The Hoboken Tax Reform Coalition
Tripodi's Phantom Cuts
In a recent interview with Mile Square View, Judy Tripodi was asked to explain what ever happened to the layoffs and demotions that were announced early last year.
Tripodi concedes that she never delivered on those promised cost reductions. Her "excuse" for inaction makes no sense to us. Tripodi claims that she couldn't follow through in light of Peter Cammarano's arrest. However, she made the layoff and demotion recommendations prior to his election. And yet, Tripodi now maintains that she couldn't lay off city employees after Cammarano's arrest, as she "didn't know who was coming in."
Well, Dawn Zimmer was named Acting Mayor in very short order. She was then duly elected. So why haven't those layoffs been made? Tripodi never directly answers that question.
Whatever the reason, this delay has cost taxpayers perhaps as much as one million dollars so far. It's simply infuriating to learn that, after swiftly hitting us with such a massive tax hike, the state fiscal monitor is now in no particular hurry to downsize government. And neither, apparently, is our mayor.
Tripodi concedes that she never delivered on those promised cost reductions. Her "excuse" for inaction makes no sense to us. Tripodi claims that she couldn't follow through in light of Peter Cammarano's arrest. However, she made the layoff and demotion recommendations prior to his election. And yet, Tripodi now maintains that she couldn't lay off city employees after Cammarano's arrest, as she "didn't know who was coming in."
Well, Dawn Zimmer was named Acting Mayor in very short order. She was then duly elected. So why haven't those layoffs been made? Tripodi never directly answers that question.
Whatever the reason, this delay has cost taxpayers perhaps as much as one million dollars so far. It's simply infuriating to learn that, after swiftly hitting us with such a massive tax hike, the state fiscal monitor is now in no particular hurry to downsize government. And neither, apparently, is our mayor.
Tags: Spending, Taxes, Tripodi, Zimmer
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by georgia on -
I said it long time ago that Tripodi needs to be bluntly asked to pack her bags and leave this town! The newly elected city officials need take action! For god sake, no one has any guts? This is taxation without representation - why do we pay her?
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Permalink Reply by Whity Marsh on
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The layoffs proposed were quietly and successfully averted by the FD through creative negotiations with Ms Tripodi and the Officers Union. As of now 01/26/2010 ,the FD Unions have pensioned off 9 members . The cost savings to the City is upwards of 1.2 million. Some eligible members opted to retire , in order to save their co-workers from demotions. That’s what we do to protect our own.
The bigger picture is there are 19 more members who will be able to retire within 10 months. The Unions have been vilified by the blogers , we are not the enemy . We also have a vested interest in keeping our City safe and financially sound. We will put together a solid plan with merit good to reduce payroll and not diminish services.
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Permalink Reply by SmartyJones on -
The Budget Workshop is this Saturday. We've posted some information on the union discussions (now public) and also that Judy will be attending. Questions should be submitted to your Council people in advance of the meeting.
We don't wish to in any way discount the frustration of the Red Elephant or others but it noteworthy to mention the Police Audit will be available at the end of the month. There's going to be something coming out of this we'd expect.
Judy Tripodi is also on the record and consistent on treating the outstanding 4.2MM pension error over several years. No other NJ municipality would do likewise and that figure almost matches the anticipated 8% decrease to taxpayers for this fiscal year.
Would suggest people in advance of Saturday's Workshop submit via email budget concerns on these and any other issue. We're not sure why questions can't be submitted that day but that's the process.
Some conclusions can be drawn on the matters at hand but some of this is yet to be altogether clear. The Fire Department's approach is not widely known but its impact certainly is tangible.
The mayor and the City Council now need to step up with what they can impact in this fiscal budget by June 30. They should do their best and not tag on the 4.2MM pension error in the last six months. The taxpayers deserve the planned reduction after last year's hammering.
Mile Square View
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Permalink Reply by Gene on
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Let's face it; Tripodi has no responsibility to anyone. She is a run of the mill NJ hack politico. Anyone who expected great things from her was dreaming.
She has been here too long already and it is time for the present Administration to petition Gov Christie to boot her.
She has done nothing she promised and according to her; it's just another day at the office.
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