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"Wal-Mart wants city to buy rezoning plan"
By DENIS PAISTE, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, The NH Union Leader, 4/1/2009
MANCHESTER – Wal-Mart is planning a 170,000-square-foot Supercenter that will employ 270 at 725 Gold St., a company spokesman said yesterday.
The retailer filed a petition at City Hall yesterday to rezone the property from industrial to commercial, spokesman Alexandra Serra said
Wal-Mart has a purchase-and-sale agreement with current owner Brian J. Thibeault, but Serra could not say whether the sale was contingent on city approvals.
Thibeault also owns neighboring Manchester Building Wrecking at 835 Gold St. He was unavailable for comment yesterday.
The new store would be substantially larger than the existing Wal-Mart at 300 Keller St., less than a mile away.
"It's all geared toward best serving the needs of the community," Serra said.
Keller Street doesn't offer groceries and has a footprint of 115,000 square feet with 120 employees.
Serra said most of the 150 new jobs would be full-time.
Wal-Mart and city officials held a meeting with neighbors last Saturday.
It's too early to project an opening date, but Wal-Mart is planning on another meeting with neighbors.
Ward 9 Alderman Michael Garrity said Monday Wal-Mart would demolish the vacant Associated Grocers warehouse at 725 Gold St. and build a Supercenter there.
Current owner 725 Gold Street LLC acquired the property June 24, 2008, for $8,750,000, according to city assessment records on Vision Appraisal's Web site.
State corporation records list Thibeault as agent for 725 Gold Street LLC.
READERS' COMMENTS:
I love the idea of a bigger Walmart. Not sure if I like the "New Location". Where they are at is very accessable for most people..wish they could build onto that one. As for the additional jobs - I think that is what we need right now. Finding jobs are very difficult right now. And you can't be all the picky when looking. Some money coming in is so much more than none.
- Kim, Manchester
Matt – As a homeowner near where Gold St intersects with South Beech, I take offence to your implying that the residents of the area are “sucking up welfare and housing services.” That’s a ridiculous statement. If you were speaking of the lower-income area of Beech north of South Willow Street, that’s not exactly close to Gold Street.
To the “Wal-Mart kills the little guy” crowd, I say this: as someone who was laid off in January, I very quickly learned how to cut back and save money, and Wal-Mart had become a big part of that. It’s great that you can afford to support local businesses buy paying a higher price for the same items, but what about those of us who can’t? I, and many people like me, have to worry about paying bills and even losing our homes – do you really think that it makes sense for me to pay, for example, $2.00 for a loaf of bread at a “local” store that I can buy at Wal-Mart for $0.99? The bottom line is that shopping at Wal-Mart saves money. In this economy, how does spending more than I need to make sense? Wal-Mart didn’t destroy the economy, and buying overpriced products at local retailers isn’t going to save it.
Thank you, thank you, Wal-Mart. Thank you for providing me with a place to shop for my family that saves me enough money that I can still make my mortgage payment, pay my bills, and put gas in my car.
- Shayne, Manchester
I do think the location would be horrible as far as traffic is concerned. Is there any infrastructure planned to improve access to the location?
I am also tired of the old "Mom & Pop" stores going out of business because of Walmart.
Tell me, Stacy of Manchester, which Mom & Pop stores in particular are you referring to.
Doubtful you could name any.
- Mike, Litchfield
we do not need another Wal-Mart in this city. I never go to the store, the service is horrible and to bring employment in, well minimum wage employment isn't exactly what most people are looking for. There are already 3 grocery stores within a 1 mile radius and there is no need to add any more traffic to an already congested area.
Whomever said people should have thought about buying homes on Gold St, well most of those people have been there well BEFORE any of this crap and they are taxpayers. I also live in the southend of Manchester and this is a horrible idea...
- Jen g, MANCHESTER
I agree in support an improved Wal-MArt with Jobs but the solution to this site is a poor choice by Wal-Mart. There is plenty of land along S. Willow south of the Airport capable of placing a facility of this size on it and the access roadway is even better from the north and south....Think again Wal-Mart. Since Lowe's used their head I don't even go down S. Willow to the north because of the access headaches. This is a no-brainer.
- Mike II, Auburn
Brian J. Thibeault sounds like this guy can get it done. Where are all the mayor and alderman to help this guy add to the tax base? How about a key to the city for this guy?
- stan howser, manchester, NH
This is a horrible idea. Sure it is going to create new jobs, however there are already three grocery stores within what a mile or two of there. All this is going to do is force those other grocery stores to layoff employees due to slacking sales from those customers that do their grocery shopping at the super walmart vs the stores they currently go to. I understand the city needs more jobs however there has to be another way.
- Josh, Litchfield
Matt -
Might want to read the article "The retailer filed a petition at City Hall yesterday to rezone the property from industrial to commercial" - Being Industrial - People who live in the area are used to traffic being busy at normal work hours. Think its the more constant traffic that people are worried about.
- Patrick, Manchester, NH
Stacy, in Manchester, read the article.
120 currently employed + 150 new jobs = 270 jobs.
- Dennis, Manchester
support more local business rather than china
- chris, manchester
Aaron,
Sorry I thought people would understand that I meant replacing the existing Wal-Mart with a Super Center.
Dan,
As far as what is located on Gold Street in comparison they don't generate that much traffic. How many vehicles go to those businesses a day? A couple hundred tops. How many cars are going to a Wal-Mart Super Center a day? Perhaps a thousand or more (can't even imagine what it would be like during the holiday seasons)
Again I just think we could find a better place. Perhaps with some creative planning they could actually fit a Super Center in the existing Wal-Mart location.
- TMAN, Manchester
I like the idea of a Super Walmart. Not sure if I like the new location. I find the current location easily accessable. I like the idea of bringing more jobs to the area and getting some of those people off welfare. With the economy the way it is.....keeping rent high, utilities high, cost of food high....just makes it all around harder for everyone. Welfare is suppose to be a "Temporary" help - not a way of life.
- Kim, Manchester
The Super Center will have 270 employees, 150 of which will be new jobs. What's so hard to understand about that??
- William Smith, Manchester, NH
If they put the Super Wal-Mart in at that location, how are people going to get to it? Look at the congestion on S.Willow st already. The light at Friendlys is already backed up after work and is a nightmare during the holidays. You cannot turn directly onto gold St heading north on S. Willow, you have to use that specific turn. What if you are coming from the Calef Rd. side? You would certainly have to use S. Beech which is already horrible for traffic or use Calef Rd. You cannot dead end Gold St because that would send all of the traffic through the Beech hill area. I don't mind the idea of having one it's just that the infrastructure is not there to make it an effective location without causing major disruption to the neighbors which by the way, are also taxpayers.
- Lyle, Manchester
Too close to a neighborhood.
"..Supercenter that will employ 270..."
"...most of the 150 new jobs
UL, is it 270 new jobs or 150 new jobs?
I wonder how many current jobs will be lost. Wal-Mart is killing the mom-and-pop
stores. Just look at downtown Manch. Wal-Mart has their share of responsibility for the poor economy. They boast patriotism while having their products made in China. I am within walking distance of the new store location but you couldn't pay me to shop there.
- Stacey, Manchester
270 New Jobs, 150 of those 270 are full time positions going straight to the surrounding area. I think this is a good idea..
- Ted, Manchester
For all the residents complaining that they don't want to see a Super Wal-Mart built in a commercial area, you should not have bought a house on gold street. For the people in the beech st project off of gold street, they will have more opportunities to find a job and not suck up on welfare services and housing services. Deal with it.
- Matt, Manchester
I thing a super Wal-mart on Gold st is a stupid idea! We already have 3 grocery stores within 1 mile of each other. We also have a Sams club. The Traffic around this area is bad enough already, Unless the block off Gold St near the bike path this should not happen!!!
- John Juza, Manchester
I think bringing a Supercenter to Manchester would be great, but the location is not good, that section on S. Willow St. will be majorly congested w/traffic, and I'm sure the residents living on gold st and surrounding streets are not going to be happy w/the added traffic the store will bring.
- Tammy, Manchester
TMAN it's 120 feet from Hannaford! There's an auto body repair business across the street and a dry cleaning operation between the homes and this site. So tell us again how you are "for a Super Wal-Mart in Manchester".
- Dan, Nashua
TMAN, I was unaware that there was a Super Wally World in Manchester. It looks like a regular Walmart. Meaning it's run down and trashy. Walmart is never a good thing.
- Aaron, Manchester NH
WOW! 150 jobs this new Super Center would bring to Manchester. Just think those folks living on Gold Street could walk to work!
- Wendy T.R., Manchester
Again, I am for a Super Wal-Mart in Manchester (replacing the existing one). I am however am against the location. This is far to close to real neighborhoods.
I wish they could find a better location in the city.
- TMAN, Manchester
Bring it on! I love to shop at Amherst's SuperWalMart. Now I'll have one right here in Manchester!
Wonder what will happen to the other grocery stores in the area.
- Annie B., Manchester
Good for Wal-Mart, I hope this happens. AG has become an eyesore. I believe there is only 1 business in that bldg. Make it happen Manchester city hall.
- Mike, Auburn
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"Budget realities: Aldermen must face them"
The NH Union Leader, Editorial, 4/2/2009
Do the people in charge of Manchester's city employee unions live in the same world the rest of us live in? For that matter, do some of the city's aldermen?
The economy is in recession. That means that instead of growing, it is contracting. And that means there is less money to go around. But down at city hall, there remains an attitude of entitlement. Union heads and some aldermen seem to have the position that city employees should be held harmless from the effects of the recession.
Mayor Frank Guinta on Tuesday night proposed a city budget that cuts or level-funds spending on most departments (fire and police would get increases). To save $3.6 million, Guinta wants every city employee, including himself, to take a mandatory unpaid furlough of one week.
"You can't ask police, fire and teachers to take a week off," Ward 1 Alderman Mark Roy said in response.
Really? Why not? That's a better deal than many private-sector employees are getting this year. Some have to take furloughs twice as long as that. Others are losing their jobs. Those still employed are seeing no raises or are having their pay cut.
Some aldermen have the gall to propose raising taxes on those people so municipal employees can avoid furloughs or layoffs AND have a pay raise. That's outrageous.
Some aldermen are calling Mayor Guinta "unrealistic" for proposing a budget that cuts taxes by cutting spending. But the taxpayers cannot afford to pay more this year for the same level of services they got last year. Those continuing to pretend that the taxpayers are a never-ending source of free money are the ones indulging in fantasies.
READERS' COMMENTS:
What you all fail to see is that if you make me take a week off with out pay you will have to pay overtime for someone to cover my position.
- Tom, Manchester
Jill,
What, exactly, are the "great" things Guinta has done for our fine city of Manchester????
- John, Manchester
I AM a teacher- I am pretty high up on the "chopping block". My salary is towards the top of the scale. And.. I'm worth every penny.
If you lay off in Manchester, you can cut 2 new teachers to make up my salary. But guess what? Cutting starts at the bottom of the scale. If you cut, you are cutting to get to a salary line total--not a finite number of teachers. What you will have left are smaller number of higher priced staff to teach 17,000 students.
You will lose creative young teachers who WILL NOT want to go through the stress year after year worrying if they will have a job. Those creative young teachers will go where they can focus on teaching and educating rather than stressing over job security.
PS. Manchester is Not one of the higher paying districts.
Come on Mr. Mayor-- stop the grandstanding, come up with creative ways to deal with the situation.
Heres one:
How about buying back sick days from staff?
Lets say you offer $75 for every sick day. Let the staff sell you their sick days. If the sick days are used by the staff now you pay a sub $75 PLUS the teacher salary (lets just say $200.) The gain on the city side is you don't have to pay the teacher salary.
If I can come up with this idea surely 14+ minds can come up with something more.
- Jorge, Bedford,NH
Jon, Manchester...
Gee, a CONTRACT was negotiated (individually) between AIG and their top execs for those large bonuses, but now the government (i.e., the total embodiment of law) wants to renege on them! Please explain to me the difference in the principle. (And refrain from the fluff about the relative size of the money involved, i.e., those rich SOB’s can afford to lose their negotiated compensation, but the poor little guy can’t.) LMAO.
Peace
- Thom, Hummelstown, PA
Why is it that rather than answering questions or debating the issues, Democrats in Manchester always go after Guinta because their assumption that he will eventually run for higher office. SO WHAT IF HE DOES! He has served his time in Manchester for almost a decade as a state rep, alderman, and mayor. If he thinks that he can serve the city in a better capacity with a position in a higher office, then go for it-- I couldnt agree more that his abilities and views on fiscal discipline far out weigh those of the majority who are already in higher office in NH (Hodes, Shaheen, and Shea-Porter specifically)...
Guinta has done great things for Manchester over his tenure, however the Democrat party hacks continuously pound him at every decision not by arguing the point, but rather by always saying "he's just doing this because he wants to run for higher office." Seriously, did I hear you attacking Shaheen when she was governor even though it was very evident she always wanted to run for senator? Do I hear you attacking Hodes who should have stepped down this congressional term in order to run for senate rather than just use his house seat as a platform to run?
It is pretty apparent that the Democrats have no argument against Guinta when that is the sole argument they always try and use against him time and time again....I for one hope he DOES run in 2010 and it is BECAUSE of what he has done as mayor that will cause me to support him. I just think the Democrats need to stop beating their war drum and try working WITH Guinta on the city budget rather than trying to weaken him because of their fear that he will run for an office in 2010.
- Jill Kady, Manchester
If mandatory furloughs are illegal then just skip that step and go right to layoffs. I am so tired of hearing city employees talk as if they work harder than everybody else. The taxpayers are being hit with job loss, increase gas prices, increase grocery prices, increased heating bills, electricity...and so are the city workers who live in Manchester. The difference is, if all our taxes go up then we are paying for the city employee pay raises at a time when very few in the private sector are getting raises.
City employees have a tough job no doubt but many people have tough jobs. It is time for the city to take a stand. Do we want to raise taxes or not. I understand the need to raise taxes in order to pay for additional services or sustain services but at this time, we cannot afford a tax increase. I think the aldermen should adopt the Mayors plan and let the republicans all take the hit if it fails.
- Mike, Manchester
Perhaps the unions should look more closely at furloughs. My sense is that they will.
However, the position of Mayor Guinta is so blatantly obvious..unrealistic proposals that he knows well will not hold in a vote, thus making the alderman look bad. A year ago this mayor stated he would not run for governor because he had a job to do in Manchester. This, after numerous polls had him being hammered by Gov. Lynch. Mayor Guinta has his sights on higher office. Fine. What scares is he will leave this city similar to a certain MA border town that was once a thriving small city.
- Jack, Manchester
Full disclosure- I voted for Frank Guinta twice for Mayor. However, the idea that the city can just ignore a contract because it is convenient for one side is unacceptable. If inflation took off and the negotiated pay raises became insignificant, would it be OK for the city workers "hold out" like sports athletes until the city gave them more money? Of course not. The idea of a contract is to bind both sides to allow for certainty. Guinta is totally wrong for looking to violate that very "conservative" principle of the sanctity of contracts.
If the Mayor were politically astute, he would have called for major layoffs, then negotiated with the unions to have the furloughs as a "compromise" position. That would have been impressive. This act by Guinta is merely political grandstanding.
- Glen, Manchester
Regarding mandatory furlough's your editor asked...Really? Why not? Duh - it's illegal! Doesn't the UL have legal staff to check these things? How is it that the UL is not respecting the rule of law and the meaning of a binding contract? You can't have it both ways UL - championing less government then turn around and ask such a goofy question as you did in this editorial. Wake up and try to be consistant in your arguments, you cheapen you position when your not.
- Max Grey, Manchester
To the good and fair citizens of Manchester:
If you want to control your tax increase, then you need something like proposition 2 1/2 in Massachusetts. It will need to be setup that only a citizen vote can override it.
Until some tax increase check is put in place, you will be powerless to control your tax increases. Only you, good and fair citizens can change the system.
- Paul, Bedford
Please read article on today's front page entitled Rochester hospital lays off 24. All city employees read twice. Ask the 24 people who got laid off whether they would have taken a furlough instead of layoff.
- Russell, Manchester
Read carefully the words of those attacking Guinta or defending the Unions....Union Hacks...Its okay folks we know...even though you haven't the guts to profess the said loyalties.
As for the rest of us who work inthe private sector without the so-called protective umbrella of the almighty Union...I guess we all just have to suck it up.
- Rick Olson, Manchvegas
Of course city workers will oppose the sound budget which the mayor has proposed. City workers believe "I am entitled to my entitlements." Any municipal worker or office holder with a sense of entitlement has got to go.
- Nicholl, Manchester
"Attitude of entitlement"...there is no better way to describe the knee-jerk reactions from some of the Union Bosses. Hopefully, the city workers that recognize the fiscal realities of our economy inform these Bosses that furloughs are better than layoffs and that selfish posturing wins them no support from the public.
- Ryan, Hooksett
Alderman must hold department heads accountable for saving money by innovating and automating. Businesses cut costs by doing things smarter and applying innovation and automation to what they need to get done – these two things employ more technology (cheap) and fewer people (expensive). It’s time Manchester does the same thing. What Guinta presents is a short term, preserve the employee approach to trying to save money. That will never save much money; notice the $13.50 per year reduction is taxes on a $225,000 household. People’s emphasis on labor costs and unions completely misses the big picture, and true savings.
On another topic: It’s interesting that teacher furloughs are supposed to take place during vacations and that the district will not be able to replace 42 retiring employees, but no such thing has been said about departments in the city. Why shouldn’t their employees also take their furloughs during vacation? Why don’t they have a hiring freeze? Not only does this cost cutting approach have no change at any significant cost cutting, but it is not at all even handed.
This looks like another case of cutting deeper into one of the most economical school districts in the state, while not cutting as deep into one of the least efficient municipal governments in the state. I have previously posted the data that backs up that claim. Sorry for those readers that missed it, but in a nutshell: our town spending is very lopsided toward the municipal government and proportionately looks much like Portsmouth, Hampton and Seabrook. Salem, Nashua, Concord and most others spend much less on municipal government. Who do you think Manchester should most resemble?
- Peter Sorrentino, Manchester, NH
Look at the NH state budget and then you will know why this is happening to every town and city, Lynch has an 11% increse hidden in the smoke and mirrors the leberal democrates are out of control and thier fippin minds with spending.
- AMC, Troy NH
The fact is that Mayor Guinta has proposed an unrealistic budget, that leaves the aldermen and the unions looking like the bad guys. This is just another stunt by Guinta to run for Governor in two years. Why is it that the city doesn't find real cuts in spending. I'm sure that there is wasteful spending somewhere in the city. I have seen how government works.
A CONTRACT was negotiated with the employees and agreed upon by the CITY and the unions. Now Manchester wants to go back on that contract. Why don't they just tell PSNH that they are going to pay less of their electric bill. I'm sure that PSNH wouldn't mind and wouldn't use legal action to get what they are owed. It is no different with public employees. When times are good, no one wants their job and the city doesn't renegotiate the contract in favor of the employee. When times are bad, people think public employees have the best job ever and want public employees to be just as miserable as they are.
- Jon, Manchester
All I have to say is that city employees pay taxes like most people do. Do you really think they get their paychecks for free? Your out of your mind. They earn their salaries to pay their bills like most. They make purchases like most. So don't place the blame on the backs of city workers, they work and take care of the services that the public demands. I'm anxious to see what the responses will be when the services are not immediately available. If you think working for the city is so easy, try working for one.
- d. gamel, nashua
Great editorial...honestly, it perfectly describes exactly how I feel about the reaction that the Democrat Aldermen and Union Heads had to the mayor's budget. Hopefully the aldermen return from the clouds sometime before they have to vote on this budget, but I'm not holding my breath!
- Ryan Feltner, Manchester
Awe, hush up, and let the wealth redistribution continue... In this instance from the pocketbooks of home owners to the city coffers. It is your patriotic duty to pay more taxes, so suck it up and stop the whining. LMAO!
Peace.
- Thom, Hummelstown, PA
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Post Office Fruit owner Kay Dovas in her Manchester landmark eatery at the corner of Amherst and Chestnut Streets. (BOB LAPREE)
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"Landmark eatery, Post Office Fruit, closes"
By DENIS PAISTE, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, 4/2/2009
MANCHESTER – Downtown landmark Post Office Fruit, a luncheonette whose heyday was in an earlier era when the Manchester Union Leader was the dominant presence on Amherst Street, has closed and its owners have put the building up for sale.
"After 46 years of service to Manchester, it's time to retire. I'm happy that I made so many friends over the years," Catherine "Kay" Dovas said in a statement released through her Realtor. "Thank you Manchester, for a really great run!"
Sisters Kay and Effie Dovas ran the business together for more than four decades.
"Kay and Effie Dovas were two of the sweetest ladies I've ever met," New Hampshire Union Leader Publisher Joe McQuaid said.
The property is listed for $379,900 with Prudential Verani Realty in Londonderry and consists of 87 Amherst St., 426 Chestnut St. and 428 Chestnut St. There is an apartment above the luncheonette.
The building dates from 1890 and sits on 0.04 acres; it is a two-story wood frame with about 2,200 square feet of space, according to city records.
Listing agent Tom Duffy, who said the property was put up for sale last Friday, said Kay Dovas owned the luncheonette since 1962 and purchased the building in 1972. Duffy is the managing broker of the commercial division at Prudential Verani.
Inside there are autographed pictures of presidents who have visited, and there is a wall of photos of customers' kids and grandkids, Duffy said.
There has been a restaurant in the historic building, one of the oldest in downtown, since 1932, he said.
The luncheonette, with its traditional lunch counter and stools, took its name from the former U.S. Post Office, which occupied the block of Hanover Street between Chestnut and Pine streets. That building is now home to Devine, Millimet law firm.
The former Union Leader building is now the Manchester District Court.
Retired Union Leader reporter Al Nettel recalled, "I used to go there as office boy every day. They used to get quite a bit of food out there, sandwiches. They made good frappes."
He said "Kay's," as it was affectionately known, was a gathering place for reporters and editors as well as postal workers.
"They always greeted their customers and treated them well," he said.
The idea for the Union Leader Santa Fund for the Salvation Army was conceived at Post Office Fruit, according to a previous New Hampshire Union Leader report.
Kay Dovas was a young girl working at the store when three customers, Salvation Army Majors Clair and Ella Lowman and newspaper editor Hugh O'Neill, came up with the idea of the Santa Fund to help families struggling with expenses during the holiday season.
With the blessing of late Publisher William Loeb, the Santa Fund began in 1960. It raised a modest $1,000 that year. Last year, the fund raised $323,220, bringing the total since it began to $6,009,631.
A historic photo from 1914 used in the Keystone Press calendar for 2009 showed the building at the southwest corner of Amherst and Chestnut streets then identified as Joseph Barile Fruit Store. It is believed to be the oldest commercial wooden structure in the city and originally was the home of Judge Samuel Bell.
Post Office Fruit was closed for a time in 2007 while Kay Dovas recovered from hip surgery, reopening in December 2007.
When it closed again in October 2008, it was for the last time.
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Staff reporter Benjamin Kepple contributed to this report.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
Kay and Effie
Congrats to both of you on your retirements. You can now enjoy the beach more. Since moving to Florida there is no place down here that can match your egg cooking. Oh how do I miss those egg sandwiches you made me Kay. Retirement is not that bad. (It's great down here in Florida). Good luck and stay healthy and may the good lords light alway shine on both of you.
Ret PO: Richard Gilman (Gilly)
- richard gilman, brooksville Fl
Happy retirement to Effie and Kay. As a young student at Shirley's School of Hair Design I spent alot of good times at PO Fruit! I loved their cream cheese and olive sandwich. They were the only sandwich counter that served them! As an adult, I moved out of Manchester but returned and was happy to see they were still in business. It will be sad to see them go! Best wishes!!!
- Pat, Manchester
My Mom used to take me in there back in the 70's. Kay and Effie always remembered me as I got older. A crown jewel in Manchester history. We will miss you!
- Peter White, Manchester
Many wishes for a good retirement. The Post Office Fruit Luncheonette was one of Manchester's more unique institutions. Hot dogs, milkshakes, and helium tanks!
- Rich, Grantham
The story brought back many fond memories of eating there with my dad. He worked for the Post Office and I remember him taking me there. I would wait on the stool for him to go punch out and we would then share a snack at the counter. Thanks for the great memories.
- John, Manchester
As a little girl, trips to downtown Manchester were an adventure! Part of the adventure was going to the Post Office and then dropping by the Luncheonette for a FABULOUS sandwich with my mom and my brother. Later in my early twenties, I worked as a legal secretary for two major law firms in downtown Manchester, and it was at least a weekly thing for me to grab a sandwich at the luncheonette. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of not only the history of Manchester, but of some of my most wonderful childhood memories.
- Lori, Manchester
Best of luck to the sisters in their retirement.
Hope someone buys this place and reopens it just as it was.
- Jessie W., Manchester
Best of luck Kay and Effie. You both deserve the rest. As I get older you two dont seem to age!
During the days at the old P.O., I spent a lot of time eating hot dogs at P.O. Fruit
Bob
- Bob Kendrigan, Charlotte, NC
To owner Kay, Thank you for the wonderful service you gave my wife (11 years ago, my girlfriend) and I. I will never forget that friendly smile and the two chocolate shakes you made us. That was a time when we were still homeless and trying to get back on our feet here in Manchester. Your positive outlook on life and joy of just being helpful ment alot to us. Thank you for the wonderful memories, we will surely miss the Post Office Fruit, you and your sister. Hopefully the new owners will keep it going for many years to come and it will be put on the preservation list as a historic landmark of Manchester. God bless you both, enjoy your retirement.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
Mat retirement bring you the pleasure that the both of you have brought alot of us over the years.
- Tim, Manchester
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"NH unions say they'll sue over proposed furloughs"
April 3, 2009, 11:46 A.M. EDT
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) -- Public employee unions say they will sue the city of Manchester, N.H., if workers are forced to take a seven-day furlough, as proposed by Mayor Frank Guinta.
Bill Clayton, president of the city firefighters' union, believes it's against the law, but Guinta said is to legal to have furloughs.
Guinta told the New Hampshire Union Leader that the city solicitor said there are a few unions that may have contractural protection and would have to consent to furloughs before they could be imposed.
Guinta has proposed one-week furloughs for all city employees in his budget proposal, saying the move would save the city $3.6 million and save 90 jobs.
Since then, leaders of all but a few of the city's 17 unions have decided to boycott an April 8 meeting with Guinta.
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Information from: New Hampshire Union Leader, www.unionleader.com
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"Manchester city unions say they'll sue over furloughs"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, Friday, Apr. 3, 2009
MANCHESTER – Public-employee unions say they will sue the city if it slaps workers with a mandatory seven-day furlough.
"We believe it's against the law, and it's been proven in court," said Bill Clayton, president of the city firefighters' union.
Mayor Frank Guinta said the unions are mistaken.
"We obviously checked in advance with the solicitor, and the fact of the matter is it is legal to have furloughs," he said.
The solicitor, however, did say there are a few unions -- "two or three," Guinta said -- that may have contractual protection and would have to consent to furloughs before they could be imposed. Guinta said the solicitor is still reviewing the contracts.
Guinta proposed a seven-day furlough for all city employees in his budget presentation Tuesday. He said the move would save the city $3.6 million and preserve 90 jobs.
Since then, leaders of all but a few of the city's 17 unions have decided to boycott an April 8 meeting with the mayor.
This is the second time the unions have refused to meet with Guinta, who has sought concessions to ease the strain on the city budget.
Yesterday, Guinta said it is "extremely disappointing that, given the economic conditions we're in, they're actually refusing to now even meet with me, two days into the budget process."
Water Works union President Mike Roche said it would be a "waste of time" to meet with the mayor now that his budget proposal has been released. However, he said, the unions do plan to meet with the aldermen, who are now reviewing Guinta's proposal.
"The budget baton has been passed," Roche said, "so we feel it is out of (Guinta's) court at this time."
Roche, who is acting as a spokesman for many of the city's unions during the budget-writing process, said the unions "absolutely" would sue the city if aldermen approve the furlough plan.
"Unequivocally yes," he said. "It's been discussed, and it will be challenged."
Already, the Manchester firefighters' union has had "preliminary" conversations with its attorneys at the Concord firm, Molan Milner and Krupski, PLLC, which also represents the State Employees' Association. Attorney Glenn Milner said the firm "will litigate" in the event of forced furloughs.
Milner cites a June 1992 ruling by the state Supreme Court that found mandatory furloughs for state workers violated both the U.S. and New Hampshire constitutions. In a unanimous opinion, the justices said the proposal "impairs the very heart of an employment contract: the promise of certain work for certain income," and said the state "cannot resort to contract violations to solve its financial problems."
Milner, whose law partner, Richard Molan, was involved in that case, said the court's decision "translates 100 percent to the situation in Manchester."
Guinta said it is wrong "for the unions to threaten lawsuits based on their opinion of one court case."
Several Manchester aldermen have questioned both the legality and the feasibility of Guinta's proposal. Alderman At-Large Dan O'Neil said he does not know whether it's possible for police officers, firefighters and highway workers to take unpaid days off work, noting, "We've still got to pick up garbage. We've still got to plow the streets."
Scott McGilvray, president of the Manchester teachers' union, has said he, too, considers furloughs illegal. He added it would not be possible for teachers to take time off without missing class because they're only paid for days they work.
Guinta has said the unions should offer alternative proposals if they don't want to take furloughs. However, he said, "The fact that they're boycotting these meetings suggests ... they're going to dig their heels in and they're not going to come up with alternatives."
Roche said the unions should not have to concede any pay or benefits because their contracts were negotiated "in good faith."
"Both sides entered into the agreement," he said.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
I support the mayor, if the unions don't want to agree take a pidly little 7 days off without pay, then they can explain to their newest members why they are getting laid off. Everyday the economy gets worst, 600 million out of work. GM on the brink of bankruptcy, hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake. Good luck, hang on, it's going to be a wild ride.
- Jack Alex, Manchester
What greed. Why would the unions risk going to court, striking, and forcing the lay off of 90 city workers instead of 1 week less pay. I was laid off a few weeks ago. I would have much rather been shown the possibility of receiving 1 week less pay instead of getting the axe altogether. To quote a famous song "You can't always get what you want."
- Matt, Manchester
to ridley and clan, un-needed comment!
it tells me more about you than whom you speak!
- paul gagnon, manchester nh
Ridley and clan,
Having gun-toting, pot smoking, non law-abiding citizens patrolling our streets is not what NH needs.
- judy, Concord
I just hope they all these city employees live in this city. I"m hoping if they don't want to play ball with reducing city costs they they will be impacted with the explosion of our property tax like the rest of us.
Open your eyes, every company everywhere is having layoffs, 401k company matches frozen, forced days off, cutting of training expenses, travel expenses and on and on. Goverment has to be run as a business, not as an entitlement as some of these employees think it is.
- Jim, Manchester
I guess Mayor Guinta got his answer...city workers are not willing to do the right things during tough times.
Layoff 100 of these bums...the taxpayers won't care.
- Seth Connors, Manchester, NH
To Sandy in Thornton -- newspapers have been laying off for years because there has been a huge shift in readership from actual paper newspapers to online news. Last I checked nobody was using computers to pick up their trash, put out fires, patrol our streets, or enlighten our children.
There are three options for solving the budget shortfall: raise taxes, lay off city workers at the bottom of the seniority list, or ASK the unions if they will consider cost saving measures to save jobs.
Mayor Guinta chose instead to toss a molotov cocktail into the city in a cynical and disgraceful attempt to pit city workers against taxpayers. Divide and conquer in the name of $13.00. Good work, Frank.
- Fred, Amherst
To any/every one who has ever thought that government jobs are easy work for over-pay. Follow this link for a list of state-level jobs vacancies and apply at-will. Come, join our ranks and see what it is really like to work for government. Good luck with the hiring process though, it can be difficult even during the best of economic times.
A special invite goes out to all the cop-haters; State Police is testing for new Troopers. Come sign up and you can work all those highway details and see how much fun they really are.
http://admin.state.nh.us/hr/employmentlisting.html
- John, Plaistow
This from today's Boston Globe.
"The New York Times Co. has threatened to shut the Boston Globe unless the newspaper's unions swiftly agree to $20 million in concessions, union leaders said." The long and short of it is the NY Times has been subsidizing the Globe's losses and has said enough is enough.
City of Manchester union folks better get their heads of out the sand and pay attention to what is going on in the outside world. These types of situations in the business world are being published every day now. Most employees are seeing the wisdom behind giving up some pay or work time in return for retaining their jobs.
The arrogant, entitlement attitude being displayed is not amusing or helpful. The only ones who will lose are the unions.
- sandy, thornton
Cindy from Laconia......I think you need to "look up" what the city union heads receive for compensation. These are not high paid positions with first class travel and the perks of the rich and famous. Here in Manchester, the officers of the city unions receive a SMALL weekly stipend and still work at their regular positions. Compare the modest pay and the number of hours worked for the union membership and you'll find that they are working for less than minimum wage! Educate yourself and get the facts before you discredit the hard work of the union officials here in Manchester. I think you'd be surprised at the truth if you care to find it.
- John, Manchester
These comments are hilarious! The sad thing is that if you go back to articles about the city budget and the pay of city workers when times were financially good, the comments of the pathetic, vocal minority were spewing out the same party line. When times were good, the city workers were stil allegedly lazy and overpaid. While private sector jobs made astronomical gains, the union jobs made modest gains and the lunatic fringe ranted about the unions and their so-called, undeserved raises. Instead of the shouting and illogical diatribes, it's time to see that the unions are taking their current position because the talk and tactics from the mayor's office have resulted in nothing but distrust and distortion. I have read about how unions are no longer needed in this country, but the current climate is a perfect example of why unions are necessary. The Mayor and other misinformed zealots think that furloughs are a perfectly acceptable and legal budgeting method. If the unions were not there to stop this irresponsible action, City Hall would be allowed to ride roughshod over the middle class workers.
As I've seen written, this city has been rated the 2nd best, yes, SECOND BEST city in this nation for responsible taxes and spending.....this is not an easily achieved status and proves that the alderman are doing a fair and reasonable job in looking after the city's pursestrings. It's time to grow up and realize what we have and what we might lose if we are penny wise and pound foolish. I, as a taxpayer, do not want to overspend for anything, but we do not overspend and I do not mind one bit paying the reasonable current rate and a modest increase for the current level of services that are provided. Keep up the good work aldermen, don't be swayed by those who shout without substance!
- John, Manchester
http://www.guintaforcongress.com/
Ya think Franky is running for sumthin?
Why would Ron Vars (big supporter of Giuliani --who Guinta also endorsed..) Own the domain name http://www.guintaforcongress.com as of March 7 2009????
- Jim, Manchester
Come on union folks be happy you have a job take a week off and enjoy your families and think about all that you have to be thankful for! Give a little and try to help out the economy rather than just your own wallets. hard to feel sorry for them
- kim bennett, colebrook
Ryan, Hooksett..
I am a teacher. I am paid from September X to June 30. PERIOD..... The teachers conceded to let the city pay us through the summer to save the CITY monies. We are technically being paid during the summer for work that happened the previous FISCAL year. In most school districts the staff are paid in 21 week pay checks. The pay stops JUNE 30. They are not given a check over the summer (so they must budget wisely). This is because they DO NOT work during the summer. Before you spout your "HOOKSETTness", get your facts straight!!!
- JIM C., Manchester
in response to Richard in Manchester. You say "then go ahead and lay me off. I'll find a better job somewhere else?" WOW. Do you even keep up with the news. People are lining up to apply for jobs. You need a reality check. The odds are stacked against you. If you have a job, be grateful. There are many people who don't who would gladly take yours and not whine. UNIONS DO NOT WORK FOR THE WORKER! Fire the Union instead and you'll find life a lot better. By the way, have you ever researched the salary of these union employees or asked about their "conferences". Try that next. Good luck to you in your job search. You'll need it.
- Cindy, Laconia
Does anyone actually believe the unions will agree? The only thing unions ever seem to want to do is to assert their power ("We'll show them!") and to hell with those they are supposed to be representing, the "little guys".
It's happened too often in the past that unions have said "To hell with the demands of the employers! Let them shut the place. We'll just picket!" and when the employer decides to close the doors, or move the company overseas and people lose their jobs, is it the union bosses who wind up paying? No, it's always "the little guy"!
- Guy Plante, Manchester
Mayor Guinta,
I respect and admire your actions to keep the city going and attempt to save the TAXPAYERS some money.
My brother was a Teamster (ever heard of them?) for St. Johnsbury Trucking. Ever wonder what happened to that company? The Teamsters ruined them. They wouldn't concede to some concessions to save the company during tough times, so it went under. Hundreds lost their jobs and careers. So much for the union.
The city unions know that they will not go out of business. They should all take the furlough, except for essential emergency services.
They would rather see the new guys get laid off than spare them their jobs by losing one week of pay. So much for loyalty to their fellow workers.
God save the City!
