New Haven Independent

Posted by: more data | July 8, 2009 8:50 AM

Check out the budget book, many, many union employees indeed received similar raises. A sampling:
Librarian: 72,697 to 74,878. Park Mechanic: 46,604 to 50,381. Firefighter: 62,659 to 65,165.
Police Officer: 58,914 to 61,294. Principal: 121,218 to 125,568. Kindergarten Teacher: 77,752 to 79,026. Grade 4 Teacher: 67,428 to 72,829.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | July 8, 2009 9:14 AM

Sean Mattison issues a statement with fact errors. Excuse me Sean, for $111,000 and change, I would think you could get your ... facts straight and be honest and forthright in your representations to taxpayers and fellow employees. Do you know the difference between defined benefit and defined contribution? Interesting that they are doing it within each department - it was going to come from contract reserves. I guess this proves my point of five years and running now - there is fat in every single city budget. I think it's time for a press conference on the steps of City Hall - "There's a continuing robbery going on behind these doors." Remember that mayor?

Posted by: Resident | July 8, 2009 10:05 AM

All of you lawyers out there: Is impeachment of King John possible?

Posted by: notimon | July 8, 2009 10:36 AM

Long live the King. You New Haveners will vote him back into office and we all know that.

Posted by: JZ | July 8, 2009 12:14 PM

Seems extremely arrogant to me.

Posted by: Just a lowly taxpayer | July 8, 2009 12:28 PM

Again, the administration has their hacks claiming that since they were forced by King John's incompetent negotiating strategy to give the unions unaffordable raises, the city 's top earning staff should get them too.

These raises were not budgeted, and the Mayor did it under the cover of dark (de he even call aldermen or the President of The Board to discuss this? Likely not considering the final vote on Monday night and the fact that Goldfield has yet to say a word)- arrogance and continued defensiveness by the administration should not be too much for citizens to overcome.

Posted by: Question | July 8, 2009 12:29 PM

When is the public hearing on thism- These people should not be making 112k per year?

Posted by: Chris from New Haven | July 8, 2009 12:40 PM

Mayor,

You don't care about the Board of Alderman's opinion, as evidenced by these sophmoric remarks from your political hacks (who make a LOT of money)

You don't care about the public's opinion based on your decision to not include these raises in your budget, or to go before the Board of Aldermen to have a public hearing.

You don't care about accountability based on your unwillingness to conduct/provide performance reviews for these employees.

You don't care about your workforce whom you just laid off.

You don't care about the services you just cut.

You don't care about the children who can't go to camp this year.

Who do you care about again?

Oh, I see that you and your political allies in City Hall make a ton of money. That must be the answer.

Posted by: Allan Brison | July 8, 2009 1:38 PM

As a member of the Blue Ribbon Budget Review panel, I am extremely concerned with the issue of defined benefits, as opposed to defined contributions, pension plans.

The Blue Ribbon panel concluded that the defined benefits plans are driving the City towards an even greater financial crisis than that which we are already in.

It is particularly interesting the Mayor's Chief of Staff, himself one of the 41 top staff receiving a raise in these difficult times, is making the unlikely claim, disputed in the article, that the 41 are giving up their defined benefits plan.

If true, it would indeed be monumental news.

Allan Brison
Alderman, Ward 10
member, Blue Ribbon Budget Review

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 8, 2009 2:26 PM

Question
there is a Mayor's night out on July 22 at Wilbur Cross at 7:00 where you can talk directly to the man and his staff and every other department in the city.

Posted by: concerned | July 8, 2009 2:49 PM

I know this administration feels it is the same people belly aching over and over again. The same people signing into the NHI and complaining and being critical of everything. What they haven't thought about is that those folks pretty much represent the general publics feelings.
Sean Matteson you should be ashamed.
Those aldermen that didn't show for the meeting just identified themselves as completely pro-administration without giving it a thought. It's ok to work with the mayor's team, but not feel you have to work for them and gain favors. Hey, you were elected to represent us not be partners with the executive branch! I hope all of you get voted out of office. And news flash, if you think this administration is grateful to you for not showing up just in case you were going to vote against them and for this resolution, you are so wrong because they will smile and behind your back have no respect at all for you. You see with them it is all or nothing. So staying home would never be good enough for them. You cowards!
...
Go ahead, those writting in favor of these raises, we all know you are working with in this administration. I am only a tax payer and sick to death of how this city is being run.
John D. I use to support you, never ever again.

