I'm off today because I need to cover Saturday's Academic Bowl (or at least that's what I think I'm doing Saturday!) so, kind and not-so-kind readers, it's up to you to bring up some issues and tales until tomorrow night's City Council session.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
36 comments:
The BEST thing the charter revision commission could do would be to divide the education budget into two seperate ( personnel / everything else ) catagories and put them on a ballot for a PUBLIC vote .
Whats this I hear about Fire Dept Union negotiations going to arbitration?
I heard the Chief basically refused to negotiate with them.
That is unlikely: Wards campaign manager is a Union Rep, and probably will be Democrat Town Chair.
Since Police and Fire go lock step, watch how deftly they operate.
The Chief is not the negotiator, the MAYOR (Ward )is.
Someone is blowing smoke at you.
This just in....following the tradition of the two former one-term mayors Couture and Stortz, Mayor Ward has purchased a new vehicle thanks to his new-found personal wealth.
Fire is in deed in arbitration mostly due to the complete incompetence of the personnel director and fire chief, and the mayor's inability to know better. I heard Police were frustrated. Lots of fire and police were in the Ward camp after the primary and he definitely owes them since he had such a narrow victory. With the City Hall unions coming up next, and that one is headed by Myra Sampson who was his campaign manager its going to be interesting to see how they get treated, if these unions are getting the cold shoulder.
Steve: Is the Academic Bowl on the 15th?Starting time? I really enjoy going to the Bowl.Our students never cease to amaze me with their knowledge of all the subjects they're quized on.
MIDDLE ST historical House?????
Arty will take care of them. He's watching out for the unions!
Personnel Dept Head (Diane) screwed up negotiations. She didn't let the Chief do anything. Mayor didn't get involved in time so it goes to arbitration. She wants us to work more hours for less money, screw with num of years before retirement, get MRT like cops do, insurance co-pay, and a ton of other sh**.
And what do we get in return from this witch?
NOTHING
Hmmm, let's review...fire chief and personnel director screw up fire negotiations costing the city more money cuz now they will hire a high priced lawyer to defend the city at arbitration instead of settling in-house, the city controller is pulling Councilman Kenny's strings about pension funds because he thinks he is the city manager; police chief still bumbling around but hasn't said anything really stupid since the holidays......good thing the mayor and council have all this under control.
Was Ken Cockayne at the cop of the year dinner tonight? I bet he got a standing ovation from all those union members. If he wasn't there, why not?
Thanks Art.
Maybe we do need a City Manager!
police chief still bumbling around but hasn't said anything really stupid since the holidays......
Ohhhh, wait --- this will be coming very soon.........stupid statements are in the air - they just haven't hit Steve's ears yet.
Sounds like Artie copped out again.
Is he in over his head or what?
Just the usual; Artie e-mailing his buddy Steve Collins.
There is no doubt the mayor continues to win the popularity contest at City Hall - dept heads love the lack of accountability. What it does for the taxpayer is the real story - arbitration for the fire dept is but one bad example. I do hear that the mayor is keeping Rosenthal on a short leash. Thank God for that. At least he realizes the ticking time bomb there.
Hey Steve, I bet you're sorry you asked.
Well since all of you use "anonymous" I guess we can rule out all your so called "knowledge" Its so simple to sit back and make accusations. Seems ugly zoppo is rearing her no good nose into this business!
Zoppo is the one who told the fire union and her buddy, Tom, they would get everything they ask for if they voted for her. So it looks like they are not getting everything, and the taxpayers are not being screwed once again!!
Pete
Pete:
Your "let's blame Ellen for everything" obsession has a little flaw here: Art's campaign coordinator was Elliot Nelson, a fireman. Elliot delivered the fireman vote - so why is the fire union now getting screwed?
The way things are going arbitration will rule in favor of the city. All unions are taking a beating when it goes to arbitration throughout the state. Union should have settled. My opinion they also should be our first responders, not the police.
Frankly, I wish Stortz and Zoppo were still in office.
Ok folks lets not pick on the chief of police he does not have an idea. He is able to get away with anything. I wonder why.
Ken you must stop this union from holding the city hostage. mike p is getting nervous and is gathering troops to side with him. Remember he did no favors to help our city when we need it. He owes a lot of favors after the election and now he is caught with his pants down. Not a good sight.
No, Ward is holding things up.
First, he has not found out if he needs Union approval (he doesn't).
Second, why doesn'the put it on the Agenda?
I think that the voters have to start to look very carefully at what Ward is doing, and isn't.
Has anyone given thought to the fact that this effort to raid the pension fund will make it easier for the unions to get even more benefits, thanks to Ken?
The argument will be that "since it is coming out of the pension fund, it in't costing the taxpayers anything (now)".
The benefits are substantial now, and this move would make them even more difficult to control and monitor.
So much for accountability!
What is Shaking:
Ward is.
...I don't know about Ward shaking, but he obviously has the naysayers shaking up a storm!
The discussion in City Hall revolves around what Art Ward will flip-flop on this week.
It all depends on who he talks to last.
Usually Leone or Krawiecki
They don't bring up issues on here. Just bashing and whining! Nothing constructive will ever come from nameless and faceless critics.
City workers wondering who will be next corp council.
Art is going to have to make a decision.
Sounds like the two cry babies are jealous and sad that they couldn't be union members.
Artie has a tiger by the tail.
He keeps Krawiecki, he upsets his party.
He replaces Krawiecki, and immmediately Ed is working on Arts next opponents campaign.
Art has put himself in a box.
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