- Bill, Manchester
Excellent idea! Let's have the free stators enforce the laws. Nothing like a bunch of nothing better to do contrarians on patrol. These chumps strap on iron and scare the robert tarr out of normal people in order to prove a point. They are so disillusioned that they think that they serve a purpose!....Get them out there quick!
- Brad, Manchester
I do not support this mayor, evidenced by my words below. However, did vote for (and I am a union member and active Democrat who leans middle-to-conservative) but will not again for whatever office he aspires.
What rattles most is the way he tossess things out, then points his finger. This is leadership? Then heads off out of state to consult with others about what office to run for next. Huh?
One thing I will state... I am not sure about the legality of furloughs. My sense is that they "Are" legal. Something these union bossess should consider is that LAYOFFS ARE LEGAL!
- Jack, Manchester
Yeah, sure, Ridley, I'm sure the mayor will get right on your offer.
- Clyde, Manchester
It's hilarious to listen to people refer to City Union employees as greedy!These greedy employees are doing nothing but holding on to what they have earned. While everybody enjoyed the boom of the late 90's and most of 2000. City employees never received more than a 2% raise. While they watched friends and family virtually print money, they remained dedicated loyal underpaid city workers. Now, in an economic downturn, they are asked to forfeit 140% of a weeks pay in order to spare everybody else five hundred bucks in the form of a tax increase! Yeah they are greedy! You can probably discern that I am one of those selfish greedy City Union workers. Just so I have it straight, I contribute $1500 to spare my neighbor a third of that. Give me a break! Just govern responsibly, honor your commitments, and make some tough decisions. As opposed to taking the easy way out by balancing the budget on the backs of the always unpopular city employees.
- Dave, Manchester
If it's illegal to make workers take the furlough then I guess it won't be illegal to lay off workers if you can't pay them. Lay off the city workers if the money isn't there. Welcome to the new suck economy city workers. You're just starting to inhale the fumes. Wait until the crap hits the city fan !!
- Johnny, Manchester
My offer still stands - As a member of the Free Staters, we will patrol the streets of Manchester while the police take furloughs. No problem! We are all armed and capable. I hope the mayor will give this serious consideration.
- David Ridley, Manchester
To the teachers on the board that are upset at this proposal, choose one:
- Stop telling me I only work 183 days! This is an all-year profession and I am offended that you don't see this.
- Don't you know I only work 183 days? You can't furlough me because I don't work a full year. I can't believe you don't see this!
You cannot have it both ways.
- Ryan, Hooksett
The UNIONS are the problem - Government workers, Teachers, Detroit, all of them. They have gone past there day. City and Government employees have contracts - not one of them is paid for performance - just step increases. Most people in Unions, other then the Bosses have no say and must follow the party line or else. Unions - Congress, they are all in bed together and the rest of us better wake up. It is not the $13.00 as much as the principal of the thing. Our house has one unemployed, one no raises and two kids no camp this year - while to try to pay the bills. I have no doubt that this City could do just as well and be no worse off with 90-190 less employees. I have no issue with Police and Fire - they put their life on the line, but, give me a break those plow drivers that barrel through the City are doing it for overtime not for the love of the rest of us
- Bill, Manchester
Riiight...so its legal for UNH to consider furloughs, but the city Democrat Unions are going to attack Guinta and accuse his budget as illegal because it is illegal in their opinion. So is what UNH doing illegal too??? I doubt it....I think this is just a political stunt full of threats coming from the union bosses...
- Casey Johnes, Manchvegas
Are you union bashers kidding me? You would be willing to lay people off because they would not volunteer to give up seven days of pay, so you can save $13? Has this city ever opened up a union contract when times are good, and there is a surplus of money, and given them an extra weeks pay? Of course not. Don't balance the budget on employees backs!
- Michael, Manchester
The mayor is not going to lay anyone off. It is a game and the unions aren't biting. I will defend the city workers in that when times are good, they have decent jobs and benefits and when times are bad they have decent jobs and benefits. People in the private sector can do really well in the good times and can do far worse in the bad times. There is no corruption, the union workers just have an entity to protect them and the private sector people don't therefor they are envious.
- Frank, Manchester
If they don't want to be part of the solution then LAY THEM OFF!
- Fred Leonard, Rochester, NH
The unions helped build this country and they're going to bring this country down. Unions started out helping the working man. Now they only protect the sick, lame, and lazy.
- Michelle, bristol
It is against the law and the mayor knows it - and if he doesn't, then I question his ability to be mayor. There are certain things a mayor should know. Of course, this is all propaganda on his part anyway.
What a wonderful leader - get the city workers to take all of the blame for mismanagement of funds.
Again, why hasn't the mayor come out with a second or third alternative? He should be meeting with his aldermen and women rather than playing games.
- corey d., manchester, nh
Having been a member of 2 unions over the years and observing the attitudes and actions of union members, I've come to the conclusion that it is imperative that the breakup of unions is imperative to the survival of America.
You will never see a bigger group of self-serving backstabbers. They will eat their own.
Big Dig Big Dig Big Dig. Hahaha.
Avoid the union label.
Can't wait for you card check guys to come around my shop.
- Michael, Manchester
Everyone should get ALL the facts before they spew...... Teachers already have 78 UNPAID days you want us to take 7 more???? I thought we were a District In Need of Improvement, how are we to improve if we keep interrupting the students learning, with all the disruptions at present, discipline issues it is a wonder there is any learning at all.
- RG, NH
There was a time when Labor Unions served a useful purpose to protect employees but that time is long gone.
We have a myriad of overly cumbersome labor laws that provide fair protections against abuse in all 50 States.
Why shouldn't Labor Unions share in the ups and downs of the economy?
Instead they are a boat anchor on Communities and our Economy with nonsense laws like the Greenday provision that Concord passed last year.
I'm in no way Anti-Union but the pendulum has swung too far in one direction and these unions need to be reigned in. If they are not each of us Taxpayers are the ones that will be unfairly punished for Union abuses of the Economy.
- JP, Warner
Shame on the mayor for not looking into every unions specific situation before announcing his intentions. He's now playing poker with his cards face up on the table.
- Jim Wilson, Manchester
I thinks some of these "public"sector union employees fail to remember: You work for us. I'm willing to bet if you took a secret vote, most would take the 7 days off instead of a trip to the unemployment line. This sense of entitlement that some of these public employees demonstrate needs to be corrected one way or another. If it wasn't for us, John Q. Public, you wouldn't have a job.
- Dale, Manchester
Oh dear lord. We're all in deep trouble. Look at everyone fighting with each other. Nobody willing to work together. Every man for himself. It's the end of America and what it stood for so long ago.
- John, Manchester
Time for the Mayor to go!!! I didn't vote for him last time and I won't vote for him this time. I feel for those who have lost there job but your career choices have put you in a job that would not make it through this difficult time. The economic crisis has been building for some time and if you didn't see it coming and accomodate than I am sorry, why do we now need to take that out on the teachers and firefighters of our city. Believe me the Mayor and ideas like this are the reason I would like to move out of Manchester and to a town that has some leadership. I call for a vote of no confidance in the Mayor.
- Dan, Manchester
"Simone brings up a great point, everyone is so quick to want the city workers to give up a weeks pay. Why not ask all the residents to give up a weeks pay, or even a portion of their weeks pay" JD Manchester
Hey JD in Manchester, many of the taxpayers have had to take pay cuts and other cutbacks already in the private sector. The difference here is people think the city will crumble if city workers have to take 7 days off with no pay. Well, many corporations are doing the same thing and the corporations are not crumbling. The city will not fall if workers take 7 days off without pay. The sky will not fall and the world will not end.
- Mike, Manchester
Why such hatred against the unions? Maybe if the "dreaded" private sector had more unions to actually look out for the private sector employee, not so many of you would be on here complaining about lost wages, benefits, and layoffs.
Unions protect workers. Why should the boss be able to arbitrarily reduce your pay or benefits just to see their bottom line grow. Unions are the only way for the worker to get a fair shake against the almighty boss. Unions work and if you're honest with yourself, you will see that is the truth. Get in touch with a union organizer and get signed up before your boss takes away more of your pay or benefits.
- John, Plaistow
The fire department first at the dais and cannot understand why. Most have lucrative side-jobs. Would it affect that much? Heck, a firefighter can take a two month vacation, as long as his shift is covered. Where it costs is when that coverage cannot make...then another is brought in. With me? Overtime.
I suspect the union heads will come round. A furlough or layoffs. What is there to think about here?
More than the perceived arrogance of the union heads is this mayor, who I voted for. Not again, whether it be for his present office, congress, or senate. His lack of leadership is blinding. No, he'll leave for a higher elected office and leave this community in his wake in shambles. He was tempted to run for governor a year ago, then saw the poll results in a match with Gov Lynch. But, confident he be, evidenced by his recent visits to DC. Wonderful, eh?
- Jack, Manchester
So, if the union bosses refuse to listen to both the majority of the taxpayers & to their own members...go ahead with layoffs, but start with the UNION BOSSES!
Those guys at the top don't care if folks get laid off, because it won't be THEM, and they know it. They don't give a rat's behind about the low folks on the totem pole and we ALL know it.
Just about everyone I know is pinching pennies and cutting back. One of my friends was just told by his employer that they must all take TWO WEEKS unpaid furlough between now and June, or the company may not survive. They're also looking at the possibility that they may need to do it again after June. I don't see why public employees should be any different than the rest of us.
- Donna S, Manchester
Go union! You tell them! Treat the city the same way your brother union did to Pan Am and teach them a lesson... Oh wait! Didn't Pan Am go out of business and all these union people lose their jobs because of it? Sorry, wrong example.
- Jim D, Hillsboro
We hear stories of teachers forgoing scheduled raises to save positions at their schools. Everyday workers are not getting raises or bonuses they were counting on. Perks and benefits are going by the wayside. We are all making sacrifices.
What the mayor is proposing is more than reasonable as a stop gap measure. And nowhere does it say you have to take a week off consecutively. Spread it out to lessen the hit. Beats no pay.
As for the Union bosses, their brethren did a great job in Detroit for our auto industry! Let's hope they don't lead us down the same hole here.
Unions today?
They're so 60's....
- Angelo, Manchester, NH
The next time you hear the unions saying they are here "for the children" of "performing a public service." Remember what is happening now. Unions are out for themselves first. They don't care a lick about your family, your kids, or your situation. With raises frozen and layoffs abounding in the dreaded private sector, the only safe place right now seems to be suckling at the public teat.
- WS, Manchester
let's lay off any union worker who doesn't agree to the furlough.
- Tim, Manchester
I could care less if it's Unions or anyone else refusing to at least negotiate on this...I had to take a pay cut too, mine equals out to just over a weeks pay - did I have a choice, did my taxes go down? nope....am I happy about it? No way, but in these times we all have to make sacrifices, why should a few think they are far more privileged than the rest of us - too bad we really are a selfish nation and in this case...city that we can't think beyond our own nose to help another....instead of digging in your heels, why not dig in and help find a compromise....this isn't the ONLY solution, but it's a start on working through what is a tough situation for all.
- Kim, Manchester
I think it's ridiculous that as smart as Guinta is supposed to be, this was the only idea he could come up with to balance the budget. Doesn't seem to me that he worked real hard at it. I guess the furlough just happened to fit his political agenda better. Sad, very sad.
- Frank, Manchester
In response to Deb from Manchester: So it's "my union, right or wrong"? I belong to one of the construction unions in Boston, which I will not name here for fear of retribution from some of the more fervent rank and file. I support unions and am very thankful for the working conditions and benefits unions have achieved for all but we need to see us, the unions, from the point of view of others who are employees at will and business owners. In regards to city services residents are confounded by trash barrels left in the street and as to what time and day the trash will actually be picked up, snow plows with blades down on barely wet pavement coming by every ten minutes and not a truck to be seen for hours when there are inches of snow on the street and why good young teachers are let go in the favor of poor teachers with tenure. These are just a few example of union inefficiency on display in Manchester regularly. It is rather crass to ask people to spend any more money when it would appear to be throwing good money after bad. In my own personal union experience it floors me that laziest and stupidest guy in my gang is getting the same rate as I am, while I'm doing his work as well as my own. If the union didn't act as a shield for those whose goal in life is to get paid to do as little as possible, we wouldn't hear union bashing.
- Union Member, Manchester
In my household, we have 2 city workers (teachers). Why should MY household be punished over $2000 so the taxpayers (my household included) can save $200. Thats BS!
Mr Mayor that IS a tremendous TAX increase for MY household! -How about lowering MY property tax bill in accordance with the dollars you are "trying" to rape from me?
- JIM, Manchester
Hey Matt and and Rick, how about you get your facts before commenting. The day that Guinta released his budget was when he said that he of course would be included in taking the week furlough and would happily go without pay for that week in order to save city jobs.
You guys really need to try getting your facts straight before commenting.
- Ryan Feltner, Manchester
I guess I need to side with Mayor Guinta. While you are allowed to bicker about wages and job losses, and refusal to negotiate on the like, be mindful that there are folks that do not have your luxury. I am not trying to say you have it easier or harder than I. But, I wish I could have told my company officials I refused my paycut, or my unpaid time off. I wish I could have denied them the right to eliminate the match to my 401K. Also, to Richard L. Before you say, "Lay me off, I will find another job." With unemployment rising above 8%, my question to you is where?
- Adam, Manchester
Jack, your calculations forget benefits. If someone goes on a 1 week unpaid furlough they still get benefits. You lay them off, you save that money as well as salary.
- Dan, Manchester
The Mayor has a lot of stones saying that the Unions aren't willing to come up with alternatives when he is the one who drew the line in the public sand. He could've met with the Unions before he went public and tied their hands. For those Unions that have contractual provisions that cover hours worked and compensation, good luck Mr. Mayor. I hope that the Mayor would be the first one in line to take his week off without pay. For those of you that are willing to take a furlough, the moment that you start giving in to the employer they will keep on taking until they decide to send you packing anyway. For those of you thinking that you will ever get any of those benefits you give up back, keep dreaming! Those Unions all sat at the table and made their contracts in good faith, the City should do the same and not ask the Unions to violate those agreements.
- Rick, Manchester
Can't afford to lose a week's pay? Then try 52 weeks.
Take the furlough, and work a week at Labor Ready if need be.
- BW, Concord
I certainly hope none of the union-people here who don't want to break the contract and give back even a penny or an hour, were not the same ones last week screaming about getting the AIG bonuses back. They had a contract too. I remember only a very few that wanted them to keep it....
One thing most are forgetting is that these contracts were done prior to the economic turndown. Yes negotiated in good faith by "both sides" but things are different now for all. I do not see any posts about people getting more benefits in the private sector. There all losing more.
A lot out there are asking the town for lower taxes period. Could be the mayor could just cut everyone's property taxes in Manchester by 15% and then layoff 300 workers to achieve that. I would say stop calling it a furlough. Let these people work the days and make it a temporary pay cut, call it what it is. Just like the private sector people are getting.
- Jim, Loudon
Then lay them all off. Perhaps a 52 week vacation may make them a bit more grateful.
- BW, Concord
Too bad none of you union bashers really know a thing about what you are talking about. My family has had a union worker in it for decades.
Unions are there for the "common man". To represent them against big bad politicians/business execs, who dictate how they are going to take food and benefits away from the common workers.
To keep tyrannical bosses from harrassing employees.
The fact of the matter is if you don't force government/and big business, to do things legally they probably will walk all over you.
Just look at the banks and their big bonuses!
Look at all the politicians who stepped down from being named to presidential cabinet positions. Why? Because they didn't pay their taxes like you and I do!
Do you really believe they didn't know about the money they owed?
So why would I balk at paying a lousy
$13.00 dollars a year on my tax bill to keep the same level of services in this city?
Before you react to what is being written in the "Union" Leader, take a moment and research some of the facts.
By the way, is this a "Union" paper? If not, then what a shame you kept the name.
- Deb, Manchester
Why doesn't the look at force retirements first. The police department has top level brass who are making huge salaries and should have retired years ago. They have at least ten employees making six figure salaries and are well past their retirement eligibilty. Why not force them to retire before lay-offs and furloughs. Who is worse than someone like that who sticks around because they have it easy, while others face lay-offs or are forced to give a weeks pay. It won't be the high-levels who will b e laid off.
The fire department and the highway department are no different. These higher level employees stick around, making $100,000.00 a year because they have it made. They should be forced to retire if they are past their retirement eligibility.
- Roger Gingras, Manchester
Just lay off the useless, overpaid layabouts.. why try to work with morons.
- tom, manchester,nh
It is ashame City workers have to give up a week of pay so the residents can save a couple hundred dollars on their taxes over the next year. In exchange the city worker will have to struggle to pay his monthly bills.
I am a city employee and have been for a few years. When the economy was booming no one offered to give the city employees large raises to make their pay equal to those in the civilian world. We continue to take from city workers such as the Police, Firefighters, Highway, and the Teachers, just to mention a few, but never give back to them when the residents of Manchester are making $90,000 a year. Many of these employees do the jobs that those who complain about us don't want to do.
The UL prints the salaries of many employees but do not explain these people work 60 or more hours a week to make enough money to pay our bills. We then miss many important holidays, weekends, and other events many of you take for granted. The residents of Manchester should be asking for a small tax increase to give back to the city employees to pay those who are teaching the future of our country what they are worth, to pay those who protect us what they deserve, to pay those who come day or night to treat us when we are injured or to put the fire out when our home is buring, and to pay those who do their best to make Manchester a clean city to live in. These people have a difficult job that those making cooperate salaries don't want to do for $40,000.00 a year.
The next time you see one of these people on the side of the road in the rain, snow, or in the middle of the summer as you drive by with your family toyour vacation home, or a family outing, stop and say thank you. And if you still think City employees have an easy job and are over paid, apply for some of these jobs and join the wonderful life of being a city employee.
- DS, Manchester, NH
I am a city worker who is not a union member and I will refuse to take the furlough! The mayor wants to lay me off? Have a ball! To think that my fellow citizens would rather punish a small group of people to save themselves $200.00 on their tax bill says it all. I am forced to make a sacrifice for who? Ungrateful residents. Lay me off - I'll find work somewhere else - somewhere better.
- Richard L., Manchester
Taking a week off without pay is not the answer. I can't afford to take a week off w/o pay so I don't know how a city worker can. We all have rent/mortgages and other bills to pay. Taking a week's pay is not the answer.
Has the bully, mayor Guinta, offered to go a week w/o pay too? I doubt it.
These workers sat at the table expecting the city to sit there in good faith. If this is what Bully Guinta thinks is good faith, then the city has many things to be concerned about.
Fortunately, the budget is out of Bully Guinta's hands at this point. Now it is the Aldermen's turn to take a crack at it.
- Matt, Lee
Is anyone really surprised that these selfish unions believe laws and business practices do not apply to them?
- Nick, Manchester
i said it before and i'll say it again...i hope all the people here calling for the unions to take the furlough didn't vote for the messiah obama!! because if you did, YOU voted for more unions and socialism.
as far as lay offs, ask the 90 who are lowest in senority how they feel about that?
- fpc, manchester
Simone brings up a great point, everyone is so quick to want the city workers to give up a weeks pay. Why not ask all the residents to give up a weeks pay, or even a portion of their weeks pay. I know your going to say you pay taxes, but so do the majority of city workers. I am a city worker and I know where I work we give up things on a daily basis. I can’t tell you how many times we change our schedule, work a day off in exchange just to save the city money and to get the job done. This doesn’t even bring up all the extra hours that are put in on a weekly basis that the employees don’t even put in for. We make more sacrifices then you can imagine that save the city money. I live in the city and pay my taxes and I too want the best service possible, but what everyone fails to see here is this isn’t reasonable to ask our city employees. I know the non-city workers have pointed out that they have taken a hit where they work, what about the city workers spouses that have taken a hit where they work or even lost their jobs. So if my calculations are right, the city workers give up a weeks pay, the spouse has lost something at their job and then we have to look at the inevitable of paying higher taxes. Nobody wants to see anyone lose their job, but in times of crisis we can’t put the burden on 3300 city workers. The city worker that lives in the city will be taking more then a reasonable sacrifice.
- JD, Manchester
How about cutting some of the FREE social services, money and handouts that this city gives out on a regualar basis to all of those who find some excuse to never work a day in their life or are here illegally, but yet we still have to provide for them.
- Pete, Manchester
Reading through the many comments is quite interesting. How can someone stand back and say yes they need to give up a weeks pay for the city. No one wants to give up a weeks pay. The mayor and aldermen should have been going a better job of balancing the budget and cutting wasteful spending rather than rely on employees to all take 7-days unpaid vacation. It is time for the city to do a manpower analysis and cut jobs that are no longer needed. As mentioned earlier why do four guys go out to fill a pot hole? I'm sure there are many jobs within the city that can be cut permenantly. This will save the city money in immediately and in the long run (i.e. retirement pension).
- Mike, Litchfield
I love how the city employees come on this board and try to scare the public with their rhetoric about if they have to take off 7 days then the city will have to pay someone overtime to fill their spot. Here is a novel concept: If you take off 1 day per month for 7 months there is no need to fill the shift or person. The scare tactics of the unions and the city employees is getting old. Time for the aldermen to get serious. Of course we will see the usual gaggle of aldermen who can't vote against the unions because they are so indebted to the unions they know if they vote against the unions, they will not get re-relected. How about this Aldermen: There are more taxpayers than union members.
- Mike, Manchester
Mike Roche should be the first one laid off. These union heads are absolutely out of touch with reality and if they can't give up a little bit then let the layoffs begin. Then we'll see just how much the Union does to help them out. So, the message is clear. The challenge has been laid down. The Unions v. the taxpayers. The Unions will lose this one big time. Let the layoffs begin...first with police, then fire, then highway and then all the others who think they are above the taxpayers.
- Mike, Manchester
Why can't the unions supplement the one week furlough to the people they represent (and collect from)?
- Joe, Chester
Times are tough all over, the company I work for has made cuts, 5% pay cut for everyone, no more paid sick leave, cutting back paid holiday's. As much as I dislike this, I have a job. The company is trying to cut back to ride this out without lay offs. If given the choice between cut back and layoffs I would have taken cut backs. The unions had a purpose 30 to 40 years ago, it's some of the reasons Detroit is in the problem there in. If the Unions do not want to help, lay off 90 people, do not spend the money to go to court. Going to court is a no win situation for everyone but the lawyers and judge. P.S. My company promises everything taken away will be given back in time.
- Craig McIntosh, Allenstown
Let 'em sue. Once these unions are proven WRONG... the City should SUE THEM to recoup the City's legal fees.
Let the unions raise their dues to then cover their own defense costs for pursuing a baseless lawsuit.Let 'em sue. Once these unions are proven WRONG... the City should SUE THEM to recoup the City's legal fees.
Let the unions raise dues to their member to cover their own defense costs for pursuing a baseless lawsuit in the first place.
For far too long unions have extorted American companies into moving jobs overseas and in some cases, into bankruptcy.
Now w/ the "union dues market" having died in the private sector, Unions have focused their attack on a much susceptible victim: Taxpayers.
For far too long unions have extorted American companies into moving jobs overseas and in some cases, into bankruptcy.
Now w/ the "uinion dues market" having died in the private sector, Unions have focussed their attack on a much much suscepable victim: Taxpayers.
- Chris, Bow
If the Union Heads refuse to discuss the proposal,.....just go ahead and lay off as many as need be to keep the tax rate as close to it is now. End of story. We all need to tighten our belts.
- Ray, Manchester
Mr. Tarr, as a resident of Ward 5 and a city employee who works well over 40 hours per week with no overtime, you certainly don't have my vote for Alderman. Remember, your ward is not on the north end of Manchester and many of the residents in this lower socioeconomic ward are actually city employees. Way to court your constituents! Let's see, 3300 employees pay an average of 1,000 dollars each, or all property tax payers in the city pay 13.50. As a tax payer, I'll take the latter as it is more equitable. For all of the fine Manchester citizens who are or are not taxpayers and call me often to let me know that they pay my salary, guess what, I pay my own salary....
- JF, Manchester
So the unions would prefer that the city fires people? Taxpayers in cities & towns throughout NH are stretched to the limit. Unions don't serve a purpose anymore, other than strangling competitive advantage. The new "union label" is sign that says "FACTORY CLOSED".
- James, Wilton
Pitting tax payers against City Workers
Nice leadership skills, Mayor! I thought a good leader worked towards bringing people together.
Maybe next term? I mean you, yourself said at the end of the first term you "didn't have time to get to the schools in your first term". You got to them now though.
- Kim, Manchester
Wow. Don't waste the money on a legal battle. JUST LAY THEM OFF. I work int he private sector. I didn't get a raise this year and I'll be lucky to have a job in 6 weeks. Why are the unions special? I pay taxes in Manch. I vote to lay of as many as necessary to avoid another tax increase.
- Jim, Manchester
Simone, you are an instigator, nothing more. Do I see your name here as providing your week of pay to solve this? Of course not! What you failed to notice is that many of the posters here have ALREADY lost a week of pay in their private sector employment. These people simply feel that when times are tough, the well-taken care of union worker should be willing to bite the bullet and give up something too. These people work FOR US. We are their BOSS. In the private sector when your boss tells you you are cut back to 4 days a week, then that's what happens, period.
- Molly W, Manchester, NH
For those that say the residents should step up (Simone) and contribute, I say that's Bull. I personally pay more than double what my Neighbor pays for property tax and his house is 20 feet away from mine. I think I'm over $4500 a year right now, I pay over $1000 a year for city car registration on 2 cars, Dog registration, Home Alarm Registration permit. My water bill just increased, my Sewer bill just doubled this past month. What hasn't increased....oh yeah, my actual paycheck.
Crime on my street has increased 10 fold, Traffic is out of controll, Property Taxes are no where near the current values, What has Manchester done for me other than make me feel unsafe, frustrated and broke? Take the Furlow and be happy you even have a job.
- Adam, Manchester
Start the lay offs then. I am sick and tired of my taxes going UP.
- Roger, Manchester
Whenever you blame a union for what they have in their contract, remember managemnet (in this case the city) had to agree with it at some point or the union would not have it in their contract. Negotiations are agreed to by BOTH sides - so blame the city as well as the big, bad) unions when discussing all the so-called perks that unions have negotiated for their members over the years, including seniority, lay-offs, furlough security, etc. Both sides need to sit down and talk not bark at each other . Good Luck, Manchester.
- Bee, Bristol
I find it truely amazing that the city has 17 unions! 17 organizations to interfere with productivity.
- Mark L, Manchester
It makes me wonder if the sharp decline in union membership over the past several decades has less to do with workers not wanting to join, but more to do workers not being able to afford to lose their jobs when the union takes a hard-line position that results in layoffs.
It's one thing when the employer is out to screw with the union. It is something else when the employer is in obvious financial distress and the union would rather suffer layoffs instead of re-opening its contract.
...and the unions don't understand why membership is on the decline.
- David R, Manchester
Someone explain WHY a city worker who is a resident should take a week off without pay totaling anywhere from $800 - $1500 dollars just to get the Mayor's promised $13.50 tax decrease, While each of a city employees/residents neighbors dont contribute anything to solving the situation.
The mayor is irresponsible for trying to balance the budget on the backs of city employees and pitting the community against city employees.
A responsible Mayor would propose a combination of tax increase, cuts to service, and layoffs/smaller furloughs but we dont have a responsible mayor.
- Joseph, Manchester
I have a great idea. Why don't we all come together as a community and help the city out. Why don't all of the people living in Manchester all donate a weeks pay to the city and we can save even more jobs. It is so easy for everyone to get all over the unions for not giving up a weeks pay. I would love to see all of theses union bashers step up to the plate. Have you ever heard of "leading by example"? Come on Richard Fortin, Chris, Ryan Feltner, Craig...
It is so easy to tell someone else to give up a weeks pay. By the way, I am not a city employee. Please post your name after you have sent your weeks pay check to help this city out. Come on people don't be cowards "show me the money".
- simone, manchester
What some of you fail to see is this. If they force me to take a 7 day furlough they will have to hire someone at the overtime rate to cover me - the furlough will then be costing the tax-payer more money to pay that over time shift. You guys are so big on bashing the unions but fail to see their logic. There is something called essential personel - and when you have to wait for the firemen to get there when your building is burning down because the fire house closest to you has most of its guys on furlough your gonna complain then too are you not? Or if the crime rate goes up cause there are not enough officers to cover the city you will complain then too right? Be very careful what you ask for cause you just might get it.
- Tracie, Manchester
There appear to be a consensus here that unions have essentially outlived their usefulness. While, in early 20th century industry which were predominantly owned by wealthy families, workers were subjugated and needed the collective power of unions to obtain what should have been offered by the factory owners. Undeniably, unions were instrumental in changing the workplace and giving employees a greater stake in the company they worked for. Now, they are generally counter-productive, add an extra layer of cost to the financial framework (which we consumers pay for), and as indicated by many here they no longer truly represent their membership or do so t a fault, which would exclude any notion of offering non-traditional solutions (i.e. furloughs) to a very real fiscal problem. They hide behind their contracts, but contracts are binding by law and the will of both parties to uphold them. If conditions change, and the willingness of both parties to concede certain parts to obtain a larger benefit, contracts can always be renegotiated. Detroit auto workers did it - why not here. The inflexibility of union bosses here will only work against them as their stalwart defense of their position will show how little they care about the broader notion of keeping more people employed and sensitivity to the fiscal crisis many municipalities and companies will face over the next year or so. If you want them to care, you have to join the union and pay for them to care about you. This is simply a fiscal hostage situation pitting union against the City of Manchester. Any guess as to who will win? I can tell you who will lose if they don't negotiate - the entire city....
- Dave K., Fitzwilliam
Very interesting! An unpaid seven day furlough for all or 90+ city workers laid off for upwards of 6 months. Would you want to gamble that you might be one of the 90+ laid off? I applaud the mayor for trying to keep all services running and to protect the employer (the taxpayers). With all the flack he is taking on this from the unions, he should just give what we can afford to the unions and let them decide which members get to stay or be laid off. If the lowest members are the ones let go, then it would leave only the chiefs who don't know how to do the work anyways and would therefore determin which services would have to be eliminated. Great job unions!
- Vince, Hooksett
Give the hackerama a taste of the dreaded private sector!
- Tom, Manchester
Time off for Police and Fire, Makes sense not. Many are complaining how the taxes of many are effected. Well has anyone brought up the fact that many of the police and fire are also tax payers in the city. So we give them unpaid time off and still tax them, WOW that does not seem right. What I see is wrong is when the road poatching crew has four people on the truck. How many people does it take to patch a pothole? Teacher are underpaid and we want more from them in the sense of unpaid days off. what is wrong with us people when we are trying to hurt those that serve us and give us the quality of life we all want. It seems to me we are soon becoming a socialist city. What if we pool all of our monies and divide it equally amonst all. Lets give everyone the same way of life. Lets penalize those of us who have been successful and strive to live a higher life standard. Mayor you need to be the first to give up your salary and do your job for free. Let the working class, keep the paychecks they earn and let us the people of the city of Manchester, reach a little bit deeper and pay foe the services we need to make this once again a great city.
- Robert, Manchester
again you think the unions are at fault for the budget crisis. lets take a look at wastefull spending that the tax payers dont see but the union member do.
oh ya richard. f i watched the hoffa movie to good movie
al.c derry
- al Costigan, derry nh
If it were a choice between losing my job and benefits or having to take seven days off in the course of a year, I would have to go with the days off - even if they were consecutive. If the budget can not sustain the level of salaries that it is presently paying then it can't and it will mean job loss. This is a choice of one hardship over another and seven days lost wage is far less of a hardship than a total loss of wage and health benefits - especially with the unemployment level and competition what jobs do presently exist. It's a sad state of affairs but it is reality and you have to make the best choices that you can within your reality.
- Sandra W, Bradford
It all starts at the top and the Mayor has not even tried to get control of the unions so that when something like this happens there would be no issue. Guinta gas ignored the union from the time he got elected. If he was a smart politician he would of got them on his side like any other mayor would have . That makes this situation his fault. The other problem is that the tax base is too dependant on home owners. Business development has been ignored for years and it too hard to deal with the City if you are a business owner [zoning, planning, building deptments]. If Bobb Tarr wants to get elected he needs some new ideas.
- Armand, Manchester
Wow, one week off without pay to save 90 jobs. One of those jobs could be your own. While I agree that unions in certain situations are good, this is a different time and age folks, I think I'm seeing more harm than help (Auto Industry). Would you rather have 1 week less pay or what could turn out to be years? Skimp on a few things over the year so you don't feel it in the check book.
Don't go to D&D all year, make your coffee at home, theres your weeks worth of pay right there. $20 a week on Coffee / Doughnut, $80 a month equals about $960 a year...theres your week of pay. I've resorted to eating Rammen noodle for lunch to save money $24 from BJ's for a case gets me lunch for a month.
- Adam, Manchester
What a joke! They should lay off as many of these idiot as they need to balance the budget. This is so typical of the unions and their "me first" attitudes. Exactly what we need in this country is more unions, NOT!
- Jesse, Orford
I can see Union Head Roche doesn't care about the tax paying citizens of Manchester. Heck he doesn't live in Manchester. What's he got to loose?
The idea of a furlough is great!
- Doris Pond, Manchester
I applaud the Mayor for his creative thinking but I am still confused by his math. 3300 employees taking a week off save 3.6 million. 3.6 million divided by 3300 equals 1091.00 average in salaries per employee. 90 jobs saved, 1090.00 times 52 weeks equals 56,680 per saved employee 90. So 90 times 56,680 equals 5,101,200.00. So where does the other 1,500,200 come from to keep the 90 people employed? Now I see why Manchester is so screwed up, the people charged creating the budget can't even do simple math.
- Jack S, Manchester
The outright arrogant union bosses challenging public elected officials trying to balance our budget is obscene. I'm glad they don't represent me. If this is the type of representation the city workers want, start sending out the layoff notices. The idea of not meeting with the highest ranking elected official in the city to discuss and try to work out a compromise and meet with the left leaning, budget busting, Alderman, is both demeaning to the tax payer and disrespectful of the voter. Mr. Mayor, keep trying to do the thing for the taxpayers of our city. I applaud you.
- Ed, Manchester
Anyone ever notice its always whiny fireman first to the podium to complain about everything? They have to much time. Oh yea, a furlough would be tough for them, less time to sit around (on work time) and figure out how the public is "screwing them over". I say lay some of them off.
- Tom, Lebanon
send out the pink slips then!
- Jennifer, Manchester NH
Those who are contractors for the city of Manchester must be celebrating right now. They're getting paid more than the employees. But, hey, at least the taxpayers don't mind paying more.
- judy, Concord
The unions should understand what is at stake here, Take some time off or you might be laid off. Which is better? Knowing you might have some days off without pay to knowing that you might be in the unemployment line for months with very little unemployment benefits to support your family and yourself? This reader is sure that employess don't have to take all seven days off in a row. Is it possible that it could be one day here, one day there until all seven days are met? City services will still go forward without delays or be off set. So the bottom line comes down to this; 300+ union employees taking seven days off without pay vs 90,000+ taxpayers taking a tax increase that is already too much to add to their budget in such economic times. Aldermen, you decide who you represent? Then lets see how voting goes in November 09'
Robert M Tarr
Candidate for Alderman - Ward 5 09'
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
Too bad unions continue to make stinks over even the slightest cuts to their benefits. If you're self-employed, you deal with the realization that a vacation for you is an unpaid furlough.
Too bad unions only look out for themselves without understanding how good they really have it (i.e. health/dental/401Ks/disability/etc) compared with the many non-union people they live and work with.
- Bill, Milford
So this is what the mayor gets for trying to do something rather than laying off city workers- a knife in the back from those who's jobs he is trying to save? Wow.....I really don't kno what to say to people like this. I just hope that city employees who actually care about saving their jobs as well as those of their fellow coworkers begin to speak out and make their voices known outside of the talking head union heads.
I do work in the private sector, but if I were able to save a friends job, let alone my own, but taking a week without pay, I absolutely would do it in a second. I have a lot of respect for city employees, but if I don't start to hear a large outcry from them against what their union heads are doing, I truly won't feel bad when they get their jobs cut at the end of this budget cycle because they didn't take a stand for what is right when they had the chance to do so.
- Casey Johnes, Manchvegas
LOL....its so nice to see that these Unions really don't care at all about the taxpayer in this city. Furthermore, I really don't think they care about their union members because on lunch today, I actually talked to some highway workers who were in full support of furloughs in order to protect theirs and their co-worker's jobs from the chopping block and they are actually pretty upset at the direction their union heads are taking on this matter.
Its beginning to look more and more like the unions heads in this city not only don't care about the taxpayer, but they actually don't even care about their union members. All they care about is politics and their loyalty to the Democrat Party.
- Ryan Feltner, Manchester
It sad that city employees feel that they and their unions are superior to the common working folk who's taxes pay their salary. This is a common practice in business to save money. It is time city workers got nothing better than the rest of us. God forbid there are only 2 guys picking up trash instead of 3 for a couple weeks.
