As an Alderman for the City of Kingston, I have done my very best to stay away from the legal ramblings of the DPW sexual harassment and contract pay scale issues until the process is completed. It’s the right thing for the Councilmen to do, since we preach to others about letting the rule of law take its course before judgment.
But the ability to resist venting our opinions is getting long in the tooth, considering the Freeman’s expose on the Police and Fire chiefs overtime rates.
First, the paper didn’t have to FOIL for the info. Both Keller and Salzmann are stand up guys who do their jobs well. The numbers make sense and there are no scandals in either of their departments that I’m aware of anyway.
I am amazed that the two submitted payments for less than $2,000 and $3,000 dollars for the last two years. And both offer clear explanations as to what caused the overtime. [stole their pictures from the Freeman]
My colleague Al Teetsel is suggesting a shift in process to make all the Department heads more accountable for their overtime by detailing their overtime reasoning and the Mayor having to sign-off on the extra pay. I agree, as do the rest of the council, but I would add that perhaps the DPW Superintendent have a cap on hours allowed like the Police Chief.
You’ll notice I still didn’t opine about the ongoing legal case that still plagues the city. The Aldermen will have that place in due time, even when some characters are screaming for us to interject on the matter. We are like jurors during a case. We have our speaking limitations when it comes to litigation and personnel matters like this one.
Bit the disparity in the overtime pay-out is worth noting, and the public will want to know more.
Freeman reporter Paul Kirby did point out that Kathy Janeczek, our City Clerk, also works obscene overtime hours without compensation. She and the whole staff at the Clerk’s Office are a tremendous asset to the Council and the taxpayer. They all surpass their expected duties and deserve recognition for their diligence.
But the ability to resist venting our opinions is getting long in the tooth, considering the Freeman’s expose on the Police and Fire chiefs overtime rates.
First, the paper didn’t have to FOIL for the info. Both Keller and Salzmann are stand up guys who do their jobs well. The numbers make sense and there are no scandals in either of their departments that I’m aware of anyway.I am amazed that the two submitted payments for less than $2,000 and $3,000 dollars for the last two years. And both offer clear explanations as to what caused the overtime. [stole their pictures from the Freeman]
My colleague Al Teetsel is suggesting a shift in process to make all the Department heads more accountable for their overtime by detailing their overtime reasoning and the Mayor having to sign-off on the extra pay. I agree, as do the rest of the council, but I would add that perhaps the DPW Superintendent have a cap on hours allowed like the Police Chief.You’ll notice I still didn’t opine about the ongoing legal case that still plagues the city. The Aldermen will have that place in due time, even when some characters are screaming for us to interject on the matter. We are like jurors during a case. We have our speaking limitations when it comes to litigation and personnel matters like this one.
Bit the disparity in the overtime pay-out is worth noting, and the public will want to know more.Freeman reporter Paul Kirby did point out that Kathy Janeczek, our City Clerk, also works obscene overtime hours without compensation. She and the whole staff at the Clerk’s Office are a tremendous asset to the Council and the taxpayer. They all surpass their expected duties and deserve recognition for their diligence.
13 comments:
What can you do now? The Mayor just gave Gorsline a blank check for the next six years. His contract says nothing about anyone overseeing his build up time. The contract runs through 2014. We are stuck with this ( i won't call him a thief). He found a loop hole in his contract and is exploiting it. We are looking at a double digit tax increase because of the incompetance of this Mayor and council.
All you can do is get the State Comptroller to audit his books and try to fire this ungrateful depatment head. GOOD LUCK!!
One bad apple spoils the bunch. Its time the council took action against Gorsline. Get him the help that he needs. He once was a great employee of the City, but has fallen on bad times.
This is getting better everyday. The only department head that gets massive amounts of build up time is Gorsline. Could the Mayor be profiting to? Al Teetsel finds out about it and takes a bribe. Cannot wait for the next story.
I applaud Kathy Janeczek the hardest worker in the City and the least paid, and hasn't taken a nickle more than her salary.
Use Time Clocks of submit daily time sheets like the rest of the world - stop crying.
Please put a stop to this. Your an Alderman for God's Sake. Stand up for the hard working taxpayers. There has got to be something the common council can do about this.
Kathy and her staff deserve both recognition and COMPENSATION for this terrific job.
Maybe it could come from folks who are at times negligent at doing their assigned task, like Aldermen who regularly miss Commitee meetings?...smitty
This current disaster in the DPW and the method used to calculate overtime, will prove to be a hard lesson learned.
I expect, after this is finally settled, that the scandals of the past will spark a complete overhaul of the way personnel and payments are handled, considering the public will no-longer settle for "business as usual" in Kingston or Ulster County.
Personally, I dont think this bruha-ha was such a bad thing. We all benefit when society's path is corrected.
Bill Reynolds where are you? You work for the State Comptrollers office. Can't we have his office audit the books at DPW. One good thing has come out of this, the stealing of time has stopped. City Hall sources have said that since this story broke no build up time has been taken.
Kudos to who ever blew the whistle on this. They at least saved a little bit of tax payers money.
All this uncompensated time from Janacek and Salzmann - oh yeah - just like Jamie Sottile - unauthorized work is not compensated - nice job Good Old Boys - your approaching the County's incompetence level - with Teetsel bought off the taxpayer's are dead.
Ron Polocco is the lone republican on the council. With Teetsel caucusing with the democrats(isnt that illegal). Ron has a tough job ahead of him. We're hearing 17% tax increase in the Mayor's new budget, good luck Ron.
to 2:02pm
The time clocks don't give the right time or date on them at the office at DPW, not the barn but the office. Its been reported four months ago and no one still has fixed it. Just FOIL a copy of the time cards.
When is the Common Council going to get off its dead Ass and put a stop to this. It isn't going away, it is getting worse. Gorsline is making you all look like fools. He's a department head who has been robbing the taxpayers blind. The Mayor is undoubtable in on the fix, why else is he still defending him.
Sinagra's neice just got a job at low enrolled Zena - what a plum position - man these guys are connected.
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