Opinion

Search Results

Close Previous Now showing: of Next

Previous Next Close

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable as well as posts that are attacking other users. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.

comments powered by Disqus

March 10, 2010

FLASHPOINT: ‘Responsible Bidder Ordinance’ provides taxpayers best value

Anonymous Special to the Tribune-Star The Tribune Star Wed Mar 10, 2010, 11:00 PM EST

TERRE HAUTE — It is a disservice to the local taxpayers and an unnecessary fear tactic that the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce misrepresented the intent and facts surrounding the proposed Responsible Bidder Ordinance (RBO) as written in the Opinion section of the Tribune-Star on March 10.

As the individual petitioner and not any particular organization as referenced for the RBO, I thank the Chamber for publicly recognizing the “wonderful training” offered through the registered Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training programs through the Department of Labor (DOL). These programs are available to any organization without regard to labor affiliation as long as they can fulfill and regularly meet minimum classroom and on-the-job training standards established by the recognized industry “referee”, the DOL.

Most programs mandate five years of training consisting of over 800 hours of classroom education and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of an experienced and highly skilled tradesperson. This provides local communities with an available pool of skilled and properly trained workers who have the ability to construct our local buildings and schools safely and with quality.

The RBO will actually increase competition available from qualified and responsible contractors who seek to perform work with taxpayer-funded public sector jobs. The RBO merely recognizes the importance of ensuring only the best and most qualified contractors will perform work for the taxpayers of Terre Haute. As outlined under the ordinance, contractors will have to meet minimum requirements and prove they are complying with existing and established legal obligations. Any responsible contractor could easily meet these requirements if they are currently playing by the rules. The ones who have not been following all of the laws or minimum requirements will be the ones scrambling to ensure they are indeed responsible.

The RBO declares up front to all contractors interested in bidding Terre Haute public works projects that the city is serious about ensuring all bids are submitted using a level playing field and utilizes a transparent process in the bidding jobs. During these tough economic times, some unscrupulous contractors may be inclined to take advantage of understaffed state agencies or lax enforcement of existing laws and skirt their legal obligations. We want to ensure everyone is paying their fair share of local income taxes, that all laws are being followed, and that only the contractors who are doing the right thing are awarded a contract to perform taxpayer-funded work.

Why reward contractors who are not responsible? If contractors are allowed to intentionally underbid qualified and responsible bidders, responsible contractors will no longer be able to stay competitive or even stay in business. So in fact, with state enforcement of existing laws lax, the existing process is actually eliminating the ability of qualified and responsible contractors from securing work as unscrupulous contractors under bid their competitors. The RBO gives the city representatives more control and oversight to ensure taxpayers are receiving the best value for their money.

Once all of the documents are submitted and the minimum requirements are verified, a review of the bid dollar amount will then be reviewed. There is nothing in the RBO that requires “closely held financial records” to be disclosed publicly.

There are over 50 RBOs in place across the region and with reference to Decatur repealing their RBO one fact was left out. The threshold in which the RBO “kicked-in” was set at $20,000 for project costs. Yes, that dollar amount would limit the available number of contractors. However, that could have easily been remedied by raising the limit to $150,000, which is the project cost required for the RBO to take effect in Terre Haute.

— Tom Szymanski

Business representative

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 725

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

• EDITORIAL: Indiana 641 — slow but sure

  One could state that observing the construction of Indiana 641 through southeastern Vigo County is like watching paint dry. But that would not be accurate. Paint dries more quickly. Much more quickly.

  February 14, 2012  

• LIZ CIANCONE: A little bit of cursive comes in handy

  Good grief. What next?
  I read recently that there is a movement underfoot to cease teaching cursive writing in the public schools. I understand that this is merely a suggestion and is optional, but still …
   

  February 14, 2012  

• READERS' FORUM: Feb. 14, 2012

  • Free us from 'Republicanism'

  • Eagles take pride in group’s work

  • Be careful what you strive for

   

  February 14, 2012  

• MAX JONES: It is amazing what an energized downtown can do

  For those of us who’ve watched the inspired growth and development of downtown Indianapolis through the years, it’s hard to understand sometimes the amazement some express at what’s been created.

  February 13, 2012 1 Photo  

• MARK BENNETT: Proposed trail would give river development momentum, reacquaint community with Wabash

  Terre Haute and the Wabash River were like strangers living next door to each other.

  February 12, 2012 5 Photos  

• EDITORIAL: Drug-testing bill lacks fairness and decency

  The current session of the Indiana Legislature has produced plenty of initiatives that play well to the majority party’s base.

  February 12, 2012  

• BRIAN HOWEY: Why is Obama opening an Indiana office? Autos

  On Thursday, the Obama for America campaign opened up a campaign office in Indiana, a state with a century-old love affair with the internal combustion engine.

