Letter to the Editor from Councilwoman Linda Salafia
Letters to the editor are published as courtesy and not necessarily reflect the opinions of Insider Staff. Government ReOrg report his here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/12/mayors-task-force-on-efficiency-report.html
Now, I feel that the incentive was not a good move
because for the City to save money, they need to not replace the
retiring employees at the same level that they were at. Mayor Drew has
said that he's only replacing those employees that are required by law
and those in key positions. Also, he promised that for the January
Common Council meeting he would bring forward his plans for the
reorganization that he has in mind. However, so far, most of those
positions vacated have been replaced by employees appointed in the
acting capacity including the Deputy Personnel Director being appointed
as Acting Personnel Director. I realize that employees were promoted so
that down the chain of command there are vacancies; however, this was
not what was presented as the reason for the incentive: the incentive
was presented to allow for reorganization. So tell me: if you put
people into the vacant positions with the exact same job descriptions
and duties as the retiring employee had, how are you going to change
those positions or eliminate those positions through a reorganization
without affecting the employee in the position. Seems to me that you're
back to the same status that you were at before the incentive: an
active employee in the position that you wanted to modify???? Seems to
me that prior to the incentive, if you'd modified the job and the active
employee didn't want to do the modified job, they could have retired;
now you've got employees in the position that you want to modify that
it's eligible to retire and will have to take a new job, reduced pay or
something - I just don't see that happening. That's why I think that
the reorganization should have come before any retirement incentive.
By the way, we were promised that the plans would be presented
at the January meeting but nothing. I'll add it to the list of things
I'm waiting for: the report on the outcome of the China trip; the
actions taken after the report on the Water and Sewer Department
issues. Although I have read the report by the committee on government
efficiency, it has not been actually presented to the Common Council for
approval and implementation. Simply the administration could share
with the whole council a flow chart of proposed hierarchy of departments
and reorganization. Hopefully, one has been done by now.
Another, reason that I've problems with the incentive
that was offered: it's huge brain drain on the City. There were quite a
few 466 employees who retired over the last few years and now with
these retirements, the City is losing much of it's historical
knowledge. Seems to me that you're going to be repeating mistakes
already made; these are the people who know what's been tried before and
worked and what didn't. Not to say that things can't necessarily be
done differently, but you just extended the learning curve significantly
and can we as a City afford that???
I certainly do not in any way shape or form, blame
those employees who accept this incentive and wish them all well!!!
They all serve the City well and the City is in debt to their years of
service. I for one am sorry that they retired.
Linda Salafia
Common Council Member (R)
Ha ha good one....to be a brain drain there has to be brains to drain! most of these retirees got their jobs based on who they knew instead if what they knew. City job app says intelligence is grounds for rejection right after the space you have to list your connection.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if everyone was truly honest about their motives. Drew did not do this to save money, he did it to get rid of dead wood so they could put in their own yes men. Salafia's beef is they lost some of their fave union folks, including their pawn aka personnel director. Some honesty and transparency from all sides would be refreshing.
ReplyDeleteThe Democrats spent more than $1 millionto get rid of 2 people. Not because they didn't do their jobs, but because they did not get along with them. It was like hunting with a shotgun, and hitting whatever else may be near the target.
ReplyDeleteMost of the incomptant deadwood are still there, because as usual, they were promised big raises to take over the newly formed departments.
Mr. Drew I sense the school marm is about to scold you at the next council meeting.
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ReplyDeleteAs stated before. Does anyone think John Milardo did his job? Someone post how many times he was on workman's comp. Someone post his overtime during pre Drew years. Talk to Little League and Soccer people and get the real story. Someone find out how many hours a day he spent with his wife at Town Hall. How about when the job description was changed so she could get the job with a High School Education.As a former City Employee great move by Drew. As a former City Employee word is Town Hall is a much better place. SEEK THE TRUTH.
Leave you with this , if your doing your job there would be no talk of consolidation. Time for the Milardo's to go off into the sunset and the City move on. Go Dem's
Wow- the Dem henchwomen are working overtime with the comments!Linda represented union folks well after we were not paid when we worked overtime during the storms that caused the opening of the shelter at MHS. She, Giuliano, and the union stood up against Frechette the Dem's puppet. The Milardo's had nothing to do with it. Linda cares about tax payers and is only 1 of 2 with any sense on the Council these days!!
ReplyDeleteDear Anon, If Salafia is a school marm the I am HOT For TEACHER! Go Linda!
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