Letter of the week, 4/13/09: Councilor is misinformed

[David]

Councilor misinformed
Editor:

Meriden City Councilor Walt Shamock is misinformed and speaks ill of what he does not know (see R-J, 4/8).

The Firefighters Union has been in contract negotiations since January 2008 (18 months), and in that time-have responded to over 11,000 calls-from fighting fires, providing EMS, performing rescues-from fire buildings and on our mountains-all without a contract since July 1, 2008.

During that time, other unions have negotiated and received new contracts with similar raises. If the finance committee had approved the contract Tuesday night-the wages are not what Walt Shamock proclaimed. His figures double the proposed wages and fails to mention the concessions we would have given during the life of the contract with health care, pension and retirement benefits if the committee had accepted it.

He also criticizes the fire dept. for employing firefighters who don't live in the city. The city hires firefighters after a long testing procedure. Hiring the top candidates off this list is the current practice-giving the dept. the best possible people for the job. Isn't that what any taxpayer wants — the best people for the job?

City residents applying to the fire dept. are already given extra points during this process. If Walt only hired people who live here, we would end up with not always the top candidate. Walt is also unaware that residency requirements for non-management positions are illegal in Connecticut. If this is so important, why doesn’t he demand that department heads (management) be mandated to live in the city?

He stated the political need for concessions. It is really hard to concede something you don't have. Without a contract, nothing can be done. We have bargained in good faith and continue to work without a contract. Is Walt willing to give back part of his salary to citizens of Meriden?

MAGGIE BENDER, MERIDEN

[MediocreMeriden]

I agree with your letter. Councilor Shamock is always complaining about city employees and the burden they place on taxpayers. It is ironic that he was a US government employee and receives a pension from the very same taxpayers. He also fails to recognize that spending and staffing decisions within the city are made by the City Council and Dept Heads, not by the average city workers. His rhetoric about city workers living in Meriden is quite annoying since the services are constantly being scaled back. Why would anyone want to relocate to Meriden when they are reducing services yet raising taxes? Meriden officials were ignorant to the economic crisis in this country which has been reported in the media since it began several years ago. Still they decide to spend money extravagantly only to demand more tax dollars with a promise to provide less services to the community without any thought to the result of their drastic cuts. The Broad Street firehouse is a great example: if they close this firehouse and there are two fires emergencies at one time, we are stuck waiting for help from out of town. Maybe this crisis will be a wake-up call to taxpayers and they will not re-elect Mr. Shamock since he is very hypcritical with his incessant whining about government workers while he reaps the benefits of a government pension.

[jma]

Way to go Maggie!! Give him hell! By the way, speaking of concessions. A few years ago, both police and fire agreed to concessions. They were rewarded for their generosity when City Manager Larry Kendzior and his faithful sidekick, Personnel Director Caroline Beitman turned around and gave themselves raises. Kendzior and Beitman's ill-timed greed has not been forgotten by city employees.

[CTYankee]

A few years ago, both police and fire agreed to concessions. They were rewarded for their generosity...

While I disagree with Kendzior and Beitman getting raises, I need to point something out here... The notion that the concessions were "generous" implies a sense of entitlement. I'd suggest that the notion of "entitlement" here is precisely one of our problems.

Many people work in private industry, at a time when bonuses, increases, and jobs are impacted routinely. I think this perspective needs to be better understood.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to see our firehouse close. On the other hand, I also don't want my taxes to continue to rise exponentially. Somethings gotta give. A 5% pay cut across the board for all state and municipal employees would make a HUGE difference for the financial woes and the taxpayers. The city and state employees are employed for the taxpayers purposes, not vice versa.

[jma]

While I disagree with Kendzior and Beitman getting raises, I need to point something out here... The notion that the concessions were "generous" implies a sense of entitlement. I'd suggest that the notion of "entitlement" here is precisely one of our problems.

A 5% pay cut across the board for all state and municipal employees would make a HUGE difference for the financial woes and the taxpayers. The city and state employees are employed for the taxpayers purposes, not vice versa.

I agree that a pay cut would help. I also consider it to be a generous move on the city employees part, mainly because the blue-collar workers are always the ones giving concessions. Does anyone recall management offering concessions? Offering to give back their take-home cars, or at least offering to pay for some of the gas used? Anything?? Anyone willing to give concessions is generous, simply because they don't have to.

[factsonly06450]

I agree that a pay cut would help. I also consider it to be a generous move on the city employees part, mainly because the blue-collar workers are always the ones giving concessions. Does anyone recall management offering concessions? Offering to give back their take-home cars, or at least offering to pay for some of the gas used? Anything?? Anyone willing to give concessions is generous, simply because they don't have to.