  February 12, 2012  

• READERS' FORUM: Feb. 12, 2012

  • White’s opponent entitled to office

  • Positive moves for healthy foods

  • Thanks from the Super Bowl XLVI Host Committee

  • Doctor’s diet plan helps her arthritis

  • Great support for fundraiser

  • A few thoughts moving forward

  February 12, 2012  

• FLASHPOINT: Graduation rates are up; great news for Indiana

  As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride.

  February 12, 2012  

• READER'S FORUM: Feb. 11, 2012

  • Controlling crows everyone’s job

  • Strong plan needed to fight Alzheimer’s

  February 11, 2012  

• EDITORIAL: Keep religion out of science class

  An uncertain fate remains for an Indiana Senate bill that would, if it were to become law, allow public schools to teach creationism and other origin-of-life theories in their classes. But this fight may have already been grounded.

  February 10, 2012  

• READERS' FORUM: Feb. 10, 2012

  • How about a parade for war veterans?
  
  • Rubber reptiles will chase off crows
   

  February 10, 2012  

• EDITORIAL: Delivering on infrastructure

  With national, state and local economies showing distinct signs of recovery from the Great Recession of 2008, it is good to hear Mayor Duke Bennett sounding optimistic about Terre Haute and its immediate future.

  February 9, 2012  

• READERS' FORUM: Feb. 9, 2012

  • Award proves art teacher’s special

  • Technicality hits cancer patient

  February 9, 2012  

• EDITORIAL: The shame of voter fraud

  For a state that has supposedly spent so much time and effort passing and implementing strict laws concerning voter fraud, it certainly deserves the embarrassment being heaped on it for the Charlie White affair.

  February 8, 2012  

• READERS' FORUM: Feb. 8, 2012

  • City engineer sets high standard

  • More than paper to protect rights

  February 8, 2012  

• LIZ CIANCONE: Give pets the gift of a better, longer life

  It’s amazing how many of us at the Family Sports Center are involved with pets. But I recently became aware of how involved some of us have become.
   

  February 7, 2012  

• Readers' Forum: Feb. 7, 2012

  • Kodak moment for America?

  • Let’s not bring back serfdom

  • IU-Purdue game a nice diversion

  February 7, 2012  

• EDITORIAL: Volunteer ‘army’ serving the needs of children

  You know, of course, that casa means house. But do you also know that its all-capitals cousin, CASA, means home?

  February 6, 2012  

• MARK BENNETT: Toxic victories

  When the Super Bowl ends tonight in Indianapolis, most of the Giants and Patriots will shake hands, despite their competitive fire, win or lose.

  February 5, 2012  

• EDITORIAL: Big dreams do come true

  Consider this Super Bowl Sunday to be proof that anything is possible.

  February 5, 2012  

• READERS FORUM: Feb. 5, 2012

  • Why does Howey keep attacking Mourdock?

  • Thanks for the commitment

  • Accurate view of pipeline issue

  • Oil pipeline is a pipe dream

  • Not all workers belong to unions

  • Unions protect working people

  • Terre Haute Zoning issue unites neighbors

  February 5, 2012  

• BRIAN HOWEY: Keeping Peyton in the Hoosier pantheon

  When it comes to the pantheon of Hoosier sports heroes — Johnny Wooden, Knute Rockne, Bob Knight, Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, Rick Mount, Bobby Plump, George Gipp — the newest name will certainly be Peyton Manning.

  February 5, 2012  

• FLASHPOINT: Tech trail leading us into a dense, digital forest

  It seems the Southwest Parke schools are the latest to play the laptop lottery game.

  February 5, 2012  

• READERS' FORUM: Feb. 4, 2012

  • Defending Bain, attacking Harrop, praising Romney

  • Break a CFL? No reason to panic

  • GOP’s timing not so super

  February 4, 2012  

• READERS' FORUM: Feb. 3, 2012

  • Keep pressure on the Pentagon

  • Supportive words for Jim Mann
   

  February 3, 2012  

• EDITORIAL: Big ‘kick’ from a native son

  Every player in Sunday’s Super Bowl is from somewhere. But not every player remembers where he’s from and reaches out to consistently help those back home. Not like Steve Weatherford. Make that not like Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford.
   

  February 3, 2012  

• EDITORIAL: Smoking ban good enough

  When it comes to getting things done in the Indiana General Assembly, progress is often measured in baby steps. Indeed, it can take years to achieve even meager accomplishments.

  February 2, 2012  

• READERS' FORUM: Feb. 2, 2012

  • There are reasons unions are needed

  • Why so hard to get a tow here?

  February 2, 2012  

• EDITORIAL: United Way’s strong reputation helps sustain community trust

  It would be foolish in any community to take “positives” for granted, but it’s easy to understand how a casual observer would assume that United Way of the Wabash Valley will always come through with flying colors.

  February 1, 2012  

• More Opinion Headlines

© 2012 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. · CNHI Classified Advertising Network · CNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2012. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope. Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
Privacy Policy | AP News Registry privacy policy
Terms and Conditions
Advertiser Index

Events by eviesays.com

News From Terre Haute, Indiana 222 S 7th St Terre Haute, IN 47807