- Chris, Manchester
The Unions are going to sue over forced furloughs what a bunch of cry babies we all have to make sacrifices but they seem to think they are exempt. My father was a member of a Labor Union a registered Democrat all his life and he spent more time on the picket lines and the Union halls waiting for available work than earning a living. In all the years he paid Union membership he got very little support. If you want examples of Union Corruption one need only look at the Teamsters, the AFL/CIO, the UAW and here in NH the Firefighters Union. I am proud to say that I have never belonged to a union. Just a look at the most poweful unions in this country and they reek with corruption even today, while the average member is collecting unemployment, the big wigs are boozing and schmoozing at play conventions at expensive hotels in Florida and Las Vegas. If we are going to survive this economic crisis we are in we will all have to make sacrifices and that includes the Unions.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
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"City Hall: Guinta to unions: Only so much money to go around"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, 4/5/2009
Mayor Frank Guinta is giving the unions a choice: Accept the furlough, or come up with a better idea.
Failing either of those, he said, there's just one other option: Submit a "list of people they would like laid off."
"I can't impress upon this enough," Guinta said. "No mayor wants to lay people off. But there is a financial reality that mayors have to deal with, and that is there's only so much money to go around."
Furloughs, as several aldermen have noted, are the key to Guinta's budget. Without them, the budget isn't balanced. That, of course, would prove problematic if the unions are right and the proposal is illegal.
In that case, the aldermen would have to make a decision: Make more cuts, lay people off, or raise taxes.
Here's the math: A seven-day furlough, times 3,300 employees, equals $3.6 million in savings to the city. It also equals 90 employees, which, according to Guinta, is how many people would find themselves out of work if the plan isn't approved.
Of course, the aldermen wouldn't have to resort to layoffs. They could just raise taxes. In that case, Guinta said, the furlough plan equals a (?)2 1�„4(?) percent tax hike.
Already, at least one alderman appears to be ready to vote "no" on furloughs. Alderman Mark Roy said, "I think it would be a bad precedent to set. I think we should honor our commitments and find other efficiencies."
Other aldermen have doubts, too. But the math, according to one Republican board member, may favor Guinta. Alderman Mike Garrity said all the mayor needs to sustain a veto is the support of five board members.
Garrity is one. We'll have to wait and see if he's got company.
- - - - -
OUT WITH THE OLD?: Talk of a buyout hasn't gone away.
Guinta didn't mention it in his speech, but he told reporters he still hopes to offer one this summer. If it's successful, he said, "That would virtually guarantee there would be no layoffs."
Guinta suggested the city could offer a $12,000 sweetener to make the early-retirement package sufficiently attractive. Aldermen had previously talked about a $10,000 incentive, but Guinta said that "wasn't generating a lot of interest from employees."
Other money-saving ideas that didn't come up Tuesday are still on the table, as well, Guinta said. One of those ideas is a four-day work week at City Hall. Expect to hear more about that later.
Also on Guinta's list: a "comprehensive" severance proposal and reforms to workers' compensation.
- - - - -
BUELLER?: Doesn't anyone want to run for mayor?
We know it doesn't pay as much as, say, mayor of Nashua. (For that matter, according to the latest "What People Earn" feature in Parade, you're better off becoming a bounty hunter or, our personal recommendation, rodeo steer wrestler.)
Still, you figure someone must want the job. And yet, as Alderman At-Large Dan O'Neil said the other day, "There doesn't seem to be people knocking down the doors."
O'Neil himself had thought about running, as he had in previous election cycles, but now says he's "very much leaning" against it.
"It's just my work situation is pretty good right now," said O'Neil, a Democrat who runs his own business, "and it just may not be the right time for me personally."
Tom Donovan, the last Democrat to run for mayor, backed out a few weeks ago. At this point, the only Democrats who have publicly declared an interest are Alderman At-Large Mike Lopez and Roy, though Roy has said he won't run if either Lopez or O'Neil does.
Meanwhile, there's growing speculation that Guinta won't seek reelection. The theory is he'd be a stronger candidate for Congress if he sits this one out.It's not illogical. Ray Wieczorek tried to run for Congress while he was mayor in 1996 but was hampered by his day job. His successor, Bob Baines, was once said to be interested in a congressional seat, but to some, it seemed any ambition he might have had was derailed when he lost his reelection bid to Guinta.
Just last week, a reporter asked Guinta if he had plans for his future. His response was brief: "No."
At least one Republican, Garrity, has been talking with friends and family about taking Guinta's spot if it should happen to open up. But Garrity, a close friend of Guinta's, said, "As far as I'm concerned, he's still running. He hasn't told me differently."
- - - - -
BAM!: Roy was certainly quick to jab Guinta after the mayor's budget presentation last Tuesday.
Roy's rebuff: "The budget was presented by a mayor who is looking for a better job in government."
- - - - -
TOUCHY: It was pretty obvious Guinta touched a nerve when he said the public-access TV stations are "not essential to the function of good government."
The proof was in the way MCTV Executive Director Grace Sullivan made her exit after the mayor's speech.
"Excuse me," she said, marching down the stairs, "I'm taking my non-essential self home."
- - - - -
POCKET MONEY: Not that anyone is complaining about it, but the tax cut in Guinta's budget proposal is, to speak technically for a moment, teeny weeny. To be precise, it's .35 percent.
As we've said before, that means the owner of a $225,000 home would save $13.50 on his tax bill this fall.
Take that to Papa John's and you'll have just enough for a large cheese pizza and a 20-ounce Coke.
- - - - -
BETTER THAN NOTHING: The proposed tax cut came as a surprise to a lot of people, including, apparently, Guinta himself.
The mayor said that as the budget was starting to take shape, "I was going to figure out a way to not raise taxes. I did not expect I was going to be able to do better than that."
Surely, Guinta could have proposed a budget that kept the tax rate exactly as is. That way, there's still no impact on taxpayers, but there'd be more money for jobs and services.
But Guinta said most department heads had already told him they could live with his proposal. And in any case, he said, "That's not who I am. I'm about making sure every dollar that's spent is spent wisely."
- - - - -
DON'T BE LATE: Scofflaws may soon have a really good incentive to pay their parking tickets.
On the aldermen's agenda this week is a proposal to increase the fines on people who don't pay up. Parking manager Brandy Stanley's plan, which is supposed to keep money from being swallowed up by the city's new collection agency, would add a second late fee after 60 days, at which point a $10 parking ticket would become a $24 ticket, and a $50 ticket would become a $90 ticket.
There is, however, some relief. The first late fee, which now kicks in at seven days, would not take effect until 30 days after a ticket is issued. So that's nice.
- - - - -
TAXI!: As promised, the city's taxi drivers are requesting a permanent rate increase.
Fifty-eight drivers have signed a petition saying they want to keep the rate at $2.40 per mile, where it's been since a temporary increase took effect last summer.
An aldermanic committee has recommended dropping the rate back to its old level of $1.50 per mile.
Aldermen will be asked to make a decision Tuesday.
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Read Scott Brooks' coverage of Manchester City Hall during the week in the New Hampshire Union Leader. E-mail him at sbrooks@unionleader.com.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
Mike from Manchester. I think you need to point out where in the Mayor's proposal does it say that he is closing down a fire stations or police stations for a week? All he says is everyone will only get paid for 51 weeks. I am pretty sure closing down wholedepartments of first responders at a time will not be on the table. Call me crazy but I have a hunch here.
- Jeff Chester, Manchester
2.25 % tax increase will mean around $100 for the average Manchester resident. What's the problem? I really can't believe so many people are in favor of docking the pay of city workers by an average of $1000 over a measly $100 per year tax increase. And many of you have the audacity to call the city workers selfish?!
Frank signed off on all the union contracts, now he's trying to cancel the raises instead of raising taxes by less than $10 a month? Typical republican anti-logic. Gee, I wonder why John McCain only carried one county in all of New England.
- Fred, Amherst
Well. The Mayor is not realistic. He wants to run for the Governor so it is a political decision. I agree with John, we need to get rid of the parking czar along with all the meters from fancy gizmo. Also paying on Saturday and pay for the event parking !!! . What happen Monday to Friday ???? What happen to Free parking ?? Now the Tickets from 10 dollar to 24 Dollar. It is ridiculous. They try to raise the ticket in recession and make people pay more money to the city
- John, Nashua
John from Manchester : "furlough idea is assanine, in some cases illegal and immoral" This comment is not realistic. While some of the Union contracts may contain articles that would prevent furloughs ( which would mean layoffs instead ) hundreds, if not thousands of companies, towns, cities and even States around the USoA are doing exactly that very thing NOW. It keeps people employed, it keeps business and government running and it keeps life on a better keel than layoffs, shutdowns and, very worst of all, tax dollar bailouts do. A little forced time / pay off for non-critical departments like City Hall, garbage collection, Parks & Rec, even schools is not bad when compared to the other choices -- still higher and higher taxes and / or straight layoffs where the jobs won't get done anymore anyways. Trying thinking the process through before making such statements.
- Ray Pendergast, Newport News VA
If furloughs aren't the answer then just give people an extra day off. That will save money. How hard is it to just have someone work five days instead of six? Come on, they are only looking for seven days for each employee, thats like an extra day off for seven weeks. The aldermen and our city government can save money in many ways, they just refuse to do so. Guess that says alot about how they feel towards the taxpayers of the city. Hmm favoritism to 3,300 employees over 60,000+ taxpayers in this city. Time for a new board of aldermen who can work with our Mayor and turn the tide on such things. Time for the taxpayers to come first.
Robert M Tarr
Candidate for Alderman -Ward 5 09'
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
It's time to start RIF-ing people. The city has too many employees, it's sort of like a cruise ship floating in the Merrimack River. There are far too many employees in every department and since most of the employees aren't willing to come to terms of the lousy economy out there then we should handle things in the manner prescribed through layoffs. Thats the trouble with the good times, we forget that we need to deal with the bad times as well. City taxpayers can't keep taking increase after increase. As far as services, I'm willing to take weekly pilgramages to Dunbarton road to drop off my garbage, I'm willing to drive my recycle to Cochrane wherever they set up shop.
We won't have to buy so many garbage trucks and won't have to staff them 3 men at a time. Seems like Chochrane is doing a marvelous job with 1 person why can't we get by with 1. Oh I forgot it's public governement hard at work.
I don't use the library but yet I have to subsidise those that want to use the internet and check out books. Sorry the price of computers is less that $500, buy your own internet connection. Want to read a book, go to Barnes and Nobles on South Willow Street. We could cut the time the library is open to 1 or 2 days a week and we wouldn't be hurting anyone as the schools all have their own library.
We could cut the size of the finance deparment in half and cut the admin jobs in each city department by not chasing after "chargebacks".
Why do we need two city silicitors? Neither one can give you a question when one is asked we are better off getting rid of 1 at least.
Lets get rid of the parking czar along with all the meters from the fancy gizmo shop since for 4 months of the year they are buried under snow and ice and if they are not you have to crawl over a snowbank to reach it.
I've got nothing to pick on at the MPD but why do we have so many police sergants, lieutentants, and captains? Every couple of months they are promoting a new batch. Heck they're giving out gold badges like barbers hand out lollipops. The only time I used to see a cop get a gold badge was when they retired and now it seems like the only time I see a cop with a gold badge is at a traffic detail.
- Jack Alex, Manchester
I for one do not want to have our police and fire depts, shut down for ANY period of time!
- Joe, Manchester
John,
I am sure the city will accept any extra taxes that you wish to pay. Unfortunately, many people are losing their jobs and, even worse, losing their homes. They do not have the luxury that you do of being able to pay higher taxes.
Again, if you are so concerned, what's stopping you from paying extra to the city? If you talk the talk, then walk the walk.
- Ryan, Hooksett
So Ward 1 Alderman Mark Roy is interested in running for mayor, but denounces Mayor Guinta's proposed budget by stating:
"The budget was presented by a mayor who is looking for a better job in government"
Do I have this correct Alderman?
- Richard, Manchester
Give me the 2 1/4 % increase! I will take a modest, managable increase over a cut in services and layoffs any day! The furlough idea is assanine, in some cases illegal and immoral. It's time to manage the city openlly and honestly. Stop proposing unrealistic budgets as resume padding for your next poltitical stint Mayor G. Maybe that works in New Jersey, but it doesn't work here.
- John, Manchester
So Mayor.....what are you going to do, close down the fire & police departments for a week? There are certin services you can close down here and there, but emergence services are not them. Wake up man!!!
- Mike, Manchester, NH
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"Dumb defiance: City unions draw line"
The NH Union Leader, Editorial, April 6, 2009
In Manchester, the "public" in "public employee" sure doesn't stand for "public spirited."
In an effort to avoid more layoffs than might otherwise be necessary in this extremely tight year, Mayor Frank Guinta has asked city employees to take a week of unpaid leave. He's offering to do it himself to show how necessary it is. Last week, the unions told him to buzz off.
The union heads say the mayor can't legally force them to take a week's furlough, and if he tries, they'll sue. Of course, the mayor can fire employees to meet budget needs. Apparently the union heads, who are supposed to look out for the best interests of their members, would rather see 90 or so people fired (the mayor's estimate) than see everyone lose a week's pay.
For months, the mayor has been asking union heads to sit down and discuss furloughs. Last week, they said they would not attend the long-delayed meeting. Not only will they sue if the mayor tries the furloughs on his own, they won't agree to even discuss the option. Clearly, this isn't about the employees' legal rights under current contracts. It's about childishly refusing to compromise.
Contrast that behavior with the high-mindedness of teachers in Brookline. Last week, the teachers union there agreed to a pay freeze that will cost each teacher $2,000 this year, but save the district more than $100,000. The teachers said they would rather keep all programs and services than lose some to cover the cost of a pay increase. So they agreed to give up the raise to which they were entitled by contract.
The U.S. economy has lost more than 600,000 jobs a month for the last four months. Yet the people who run the city employee unions act as if mentions of layoffs are just empty threats made for bargaining purposes. If they keep up this obstinance, they're likely to learn otherwise pretty soon.
READERS' COMMENTS:
Did we forget that Alderman Frank Guinta made a promise to improve the Manchester School system when he ran for mayor. Where is his plan to improve the schools? Remember, there were 3 failing schools when he became mayor. Now every school in the district is labeled "In need of improvement". It will not help the future of the Manchester school system by laying off teachers or requiring furloughs. Teacher salary increases were included in Bedford's budget. Bedford's tax rate increased. I did not see any editorials concerning how dumb it was to give the Bedford teachers salary increases which contributed to the Bedford tax rate increase. Mayor Guinta resides in Manchester but I'd like to know if he plans on sending his children to private school. I can't afford private school for my child. I'd gladly pay my increase in taxes to pay for a properly funded school district.
- Lisa Frisselle, Manchester
Don't worry the law makers in this state will take away everything from the State workers also. And we wonder why people don't care anymore. We wonder why people don't want to get involved. Theres no support for those who do.
- Jim, Manchester
Now more that ever it is becoming apparent to me that we need to rethink the "At Large" positions on our government boards. It just seems so easy for a special interest group, especially unions, to own these seats as they have. It's not even a secret in this town that O'Neill and Lopez are owned by the unions. This can't be good for all of us "At Large". Likewise I don't believe the opposite would be good either. This is why I believe that the at large positions should be eliminated.
If not getting rid of the at large postions outright maybe term limits?
- JSF, Manch
Deb in Hooksett, your post is common amongst union supporters. Why do people insist on acting like if Union workers take a 7 day furlough that the skies will open the streets will flood, our kids will become instantly stupid, crime will sky rocket and basically Manchester as we know it will end forever. You (and other union supporters) do realize we are talking about one week off, trust me your not that important!!!!
Considering the alternative of 90 employees getting laid off (that is 90x52 weeks if we assume that for the next year the position isn't filled). In your scenario of rolling 7 day furlough (obvioulsy no one is suggesting that all union employees take the same 7 days off) Manchester is going to be swallowed by God's wrath, what do you think will happen when 90 positions aren't filled for 52 weeks, I mean Noah's Ark isn't even gonna save us!!!
- Rick, Manchester
Guinta's plan reduces a typical property tax by $12.50 per year. WOW! Sorry gang, that's not saving.
You want to save money? Consider:
Use modern garbage trucks that require one operator not a crew of three.
Consolidate redundant functions in the city, one payroll group, one account group, etc.
Automate more functions so computers can do more paper pushing work and fewer people are required.
In a nutshell, require managers employed by the city to manage costs: apply innovation solutions, consolidate, automate, etc. Hold them accountable.
Automation and consolidation save money. By cutting employees pay by a week per year, and doing other less controversial things, Mayor Guinta saves a typical house hold $12.50 cents per year. Please. This editorial is focuses on the same wrong things Guinta is focused on, which is why he saves next to no money and stirs much controversy.
The way saving money in this city is addressed is a classic case of rearranging of deck chairs on the Titanic. Sadly, the Union Leader editors write an editorial about the pattern of the chairs. Where is the thinking in this city? Not in the newspapers, and apparently not in the city managers offices.
- Peter Sorrentino, Manchester
Looks like those union bosses have turned out their sheep on this board.
It's my hope that the unions do stick to their guns, so the mayor puts 90 afffiliated workers out on the street. Tough love.
- Stuart Dunmeyer, Manchester
Listen here, When your oil bill went up did you say that's too much and stop paying it? Everything in the world went up in price! The city is now paying more for every utility and scrap of paper they buy.
But wait! We (Manchester)can save money if we don't pay the people working for us! We'll just make it sound like they are all a bunch of union jerks for wanting to work and be paid for every week of the year. (Except teachers who only get to work 183 days a year) Do you think I can tell my electric company to skip 7 days of my bill?
Give me a break people!
What are you going to do when it pours and your cellars and streets start flooding?
You might not be able to reach anyone from that department because you wanted to save $13.00 on your tax bill and those people had to take 7 days off w/o pay or they got laid off.
Yeah, this city really sounds like they have their heads in the sand.
Well Mayor, we appreciate your loyalty and willingness to throw us to the wolves to further your own ends!
Thank you for showing you really only care about making it in Washington!
- Deb, Hooksett
Yea, you're right Tom, and from what I've heard on the street, most city workers are in support of the furlough idea-- its the Union bosses (of whom many don't even live in Manchester) that are trying to make this budget into a political issue as they walk arm-in-arm with the New Hampshire Democrat Party in an attempt to tear down Guinta out of fear that he will run for higher office.
These Unions don't care about the taxpayer or the city worker. All they care about is attacking Mayor Guinta regardless of the budget he proposed.
- Chris King, Manchester, New Hampshire
Joe T. from Derry, seriously do a little research before you comment. Guinta has said time and time again that he and his office would be involved in the furlough and that he was happy to go a week without pay in order to save city worker jobs.
And seriously, are you REALLY standing up for teacher's unions? They are the biggest cause of problems in our school systems throughout the US. Their political meandering have completely politicized the education system in this country.
- Barbara, Manchester
How come no mention of the Aldermen cutting their health benefits? it is wrong to ask so much of full-time employees, while part-time employees, such as the Aldermen cost the tax-payer $1,000,000.00 per year on medical benefits. There is something seiously wrong with that.
- Robert Langlois, Manchester
It would be cheaper for a city employee who is a resident to refuse the furlough and accept the increase in his taxes. Why don't we ALL lend a hand to help. I am willing to see a small increas ein my tax rate to help by fellow citizen. it is amazing to me that so many people want to see the city employee hurt because everybody is hurting. That is not very American if you ask me.
- Dan Walker, Manchester
So, Max Grey reports that city employees went 7 years without a raise in the 1990's. While that is sad we are no longer in the 1990's. We are in the year 2009 and have a massive recession. I guess under Max's theory, it doesn't matter if we are in a recession, city employees should get their pay raises regardless of the economy. Give me a break Mr. Grey. People are suffering out there and can not afford more taxes right now. I feel bad the employees didn't get a raise for 7 years in the 1990's but we are not in the 1990's. Don't punish todays taxpayers for the misgivings of a former mayor or aldermen.
- Mike, Manchester
Maybe there's another solution:
Unions stick to their guns: no furlough week.
Residents get to pay taxes on what their property values are actually: 10-25% less from the appraised value.
Union employees - don't give in and smile that they stuck to their guns and held to the contract as they get in the back of the unemployment line.
After all it's a matter of prinicipal(s) right?
- RG, Manch Vegas
Interesting that the UL fails to mention that many of these same employees willingly went SEVEN YEARS in the '90's with ZERO pay increases because of tough times. Funny how that is forgotten and we are the scourge of the earth.
Give me a break! See Guinta for what he is - a polictician!
- Max Grey, Manchester
So every time the City determines it wants to save some money they expect employees to take a week off without pay?
The first time any union gives in to this type of threat, the City will just keep asking over and over again.
Honestly, how much of an increase would the average homeowner see to maintain current services, maybe $20? give me a break!
If they're looking to make cuts, they should charge the actual cost for recreation programs to the participants, not every other taxpayer.
- Jonathan, Manchester
Isn't it fun to trash the unions that have made possible the middle class, social security, job security, worker's rights? Having accepted lower pay, declining number of jobs, general disdain of the conservative public, is it at all odd that union members stand up for themselves and the agreements made with bosses in open negotiations? Was someone holding a gun to the heads of the bosses when those agreements were made? Is it now okay to renege on contractual agreements? What a bunch of whiners. Can't you even keep the agreements that you made? In the past, your word was your bond. Now, your word seems to be for sale.
- Robert, Deerfield
The hackerama is showing its true entitlement colors! They don't understand how grossly overcompensated they are. $55,000 a year with a pension to drive a street sweeper. Maybe instead of having six guys staring in an excavation perhaps you could have three or four. Maybe the cop with a cell phone in one hand and a coffee in the other could actually be concerned about traffic for the $47 plus an hour he recieves. (4 hour minimum)Please don't misunderstand my comments for jealously......its pure contempt!
- Tom, Manchester
It took me about two minutes of research to determine that the last thing Manchester should do to reduce costs in the school district is model ourselves after Brookline. Their starting teacher’s salary is $34,656 versus Manchester’s $31,793. Take $2,000 dollars off of Brookline’s and we still pay our teachers less. The top of Manchester’s pay scale is $65,335. Brookline’s is $67,847 and their's does not require the PhD that Manchester’s does.
The Union Leader editors really ought to do a just little research. The data is for all to see on the state’s website at: http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/data/staffing.htm
- Peter Sorrentino, Manchester, NH
you know. I have heard nothing about how the mayor will plan to cut HIS salary or HIS staff. Nor have I heard of laying off much of any other city service. Why is it that teachers are the first to get picked on? Why are teacher's unions the first to get attacked? And can somebody please remind me why in the heck Manchester even needs to be paying for a SWAT team?
- joe t, derry, nh
What is to prevent the City of Manchester from filing Chapter 11 reorganization in Bankruptcy Court. Then have the union contracts thrown out by the judge? Get rid of the blook sucking union bosses and start fresh! A win / win for everyone, especially the workers.
- Old Man, Franklin
Send out the pink slips. It is about time the unions realized that in this economy, everyone has to give a little. If the union leadership cares more about a weeks pay instead of keeping jobs, then time to find new leadership.
- Ruthie, Fremont
To Chris King,
Most of the union employees ARE residents and taxpayers.
- Tom, Manchester
This is par for course from the union playbook. Don't meet the management half-way then when the layoffs happen cry "look look the big bad management just fired poor Bob who has three kids one in college and one who is special needs and another who is sick and a mortgage and a dog" They don't care about their employees until the next election when they will parade Bob around like a show horse at every Democratic rally and show him in every Democrat's TV ads.
- Brian, Wakefield
It is clear that the Unions are not looking out for the best thing for all of their members. No furlough will result in 90 of their members losing their job.
What is sad is people are forced to join in the union f they want a city job - forced to join a union who refuses to even talk about how to realistically save 90 people's job. They refuse to even meet about it? Is that what those Union dues pay for? No thanks.
- Sue, Manchester
If the city can't find 90 pieces of "deadwood" to get rid of out of 3,300 city employees, their is a serious problem.
- Brian, Manchester
It'd be a cold day in "you know where" when the unions would ever do anything other than play partisan politics. Everyone knows they are the limbs of the Democratic Party.
- Casey Johnes, Manchvegas
Manchester's union heads have made their point -- They don't care about the taxpayer nor the average city employee. They just care about political maneuvers and lies. I can just see Ray Buckley and the NH Democrat Party standing in the background telling these Union Bosses and Democrat Aldermen what to do. God forbid either had the courage to have a mind of their own!
To union bosses and Democrat aldermen- Stop being puppets for Buckley and take a stand for Manchester's taxpayers and city workers for once!!!!!
- Chris King, Manchester, New Hampshire
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"Aging vehicles costing Manchester millions"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, Monday, April 6, 2009
MANCHESTER – It's a lucky day for a Manchester garbage man when his truck doesn't malfunction.
"If you can go a whole day without a breakdown, that's pretty good," said Greg Bond, who drives the downtown pickup route.
Bond has been driving a garbage truck in Manchester for 22 years, and just as he has gotten older, so have the many vehicles on the Highway Department lot. More than half of those vehicles are at least a decade old, records show. Fourteen of them were already on the lot when Bond took the job, in 1987.
Maintaining all those trucks, plows and other pieces of machinery has cost the city millions of dollars over the years, and the cost has only grown over time. In the past four years, according to Deputy Public Works Director Tim Clougherty, the department's annual maintenance bill has increased by half, from $390,000 to $590,000.
"That would cause me to be alarmed, if I didn't know anything else," Clougherty said.
The Fire Department, too, has seen its repair costs mount, from $84,300 to $150,000 in a five-year stretch, according to Chief James Burkush.
Department heads have repeatedly lobbied the aldermen for money to replace their aging fleets. A few months ago, they got their way. A vehicle-replacement plan, approved by the aldermen, promised $3 million apiece to the Highway and Fire departments next year, with millions more in years to come.
Whether all those dollars will come through, however, is now up for debate. In his budget proposal, released last Tuesday, Mayor Frank Guinta promised to deliver most of the money, but not all of it, and he pressured department heads to seek out $1.3 million in grants.
One alderman, Mark Roy, accused Guinta of "butchering" the plan, saying it relies on grants "that may not ever come" and does not provide enough money to keep fixing older vehicles.
Aldermen, who will have the final say this spring, say they are determined to replace at least some of the most troublesome vehicles this year. They acknowledge, however, that won't be easy at a time when city leaders are mulling furloughs and layoffs.
Trash heap on wheels
A number of current and former city officials have described the Highway Department's fleet as "deplorable." To Garage Superintendent Kevin Padden, it's "a rolling Lambert's junkyard."
Padden oversees a crew of 10 mechanics, who are together responsible for the upkeep of 161 vehicles, an assortment of loaders, snowplows, dump trucks, sweepers and pavers. The crew tries to get to problems before they cause a breakdown, but in recent years, he said, most of that preventive work has fallen by the wayside.
"It's all been on repairs," Padden said. "We're basically losing all the PM (preventative maintenance) work we used to do because everything is always breaking down."
Highest bills
The Highway Department: These are the vehicles that have rung up the highest maintenance bills, according to department records:
1993 Garbage Packer: $147,077
1993 Garbage Packer: $145,721
1992 Sewer Truck: $141,814
1997 Sewer Truck: $137,391
2001 Garbage Packer: $130,779
1995 Sweeper: $125,566
1999 Aspalt Paver: $123,597
1994 Loader: $109,231
2001 Sweeper: $100,798
2001 Garbage Packer: $97,002
In fact, breakdowns happen almost every day, several Highway workers said. Bond, one of the department's longest-serving employees, said it isn't uncommon for a driver to take out a truck and be back in the garage 20 minutes later.
"Something will happen to a truck every day. That's guaranteed," Bond said.
One vehicle, a 12-year-old Bobcat Skid-Steer loader, has on average broken down at least once a month for the past three years, records show. In February, a foreman took it outside to clear snow but had to return when the arm snapped.
"That's a safety issue," the foreman, Bob Brule, said, pointing to a long, rust-lined crack at the base of the front loader bucket. "If that snaps, we're in the air. It would take us right over."
In the shop
A review of departmental records shows the average vehicle on the Highway Department lot today has had more than $27,000 worth of work done to it. Nine vehicles have had more than $100,000 in repairs.
In many cases, the maintenance bills have far exceeded the cost to buy the vehicle. A 1996 Ford pickup truck, for example, cost $27,500. Records show the city has spent $49,000 to maintain it.
The two costliest vehicles in the Highway Department garage are a pair of garbage trucks. Purchased for a combined $159,000, they have since cost the city $293,000.
Each of those trucks is 16 years old. The department had pegged their life span at 10 years.
Both trucks are notorious for breaking down, which can happen for many reasons, such as flat tires, oil leaks or control problems. Department officials can't say for sure how many times the trucks have been taken off the road, but maintenance records show one of them has averaged 59 repair jobs per year over the past decade.
Ideally, Clougherty said, the garage crews wouldn't spend so much time on vehicles that are nearing the end of their "useful life." Until now, though, they've just kept working on them because, he said, "we know we're not getting a new one any time soon."
'We hit the wall'
Several Manchester aldermen conceded the board, or more generally, the city, has traditionally done a poor job of replacing old vehicles. One member, Peter Sullivan, said the lack of planning was representative of an "ad hoc method of running city government that had gone on for decades."
Essentially, board members wanted to supply departments with new vehicles, but there were always other priorities, like employee salaries and public safety. Often, they found they could push the vehicles off another year.
It was clear that something had changed when the aldermen voted unanimously for a vehicle-replacement plan last December. To Public Works Director Kevin Sheppard, the explanation was that the department had finally "hit the wall."
"I think the alderman have seen the sidewalks not being cleared, streets not being swept, plow trucks breaking down," Sheppard said.
The vehicle-replacement plan, hatched by Finance Officer Bill Sanders, Sheppard, Fire Chief Burkush and Police Chief David Mara, would more than double the amount of money spent each year on new vehicles, from $1.2 million to $2.75 million. To pay for the vehicles, the city would sell $3 million in bonds every year.
Guinta's budget proposal makes some tweaks to the aldermen's plan. Instead of bonding $6 million in the plan's first year, the city would bond just $3 million and would siphon another $1.7 million out of a "one-time" revenue account.
It would be up to the departments to come up with the remaining $1.3 million; Guinta has said they should apply for grants. Sheppard said the Highway Department has already applied for some, but it would need more to fill the hole completely.
The department has already secured bids for 27 new vehicles, Sheppard said. "As soon as we get the go-ahead, we're ready to order," he said.
The aldermen, by and large, say they want to give it to him.
"We've got to do it," Alderman Ed Osborne said late last month. "No doubt about it. How much? Well, that's another story there."
READERS' COMMENTS:
"Aging vehicles costing Manchester millions" How about aging alderman costing Manchester millions.
- Mateo, Manchester
When it comes to purchasing any capital equipment. Higher ups often dont look at the larger picture. Band aids do work, but as the saying goes "pay now or pay later!
- Ryan, Manchester
Nobody's fooling anyone....If it's anything like Bow, the admins will get their cushy 6 percent while the ones who actually WORK will have to "make do". It's always been like that and always will be. I remember a school custodian telling me (not too long ago, either) that there was a shortfall in the budget and their was actually discussion to cut necessities such as toilet paper. But when I asked him where the pastries came from that they served at a recent "meeting of the minds", he mentioned a very expensive downtown cake and pastry shop. And more than half of the pastries were tossed.....This is why people don't have what they need to effectively execute their jobs. We should take lessons from other countries who waste nothing and actually can get by on less....BECAUSE nothing is wasted!
- John, Bow
If Manchester is like Rochester they have mechanics right? Highly paid ones? Who has been working on the trucks? Reporting abuses? Nobody, because the union employees know they will get what they want, just like they do in Rochester. High pay, low performance. Look for the union label. I call it B.O.H.I.C.A. ALL municipal unions Local, state and national, need to be nullified before the taxpayer will get their moneys worth.
- Allan, Rochester
Why don't we use some of the money that was promised to us by the developers of the Fisher Cats stadium to fix the trucks? Oh yeah, that was just another lie for them to get what they wanted. Why don't we hold some of these people accountable for the promises they make to increase the tax base?
- Lyle, Manchester
I love this city, my grandfather and grandmother came here from ireland back in the early 1900's. He worked down at the city cemetary after he came home from WW 1.
My dad came here and married my mom. Manchester is the best darn city hands down. We have the best police and fire department in the state if not in the country. What makes manchester work is it's workers from highways to all the others.
What we need is a purchasing department to go out and negotiate the best prices possible.
We need to look at starting a planned purchase system from everything apparatus to uniforms and everything in between. I've had 12 and 15 year old jalopys and if I could I would have gotten rid of them by year 7. It's going to take a big commitment, but if I knew where the money was going I'd come up with the few extra dollars.
- Jack Alex, Manchester
I'm a native of Manchester and used to work for a subcontractor (ATOM) in the '70,s & 80,s plowing/paving. We were hired for x-amount $ per/hr. truck and driver.
It's time to bring back in the subcontractors...Hello.......!
- Bill, Deerfield
I can't even count the number of times i see a city truck roll a stop sign on my corner and take off like a bat out of hell. I see city pick ups and cars being mistreated every day-- After every stop sign or red light they think they are on the starting line of a quarter mile drag strip.
- Matt, Manchester
A perfect example of how government wastes money and expects its employees to take a cut.
- MS, Concord
Ryan F: Obama Stimulus money equates to 25% of the total cost of the vehicle unless you are looking at alternatiove fuel vehicles - which you might get a better percentage - such as CNG vehicles would get 100% I Believe - but at this point we would have to drive to Portsmouth to fuel up. So under the basic plan the City still has to come up with 75% of the vehicle cost.
Someone mentioned outsourcing the maintenance costs due to the fact that labor is included in the repair cost. Labor is included due to the fact that if the maintenance was "outsourced" it would be the total cost of the repair - so it is figured in to give you a true repair cost. I also believe if you take what the City mechanics are getting paid compared to what mechanics get paid in the private sector (if it were outsourced) - the City is probably getting a "bargain". Compare the UL annual posted employee salaries to that of your local mechanic alone. Lets not mentioned that these are diesel engines and specialized equipment that would probably drive the cost of that mechanic as well.
- Amy, Manchester
This issue is more mismanagement by the Highway Department to let it get this bad, than the fault of the Mayor & Aldermen. They can’t expect the Aldermen to look at the maintenance records of every vehicle and decide to junk it and buy a new one on credit. If they don’t have the authority to do that – well there’s your real problem right there. The aldermen should also have been more proactive to enact a vehicle replacement program during the dot com boom years and not wait for the Department heads to put it together 5+ year too late.
I will forego my portion of Guinta’s proposed 1% tax decrease to fully fund the current vehicle replacement program but be damned if I let O’Neil, Lopez and their pocket unions raise my taxes to pay for their screw-up’s!
Sorrentino,
Where have you been? A few downtown neighborhoods of the city have been using the 'automated' garbage trucks for years now. But I guess a fat cat like you wouldn’t be caught dead on Spruce Street to notice the big trash bins associated with the new side dumper trucks.
- Jim, Manchester
Jim in Manch:
Did you ever think that the DPW has repeatedly asked to replace these vehicles and establish a cycle only to be turned down by the mayor and alderman year after year?
- Jonathan, Manchester
I'm aghast that these departments do not set aside a little money every year toward the eventual replacement of aging vehicles. When repair costs on one of my cars exceed 50% of the cost of replacement it, I STOP FIXING IT and get a new one. If I can't afford to, I don't drive until I have the money saved up. Where's anyone with any business sense here? - even basic common sense would tell you these things don't last forever. Simply maddening. So not only has the department wasted all this money repairing decrepit equipment, they have had no plan to replace the equipment and instead expect taxpayers to bail them out again in a down economy.
- Jim, Manchester
What would it cost to replace the old refuse trucks with same type of modern trucks Nashua uses? The modern trucks require only one operator, not a crew of three per truck. I would expect the single person truck to cost more, and maybe be a little slower than a truck with a crew of three, but I bet those costs are less than two people's pay, benefits and workers compensation.
Does anyone in Manchester know the answer to this question? Some city employee should, maybe the head of the Highway Department? Maybe someone working for him?
Why have many municipalities across the country converted to single operator trucks? I suspect those trucks are more cost effective.
Remember, employees are expensive, innovation and technology is cheaper.
- Peter Sorrentino, Manchester, NH
I am under the impression that the majority of people haven't taken into consideration what a hard life these vehicles go through on a daily bases ! For those of you who are under the impression that the highway department doesn't really NEED these trucks replaced, and that they only WANT new "shiny" trucks... Go down to the shed on maple street and crawl around under the trucks and see for yourself what a 20 year old truck looks like ! I am sure that your opinion will change! Unfortunately, it is politics as usual.... It reminds me of when Benson was our Governor, he put a hold on all Commercial truck purchases for two years. He was a hero at the time, as will be Guinta for not increasing the taxes. But eventually, the fleets need to be updated. Unfortunately someone has to be the bad guy, and catch up for previous selfishness ! Guinta, do the right thing..... Manchester's fleet of trucks need to be updated... and yes at the taxpayers expense
- Jim, Manchester
Whenevery I see these vehicles speeding through the city they look fine to me! That's why we employ mechanics! I agree with maintenance schedules, and some replacement. Replacing fleets is ridiculous!
