Hey everyone.Well it happened last Monday, the city laid off 90 people,41 were in parks, including me, so I guess our planter program is about done.It was a quick fix to save money on the city's part.Bad for many of us.I only had ten more years to go till retirementOh well, guess I'll find something to do for work.This will be the last of the planter pics unless something really changes in a few weeks.
Kyle
Sorry to hear about your loss Kyle and I hope you find something very quickly. Good luck and keep planting!
Kyle, I hope you can feel the hugs I am sending your way. What a blow for you and it will be such a tremendous loss for the people of Des Moines who have been the beneficiaries of your extraordinary talent.
Hopefully your plant hybridizing will open a few doors; you deserve to be working in a program where your many strengths can be maximized.
Too bad they didn't get rid of some of the clerks they have who do nothing but push paper in a circle (most cities have hundreds of unnecessary clerks).
I think your job was one of the most important contributions to a quality urban life.
Best of luck, Kyle
I am so sorry Kyle .... I hope and pray things change for the good. It would be so sad to see nothing but empty planters and beds. I have always enjoyed looking at those photos. They were so beautiful. Best of luck to you.
Yes Kyle.. I too am sorry for your loss... and your citys loss also.. and all of us here as well ..will loose the pleasure..
So.. why not go out on your own... seek donations from businesses.. offer them plantings.. and large signs in their near by planters.. speaking of their donations to helping the city remain beautiful in these difficult times for all..
they get to write it off... provide the beauty.. they get community recognition.. for doing more than their share... and be sure to include your name on the signs as well as a contacct #for other interested businesses and individuals.. I bet the city woild approve the use of the containers for plantings.. rather than have them lay dormant and over grown..
or as usually the case.. expect the ones remaining to take on double the workload and will be there doing a poor job on the planters they have
This message was edited Feb 14, 2009 2:27 AM
Kyle...brah...sorry so much pilikea! You are so talented...so giving. I think Gordon's idea has alot of merit. Everyone is wondering what to do to help while trying to save their ...uh....skin(?). Getting commerce (Banks!!!) to give back by offering beauty and some coins in the coffers...!!! The advertising (ahem, announcements of participation) would do them good and the good will would be wonderful!!!
OR....you could come to Hawaii and help me prune/weed/transplant/fertilize.....
I'll be right there Carol... God.. and army of pruners...... chief of the weeders..transplantologist..you'll be deluged
Loved the phrase...announcements of participation how could they refuse..
Thanks everyone.I am still in a state of shock over this.Don't know what I'm gonna do yet.There is a new(2 years old) nursery and landscaper just about 1/2 mile west of me, I may see if they still need help.Just don't know at this point.May just take some time off(with unemployment of course) and see whats out there.I guess I could move to Costa rica and live in the jungle in a hut. NAH!!!
Kyle :-)
OMG...wouldn't that be great!!! An army!!! Could you come every 4 months to keep up the good work? lol
Kyle, any chance that City might rehire in the future? That is, if you want to go back. I am stunned about your sad news. I join the rest in wishing the best for you. Gordon's idea seem like a perfect fit for someone as creative as you.
I am so sorry both for you and for the city you've helped beautify. This is a sad loss, but I know that with your set of skills it won't be long before you are presented with new opportunities.
Keep us updated, and I'm with Ardesia, sending you big hug from Ohio.
-Joe
They will keep a 3 yr list in case an opening in my area opens up.But they basically did away with all Hort tech jobs.If I get rehired in a few months or a yr. I still would have to start all over on benefits and sick and vacation time.I have 10 weeks of sick time that will be gone without pay soon.
*sigh*
Kyle...my heart is heavy for you. "Bummer" just doesn't cut it....
Hey, move to Houston, we need help getting the new Botanical Garden started!
I enjoyed all of your years of beautification, and envied your job too. I was thinking the same as Vossner....I hope so ...
Rj
Yes we are, but it is largely in the "growing money" stage and there are no projection dates, updates, shedule, when they're breaking ground - I understand not wanting to build expectatons..but ...something on their website would be a starting point.
Oh boy..yeah..sick time, I've been through all the lay off drama before, and as cociencious as one would like to be, when I was fortunate
to have been re-hired, I made sure that these items were appropiately used on the second round. Loyalty is just a word in corporations and government, but it's the relationships that we forge with individiuals and peers that ultimately re-open the doors.
I can't collect my sick time until the 20 year mark, only 14 this round.So they say..tough!They do have to pay overtime that is built up and vacation time which I have 200 hours of.Some news today about the cemetery jobs, I am 4th on the list for one of those jobs.I wanna plant flowers..not PEOPLE!! :-(
Kyle :-)
A friend of mine used to have a boyfriend who did landscaping for a cemetary. He said he loved working with so many people under him!
Kyle... yes... the other good thing working there... is
no complaints..
