Looking to put locals first

Publisher’s note: This message went out to all employees on May 26 asking for their comments. It is reprinted with permission.

Good Afternoon:

The city has an existing policy of the council to give preference to qualified local vendors of service in our procurement. We are proud of this fact. We are examining a proposal made by our Carpenter’s local to set specific preferences in the award of contracts in regard to local hiring.

The issue undoubtedly will be in this case whether the funds are federal, state or local funds. Different standards apply depending on the color of money, but I am very interested in what the city attorney comes up with. I hope that we can provide preferences in major construction contracts and put our own people back to work.

In a time when many people in our community are suffering under the pressures of a continuing slower economy, business is hurting, people are out of work not just here but in our nation, is there any merit to the idea of establishing a city policy that gives preference under certain defined guidelines for products that are made or assembled in the United States. I have nothing against foreign made products, but in these times, is there something reasonable our local government can do to promote purchase of American made and/or assembled products? Maybe if there was more consumer demand for American made products, there would be more American made products.

No, I wish no ill on our foreign friends and vendors. I just think we need to take care of our folks first.

Any comments and observations in this regard? What is the upside and what is the down side of proposing a policy like this one to the City Council? Are their secondary negative or positive benefits should such a policy be put in place.

I welcome ideas and comments from you.

Dave Jinkens, South Lake Tahoe city manager