- Mark L, Manchester
I'm sure that some vehicles need to be purchased, however seriously, is a year with a really bad economy the year to be going on a vehicle shopping spree??? I'm sure that SOME of these "needs" for new vehicles can be classified more as "wants" that can wait for a better day financially speaking.
Also, wasn't some of messiah Obama's stimulus money supposed to make it to cities like this to replace outdated vehicles and the like?
- Ryan Feltner, Manchester
James – I agree. This article says more about the work quality of the maintenance people and the abuse of the drivers than anything else. Yes, things do break, but if they are fixed correctly we should expect to have the repair last as long as the same part on a new vehicle.
Kathy – maybe you should stop blaming the mayor for everything. I don’t think he has anything to do with this. You seem like he offended you – or your union – and you are intent on bashing him for everything now.
Rick – good point. The numbers should include just parts since the maintenance people would have worked anyway. Maybe they would be doing PM instead, but they would still be employed.
- John A., Manchester, NH
Job Security at Its Finest. Fix it just enough so it Breaks Again and Again.???? Only Safe Job left in Manchester!!! lol
- E J, Manchester
OK - there is a slight flaw in the logic of this article - one you could drive one of these trucks through!
How about posting the amount it costs LAST YEAR in repairs versus the cost to buy a new vehicle TODAY. It doesn't matter what it costs 16 years ago to buy a vehicle because you won't get it for that price today. You could have even included how much the city would have to pay in routine maintenance on a new vehicle too because even new vehicles need some upkeep - if you don't maintain a vehicle it WILL break down more often and be more costly to repair.
Save us taxpayers some money - Stop being reactive and start being proactive!
- Catherine, Manchester, NH
Wow, what a spin the UL has on these numbers. From the way they make it sound it's like the poor drivers are risking life and limb. What a joke. How about some real reporting with factual numbers that are not slanted to some sob story.
- mark, mancheseter
A flat tire equates to a "break down" as much as a cracked engine block would? A flat tire, unless it's a result of worn out tires, is more of a standard replacement item for commercial vehicles, like oil changes.
That being said, these vehicles should be replaced ASAP unless the city is comfortable with an enormous lawsuit (probably covered by insurance) when someone is injured or killed.
- Brian, Litchfield, NH
If it really cost $49,000 to maintain a 1996 ford pick up truck that was purchased for $27,500 then there is some serious mismanagement going on and that could be the first place to look for a cut. I mean lets faceit, if anybody had a truck and it was $27,500 to purchase do you really think anybody would spend $49,000 to make repairs? LEt the numbers game begin. The sky is falling folks. The sky is now falling.
- Mike, Manchester
You've got to be kidding me. Privitize???? The private sector is doing so great we should outsource things. Wasn't it the PRIVATE sector that got us into this mess?
Go on a cruise? As a public employee, with over 30 years, I can't afford to go on a cruise.
- John, Manchester
Those are creative numbers...
Citing original purchase costs and then comparing them to a decade of maint. costs.
First of all, the current repalcement cost is much more than the original purchase price. Second...what are they including in "maintenance" costs. Every oil change and tune up? THose are costs of ownership, not somehting to sound off about. Excessive costs of broken and worn out major components are one thing. But really, who believes anything the spinsters at the highway dept. say. THey just want shiny new toys is all.
- John, Manchester
All I can Say is Manchester must have some GREAT mechanics on its payroll to keep these machines running. However, they can only work their magic for so long.
- Lisa`, Manchester
This department could be hired out to a private company via an annual or two year contract. Let the private sector, with proven efficiencies and capabilities, manage the maintenance expenses, personnel costs, etc. I bet this will save the city money and allow the Mayor to reduce our taxes.
Also, why is the city responsible to plow sidewalks? Individuals and neighborhoods should take care of their own sidewalk shoveling. That is what we did where I grew up. If there as an older neighbor who needed help, neighbors pitched in to make sure that their sidewalk was cleared. This would reduce the cost of the private contract mentioned above and from my experience, get the sidewalks cleared so pedestrians can use them routinely in the winter. The way Manchester citizens sit back waiting for the city to clear their sidewalks each snowy day is insane.
- Jean, Manchester
This city never had a in foresight to plan for anything. Back in the 80's Mayor Shaw went around bonding everything in sight as a way of managing the tax rate. When Mayor Beaulieau took over after a split term he had a financial mess on his hands.
The only reason the city budget has to go up is because the cost of labor. And the more we spend in labor costs the less money we have to buy hard goods.
We don't have to increase taxes if we cut head count. That will free up money to purchase equipment. When I get my automobile taxes I will mail them in dittor my property taxes without having to go down the counter at city hall. They could close city hall 1 day a week, only open 4, just keep it open from 8 to 6 for two days and 10 to 8 for two days, that would give everyone a chance to do their business.
Why aren't the other departments down to a 4 day work week ie finance, hr, mayors office, planning, solicitor? They could be saving the money on keeping the heat low and the lights off.
This city will never learn new tricks because the only thing thats draconian is the labor unions that do nothing but fight over everything. I hope they have a nice job telling their new membership why they got laid off. And its not like they have to do it all in one week, 7 days can be spread out over a year. Thats an extra day you can take and go to hampton beach, or go to the white moutains, or maybe even tack on an extra few and go on a 14 day cruise instead of a 7. You won't even know it because all your food is paid for once you book it.
- Jack Alex, Manchester
Why hasn't Manchester contracted with a private company such as waste management? You would think there could be savings in outsourcing.......
- gr chase, Exeter
Well, isn't this a nice Kettle of Fish we find ourselves in. Lets talk about how the Taxpayer is going to take a major haircut!
Across these United States, there are municipalities that incorporate a fleet vehicle replacement plan, not because they like to have shiny new vehicles, but to keep operational expenses and costs efficient. To just go year after year without replacing a vehicle over six years old is simply idiotic.
A replacement plan means that vehicles and equipment whose costs to maintain increase with age are automatically replaced without hurting the taxpayers. (I would point to Multinomah County in Oregon as an example)
And I don't think you political hacks can blame this on Mayor Frank Guinta, Too many vehicles are 7-10 years or older for that to stick. This lies squarely on the shoulders of the Aldermen. And to those who have held their seats year after year after year, pat yourselves for sitting on you fat arses and doing nothing. You always have an alternate budget with a tax increase, yet services like snow removal are affected because of vehicle breakdowns...You bunch of bloated bureaucratic Pigs!
- Rick Olson, Manchester
A 1996 Ford pickup truck, for example, cost $27,500. Records show the city has spent $49,000 to maintain it.
Does anyone really want me to believe that the maintenance department has spent $49,000 in repairs on one truck?
Think about it - even if every single thing has broke twice, it wouldn't cost $49,000.
Sounds like they are calculating in the salaries and benefits of the mechanics. Sorry, they'll get paid whether the vehicles need repair or not. The costs should be reported only be the actual parts cost.
These numbers sound fishy to me.
- Rick, Manchester
The equipment should take a furlough too along with the city employees!
- Irving B., Manchester
What did that old car repair commercial say..."You can pay me now, or you can pay me later."
How will the Mayor blame the unions for this mess? Things need to be bought. People need to provide services. Both statements are true, independent of eachother, and the Mayor is underfunding both. It is not an either/or situation - both machinery and manpower are needed to run a city, and it is beyond time for the Mayor and the alderman to find the money. I don't want to pay higher taxes, either, but I am sane enough to see that just not paying for something does not make the need go away.
So, Mr. Mayor, time to find those funds: either man-up and make the politically unpopular decision to raise taxes, or else find some alternative resources QUICKLY. Stop blaming the unions, or the alderman, or the BoogieMan and just face facts. The city needs more money than your budget provides in order to run safely and efficiently.
- Kathy, Manchester
Again we see the mistakes of the aldermen rear it's ugly head. They (aldermen) will tell you in order to have the replacements of these vehicles, taxes have to go up not down to cover the cost. Well if a plan as Alderman Sullivan said was in place years ago, they wouldn't be facing it today. Just as we have seen the failed planning on the Fisher Cats Stadium and other projects. Alderman Osborne once worked for the highway department, so sure, he's going to favor them over keeping taxes low. How much did it cost to put in a speed hump on Massabesic street only to take it out again a couple of weeks later. That money could have been spent on other things such as a suppliment to replacing a vehicle. Better management of taxpayer dollars and better planning for the future of the City of Manchester needs to happen now, not later or otherwise, the city will be hitting the wall harder next time.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
It does not make a big difference if they are newer, look at the chart the newer ones look like they cost more to repair. The state needs to take better care of equipment. They want to feed us this garbage about spending more on repairs when the fact is it is cause by lack of care to prevent damage to the equipment. In some case it may be caused by over use but it will still cost money to repair it if it is new.
- James, Manchester
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"Fleets and streets: City maintenance woes"
The NH Union Leader, Editorial, April 7, 2009
In the past four years, the maintenance budget at Manchester's highway department has risen by a little more than 50 percent, from $390,000 to $590,000. As Union Leader reporter Scott Brooks reported on Monday, the city's vehicle fleet is a rambling wreck of trucks, plows and cars many of which cost more to keep up than they would to replace. Vehicles are falling apart because the city habitually puts off replacing them.
The city's roads and sidewalks aren't faring much better. During winter storms, streets go unplowed longer than they did even a few years ago. Cracks and potholes are not being filled as rapidly as they once were.
One of the newer aldermen, Ward 3's Peter Sullivan, observed correctly that the city has historically filled maintenance budgets in an ad-hoc manner rather than systematically planning to replace vehicles.
Last year aldermen alarmed by the state of the fleet authorized $3 million for replacements. But with the budget in the red this year, some of that money probably won't be spent. What is the city to do?
In the long run, it needs a better system for financing new vehicles. In the short run, the city obviously could benefit from turning to private-sector partnerships.
In Louisville, Ky., and Chicago, KFC (yes, Col. Sanders & Co.) is paying to fill potholes. In exchange for white stenciling on the new asphalt that reads "refreshed by KFC," the restaurant chain is financing road repairs.
The city already sells ads on its transit buses to underwrite their costs. There is no reason that program cannot be extended to other city vehicles.
And if the city got corporate partners for other programs and services, it could free money to be spent on roads and vehicles. The town of Haverhill, for example, has local corporate sponsors for the town Web site, helping lower its cost to the taxpayers.
Even in this economy, there are companies that would happily give the city money in exchange for publicity. Aldermen need to explore such contracts immediately. Without them, city residents can expect roads, parks and important city vehicles to get even worse.
READERS' COMMENTS:
Howie....the garbage trucks at the city's disposal ( no pun intended ) are at an available quantity to cover only 1/5 of the city for their garbage routes. Couple this with the fact that the dump trucks are mutlitasking by sanding and salting at the same time as well as being used during the summer and fall months to do projects covered by the highway department and your argument just doen't hold water.. or snow. Now, about corporations that will "volunteer" to plow the streets....how many have really stepped forward and how many of them can truly be counted on to provide this service whenever they are needed, day or night? Logic dictates that most entities that have purchased an industrial sized plow capable of handling snow on a wide city street are using it to make money when the white gold is falling. Please don't suggest that free plowing is available to the city and officials are ignoring it......it's baseball season, so let me just say, "Strike Three....You're Out!"
- John, Manchester
Howie Howe , when I was a kid , Manchester garbage trucks had plows put on them to clear the snow . Hey , what can I tell ya , I'm old .
- Lew, Manchester
Robert makes a good point that maybe its time for some new blood at city hall. Just remeber though from past postings that Robert (candidate for ward 5 alderman) is ANTI-BUSINESS. The city needs private business to help with the tax base.
- Brian, Manchester
Mr Tarr, this situation is the result of the current mayor being penny wise and pound foolish. By constantly deferring the replacement of worn out vehiicles and underfunding budgets, the city finds itself with a fleet of jalopies and an even higher replacement cost. He has been warned of this in the past and has made the choice to ignore the warnings and now the worst has come to fruition. By the time the voters realize how his irresponsible budget proposals have left this city with a worn out infrastructure, he will be running for a higher office and bragging about his fight for lower taxes. It's Emperor guinta and his new clothes that need to be discarded....the city can't afford his style of deceptive budgeting!
- John, Manchester
Great logic James. It will cost less to repave an entire strech of road than to patch it. Really? Have you priced it out. I think you should run the highway Dept. as you just solved the entire budget problem in on posting. Amazing.
Maybe we can have Police cruiser with ads from Mark's Showplace and the Black Brimmer on them.
- Mike, Bedford
Sound like very little preventable maintenance to me , time for new bosses.
- joseph f lamarre, weare nh
Let us not forget, to protect union jobs, state laws and local ordinances prohibit local citizens and companies from providing even free services such as plowing unplowed streets on the way to private accounts.
On top of this, equipment is often duplicated becasue rather than allowing a piece of equipment to be used for multi-tasking, it is allowed to perform only one mission. Good example, in NYC they use the garbage trucks to plow the streets, in Manchester they must have dump trucks do this before the trash trucks even go out to pick up the trash.
Eliminate the waste, become more efficient in use of city vehicles, allow citizens to provide services without making it a fine, and the budget problems will vanish.
- Howie Howe, Manchester
Private-sector partnerships are a good idea. Advertising in exchange for financing of various city costs should help everyone involved. Now if only the city had expertise in soliciting for ads…. Oh wait, maybe the city can use a private-sector partnership for that too. Hmmm, who in the city has that expertise? Oh wait, how about the Union Leader? In fact they could be a model private-sector partnership. For their advertising procurement services they get several things: I prominent space on the city’s website, driving traffic to their website, and the opportunity to bundle their own advertising with city advertising.
What do you say Joe? Do you guys really think private-sector partnerships are a good thing? Of this is just another haphazard, unrealistic editorial?
How about a public proposal to the city?
- Peter Sorrentino, Manchester
I was tempted to go out and buy pavement patch and start patching my road. But with the way people drive around this city it would probably be torn up with in a month. The city still has not learned it would cost less to repave then to pay five guys to patch on hole. The guys that patch that stuff makes almost $13/hr. It is costing the state $75 hour to patch three or four holes in a hour which will probably require re-patching in a month.
- James, Manchester
Let us not forget the city taxes it's citizens with tax hikes upto 4.7% and then when those residents want a sidewalk repaired near their home, they are told to pony-up 50% of the cost in what aldermen call the 50-50 program. Streets like Hosley where there are less than 10 families living there, some are on disability, all are told if they want a new sidewalk pay for it or no sidewalk. This happened to just one person there, a disabled person in a motorized wheelchair who had to pay part of the cost for the sidewalk. Guess what, the rest of the sidewalk in the area is still in such bad shape it can't be plowed well enough during the winter months. Our aldermen should start looking at ways of reducing their spending habits and create ways to save money so such things as vehicles can be replaced. Remember the stimulus wish list by Alderman Lopez and others? Aldeman Lopez wanted a $85,000 replacement bus washer and some other item called a Economizer? What is an economizer anyway? Not once did they place on the wish list items to cover replacing city vehicles that would be considered on a 'red' list. It's time to answer City of Manchester's call and vote out the old and bring in the new.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
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"Average age of fire trucks: 14 years"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, Monday, Apr. 6, 2009
MANCHESTER – Tom Perrault isn't kidding when he says the Highway Department fleet is in rough shape.
"Right now," he said, "there's one truck sitting outside that's got a big hole in the floor. In order to start it, you've got to put it in neutral."
It gets worse. Because the inside handle is broken, he said, "you have to roll the window down and push the button from the outside to get out."
Perrault is the equipment operator who tends to Manchester's plow trucks each winter. The city has 27 large plows, each weighing five tons. Throughout the season, he said, it's not unusual for three or more to be out of service at any given time.
Breakdowns and other mechanical troubles have been an increasingly irksome and expensive problem for several city departments, officials say. Chuck DePrima, the interim director of parks, recreation and cemeteries, said his department's maintenance costs have been rising for years. James Burkush, the fire chief, said it's the same in his department.
According to Burkush, the average age of a Manchester fire truck is 14 years old. Last year, he said, he had to retire one truck, a 1989 fire engine, because the department's maintenance budget dried up.
Now, he said, "they're running an older vehicle up there," a spare from 1987.
Burkush is already taking advantage of the vehicle-replacement plan the aldermen approved in December. The department is now waiting to receive two new pumpers, both of which, he said, were ordered before Mayor Frank Guinta suspended the plan in February.
The Highway Department has also ordered new vehicles, but Deputy Public Works Director Tim Clougherty said officials are waiting for the mayor's OK before they sign the paperwork.
Currently, the Highway Department has 20 vehicles that are at least 20 years old. The oldest, a crane that Garage Superintendent Kevin Padden calls "our most important tool in the wintertime," was purchased 39 years ago, during the Nixon administration.
Some of the city's vehicles are so old that the company that made them is no longer in business. To get spare parts, officials said, Highway staffers will often place a call to the local junkyards. Other times, they'll scour the Web, or else just try to replicate the part themselves.
"It's part of how we operate here," Clougherty said. "We do the best we can with the resources we have."
Greg Bond, who drives a garbage truck, said employees don't stress out when problems arise. "It's part of your everyday work. You've got to have rubber skin. You deal with what you have," he said. "It's just something, I guess, we're accustomed to."
READERS' COMMENTS:
a plow truck w/ a hole ? a welder + metal = hole fixed wow !!!! -mech1 manchester
- mech1, manchester
hmmm, vehicles needing work....welcome to the real world, they can have my old chevy with nearly 250k on it...
- tree, bedford
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"Guinta city budget would ax 6 firefighters"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, April 7, 2009
MANCHESTER – The Manchester Fire Department would have fewer firefighters and probably would be forced to take some trucks out of service if the mayor's budget proposal is approved as is, Fire Chief James Burkush said.
Six city firefighters would be laid off under Mayor Frank Guinta's proposal, Burkush said. Another seven positions, now vacant, would go unfilled.
Burkush characterized the loss in manpower as "significant" and said it would affect service levels. Station closings would be a possibility, he said.
He added that the impact would be even worse if, as he expects, the firefighters' union bucks Guinta's call for all city workers to take seven days off work without pay. In that case, Burkush said, the department could be looking at 25 layoffs, roughly one-tenth of its workforce.
"That number is devastating," Burkush said.
Guinta said he spoke repeatedly with Burkush and other Fire Department officials before he unveiled his budget and "at no time have they ever stated to me that public safety would be compromised or adversely affected by my proposed budget appropriation."
The mayor said he would meet again with Burkush to "address his concerns."
Alderman Jim Roy, a retired Manchester fire captain, said the mayor's proposal presents a "huge problem" to the Fire Department. Roy agrees with union officials who say the proposed furloughs are illegal under the firefighters' contract, which says firefighters are to work an average of 42 hours per week. (Guinta says the furloughs are legal but conceded some unions may have to consent to them.)
Moreover, Roy said the loss of 13 positions would force the department to take one piece of equipment off the road.
"The mayor stands up each year and says his number-one concern is public safety," Roy said. "Well, here's a hint. The Fire Department is public safety."
The Fire Department is one of several city departments that would see its budget increased, though only slightly, under the proposal Guinta rolled out last week. The proposal, which is now being reviewed by aldermen, adds $70,000 to the Fire Department's bottom line, an increase of less than half a percent.
Manchester firefighters are in line for a 3 percent pay increase this July.
In his budget presentation last Tuesday, Guinta said the proposal "keeps services intact but would reduce the complement by about six positions."
At $18.5 million, Burkush said, the proposed Fire Department budget is $1.1 million short of what is needed to maintain a full complement of 234 firefighters. He said the mayor's proposal would wipe out his roster of "floaters," who fill in for firefighters who are injured, sick or on vacation. Six of them would be laid off, he said; the remaining seven would be reassigned to fill existing vacancies.
As a result, Burkush said he would be forced to pay more money for overtime. He noted the mayor's proposal would give the department an additional $143,000 for overtime, but said that amount would be insufficient if there are furloughs.
Guinta said he proposed a budget increase for the Fire Department "for the sole reason to protect public safety."
"As everyone knows, public safety is my top priority," he said.
Burkush said he never had the opportunity to tell the mayor whether the proposed budget would affect public safety. "I couldn't give him a comment," he said, "because at no time were the furloughs mentioned. At no time was the (budget) number mentioned."
READERS' COMMENTS:
Chief Burkush: Just remember, Guinta is a short term-er and won't have to live with the repercussions...so stand up for what you believe is right. Also, good thing you got those fire trucks purchased before he could take them away. It's a shame that you have to beg to get equipment that should be available as part of a planned obsolecense program == something that most progressive cities have in place. Ditto for the highway department.
- Norm G, Manchester
Will someone PLEASE explain to me why, in times of declining tax revenue and economic distress - city services are a sacred cow that MUST NOT BE TOUCHED? It's no different than my personal budget - you make less, you adjust your spending accordingly. If these piggy politicians hadn't grabbed and committed every dollar they could get their hands on when the economy was good we wouldn't be in this mess.
- Frank, Manchester
Funny how Guinta plays ball isn't it? He spends all of his time dictating to the media what his plans are, but does not talk to his department heads or the city workers. But, when election time comes around he will be courting those very people for endorsements. Good luck to him. Just look at the contrast between Guinta and Lynch as the deal with these difficult times - Lynch is cleaning Guinta's clock and is proving he is a much better manager and leader that old Frank. Pehaps that is why Guinta shied away from running against him.
Chief Burkish - good luck to you and your fine men having to deal with such ineptness!
- Max Grey, Manchester
Ald. Roy needs to stop protecting the firefighters. He is a representative of Ward 4, not the entire Manchester Fire Department. All this garbage of how Mayor Guinta is anti safety is ridiculous. Right now there are tough decisions to be made. Cities and towns are coping with layoffs all over the country. This is a fact of the recession we are in. Nobody wants to see layoffs but if there is no money what is the city supposed to do?
the aldermen will cave to the unions and not lilsten to the majority on this one. They will then be arrogant and basically tell the taxpayers we don't know what we are talking about. This is the same song and dance every single year. Time to clean house and get aldermen who will work for the constituents and not protect all the unions. Enough already.
- Jeff, Manchester
I would have expected the mayor to have a little more respect for his department heads. The city's department heads are smart competent people who have been around for years. We now have a mayor who lies to his department heads when presenting his budgets. Do we really want someone leading our city who doesn't have the common courtesy of explaining in full detail what the actual budgetary numbers are with his department heads. Say want you want about our unions, but at least they have been honest and upfront with nothing to hide. Maybe the mayor could take a page out of their book. Just be honest please.
- Dave, Manchester
Mayor Guinta how does cutting 13 positions from the fire dept. not affect public safety? I watched you budget presentation and thought I heard you say the fire dept would be funded with a 3% increase. Did I hear you wrong? A true politician, tells the citizens safety will not be compromised and then cuts jobs.
- Dave, Manchester
So, now the truth comes our and Mayor G's plan would have meant layoffs even with the furloughs. It's funny how he never made a public statement about this fact. How moronic does he think the public is? To say that he wanted to do away with 13 positions in the Fire Department and had no idea that safety would be compromised is either a sign that he is grossly incompetant or a bold faced liar....either one is is a disgrace. Fully fund our necessary services with adequate staffing....manage the city....don't put the public or the city's safety personnel at risk. A dollar wisely spent is not a dollar wasted. I do not envy the city's next mayor who will be forced to deal with the neglect and irresponsibility of New jersey's favorite son.....
- John, Manchester
Raise your hand if you like the new and improved Mark Roy? He says last week the Mayor should have cut spending more and now he says he cut spending too much. Well, Alderman, which is it?
Sounds like he is running for something. Well at least if he does run, it might get him some badly needed exercise.
- Seth Connors, Manchester, NH
Just remember Alderman Jim Roy, you were elected to represent the voters of Ward 4, not the Firefighters. If you can't represent the taxpayers then please step down and we'll get someone who can.
- Ed, Manchester
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"Manchester Fire Chief Says Cuts Could Affect Service: Mayor Proposes Cutting About $500,000 From Department"
POSTED: April 7, 2009 on WMUR.com News Online
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Manchester Fire Chief James Burkush said the cuts proposed to his department by the mayor's budget could mean roaming station closures and possibly slower response times.
Mayor Frank Guinta has proposed cutting about $500,000 from the city's fire department. One option to save the money would be furloughs, but a spokesman for the city's firefighter's union said he doesn't believe that's a good idea.
If furloughs are not enacted, Burkush said the current budget proposal would result in the layoffs of 20 to 25 uniformed firefighters. That translates into a decrease of about five firefighters and one or two pieces of apparatus out of service per shift.
The chief cautioned that it is early in the budget process and nothing is set in stone, but he said hard choices may have to be made if some sort of compromise isn't met.
Guinta said he disagrees with the chief's numbers and is hoping he can reach a compromise with the union.
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"School progress reports show who's up, down"
By DAN TUOHY, New Hampshire Union Leader, 4/7/2009
Besides No. 2 pencils, schools striving to meet state test standards may want to give students something else: A chance to win an iPod.
Manchester's Memorial High School met "adequate yearly progress" for the first time this year. Principal Arthur Adamakos said students seen diligently taking the exams were entered into a lottery to win one of six iPods donated by the booster club.
"Different things motivate different kids," he said. "The bottom line is the kids took it seriously."
The state Department of Education's progress reports released yesterday dish out highlights and lowlights, usually plenty of each for school districts.
While Memorial High School celebrated its success, Manchester district administrators learned that Beech Street and Wilson School join Northwest Elementary on the state's list for "corrective action."
Other schools targeted for restructuring help include Chester Academy in Chester, Exeter Cooperative Middle School, and Londonderry Middle School.
The reports are based on statewide tests in reading and mathematics conducted last fall by students in grades three through eight and grade 11.
Better test scores for the second consecutive year helped 12 schools exit "in need of improvement" status. They include Conway Elementary, Newport High School, Rochester Middle School, Thornton's Ferry in Merrimack, Weare Middle School, and Woodbury Middle School in Salem.
Schools not making the progress standard for two consecutive years in the same area are designated a "school in need of improvement. There are 72 new schools on that list this year, including Derry Village School, Londonderry Senior High School, Oyster River Middle School, Portsmouth Middle School, and Windham Center School.
There are 24 new districts designated as in need of improvement. They include Goffstown, Hooksett, Keene, Lebanon, Londonderry, Rye, Somersworth and Winnacunnet Cooperative.
The districts of Hudson, Merrimack, Newport, Northwood, and Stark are no longer flagged as "in need of improvement."
Schools not making AYP have 30 days to file an appeal with the State Department of Education.
To make AYP, a school or district must meet performance targets established for students in reading and mathematics. There are targets for student participation, attendance, and graduation. The state also measures specific student subgroups, which are broken down by ethnicity, socioeconomic status, educational disability, and English proficiency.
The subgroups challenge schools across the state, but are notably difficult for demographically diverse cities like Manchester, said Katherine Labanaris, vice chair of the Manchester Board of School Committee.
The tests in the New England Common Assessment Program, the foundation for the AYP reports, show incremental growth across the district, said Manchester Superintendent Thomas Brennan.
"We have to remember that this is a one-shot assessment," Brennan said.
Elaine Cutler, superintendent of the Litchfield School District, said she was pleased with this year's testing results.
Campbell High School made AYP in both reading and math, as did Litchfield Middle School. However, Griffin Memorial School did not make AYP in either math or reading. The middle school and Griffin Memorial remain on the schools in need of improvement list.
Griffin Memorial's students achieved AYP as a whole, but its special education population did not achieve the required benchmarks. At least 86 percent of students in the special education subgroup must be proficient in order for an entire school to achieve AYP.
"We will renew our efforts with the special education students," said Cutler. "What we really need to do is understand that we need to teach every single student. We need to put processes in place to meet their maximum capabilities."
Merrimack School District is no longer a district in need of improvement for reading after it made AYP as a district this year. It also made AYP in math. Assistant Superintendent Debbie Woelflein said the district is pleased.
"I think it just shows that the approach we've taken works -- take your time, figure out what you have to do, then make the changes," she said.
All Bedford schools made AYP except one: Lurgio Middle School. And Lurgio had trouble in just one category: special education students in math.
"We're on a good track," Assistant Superintendent Chip McGee said. "We just need to keep raising the bar with students with learning disabilities."
The district as a whole also did not make AYP either in the category of students with educational disabilities in math.
Goffstown Superintendent Stacy Buckley said the schools and the district were coming up short in only one group of students: those with educational disabilities. "It's a small portion of our student body," Buckley said. "We're continually looking at our programs and services and trying to meet all these students' needs."
The Henry Moore School in Candia will lose its "in need of improvement" status after making progress in math this year.
"There is certainly a pattern here that we've noticed that continues," SAU 15 Superintendent Phil Littlefield said. "I think in all three communities the schools as a whole showed some improvement. Even if that improvement is incremental, they are progressing in the right direction."
SAU 15 serves Auburn, Candia and Hooksett.
The Hooksett School District became a district in need of improvement in reading for the first year. Cawley Middle School met the benchmark for reading, but not for math. Both Hooksett Memorial School and Underhill Elementary met the benchmark for math, but not for reading.
Littlefield said the performance of educationally disabled students at Underhill kept the district from making adequate yearly progress.
"The way the federal law is, even if you do OK as a district, if even one of eight subcategories doesn't meet their target, you don't make it," Littlefield said.
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New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondents Suzanne Bates, Stephen Beale, Gretyl Macalaster, and Lauren Sausser contributed to this report.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
Another fact to remember. When you make AYP, the following year you must do 10% better. Another thing to remember is this is only ONE test to show progress or lack of it. The students are tested on things they learned 4 months previous. Try learning a language, not using it for four months, then having to pass a test.
- John, Manchester
I heard that Memorial also promised Final Exam Exemptions to those students who scored proficient or better on the exam. To me, that is more of a motivator than an iPod.
Though, anyone else think that these tests can be a bit ridiculous? The last line in the article says it all, "The way the federal law is, even if you do OK as a district, if even one of eight subcategories doesn't meet their target, you don't make it," Littlefield said... that means if your Special Needs students who are also ELL and Hispanic don't make "progress" you don't completely meet AYP. Odd.
- Hogan, Manchester
BW,
Recheck your facts. Gossler and Memorial both made AYP. Congratulations to both schools.
- John, Manchester
As I read the spreadsheet - Gossler Park missed AYP in math, and is still a School in need of improvement for reading. Perhaps that teacher who posted here ought to take another look at the information.
- BW, Concord
I know when I was in school we never took those test seriously. It seems like the most inaccurate way to judge a school, most kids know that their grade is not going to be affected so why would they bother trying? They should create a way to judge the schools based on the students grades, level of difficulty of the class, they could determine what classes or demographics are struggling and really focus their attention to who needs it the most. I’m it’s easier said than done but just something to think about.
Give the credit to the kids for the hard work they put in everyday, they deserve it!!!
- Leah, Manchester
I'd rather have my kids learning their subjects in school, rather than being trained how to take standardized tests. It seems the better they get at these tests, the dumber they get in their learning.
- Jonathan, Bedford
We, Gossler Park School, made AYP this year too! Please don't forget us. The students, staff, and parents have worked hard to show growth.
- Mr. Record, 2nd Grade Teacher, Manchester
As a parents, volunteers and advocates for Wilson School here in Manchester for 11 years, we can attest that Wilson's students are some of the nicest, brightest kids you can ever meet. Our daughter back in February brought home an award for recieving high scores in the Everyday Math Fractions Test. She also had proficient scores in math that was higher than the school, district and the state. Everyday Math has only been in place for only one year and as time goes by, more and more students will do better in the higher grades because of it. Our teachers give 120% effort and it shows everyday in the smiling faces of the children. This testing just shows that demographically diverse areas like Ward five here in Manchester will score lower than other places. Corrective action is just a label, support your school and PTA, PTO or PTG and things will improve over time. It has been proven so.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
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RELATED LINK:
www.ed.state.nh.us/education/doe/organization/curriculum/Assessment/AYP/2008/AdequateYearlyProgressResultsfor2009.htm
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"Manchester Unions Boycott Budget Meeting With Mayor"
POSTED: April 9, 2009 on WMUR.com News Online
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The simmering budget battle in Manchester takes a turn, as the city's unions stand up to Mayor Frank Guinta at a scheduled meeting Wednesday.
Guinta said the unions asked for a meeting and then didn't show. But a union representative said it's not that simple.
Michael Roche, speaking for 13 of the city's 17 unions, said the Mayor's proposal to furlough all city workers for a week is simply unacceptable. Roche said the unions had second thoughts about Wednesday's meeting after Mayor Guinta gave his budget proposal on March 31.
Last week, Mayor Guinta unveiled his plan to fill budget holes by making city workers take a one week furlough. The unions see it as a 2.7 percent pay cut, but the mayor said it will largely eliminate the need for layoffs.
Mayor Guinta said he'll reach out to the unions to schedule another meeting. But for now the unions say they're looking forward to meeting with Manchester Aldermen later this month.
Union officials said they have some cost-saving ideas, but they're not sharing those publicly. They want to wait for negotiations with aldermen.
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www.wmur.com/news/19133388/detail.html
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"Manchester assistant principals to get pink slips"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, 4/14/2009
Ten assistant principals will receive pink slips this week, some perhaps for the second time in consecutive years.
A measure giving Superintendent Tom Brennan the authority to dole out the slips passed by a single vote at last night's school board meeting. Assistant Superintendent Karen Burkush said the layoff notices will go out before the end of the day tomorrow.
Board members declined to send notifications to teachers. They are expected to revisit that debate within the next three to four weeks.
The vote was personal for Lori Upham, an assistant principal at Gossler Park Elementary. Now finishing up her first year in that job, she said she is "right at the bottom" of the seniority list, "so I would be affected."
"People make a difference, and that doesn't seem to matter," she said after last night's vote. "Money is the bottom line here, not the job you do, and that's unfortunate."
The superintendent told board members the notifications were necessary while a cloud of uncertainty hovers over the district's budget. Administrators are preparing for the possibility that hundreds of jobs will have to be cut.
The pressure to pink-slip the assistant principals was high because of a looming contractual deadline. For those employees, notifications must go out by tomorrow. For teachers, the deadline is May 10.
Brennan had requested the power to pink-slip teachers last night. When board members hesitated, he said he will ask them to vote in a special meeting later this month.
"I just need the authority," Brennan said. "Not that I would exercise it without coming back and discussing it with you, but the time lines are crucial at this point."
The school board is asking for a budget of $152 million. Even if they get that much -- a wholly unlikely scenario, according to board member Doug Kruse -- the district would have to send out 107 pink slips, Brennan said last night.
At $146.1 million, the amount proposed by
Mayor Frank Guinta, as many as 223 positions could be eliminated, the superintendent said.
Kruse said he suspects the board will refuse to pink-slip teachers, much as it did last year.
The board took flak from
Mayor Frank Guinta and some aldermen for that decision, noted Ben Dick, vice president of the city teachers' union, but he said it was the right call.
"You showed them how bloody important the teachers are," Dick said.
The vote to send layoff notices to the assistant principals passed, 8 to 7.
Guinta cast the final, tie-breaking vote.
Others who voted for the notifications were Joyce Craig, Bob O'Sullivan, Chris Herbert, Kruse, Art Beaudry, John Avard and Eric Fischer.
"I've voted against them every year because it's always been a political game," Kruse said. "This year, it's not a political game. It's real."
Eight assistant principals received pink slips last year. None were laid off.
The school board has authorized layoff notices on several occasions over the past two decades. Traditionally, employees who received the notices have kept their jobs.
READERS' COMMENTS:
The school district has reduced its staff by over 200 full time employees in the past 5 years. I would like to know how many fewer employees there are on the city side(police, fire, highway, parks etc...).
It seems that every year the city balances their budget on the backs of the School District. Instead of controling costs on the city side they take money that is earmarked for education (7 million this year) and use it keep taxes lower on the city side.
Every year Principles, Teachers and support staff are reminded that they are not valued by Manchester, Where Police, Fire and the rest of the city's employees are vital to keep services intact.
The process is broken it doesn't work. The schools need to be a seperate tax bill from the city, they need to set there own tax rate, and be accountable to the tax payers directly. STOP THE DOG AND PONY SHOW!! please,
- Kathy, Manchester
To John from Manchester:
(1) The last time Art Beaudry and I spent more than 10 minutes in a school was this morning. Several board members do visit schools and attend related functions. And seven of us (including me) have children currently attending our schools.
(2) Of the eight board members who voted for pink slips last night, five of us also voted to eliminate health insurance for the school board: Art Beaudry, Eric Fischer, Mayor Guinta, Bob O'Sullivan, and me. And two of us voted to eliminate stipends for the board: Bob O'Sullivan and me.