Posted by: 3144 member | July 8, 2009 2:50 PM

Hey Allan -

Great comment! Your right... hese 41 political appointees are not giving up their pensions or their ability to transition into the pension plan in the future.

Another lie, another justification. Who are they blaming for this issue now? They are so busy attacking one another for the political ineptitude of this whole thing, its actually quite funny. Overhearing conversations, everyone was blaming Hibson, now people are blaming Matteson. Smuts and Matteson are trying to get everyone to blame Lemar for working with Perez and alerting the media. No one realizes that the media was tipped -off on Wednesday by an employee in City Hall.

Lemar,as the new person to blame for the public being so pissed off about this, is getting attacked by the new haven politicos who see this as some big conspiracy against the Mayor's "team". He's been blackballed by many in the administration. Others in the administration are just ignoring the whole thing and think Lemar just needs a little payback and it will all be over. Perez is being brought in to "smooth things over". Sandman is pissed that he found out about this on the Independent and is trying to position himself as the peacemaker.

Some department heads don't think they should have gotten raises while they are losing staff and hate the idea of making a series of internal budget adjustments in order to pay themselves more and not need BOA approval.

One department head wanted to give the money back, but the Mayor's office said NO.

Its getting fun to be just be a fly on the wall, happy to still have a job, willing to have given up a lot to keep it.

Posted by: Ward23 Resident | July 8, 2009 3:47 PM

Thank you to my Alderman Shah for voting for us!

The Mayor's Office and Executive Management have always treated the Board of Aldermen with very little respect. Its good to see that they are being given a chance to see how little the Mayor's Office and the CAO think of them. You see Alderman Shah, what these people will try to get you to buy when you talk to them long enough.. This was wrong, and you stood up for us! I don't care what justification they try to give you - you did the right thing! Thank you for standing by us Brother Shah!

Posted by: Brian V | July 8, 2009 3:53 PM

Who is this Lemar guy?
Sounds like a voice of reason, why doesn't he run for mayor? I bet there would be a lot of support for such an outstanding young mind.

In the mean time....
Sharpen your pitchforks and get the torches ready and show up to the Mayors Night Out July 22 at Wilbur Cross. I heard the mayor really likes to meet all his constituents. I hope each and everyone of them shows up to tell him how happy we are with the pay raises! I am sure he will appreciate all our thoughts. Hope to see you then!

Posted by: Goatville | July 8, 2009 4:23 PM

Hey Brian V. - I thought you held Lemar in the same level of esteem as King John and [Rob Smuts] ... I never really understood why you didn't like Lemar, seems like a good guy, just maybe a little chicken... and too young to be ready for the prime-time. My read is that he doesn't have the ... (wink,wink) to run for Mayor against Johnny and is just going to support Smuts when he runs after Johnny leaves.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | July 8, 2009 4:28 PM

Sean:

The primary problem with these raises is that they are unbudgeted and were intentionally not disclosed in the budget book or in the public hearings and workshops. If you or the mayor, or anybody in the administration thought the raises were justified, they should have been included. That makes those associated with the budget liars for putting out a budget plan that was incomplete and is now out of balance. This dishonesty of it all and the hubris associated with it is stunning.

Where is the mayor by the way? He's always calling others out and demeaning them..tell him to grow a pair and address the dishonesty and the out of budget spending.

More Data:

I'm glad you're reading the budget book. These raises are not in there and that's the problem. It does look bad when you're crying "we're poor and we have to cut payroll and services" but then grant raises to the those who are already well compensated and have not given up their rich pensions.

Posted by: one more remark | July 8, 2009 4:33 PM

After reading this article, I feel like the Mayor's office just told the Aldermen and the public to go F' themselves. Am I reading it wrong?

Posted by: Streever | July 8, 2009 5:58 PM

Honestly, it's not the raises that bother me so much as the idea of leaving them off the public radar. I understand why it was done, but think it's the wrong move in a city concerned with transparency.

Goatville--learn some manners, or stop posting drunk.

Posted by: Free Brian V. | July 8, 2009 6:07 PM

Brian V.:

Let's see if I have the cast right. Perez, Dyson, Lemar, Streever (God save us), yourself, I am sure I am missing a few. All have your support for Mayor. If they choose not to run for whatever reason you turn on them (except yourself I assume) and call them "cowards" and move on to the next name that comes to mind.

The problem Brian is that you are defined by your nemesis, King John. You need to be for something or someone that can turn New Haven around. In your heart of hearts who is that? What is his/her vision what is his/her plan?

