Yesterday I stopped alongside a minivan, and all I could see of the passenger was her feet on the dashboard. I called across to the driver that her passenger was going to be in a world of hurt, if that airbag went off. What was the mom's response? "I don't like her, anyway." (I was pretty sure she was kidding and, besides, what kind of stranger yells such a warning to another vehicle?)
Have you ever been in a car when the airbag exploded? Have you ever seen a demonstration of airbags?
The Crystal Lake Fire Department popped three of them one afternoon during a demonstration of fire trucks and equipment. Thank goodness we were outside. The explosions were LOUD - somewhat like what it must be to be in a closet when a 12-gauge shotgun is fired.
But noise probably won't hurt you - permanently. The force of an airbag will hurt you, and permanently. If something had caused that airbag to explode under that girl's feet, her legs would have been forced up into the air and back toward her shoulders. The injury to her legs, hips and back probably would have crippled her.
Think about warning your children, grandchildren and friends of this danger. While it might be true that airbags seldom explode under normal driving conditions, why risk it?
You never know who is interested…
3 months ago
27 comments:
Never thought of that Gus. I know our teen daughters do that when commuting with their friends. This will now be on the Banned Activities List in our house.
OK, 'nough about little girls getting turned into human pretzels in fender-benders....has anyone seen this comment string from the other day??? Ouch! The last comment floored me....any truth to that????
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Anonymous said...
Oh really? Then could you PLEASE hypno Sager, Webster, D200, and the other high-tax junkies of Woodstock into believing in sound and honest governance?? Just for a awhile?? Our hard earned income is thier hill-billy heroin. We earn it, they get the sweats waiting to take it -- and waste it away....I agree with that other commenter: Woodstock has the highest RE tax rates in the entire US. How is this possible??? We get NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING in return. They can't even get my kids to or from school in a safe and timely manner over the last few weeks....and then city council says "f-you" to those brutalized by poop invading their homes b/c this city couldn't build an erector set, let alone a safe sanitary system......and this is only the tip of the iceberg. We need a change in local government!!
September 25, 2007 3:59 AM
Anonymous said...
Totally off the topic, but does anyone know whow to find out what the city employees make? specifically city mgr, mayor, top salaries.
September 25, 2007 3:13 PM
Anonymous said...
Not really. I mean, you could contact the Human Resources Dept and ask, however they won't tell you straight out.
There is a website www.salary.com you can try. You basically input the information you are looking for (ie: # of employees, job title, location, etc...)and it gives you a, I guess... an "answer" a.k.a. salary for that particular position.
September 25, 2007 3:37 PM
Gus said...
The compensation of public employees should be available. You won't be able to learn how much a certain employee earns, but you should be able to find out the compensation for that employment position. The City Human Resources Department should accommodate you. If they don't, file a FOIA Request.
September 25, 2007 5:20 PM
Iwanthisjob said...
The whole City's budget is available at the public library. It gives you a break down of directors salaries and certain employees. The streets dept. is all grouped together, but most of the salaries are seperated. The City Manager makes $160,000!!!!!
September 25, 2007 6:15 PM
Anonymous said...
RUKidding me????????????? He makes $160K to do WHAT????? Sip Lattes over at Starbucks while the rest of us actually WORK for a living. Sickening! This is a $45K job at best!! Anyone know what Sager makes as "mayor" + MCC "teacher" + "consultant" to "businesses" located in the narco-states down in Mexico (that he forced Woodstock to partner with as some girlie-girlie "sister" city? How about Woodstock Councilman Ralph Webster?? Is it true he made $900,000.00!! when he sold his sorry excuse for a "health club" to....this is UNREAL if true....THE CITY of WOODSTOCK?????!!!!! http://www.inde-news.com/articles.cfm?ArticleID=092204164607
September 26, 2007 4:55 AM
Re: City of Woodstock Councilman selling his failing gym to...the City of Woodstock...for $900,000.00
Dear Anon: I've heard something like this before, but I can't seem to find any data other than that article. Does anyone have any links or info on this?? Can this possibly actual amount!!!???
As the Woodstock "rural" fire "Chief," who does Ralph Webster report to? How much does he make???? How can he hold THIS position and ALSO be a city councilman...AND former "gym" owner????