- Doug Kruse - School Board (Ward 8), Manchester
Board of School Committee member Doug Kruse put on a great show at last nights meeting and budget hearing. If front of the cameras and people attending he continually spoke of teachers neeing to make wage and benefit concessions. Yet he takes a $20,000 health and dental plan from the city when he is not an employee. Whast is he giving up? He also voted along with Mayor Guinta to give a $4,000 raise to the Assistant Superintendent. If you are going to talk the talk then walk the walk.
- Jim, Manchester
Doug Kruse and Mayor Guinta keep asking the teachers to give up contracted raises and make medical consessions in front of all the TV cameras last night. What was not show after was that during the nonpublic session they both voted to give the Assistant Superintendent a $4,000 raise.
- pete, manchester
Will someone with knowledge please explain the need for so many asst princs?
Having taught for many years, the need for one asst princ per school seemed to be fine.
Now, one school in my area has a principal and an asst princ for every 2 grades, from grade 7 thru 12. Since when do the students benefit from 6 administrators when 2 will do. The support staff of many schools represents money poorly spent.
The cost benefit analysis should be apparent. Spend the money for good teachers and the results should speak for themselves
- Emile, jaffrey
Tom of Manchester: I happen to be privelaged to have a substantial background as to how UNH hires their educators. Many are hired upon the combination of an ongoing assessment sometimes taken years before the student even applies for a position. Many UNH educators virtually do not even apply for positions-they may be recruited & asked to come to work there, barring the formality of filling out the application. "The point being" that it is my hypothesis that many who are seeking a teaching degree now, will be driven to work towards a masters or beyond, and just not bother with school districts that cannot give you job security. There is far more job security at the University level. Bottom line, universities have the power of financing. BTW, UNH is constantly updating,upgrading personel, and while they are cutting staff, they are adding staff as well. They are not just so outgoing to make that statement. Rest assured, UNH is not in the business of leaving any of their students lacking any staff to student support ratios. I invite Tom of Manchester to have the FACTS, FYI.
- Joe, Manchester
I "had" my job for 22 years ... no cared I was there that long when they were letting me go, said it was sorry, hard to do, yadda yadda yadda ... they also let young people go, too.
It's an easy equation folks:
1 week off or 52 weeks off for the future?
what would you choose? I can give you my recommendation.
- RG, Manchester
It's obvious Manchester doesn't value education. I think we should just skip to the part where the state takes over our schools and be done with this yearly horse and pony show.
- Maria, Manchester, NH
Police officers, Fire fighters, EMT's and TEACHERS should NEVER be layed off. They keep our childrens safe, and educate our children. They are our future. Do we really need to have a ton of parades each year? Do we have to have 4th of July fire works? No we don't. Why don't we stop spending un-necessary money like this, and keep our teachers in the school, and safety personel on the streets. I would gladly give all the fun activies up if it meant my children getting the proper education that they deserve.
- Christen, Manchester
Police officers, fire fighters, EMT's and teachers should NEVER loose their jobs. They keep our city safe and they keep our children educated. Let's remember our kids are our future. Is it necessary to have all these parades? I do not think so. Stop with all the un-necessary spending like parades and keep our teachers in the schools. Everyone throws a fit when all the fun activities in town are cancelled, but lets be real, there are far more important things. Do we HAVE to have 4th of July fire works? No we don't. Yes they are fun to go to, but I would rather have enough police on the street and teachers in the schools, then bring my family to fire works.
- Christen, Manchester
Sad times we live in, where a country, as great as ours, can't even provide the education necessary for our children to thrive, grow and learn. I can't imagine cutting so many necessary positions out of the district. You can't cut teachers, increase the class sizes and expect our children to learn. It's unfortunate how these layoffs are going to occur, with the brunt of them affecting the "lower step" teachers. Unfortunate that the cuts won't affect those that it should. The same holds true for the VP's. Our schools are too large as it is. Many for a Principal alone to manage.
It's the kids who are going to suffer from this. The kids who will not receive the quality education that they are entitled. There has to be another solution. 200 jobs? Come on. There has to be other "fat" in the city to trim.
- Trisha, Manchester
It is absolutely important to invest in our schools and in our children. If you are part of a community it is your obligation to do so.
- B, Manchester
This shouldn't even require a vote. The Superintendent should ALWAYS have the power to hire/fire as he/she sees fit. Its called "authority". Better yet, give that authority to the principals and let the superintendent hire/fire principals.
Alas our unionized government monopoly schools prohibit any form of genuine accountability. Tenure needs to go away. For that matter, the teacher unions need to go away.
Allow parents to send their children to any school they choose, private included. Let parents decide which schools provide the best bang for the buck. Lets see how long these dinosaur government union shops can stay in business then. Without the government imposed monopoly, they would crumble in no time.
- Jim Peschke, Croydon, NH
JC, your child is very lucky to have you, and I wish that every child were so lucky to have parents involved in their lives as yours are.
I don't have children, I am young, and I feel that I have something to offer children from my abbreviated life experiences. I encourage those who also have thought of reaching out to do so, because it's not only enriching for the child but also for the mentor.
I did not mean to offend you, and hope that your child will grow to have the best life.
Respectfully,
- AL, Manchester
yes... the school board voted to pink slip 10 assistant principals--but where in the article does it say that the board in closed session also voted for a 2% pay increase for K. Burkish???
- Jorge, Manchester
I envision a time when school administrators are allowed to choose who gets pink slips in their own schools. The union way of getting rid of the newest teachers with the fresh ideas to keep the oldest members around is outdated. The principals are the ones who should be making the decisions, they are the ones who are closest to the situation. We will once again see the youngest with the new ideas and good attitudes be sacrificed in order to protect the deadwood. The teachers who volunteer for extracurricular activities, bring fresh ideas to the classroom, and don't merely show up from 8 to 3 every day to run off worksheets and read the paper will be thrown out with no input from the administration.
- WS, Manchester
"I envision a future where quality educators stay away from financially unstable municipalities and tend to apply only at the college/university level". . Joe of Manchester ... Tom of Manchester "Ya kidding ,, right"? .. Hey Joe, do you think the colleges are understaffed? Didn't I just read that UNH is cutting staff? Wake up! Good teachers are wonderful, and education is important but:: what about the taxpayer who is losing his/her house? What about all the folks who have been let go from their jobs? Who is looking out for the average Joe .. not the Joe who seems to think there are thousands of college teaching jobs that no one wants.
- Tom, Manchester, NH
When the assistant principal positions, the paraprofessional positions, and some teachers positions are cut, now there fewer barriers between an out of control child in the classroom and your child. When the school nurse calls you and says that your child was hurt when another student threw a chair or desk at him/her, or that they were stabbed with a pencil (all true situations), then remember what Manchester's mayor is proposing with a slashed budget. That is the reality. Any teacher could relate.
- CAH, Manchester
I envision a future where quality educators stay away from financially unstable municipalities and tend to apply only at the college/university level. Talented educators do not typically like to job hop. They establish, learn, and continue to develop a career that benefits the students and the community, until the MSD terminates their employment that is. The first part of the MSD job application should read "beware, false promises upon reciept". Get used to the MSD future with this updated title: "All childs left behind". The city has some twisted finacial management ethics. Cut costs in education, but keep looking at a MILLION DOLLAR snow melting machine that they cannot even afford to operate.
- Joe, Manchester
As the economy gets worse - families losing their homes - - why take away from the kids? School is their place to go and explore - why are we taking that away from them? Think about it - you lay off teachers - more kids in a class - less personal time for the kids to get. The assistant Principles are important to keep all - they help keep things in order. Maybe our Government people should take a cut in pay to help save these imporant jobs.
- Kim, Manchester
"It takes a village to raise a child."
No thanks,
I raise my own kid.
- JC, Manchester
I could be wrong, but I think it is about time that members of the community reach out to the children of this city as mentors. I just printed out my application for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. "It takes a village to raise a child."
Respectfully,
- AL, Manchester
Weren't all these union members asked to take pay cuts and furloughs in leiu of losing jobs?
Did the union think budget and policy makers were kidding?
For decades, unions in have devastated American industry and helped push jobs overseas. American workers have since realized the union charade is nothing more than a dues collecting organization to give its upper own upper management fat salaries. The jig is up... Or is it???
Looks like unions have shifted the fleecing of american industry to a far more vulnerable target, Taxpayers.
I do feel bad though, arts an education are very important and for a school district that is struggling so badly, to lose a "gifted and talented" program will just force talented students out of the Manchester system and into private schools.
What'll that do to the Mancehster School systems testing averages? This city's school system is just getting sucked into an ever deeper and unrepairable vortex.
- John, Manchester
What do Arthur Beaudry and Doug Kruse know about running a school or a district? When was the last time ANY school board member spent more than 10 minutes in a school? These people are making decisions about the future of our children and have no connection with the schools other than they went to school once.
School board members should be required to spend 4 weeks in a school. This could be done in one week sessions. A week in September, a week in January, a week in April, and a week in June. This way they will get to SEE what actually goes on in a school on a daily basis.
Education has changed so much in the last few years and not all for the better. The No Child Left Behind law is so cumbersome it sets schools up to fail. Teaching is getting more and more difficult. We, as taxpayers, should demand more accountability from our elected representatives.
School board members should act in a professional manner and be setting a good example for others. This is not what I see when I watch the meetings on TV. I see some members and the mayor not paying attention when others are speaking. Laughing at their little side jokes. Enough is enough.
- John, Manchester
Hello Manchester--It's time to realized we need to invest in Education to better the futures of all. Funding education solely through property taxes is not working--we need someone to come up with creative ways to fund the much needed programs to keep kids in school and motivated to learn. Cutting athletics, music and arts, etc. is not the answer! While we all know the economy is bad, businesses should step up and help fund education--maybe tax cuts for those companies that do this would be a step in the right direction. Our kids deserve a great education and it's up to us to find a way to give it to them.
- Debbie, Manchester
Last night the school board discussed movie policies and trying to a get a programatic audit of the district done whatever the cost.
These discussions were often laced with unprofessional behavior and comments from a few board members.
Obviously the retreats aren't working.. I hope we can get a refund on that money.
Perhaps if the board talked about ways to find money, as opposed to posturing and insulting one another we could get through this in a way that is respectful of all involved.
- Leah, Manchester
The children are our future and today's it's the administration later on the Teachers. Students get the first impression of "people of authority" when they look at school administrators. Now cutting them is not the answer and cutting teachers is not the answer. We need to invest in our education where is the call to the President to bring a stimulus package to Education. Where are our Politicians of NH asking Washington for money for education. Investing in education is an investment in our future, and thats a good investment. We will only have ourselves to blame if we continue to cut education, education is our future without it we have no future. I’m willing to pay more in taxes if the direct it towards education.
- Ken, Manchester
Isn't that a rude awakening for Ms. Upham. Now she knows, how those of us who also lost their job due to downsizing, feels. I wish I would have had an option like a weeks furlough or even a lower hourly rate in my take home pay, as long as it ment that I would still be employed! Hope she has fun trying to keep her budget on an unemployment check! Unions, bah humbug!!!
- Pat, Manchester
my question is why do we need an Assistant Superintendent when we are giving pink slips to teachers?.
- jd, nashua
I hope they do not let teachers go based on seniority - it should be based on ability. There is a certain female VP where my children attend HS that should be in another field!
- Catherine, Manchester, NH
Yes eight Assistant principals were pink slipped last year and none were eventually layed off, but the truth is that due to the pink slip notification four of the assistant principals found jobs in neighboring school districts. The political game of pink slips has a huge impact on the schools and employees bring their valuable knowledge to other districts. A great loss for Manchester. Doug Kruse wants employees to make consessions but he voted to give himself full medical and dental insurance for his part time work on the school board. He costs the district over $20,000 for stipen and insurance. Great leadership by example.
- john, manchester
I'm confused, I thought that the proposed furloughs were going to keep 90 city employees from losing their jobs. Why is it now that those (furloughs) seem to be off the table, that over 200 teachers alone could lose positions???
- Brian, Manchester
Lori Upham should thank her union for her pink slip. She's right, it's not about the job someone does, it's about who has been there longer. The unions make sure of that!
Maybe that one week furlough is looking better to some?
- Rick, Manchester
Thats too bad because in the high schoolthey are the ones deally on a daily basis with the children.I think it should be the principles in those schools.We dont need more chiefs.The schools or police and fire dont need the cuts.Its in the city itself,pot holes arent being fixed anyways.The children need good role models teaching or disciplining them.
- karen, Manchester
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"School rules: Quality isn't valued"
The NH Union Leader, Editorial, April 15, 2009
Ten assistant principals in Manchester's public schools were given pink slips Monday night. Lori Upham, an assistant principal at Gossler Park Elementary School, expressed her frustration this way: "People make a difference, and that doesn't seem to matter. Money is the bottom line here, not the job you do, and that's unfortunate."
She's exactly right. The Association of Manchester Principals insists that it be that way.
The union's contract requires that layoffs be based on seniority, not skill. It's last hired, first fired, regardless of competence. The same rule applies in the teachers' union contract.
If you wonder why it's hard attracting sharp, ambitious young people into public education, that's one reason. A system that rewards seniority instead of performance will get just that -- seniority, not performance.
It shouldn't be so, but it is -- because the unions insist upon it.
READERS' COMMENTS:
Frank and all the others who don't understand how this type of furlough works. You don't take a week off; you take an hour off, once a week for 40 weeks.
Nobody expects people who for the most part are living pay check to pay check to do without a weeks pay.
So instead of sitting in the teachers lounge during 3rd period on Wednesdays reading the paper at 10 or 20 or 30 dollar an hour, they'll be off the clock during 3rd period on Wednesdays, sitting in the teacher's lounge reading the paper.
- dan, Nashua
Why do these teachers continue to teach?
I actually have heard more negative comments coming from the school distict about us parents and how poorly we raise our children, and how undisciplined they are, and how parents only send kids to school to be babysat, and so on. These schools and the staff think so very little of parents and children, I have to wonder why even bother teaching?
- K, Hillsboro
No, Ryan, furloughs are not a good idea. Budgeting by furlough only means a larger increase in taxes in following years.
The premise of this editorial is a simplistic and one sided argument, but that is to be expected from a paper that shouts catch phrases instead of getting the whole truth into the open. For every action, there is a reaction and that is the case with seniority clauses in union contracts. Yes, there are some drawbacks in this tyoe of verbage in a collective bargaining agreement, but there is a logical reason for its existance. This protects people who have worked hard for many years from being terminated merely because they earn more than newer hires.
Many here like to blame teachers and their union for the state of public education, but certainly they face working conditions that are extreme when compared to that of a few generations ago. The schools are full of students who are unruly, violent and disruptive. Parents of students, sometimes by choice and sometimes by circumstance, have little involvement in their child's educational experience. Our teachers have been set up for failure by having to deal with an ever increasing set of circumstances that have nothing to do with education, but have an adverse effect on the classroom. They earn every penny they are paid and this includes the schoolhouse administrators who are busy day in and day out.
I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but please stop presenting half the story to suit your agenda.
- Jules, Manchester
How would you define performance? Test scores? Passing students? How do you measure performance when one teacher has students headed to college and AP exams and another teacher has students who are glad to just have a roof over their heads or lack basic English skills? Does one perform better than another? How would you rate an Assistant Principal? They usually spend time on discipline, so would the one who gives less detentions be better?
Seniority is not a reason school districts have trouble finding (AND KEEPING) sharp, ambitious young people. If that is the case, why do people still work for Verizon and other companies that have unions and seniority? It is the long hours, hard work, and most importantly, the negative attitude towards teachers (from students, parents, and newspapers) that make them wonder why they want to put up with it day after day.
- Bob, Lake Ave 03104
Yet Karen Burkush got a $4,000 raise. Nice to see Manchester has its educational priorities straight.
- LP, Manchester
She is right. Money matters. A whopping savings of about $14.00 per taxpayer. Nice job Manchester. It is also her fault for taking the job to begin with. She should have known this would happen after last year. There is NO reward for loyalty from the "good" citizens of Manchester.
- John, Manchester
And exactly how are you planning to cover a furlough in a school since the teachers are paid for school days only? Are you going to volunteer to teach for a day, Ryan? That would certainly be a productive day for our kids.
- Frank, Manchester
Unfortunately, some of us, including teachers, have had to work at honest jobs where the threat from nepotism is way greater than the loss of teachers from brain death. No these are real jobs overseen by real administrators who prefer people who do what they are told and give up on trying to actually educate their students. Seniority is one way to prevent this culling of creative teachers or any teacher who does not toady. All the ranting about unions here indicates that the critics have never exposed themselves to actual workplaces. Stock brokers and bankers don't need unions - they already have you by the short hairs.
- Robert, Deerfield
And you know what, no one cares how the public school system in NH is run, including the DOE, so nothing will ever be done to correct this problem.
The NH public school system is just another business in which more money is poured into every year, with poor results.
These principals need to get the pink slip.So do the majority of the SAU staff in each district. There are more Administrators than need be, anyway. More money is going to How the kids are taught, than actually teaching the kids. Get rid of all the extras and keep the teachers, and let the teachers, teach.
- K, Hillsboro
A furlough doesn't sound like such a bad idea, does it Ms. Upham?
- Ryan, Hooksett
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"Proposed Manchester School Budget Full Of Cuts: Hundreds Of Manchester Teachers Hope To Avoid Layoffs" - www.wmur.com - April 13, 2009
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The Manchester School Board voted to lay off 10 assistant principals in the city and proposed cutting more than 100 jobs and eliminating or reducing school programs.
Thomas J. Brennan Jr., Manchester's superintendent of schools, presented his budget to a packed crowd Monday evening, proposing major cuts in an effort to shave millions from the budget, WMUR News 9's Jean Mackin reported.
Teachers, staff and parents -- many wearing red shirts to represent support for education -- listened to the school board's proposed $152 million budget with layoffs and program eliminations as follows.
* 107 proposed layoffs of teachers and staff
* Eliminating elementary beginning band and orchestra, and the gifted and talented program
* Reducing kindergarten to a half day
* Cutting more than $200,000 from athletic programs
* Cutting $17,000 from music and arts
"I think it would be criminal ... to have our students at that young age not have the services they need," said Maxine Mosley, a school district employee.
"Highly qualified teachers are the most important thing to the education for the children in this city," said Ben Dick, vice president of the Manchester Education Association.
"Now, this year, they're telling me first-year teachers have got to go. So, basically, I'm the bottom of the food chain," said Melissa Savage, a teacher.
Scott McGilvray, president of the Manchester Education Association, said the teacher's union wants to discuss alternatives.
"Offering our assistance in this budget process ... please take advantage of our knowledge and expertise," McGilvray said.
Mayor Frank Guinta, a Republican, said he wants to sit down with unions but also cautioned that even this reduced budget is too high and unrealistic.
"We do need some compromise and I think the reality of the situation is that there has to be some compromise," Guinta said.
Aldermen will review the proposed school budget and could change it before incorporating it into the city budget, which has to be passed in June. If the school budget is cut further, the teacher's union said more than 200 teachers and staff could be laid off.
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Source: www.wmur.com/money/19172229/detail.html
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"Manchester Mayor To Seek Higher Office: 2-Term Mayor Of State's Largest City To Announce Plans" - www.wmur.com - (on or around) April 13, 2009
The mayor of New Hampshire's largest city said he will run for higher office next year instead of seeking a third term.
Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta told the New Hampshire Sunday News that he will announce by the end of the month which office he will seek. He said he's been asked to run for governor, Congress and the Senate.
The governor's office and congressional seat in Guinta's district are currently held by Democrats. The U.S. Senate seat, now held by Republican Judd Gregg, will be an open race next year since Gregg has said he won't seek re-election.
Guinta, a 38-year-old Republican, has been mayor since in 2006.
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"All signs point to Guinta running for House seat"
By JOHN DISTASO, Senior Political Reporter, NH Union Leader, Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2009
MANCHESTER – He's not saying so publicly, yet, but all signs point to Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta becoming a candidate for the 1st District U.S. House seat within the next three weeks.
After announcing on Saturday that he won't run for a third term as mayor and will seek higher office, Republican Guinta told the New Hampshire Union Leader yesterday that by the end of the week, he will have a "Friends of Frank Guinta" federal campaign committee filed with the Federal Election Commission. He said he will begin to raise money immediately.
Guinta and close advisers have recently told Republicans in Manchester and elsewhere he intends to run for the U.S. House seat now occupied by two-term Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter.
Guinta said the country "is in desperate need of action on behalf of American and New Hampshire families."
He said that as mayor he has focused on "controlling spending good government, enacting reforms to improve the environment, to make this city a leading city and to protect the taxpayers."
Guinta said that Shea-Porter and 2nd District Rep. Hodes "are voting to reflect their personal values, which seem to be in direct contrast with that. They are spending at record amounts while unemployment numbers continue to rise. There is no clear path toward getting our economy back on track."
Guinta said he would not have voted for the $787 billion stimulus package and opposes federal bailouts.
"Government has a role to pay in this (economy), but it should be a limited role and far different than what Carol Shea-Porter and Hodes are advocating," he said. He said the stimulus law has not helped the economy.
As for bailouts, "Sometimes federal officials feel like they need to act for the sake of acting," he said, advocating a more careful approach.
Guinta is not the only Republican eyeing a candidacy for the 1st District U.S. House seat.
Former state Commissioner of Health and Human Services John Stephen "has not closed the door and is interested," said Stephen advisor Greg Moore.
Moore said that while Stephen is focusing on his private sector position with the Lucas Group, "he keeps in constant contact with his organization and continues to have a strong district-wide organization and strong fund-raising base."
Guinta's weekend announcement opened the door for a possible flood of candidates for what is now an open seat at City Hall.
Republican Ward 2 Alderman and state Sen. Ted Gatsas said he is not ruling out a run for mayor and is "certainly flattered by the number of calls I've gotten."
Ward 3 school board member Doug Kruse said he intends to give a run for mayor "a lot of consideration," but said he is also looking at "other options."
Ward 9 Alderman Michael Garrity has said he is interested.
Democratic names circulating as potential candidates include Manchester Alderman-at-Large Mike Lopez, school board member David Gelinas, veteran city activist Donna Soucy, Hillsborough County Treasurer Chris Pappas, attorneys Bob Backus and Gray Chynoweth and state Sen. Lou D'Allesandro.
Alderman-at-Large Dan O'Neil said Guinta's announcement hasn't changed his mind; he does not intend to run.
State Democratic Chairman Raymond Buckley said he has been assuming for many weeks that Guinta will run for the House; he doubts Guinta will be successful.
"He's been able to get away with his George W. Bush-like antics in Manchester, but I think he reached his zenith," Buckley said. "The people catch on if someone holds elective office and has no record of accomplishment."
READERS' COMMENTS:
In some ways, I'm happy that Guinta is running for the House seat since Shea-Porter is very anti-gun.
On the other hand, I wish he would stay in NH. The federal government machine is a lost cause. It will never be fixed until it collapses on itself. We need to focus on our state.
- Jack, Concord
Carol Porter and Hodes are complete Pelosi rubber stamps. You can see what the democrats are doing to our state on a daily basis and it is exactly what these to automatons are doing in DC. You people forget that 63 million people voted against this administration, there is no mandate, we are a deeply divided country, you dems think that all the Republicans are unenlightened morons and I think that you are all naive, fleeced, constitution hating miscreants. The only advantage that you have is the media. It is now becoming apparent that the people are scrutinizing their media dollars and the great liberal media establishment is starting to come apart (Boston Globe, NYT etc) and when that it is done and there is a level playing field we will clean your clock but good.
- Dave, Hampstead
I for one would like to see Gray Chynoweth run as he would be a strong candidate in the race for Mayor. A natural leader, he has much respect from many around the state. His business sense speaks loudly to both his intellect and care for the city. I hope he does run, this city needs more people involved in the political process.
- Jeff Penta, Manchester, NH
I must respectfully disagree with the first poster, Jacob, on his assessment of the possible Mayoral candidates. Both Aldermen Lopez and Gatsas have served tirelessly for the City and we should be honored if Lou D'Allesandro is considering running. Also, Gray Chynoweth may be inexperienced in City politics but he is no lightweight.
- Dylan Cruess, Manchester, NH
Dale in Dover: First of all, don't believe everything you read in the Union Leader. Second, you can come here to watch the Fisher Cats any time. Manchester is a very safe city if you are simply here to have fun. It is only dangerous if you are a drug toting thief who wants to go looking for trouble. The most popular crime in manchester is domestic violence...really, look at the courts and you will see. Manchester is not a bad city at all and don't let the news stories fool you.
- Mike, Manchester
Chynoweth could prove to be one of the more solid candidates in the race for Mayor. He's got a sharp legal mind, has strong ties throughout the city/state, is involved in the community and has the political savvy the make strong run. I wouldn't underestimate his chances.
- EJP, Manchester
Richard, Don is correct. CSP was born in NYC where her ultra lib family hails from.
- Alex K., Deering, NH
I'd be excited to see Gray run. Be great to see some new ideas brought to the city by a business minded person. I've heard a number of local business owners who would also like to see him run. Hope he strongly considers it.
- Jeremy Hitchcock, Manchester
That Rip Van Buckley - he hasn't woken up yet and realized Bush isn't President any more. Bush may have started the bailout bonanza, but Obama voted for that one then doubled down on this bad bet once elected. Guinta says - no bailouts. There is no reason to doubt him on that. Sadly by the time he is elected the damage will be done and the dollar will be worthless as a result of bailout induced hyperinflation. The blame will be rightly cast on Democrats including Hodes and Shea-Porter. Both should be soundly defeated as a result. Good luck Frank, not that you will need any.
- Mark, Amherst
Here's a thought, how about the Mayor checking with the people of Manchester and "polling" them to see if he could win votes in the city that he runs now.
I find it so funny that these politicians can immediately have an expensive fundraiser, AND get the money!
Gee, could the people that are "supporting"him be expecting a "favor" in return for the $100.00 a plate luncheons? YOU BET THEY ARE!
If he was any kind of smart politiician, he should have held a fundraiser for those less fortunate first, and then work this into conversation with the public later.
Ah, but I am just a citizen that is smarter than he is, but no one would elect me because my ideas make too much sense AND I would truly be there for the people and not myself.
- Pauline, Franklin
Carol Shea-Porter is a NH native raised on the Seacoast. She is not a 'transplant".
- Richard, Manchester
In 2006 Carol Shae-Porter beat incumbent Jeb Bradley 52% to 48%. In 2008, she beat Bradley again by a wider margin, 52% to 46%. If Guita thinks he will have an easy time beating Shea-Porter I think he is in for a surprise.
- LJC, Manchester
He can't handle Manchester. How can he cut it in Washington. I'll enjoy the CS-P trouncing of Guinta.
- Tim, Manchester, NH
Dale, why are you worried about where Guinta is from? Shea-Porter, and Hodes are also non-native NH transplants.
- Don R., Exeter, NH
Guinta for Congress? Too funny! How about somebody who actually gets things done; rather than just taking credit for what others have accomplished? We don't need another professional politician.
- Bob V, Manchester
Guinta may stand a chance because of timing.The tide is turning against Porter and other Democrats because of the some old politics that made them turn against the Republicans. Guinta can't win on his record because he clearly has not taken the ball and ran with it at City Hall. He may win by standing at the right place at the right time. He will fit in just great in Washington. Another politician never short of hot air. They are all the same. BTY, he really need to surround himself with smarter and more talented people. His team in the mayors office could be his weak link in a run for office, I think he found them at Walmart. A good General need superior soldiers.
- Tom, Manchester
Dale,
You and your family should come and see a Fisher Cats game. Its a good time (and cheap). As far as getting out before dark, are you kidding me? You shouldn't be afraid to go down Elm St. at any time of the night. There are a lot of good bars to go to and some great places to eat down there after a game (though some not as "family" oriented as others).
As far as a bio for the mayor simply look at wikipedia. Yes he is not originally from New Hampshire but he did get part of his education from state of ours.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Guinta
- TMAN, Manchester
Guinta has done absolutely nothing as mayor. Just look at his own description of his record: "controlling spending good government, enacting reforms to improve the environment, to make this city a leading city and to protect the taxpayers." Does anyone not see that this is just empty rhetoric. He's not even saying anything there, just touching on a few talking points. All Guinta's done is talk about lowering taxes. And while I disagree with that, if you're going to do that you can't just lower taxes, you have to propose savings, etc. Guinta has never understood the difference between governing and campaigning.
- Michael Bellefeuille, Bedford, NH
Tomorrow there will be a Tax Tea Party in Manchester’s Victory Park @5:30 pm to protest all the taxation going on at the state and federal level. Guinta will be there, I doubt Carol Shea Porter will be, seeing as though she helped pass all this new spending/bailouts. That's all I need to know. I wish Mayor Guinta all the best of luck in his run, he has my vote already. Don't vote for more of what we've gotten the past few months, we can't afford it!
- Roger, Hooksett, NH
Dale from Dover. Your post made me laugh. Afraid to be out after dark? Like Dover is any safer. Are you really that naive, or just some Shea-Porter hack?
- Alex K., Deering, NH
I have been proud to consider myself a supporter of the mayors throughout his tenure as mayor. His strong leadership skills and diligence towards fiscal restraint after years of tax happy leadership under the previous mayor Bob Baines has totally changed the attitude at City Hall. He has gotten rid of some of the most dangerous night clubs in the state, increased police officers, added a police substation, forced out child murderers, and added dozens of neighborhood watch groups.
Under his leadership, he single handedly ushered in this "new" idea in Manchester that you can't tax your way out of every problem. He has promoted fiscal restraint, while still bringing about development like the Jac Pac renovation into Elliot at the River's edge.
I also agree that it will be sad to lose his abilities here in Manchester government, however I do also agree that we need his ability to change the attitude about taxes in Washington now as we did here in Manchester.
- Casey Johnes, Manchvegas
See, people like Frank or Kathy who blog on this board are so liberal that they consider Shea Porter not far left enough. I for one am tired of this lunacy and ready to move NH politics back towards the center. We need strong and proven leaders like Mayor Guinta in Washington now more than ever.
- Jake T., Manchester
Look at the Democrats squirm. They are utterly horrified at the prospect of running against Frank Guinta in this Congressional race. And they should be! Mrs. Shea Porter hasn't represented the interests of Manchester or District 1; all she has represented is her's, Ray Buckley's, and the Democrat interest.
- Sara Collins, Manchester, NH
Well surprise, surprise. Has anyone ever doubted that Mr. Guita is a professional politician--he's never had a real job--who adopted Manchester as his home town simply as a step to higher office? Why run for the House? Because Governor Lynch would crush him at the polls and the GOP--with daily cheerleading from the Union Leader--has already selected Jeb Bradley to run for the open Senate seat. I'm sure Guita will be a credible opponent to Congresswoman Shea-Porter but, with any luck, the voters of the entire First Congressional District will learn in time what we in Manchester already know: Mr. Guita is only interested in one constituent, himself.
- LJC, Manchester
I for one am sick of Carol Shea-Porter's lack of a backbone and inability of voting for anything other than what he party supports. This is New Hampshire, we aren't California! Reps from this state are supposed to embody the independent nature of those here in NH, however Shea-Porter has supported the liberal anti-business policies of Nancy Pelosi 99% of the time.
We will miss Guinta at City Hall, but his fiscal conservatism and independent record will he Manchester on a national level. Go get em' Guinta!!
- Chris King, Manchester
Well, there goes Buckley attacking any Republican with the "Bush Boogie Man" approach. Guinta wasn't in Washington EVER when Bush was in office and has nothing to tie him to Bush whatsoever, however Buckley's only attack plan is to attack any Republican, even ones who have never met Bush or ever voted to support any of his policies, by saying he is just "Bush #2." Buckley should realize that NH voters aren't that dumb to believe this Bush link to EVERY Republican out there.
Guinta would be a great Congressmen and he has my support all the way. Shea Porter has shown that bi-partisanship isn't even in her dictionary in how she has voted liberal party lines at every opportunity. On the other hand, Guinta has worked in a bi-partisan throughout his tenure as mayor in working with a majority Democrat Board of Aldermen. Guinta would be a breath of fresh air after Shea Porter since all she has been is a liberal puppy dog voting in step with Nancy Pelosi at every opportunity.
- Ryan Feltner, Manchester, NH
Smart move by the mayor. He will win this election in easy fashion.
- Jay Collins, Laconia
The only good news here is that Guinta will be out of Manchester politics. What a complete failure he's been. He presents a budget with one idea, a furlough, that can't even be enforced. Dumb. He hasn't got a prayer for another office. The "R" after his name stands for "Reject".
- Frank, Manchester
Michael from Manchester: I think you to need to look at past articles in this paper. Guinta has not been proposing cuts to fire and police since in office. He has actually increased the MPD by 20 officers and he has only been slowing down the rehire policy at Fire. As for schools, when the student population drops four years in a row, shouldn't the teacher population drop as well?
Sounds like good government and sound budgeting to me. Give her hell Frank!
- Seth Connors, Manchester, NH
Bush like antics in Manchester? Oh please. Give it a rest Ray-Ray. It is time to find new material.
- Joe L., Manchester, NH
Well, Guinta's announcement pretty much kills any opportunity for getting a tax cut, or even a small tax hike, this year. Furthermore, it undermines any effort by him to lead the tax cap. It's "Aldermen Gone Wild" with a distracted Mayor. Dig deep, Manchester taxpayers.
- Glen, Manchester
Michael, could you please illustrate for us a few examples of so called "pork" that Guinta has worked for? Aside from ushering in federal dollars for the Granite Street corridor (which vastly improves this city), he has stayed far away from federal dollars.
While you're on your union break, please also exemplify how the MPD is in poorer shape now, with a full compliment of officers, than it was when Baines was in office.
Partisan sputtering at its best.
- Daniel Hillard, Manchester
Being from the seacoast i will not vote for Guinta.I could tell all along that he wants to be a career politician.He must need a pension.My wife and I want to go to Manchester to see the Fisher Cats but are cocerned about the crime.We wanted to spend the night but I think we will be out of Dodge before dark.Question can anyone tell me if Mayor Guinta is a Manchester native or a implant also whats his bio.
- Dale, Dover
Reno...obviously you don't pay attention to city politics. Mayor Guinta had to announce that he wasn't running now. The city elections are in 2009.
- Phil Mogitz, Mannchester
I like how Ray Buckley drags Bush out for another beating. He can't defend Carol Shea Porter's record on spending and broken promises. Guinta for Congress I can't wait, 2010 can't come soon enough.
- Chris, Merrimack
Of course he is running for some other office. Obviously he does not think he could get re elected or why else would he announce so early and confirm lame duck status before the budget is complete? He is leaving a mess for someone else to clean up.
- Reno, Manchester
Although Guinta seems to be another in a long line of egocentric self promoting pols, he's gotta be better than Carol Shea Porter. After all, the R behind his name stands for RESPONSIBLE government. Go Frank!
- gr chase, Exeter
As a resident of Mancester for 15 years now, I see the positive impact Mayor Guinta has had on Manchester. For Ray Buckley to say those things only means he has real concern for what this race will mean to Caaroll Shea-Porter. If the Mayor really gets in, she will be in the fight of her life. I must say as a taxpayer of Manchester I am sad to see him go. I will however support him for whatever he runs for.
- Robin B, Manchester
Great news bye bye to Judas Gregg and now to Back Stabbing Frank Guinta now let's get some real Republicans to boot out Shea-Porter. Will Infantine or Jim Wieczorek are my choices. A knife fight between Guinta and Stephen would be fun to watch however, voting against these two would be a pleasure and worth the trip to the polls.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
It's interesting that Mayor Guinta wants to take his career to the Federal level. What has he done for Manchester besides reducing police, teacher and firefighter payrolls? On one side of Mr. Twoface, he wants all he is entitled to: pork. On the other, he doesn't want to be responsible for ending it. I doubt he will be successful. His successful may mean stunting recovery for NH.
- Michael, Manchester
No big breaking news here. Anyone who has been awake in this city for the last several years has been saying all along that Guinta was only using his position as a step toward a higher republican office, and we're the ones he stepped on! All his ridiculous blathering about holding down taxes -at the expense of city services- was too transparent. He never cared about this city or its residents. His political resume is all he's ever worked for. Good riddance, Mr. Guinta!
- Kathy, Manchester
Thank God get rid of that loser Liberal Shea-Porter, Frank You have all my support and all of my customers support.
Good luck, all the real New Hampshire "live free or die" residents are pulling for you!
- MIke Johnosn, manchester NH
What an utterly pathetic list of possible candidates. Retreads like Lopez and D'Allesandro, machine hacks like Soucy and Gelinas, a blustering bully in Gatsas, and an inexperienced lightweight like Chynoweth.
Sad.
- Jacob, Manchester
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John DiStaso reported (above) that Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta (R) will most likely run for the U.S. House against Carol Shea Porter (D). "Guinta told the New Hampshire Union Leader yesterday that by the end of the week, he will have a 'Friends of Frank Guinta' federal campaign committee filed with the Federal Election Commission. He said he will begin to raise money immediately."
