WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From County Board of Legislators. (Edited) December 8, 2008: Legislators approved a Consent Order with the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) whereby the county will study site conditions at the
Coal for Commissioners and Middle Managers. Spano Raise Plan is Scrapped.
“I know that there are many Westchester residents who are hurting in this economy. I fear that the economy will get worse before it gets better,” said Spano. “If it weren’t for the loss of revenue and for expenses out of our control, I would have not proposed any tax increase. I know that even the small tax increase is not what the public wants. That was the reason I slashed my proposed budget by over 11 million dollars, eliminating positions, cutting overtime, equipment and supplies. That was also the reason I eliminated salary increases for 2009, cutting in half my original proposal. But after hearing from the public, we decided to eliminate the 2008 raises as well.”
Board Chairman Bill Ryan said, “As our residents feel the impact of the weakening economy, government must control expenses as best we can and save money wherever possible. The Democratic majority and the
Spano acknowledged his commissioners and management staff who, he said, have worked very hard to reduce the cost of government, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
“They have done an outstanding job and if times were better, they would be getting the increase they deserve. But we all have to tighten our belts in times like this – and sometimes that hurts,” Spano said.
Jose Alvarado, chair of the Board’s Budget and Appropriations Committee said, “It is not that the raises aren’t deserved, it is simply that the time is not right. On a daily basis, I see firsthand the excellent work done by county employees and this action of not granting pay raises at this time is not a reflection on their overall good work on behalf of county residents. This decision is a response to the economic realties that we are all facing today.”
Spano said, “No one likes to raise taxes. No one likes to pay taxes at all. That’s why the Board’s majority and I have been working together to find ways to reduce the tax levy even further. Eliminating the salary increase is just one step.”
Spano said he hopes that local governments and school districts, some of which are proposing tax increases that the public can ill afford, will look to the County as a model for holding down taxes in this troubled economy. He offered the County’s assistance in helping them to cut and reduce expenses, where possible.
Mediator Assigned in Stalled Teacher-School District Wage Dispute
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. December 8, 2008: The White Plains City School District and the teachers contract negotiations remain at an impasse, (the teachers working without a contract now for 5-1/2 months), and are definitely headed for mediation under the auspices of the New York State Public Employers Relations Board. A mediator has been assigned to the dispute by the NYSPERB, WPCNR learned today.
Anthony Zimbolow, Executive Director of PERB today told WPCNR that a mediator from the New York City Office of PERB, Karen Kenney has been assigned. He could not give details as to whether mediation talks had begun.
City Settles with Police and Fire Unions. Council to Consider Dec. 17.
WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. Special to WPCNR. December 8, 2008 UPDATED 5:57 P.M. EST: Paul Wood, City Executive Officer said this evening he would advise WPCNR “ASAP” of the terms of the new police and fire contracts. He reported, in response to a WPCNR question, “All I can tell you right now is that both unions have ratified the contracts.”
This means all that is left is Common Council approval or denial, to come December 17.
Earlier, City Hall confirmed today to WPCNR that Mayor Joseph Delfino has come to an agreement with the police and fire unions serving the city. Melissa Lopez, spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office confirmed this to WPCNR today, and said the Common Council would be meeting in a Special Meeting December 17, 2008 to ratify or decline the agreement.
The wage agreement of the settlement is reported to be 4% by union members and by those with knowledge of the terms, but was not disclosed by city hall. The length of the proposed contracts were not disclosed, even when WPCNR asked.
No other details were issued at this time from the Mayor’s Office. Ms. Lopez told WPCNR the Mayor has not reached a wage settlement with the Civil Service Employees Association. She said the terms of the police and fire settlement were outlined to the Common Council at an executive session recently.
Subsequently, Ms. Lopez contacted WPCNR and said Paul Wood, city Executive Officer said that the increase reported to be 4% to WPCNR was not correct, but Mr. Wood would not say what the raise hike was.
Four Common Council members contacted this morning to confirm the settlement and the amount of the raise have as of 3:30 P.M. have not returned WPCNR’s phone calls, though the council was informed of the settlement at a recent Executive Session.