The Hoboken Tax Reform Coalition
Hoboken to Lay off 36 Employees
As posted on nj.com
http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2010/07/hoboken_to_layoff_36...
Hoboken
Mayor Dawn Zimmer is holding a press conference at City Hall this
afternoon to announce the city is laying off 36 employees including 18
from the Police Department, which is being restructured.Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer is holding a press conference this afternoon to announce 36 city employees are being laid off.
http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2010/07/hoboken_to_layoff_36...
Hoboken
Mayor Dawn Zimmer is holding a press conference at City Hall this
afternoon to announce the city is laying off 36 employees including 18
from the Police Department, which is being restructured.Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer is holding a press conference this afternoon to announce 36 city employees are being laid off.
The state Civil Service Commission must still approve the recommendation, which Zimmer said would save the city $2.5 million.
“This has been an extraordinarily difficult decision that had to be made, and my administration proceeded with extreme care to ensure that we have a responsible plan,” Zimmer said.
Among those being laid off are 18 members of the Police Department. The layoffs will occur after 19 senior officers are demoted, Zimmer said.
The other 18 layoffs will be spread across other departments within the administration.
Zimmer said she is working closely with the police chief.
“As we make this difficult decision, my administration is committed to protecting the public safety of our community,” she said. “Through redeployment and civilianization, there will be no reduction in the
number of patrol officers policing Hoboken’s streets.”
Zimmer said the cuts in the Police Department are based on an audit of the department prepared by the state Division of Local Government Services and the recommendations of Business Administrator Arch Liston.
Police Chief Anthony Falco criticized the audit when it was released in February saying portions of it were inaccurate.
“We have a responsibility to use our resources more efficiently,” Zimmer said. “By civilianizing non-police functions and moving police from behind desks and out on our streets, we can improve efficiency and
maintain the exceptional level of public safety our Police Department
has always provided our community.”
The demotions will change the department’s structure from one chief, four captains, 18 lieutenants and 30 sergeants to one chief, three captains, 12 lieutenants and 26 sergeants.
“Layoffs create real hardship for employees and their families, and I recognize that this decision has serious consequences for them,” Zimmer said. “The individuals affected are hardworking public servants
who are victims of a fiscal climate not of their own making.”
also see:
http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/city-36-layoffs-to-save-25-millionViews: 5
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by scott m siegel on
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Vince Lombardi has let his union down. Not surprising given the obstinance of union leaders throughout this country. We can no longer afford this behemoth and costs must be realigned with reality. This is what happens when union leaders live in Egypt. You know da Nile. They should have come to the table with significant cost savings but refused to do so.
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Permalink Reply by Andy on -
Layoffs suck for anyone being laid off but I'm glad the Mayor is making hard decisions to lower taxes for Hoboken.
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Permalink Reply by SmartyJones on -
MSV attended today's news conference and has the exclusive video including the Q&A with Mayor Zimmer.
Courtesy of Da Horsey, SmartyJones.
Mile Square View
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Permalink Reply by Fontadonna on
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Having lost my job over a year ago I understand the misery of those involved with the layoff ... but do you really think this will lower our taxes? Not a chance!
Andy said:Layoffs suck for anyone being laid off but I'm glad the Mayor is making hard decisions to lower taxes for Hoboken.
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Permalink Reply by Dave Kaplan on
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Lowering the city's costs lowers the amount of taxes the city needs to collect.
Fontadonna said:Having lost my job over a year ago I understand the misery of those involved with the layoff ... but do you really think this will lower our taxes? Not a chance!
Andy said:Layoffs suck for anyone being laid off but I'm glad the Mayor is making hard decisions to lower taxes for Hoboken.
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Permalink Reply by robert randall on
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$2.5 million is about 4.5% of the City's tax levy so these cuts will reduce taxes from whatever they would otherwise be by that amount. That's a real number especially if its combined with other cost cutting measures.
