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Wildwood Officials Tell Unions to Expect Furloughs, Layoffs
Tags: unions, Wildwood
Mayor Gary DeMarzo
WILDWOOD — Mayor Gary DeMarzo and commissioners Edward Harshaw and Al Brannen have drawn a line in the sand with local unions, letting them know that change is on the way in an effort to save money for local taxpayers.
Wildwood's governing body Thursday, Feb. 4 sent letters to representatives of the three major unions that represent city employees. Letters went to Ernie Troiano, III, president, FMBA Local 50 of the Wildwood Fire Department; Fran Smith, president United Auto Workers Union Local 2327; and Christopher B. Howard president Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7.
The letter stated that the tax rate in Wildwood is "nearly twice that of our sister communities."
Since the city's budget is employee-based, the solution must be employee-based, the letter said.
The letter asked the unions to reopen contract negotiations, to help create enhanced incentive separation packages, to negotiate from a perspective of employee concessions, to voluntarily schedule unpaid furlough days in 2010, and to give suggestions for budgetary savings to reduce the number of potential layoffs.
The following is the text of the letter sent to the union officials:
"The unfortunate fact is that we are faced with tremendous economic peril and without drastic action this economic disaster will continue and possibly worsen. The City of Wildwood has a tax rate nearly twice that of our sister communities, substantial revenue shortfalls and an infrastructure that is clearly overwhelming; changes in our municipality require a significant reduction of our cost base. This outlook has to be in line with our conservative revenue expectations for the next two to three years.
"The easy answer is to "just raise taxes and fees." Well, that is not an option; the solution will have to be a shared sacrifice. The vast majority of the City of Wildwood's budget is employee based; that means that the immediate solution has to employee based.
"In an effort to cope with these extreme times, we are asking for the employee base to help with the solution. It is the work force that knows the organization best and it is the work force that can provide the most beneficial and efficient suggestions to this monumental problem.
"We need to reduce our employee base. First, we are asking all employee bargaining groups to re-open their contracts for further negotiations. Second, we are asking for assistance and suggestions to create enhanced incentive separation packages. Third, we are asking those bargaining groups whose contracts have expired to negotiate from a perspective of employee concessions. Fourth, we are asking employees to voluntarily schedule unpaid furlough days in 2010. Lastly, we are asking for ideas, suggestions and opportunities for budgetary savings to reduce the number of potential layoffs.
"These are extremely difficult decisions, but decisions that are absolutely necessary if the City of Wildwood is to be a viable community. We must focus on our future and together manage our municipality so we may operate on a level that will allow us to compete in our global tourist market."
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Sun, 02/07/2010 - 11:38pm - Posted by: SHOREMAN
To The bearded1. All 4 Wildwoods only make up 4.5 square miles. And there are 8 fire departments, 4 police department, 4 public works departments, 4 mayors, etc., etc. Every taxpayer in these 4.5 square mile towns would save money if they were consolidated. It's only common sense. And it would be the single biggest factor in curbing corruption.
Sun, 02/07/2010 - 4:02pm - Posted by: Thebearded1
why dont you people who run these cities consolidate,,,com on 5 miles x 2 miles,,, 4 police depts,,4 fire companies,,and 3 recue squads,,save $$$$$$$
Sun, 02/07/2010 - 10:18am - Posted by: celticshore
This was a long time coming and thank G*d its here…..
Sun, 02/07/2010 - 1:57am - Posted by: ClassicRoadster
This is what the Recall was all about. Reducing the Taxes that were out of control under Ernie Troiano. Great job getting the RIGHT people in office that have the guts to stand up and do what should have been done a long time ago.
As for Wildwud comments.....Keep it up! ....Troiano! You are just letting everyone know what a BABY you are. I'm glad you were KICKED OUT OF OFFICE! Wildwood is going to be a much better place now that you are gone from City Hall.
Sun, 02/07/2010 - 2:16pm - Posted by: SHOREMAN
www.pressofatlanticcity.com/corruption/ I certainly hope people are sending their e-mails to the link below. The Wildwoods really need to consolidate to stop the corruption.
See following website: www.nj.gov/dca/affiliates/luarcc and go to bottom paragraph and click on "send an e-mail" and send your e-mail to Dennis Smeltzer about consolidating the Wildwoods. There's strength in numbers and if the majority of the people let their voices be heard and let the state know we've had enough with the corruption and waste in these small municipalities costing some taxpayers to lose their homes, we can make change for the better.
Sat, 02/06/2010 - 7:32pm - Posted by: rd08242
Why bother having a paid fire department in wildwood when there are two other volunteer companies in the same town. For that matter, why does the whole island have 15+ fire apparatuses for such a small town? Why is the Wildwood F.D. bloated with so many high ranking officials? Furloughs and cuts are needed. Why not merge the whole island police depts. and fire depts? Whats the need to have 4 Chiefs on one Island? Too much bloated local government needs to be merged.
Sat, 02/06/2010 - 9:05am - Posted by: kenzo
No need for WW to have over a 100 more fulltime employees then NW. If ww reduced its workforce by 25 at a mean income of $45000, they would save over a million dollars a year. cuts are painful but necessary since their was no plan before on have to reduce the budget.
Sat, 02/06/2010 - 8:21am - Posted by: THEshadow
they need to get DeMidget another pic......this one really makes him look like a smacked arse!!!!!
