CNBNews

TIPS AND SNIPPETS:

by Bill Cleary

Correction

The figures for salaries for the nine supervisors in the Gloucester City Fire Department and seven supervisors in the Gloucester City Police Department published in last week’s Tips and Snippets column (May 11) was incorrect.

According to Councilman Nick Marchese, Finance Chairman, the salaries and wages for all 32 employees (9 supervisors and 23 firemen) in the Fire Department is approximately *$2,565,003. The original article said that figure was the total paid just to the 9 supervisors.

Also according to Marchese, the correct amount for salaries and wages for all 28 employees (7 supervisors and 21 police officers) in the Police department is approximately *$2,900,500. The original article said that figure was the total paid just to the 7 supervisors.

*Health benefits for all 102 full-time City employees is $2.1 million annually.

SNIPPET-I propose to the new members of council to introduce a measure to stop part-time workers/volunteer council members from receiving health benefits. Likewise the measure should do away with reimbursing council members for not accepting the city's health plan.

Source Bill’s Point of View December 2006 (www.gloucestercitynews.net)

My feelings haven’t change since 2006; mayor and council should not be receiving this perk.

Research reveals the health cost for the present seven member body is approximately $80,000. That includes those who opt out of the benefit package (medical, dental, and $2 co-pay prescriptions).

Council members who served under the Kilcourse and Gorman administrations also received this generous reward. If I had known then what I know now I would have spoken against it.

Digging deeper I have found the custom of giving health benefits to the governing body goes back 25 years or more. Former Mayor Gorman, who served in the 90's,  said he never took health benefits nor did he take any money for opting out. Gorman said he believed the practice to give health benefits to council began back in the 70’s but wasn’t sure. As for the practice of allowing employees to opt out of health benefits that began in the 90's.  Former Mayor Bob Bevan, who served two terms in the 80’s, said he was offered health benefits too.

From the recent comments I have received on my blog www.ClearysNotebook.com the public was not aware council was entitled to this perk. And to some it seems as though council was purposely hiding this fact.

It does give that appearance.

I know their position on Council requires members to spend a lot of time attending meetings and performing other duties each month. I admire them for volunteering to take on the position, it is a thankless job. However it is only part-time. If council feels they are entitled to more money (each council member receives a $1000 stipend, mayor $2500 stipend) then they should pass a referendum and place it on the ballot. Let the voters decide the issue.

But to the naysayers  there is change on the way. I was told recently by one council member that plans to do away with council health benefits is on the agenda in the not too distance future. And a change in the City’s present form of government is also being discussed.

TIP-An amicable contract agreement between the City and CWA white collar bargaining unit  has been reach. The CWA represents the 20 Gloucester City white collar employees whose contract expired on December 31, 2006. The details of the contract are not known at this time. Further information will be forthcoming.

TIP-Request for Qualifications for Banks… The City of Gloucester City and the Gloucester City Urban Enterprise (UEZ) Board solicit statements of qualifications for financial institutions to perform credit analysis and loan servicing including the following functions for the Gloucester City Revolving Direct Loan Program: - Click Here to view RFQ

SNIPPET-The Press of Atlantic City is reporting that the State has reclaimed $40 million in sales tax money mistakenly sent to 37 New Jersey towns that have Urban Enterprise Zones. One of the hardest hit is the City of Vineland, losing $5.1 million that had been set to go to businesses seeking loans.  In the immediate area the City of Gloucester City lost an estimated $341,500. Gloucester City UEZ director Howard Clark said the state took the funds from the City UEZ in February "but didn’t tell us until Tuesday", May 12. 

For more go here http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_8f778b9a-4035-11de-ab6b-001cc4c03286.html