Fontadonna said:Having lost my job over a year ago I understand the misery of those involved with the layoff ... but do you really think this will lower our taxes? Not a chance!
Andy said:Layoffs suck for anyone being laid off but I'm glad the Mayor is making hard decisions to lower taxes for Hoboken.
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Permalink Reply by Andy on
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I wish we would see the full 4.5%. You know this will get eaten into by other hikes somewhere. Although I give Dawn credit this was a tough decision. Now we need to eliminate half or more of city hall and look at other administrative levels in the Fire houses too.
Unless the Mob rises up, Hoboken is the safest place in the area by far. And considering no beat cops are coming off the streets we shouldn't see an impact at all to our safety. The guy sitting at the desk filling out paperwork is not making me safer no matter how much people on NJ.com scream.
I would even suggest Dawn read the article in the NY times about the town north of LA that outsourced their entire municipal government and has seen no impact other than significant taxpayer savings. I can't find the link but it was in last week's paper.
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Permalink Reply by Dave Kaplan on
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Kim,
I have seen no reason to doubt the mayor's number for savings. You certainly have not made a convincing case.
In addition, the same number of police officers will be on the streets from my understanding, so I don't believe that part of your argument is true.
I am a resident (who lives west of Bloomfield Street incidentally), and I support following the independently done police audit.
Kim said:Mr. Siegal why don't you tell people what you are really like? You are not a tax payer ,you rent on Castle Point and most likely unemployed. You continuously defend everything and anything this administration does regardless whether it's true or not. Your rent will not go up whether the taxes go up or down,it will remain the same. The 2.5 million dollar savings is INCORRECT!!!!!!! We are talking less then $500,000 dollars in savings and not the 2.5 she claims. Do some math and figure the numbers out, it's approximately less then $200 dollars per year in savings. Take that and divide by 4 quarters and you get your quarterly savings. Let's assume they include the benefit package, the numbers are still WAY lower then the 2.5 YOUR mayor claims. Do a bit more research and you will see the actual truth and not complete lies as she has been doing.
Let's ask the citizens of Hoboken what they would prefer, 18 more cops in the street protecting their families, patrolling the streets, keeping everyone safe or $200 less on their tax bill and i mean all the citizens , not just Mr. Brice's people, The Hoboken Recult members or any anti police people. Why don't you walk down the housing Mr. Seigal and ask them what they prefer, don't just stop on Bloomfield St. It's safe to go further West, don't be afraid.
I can guarantee you that the majority of Hoboken prefer them to leave those officers at work where they belong rather then laying them off so the REAL taxpayers, not just your average renter as yourself can safe a measly few bucks.
scott m siegel said:Vince Lombardi has let his union down. Not surprising given the obstinance of union leaders throughout this country. We can no longer afford this behemoth and costs must be realigned with reality. This is what happens when union leaders live in Egypt. You know da Nile. They should have come to the table with significant cost savings but refused to do so.
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Permalink Reply by InfotainMe on
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Kim said: "I see you support that garbage of an audit because you are one of them who have hatred for the public safety."
Hatred for the public safety? You got all that out of Kaplan's respectful disagreement with you? Yikes.
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Permalink Reply by Dave Kaplan on
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A back of the napkin calculation can easily explain that the stated savings is a completely reasonable figure. If you divide the savings by the number of people laid off, then you will have your answer, and I think that is a completely reasonable number.
The only independent audit was performed at the direction of the state of new jersey. An audit done at the direction of the union simply doesn't carry much weight to an ordinary citizen (not a public safety expert in any way) such as myself. The only group that did not have any financial motivation here performed the first audit.
You also have me all wrong. I don't hate anyone, certainly not any public safety workers. I fully appreciate what they do, and also do not wish for anyone to lose their jobs during tough economic times like these. However, this must be balanced with what the city can afford. These economic times are real, and, whether you and i like it or not, citizens simply don't have the money right now to pay the increased taxes that would be caused by retaining extra employees that an independent auditor states are not providing hoboken with the best bang for its buck.