It is time New Haven was not seen through the prism of John DeStefano. You would be a good place to start. Whoever it is will have their work cut out for them and will, perhaps, be a one term Mayor because there are no simple ways to get out of this mess and there are plenty on jackels waiting for the carcass to begin to rot who will take the City to even lower lows.

What say you Brian V. who can do it??? Who will you be for as opposed to being against King John?

Posted by: The Truth | July 8, 2009 8:55 PM

Nobody seems to realize its election year. Public funding doesn't cover everything, and candidates can raise money as usual. Anyone here think Johnny's boys and girls are getting a pay rise better think again. He'll have his hand out for contributions before the inks printed on their first jumbo paychecks. Some of his appointees didnt get any extra cash. I'd wager if Paul Bass researched prvious campain contributions he'd find the ones who got the cash are the easiest milked. 3% pay hike is 2% after tax. On $95,000 that works out to $1,900 right below the $2,000 limit. $100 left. Buy some new clothes or have a beer or go to the game. Its tough at the top. Its also rotten.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | July 8, 2009 9:08 PM

One More:
You read well.

Posted by: concerned | July 8, 2009 9:54 PM

"One More Comment', they certainly are telling everyone to go F themselves. You know, I give Lemar credit for taking this stand and all the other alders that did so. By the way Lemar, if this administration gives you a hard time by threatening not to give your ward proper services, take it to your people in the ward, they will more than understand and have them make calls to the mayor's office in protest to let this administration know everyone is wise to them. Good job to the majority of the board who did the right thing. Thank you.

Posted by: Brian V | July 9, 2009 1:07 AM

Free BV:
You did forget a few, how about Rhodeen, Will Clark, Chris Ozyack, Al Paolillo; I don't remember endorsing Perez -but why not, him too!
Add BoBo the Clown to the list too. I want ANYONE to usurp the King, because I think ANYONE will do less damage than him. King John is the George Bush of New Haven; he has screwed up everything he touches. The City can run itself for a couple of years if need be. If it takes a 1 term mayor to help break the strangle hold he has on this city, so be it. When the King is gone the garbage will still get picked up, and there will still be cops on the street. Even a 1 term mayor would be doing a huge service to the city- and it IS about public service isn't it, FreeBV? Is it the thought of JUST 1 term keeping you out of the race?
I get frustrated by the lack of b*lls some of the above have shown. Calling them cowards was too much and I apologize, from now on I will tone it down to sissy.
I KNOW that many of them (you) would love to be mayor, I KNOW that many of them (you) don't agree with most of what the King does and how he does it. But none of YOU have had the gumption, or put together a coalition and given him a run. That is what is frustrating. There are a lot of talented, smart, energetic, honest and dedicated people on that list. Overtures of support have been made to some, and none of them have stepped up to the plate. Many say: "not this time he'll step down in 2 years". I say don't be so sure. Where is he going? The Senate? My guess is he tries that next but he will lose and die on the throne.
This is (was) the year to beat him.
He would be difficult to beat, but think of the position a candidate would be in today! A viable candidate could hammer him on a number of current failures: Money troubles, Raises, Layoffs, Belavista hates him, the unions hate him, Supreme Court slaps him, the Governor hates him and even the Register has shown signs of dissent.
And the city is aching for a new leader.
How about a last minute coalition made up of couple of Alders from some key voting districts, maybe a smart guy from Dept of Ed, a few Non-Profit civic minded types -you all know who you are, and voila- New Haven's New Government!
Oh for the record, I have ZERO desire to be mayor, nor the qualifications. All of the above mentioned do, to some degree. I will be happy to knock on doors and pass out "VOTE For Free (or anyone but King J)" pamphlets. Please give me the opportunity to do that.
If not... Ralph Ferrucci gets my vote... again.

Posted by: Streever | July 9, 2009 10:19 AM

Free Brian V.:
I'd be an awesome mayor. I'd let spandex be on the dress code at City Hall & bulldoze the parking lot to replace it with a velodrome & A bike lock-up.

Posted by: Ward 23 and a City employee | July 9, 2009 10:53 AM

Alderman Shah- You are Chair of Finance, are you just going to let the administration lie to you like this? They are taking advantage of you and your willingness to trust them. But they are lying to you. These workers did not give up their pensions or make real concessions. They lied to you and your committee's face and are now saying that they will give these raises without even allowing you or the public to comment.

What are you going to do for us taxpayers?