Kyle,I just found this thread...how are things going for you now...any luck on the work front? I really hope things come together for you as you so deserve...You have so much creative talent....I am sending positive thoughts your way and wishing all the best for you....That garden pic is stunning....you would be an asset to have for any botanical garden or city nursery/landscaping business....their big loss for letting you go.Please keep us posted...
Kyle,
That is a spectacular arrangement - certainly wouldn't expect to see that in Iowa. You have a real talent.
Wanna help plan my garden this year? All tropicals. There's an extra bedroom here, and the fridge is usually pretty full!
Steve
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/618430/
This is an old thread with some of Kyle's planters. What extraordinary talent he has.
I'm so very sorry for the lost of your job. I know you made 1000s of people a day smile at the beauty of your luscious beds!!! I have that thread that ardesia posted on my favorites and go back and relish in it often. Have you found anything yet? Times are getting tough everywhere. My suggestion would be to check with the local agriculture school to see if they know of anything. I wish you the best of luck and will pray that you are able to locate something even better than before.
Perhaps the city of Miami Beach would hire you with the talents you have. There is also a Miami Beach Botanical Garden. I work at Fairchild, but we don't have any openings at this time. There is an association of botanical gardens, should you be interested in that sort of work. Just "google" American Public Gardens Association. They list job openings also. Best of luck to you. Maybe things will turn out to be better for you in the end!
So sorry about this.
I'm thinking, too, that there's got to be some cities out there that value such a service, despite the 'economy'.
If you're like me and the typical Midwesterner, though...you're likely not considering moving.
My thoughts on this is that people *will notice* and perhaps voice their disapproval....maybe things will turn around for you...hoping so.
Kyle
Sorry you were layed off but I'll just bet when your planters dont show up they'll be screamin for the city to get you back!!!!!
and if I were you
I'd be thinking about the hut idea....LOL
Kyle, so sorry.
Chicago has many beds along Michigan Avenue and they all have signs that say something to the effect that they are "maintained" by such and such a firm. Just a thought.
Wish you well.
Hap
KYLE, I AM SO SORRY.......YOU ARE A WONDERFUL, EXCEPTIONAL GARDENER, AND THEY WILL SOON REALIZE THEIR LOSS....WITH YOUR TALENT, YOU SHOULD BE SNAPPED UP IN NO TIME...HANG IN THERE!
"eyes"
Hey Kyle...wazzup, brah?
Hey Kyle have not been around for a while because I lost my job in November and have been focused on trying to find a way to make an income and not on the garden. I am sorry you lost your job. You will catch your feet though.
Bear
Thanks for the kind words everyone. I am still with the city, they moved me to the city's largest cemetery.So now instead of plants , I help plant people! What a change.Most of the really rare plants came home with me , so I have plenty to work with.Fall comes and I'll need to buy a conservatory. LOL Something to be said for a garden of stone, its very quiet there.We will see what happens downtown.The ex boss said they would be just as nice if someone else did them....Okay fine!we'll see. At least I'm still working.
Steve, don't tempt me. ;-)
Kyle :-) ((HUGS all around))
Auntie Kalola, got a spare room??? LOL
You bet, bruddah...and lots of work!!!
Auntie K
Glad to hear you are stil working but that is one of the worst things he could have said! He must have absolutely no idea what it takes to make something so beautiful. Who does he have in mind to be doing them that they will be "just as nice". I really hope the city gets some not so nice letters asking what happened to the beautiful displays they usually have.
Kyle our Perpetual Care cemeteries are landscaped very nice. I'm sure there are plenty of areas to work with!!!! Show them your stuff!!!! If a person visiting someone in the cemetery can receive comfort from anything it is much appreciated and what way to show them that life goes on and the hand of God all at the same time in everyone of your designs!!!!!!!! Let's make lemonade!!!!
Sounds to me like the boss was feeling threatened by your talent and skill Kyle, and his tacky remarks show his lack of professionalism.
Kyle, it is possible that the downtown landscape may look good this year and even the next. After all, the rewards from your excellent cultural practices and care and not going to disappear overnight. What he doesn't realize is it will be a reflection YOUR good work, not his decision-making.
Having said that, your ex-boss' comments only reflect his ignorance. If he understood your work, he would have done everything within his power to keep your position protected. Well, as much as he could. Sometimes bosses don't have that much say so as directives come from people that know even less, unfortunately.
You will be fine. There is something that you're meant to learn in your new position. I look forward to reading about it when you figure it out.
best wishes always.
Sad thing about this is the bosses only care about THEIR backs, not ours.If it comes down to lose THEIR job or mine...guess who goes? ME! The people they plan to replace us with are temps from an agency. OH BOY! I bet thats better...LOL Time will tell.
As for plantings at the cemetery, we have 250 acres with about 40 species of trees, but my new boss, (I have had two in just the last 3 weeks) don't care about flowers, only get the job done and mow mow mow. **SIGH**
Kyle
