Most Rumford Department Heads Seek Wage Hikes When Pitching Budgets
Are they looking to empty the coffers until they run dry at the taxpayer's expense?
Most Americans have either lost their job or are working below their skill levels. American companies are restructuring and laying off folks and the federal unemployment rate continues to climb. But not "Under the Dome" in Rumford, Maine. No Sir. They are living high off the hog and taking care of themselves while the rest of us suffer through the economic recession. Do you really want to pay for this? All those town employees make pretty good money and have Cadillac health care benefits and Maine State Retirement benefits. The fact that a Department Head would come forward with a budget that was equal to or more then last year's budget is deplorable. The fact that they would ask for raises is incomprehensible.
We already know that the collective bargaining process will bring increases in the budget initiated by the Unions (RPD, RFD, & PWD) as this was stated in the newspaper. Is this a way for the Department Heads to feel like they are getting a fair shake because the Unions got an increase? Remember our Town Manager referred to the Town Hall Employees as a "family". Well if daddy sees the Unions getting a raise than it is only fair that the Department Heads get one too.
Are we going to continue to increase the budget and raise property taxes every year? The Town Manager mentioned that the budget has been cut by 12% over the last three years. That is because you had some dedicated and determined Board members and Finance Committee members that fought for the lower numbers. The first year we were successful at eliminating two police officer positions because there were two openings. It was the perfect opportunity to reduce the force of 14 to 12 without hurting anyone. We have had those chances time and time again but they are "family". The Fire Department took a blow as well but that department isn't as significant now that most of us understand that having UNION firefighters in Rumford, Maine is ludicrous. And they identify completely with their Union, as evidenced by their website, because they know that it is all they have left.
Since my first year on the Finance Committee, the Town of Rumford has separated department budgets from capital expenditures so when you look at one number it looks lower than the budget they really have. They have changed the course of initiated articles whereby you can now declare an emergency and get your money if you are not happy with the outcome of the vote. And, they have changed the Secret Ballot. Now, instead of having the Board's recommendation, the Finance Committee's recommendation, and ZERO, we have YES OR NO and how much. Three significant factors to change the outcomes of the votes in favor of the Town Hall and their supporters, i.e. Black Mountain Ski Area. And lastly, the health insurance and the Maine State Retirement are in a line item of the budget.
So, when making a decision about a particular department when voting on the secret ballot remember to add the Department's Budget + the Department's Capital Budget + Health Insurance/Retirement. I'm sure when you add all that up, you will find that it is taking precious resources from our town that could otherwise be used for economic development, community planning, beautification, demolition of unsafe buildings, and the Town's overall ability to invest in infrastructure for the good of the entire populace. If you haven't noticed, the ordinances that are passed are not for us, they are to make things easier for the Town Hall employees when dealing with us.
Stay tuned for the last three years of Budget Materials for the Town of Rumford. Look closely. If you are not sure what something means, ask. It is meant to confuse you. Just as the change on the Secret Ballot will do when you vote this year. NO and ZERO (0) are options.
