or personal opinions -- on whether such a 'brain drain' is going on?

[kim200691]

I think we definitly have more unemployed rather than homeless. But I also think, and it's only my opinion, that we have more people around here on government help than anything else. one of my recent co-workers works everyday but still needs government assistance because she is a single mom and barely gets minimum wage. But she goes home everyday to a neighborhood of mothers and people who set at home and do nothing but wait for those checks at the first of the month and then go spend it all on things like soda pop and junk. I just have a really big problem with people like this. It just gets under my skin when a person really can work, but won't and then I am out there working my butt off to pay for their pop and junk food. It is so crazy!!!

[TheMan]

People like your friend is the reason I pay taxes... People like your friend's neighbors is the reason I hate paying taxes....

[Maxwells]

Ditto: TheMan

I am going to be laid off. My last day is the 31st of August. I have never drawn unemployment. I have worked every since I was 14. I am very worried about trying to find another job. I ask my bbs friends to please pray that I may find something. I have worked for a local Contractor for nine years and I am going to miss it. It has been a great Company to work for. But I will say my husband is disabled. I have told you guys on here before he has had 4 back surgries with a spinal cord stimulator implanted, he has
had two heart attacks and two strokes that has left him unable to use his left hand. He is only 49. So I do know there a truely those that ned help and there are those who abuse the system and get by....how I don't know

[TheMan]

You'll be fine Maxy... Your a good person.. and have faith in your self.. If you need anything in the way of help.. lemme know..

[Maxwells]

Thank You....

[jess41056]

I believe that there are people who actually do depend on the welfare system for support. I graduated college with my BSW I and have been searching for a job in this area for over a year now. My husband works hard at two jobs, but with two children it is still very hard to make ends meet. Without foodstamps or medical coverage for our children there are times we would not make it. It seems like that in this area in order to get a good job you have to know someone. I would love to be able to be self-sufficent and not have to depend on the system, but sometimes there is not another option. I would be more than happy to work at a fast food place as long as it was full-time and a steady job, but even those are hard to come by in this town.

[Maxwells]

Well I am still looking for a job...no luck as of yet....it's is not fun waiting on a check to come in.....I know aot of people who abuse the system and you would think the State also knows this....put these young people to work..I know jobs are hard to find..or at least guide them to get a better education to get a good job....jess I agree with you 100%..the help you get is great if you need it during hard times...but then there are those who make a living off the system..

[John Deere "B"]

I believe that there are people who actually do depend on the welfare system for support. I graduated college with my BSW I and have been searching for a job in this area for over a year now. My husband works hard at two jobs, but with two children it is still very hard to make ends meet. Without foodstamps or medical coverage for our children there are times we would not make it. It seems like that in this area in order to get a good job you have to know someone. I would love to be able to be self-sufficent and not have to depend on the system, but sometimes there is not another option. I would be more than happy to work at a fast food place as long as it was full-time and a steady job, but even those are hard to come by in this town.

Why didn't you try and get a job at LOWE'S several months ago prior to them opening their store? They hired mostly local people.

[Unregistered]

Oh, believe me I did try to get a job at Lowes. So did my husband. My husband passed both interviews then was told that they would call him back for the drug testing time and then he never heard anyhting else. When he called no one seemed to know anything about it. Trust me, I have tried several times to get on at Lowes, Walmart, you name it...
I am a still looking and keeping my fingers crossd.

[Abraham]

I have been sitting here reading all of this and it just shocks me that people seem to think that times just got rough in the last few years. I've lived here all my life and it really doesn't seem any different to me than it has ever been. This has always been an area for low paying jobs...if any jobs. Actually, there are more jobs in this area now then in previous years. Yes, there is alot more people in the area also...but, there are jobs to be found. May not be the particular job you would like to have, but I always thought...any job was better than no job. I worked 2 jobs, one day job, part time...and one night job, full time....to raise a family and put a roof over our heads. Yes, I was tired....very tired most of the time. My children didn't wear $100 shoes and $50 jeans and have cell phones in their pockets and drive cars in better shape than alot of adults drive. They didn't have computers to sit in front of all day long and play games, they didn't even have cable TV. We had an antenna...remember those? But you know what? They survived and they know how to work....and to this day, they have been self-sufficient. They had plenty of food to eat, home cooked food...not junk food. They had nice clean clothes to wear...not name brand, but they always looked nice. We didn't worry about keeping up with the Joneses or the latest fads. We were simply trying to survive.....and we did. Had no medical insurance...if someone got sick and in the hospital...monthly payments were made, until it was paid off. You learn to manage and make it on what you have. There are so many things that people consider necessities today, that you really can live without. Sure, it's nice to have those things...I like my computer, but I certainly can live without it. There are a lot of things you like to have but can survive without. Realize the important things in life, possessions are not one of them.

[mark]

I have been sitting here reading all of this and it just shocks me that people seem to think that times just got rough in the last few years. I've lived here all my life and it really doesn't seem any different to me than it has ever been. This has always been an area for low paying jobs...if any jobs. Actually, there are more jobs in this area now then in previous years. Yes, there is alot more people in the area also...but, there are jobs to be found. May not be the particular job you would like to have, but I always thought...any job was better than no job. I worked 2 jobs, one day job, part time...and one night job, full time....to raise a family and put a roof over our heads. Yes, I was tired....very tired most of the time. My children didn't wear $100 shoes and $50 jeans and have cell phones in their pockets and drive cars in better shape than alot of adults drive. They didn't have computers to sit in front of all day long and play games, they didn't even have cable TV. We had an antenna...remember those? But you know what? They survived and they know how to work....and to this day, they have been self-sufficient. They had plenty of food to eat, home cooked food...not junk food. They had nice clean clothes to wear...not name brand, but they always looked nice. We didn't worry about keeping up with the Joneses or the latest fads. We were simply trying to survive.....and we did. Had no medical insurance...if someone got sick and in the hospital...monthly payments were made, until it was paid off. You learn to manage and make it on what you have. There are so many things that people consider necessities today, that you really can live without. Sure, it's nice to have those things...I like my computer, but I certainly can live without it. There are a lot of things you like to have but can survive without. Realize the important things in life, possessions are not one of them.

WOW, what a post!

Awesome, indeed, I couldn't agree more.........see ya mark

[jess41056]

I totally agree with you. While working the other day, a women came into the store and asked me for 4 playstation 3 games and said that they were for her 6 year old, for Christmas. The only thing that I could think of was..."for your 6-year-old?!?" I am sometimes glad that we don't have a lot of extra money to throw away. My daughters (4 and 5) are happy playing with their lincoln logs and play food on the livingroom floor. I couldn't imagine them asking me for playstation games. Don't ge me wrong, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with game systems, but sometimes I think they are used for babysitters. What happened to playing outside and with our old stand by toys?

[mark]

What happened to playing outside and with our old stand by toys?

Kids these days wouldn't know how to act if they didn't have their computer games.
There were NO computers when I was a kid ( mid 70's ) no internet, heck, we didn't even have a color Tv till I was about 10 years old. Cable TV?? Nope, Maysville didn't get cable till I was about 11-12 years old.

We played baseball., football, hide-n-seek, etc. till dark. That was the time to go home. You wanna know the worse part of this scenario??

Any day it rained & we had to stay inside............see ya mark