Ok as reported, the Civic Center Authority (CCA) was going to give it’s workers a 2% raise even though the CCA submitted a budget with a huge shortfall. (Read we taxpayers make up for it) Some have questioned this decision what with the Civic Center being an historic money loser. The fire department’s union has said they will help our city and forgo their raises. I don’t believe for a minute they meant forgive, just forgo. If and when times turn around, you can bet they will want their raise. The city has asked the police union for the same. They have also frozen some city staff workers wages all in an effort to help the city’s deficit which in effect was caused by (thanks Billy) to the “Gang of 11” sans Sandberg of course. I mean if the city hadn’t gave Firefly $6 million or approved Mid-Town Plaza as the developer wanted it, we wouldn’t have these problems.
So, 2% of what exactly. Last I checked, the average civic center worker makes just above minimum wage, maybe 10 whole bucks and hour. They clean the toilets and sweep the crap out of the seats and polish the floors. 2% to those workers would mean maybe a little extra to buy the kids some shoes, or maybe even afford to go to an event at the Civic Center. I see nothing wrong with giving that segment of the workforce a raise of a pitiful 2%.
On the other hand, firefighters and police make much better money averaging around $40k a year and more for upper management. There are even some Captains on the police force that make 6 figures. Most police get in free to all civic center events by just showing their badge. I wonder if CCA employees do. The raises those unions, police and fire, are larger than 2% so much more money is involved. Besides, like I said, if times turn around, you can bet those unions will want that raise back.
I’m all for a well paid police and fire departments and I think they deserve it. The crap the police has to endure and the life threatening conditions alone warrant their pay if not more. But, and this is a big but, crime in Peoria is out of hand. Just today, in the middle of the city, two people were shot. It happens everywhere. No neighborhood seems to be immune. Maybe the police need to step up their efforts for the pay?
Well the police have adopted a new policy on crime. I have lost track on the different attempts to curb crime in Peoria but this one may be promising. I just have to ask one question of our Mayor. What ever happened to the great neighborhood crime camera system that was to be installed all over Peoria to reduce crime?
2 cameras, one at Frye and Prospect and the other at McClure and Sheridan. I believe you can watch them online except the criminals know to mug you underneath the camera pole, out of site of the camera.
Well, anyway, if the 2% raise is for the common worker at the civic center, then give it to them. It’s not like we, the taxpayer, aren’t funneling money into that place and will be for ever but it would be nice to see someone that works a job that doesn’t pay shit, get something for a change and their wages are in no comparison to those of a staff employee at city hall, whose wages are also paid by us, the taxpayer. Apples and oranges here folks, nothing to see, go about your business. I just hope the Civic Center doesn’t catch fire.
5 comments:
it was nice of the mayor's brother and his fire fighting friends to try and make ardis look better by taking the pay freeze. if ardis did not head their union would the fire fighters still agree to take a freeze? proprably not.
No pal we didnt do it to make Ardis look better. We did it to help out and maybe reduce the shortfall in the budget. And the vote was taken by secret ballot so it doesnt matter who is the union president. (eliminating peer pressure voting) And we did it with NO guarantee of no layoffs. And yes I consider J ardis a friend of mine but that certainly doesnt mean I agree w/ many of the things he does or says. And why cant Geo Jacobs donate his pay back? I think he has a lucrative enough business . And does he use the city's insurance for his family or his businesses insurance plan? One recent ex-councilman was quite happy to use the city's insurance so he company wouldnt have to pay for it, but now, since his business is bad......he has a nice jib w/ the city. Coincidently, he lobbied hard for a hefty pay raise for that position a couple years ago.
Neal
That would be Nichting. I blogged about this. It was all in the bag before he ran. He got the office a nice pay raise, had his buddy set him up for the job, and now, like sheep, we elected him into it. Wait until he retires on the City's dime.
The firefighters deserve a big hand for what they did! Let's see if the police follow suit; both have dangerous jobs and deserve good pay.
Well said. Since I'm on the County Board, I can't write too much about what happened in the last year but you can. Or have you and I missed it?
I campaign for smaller governemt. Instead, we are a growing bureacracy.
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