Finally, pointing to other possible savings is something I welcome. And indeed, I hope that other responsible cuts will continue to be made. It is not a zero sum game however. If cuts are made elsewhere, that doesn't mean that the city can or should pay more than it can currently afford for public safety.
We may have to agree to disagree, and that is natural, but I remain in favor of the recent step that regrettably had to be taken due to current conditions. I have not seen any fundamental flaw in the reasoning that was given for the move, nor have I seen any flaw in the estimated savings.
Kim said:Ok, you're entitled to your opinion. Explain to me then where does she get those figures from then? Do you know the answer? Why not give the public a breakdown as to where the savings are coming from exactly. Stating the city will save 2.5 million by demoting and laying off is not good enough to those it affects. Show me and other concerned citizens who do not want to lose officers where she gets these figures from.
As for the numbers on the street, wrong again. The same number will not be on the street, the city will lose officers and that is a fact people as yourself will soon see but of course will ignore because of your support for her. I Would like you to remember this post and realize that yes this person was correct all along.
I see you support that garbage of an audit because you are one of them who have hatred for the public safety. It's obvious in the rebuttal that the audit was completely flawed and used to benefit the city's needs. I support the rebuttal and would hope that the Mayor would be more honest with the public with her facts and misinformation so that people such as yourself can see the truth.
Dave Kaplan said:Kim,
I have seen no reason to doubt the mayor's number for savings. You certainly have not made a convincing case.
In addition, the same number of police officers will be on the streets from my understanding, so I don't believe that part of your argument is true.
I am a resident (who lives west of Bloomfield Street incidentally), and I support following the independently done police audit.
Kim said:Mr. Siegal why don't you tell people what you are really like? You are not a tax payer ,you rent on Castle Point and most likely unemployed. You continuously defend everything and anything this administration does regardless whether it's true or not. Your rent will not go up whether the taxes go up or down,it will remain the same. The 2.5 million dollar savings is INCORRECT!!!!!!! We are talking less then $500,000 dollars in savings and not the 2.5 she claims. Do some math and figure the numbers out, it's approximately less then $200 dollars per year in savings. Take that and divide by 4 quarters and you get your quarterly savings. Let's assume they include the benefit package, the numbers are still WAY lower then the 2.5 YOUR mayor claims. Do a bit more research and you will see the actual truth and not complete lies as she has been doing.
Let's ask the citizens of Hoboken what they would prefer, 18 more cops in the street protecting their families, patrolling the streets, keeping everyone safe or $200 less on their tax bill and i mean all the citizens , not just Mr. Brice's people, The Hoboken Recult members or any anti police people. Why don't you walk down the housing Mr. Seigal and ask them what they prefer, don't just stop on Bloomfield St. It's safe to go further West, don't be afraid.
I can guarantee you that the majority of Hoboken prefer them to leave those officers at work where they belong rather then laying them off so the REAL taxpayers, not just your average renter as yourself can safe a measly few bucks.
scott m siegel said:Vince Lombardi has let his union down. Not surprising given the obstinance of union leaders throughout this country. We can no longer afford this behemoth and costs must be realigned with reality. This is what happens when union leaders live in Egypt. You know da Nile. They should have come to the table with significant cost savings but refused to do so.
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Kim:
I have never told anyone, at any time, anything different than what you said about my home and how I earn a living. I am still a municipal bond trader and have been so for 23 years. I rented on Hudson St for 20 years before moving myself and my two cats to the 2nd Ward in January. Since moving I am forced to walk much more and that's probably good for me. My addresses have been stated often at City Council and BOE meetings, they have never been hidden. At least St Ann's is a shorter walk. People (who know me) know that I am a conservative and a Hoboken Republican Committee Member representing my new district. I am philosophically against bigger government, high taxes and improper or unnecessary spending. Whether I rent or own doesn't make a difference. If I lose my job tomorrow it won't change my mind as to what I believe is the best way to protect tax payers from politicians that care only about projecting and maintaining their power and privileges.