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Source:
www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/2009/04/strategy_memo_state_of_the_eco.html
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"Alderman accused of assaulting former employee"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, 4/16/2009
MANCHESTER – Alderman Kelleigh Murphy waived arraignment in Manchester District Court this morning on a simple assault charge that alleges she assaulted a female bartender in Murphy’s Taproom, the Elm Street bar owned by Murphy and her husband.
Trial was set for July 8 and Murphy remains free on $1,000 personal recognizance bail, with conditions barring her from contact with the alleged victim, Jocelyn Richard, and a witness to the alleged assault, Kelly Southwick.
Murphy’s attorney, John Kacavas, alleges Richard had a vendetta against Murphy and told her, some time before she was fired: “I’m going to report you to police for touching me.”
Court documents show Richard told police the incident occurred Dec. 27, 2008, but she did not report it to police until March 6.
Richard told police Murphy grabbed her by the back of her neck with one hand and gripped her under the chin with the other and spun her around in the direction of customers. Richard said Murphy then let go and grabbed her shoulder and told her to look in front of her. Richard said her neck was sore the following day. She also told police Murphy had grabbed her shoulder and turned her in the past and she had told Murphy she did not like to be touched.
According to the police affidavit, the manager on duty at the time, Kelly Southwick, told police she heard Murphy yelling at Richard and saw her grab, turn and push Richard, who started to cry.
Court documents show Murphy told police she was covering one area of the bar and Richard was covering the other, that night but that she constantly had to remind Richard to pay attention and help customers. At one point, she said, Richard wasn’t helping one of the customers so she walked behind Richard and placed her left hand on Richard’s shoulder and with her right hand grabbed Richard’s right arm and then physically pointed her in the direction of the waiting customer.
He said Murphy “absolutely denies the charge” of unprivileged physical contact and will “vigorously defend herself” in court. Murphy, who represents Ward 12, on the West Side, turned herself in Wednesday after police obtained a warrant for her arrest and was released on bail.
The simple-assault charge is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Murphy, 30, who is an attorney with a Portsmouth law firm, announced last week she intends to resign her seat on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen so she and her husband, Keith Murphy, can move to Bedford and “start a family.” She said she will make the resignation official once the couple closes on a house, which could happen as soon as May 29.
Kacavas said the criminal investigation had “absolutely nothing to do” with Murphy’s decision to step down and said any suggestion that it did is “rank speculation, perhaps malicious speculation.”
Kacavas said Richard, who was working for Murphy’s Taproom at the time of the alleged “contact,” was subsequently fired because of “difficulty in the employer-employee relationship over time.”
It was toward the end of her time at Murphy’s, Kacavas said, when her employment was in question, that the woman “threatened to do exactly what she did -- that is, report Kelleigh to the police.”
Southwick, the witness interviewed by police, also no longer works at the establishment.
Murphy is the daughter of former Alderman Jacquelyn Domaingue and New Hampshire Union Leader Vice President of News Ed Domaingue. She served one term on the Manchester school board before her surprise election to the Ward 12 alderman’s seat in 2007.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
William J Ritchotte, the police had enough probable casue to arrest her. Please explain to me why it is "outragous" to believe she did anything criminal
- Henry Allen, hooksett
For the record Mr Hirschman was an assistant coach and Vice President of Manchester West Little League Major Division back in the mid nineteen nineties.
I was the President at the time.
- Jim Brown, Hooksett NH
My comment about this is from a different perspective. I knew Kelleigh as a member of the Manchester Young Professionals. I personally did not like her as she did things I believe politically suited her but despite the different nips and tangles with myself or others it was always with words. People can change but for anyone to believe she did anything criminal here is outrageous.
As a person I feel she cares for no one but herself. She allies herself purely to gain access but she is not a criminal.
I think it is criminal to print a picture of Kelleigh being booked. I am sure the editors of this paper have been burned a bit themselves but has she any other act in her past?
Give her her time in court, dismiss the charges and say farewell for good.
- William J Ritchotte, Manchester, NH
What does the fact that she is the daughter of New Hampshire Union Leader Vice President of News Ed Domaingue have to do with this story?
Kelleigh, please come to Bedford and run for Town Council next year. We could use someone who doesn't always have a chip on their shoulder.
- Goldie, Bedord
So assaulting a school teacher for the emotionally handicapped is ok if your an alderwoman? Assault is never acceptable and especially on our school teachers. It is so sad to see all these people defending Ms. Murphy just because she is political. Get a grip the girl has a temper and it got her in trouble. That is what happens.
- April, Manchester
Bill P.,
Your comment, "Nothing worse than a vengeful woman" made me cringe. Since destructive vengeful behavior is obviously perpetrated by both genders, perhaps we should refrain from sexist commentary.
However, I think you make a good point about Murphy's opportunity to report the threat. Too bad, Murphy probably thought it was an idle threat and brushed it off.
As for your commentary on Manchester, I also agree. I was raised in Manchester the 70s and 80s and have seen a significant degradation in the quality of life in the city in recent years. In fact, after three cars and two homes in my immediate neighborhood were broken into, I moved to Auburn.
- Dan, Auburn
Hey, Will (and Tom for that matter)....ah, how did Dan O'Neil get brought into this? She is leaving, get over it.
What makes uneasy is that Keith "Coach" Hirshman is stepping back in. More of the same, with that load.....rhetoric and making things personal...always easy when a bully. Thankfully, most know a bully for what they are ~ cowards.
And could someone please share what sport and team he actually 'coached?'
- Jack, Manchester
No sooner does Keith Hirschmann announce he's running for alderman than this hits. Keith's best buddy is Joe Kelly Levasseur, who has been badgering the Manchester Police about this incident for weeks. Something stinks.
- Clyde, Manchester
What is the name of the employee making the accusation? Was she contacted to comment? Is she moving to Bedfrod too? Come on UL. Talk about bias in reporting.
*** Editor's note: As reported in the story above, the Union Leader's request for the complainant's name was denied by Chief David Mara. ***
- Jim, Robinson
Hey Sharon, Yes, Dan O'Neil works hard, the question is, who is he working hard for? Certainly not the taxpayers of Manchester.
- Will, Manchester
It sounds to me that this employee had a personal vendetta against Kelleigh. The truth will come out in courts.
- Charlie, Manchester
Good people don't assault others. Hands are for shaking not hitting.
- Mike, Weare
Hey Tom-
Murphy has been a good alderwoman, but how many meetings did she attend as a school board member? Not many....
Reason: She was going to move then, too.
As for Dan O'Neil.. yes, he works and he works hard.
- Sharon, Manchester
This is the state of 'at will' employment in New Hampshire. The hassle of an arrest, the cost of a lawyer, and the mental anguish expended are enough to drive any private employer out of business. Then everyone can work for the state. Or the city.
If there has to be a trial, Murphy would have been better off firing this marginal employee and beating back any blowback from the 'Hooksett Four' mentality in a courtroom in an entirely different dispute.
- Steve, Manch
it is too bad that she does not feel that the "West Side, " or Manchester for that matter is not an acceptable city to raise or start a family. !- Jessie, Manchester-03102
So you consider someone that wants a house with a large piece of land in the 'country' as a political traitor because they can't get that in a 'city'? Thats pretty twisted logic. There's no political motivation in your comment is there? NOT!
- Andrew Nault, manchester - 03102
The more I read and watch Ms Murphy, the more I want her to stay in Manchester. She is smart, interesting, actually works outside of her alderman [woman] job .. her husband has an investment in the city .. on and on... she is what Manchester needs more of ... not the likes of O'Neil [ does this guy work? ] or Lopez or Smith [ city retirement ] ..
Stay Kelleigh !
- tom, manchester, nh
I guess the real story has to come out and the paper is forced to finally report it. There is a lot more going on in the bar and with these two than meets the eye. Funny how they were both named to the 40 under 40 as the best and the brighest in NH. This was real bright for sure.
- Mike, Bedford
This would make a great reality show. Democrats Gone Wild. They could travel coast to coast looking for liberals getting themselfs in trouble with the law or anything else. It could be co-hosted by Ray Buckley and Barney Frank. Iam sure it would be a big hit.
- Bob, Mnachester
Now the real story comes out.......typical politician using her 'family' as the excuse when really the charges were already in the works.
Of course the employee was fired, she told her husband she didn't like that one person and to get rid of her.
- James, manchester
What a cop-out to resign her seat! She wanted the position, she should fulfill it.
- Joy, Bedford
This really sucks to get jammed up like this...but the fact is, it can happen to anybody at any time. Not knowing the facts, but knowing Kelleigh, My personal sense tells me there really is nothing to this.
If the other party involved is who I think it is, then I cannot say that I am at all surprised at this turn of events.
- Rick Olson, Manchvegas
Nothing worse than a vengeful woman. I don't think we have heard the whole story but I do think if this woman said that a few weeks back Murphy should have reported it then to make her postion more favorable. Jessie you need to get over it. More and more people are tinking Manchester is not a good placre to raise a family and that is reality.
- Bill B., Pelham
I am sorry for her, it is too bad that she does not feel that the "West Side, " or Manchester for that matter is not an acceptable city to raise or start a family. Ward 12 does not deserve an alderman with these beliefs...let Bedford have her!
- Jessie, Manchester-03102
Innocent until proven guilty. There are always two sides to a story and at this point nobody, except the two women, know what happened.
- Jeff, Manchester
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"City Hall: Mayor wannabes are lining up in Manchester"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, 4/19/2009
Things are looking different now that Mayor Frank Guinta is out of the picture.
Just a week after Guinta announced he wouldn't be on the ballot this fall, there seems to be no shortage of people "thinking" of running for mayor.
"Certainly, the calculus changes," said Tom Donovan, the Democratic attorney who challenged Guinta in 2007. Just a few weeks ago, Donovan said he was out. Now, as he said, he's "giving it some thought again."
Another Democrat, former Alderman Jerome Duval, also stepped forward as a possible contender last week, saying "the issues facing our community are far too great . . . to sit idly by."
"While I don't rule out supporting another candidate, I don't see a candidate I would be inclined to support at this time," Duval said.
Donovan and Duval join at least three other Democrats who had already expressed an interest in the seat before Guinta dropped out: Alderman At-Large Mike Lopez, Alderman Mark Roy and local attorney Gray Chynoweth.
Things are just as fluid on the Republican side. Alderman Mike Garrity and school board member Doug Kruse have both said they're considering a run. Alderman and state Sen. Ted Gatsas told a reporter he wasn't ruling it out.
Richard Girard, who was an alderman at-large from 1998 to 2000, said he wasn't giving the matter much thought before, but he's starting to now.
"I've been caused to consider it by the sheer number of people who have inquired of my interest," Girard said.
Presumably, both parties would prefer to avoid a free-for-all. State Rep. Will Infantine, chairman of the Manchester Republican Committee, said he's been talking with all of the would-be GOP candidates and hopes to see if the party can pick one to rally around.
"Obviously, you don't want to have too much of a primary, because you want to conserve resources," he said. "That's just smart campaigning."
A non-partisan primary will be necessary if there are more than two candidates, and at this point, that seems pretty much unavoidable. Public-access TV personality Glenn Ouellette has already declared his candidacy.
- - - - -
NO THANKS: A few names that have generated some speculation can probably be thrown out. Attorney Bob Backus, a Democrat, said he doesn't have any intention of running for mayor this year. School board member Dave Gelinas, also a Democrat, said the same.
City Democratic Party Chairman Chris Pappas isn't interested in running for mayor, but he says he is leaning toward a run for an at-large seat on the school board.
"I think we can take schools in a different direction in Manchester, and that hasn't been getting the priority that it needs from the mayor and the Board of Aldermen," said Pappas, who co-owns the Puritan restaurant.
- - - - -
MAN WITH A PLAN: Former Manchester Planning Director Bob MacKenzie was indeed exploring a run for mayor recently, but it now appears unlikely he'll give it a go, according to a former city official picked to sit on MacKenzie's "advisory committee."
Former Planning Board Chairman Kevin McCue said MacKenzie would like to run but is concerned he'd lose his retirement benefits if he won.
"He's a little bit reticent," McCue said. He said MacKenzie would have run as an independent.
"I think he would have made a great mayor," McCue said, "because he's got a good technical background, knows the city very well. He'd be a consensus-builder."
- - - - -
SHAW 'NUFF: For the record, the last time this city had an open race for mayor was 1987, when Emile Beaulieu beat Ray Wieczorek in a squeaker.
The job was up for grabs because the incumbent, Mayor Bob Shaw, chose not to seek reelection. Shaw was himself a two-term mayor, and like Guinta, he had grand ambitions. He ran for governor the next year but lost.
Shaw ran for mayor again in 1995 and 1997, but he couldn't clear the hurdle. Years later, he told the Union Leader, "I should have run for a third term.''
- - - - -
WIKIALTY: Someone has been tinkering quite a bit with Guinta's page on Wikipedia. We don't know who's doing it, but it's obviously a fan.
As of this writing, the page credits Guinta with "successfully reducing crime and delivering Manchester's first tax cut this decade" and testifies to his "mayoral leadership and devotion to fiscal responsibility." It also quotes liberally from a particularly flattering New Hampshire Union Leader endorsement.
Those additions, all made within the past month, were authored by someone going by the name "Manchguy85." Since February, the "guy" has also repeatedly edited the Wikipedia page on the 2010 House races. Pretty much all of those changes had to do with Guinta, too.
Interestingly, Manchguy85 also commented on U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter's page: "This article (reads) more like a campaign promo rather than an unbiased encyclopedia article. Very poor article."
- - - - -
FRANK'S FRIEND: Guinta hadn't even said what office he'll seek when he got his first endorsement. Doug Lambert, the Gilford Republican who runs GraniteGrok.com, pledged his loyalty in an April 12 blog post.
"Whatever seat Guinta decides to go for, we'll be eagerly supporting him as an able, proven alternative to our present representation," Lambert wrote.
- - - - -
HOOKSETT HIGH?: Superintendent Tom Brennan's people are keeping an eye on Hooksett, where there's been some talk lately about building a high school in town, and by extension, pulling Hooksett students out of Manchester.
Kruse and other members of the school board's Coordination Committee were so concerned about that possibility that they asked Brennan to "develop and draft a strategic plan for the eventual departure of the Hooksett students."
Brennan assured the board he is "looking at the situation" but said it's premature to begin the sort of planning Kruse had in mind. He also said it might create the wrong impression, a point Gelinas echoed.
"I think if we were to vote for this it would send a bad message to Hooksett, that maybe we don't want them," Gelinas said.
Other board member agreed, and the matter was dropped.
- - - - -
MIND'S MADE UP: Alderman At-Large Lopez's proposal to reorganize the City Assessor's office appears to be dead in the water.
Lopez's idea is to reduce the number of full-time city assessors from three to one and create a part-time board. He says the move would save the city between $70,000 and $80,000 in salaries next year.
The Committee on Administration and Information Systems rejected the idea unanimously last week. Members later agreed to rescind that vote "as a courtesy" to Lopez, who said the committee should wait to hear what Assessor David Cornell has to say about the idea first.
Chairman Dan O'Neil conceded the point, but told Lopez, "Being up front, it's not going to change my mind."
-
Read Scott Brooks' coverage of Manchester City Hall during the week in the New Hampshire Union Leader. E-mail him at sbrooks@unionleader.com.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
Leah from Manchester is mistaken. The vote on the Assistant Superintendent's contract was done in public session. (Votes by the board are always done in open public session.)
I voted against the contract because I do not believe we should be giving raises while others are receiving pink slips.
- Doug Kruse, School Board - Ward 8, Manchester
Come on Doug Kruse for mayor! He is the biggest grand stander and blowhard there is. Have you seen any of the Manchester Board of School Committee meetings lately. It is just unbelievable that Guinta allows him to have the floor so often and for so long. Some of the things he pontificates on are ridiculous.
Can you see this guy as mayor, the Board of Mayor & Alderman meetings will be a one man show that will drone on for hours.
In my many years, I have never encountered a local politician so into himself and anyone who enjoys putting on a show for the cameras like Doug Kruse does.
- Charlie Austin, Manchester
Doug Kruse lobbied for a confidentiality agreement and then announced a vote made by himself (and others) in non-public session on THE UL BLOG.
- Leah, Manchester
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"4-day school week up for discussion in city"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, 4/20/2009
MANCHESTER – What if Manchester shortened its school week to just four days?
It's a radical question, but some city educators say it's one that ought to be explored as an alternative to layoffs, program eliminations and other cuts that may be in the offing this year.
"Why does it always just go to salary and benefits? Why can't we look at other things?," said Scott McGilvray, president of the Manchester Education Association.
McGilvray, who will present the idea and a list of others to the school board tonight, said the shorter week could save the district about $1.6 million by reducing the need for substitute teachers and cutting back sharply on busing and utility costs.
Students would go to school Tuesday through Friday, with an extra 90 minutes or so tacked onto each day. Vacations would not change.
Some school board members contacted yesterday called the proposal intriguing but said it there would likely be many hurdles in its way. A few said they don't believe it could be implemented in time for the 2009-2010 school year.
"If this were to be done, we'd need to give parents an awful lot of advance notice. And I'd want parents chiming in on this," board member Doug Kruse said.
School board at-large member Kathleen Kelley said it's hard to see how the change would work. When, she asked, would sports teams find time to practice? How would working parents supervise their children on Mondays?
"There's too many things to logically work out," Kelley said.
The school board had asked the MEA and other unions to come up with a list of cost-cutting measures to help the district avoid some of the painful budget cuts its members are anticipating. Superintendent Tom Brennan has said it may be necessary to lay off more than 100 employees. Other measures on the table include the elimination of some sports teams, including high school hockey and wrestling, and a reduction of all full-day kindergarten classes to half-day.
The unions will present their ideas at 7 p.m. at the school district offices at 286 Commercial St.
More than 100 school districts in 17 states have truncated their school weeks to four days, according to a 2008 article in Time magazine. The concept gained some traction last year as gas prices reached record highs, driving up districts' transportation costs. This year, districts in Minnesota, Florida, Oregon and other states are considering the idea as a way to cope with dwindling revenues.
McGilvray said he believes, based on studies conducted in other districts, the shortened week would reduce student absenteeism by 20 percent and teacher absenteeism by 50 percent. For one thing, he said, it would not be necessary for either a student or teacher to leave school for a doctor's appointment, because there would be time to see a doctor on Mondays, when school would be out.
Classes would be longer, McGilvray said, so students would have more uninterrupted "face time" with teachers and would spend less time in the hallways.
McGilvray estimates the district could save $150,000 on pay for substitute teachers. Buses would only be needed four days each week, so transportation costs, currently estimated at $5.3 million, could be reduced by 20 percent, he said.
Also, he said, the schools would be using less light and heat, so utilities, which now cost $3.6 million a year, could be slashed by 10 percent.
McGilvray said he doesn't see why the district couldn't make the change this year. Committeeman Joyce Craig said she would hope the district could act quickly if it decided the idea was worthwhile, but said, "I think we need time to investigate it."
Committeeman Eric Fischer, who represents Ward 12, called the idea a "great concept," and said if the unions can support it, "I don't see why we would have any objections."
The aldermen will have their first public discussion on the school district's budget tomorrow at 6 p.m. in City Hall. Mayor Frank Guinta has proposed giving the district $146.1 million, anticipating federal stimulus dollars will add to that sum.
The school board has asked for $152 million. Brennan has said that even at that level, he expects the district would have to dole out 107 pink slips.
McGilvray said he plans to propose other money-saving ideas tonight, including at least one that would help the district cut down on its energy costs. He said he expects the idea of a four-day school week will "ruffle a lot of feathers," but argued the district cannot afford the types of cuts now under discussion.
READERS' COMMENTS:
Just and FYI-
Not all schools in Manchester have full-day kindergarten!! One in Manchester only has full day for students that need it. So kids that are ahead of the curve get slighted because they already know something.
- DM, Manchester
To : Craig in Manchester
You said "A standard five day work week that has been in effect for decades. "
Hmmm - in this day and age, that's really not true anymore. There are all sorts of work schedules - folks who work second shifts, third shifts, week-ends, 3 days per week, 4 days per week, 6 days per week....those who telecommute from home all or part of the time. Many folks work all year long. Some only seasonally - summer only or winter only etc.
Do you HONESTLY expect public schools to accommodate ALL these types of work schedules? The answer, of course, is no. That would be just silly.
But, all those M-F 9-5ers who are complaining about the possible change in childcare ought to think about the many many other folks who deal with this sort of issue already, and who do not expect the schools to accommodate their work.
- BW, Concord
to Andrew in Manchester
you said "Can you offer a suggestion to solving that problem for us? I mean if your answer is for them to fork over the money for daycare and figure it out financially on their own well then why don't they just fork over the extra money for their taxes and deal with it?"
Hmmm- there are folks out there who pay the high taxes and deal with their own childcare problems. Why should their taxes go up to save YOU $$?
- BW, Concord
Bill, Dunbarton. I thank God for the chance to homeschool my child.
JD, Manchester. Why do parents send their children to school, if they are to do their fair share of teaching them at home? That is what homeschooling is.
It does not matter how long a child goes to school, they only are actually "learning" a few of those hours anyway. Most of the time is fluff time; non-academic time.
I think that if teachers really want to go back to "teaching" without having to jump through all the hoops that the administrators want them to jump through, than they would just give up on the public school system and open charter schools on their own.
- k, hillsboro
to :andrew, manchester
I am a SAHM who homeschools. However, I do not expect the government to solve my childcare problems.
Public schools are there to educate the children. They are not there to provide parents with free childcare. If they were, wouldn't we have year 'round schooling? After all, most parents who work outside the home work 365 days.
It's refreshing to see some outside the box thinking on part of the school unions and boards.
- BW, Concord
To : Jeff, Manchester
Nope - not a school teacher. Actually a Stay-at-Home-Mom who home schools her children.
I do not expect the government to solve my personal childcare problems as you clearly do.
- BW, Concord
Craig..
The way it looks...YOU don't want to spend money on education now...
What is being propose will save money and not cost anyone any more than it does now AND allow programs to continue.
It offers the same (if not more) class time and costs less. In my view its a win/win situation. At least hear the option out and see what is presented before you open your "closed minded" mouth.
- Jorge, Hooksett
Along the same lines, what about starting the school day later? It COULD save on heat, it WOULD cut truancy and absenteeism significantly, and put the "snow delay" idea mostly out of mind.
What about making Memorial the school for students who want to go to MST, so the district doesn't have to provide buses from West and Central?
What about implementing a community service requirement for or HS students and let them work for the city in the summers doing all the easy odd jobs that the city pays college kids (good money too) to do for 9 weeks? It would be free. And things would actually get done. Well, maybe.
Look at papers costs OUTSIDE the schools, can any other the useless papering be done via PDF files and email (if i'm not mistaken all employees of the SD have personal emails) or any other similar electronic transactions.
these are IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS and should be discussed with some form of decency and not outrage. Also, more suggestions for cost cutting should be mentioned
- Hogan, Manchester
"If parents did their share of the teaching at home, which responsible parents did in the past, we wouldn't be arguing about the kids loosing time in the classroom.
- JD, Manchester"
I absolutely agree which is why I don't solely rely on the school system to provide an education. I make sure that there is time ever single day to teach my children life lessons such as: Never take a short cut in life. Always give 100% and no matter what, don't let money ever be a factor when determining success.
I support school teachers 100% and always will. Teachers have one of the most difficult jobs and they can't do it alone.
That said, a 4 days school week is a dumb idea and for Mr. McGilvary to even suggest it tells me maybe the teachers union ought to rethink their leadership. How about a 3 day school week and just have 3 12 hour days. That would save money too. Or better yet, every other day school days....wouldn't that be a great idea.
- Mike, Manchester
Granted, school is NOT a babysitter. Yet, to save some jobs (public sector union jobs no less) we will change EVERYONES schedule to accomodate. A standard five day work week that has been in effect for decades.
I also like the fact we a now going to teach children that four days a week is good enough? I cant wait to hear the whining when they enter the actual work force and cant have constant 3-day weekends.
We have been pumping more and more money into schools for years and attendace/education has become worse and worse. Solution: 4-day school week. Priceless. Not a very bright idea from the "eduacation" system.
- Craig, Manchester
There is a flaw to the four day school week, and the 90 minute addition to a school day. As for example, you have to take into account snow days, holidays, and religious days. That on its own reduces a school week to a possible 3 or 2 days.
As for the 90 minute add on: take into consideration that each class is roughly 45 minutes, 8 classes per school day (in Manchester high schools). That gives us roughly 11 minutes added to each class, if not just adding 2 new classes. Balancing 10 classes a day may be a little much for some people.
And all those people claiming that all children are delinquents haven't taken into consideration that with a three day weekend gives them the ability to work more hours at their jobs.
Worth a try.
- Garrett G, Manchester
Its so Obvious when a Teacher chimes in on these discussions with a thinly disguised commentary on how good it would be for the City as well as the Children.
Anything else you want while at the trough?
- Malcom, Manchester
If parents did their share of the teaching at home, which responsible parents did in the past, we wouldn't be arguing about the kids loosing time in the classroom.
- JD, Manchester
The 5th day of the week could be used for professional development of the teachers and staff. The day has been used in other districts for reading recovery programs, writing programs, tutoring, athletics and many other services that are not able to be implimented under the current times and budget restrictions. It is only an idea that is being done in 18 states and hundreds of districts across the country. I congratulate the teachers for bring up something new to the school board. All things must be looked at. The school board and the mayor are $6-$8 million dollars apart with their proposed budgets. Even the school board's budget calls for drastic cuts such as the elimination of full-day kindergarten, sports, reading programs, gifted and talented program and over 100 employees. Are these type of cuts investing in education or allowing for babysitting as many readers think schools are for. I believe it is every citizens responsibility to bring suggestions to the table and be proactive during these economic times. Maybe some of the savings from such a plan could be put back into other services not provided now. Maybe full day kindergarten for all students.
- Jim, Manchester
As long as teachers and all school employees will be paid 4/5 of current salary, go ahead!
- John, Dover
Bill,
We made sacrifices when we went to school to teach your children. We paid a lot of money to enter a field which is underpaid and under supported with people like you against us. If we were selfish, we would not be in this field. I think a 4 day work is a good suggestion. Days would be longer, but the week shorter. I think they do this in Florida in some cities.
- JT, Manchester
Hey...It's LEGAL and it saves MONEY. Im ALL for it. As far as 3 day holiday weekends...You wouldnt have to worry about it. Think of all the money on the city side that would be saved.
- JC, Manchester
BW from concord, so I assume you don't have children or have a stay at home parent in the family. Well being a parent in a household where both parents have to work I am not implying that school is a 'daycare" for our children. we currently send our 2 non school aged children to daycare center that is structured like a preschool where they interact with teachers and other children and aren't just placed in front of a TV at someone's home for the day. What I am implying by suggesting the cost of "daycare" to parents to be considered is the fact that if both parents work 5 days a week M-F and their young child lets say under 13 needs someone to watch them because they do not have school on Monday what is that family to do? Can you offer a suggestion to solving that problem for us? I mean if your answer is for them to fork over the money for daycare and figure it out financially on their own well then why don't they just fork over the extra money for their taxes and deal with it?
- andrew, manchester
As if the education system isn't failing enough with properly educating the kids that are the future of the state of NH, they want to short change them by yanking a day from the schedule.
Some people have zero say in giving up pay, benefits, or their jobs. I think the teachers of Manchester are selfish in their motives and plans. Do what everyone else has been FORCED to do without a CHOICE and make some SACRIFICES!
- Bill, Manchester
This appears to be just a suggestion by the MEA as a cost saving measure - nothing is set in stone, and I'm sure there will many discussions about this and many other ideas in the coming weeks.
As was shown on MCTV, Doug Kruse has asked the city teachers' union for cost saving measures. My guess is that this is one of many suggestions that will be introduced.
This is a great discussion to have - though not everyone may agree with this idea, an active and thoughtful discussion about what is best for the students of Manchester can only be helpful.
- R. Pryzbylewski, Manchester
I look forward to the sky rocketing crime rate Manchester will endure throughout the whole year instead of just during the summer while kids are spending more time trolling the street .
Its absurd to claim a school is not an institution for discipline as well as education. Ask any kid that was taught by a Nun.
Its always been that way and having kids trolling the streets with nothing to do is a recipe for delinquency.
If I was teacher hell yeah I'd be fighting for a four day week but I would also know this is the worst thing for all kids involved.
I imagine teachers would expect a three day week to observe holidays too.
- Matt, Manchester
I think this a terrific idea, however I'd like to see research done on this. Whoever said it's a way to dumb done education--where's your research? Also, how do we know it's going to be a disaster for our younger students? What does the research say?
Also, as a former educator---SHAME on Craig..teachers are very hardworking and we did not come up with our schedule! Most teachers I know have two or three jobs to supplement their income, so they can do the job they love! I don't know about all, but I had to work over summer "vacation" and do lots of work during the evening and weekends! At least teachers are trying to give their ideas...where is yours?
- Jane, Manchester
To The UL:
If this comment from Don
Considering that the teaching, so-called, profession turns out semi-retards everyday, replacing a teacher mid-stream, wouldn't be a burden on the student, it could be a benefit.
is not considered bad taste... I'm not sure what is... 'Semi retards".....
Come on... now
- Sharon, Manchester
Leave it to Coach McGilvary to FINALLY come up with a real idea on cost savings. So many places are looking to the 4 day work week why no the schools. Thanks coach and you need to get yourself back on the football field!
- Mike, Bedford
Schools DO need to consider parent's work schedules whether they like it or not. Schools are part of how our society functions, they don't exist in isolation. In our society today, very few kids have a parent at home on a weekday to watch them. Many, many, working parents patch things together for vacations and other scheduled days off, but it doesn't mean what they come up with is beneficial to the kids. And people aren't going to pay for someone to watch their 14-18 year old, so now you'll have a bunch of unsupervised teens hanging around the city one day a week while their parents are at work. Who wants that? I do appreciate everything teachers do, but come on, a proposal that's going to give you guys 3-day week-ends every week??
- Leah, Manchester
"The public schools are NOT responsible for YOUR work schedule or daycare needs! NOR should they take that into account AT ALL.
- BW, Concord"
Must be a school teacher huh. A 4 day school week is just not plausible. It is hard enough to keep kids minds going for the length of time the kids are currently in school. An additional 90 Minutes would be a disaster.
- Jeff, Manchester
JSF:
Enrollments may be down citywide, but they went up last year at my daughter's high school!
- Leah, Manchester
This would not work for many reason. 1 is that young childrens attention span would hold up to an extra 90 minutes. Will the schools add an extra recess to help this?
I give my son a snack after school ... Will the schools take a break for an extra snack?
Another problem is that the schools are taking away my time with my child. Not everyone can take Mondays off to be with their child, and so now, with an extra 90 mintues to the school day, you are taking 90 minutes away from my time.
Where are you adding that 90 mintues? My kids get up early enough. So schools would have to add the 90 mintues to the end of the day, meaning that I have to pick my kids up at 4, giving me less time to cook dinner, bathe my children, get home work done and get get my children to bed at a resonable time.
Bad idea all the way around!
- Catrina, Manchester NH
First, I'd like to start off by saying that I am not a teacher, however I do have a great respect for the profession. Second, I'd like to throw a comment out there to all of you people, standing on your soap-boxes, trying to be heard and followed. The 4-day school week is a proposal to save jobs. Those of you who have done nothing but belittle the idea, certainly have not given much thought to other ways of trying to save money. Firing teachers because they are ill is not going to solve anything. We'd still have to hire a replacement! How about some constructive discussion on how to solve the problem?
I, for one, am glad that Don lives in Londonderry and his opinion in Manchester politics really doesn't matter.
- Trisha, Manchester
Mike from Candia... Candia's education has already been dumbed down....Were talking about Manchester. Not ByrdsVille
- Jim, Manchester
A four day school week would be a disaster for younger children. Their attention spans are limited and wishing it were not so won't change reality. These children will accomplish less in four days regardless of an additional 90 minutes.
If school officials want to save money, perhaps they could start school one hour later, saving electricity and heat as the school day would be warmer and have more daylight.
If a four day school week is needed, then at least make Wednesday the day off, not Mondays. Mondays off from school is good for extended weekend trips; Wednesdays off from school is good for students to rest and catch up on homework.
- DH, Nashua, NH
Most of you must learn to read. They are not just dropping a day of school, instead they would go to a 4-day school week by adding approx 90 minutes to each of the 4 days to make-up for the one taken away.
Don, this will save on having not to pay the fuel cost of busing students on the 5th day, not have to heat/cool the buidling fully during cold/hot days, or run electricity ALL day on that 5th day. As well, the district would save money having to provide lunch on the 5th day.
Mr. Tarr, this isn't the only school in the country doing this. Kentucky, Virginia, and Utah to name a few have school districts that are operating in such a manner and guess what IT IS WORKING wonderfully. Parents have to do something with their children during the summer so now they just need do so on this day. I don't know how about maybe highering a HS student or have your child go to the YMCA program.
There are work arounds for everything. Maybe you shouldn't be so closed minded and instead think about how this would save the city money. Most of you complain there are too many students per teacher, this would allow more teachers.
- Mike, Litchfield
The public schools are NOT responsible for YOUR work schedule or daycare needs! NOR should they take that into account AT ALL.
- BW, Concord
Let's dumb down our kids education - that's a great idea???
- Mike, Candia
Of course the lazy teachers are going to love this. 4 months off a year, now 3 day weekends! Seems reasonable in a district in need of improvement(sarcasm).
What about the increased class workload of the students, the reduced time to absorb class material and do homework, and reduced time for after school activities?
Its for the children? Anyone still buy teachers and their union rhetoric?
- Craig, Manchester, NH
This is a pipe dream. There is no chance of this ever passing. Let's face it, parents that work are struggeling to make their bills, how are they going to afford to pay for a child care provider? This is horrible timing for this crazy idea.
End this non-sense and start the cutting!!!
- John, Manchester
It makes me laugh that people are agreeable with laying people off but are not inclined to think of alternatives. I believe that a 4 day week could work. People are complaining about daycare with a 4 day week but I have not heard what happens if they truncate kindergarten to half day? Won't parents have to find daycare for their children anyway?
- Bob, Hooksett
As a parent I would be opossed to this measure. This sends the wrong message to our school aged children. It should be the burden of adults to possibly deal with a 4 day work week, not students. To me, this is a severe compromise on education. This action would be the final deciding factor for me to leave move to another district - real quick!
- Mark L, Manchester
What a stupid idea? What will happen to the children whose parents both work five days a week? Will those children be left unattended every Monday? Or does the city expect that one parent will give up a day's work--assuming they can even do so. I understand that the school budgets are stretched thin but this is the last thing that should be done to make ends meet. Surely there are other places cuts can be made or--gasp--perhaps taxes need to be raised to ensure that our children get the education--and supervision--they deserve.
- LJC, Manchester
While on paper this proposed 4 day school week may look good but what about all the working parents who will A) Have to fork out the extra money for day care and B) Have to adjust their work schedule to work 4 days per week? On the latter, many companies won't let their employees only work 4 days per week.
Maybe Mr. McGilvary and the teachers would foot the bill for day care for working parents.....
- Jeff, Manchester
Are you all crazy? I'd like to work only 4 days also but make the same amount of money. Give me a break! Do you really think the teachers or children will be alert after 2:30?
Thank God for homeschooling. At least my child will be educated by someone that wants to teach.
- Bill, Dunbarton
While I agree, slightly, with some of Don from Londonderry's comments there was no need to insult teachers calling them "semi-retards". It is a shame you think teachers are not qualified enough to teach. Where are your children? In public school? Perhaps you don't have children, but when you do are you going to have enough money to send them elsewhere or home school them? Yes, I do think that teachers are too well protected behind the union, and that the profession should be competitive like those in the private sector. Basically you don't do what you are suppose to you get fired, like everywhere else. Teachers whine like crazy when they don't get their way, I say do your job and be glad you have one.
- JP, Manchester
In budget times like this we must start thinking out of the box and look at all options and have open dialogue with the stakeholders. A four day school week is being successfully used across the country and deserves a look. It has shown to be benificial for both students and teachers. Districts have had a decline of the drop out rate and disciplinary referrals. A significant improvement in attendance and less interruptions to the teaching day. Teachers and students have longer periods of face to face contact and direct instruction. A four day week will have the exact same amount of class time as they currently do.
The City must raise the tax rate or drastically cut the services provided by the district. You cannot have it both ways. The teachers union is bringing ideas like this to the school board in an effort to provide the the best education to the students in Manchester in this economic climate.
It is time for all stakeholders in the Manchester School District to come forward with possible ideas and solutions to what is setting up to be a total destruction and elimination of services and opportunities for the 16,000 students in the Manchester School District.
- Scott McGilvray MEA President, Manchester
I see three huge drawbacks to this. The first is that kids tire easily. If you extend the school day, it is not reasonable to expect the children to learn anything in that time. If you simply extended their recess it would be OK, but then we would effectively be shortening the school year by 1/5. This is a terrible idea from an education standpoint. A four-day school week is going in the wrong direction. We should be extending the school year into the summer.