The City Manager did not give himself a pay increase in the fiscal year that you refer to above. In that year that you mention, management personnel had their wage increases deferred until March 1 and health benefits reduced and copayments increased exactly as the unions did. This year the City Manager announced that he would not ask for or accept a salary increase and would not increase the salaries of department heads that received an increase last year. This year all management personnel had their health benefits reduced and their copayment amounts increased. No management personnel have take home vehicles other than the Police Chief and the Fire Chief, both of whom are public safety personnel. Three years ago, all other department heads had their reimbursement for the use of their own vehicles on city business reduced by twenty-five to thirty-three percent.

[jma]

Thank you for that information. I stand corrected and shocked. :eek:

[CTYankee]

Factsonly06450, thanks for that information, I was also unaware of that.

This was a good discussion guys... Peace! :)

[madundertaker]

Councilor misinformed
Editor:

Meriden City Councilor Walt Shamock is misinformed and speaks ill of what he does not know (see R-J, 4/8).

The Firefighters Union has been in contract negotiations since January 2008 (18 months), and in that time-have responded to over 11,000 calls-from fighting fires, providing EMS, performing rescues-from fire buildings and on our mountains-all without a contract since July 1, 2008.

During that time, other unions have negotiated and received new contracts with similar raises. If the finance committee had approved the contract Tuesday night-the wages are not what Walt Shamock proclaimed. His figures double the proposed wages and fails to mention the concessions we would have given during the life of the contract with health care, pension and retirement benefits if the committee had accepted it.

He also criticizes the fire dept. for employing firefighters who don't live in the city. The city hires firefighters after a long testing procedure. Hiring the top candidates off this list is the current practice-giving the dept. the best possible people for the job. Isn't that what any taxpayer wants — the best people for the job?

City residents applying to the fire dept. are already given extra points during this process. If Walt only hired people who live here, we would end up with not always the top candidate. Walt is also unaware that residency requirements for non-management positions are illegal in Connecticut. If this is so important, why doesn’t he demand that department heads (management) be mandated to live in the city?

He stated the political need for concessions. It is really hard to concede something you don't have. Without a contract, nothing can be done. We have bargained in good faith and continue to work without a contract. Is Walt willing to give back part of his salary to citizens of Meriden?

MAGGIE BENDER, MERIDEN

Maggie,

I understand fully what you are saying. Sometimes the best candidate for a job is not a resident of our town. We all want the best for us all when it comes to safety. But, In my own opinion, if you collect a good paycheck from this town, you should be living in this town! If you are hired and let's say you live in Southington, then you should be given ample time to move here in Meriden. What's worse is when the employees started out living in Meriden and move to other towns. I overheard a conversation at Alan's Cup and Saucer last week by two Meriden Municipal Employees who do not live here because they wanted better lives for their families so they moved to Wallingford and Cheshire respectively. They complained about the schools and taxes in Meriden and how much better they have it where they live now. That disgusts me to no end.

[eastsider]

Maggie,

I understand fully what you are saying. Sometimes the best candidate for a job is not a resident of our town. We all want the best for us all when it comes to safety. But, In my own opinion, if you collect a good paycheck from this town, you should be living in this town! If you are hired and let's say you live in Southington, then you should be given ample time to move here in Meriden. What's worse is when the employees started out living in Meriden and move to other towns. I overheard a conversation at Alan's Cup and Saucer last week by two Meriden Municipal Employees who do not live here because they wanted better lives for their families so they moved to Wallingford and Cheshire respectively. They complained about the schools and taxes in Meriden and how much better they have it where they live now. That disgusts me to no end.



Connecticut general statue sec 7-460b very clearly spells out that a municipality can not impose any residency requirement on employees covered by a collective bargining agreement. Any requirement has to be negotiated for. I do not know of any time the city has ever asked to talk about it. So I would think that its not that important to city hall. A lot of people talk that our employees should live in town, and I think that they have a point. However, if we force our employees to live here, do force employees of other towns to leave? After all, shouldn't they have to live in their own town? Our real estate prices are lower than the towns that surround us and that makes us an attractive alternative when looking for housing. There are many employees from other towns who buy homes here becuase they are affordable. If we were to require our employees to live here, that would certainly not solve any of the economic problems that we have. Just because an employee lives in town, that does not make them more dedicated or a better employee than one who does not live here.

[jma]

Okay, we've established that it's illegal to force city employees to live in town. We've also agreed that we would prefer to have city employees living here. If we can't force them to live here, why not encourage them?

If we already give residents extra points in the hiring process, why not continue that during promotional tests? Give an extra 5-10 points then as well. Why not offer take-home cruisers for police officers living in Meriden. I suggest keeping them fully marked, to cut down on personal use such as driving to Yankee Stadium. (yup, seen our unmarked cruisers there!) I certainly wouldn't mind having a cruiser parked in my neighborhood!

I'm sure we can come up with perks for other departments as well which would benefit both the employee and the city.