Sat, 02/06/2010 - 5:06am - Posted by: sea4me
These cuts are not unique to WW, cuts and furloughs are happening in most cities, counties and states across our country. (They have been happening in the private sector for over a year) The gravy train is over.
The cause of reduced revenues is the reduced revenue of the taxpayers, hence their inability to pay their bloated New Jersey property taxes.
We the people FEED all of Government, from US comes the money for local, county, state and federal government, and YOU ALL WANT MORE, at the same time we have been living without raises, having to take furloughs and cuts to keep our jobs and for some losing our jobs all together. We are screaming UNCLE…..We have nothing left for the government that is running amuck…….
(To truthhurtz, I see no revenge here just fiscal response to difficult times)
How about the retired, SS is not giving out cost of living raises this year and yet to sustain WW’s bloated work force taxes surly would go up, do you have any concerns for those of us who cannot make up the difference by getting a job. Do you want the little old lady of 70-90 to take in laundry to meet your pay requirements? I suggest you take the cuts and the furloughs and be darn glad you have a job, just like the rest of us.
What of the business owner whose sales were down 20-30% from the year before, are they to raise the prices to close that gap, NO, they CUT COST…………..
WOULD YOU PAY 25% to 50% MORE for a meal, for clothes, shoes, a car, a boat, a cab ride, or home improvement project to cover the business owners reduced revenues? Answer-A BIG FAT NO……..
We know how painful it will be, we have been living it for some time now. My hours have been cut and I am doing the job of two, my brother has been working with furloughs for over a year and he may be out of a job soon, my two sisters are out of work.
So go right ahead and try to tell me that we need to keep every one of our city employees even if it means I lose my home………
(To Wildwud) As for the duplication of employees, DeMarzo needs to have people he can trust and advisers who are not looking to drive a Mac truck over him. Karavan and Wood have proven where their loyalties lie and it is not with the PEOPLE…….
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 9:39pm - Posted by: Wildwud
Been proven?? OK Demarzo. I see you show up quite often when someone calls you to the carpet. A couple names at that, Ismellarat. We know its you Commissioner Thesaurus. Can i get one of those proven pumps next to my house or are you the only one? My street floods but no pumps in sight. But there is a nice pump between the midgets house and the one hes losing to foreclosure. You know the one thats next to the open lot that he ordered city workers to fill in with city dirt.
You have any comments on the hiring of the new aides, business administrator, new solicitors (while still paying the old one), decorative parking meters, office furniture, new superintendent of public works (while paying another person same salary), promoting a captain to a deputy chief ($20,000 pay increase), or purchasing a new sound system for city hall? A lotta spending going on to be talking layoffs. Guess if you friends with this hypocrite you can get hired, promoted or he can create a title for you, but if not expect to get your pink slip. Go back to wherever you came from.
Guess the other two turned out to be puppets after all!!!
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 8:06pm - Posted by: truthhurtz
Well, I guess little gary has sought revenge for being thrown out of the Fraternal Order of Police. Just like when he said he did nothing wrong in the Gazzette and the Police were targeting him-how'd that work out for you gary? Yep, he plead guilty to a lesser offense, but an offense none the less. If you did nothing wrong, then why wouldn't you fight those charges in court? I guess the whole part about raising your hand on a bible and having to tell the TRUTH had you a little concerned. When will the lies and deception stop with this little tyrant? Whats the matter little gary, didn't mommy and daddy teach you how to get along with others?
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 5:52pm - Posted by: spazcat
congrats to the recall folks and the people of wildwood. this is not be going to be easy or pleasant but it is the foundation for a brighter future, including the men and women of the unions now in the line of fire.
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 5:13pm - Posted by: SHOREMAN
Great job, DeMarzo, Brannen and Harshaw. The success of the recall of Troiano and Davenport is the best thing that has happened for the citizens of Wildwood in many, many years.
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 5:11pm - Posted by: surferfool
To Wildwud. Ryan, you should really get the facts before commenting on any article or threads. By getting the pumps which have been researched and proven to work in Brigantine and Wildwood, the taxpayers saved $10 million which is what Remington, Vernick said it would cost to try and solve the problem and Troiano and Davenport thought was good. Troiano had been a commissioner in Wildwood for 10 years and couldn't figure out a solution for the flooding, so I'm not even sure the $10 million plan would even have worked.
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 4:17pm - Posted by: ISmellARat
Bravo.
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 3:47pm - Posted by: shore giirl
Keep cutting the fat DeMarzo. About time the tax payer stops footing the bill.
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 3:24pm - Posted by: Wildwud
Oh and how about Demarzo getting rid of some of his employees, lawyers, aides, solicotors. He shouldn't have hired his personal attorney (Gallagher) before Karavan's contract was up. What a waste of money. The list of his expenditures goes on and on.
This is only a smoke and mirrors show. How much did the three just spend on new attorneys, new business administrator, new aides, new decorative parking meters, new pumps, new director of public works, new office furniture, etc. etc, etc. So what is he going to spend the money saved on next??? All he seems to be doing is spending and spending more, all the while blaming others.
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 3:19pm - Posted by: Wildwud
Why aren't they giving anything up?? They have a salary and benefit package. They should be the first ones willing to concede their benefits and salary before any full-time employee does.
Fri, 02/05/2010 - 3:13pm - Posted by: aqt5882
I know there will be people blasting this decision, but I feel it's the appropriate thing to do. Kudos for making the tough but necessary decision.