The second drawback, as mentioned in earlier comments, is a family with working parents. How is it in the children’s best interest if parents have to quit jobs to watch the children? In these times it is hard enough finding and keeping a job, do we really want parents asking for a four-day workweek? That certainly will not help the economy recover. Most employers cannot afford giving employees this flexibility. Other employers would make the parents part-time. That would result in parents without benefits – including healthcare.
The third drawback is what the children will be doing on those days off. We have problems with graffiti, etc. now. It should be expected that parents will continue working 5-day workweeks if their children are old enough to take care of themselves. What do you expect will happen when all of the 14-, 15-, 16- and 17-year olds are completely unsupervised for one day each week? Think about it.
Of all the departments to look at making a four-day workweek, the schools have to be the poorest choice. Consider the consequences of this action.
- John A., Manchester, NH
Robert Tarr
There was no mention of shortening the school day. Actually, it was to lengthen the school day by 90 minutes and shorten, by one day, the school week.
Libby
I believe Mr. McGilvary is the president of the teacher's union. He's the one who is presenting this idea. So I don't think the union is standing in the way. Keep your union bashing out of this. There is no place for it.
- John, Manchester
The schools are not babysitters, and are not responsible for working parents and their after school needs. The school's responsibility is to educate the children, and NOT worry about what an individual or group of parents MAY need in terms of daycare.
I think ALL options should be on the table (here that Concord!), including longer breaks in the winter (to save on heating and snow days) and eliminating the April break....
- BW, Concord
I don't see how most parents would consider this a real option. First off as many have stated finding daycare for your children for just one day a week would be very difficult. It is not as though daycare facilities can just suddenly add hundreds of spots to their programs for just one day. Secondly the cost factor as has been brought up by several people is not realistic. Do people realize that it would cost a family up to $100 a week to send 2 children to daycare for a day! I don't know about you but I can't afford to spend another $400 a month so the city doesn't have to.
- Andrew, manchester
How does this address the fact that the state requires 180 school days? Will the 4 days run 20 percent longer to make up the time?
- Jake, Manchester
This kind of change should only be made with the blessing of the public and I hope the members of the schoolboard will listen to the concerns of those who will be impacted most: parents. One question: Would this make the school year longer?
- Peter, Manchester
Don, good job reading the article.
Good job getting angry at an idea, a thought, something that might get the ball rolling. Good job keeping an open mind. Also a pat on the back for bashing teachers. Hooray! The article doesn't IMPLY that teachers miss work because they don't have MOnday off, it states it COULD/MAY reduce teacher absenteeism by 50%, which means that the teachers who are sick, or pregnant or have deaths or illnesses in their family my be able to recuperate, visits loved ones or doctors etc and NOT miss work. Your oh-so great idea of firing teachers who miss work would be fantastic because there are tons of qualified teachers just waiting in the wings to be called at a seconds notice... What is that? the 20 year veteran teacher who has been absent for 2 days because of some virus has been fired? quick replace him? His replacement shouldn't miss a beat, and the students won't know the difference.
Vouchers can be a good idea, no doubt. But, the idea of pitting school vs school means that each school needs to offer something different, an idea WEST is playing with (except, you know, there is no money for them to start it). So, your idea would be reduced to children choosing which teachers and schools they would want to churn them out "semi-retarded."
- Hogan, Manchester
I think this idea is great.
In response to the question about what will working parents do, what do they do in the summer, when children have no school at all?
- Tony, Manchester
Well, Don of Londonderry, as a teacher in Manchester I certainly don't feel underworked or incompetent in my "so-called" profession. I wonder what it is that you do for work that makes you work so much harder than us teachers? I invite you to come spend a week in school, not as observer but as teacher, doing all the work a teacher does, including the paperwork, planning, testing and meetings that are not part of a substitute's day. Then I wonder if you might still consider us "underworked".
- Lisa, Weare
WB in Manchester, your words just proved a belief of mine. Many people are going to be worried about their FREE babysitting service that will be gone on Monday's. Parents all over the place don't look at school as a place of education, just a service to put their kids for free.
Think about the children here and what's best. More face time hours and a cut on your taxes, you should be ecstatic.
- Y, Manchester
Moving to a four day school week would be great. The students would spend more time with teachers, therefore learning and absorbing more. The district would save a day of busses, a day of heating, cooling & lights. Meaning a savings of $$$$$$. As for Mr. Tarr's idea of having city empoyees work a four day week, that to would work for even a larger savings if the city combined the two ideas. The city could also benefit from attracting more small businesses to the city, an idea that Mr. Tarr is against because he has expressed his opinion in the past that he IS anti-business.
- Brian, Manchester
This idea may deserve some consideration.
It would open up many options for making up snow days.
It would also eliminate the need to call in crews over the weekend to take care of snow removal (at an added cost to tax payers) to get the kids into school after weekend storms.
- Sharon, Manchester
You've got to be kidding! Manchester is talking about doing this? It is bad enough when our education system is so far behind compared to other countries. Why are we even discussing this? Maybe we should start looking at other nations, such as why the asian nations are more advanced. They go to a six day school week. Education is their top priority. It isn't in the U.S.
We can't cut back on school days. If it means adding a student or two in class rooms because of the teacher cuts, than so be it. Or maybe with the cuts, the school hours will have to be lenghtened so the students are getting the proper education.
The schools shouldn't be providing a "babysitting" service. They are to provide a proper education foundation. The growing up & life experiences should be left to hopefully responsible parents. I am a parent also & I would make whatever adjustments in my family's life so that my kids get a good productive education.
Manchester & any other school districts need to drop this silly & lame idea. It will not benefit our children, only hurt them...
- Dave, Manchester
Public education is just government babysitting. Just look at WB's comments. Thus, no change change will be made.
- Tom, Henniker
Don,
Just a few questions:
1. When do you go have Doctor/Dentist appointments?
2. What "so-called" profession do you work in?
3. How many "semi-retards" do you have in your house to base your opinions on?
3. Did you learn the skills for your profession in school or were they given to you by divine intervention?
Stop wasting our time!! (And please don't ever run for public office!!)
- Rick, Manchester, NH
I find it interesting that so many people are concerned with finding someone to WATCH their kids. They aren't worried about anything other than babysitting. Thus showing that far too many parents use schools as babysitting instead of investing themselves in their children's education.
- Clint, Manchester
To the MEA:
Enrollments are down therefore teacher head count needs to go down proportionally. Is this common sense in your discussions?
- JSF, Manch
Maybe the teacher's union could watch the kids for free on the 5th day. After all it's for the children.
- andy, milford
Probably we should change the child labor laws so that the kids can work on Fridays to support their parents who are out looking for work. Kids have a short attention span and that includes the ones to whom we give Ritalin. Perhaps we could fire them up with Ritalin in the morning and then give them barbituates in the evening and on weekends so that our lives and pocket books could be saved. That is the important thing, isn't it?
- Robert, Deerfield
I think it would be far better to shut down the city workers for a day ( not schools) and do 4 / 10 hr days. Much harder and more expensive for all the people to find daycare for all the kids than for a parent to have a day off. Workers can stay later to make it easier for all the register cars and licenses. Article mentions less absenteeism for teachers - are they saying the union will give back the "paid days off" workers now get. I'm betting not and also betting every one of these days off will still be taken (by all) even on the 4 day work week. Union would not give up the days under the furlough plan, why now to save jobs. I would guess Bus companies are under multi year contracts for services, will they give up 20% of contract? Do the bus drivers get full compensation or take a 20% pay cut. Hard enough to get a doctor/dentist appointment now, I doubt having all these teachers and children having the same day off would be any better. If teachers believe in longer face time then do it now, longer classes but less times per week in a subject - if that's really what they mean. Lets see all the factual data from these other 100 systems that have done this before making changes based on theoretical assumptions. How much did those towns actually save in real dollars by changing the school week.
- Jim, Loudon
I can see this working, right now the school day is 30 minutes longer in Goffstown and after the first few weeks everyone has grown acustomed to it. There was a lot of worry about sports, afterschool activities, buses, etc., but once it got rolling everything worked out fine.
The issues I see are just with families of younger children, who may not be able to afford daycare. On the other hand as a student it's true that learning is easier when you have a longer class then when you only have 45 minutes to get setup, work, and then pack up to leave.
- Geoff, Dunbarton
I am not knocking the idea, but I do have some questions....what happens to the Teacher Workshop days? Do those fall on the 5th day or are those worked into the 4-day week? Same with Early release days? I like the longer day but perhaps we could look at reducing some fo the vacation time along with the 4 day week, like three day vacation weeks instead of 5....just some thoughts....
- Dawn, Manchester
Note to Mr. McGilvray: You want to save money on substitutes? How about reining the the minority of teachers who treat their generous allowance of sick time as extra vacation days? Most teachers are very dedicated but there are some who call in sick (often the day before!) as soon as they accrue a sick day or two. It's easy to identify the abusers - just check for very low or non-existent accrued sick time for veteran teachers and then eliminate the ones who have truly suffered a chronic illness or debilitating injury. The rest are costing the city many thousands of dollars because they don't want to work just 183 days a year. Oh - and you can bet that these folks will still be using their 15 sick days even in a shortened school week schedule. Now they can have FOUR-DAY weekends!
- Anonymous in, NH (so I don't get anyone in trouble)
So Don, teachers are never supposed to get sick, go to the doctor, have family emergencies etc.? You never ever ever miss a day of work? I somehow doubt that.
I am guessing you were at a tea rally last week...
- Greg, Manchester
i dont think the savings would be as large as represented because there are still fixed costs. for instance, a 4 day week wouldn't reduce bus costs by 20% unless there is an appropriate lay off or reduction in MTA workers. this is pushing part of the burden on to the MTA and does not save that portion of the budget in toto. instead it forces MTA to lay off
- Alan Bestwick, manchester
Didn't Deerfield have a four-day school week during the 1980s? They got rid of it, however. It would probably be to the school board's benefit to ask anyone who was in Deerfield government why they abandoned the four-day week (but also ask if there were any upside to it as well).
- Ryan, Hooksett
I don't know why teachers have to leave school during the day for doctors appointments!! Most are in their cars at 2:25pm! I have been teaching for almost 10 years and have never had an appointment I had to leave school for. Thats a lame excuse.
- MS, Manchester
Students and teachers need to spend more time together, the classes are too short as it is. The idea is certainly worth looking into. School board members and aldermen, protect our children and don't take away their full day kindergarten, the goal has always been to prepare more of the schools for full day, not take away the ones that have it!!!
- Brian, Manchester
OF COURSE - It is all about the Unions!
They don't care about the kids - and truth be known there are very few dedicated teachers that actually care about the kids either. The majority in class would not be considered presentable professionals in any other environment. Between the School Board and the Unions - the taxpaper is the one holding the bill. Send the pink slips
- Bill, Manchester
It’s a fantastic idea and should have been done a long time ago. Longer classroom time gives the kids more education. The payoff for the kids is no school on Mondays! Another issue to add is put all those “teacher conference days” on Mondays. A shortened school week can cause a bit of a problem for parents. Parents and kids are resilient and will do what they have to do to make this work if it means keeping good teachers. Sports practice/game time? You’ve got Saturday, Sunday and Monday for sports and all other extra-curricular activities.
- Karen B, Manchester
This may look good in the planning stages but where is the consideration for working parents... that is an additional babysitting bill for eight hours on Mondays, not all parents can afford to lose a Monday or change their schedule to a four day work week. I am sure babysitters will be pleased to have a four day school week but that will put additional stress on family budgets that are already tight...
- WB, Manchester
I, too, agree with Committeeman Eric Fisher, I think this just might work. As for time for sports teams to practice, etc., I think it could be worked out. The teams would find a way to work around a longer school day if it meant not losing funding for teams altogether. (I am the mom of 2 highschool athletes.)
- Kathy, Manchester, NH
This idea is a scam perpertrated by the weak and useless public sector employees. The idea that having a day off that private employees must work will save tax dollars is ridiculous. The teachers and staff must work every day or they should be fired. The article implies that not having the Monday off causes teachers to miss work, Well, if a teacher misses more work than a private sector employee then that teacher must be fired, plain and simple. There is no excuse for not working especially when under contract. If it were up mto me, the teachers could be fired during the school year. If there were no contracts there would be an availability of replacement teachers. Considering that the teaching, so-called, profession turns out semi-retards everyday, replacing a teacher mid-stream, wouldn't be a burden on the student, it could be a benefit.
I can't see cost savings in this proposal at all. I can only see a reduced workload for an already underworked, incompetent so-called profession.
Do you want to lower the cost of education and reduce the cost? Vote for school choice and vouchers. It will kill the teacher's unions and invigorate the education process anywhere it is available.
- Don, londonderry
It's about time! I have sent numerous e-mails to the MEA about this for at least 2 years. They have my breakdown of options in hand, and I see they are starting to use them for this purpose.
The only thing standing in the way are the unions. Remember, it's for the children!
- Libby, Manchester
I think this is a great idea as an alternative to losing teachers and programs. We are all in need right now, including teachers. With all the savings that could come of it, it should be given a shot. It may be difficult for many parents of younger children, but at the same time what was done before the kids were schoolage? I have kids in school and I think it is a great idea!
- Jen, Manchester
As much as a good idea this is, it isn't going to work and here's why. First working parents would need someone to give daycare to their children while they are at work. Many parents work during the day and are at home at night. Single parents, moms and dads, work during the day with no one home to watch the kids. Then you add on that daycare at facilities that could watch the children would cost $$$, which people just don't have in this economy. Second, under the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) and through the policies of our state regarding education the law makers both from Washington and the State would have to rewrite that which dictates children's education. Something that would take a few years to do. Let us reduce the work week from 5 days a week for city employees to 4 days a week adding the time onto those four days from the fifth day. Students need their education and the current five day week is just fine for this parent of four. There are other ways to save money, shortening the school day isn't one of them.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
I agree with committeeman Eric Fisher. I honestly think this could work. More face time with teachers (longer class time) would be good for the kids.
- ccc, manchester
At a time when schools are scrambling to make up the time lost by snow days, they are still considering shortening the school week? I think the idea has some merit, but at the end of the day, the idea of something is usually far different than the reality of it.
- Theresa, Dover
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"No teacher pink slips, at least for now"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, 4/21/2009
MANCHESTER – Queen City teachers can rest assured they won't be getting pink slips today.
The school board voted, 9 to 6, last night in opposition to a motion authorizing Superintendent Tom Brennan to dole out layoff notices. Board members acknowledged they may have to revisit the issue in the coming weeks as the district's budget comes into focus.
"This will come up again," said Maxine Mosley, a McLaughlin Middle School guidance counselor. She was one of several district employees who attended the meeting and applauded when the board clerk announced the result of the vote.
At least, she said, "I think the board has made it clear they do not want to lay off teachers ... and if there's any way to minimize that, they're going to do it."
It was clear that many board members had not come to the meeting last night expecting to tackle the question of layoffs. The only item on the agenda was a presentation by Scott McGilvray, president of the city teachers' union.
Board members grilled McGilvray on his proposal to shorten the school week from five days to four, but took no action on it.
At-Large Committeeman Kathleen Kelley called it a "great proposal that needs to be looked at," but said she would want the district to schedule a public forum so parents could have their say.
Superintendent Tom Brennan said he is "absolutely" open to discussing the idea, but said a comprehensive review would be time-consuming.
"I'm just a little concerned about the turnaround time, in terms of trying to get this implemented," Brennan said.
In a four-day school week, students would come to school Tuesdays through Fridays, for an extra 90 minutes each school day. Vacations would remain as they are.
McGilvray said switching to a four-day week could save the district about $1.6 million and would be preferable to other money-saving options already on the table, such as layoffs or reducing kindergarten classes to half-day only. He also suggested the district could save money on busing, energy and supplies.
As the discussion turned to layoffs, Mayor Frank Guinta pressed McGilvray to consider his plan for all city and district workers to take seven days off work without pay. McGilvray said the teachers' union is firmly opposed to the idea.
"We're not going to take a furlough," McGilvray said. "We're going to honor the contract, just as you expect us to honor the things that you put in there that you wanted."
The subject of layoffs was raised by At-Large Committeeman Debra Gagnon Langton, who urged the board to declare it would not pink-slip teachers this year. That motion was tabled by a vote of 9 to 6.
Committeeman Art Beaudry insisted the board should put the question to rest as soon as possible.
"These teachers are going to be hanging on, wondering whether they're going to have a job or not have a job," he said. "I don't think that's fair." The teachers' contract requires the district to send out layoff notices before May 10, according to Brennan. The district has already sent pink slips to 10 assistant principals.
Members who voted last night to authorize layoff notices were Guinta, Joyce Craig, Bob O'Sullivan, Doug Kruse, John Avard and Eric Fischer. The nine members who voted against the motion were Mike DeBlasi, Chris Herbert, Donna Soucy, Katherine Labanaris, Dave Gelinas, Beaudry, Stephen Dolman, Kelley and Langton.
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READERS' COMMENTS
As a parent and a taxpayer in this city, I feel that the situation we are dealing with here needs to be delt with carefully. We are talking about our childrens future here! our kids will one day be our government, we should offer them the BEST possible education to ensure our States/ Nations future. I am very involved in my childrens education and the schools. I have to say that these new first year teachers who are facing "pink slips" have some of the best teaching skills/ideas. I would hate to see them removed from my childrens schools! We need new fresh ideas, we need these young teachers with the abillity to impliment new learning/teaching styles to help children do their best!
I think the 4 day school week may work. It may take some getting used to, but research shows that other city's/town who have implemented this have done really well. increasing attendance, decreasing sick days, more time each day for teachers to work with their students. I would much rather see this happen and pay a few more dollars in property tax than to see our schools with a 30-1 ratio. .... Our children lose out when this happens!! Everyone needs to stand up for these kids,
As far as the issue of where the kids will go one these days?? It is not the school boards responsibilty to worry about this!!! It is mine as a parent. We seem to do fine with week-ends and vacations, we all can get adjusted to this too! Its about the children!
- Melissa, Manchester
My fiancee is a teacher in the Manchester School District. She lives and breathes her job to educate these children. She works in a school where just getting the kids to school is a major challenge. Each day she goes there to do anything she can to better the lives of these kids. Each year they are left majorly short on supplies and she is always funding them with her own money. Is this a chore for her? No way! She is a teacher and although at times I do not personally understand it, it's amazing.
She stands to lose her job, it is breaking her heart. Shame on anyone who will take this away from her. In schools that already operate on a shoestring budget, further cuts are a disgrace. The sad thing is, Manchester's loss will be someone elses gain!
Cut the money somewhere else and do not sacrifice the education of kids that will be our future!
- Tom, Manchester
Mr. Tarr,
As others have mentioned here, the school district is NOT a child care service. If you have children you should be able to care for them. Maybe if you were not so anti-business, you could get some local employers to work with people on changing schedules. We all remember that you are a candidate for ward 5 alderman and you are also anti-business.
- Brian, Manchester
There are plenty of places to cut the budget.
The millions that is spent in the SAU. This is money that needs to go directly to the classroom.
The money spent on teachers "retreats" at the principals home. Thousands of dollars that can go directly into the classroom.
Hundred of thousands that are spent on field trips each year should be money spent in the classroom.
I could go on; look at the budget in these schools and see where the money is going. The majority is not going to the teachers or the children.
It is time to cut the fluff, and get back to letting the teachers teach math, science and the rest. Maybe it is time that the administration stop spending money on " telling teachers how to teach" and just let the teachers do the job that they were educated to do.
To the small amout of teachers who do think it is their jobs to parent, counsel, feed, clothe, and so on... our children, stop that. It is not your job.
- k, hillsboro
I do hope this year's PinkSlips are for real.
Especially to get those "teachers" who are at work writing on the UL blogs!
Thought those prep periods were for prepping student's work.
- Ellen D., Manchester NH
Jack Alex, I love how you just assume that most of them don't want to learn. Obviously you are completely out of touch with anyone under the age of 20, and would rather pass judgement than get to know any of them! Just because people dress a certain way and may have a little bit of an attitude doesn't mean that they do not have a desire to learn. It is called BEING A TEENAGER. Don't tell me you didn't exhibit some rebellious tendencies during those years.
And giving these kids the easy way out of optional education is outrageous. Sure, you may end up saving some money on education, but then things like unemployment and welfare will skyrocket in comparison. Because w/o at least a diploma or GED they won't be able to secure any job that pays anything over minimum wage.
- Justin, Manchester
Mr Tarr-
It is not up to our school system to take the responsibility of "babysitting" it is up to the parents - What do the kids do during winter vacation, spring vacation when the parents worK. Why should these teachers lose their jobs because parents can't find someplace to put their kids on Mondays? High school students should have been raised well enough to be able to be unsupervised for 8 hours while their parents work-
- Heidi, Manchester
Robert Tarr another great job of being open minded and thinking differently. You certainly would make a great politician. Did you attend the presentation last night? Have you taken the time to contact Mr. McGilvray to discuss his proposal? Maybe his proposal would not work in Manchester, but does it get people to look at various ways to deliver education to students? It will hopefully get the community talking. Mr. McGilvray is the only person who is presenting ideas and actual suggestions for efficiencies and cost savings.
- Jim, Manchester
Mr Tarr-The school district isn't a babysitting service! They are not responsible for sitting the children, that is the parent's responsibility. I don't understand where this idea that shipping these kids off to school equals a babysitting service!
- Mike, Bedford
Ya know, there are some compelling points given by the last 2 bloggers. Using their thinking we can't have any type of vacation because god for bid THESE children will be out, in public, causing on told amount of destruction. Summer vacation- gone. Christmas break - we can't risk it.....The only solution is 24 hour 7 day a week school- to keep our citizens safe!
- Bob, Hooksett
Folks, it's not a matter of whether you like or dislike a 4 day school week. You seem to want taxes lowered, and to the Mayor, that means cutting budgets. Well, there aren't many places left to cut in the school budget. I have 4 windows, 2 window shades, 30 desks, 2 are broken, I have a hole in my blackboard and a clock that doesn't work. I have a closet that locks, but won't close shut. And that's just my room, one out of 120 in the school.
This is an idea to help give you what you want without laying off teachers - who are needed. The argument that there are less students so we need less teachers is unsound. Would you argue that if there have been less fires, we need less firemen? Sure, there might be less students, but we still need the teachers. Student to teacher ratios that were up to 30 to 1 before would become - if we kept the current amount of teachers - maybe closer to 25 to 1.
You have a decision to make: save $13 next year in property taxes or save the quality of education?
- Bob, Lake Ave 03104
Nice to see the teachers union at least step up to the plate a come up with some alternatives. This may not be the best one but it is at least creative. I do have one question for those school board members that insist not to give out pink slips..What kind of game are you playing?? How do you plan on cutting the budget with what is left if you do not pink slip?? I want to know where the cuts will be even if the budget were at the recommended 152 million. Even at that number Dr brennan has said there will still need to be pink slips...well?? How about giving us the WHOLE truth before may 10th about the school boards plan to cut??? We are watching...This is an election year!!
- Rich, manchester
Mr. Tarr - I'm sure you weren't there last night to hear the actual proposal and instead are getting all of your news from the Union Leader. I was there last night and many of these concerns that you've brought up were addressed. In communities adopting this plan they found that it helped parents to only have to find a source of child care one day a week instead of every day after school. It allowed high school students to concentrate their work/volunteer schedules within the three days off so that they could focus on their school work the other four days. It lowered drop out rate, transportation costs, fuel costs, and other costs. In fact, when asked to reconsider the 4 day plan, communities overwhelmingly voted to maintain it. No one is saying it is a perfect plan. One of the problems in this city is that when a new idea, however radical it may be, is proposed, people like yourself assume they have all of the answers without much, or any, of the information. When the plan was proposed it wasn’t proposed as something that was perfect and ready to be implemented today. It was proposed as some well thought out ideas and research, and brought to the Board where they could offer their concerns and suggestions. That is how change works. Perhaps you should educate yourself in regards to the entire proposal and stop relying on online articles. Are there areas that would have to be addressed? Sure, as there are with any plan. But don't simply dismiss it as something that wouldn't work outright, especially without any knowledge of the idea itself. By doing so all that happens is we continue down the same path that brings us year after year to the issue of teachers vs. taxes. And every year someone loses.
- Ben Dick, Vice President Manchester Education Asso, Manchester
As Wendy said, "This same story is repeated year after year at this time of year. Nothing new here!" Like every other year in April they vote not to, then in late April or May they vote to layoff teachers. Over 100 pink slips usually go out, probably over 200 this year.
The best pink slipped teachers will find new jobs at well managed districts that already know what teachers they need next year. Just look in the classifieds of this paper. The search for good teachers has started. A couple of months later, Manchester will go looking to call back teachers and get only the ones no other district wanted.
This is how Manchester ensures a quality education. If you don't think the quality of the education is directly related to the quality of the management of the district and the quality of teachers it can attract you know nothing about education.
The most frustrating thing about this budgeting process is that it’s all about money and not value.
- Peter Sorrentino, Manchester
Nothing more than a smoke and mirrors show. The fact is the "pink slip" is nothing more than protection. Non-taxpayer employees are at will employees and do not get notice of intent to fire.
In this instance the School Board does not have appropriating authority (cannot levy a tax) and if they fail to give notice by May 15, 2009 of Renominatenation or Reelection, the City Council must appropriate the money to pay every education related employee and more (see RSA 189:14-a). Moreover, the failure to take action by the School Board should be viewed as interference in the statutory authority of the City Council, the appropriating body. I note that unlike Laconia's School Board the deliberation about "notice" is not done in non-public session.
- Thomas A. Tardif, Laconia
This same story is repeated year after year at this time of year. Nothing new here!
- Wendy T.R., Manchester
Since most of the little buggers don't want to be in school lets make it optional. I'm sure many of them wouldn't mind hanging out on the sidewalk, shooting baskets listening to music blaring out of portable stereos and visiting the piercing and tattoo shops as they wander around in their black raincoats and coloring their hair like peacocks and spiking their hair with enough hair gel it would look like wax. That will do one of a few things. First it
will reduce class size, we can close a few buildings, reduce the size of school employees and cut back on the school year as we will only have the kids that want to learn occupying a desk. I mean Joe Clark did it down in New Jersey and he got rid of all the riff raff and malcontents that couldn't form a sentence or do a math problem with their limited brain power. Think how happy the teachers would be.
They wouldnt have to waste countless hours of grading tests and quizes and reading term papers from a bunch of dolts and simpletons. Doesn't a class size of say 9 or 10 sound a lot better than 30? Think of me the taxpayer, instead of having to pay to educate 20 morons I only have to pay to educate 9 or 10 smart kids that will be successful in life. Now that sounds like a fantastic thought. In fact with only having the cream of the crop they can cut back the school year, cut the hours to maybe say 15 hours a week as we educate those that want to be there.
This a win-win proposition. Lets do it.
- Jack Alex, Manchester
To Mr. McGilvray, I have a question for you sir. What would you like to have the students do on Monday's while their parents are at work? From some of the students at Central High I have spoken with, many say there isn't anything for them (teens) to do during the day, including weekends. Many said teens, some who do cause trouble, would be out in the community creating more of it simply out of bordom. I will agree this will place a strain on our police departments as well as other departments as a whole and city resources. Some teens said that going to school five days a week is preparing them for a working world where you have to follow a schedule from your employer and such. As for middle school age children and those younger, what services or activities is there for these children that won't place a burden on a struggling families wallet already stretched thin with unemployment and other concerns. So no, a four day school week won't work, not in this reality.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
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"Chief: Budget would close fire stations"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, 4/21/2009
MANCHESTER – Fire Chief James Burkush said he would have to close fire stations on a "rolling" basis throughout the coming year under the budget Mayor Frank Guinta proposed last month.
The number of firefighters on duty at any given time would fall from 50 to 45, he said. One fire truck and one engine truck would be taken out of service.
Asked by Alderman Jim Roy whether "service to the city of Manchester would be significantly depleted," Burkush responded, "That's a possibility."
Meanwhile, Burkush's counterpart at the police department, Chief David Mara, said his staff is applying for grants to help the department achieve a full complement of 225 sworn officers next year. Mara cautioned, however, that he could have to lay off some employees, both civilians and officers, if the city does not approve Guinta's call for worker furloughs.
In addition, he told the board, without the savings from furloughs, "We would have to take people out of the divisions. We would have to take people out of Detectives, Juvenile and Traffic to be able to continue to handle the emergency coverage."
The meeting with Burkush and Mara was the aldermen's first of the budget season. Other departments will have an opportunity to address the board in the coming weeks.
Guinta has said he wants to increase the police and fire department budgets by about 3 percent. His proposal hinges on a plan to have all city employees, including police officers and firefighters, take off seven days without pay.
Even with the money he'd save from furloughs, Burkush said the Fire Department would be unable to fill seven existing vacancies and would have to lay off six firefighters. He said the reduction in staff would likely force the department to spend about $1 million more on overtime than if it were fully staffed.
Burkush said the department would need $19.6 million to maintain a full complement. He estimated the shortfall under Guinta's proposal, assuming there are no furloughs, would be be $1.1 million.
If forced to close stations, Burkush said, he would probably close one a time, taking a fire engine and a ladder truck out of service. "Today would be one station, tomorrow would be another station," he said.
Roy noted the mayor's budget proposal would eliminate the Juvenile Fire-Setters program, which provides counseling for children and teenagers who have been caught starting fires. The program has existed for 15 years, Burkush said.
"We would like to see that continued," he told the board.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
Jack, if you are in the financial difficulty that you cliam you are in, then I am very sorry for your state. However, there are a few things wrong with your claims.
First, as far as your property value goes, having it drop in value does not mean that your taxes should go down. If everyone's value goes down, it merely means that the rate per dollar of value would go up because the cost to run the city would stay the same or rise. The value of your home is relative to every other tax payer in the city and would not effect your bill as you state.
Secondly, not to be harsh, but if you are truly eating a half a can of soup every night, then it's time to drop your internet service and cable television and budget more responsibly.
What people here fail to recognize is that there is very little fat in Manchester's budget. The board at city hall has done a great job keeping expenses in line. that's why we were rated the #2 tax friendliest city in the entire country. While you people cry about the "high" wages of the city workers, you fail to realize that the police and fire departments are far and wide the busiest and hardest worked departments in this state and yet they are NOT the highest paid. That speaks volumes about the reasonableness of both the unions and the city who negotiate their pay scales.
Tammy - the increase in the budgets do represent a modest increase in wages that were negotiated in good faith a few years ago. However, where were you when these raises were not keeping pace with private industry? Where was your call for fairness when the city workers were not benefiting as much from a booming economy? You can't have it both ways.
James, I think that if you check your facts, you will see that this city and its services have NOT expanded as quickly as the economy nor has it expanded to keep pace with the growth in population. The department heads are certainly not whining or crying, they are being adults and informing the Board what the options are with certain levels of funding. That is what happens when things are run efficiently, when cost go up, one must decide whether to pay the increase or do without. It is a dangerous game to decide to close down city services and neglect our infrastructure. Penny wise and pound foolish is no way to live.
- Jules, Manchester
Robert, you PROVE to me that government workers make less than private sector workers . . . don't forget to add in all the "benefits" like health care and retirement. It is those who have cushy government jobs that would never make it in the PRIVATE SECTOR! As you so perfectly put it, we don't need five guys to patch a hole in the road. Even if you just cut one, there's more money available for essential services. These politicians and department heads just like to scare us into thinking that services would be cut because they don't want to make the hard choices to eliminate unnecessary spending!!!!!
- Molly W, Manchester, NH
Chiefs -
Force your people to take furloughs, lay off employees, shift personnel, close fire houses - just do whatever it is that needs to be done and stop the fear tactics that public safety will be greatly affected. If either of you are good at what you are paid to do, you will be able to make the tough choices while still insuring public safety is not affected. If you can't do that, then move on and lets get some people in there who can.
I will give Chief Mara credit that he shows that he supports the furloughs. I'm sure that is not popular with his officers, but it shows he does not pander to them.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
Does Chief Mara support the furlough idea or not?
In addition, he told the board, without the savings from furloughs, "We would have to take people out of the divisions. We would have to take people out of Detectives, Juvenile and Traffic to be able to continue to handle the emergency coverage."
- Dave J, Manchester
Just remember, the men that man those cushy jobs as you put it. People in government make less and put up with more than you ever would. And think of this when the s, hits the fan and those big red truck go out in the worst of conditions, I am glad men have cushy jobs. Because I want to know that my self and family is safe. Though I too am tapped out I'm glad to pay for what services I might need. Stop going after Police and Fire, and teachers as well. Let us start at city and then at the highway department do they need five guys to patch a hole in the road, I would rather see monies channeled to the services we really need. And to Jack if you dont like move. Life is tough for all of us, and well we to will weather the storm.
- Robert, Manchester
Forget the furloughs, lets cut. But lets not also complain about loss of services.
- John, Manchester
You hit the nail on the head, Jack Alex. We working people have been squeezed dry . . . we don't have any more to contribute so that municipal and government employees can keep their cushy jobs and not have to worry about a few days of lost wages. Everything is going up EXCEPT wages. You can't get blood from a stone . . . enough already! City and State, get out your pen and start crossing off unnecessary line items from those budgets! We the people can do it, so can you the government!!!!!
- Molly W, Manchester, NH
What is is it about the municipal bureaucrat mindset that makes them INCAPABLE of understanding that sometimes you need to make the hard choices and cut your spending to match your income? I've had to do it and I expect that those who handle my increasingly harder to come up with tax dollars will do the same. Spare me the crap and posturing and get real here!
- DP, Manchester
Governments should never expand as fast as economic growth, ever! Managers of municipal entities such as Fire, Police, Education, Highway, etc, can't seem to understand why they're budgets need to be trimmed during these bad economic times. Not understanding is ignorant and indefensible. If the economy is shrinking, and businesses are cutting back spending and rightsizing their balance sheets, then municipalities need to do the same. This is called the allocation of scarce resources, a natural law that even the government can’t avoid (though they think they can finance their way out of it). Right now, discretionary income is scarce. It's not a difficult concept to understand. The more money government takes out of the system the less income there will be to spend and invest. So work with the mayor and trim your budget the best you can and stop crying.
- James, Manchester
There is definitely a problem when the mayor's proposed budget would give the fire and police departments each a 3% increase - and they still claim to have to get rid of police and firemen. It's an increase and they still can't manage. Why? Because the unions are guaranteeing that these police and firemen get their pay increases regardless of whether the economy is tanking.
116 businesses in NH have filed for bankruptcy. People are losing their houses. When are the union thugs going to get it? Take the damn furloughs, save those 90 jobs, and help out folks like Jack Alex who is just plain tapped out.
- Tammy, Manchester
This is a story about 3 Georges & Jack.
Stop applying for grant money!!!!!!!. Don't ever tell me cutbacks are impossible and that they are painful.
I'm tapped out. The only thing thats in my wallet is empty air. My wallet is taking a licking, I used to carry around $40 in walking around money. I used to carry around a 20, 10, 5, and 5 1's.
Now I'm lucky if I go out with $3 in it. I feel like I should put a sign on my wallet Washington slept here. I feel like I'm back in high school. The biggest joy in my life is when the 3 Washingtons return home with me.
You know your broke when you stop carrying the ATM & Debit Card and the
credit card goes in the vault. I used to direct deposit my entire paycheck in my checking account, now it goes in the savings and the only time I move money to checking is to pay a bill when it comes in.
Chief, I'm down to a half a can of soup at night. I cringe at an occasional stop at Dunkin's for a small cup of coffee. In fact I'm all for them cutting back the size of the coffee to one of those little 4 ounce disposable wax cups and maybe spending only .55 cents.
I'm tapped out, got nothing more to offer,
my house is overvalued on the tax rolls
because of the drop in real estate prices but I don't see the city's assessors office in a rush to recertify the value. They sure rushed around when the values were going sky high.
- Jack Alex, Manchester
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"Manchester Mayor's Race Opens Up"
By Ellen Grimm - nhpr.org - Monday, April 20, 2009
The upcoming mayoral race in Manchester has opened up.
Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta surprised city residents earlier this month when he said he's not running for a third term.
He said he wanted to keep his options open to run for higher office, possibly in Washington.
That announcement sent the city’s upcoming mayor's race into new territory.
NHPR Correspondent Ellen Grimm reports.
Tom Donovan is an attorney and former Manchester school board member.
He ran against incumbent Frank Guinta in the last election and lost.
Donovan had indicated he wasn't planning to run this time around.
That was earlier this month.
But since Guinta's announcement, he says he's been getting calls from people who want him to try again.
If he decides to run, he'll likely have a lot of company.
Chris Pappas is chairman of the Manchester Democrats.
PAPPAS: Manchester hasn't seen this kind of an open seat race for mayor since the late 1980s, so I think there will be a tremendous amount of interest from people who are in leadership positions in the city currently.