Great question!! Here's another one: How much $$$$ is Webster paid when he does those Bank Promo Advertisements in the Woodstock Dependent in FULL DEPARTMENT UNIFORM???? Is this legal?? Ethical??? Promoting a private business - that might do business with the city? fire dept.? city vendors? - as a government officer/employee?????????? Did the bank also donate to his council election committee????? Where ELSE does this Webster get money???? What DOESN'T he have his hands in??????
The Fire Department is not part of the City of Woodstock. The City of Woodstock does not have a fire department. Webster does not work for the City. Get a clue.
Why wouldn't he be allowed to sell property? What's with all the conspiracy theorists? Did you take alot of acid when you were younger? Don't look up! There is a black helicopter flying above your home.
Anon: Webster is a paid councilman and official of the CITY. Who needs a clue? What you meant to write is: "...Webster takes tax dollars wherever he and his family can get them, but, in fact, the city and fire department are kept seperate so that it can cost taxpayers more of their hard earned money...." No? Also, you didn't address his cute but highly controversial ads for that local bank? The sale of the rec center??? What's a matter, are you one of the local stooges too???
No
Anon: Yeah, one needs a lot of acid to smell an inside deal. Sure. You must be one of his buddy-buddy's. Go give him a big squeeze and chat about your black helicopters...Maybe he could sell the city one of those too....
Gus - looks like you've got a regular catfight going! What do you think about all of these double-dipping, inside-dealing city officials??
Hello All: Not interested in the "catfight" but I do have a question: I'm a single mom with 2 kids currently renting. I looked at buying a home here in Woodstock and I almost had a heart attack at the property tax cost. A previous commenter said that Woodstock rates were the highest in the country, I seem to agree. I've lived in AZ, CA, MI, NY and FL and Woodstock seems to be double or triple these. What am I missing? We could never afford to buy here, especially when the rates go up after we buy the house. Why are they so high?? Please help......
Look closer. It's not Woodstock that is high, it the County tax that is high.
You're lying to the mom. D-200 and Woodstock (one in the same)get 90% of the Woodstock homeowners real estate tax proceeds. The county gets the leftovers.
Anon: I think it's closer to 85%, but still a HUGE amount for....basically....NOTHING. You're right.
Wrong, Dist 200 is not the same as Woodstock. Everyone in Dist 200, even those outside of Woodstock pay the same Dist 200 tax. you are confusing The City of Woodstock with District 200. they are not the same.
He is right. The school district is a different taxing body than the City of Woodsock. They are not connected.
Hey Gus,
Start a topic or two on how government works, or on how to make positive change in our city (or what would be a positive change). How about some brainstorming sessions? At some point there are so many random comments that the blog becomes pointless.
Anon: She's right. Though "technically" seperate bodies, D-200 an the Woodstock City act as one entity. They consult each other on critically important topics like new housing developments, impact fees and the lack thereof, referendums, who gets what jobs, what vendors get hired, etc., etc. They also illegally campaign for each other, hence the serious ethics complaint against Sager, Webster and the other council members. The only question is whether D200 is a dept of the City, or is the City Council a department of D200?
And you folks don't think Clifton's worth his $200K a year!! [Thur's NWH]
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"City Manager Tim Clifton would like Woodstock to be more like Disney: a premier destination, a popular tourist attraction,..."
http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2007/09/27/news/local/doc46fb6d20883c9929349956.txt
WooDisney: And we wonder why our taxes are insane in this city.....The people in City Hall truly live in a different reality.....
Not so fast!! Isn't Sager a confirmed thespian? He could be our town Minnie - and Webster's a perfect Mickey - and they could dance around hand in hand and entertain all of the little kiddies on the town square for free if this Disneystock idea gets legs, no??!
The City Manager gets $13,000 a year for auto allowance. He also gets $25,000 for his personal vacation fund and $13,000 for his clothing allowance. It's all in the City budget at the public library. I couldn't believe it when I read it! He also gets an $8000 lap dance fund and $1000 to support his crack addiction. You people are so gullible and paranoid. Sager brings more heroin into Woodstock from our sister city than you can even imagine. The detectives are running a trace on all of your comments. This website was created by City Administration and there is no Gus Philpott. You will all disapear soon. bye bye
hey littlething, 'sup? why the hostility? is this site exposing your homies in woodstock city hall and the great scams they pull on the taxpayers? or is it a subterranean napoleanic complex of some sort?......
ooo...more name calling!!
Right up the juvenile tattle tale league this site seems to promote!! How about you come up with legal proof of wrong doing and file a lawsuit instead of whining about all these perceived wrongs.
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