Letter toThe Editor

9-4-12

There has been a conspicuous and palpable absence of information coming out of city hall, information that is important to NB citizens. The newspapers are no help. Let me offer some examples.

NB citizens have been told there are various estimates of a structural deficit. The most recent being that we in NB are faced with a #30 Million deficit. What happened to this deficit? I have some questions.

Will property revaluations have to be done again? If yes, who will pay? If no, will NB get a waiver as to when to apply the new figures? I predict that the revaluation plus the largesse distributed by O’Brien to some will result in a hefty mill rate increase.

Don’t count on the newspapers to give you any information, Sherwood has that covered. And don’t count on the Common Council to tell you anything - they’re also muzzled. More questions.

Regarding reorganization, this is what we have so far:

Reorganization. O’Brien and Sherwood have touted their plan as saving $ Millions. Really? All those that have interim or acting appointments as department heads or directors have received, on average, a $25 K raise, some, more. It is rumored that the Public Works Director wants a $4O K raise due to increased responsibilities. The former Finance Director was never fired and has been receiving a full salary for doing nothing but keeping his mouth shut.

Department of Municipal Dev. This Dept. is no more. Its functions have been spread over many departments. This department paid $51 to $53 K/per year to City Hall for its offices in city hall because MANY OF ITS FUNCTIONS are Fed. related. What happened to the $53 K in rent. Also, what about the $47 K being paid to Mrs. Brown, Police Commissioner and, wife of Alderman Brown for her new Community Organizers' job? Is there a conflict of interest here? HMMM! It’s time to contact the State Office of HUD !

Add to all of this that many that have taken early retirement have been called back part time to help because nobody knows how to do their job - case in point, Common Council secretary and clerk of Committees. What do you think? More to come.

Lou Salvio