When it comes to police layoffs you repeat the canard that Mayor Zimmer is taking cops off the beat and that is simply a fabrication of the facts. She is demoting a grossly top heavy police force, will employ (hopefully) a lower cost, but effective civilian replacements for clerical work. There will be no, as in zero, reduction in patrols.You also omit the fact that 7 of the top 10 compensated public safety officials are employed by one New Jersey town- Hoboken. We need more police to get out on the street and out from behind their desks and cars and walk the beat so that they and we can know each other better and more effectively share the information that will keep us safe.
Certain people continually complain at Council Meetings about the lack of a promised tax cut. Obviously those people can't comprehend the current economic situation. Payroll is 75% of our costs. What happens when Mayor Zimmer cuts personnel with state approval after an exhaustive neutral departmental audit and lowers taxes? Those same people then complain about the cuts.You can't have it both ways. I spoke to a police officer at St Ann's and even he agreed with me that the money just isn't there anymore.If the police union leadership would just wake up and make rational concessions no cuts would be needed. The raises received during this past decade (as in "we deserve our share of a growing pie") derived from one shots and dubious PILOT agreements and were not based on real growth.With the economic downturn these gimmicks are no longer available.The Mayor's statement detailed cost savings. If she is wrong please show me the facts and figures to back up your claims. I don't have a clue as to how to properly staff a police or fire department, do you? That's why we need neutral, comprehensive, expert audits for every aspect of our governmental structure. If the audit says hire more, so be be it. If the audit says cut, then we cut.
Hoboken recently had a 47% tax increase due to bungled fiscal management. Whether or not my landlord chooses to pass on any future tax increase (which would raise my rent) which he could legally do, is out of my control. I don't want another massive tax hike to happen again, even if I am personally unaffected.
I am permitted (as are you) to have a core belief regarding right and wrong, that transcends my own life. Last week I wrote an oped to the Hoboken Reporter about a story they had the prior week- high teenage unemployment. I have no children, but I am still upset that teenage unemployment is at an all time high, solely to government interference in the free market system that I love. I plan to "walk down the housing" on National Night Out, why not bring your kid and join me?
Most importantly my last name is spelled Siegel, not Siegal.
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I thought the council gave themselves and all Directors a 10% pay cut last term. The minority at that time tried to get a co-pay for health and were outvoted. I hope they try again. Beth requested her back pay in case you don't remember. If I (or they) had her money I would hope they wouldn't do the same. Not all of us can afford to blow $1 million on two failed Mayoral campaigns and not have our lifestyles affected, only Beth. I just posted an article about a town in NJ where they suggest a 50% cut for non union members. Why would I post it if I didn't think it had merit?
As I said previously, I didn't know that you were a public sector consultant. Interesting to learn that. I called for departmental audits for every aspect of our government and clearly said that if a qualified auditor says cut, we cut. If they say hire, we hire.
Even though I am not a millionaire like Beth I opposed the millionaire tax. I don't believe that we should punish success. I don't go to tanning salons, but I oppose the 10% tax because it's a back door way to pay for government controlled health care. I am not married but I hope Congress passes the continuation of the marriage tax credit, because I don't believe that you should be punished by getting married. I have no children, yet I go to BOE meetings because I believe that everyone deserves a quality education, at a cost effective level of course. I don't have have a car and have to ride mass transit. Unlike Beth who probably never takes a train, I'll take one on Friday to see my mom. Corzine never paid for the double decker trains (great vehicle) so Christie had to raise my fares, not that Beth would ever know this. That's ok with me because I do practice what I preach. It's Beth who prefers the Corzine/Roberts approach of not paying for things, not me.
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