[Common Sense]

WS receives a union pension and lifetime medical benefits for being a postal carrier. Rumor has it that because the Postal Service is in deep financial trouble they may take some medical and switch it to Medicare as have other Unions that used to carry their retired members. I don't know if it is true but it kind of makes sense even though postal worker's never paid into social security. With the new administration they can 'rework' that Federal benefit. Also someone said that his wife worked for the State and also receives a Union pension and benefits but again I'm not sure about that. I just don't understand how someone who has greatly benefited from being a Union member is against our Firefighter's and Police Officer's when their contracts come up. They deserve better. Unfortunately due to some of Walter's remarks about the City, he and others have not made it sound like an attractive place to live which it is in my opinion. Since there is a plethora of Real Estate agents in the State of CT I wonder how Walter would feel if the State mandated that Real Estate agents could only list and sell property in the town or city in which they live?! I agree with everything Maggie said and thank her and all the Fire Fighter's for their continued dedication. They deserve better and hopefully one day they will be treated as such.

[Common Sense]

Walt Shamock receives a generous pension with yearly increases and generous life time health benefits from a Federal Union after being a mailman. I doubt he has turned any increases down to help the economy. His wife receives a State of CT pension and health benefits. They also are rumored to be antique experts with a home full of fine items. Walter does not have to rely on his dabbling in real estate to maintain their life style nor did he ever put on a uniform that put his life at risk. Delivering mail is not an easy job and I'm not saying either one of them didn't work for it, but he is a hypocrite with his treatment of FireFighter's and Police Officer's. I do agree with him about waste in the Board of Education budget.
"The public character of every public servant is legitimate subject of discussion, and his fitness or unfitness for office may be fairly canvassed by any person"...Charles Babbage

[Snakebite]

That was then, this is now. Benefits are outstripping the ability to pay, your examples show that. Sorry to say, the disparity from the private sector has become too great.
Dont worry Socialism will be here soon and we will all have the same benefits.

[Common Sense]

I agree with you Snakebite, it is going to be a long four years nationally with the Socialist Democratic party in control. Having said that since there is so much in fighting to get re-elected who knows if anything will really change. I am not registered with any political party. I see little difference with any of them. But I stand by my statement that Walt Shamock is a hypocrite. His attitude "I got mine, the hell with yours" stinks when it comes to Public Safety. Sad

[BillCarson436]

Hello....

Really....

He's one of the FEW people on the Council that I have any respect for.

Watching the Meriden " elect " on TV sucking up to the audience...
giving new meaning to the word prostitute .... that was sad. I had
no Idea that Meriden had so many " special intrest groups " ... each
with their own sacred cows ( not MY program !!! ) Sad.


In any case...

I'd say that Kogut and Shamock are the only ones left with any
honesty... and back bone. As for Kenzior... I feel for anybody
in that position.

I say cut ...CUT ...if it lowers my taxes. If one less Fire Station makes
Meriden more unsafe.... MOVE !!!!! Go to Cheshire... or Southington
( Drug-Land ).


But that's just my opinion. ;)

[Common Sense]

I'm sure your words are very comforting to the families of Brian Ash and the two little Carabetta boys that perished in a fire and others that have suffered that horrible fate. The firefighters who were on duty that day will never forget it or anyone who has suffered. Do you comprehend the fact of seeing death first hand whether it is a fire, vehicle accident or medical call? Perhaps you should visit a burn ward. Fire Fighters and Police Officers have to as part of the job. There was talk back then of the need for another professional fire house in South Meriden but the City decided it couldn't afford it. There is a plaque at SMVFD stating it was to be. The West side has Chamberlain Highway and SMVFD. Since a train could cut down on the response time from any other fire station I am proactive. I have smoke alarms in every room, the attic and garage. I also have fire extingusher's on every level. The SMVFD does the best they can but do have trouble staffing during the day. Can you comprehend the fear of a family member who hears the phone ring during the night when there loved one is on duty? I am not married to nor do I have a family member who is a Police Officer or Fire Fighter, but I do know the parent's of one. Thankfully he has not been hurt YET!!
As far as your admiration of Mr Kogut, he cost the taxpayer's dearly with his generous retirement package to the previous Superintendent of Schools. Life time medical benefits for her, her husband and two adult children. The present Superintendent who doesn't even have a PHD but is paid as such threatens to quit, but when given a raise and who knows what else was promised decided to stay. I like her as a person and she is married to a retired Fire Fighter but I feel she was given the job through the 'good old boy network'. And yet you state that Mr Kogut is a man you admire?
The Board of Education takes over 55% of the City budget and does little to account for how it spends our money. Since you want to save taxes how can you admire a man who has cost us so much? It doesn't make sense to me.
None of the towns you suggest moving to has any appeal to me. One day I will move, but I will do extensive research before we put our home on the market. A market that Walt Shamock has devalued with his remarks across the board.
As long as I do live in Meriden I will try to make it better. I wouldn't mind a small tax increase as long as it was specifically for Police, Fire or Public Safety.

