Rumor of the Week: Gloucester City Providing Fire Services to Fairview
Monday, December 13, 2010
By Bill Cleary
Yo Bill! Have you Heard this One?-Jeffrey Sanderson, president of the Gloucester City Professional Firefighters Union, Local 51 submitted the following questions about recent rumors that have been circulating amongst the union members.
“It has come to my attention that the City of Gloucester City is in talks with the City of Camden, for Gloucester City to take over the fire protection of the Fairview section of Camden. How is it that we have no money, but spend it on whatever little projects we want done, are looking into privatizing the ambulance, Norcross connection. We are gonna be hard pressed to handle our own jobs in Gloucester City and now they want us to take on more with less.
“ Also, who is paying for Howard Clarks' salary now that there is no more UEZ? Everything seems to be about the Fire Department but nothing on how our mayor and city council are spending taxpayer money like its their own. Please look into everything. I am going to try and use whatever resources I have again as long as every story is not lopsided.”
City Solicitor John Kearney was asked to respond to Sanderson’s inquiries. As to the first question, Kearney said, “There are no discussions with Camden City concerning anything.
Regarding the question about the City’s UEZ Director, Kearney said, “The long saga of Howard Clark and his salary has ended with the City paying half and the UEZ paying half. This was after full payment had been approved by the UEZ in Trenton. Somebody changed their mind and we almost had a situation where the City would have to pay the whole salary. No-one knows what will happen in 2011. Howard does valuable work for the City and his loss would likely slow efforts to get new businesses into town, increasing the ratable base and slowing the growth of property taxes.”
Clark is paid an annual salary of $70,000.
Kearney was asked to respond to some questions that have been submitted by other people in the last week.
CNB: In your experience have you ever dealt with a town that has so many rumors circulating on a continual basis?
Kearney: In 20 years of doing municipal work I have never seen a town with so many rumors.
CNB: Are the unions in Gloucester City harder to deal with then in other communities?
Kearney: I expect selfish behavior but this departure from reality is troublesome. One would hope for a recognition of the troubled times and a desire to work together to save jobs. That has not happened here.
CNB : The union members of the City Police Department have been working without a contract since 2008. What is happening with those negotiations?
Kearney: We are in arbitration and final briefs are due in January.
CNB: How much has arbitration with the PBA cost the taxpayers so far?
Kearney: Approximately $10,000. Remember each day with the arbitrator costs $1200 per day, divided between the parties.
