Committeewoman Iradi - Voted No on Bonuses to Benefit the Tax Payers
Full Description:
Hi Bob,
You, like most township residents are very concerned about this issue. Because of this, I would like to clarify some information. I fully expect to be criticized for telling residents what is really going on. But this is their town and facts-are-facts.
It's true that the employees (non-management) workers at DPW and REC (where the savings occurred) will not receive any bonuses. Savings in those departments will pay for the bonuses of employees in other departments.
It's true that not all part-time workers will receive bonuses - some will, some won't.
It's true that on the list that was presented to me with names of Employees and the amounts they will receive in bonuses (I have no idea if they actually will or won't) are names of employees who have had disciplinary actions taken against them in 2009 and at least one is now suing the town.
It's true that in February\'s budget session where Len, Ken, George and I sat, that we all decided that spending needed to be cut and that since we could not even afford to pay to replace the badly needed furnace in the Rec Center, unfortunately we would not be able to give employees raises in 2009.
It is true that the employees knew this and accepted this and were just glad there would not be any lay-offs (so don't blame the employees).
It is true that we lost $42,000 in state aid in December that had been promised us.
It is true that in December, John Sheridan was the sole committeeman behind crafting the bonus ordinance. I was not consulted, had no knowledge. or input on any aspect of the ordinance. It was just presented to me and asked that I vote in favor of it - similar to what the Democrats are now doing with their Health Care Bill in Washington.
It's continued irresponsible business-as-usual spending like this, that causes our property taxes to escalate year-after-year and will eventually driving us from our homes in Hanover. Attracting new ratables only to spend every new penny of that money and then some is horrible financial planning. That is why I voted against the bonus ordinance - proposed by Committeeman Sheridan.
Bob, I hope that if any citizen is prompted to seek elective office, they are as qualified as you.