[MeridenBornnRaised]

Common Sense is correct and common sense is what we need to save this city. Teachers fight for education, Firefighters and Police for Public Safety, etc. We hire them to be specialists so they do indeed represent "special interests". It rests on them to vocalize what is needed in their field. Our politicians make decisions with little or no information on a specific subject.
If our City leadership is doing so well why isn't Downtown fixed instead of incessantly funding parking studies? How many parking studies (at our cost) do we need Downtown? City services have been cut tremendousely since I was a kid. We need to maintain a basic or better level of service lest our community become a ghost town.

Why is cost cutting limited to City employees? They are taxpayers, have families and expenses. Why not cut waste and develope ways to raise City revenue to keep the City functioning on a civilized level and lower the tax burden. Public employees jobs are different than those in the private sector
so how can you compare them. We need to provide a decent living for our employees, yes one that we taxpayers can afford, instead of just going tit for tat.

I don't see socialism here. I see Democracy and one in which all of our citizens, including city employees, have a voice. Unfortunately when some writers are worried about socialism they have become advocates for Stalinist Communism. Knee jerk reactions, silencing voices, and ignoring or disregarding historical facts.

Walt Shammock never comes up with solutions for problems. He plays the emotional (i.e. non-thinking) gambit. He just encourages ill feelings, doesn't
get the facts and grand stands. That is hollow leadership. His background is important as it shows his character, and as an elected offical and public figure is open to scrutiny. When Walt was having a love fest with the Police Chief during the Finance Committee hearings he never once asked him to move into Meriden. He totally missed the fact that the PD plays around with their budget money to fudge OT costs (can you say slush fund?) Walt needs to be credible across the board and truely serve the needs of Meriden.

Brian Kogut is a good man. He is good at crunching numbers, and we need that. But we also need balance because you cannot compare apples to oranges in practical situations.

Let's all work together to make Meriden great again.

[Snakebite]

I could see why the slow exodus of business high tailing out of this State.
The sense of entitlement runs too deep to change. Better look outside of Meriden, everyday almost every city throughout the state are barely raising taxes. How are they doing it?
As the Managers budget stands now, the 3 percent increase(1 mil) excedes every city but Hartford.
Every dollar added makes that figure higher.

Read the Hartford Courant the reports are daily. Get a fiscal grip
It can't be Business as Usual.

[Common Sense]

That is why Hartford is practically a ghost city. Meriden is a little city with big city problems. I would never live in another city, but chose a town with a proper form of government. One where the citizen has the right to vote on the budget. But as I said before, as long as I do live here I will try to make it better.
I wish the State of CT and the Federal government would put a freeze on pensions since the taxpayer is funding them. Quite frankly if the Federal & State governments put a freeze on pensions, Walt Shamock and his wife would go screaming mad. Walt has a sense of entitlement and an unknown grudge against the Fire Fighters. Perhaps he has a family member or friend he tried to get a job for but they failed the exam. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if that is the case. Maybe he will come to his senses about the safety of the City and not vote to close Engine 3. Or better yet resign and open an antique shop.

[Snakebite]

I have collected a lot of random data and think I will pick a solid candidate will help him/her in the upcoming local election. Definitely will not help an incumbant.
Then with a win, my payoff will be getting on a good board or commission and have an opportunity to really do something. Like the Wallingford guy did minus the 200 bucks.

[MediocreMeriden]

Maggie,

I understand fully what you are saying. Sometimes the best candidate for a job is not a resident of our town. We all want the best for us all when it comes to safety. But, In my own opinion, if you collect a good paycheck from this town, you should be living in this town! If you are hired and let's say you live in Southington, then you should be given ample time to move here in Meriden. What's worse is when the employees started out living in Meriden and move to other towns. I overheard a conversation at Alan's Cup and Saucer last week by two Meriden Municipal Employees who do not live here because they wanted better lives for their families so they moved to Wallingford and Cheshire respectively. They complained about the schools and taxes in Meriden and how much better they have it where they live now. That disgusts me to no end.

I don't see how people who work hard to support their family and want a better life for their kids can disgust you to no end. Meriden leaders should be looking at the reasons why everyone wants to move out of town. It's not just the city workers, mind you, it is quite a large chunk of the middle class. Also, these out-of-town Meriden Municipal Employees contribute quite a bit to our local economy by eating at Meriden restaurants, shopping in Meriden after work hours, buying gas from Meriden stores, etc. Enough of the bashing of out-of-town Meriden workers. The laws let them live wherever they want and they want to move out for better quality of life and education for their families. When Meriden gets up to par, maybe they will consider moving back. I don't care where they live as long as they do the best that they can when they're working in Meriden.