Joining Donovan on the latest list of democrats circulating are Aldermen Mike Lopez and Mark Roy, former Alderman Gerome Duval, as well as Manchester attorney Gray Chinoweth.
Mayor Frank Guinta’s been keeping track of Republicans interested in the job.
GUINTA: …..Alderman and state senator Ted Gatsas. alderman Mike Garrity, school board member Doug Kruse. Those are at least the three Republicans that seem to be considering it. I think all three of them would make great mayors.
Since then, former alderman Richard Girard has joined the list of interested Republicans.
Democrats right now have a majority on the aldermanic board.
That, plus their recent statewide prominence gave Democrats a certain momentum even before Guinta made his announcement.
City Democratic Chair Chris Pappas:
PAPPAS: We were very energized about the race to begin with because Frank Guinta is one of the last Republicans standing in New Hampshire, and we as Democrats felt he was doing a disservice to the city and had the wrong priorities for Manchester.
Pappas faults Guinta for focusing too much on the tax side of the budget equation at the expense of education funding and other investments in the city's future.
But Will Infantine, chairman of the Manchester Republicans, said Guinta has had the right priorities, particularly when it comes to public safety.
And he praised Guinta for holding the line on taxes.
Infantine: ….. I think with what's going on at the statehouse and what's going on in city hall the last number of years, with the mayor having to fight against all the tax increases, the people do want their political leaders to be more frugal.
Infantine said Republicans are considering lining up behind a single candidate who has, among other qualities, the best ability to raise money.
He said Republicans plan to meet some time in the next few weeks to make that decision.
As for the amount of money it takes, Brad Cook, a Manchester attorney and veteran political observer, said it probably costs a couple of hundred thousand dollars to run an effective mayoral campaign.
Is there enough time to raise that money?
COOK: Often decisions like this are announced the day before the end of the filing period or something like that...he gave them some lead time because the filing period isn't until, I think, June.
As for Guinta’s plans to move onto higher office, Republican Will Infantine says being Manchester’s mayor isn't necessarily a stepping stone.
INFANTINE: I was told over the last 50 or 75 years, only three mayors have gone on to future positions -- whether it be governor or congressman.
The mayor will have several options come 2010.
Assuming the incumbents run again, he could challenge Governor John Lynch or Representative Carol Shea-Porter for their seats.
Or he could try to be the GOP candidate for retiring Senator Judd Gregg’s seat.
In any case, he’ll have a year to campaign after finishing his term as mayor.
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For NHPR News in Manchester, this is Ellen Grimm.
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"Changes ahead for Manchester"
By Brad Cook, New Hampshire Business Review, Manchester, New Hampshire - www.nhbr.com -, April 24, 2009
Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta, up for re-election to a third term had he chosen to run, announced recently that he would not seek the office.
Guinta claimed that he would seek “higher office,” assumedly because he was hearing voices from those urging him to run, and claiming that running for re-election while seeking higher office would be inconsistent with serving as mayor.
Guinta’s action raises an interesting question and points to what may be a disturbing trend. Relatively young people, with no experience running things, often seek election to offices with executive responsibility. While there is nothing wrong with young people seeking office, the trend of first-time office-seekers running for chief executive positions in cities, or federal congressional or Senate seats seems somewhat out of whack. Aldermanic or selectmen seats, school board positions, legislative office and the like are more logical entry points into public office.
Indeed, without meaning to be harsh, Guinta’s two terms as Manchester’s mayor are devoid of any accomplishments that anyone has noticed. That being the case, what commends him for higher office? Similarly, among those rumored to be considering the office are bright, young but inexperienced people with no track record of administrative experience.
Why these untested people would think of running for a position that is chief executive of a several-hundred-million-dollar enterprise is one question. Why anyone would think of electing them is another.
In any event, Guinta’s exit provides another opportunity for a mass reshuffling in the state’s largest city’s offices. The outcome of that race is important, not only to the city, but also to the state.
*****
The state recently held a “stimulus summit” in Durham. Participants came from all over New Hampshire and represented governmental entities, municipalities, not-for-profits and a host of folks hoping to find a piece of the economic stimulus pie provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The meat of the subject was described by Orville “Bud” Fitch, director of the New Hampshire Office of Economic Stimulus. Fitch, the deputy attorney general, described the process for applying for funds and the various components of the stimulus package.
Basically, there are programs for the state government in the areas of education, roads and infrastructure, funds for various specific municipal programs like clean water and wastewater treatment plants, local education and other funds. There are not many opportunities for not-for-profits to seek help, but those who think there might be were urged to contact the state agency that normally provides funding or is involved in their subject matter. Applications for many of the programs have short time frames and therefore interested parties should inquire quickly.
More information can be found at www.nh.gov, by e-mailing NHOES@nh.gov or calling 603-271-2121.
*****
The 9,000 or so not-for-profits in New Hampshire have been the subject of much discussion during the recession.
The New Hampshire Center for Non-Profits, an effective organization headed by Mary Ellen Jackson, has a helpful Web site – nhnonprofits.org. On it, draft policies, procedures, helpful hints and notice of publications and conferences can be found.
Increasingly, not-for-profit boards and executives are seeking to cooperate with each other and get help. Many small not-for-profits struggle with issues that have successfully been handled by larger ones and the New Hampshire Center for Non-Profits seeks to be a clearinghouse.
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Charitable Trust Division of the Attorney General’s Office and other concerned parties are engaged in discussions of how not-for-profits can coordinate, cooperate and share efficiencies. These efforts need to be successful if not-for-profits are to survive and serve the purposes for which they were established.
In connection with not-for-profits, the Internal Revenue Service recently has introduced a new Form 990, the form that has to be filed every year by almost all not-for-profits.
The new form delves much more deeply into the policies that boards have, any possible conflicts of interest, pecuniary benefit transactions and the like, as part of an effort to scrutinize the activities of not-for-profit organizations and make sure they are operating for the public purpose that allows them their tax exemptions.
Not-for-profit board members and executives should be aware of the new 990 requirements. Especially for those who fill out these forms themselves without the help of sophisticated accounting professionals, it is important to get to know these new requirements promptly.
Many of the new requirements come as a result of the special interest taken in not-for-profit activities by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, Republican of Iowa, former head of the Senate Finance Committee and its present senior Republican member.
Over the years, Grassley has been a supporter of not-for-profit tax exemptions but has taken special interest in organizations he believed were not operating in a manner consistent with the tax exemption, whether because of high salaries, benefits or other perceived abuses.
Whether right or wrong, Grassley’s efforts have resulted in the new form, questions, requirements for policies, and have made the life of not-for-profit organizations more complex. Those involved should be ready for the changes.
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Brad Cook is a shareholder in the Manchester law firm of Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green and heads its government relations and estate planning groups. He also serves as secretary of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire.
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The Manchester Fire Department marked this vacant building in Manchester with a red sign with an 'X' on it. (DAVID LANE)
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"Scarlet letters spell danger"
The New Hampshire Union Leader Newspaper (Online), April 25, 2009
MANCHESTER – Abandoned buildings in the city have a solid reputation for trouble and danger. Now they have their own scarlet letter.
Since September, the fire department has been posting red placards with a large X on structures that are abandoned and pose potential dangers if they catch fire. As of this week, 13 buildings had been so marked in the city.
If any of them catch fire, responders will use a "measured approach" to fighting the fire, said Ed O'Reilly, a district fire chief and head of the Fire Prevention Office, which oversees the new program.
O'Reilly said abandoned buildings have structural problems, such as holes in floors, and other issues that differ from occupied properties. The X gives firefighters an informational advantage, he said.
"We're just going to have an awareness there are certain hazards in the property. Nothing is going to preclude us from going into the building (for a rescue)," O'Reilly said.
The Xs are drawing some concern.
In his blog "Fortress Manchester," community activist Will Stewart worries that the X might attract squatters.
"If I was homeless and looking for somewhere to spend the night away from the New Horizons shelter -- or if I were a kid looking for a private place to conduct any manner of illicit activity -- I would make a beeline for any house bearing one of these signs," wrote Stewart, who is a community services specialist at NeighborWorks Greater Manchester.
"X literally marks the spot, telling anyone passing by that the house in question is unoccupied and available for whatever purpose one has in mind," he wrote.
At one of the 13 buildings, an X isn't needed to invite squatters or troublemakers. The front door of a Concord Street property was wide open yesterday afternoon. Faded telephone books sat on the front porch, still wrapped in their plastic delivery pouches. Graffiti scarred the siding.
"It's a threat to us; it's wide open; the kids go in there and raise hell," said Roger Davies, whose house is about 5 feet from the building at the closest point. If the massive three-story building were to catch fire, his modest, single-story wouldn't stand a chance.
"I'm scared now because nobody's there taking care of it," Davies said. "It's a bad situation, an invitation for trouble."
Davies has no problem with the X, which went up about a month ago. If it keeps firefighters safe, he's all for it, he said.
Several blocks away, a three-story apartment building on Spruce Street also has a red X. Its front door is padlocked. The lawn is neat, and a neighbor, Don Alley, said he's never seen anyone enter the building.
He has no problem with the X.
"There's abandoned buildings everywhere. What are you going to do? That's life," Alley said.
O'Reilly said the system is imperfect and subjective. At this point, there is no solid criteria of what warrants an X. A merely vacant structure won't earn an X; it has to be abandoned, O'Reilly said.
O'Reilly said the placards arose from a recommendation made by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety in light of the 1999 fire of a Worcester, Mass., warehouse that killed six firefighters. One recommendation called for inspections and pre-fire planning of vacant buildings.
Of course, owners dislike the scarlet letter on their building. O'Reilly said he's removed about 10 Xs since the program began. He will do so after an owner starts work on a building or after a real-estate agent starts marketing the building.
"When a real-estate broker calls us, it gives us a sense that another set of eyes is looking at the building," O'Reilly said.
He understands the X could be an invitation for squatters or troublemakers.
"To me, the good of the program is to give our first-responders an informational advantage," O'Reilly said. "If it does other stuff, we'll have to learn from experience."
READERS' COMMENTS
So why is the city not tracking down the owners of these abandoned properties? If they are unable to get owner to fix them up, the city should sieze these buildings, fix them up, and sell them.
- LJC, Manchester
There isn't a building in the world worth injury or death to a firefighter.
- francis fox, Hampton NH
In other words, even illiterate crack dealers and meth cooks can see a good place to set up shop, and the illegals know where they can go without even having to know English?
- Dave Sims, Manchester
a big red sign with an X on it. wonderful. why don't they just put a big sign that says "burn me." Oh, trust me, the criminals in manchester, or the street thugs OR the crack addicts (druggies) will be all over these buildings like flies on poop, and I can guarantee that those idiots will be careless and start a fire.
- scott, chichester
It's just a Sign of the times. Just a different twist on the sign. Instead of a real estate sign there's a big old X on the property.
- Ben Stern, Bedford
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"No swimming: Cut likely in city pool hours"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, April 29, 2009
MANCHESTER – Budget cuts could force the city to scale back operating hours at the public swimming pools this summer, Manchester's parks chief says.
Interim Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries Director Chuck DePrima said each of the city's four public pools would be open just three days a week, instead of daily, under Mayor Frank Guinta's budget proposal. Swimming in Crystal Lake, in southeast Manchester, would be limited to two days a week.
In addition, DePrima said, the season for swimming in the public pools and Crystal Lake would be shortened from nine weeks to seven weeks.
"It's quite a reduction," DePrima said.
The proposed cutbacks in the Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries would mean fewer jobs for seasonal workers, such as lifeguards. In other departments, there are concerns that some full-time positions may be axed, and others, now vacant, could go unfilled.
Possibilities, according to department heads who addressed the aldermen Monday, include as many as five layoffs in the city library, one in the City Solicitor's Office and one in the Department of Planning and Community Development. The department heads noted many of the layoffs would not be necessary if employees take the seven-day furloughs Guinta called for last month.
Yesterday, Guinta said the point of the furloughs was to save jobs and maintain services.
"My budget was crafted months ago based upon the best numbers available at the time," Guinta said in a statement. "The budget is now in the hands of the aldermen."
Alderman Ed Osborne said he believes the board will find a way to avoid many of the cuts now on the table, including the proposed changes at the public swimming pools.
"I don't see it happening, really. I hope not, anyway," Osborne said.
DePrima's plan for meeting the demands of the mayor's proposal -- which chops the parks-and-recreation budget by about 6 percent, or 4 percent if the employees take furloughs -- is to close the swimming pools on a "rotating" basis, so that no more than two pools would be open at any time.
The number of lifeguards would be slashed from 39 to 23. In addition, DePrima said he would cut two maintenance staffers and 12 recreation aids.
As a result, DePrima said, lines at the pools would likely be longer. DePrima also said he expects more reports of trespassing at the closed pools, resulting in more calls to the police.
DePrima estimates the changes would save $104,000. Furloughs, by contrast, would save the department an estimated $53,000, according to figures released by the Mayor's Office.
Manchester's public pools are generally open from late June to late August. Traditionally, the pools have been open seven days a week, in many cases for seven hours a day.
DePrima also said the mayor's budget would force him to eliminate three temporary recreation maintenance workers, who help maintain approximately 2,000 acres of cemeteries, school athletic fields and parks.
Separately, Library Director Denise van Zanten has said Guinta's proposal would force her to reduce operating hours at both of the city's library buildings. She would have to lay off two to three employees if there are furloughs, or as many as five if there are not, she said.
The library currently employs 34 full-time workers and 16 part-time workers, she said.
Guinta noted his budget proposal includes $600,000 in "salary adjustment" money, "so I have the ability to utilize this if departments are short."
READERS' COMMENTS:
I know times are hard but it appears this budget is going to turn our nice little city into a cesspool. I grew up here and live on the west side. I use the West Library quite a bit and much more since the economy has worsened. I hear their circulation has increased 30 percent since December alone. This always happens when the economy takes a downturn because people stop buying books, magazines and renting movies when they can get it for free at the library besides the fact that half the people going there are people who have lost their jobs and are using the internet to type resumes to find jobs. Have any of you been in there the place is a zoo and a daycare. So you cut the days of the pool during the hot summer and the libraries hours. I see the police dealing much more with frustrated kids and not just teenagers who are hot and have no place cool to go & will be getting into trouble that could be avoided if they at least have a pool or airconditioned library to visit. When I was a kid I went to the pool everyday during the summer. The west side is a poorer district then the rest of the city and is full of poor immigrants that the city has allowed to immigrate here and can't sustain them. Why has the city spent so much money on renovating the pools and West Library just to have them sitting there half the time empty? Times are hard and people are screaming about raising their taxes yet don't bat an eye about charging kids for use of the pool. Thats rich. This summer it appears that real crime will have to sit on the back burner while the police take care of the thousands of kids that have no place to go cause their parents who yes believe it or not are taxpayers and can't afford to send them anywhere except for the pools and the library. It seems for other cities the size of Manchester maintaining these services is a nobrainer. I'm sure Mayor Guinta kids have a pool and go to private schools. It seems he could care less about them and what is about to happen to our youth and future of Manchester. Our schools, pools and libraries. Like I said say hello to cesspool Manchester or should I say Dorchester as these kids will most likely fall prey to the drugs that will be ravaging our streets when the drugdealers see the opportunity in this.
- Cecil, Manchester
With all the lakes, and ponds in this small state why do municipalities even need tax payer funded pools?
- Don R., Exeter, NH
We are in an economic crisis. We cannot expect to have the same services in times like these. Reduce the pool hours and save some money.
Why in the world do we think we have to have a pool open like usual in times like these?
Everyonme is cutting. We can get over it - look at the sacrifices people made in WWII for rationing? These cocessiosn are far from that.
People have become accustomed to living fat and large. Pool access is not a right - it is a priviledge.
- CJ, Manchester
How about we just start charging people to use the swimming pools? Figure out what it costs to keep the pools open and how many people use them and then figure out a fee. Maybe it's $1 per child and $2 per adult, more for non-Manchester residents. We could also sell season passes.
We pay to use the golf course and McIntyre, why don't we pay to use the pools?
Before someone chimes in about what are the less fortunate going to do - a program could be set up to allow free passes or reduced cost passes for those who truly cannot afford to pay to use the pools.
- Tammy Simmons, Manchester
Let's fill in the pools that cause trouble and install a park with green grass and a water spray area. The spray system is on timers and only works at certain times. The water is recycled and because there is no swimming, there are no lifeguards. $$$$ saved.
- John, Manchester
How about charging a modest fee for pool usage? The city charges for use of JFK and McIntyre as well as Derryfield. Maybe the out of towners will also have to pay..
- JC, Manchester
The city has a snow melter and the only reason that it is NOT cost effective is because the city does not use it properly. The idea is that you close off a street and place the snow melter at the end of the street. Then you use your equipment to remove the snow banks as if you were hauling them away. Instead of hauling it away though, you load it into the melter, therefore saving thousands of dollars in trucking expenses. When the street is done, you move the melter to the next street. Out great city, sets the snow melter up in the mill yard and hauls the snow to a parking lot for storage and then melts it later. What an absolute waste of money.
- Brian, Manchester
I understand completely... when it comes to budgeting for my family I always reduce my family members benefits before I reduce my own. Manchester officials are starting to amaze me.
- Randall, Manchester
Why not charge a nominal fee? .50 cents or $1 especially for people who are not city resident's or do not reside in the ward where the pool is located. I am sure that would go a long way towards making the city pool's self supporting. Why isn't there snack bar's and other services at the pools? The city needs to think of these pools as businesses and potential revenue generators not as services. In most cases I would argue that the tax payers are not using this services it’s our tenants and visitors that are. If they began to generate some/any revenue then we could argue for longer hours and possible make money off of them instead of spending money on them.
- Joshua, Manchester
Oh here we go, the same people that want the unions to take concessions and city employees to work for free are now whining that due to the same budget, things are being cut. Go to a lake or maybe we can get a tax increase so you can swim...ugh
- Jim Wilson, Manchester
Has anyone ever thought of charging annual or per diem user fees for the pools? This draconian method of defraying costs for the public has been used in many municipalities. It might even make the city a little cash.
- gr chase, Exeter
I nearly always agree with budget cuts, however I wonder if saving $104,000 is short-sighted given the trouble that many more bored kids with nothing else to do in the summer might get into.
- JAC, Manchester
Let's hope it's not another HOT summer for those kids.
What's Manchester's next reduction? Certainly not health insurance for it's Aldermen & School Board members!
- Charlie Austin, Manchester
Snow bank melters? Thats rich....I want to know more about that boondogle..Someone please post details or a link.
- John, Manchester
I'm looking forward to the budget hearing. The MEA sent out a big page size advertisement. After reading it, All I have to say is 146 million is a start!
- Jack Alex, Manchester
Teens mostly are the ones who trespass at night and get into the city pools. As a neighborhood watch, it is seen alot on hot days. This creates tie ups for the police departments when a call has come in to look into the trespassing all the while taking away from somewhere else they could be. Currently, Hunt Pool in the inner city is open from 1pm to 7pm, reduced number of days will likely result in tempers becoming short. A solution would be to offer up a 3pm to 7pm swim time during the weekdays and 1pm to 5pm on weekends. We have already lost our basketball courts at Enright Park and Harrisman Park, how much more are we going to take away?
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
The city can't sustain the current amount of employees in the school district, but we can still manage to put some money in the pool budget. Oh, and don't forget about those Million Dollar snow bank melters the city has that, last season they couldn't afford to operate. Anybody seeing the stupidity?
- Joe, Manchester
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"Guinta takes heart from poll, eyes federal office"
By TOM FAHEY, State House Bureau Chief, NH Union Leader, Tuesday, April 28, 2009
CONCORD – Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta said yesterday he is focusing his eyes on a run for federal office in 2010.
Guinta, a Republican, said yesterday that he'll announce exactly which office he'd like within a few weeks, but he ruled out a run for governor.
While he said he was encouraged by findings in a recent Republican poll, a Democratic party spokesman read them differently. She said the results fall well short of what someone with long-stated political ambitions should draw.
Two weeks ago, Guinta said he won't run for a third term as mayor of the state's largest city because he plans to seek higher office. In 2008 he flirted with challenging Gov. John Lynch, but pulled out of the contest early.
Political observers expected him to run for Congress this time. Yesterday, a GOP poll showed him within striking distance of U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, a Democrat in her second term who represents the state's 1st District, which includes Manchester.
The poll conducted by On Message Inc., a consultant to the Republican National Congressional Committee, showed Shea-Porter with 43 percent support, Guinta with 34 percent and 24 percent undecided, said Wes Anderson, a partner in On Message. The poll of 300 likely voters has a margin of error of 5.6 percent.
Guinta could challenge Shea-Porter, or seek the Republican nomination to replace U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-NH, who is retiring after 2010. U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes, D-NH, has already announced he'll seek Gregg's seat.
Guinta said he would not make a decision on polling alone.
"I don't think it's wise for any candidate or potential candidate to consider what a poll number says and allow that to dictate whether to run for certain position," he said.
Guinta said the poll, "clearly demonstrates that constituents have an interest in replacing Carol Shea-Porter. I understand that interest and it's encouraging."
Democratic spokesman Victoria Bonney wondered how Guinta could be encouraged by the poll.
"As mayor of the state's largest city, who has had statewide ambitions for several years, you'd think Frank Guinta could muster up a little more than 34 percent in a poll conducted by Republican insiders," she said. "A Republican mayor in a conservative city comes up with 34 percent? That's pathetic."
Anderson said the poll was "a quick look survey" that used as small a sample as can be statistically relevant. He said polling included other potential GOP candidates, whom he would not name.
The respondents in the poll roughly matched the state's mix of Democrat, Republican and undeclared voters, Anderson said.
Shea-Porter would be well ahead if this match-up were held today, but the numbers raise a red flag because her support is well below 50 percent, he said.
"By that alone, you say 'OK, we've got to keep an eye on this one.' This has to be on the radar screen," he said.
READERS' COMMENTS:
I believe that, with George Bush gone, CSP doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell. That is it, pure and simple. The woman doesn't have a brain in her head and was elected simply because of the anti-Bush sentiment at the time. Remember, she is nothing more than an anti-war, anti-Bush protester at heart. Without Bush and with conditions improving on the ground in Iraq she is simply nothing. Guinta should have no problem taking the seat from her IF his Party doesn't screw it up too badly.
- Bob Pickett, New Castle
Stuart, he brought one idea, you don't even bother to refute that. Is that the only solution to the budget? Or is that the only one that fits his political agenda? I don't see any evidence that he looked at any other parts of the budget to make the cuts that he said were needed.
Seriously $13.50 per tax bill to keep things level funded? You are being ridiculous.
- Bob V, Manchester
Bah. I wish he was running for NH office. He can't do any good in the swamp that is Washington DC. That city will never change no matter who gets elected.
- Jack, Concord
Drama Queen...
- Cathy, concord
Alderman Frank Guinta made a promise to improve Manchester schools when he ran for Mayor. (UL op letter 10/27/05) At the time three schools were listed as "In Need of Improvement". Now the entire school district is listed as "In Need of Improvement" and 3 schools are on the state's list for "corrective action". He promised that he would keep his word about improving the schools.
It has been almost 3 and 1/2 years since he became mayor and the schools have gone downhill since he has taken over. In Manchester as mayor he is the head of the school board. He professed to have a plan to better the schools during his campaign for mayor. He is a giant FAILURE... and he has hurt the children of this city. It is not just about taxes...this issue is about the the education and future of the children of this city. I will gladly pay more in taxes to improve our schools.
If you want a Great Leader DO NOT VOTE for Frank Guinta. If you want a Great LIAR well.....
- Lisa, Manchester
Jason from Manchester, it is very easy to see. Mayor Guinta has one agenda. Cut cut cut til it hurts. Well, he is a Wieczorek protege and we certainly don't need to go back to the Wieczorek days. We need forward thinking people as elected officials all the way around. Guinta brought unrealistic budgets to the table and then blamed the aldermen for raising taxes. Guinta has not offered one concrete solution for anything. Instead its a cut cut cut mentality. Well, where do you cut? Police, Fire, Education? Where. So it is very easy to see. He can cut all the services he wants but our taxes certainly won't go down so instead, we are paying the same taxes for less services. Wow, that is a great campaign idea. This isn't about partisanship as much as it is abotu realism and Guinta is not a realist.
- Jeff, Manchester
Bob V.
Have you read the budget address? You are horribly out of touch as you assert that the Mayor brought one idea, a furlough to the city budget. Even if that were the case, would it not be better than the layoffs of 200 city employees including first responders?
The structure of the city budget states that the mayor delivers his budget proposal, it is then deliberated on by the board of aldermen. He has delivered, and delivered big in my opinion. No tax increase and no layoffs...whats your better idea? Now its in the aldermen's lap to jack the tax rate and pander to the unions.
- Stuart Dunmeyer, Manchester
Yeah, Frank Guinta, our hero. He brought ONE idea to the budget debate this year, a furlough, and has offered NOTHING since. Now THAT'S leadership! We obviously don't pay him enough for all that he gives us.
- Bob V, Manchester
Jack Alex wrote, "With the current state of the Republican party in NH its going to be tough fight. To be honest they blew the election, maybe the didn't have the best ticket in the world but it seems that there was no effort to push it when it came to voting time."
Well Jack, what you say is ABSOLUTELY true of the days of the Fergus Cullen-led NHGOP lost in the wilderness. It is a new day, and a new Republican Party. We watched it first-hand up here in the District 3 Senate special election race. Governor Sununu leads a great staff that has thus far demonstrated they can and will engage the opposition while maintaining a structure that doesn't forget the basics of good campaigning. Of course, it helps when you have good candidates. Guinta is a GREAT candidate. Sayeth Mayor Guinta: "We are not here to fleece the taxpayers." Amen!
- Doug Lambert, Gilford
I'm kind of confused at how someone can accuse Mayor Guinta for not being strong on issues and changing his political beleifs as the winds change. Explain to me how you come to this conclusion? He is one of the very few individuals on the board of mayor and aldermen who stands alone fighting for tax cuts every year. Even though Lynch is popular, he has openly criticized him when he is wrong regardless of political ramifications. On the other hand, he has also worked together with Democrats in this state for the betterment of Manchester as well.
People like Jeff from Manchester should try and open their eyes for once and look beyond political parties. I consider myself a Conservative Democrat too, which is why I had enough with Bob Baines and voted for Frank Guinta. Likewise, I have had enough with Carol Shea Porter and will certainly vote for Frank Guinta in 2010 for similar reasons.
- Jason Freeman, Manchester, New Hampshire
Guints has been a very prominent supporter of fiscal conservatism in Manchester and we need his abilities in Washington now more than ever. If he runs, he will have my support in the primary and in the election against Carol Shea Porter hands down.
- Greg Sullivan, Goffstown, NH
Jeff you are just a partisan Democrat. Record as mayor? Guinta has a great bipartisan record as mayor. He has led this city strongly with an iron fist on fiscal issues and has been a tough fighter against crime throughout his tenure.
Jeff, how about you move to Massachusettes and maybe the liberal policies of their politicians will suit you better...after 6 years of tax increases and fiscal policies run crazy under Bob Baines, it has been a breath of fresh air having a mayor who will fight for the taxpayer rather than the union bosses.
- Kyle Collins, Manchester, NH
Well writen, and thank you, Mr Vallincourt.
Yes, I am a Democrat who is also "Conservative." A wing of the party that has been pushed aside and silenced...and why the Dem majority presently in Concord will be ushered out of Concord in the next election cycle. They've pushed too fast and too hard, especially with their 'social' agenda.
I am not a fan of Shea-Porter. However, if it is indeed this mayor who gets the GOP nomination in a run against her, I will not vote for him. In fact, I suspect she will thump him good.
There are more qualified GOP candidates than this mayor. Same with the Democrats.
- Jack, Manchester
I would like to see some additional Republican candidates come forward...please.
- Mike, Raymond
Without getting into a dispute over whether Guinta is a good candidate or stands a chance, I feel the need to say that Manchester is in fact a conservative city. It's Democratic but conservative Democrat. Just look at how often Manchester Dem Representatives go against their party. Just look at how two of the three Dem Senators on the hook to vote against gay marriage are from Manch--Lou and Betsi. Look back to the Mel Thompson margins in Manchester. Look at the liberal Fernald getting clobbered while conservative Dem like Lynch does well. Look at an historical analysis of the Manchester vote vs. other cities. An impartial person can reach no other conclusion than that Manchester is more conservative the state on average. Just look at the internals of Andy Smith's UNH poll last week which covered five social topics. I've seen the internals--Manchester is more conservative. Thus, Victoria Bonney, who I assume is well paid as a consummate spinmeister, happens to be correct in this assessment.
Steve
- steve vaillancourt, manchester
ok James, so by your thinking, isn't shea porter a New York City-native political carpet-bagger???
- Roger Hanford, Hooksett
I love how these pollsters already have Guinta at 34%. That is until his record as Mayor hits the news state wide at which point his percentages will drop even more. This guy has done absolutely nothing here in Manchester yet he thinks he can do a better job in either the house or senate? Ok. That just makes me want to vote for Carol Shea Porter even more. At least we know what we get from her. With Guinta, it is the finger in the wind trick...which direction will I go today?
Good luck Guinta. Have a great campaign and enjoy the lessons of defeat.
- Jeff, Manchester
James it is called a National RECESSION! That is why downtown development has slowed. However, even in these tough times, Guinta has brought the biggest development in Manchester since the Mall of NH to frution; the Elliot at the River's Edge development. You just sound like a tax happy liberal who thinks taxation is the solution to every problem. Guinta has absolutely made Manchester a safer place by adding dozens of new police officers after Baines neglected the police department and public safety for years. Guinta had the guts to get the dangerous night clubs kicked out (the same ones that Baines let ruin our city for years).
It will be sad to see Guinta leave City Hall, however I certainly believe that he will have a greater impact for Manchester working on behalf of the city on a national level. I hope you will run against Rep. Shea Porter because as an Independent voter, I am tired of her extremly liberal views.
- Fred, Manchester
As a Manchester resident I'm thrilled that the New Jersey-native political carpet-bagger Guinta is moving on. I think he'd be great in Congress, where he can do way less to impact regular people. Perhaps when he runs for higher office someone will finally put a bright spotlight on his record in this city. Let's talk about how crime, potholes, economic stagnation, and political gridlock have all expanded during his tenure. Our schools underperform because (see Kelleigh Murphy) anyone who can escapes to the suburbs.
This is the state's largest, most diverse city, with the greatest resources -- but Concord, Portsmouth, Dover, Keene, and even Nashua all offer far superior quality of life. Is there even a plan on the drawing board right now for the continued revitalization of downtown? It does not seem that way. All of Manchester's momentum has evaporated. I hope this city can manage to elect a leader with some vision this time around.
- James, Manchester
This Victoria Bonnie woman from the NH Democrat Party better learn a little more about New Hampshire before making comments to the state's largest paper- either that or she is just a great spin doctor. Manchester is ABSOLUTELY NOT a conservative city. It is a moderate city, but I think it is even arguable that it leans to the left politically. Her comment also doesn't make any sense. It is obviously expected that Guinta wouldn't have high name recognition ouside of the Greater Manchester area. People in the nothern parts of the district don't even know him yet and those in the south only get bits and pieces of Manchester news.
If I were a Democrat, I would be pretty worried that a candidate who hasn't even built up his name recognition in most of the district is within 11 points of beating a two term represetative.
- Shane Biledo, Manch
LOL the Dems are trying the make it sound like Guinta should have higher poll numbers??? He polled pretty darn well (only 11 points behind with other Republicans on the ticket as well) considering he hasn't been a politician outside of Manchester and most of the ditsrict doesn't even know who he is yet.
Shea Porter's days are numbered. She can't even break 50% and she has been a congresswoman for two terms?! I am tired of Shea Porter voting lock step with the Democrat Party and a majority of voters in this district will feel the same way.
Also, LOL did the Dems really call Manchester a conservative city? That's one heck of a stretch! It really couldn't be more obvious that the Dems are trying to spin these numbers as best as possible because they are VERY scared by what this poll shows.
- Cindy, Manchester, New Hampshire
Good for the mayor. Carol Shea Porter recently said that she votes 100% in like with the Democrat party because she agrees with them 100% of the time. That certainly is not the congresswoman that the independently minded New Hampshire should be sending to represent the first district.
By the sounds of the Democrat interviewed in this article and the worrisome tone of the Democrats about Caol Shea Porter in general shows that even they recognize that she is in trouble (as she should be). Guinta has done a great job as mayor and he would absolutely (and happily) have my support in a race against Carol Shea Porter!
- Jacob Rumney, Manchester, NH
Shea-Porter's numbers are deplorably low and she should be very worried. Her marching in lock step with Obama/Pelosi and her reliance on out-of-state money will weigh her down even more. This seat is ripe for the picking if the Republicans pick a strong candidate.
- Tom, Campton
Will always predictable pork spending ACORN loving Porter-Pelosi-puppet be running against "failed Bush policies" again??? Or will she finally have to answer for her own votes?
- Mae, Plaistow
I am very interested in seeing Carol Shea-Porter booted out on her ear but not replaced by that do nothing back stabber Frank Guinta. There are better Republicans who can win. If he should run and win the nomination I will definitely vote against him. Why send a do-nothing Mayor to be a do-nothing Congressman, we already have Carol Shea-Porter doing exactly that.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
Great! Now that the mayor has destroyed Manchester, he can turn the rest of the state into a giant ghetto!
- JJ, Manchester
CSP can be beaten. It will take a higher level of commitment than has been done in the past. Guinta would have to convince a lot of people to vote for him not so much against Shea Porter.
- Chris, Merrimack
While I wish Mayor Guinta luck, I will miss him as Mayor. He is going to face a huge upward hill battle moving from a city elected official to reperesenting a wide geographic area beyond just Manchester. He will need to make sure he has the proper exposure to people who may never have heard of him before. With the current state of the Republican party in NH its going to be tough fight. To be honest they blew the election, maybe the didn't have the best ticket in the world but it seems that there was no effort to push it when it came to voting time.
- Jack Alex, Manchester
Guinta obviously is going to run against CSP, but I do not think he can pull it off. Her numbers are worrisome for an incumbent, as is her fundraising, yet Guinta may have appeal issues outside Manchester. It makes sense for him to make the leap, but even without coattails, CSP will probably hang on.
- Justin, Moultonboro
It looks like Frank Guinta has received the generic support any Republican would get against Shea-Porter. Congrats, Mr. Mayor, you have a pulse!
- Glen, Manchester, NH
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"City Hall: Doug Kruse won't run for mayor"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, May 3, 2009
Two days after this newspaper reported Mayor Frank Guinta was exploring a run for the 1st District U.S. House seat, a man named Ron Vars went online and plopped down $10 for the rights to guintaforcongress.com.
He bought it as a friend, he said, having met Guinta while campaigning for Rudy Giuliani in the 2008 presidential primary. “Better me than more nefarious people,” he said.Guintaforcongress.com remains a blank page for now, but Vars, who lives in Hampton Falls, is currently transferring the domain-name registration to Guinta, per the request of the mayor’s chief consultant, Mike Biundo. The transfer should become official any day now, Vars said.
If there were any doubt, Guinta himself erased it Friday, when he confirmed that he has filed paperwork establishing an exploratory committee for a possible run at the seat representing the 1st Congressional District.
Biundo has spent a heap of money to lock down any Internet domain name that might prove useful to the two-term Republican mayor. Just one week after Vars snapped up guintaforcongress.com, Biundo bought guintaforsenate.com, guinta2010.com and frankguinta2010.com. He also renewed the registration for guintaforgovernor.com, a site he purchased in February 2008, when Guinta was mulling a challenge to Gov. John Lynch.Biundo said he was just playing defense.
“You don’t want folks to purchase those sites and have a rogue site up there with the mayor’s name on it, because somebody could play havoc if they wanted to,” he said.
The purchases would seem to suggest there was, just six weeks ago, some uncertainty in Guinta’s camp about which office the mayor would seek. At the very least, it’s clear Guinta wanted to cover his bases.
GUINTA-NET: Guinta’s online shopping spree doesn’t stop there. The latest report on Guinta’s reelection campaign chest (which, of course, is no longer needed) shows Guinta spent $800 on domain-name registrations in the first three months of 2009.
Biundo says none of that money was used on sites that had anything to do with Guinta’s quest for higher office.
“I’ve been in politics a long time. I know what you can and cannot do (legally),” Biundo said.
So what did Guinta buy with that money? A partial list, according to Biundo and records at GoDaddy.com, includes mayorguinta.com, therealfrankguinta.com and — get this — theguintayears.com.
The Guinta Years. It could be a sitcom.
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING: By the way, guintaforpresident.com? Still available.
PAYBACK: That campaign finance report we just mentioned shows Guinta raised $15,450 last quarter. The question is, now that he isn’t running for mayor, what will he do with it?
One option, according to Biundo, is to pay himself back. Previous finance reports show Guinta loaned himself $58,000 during his first run for mayor in 2005, money he has yet to recoup.
Biundo said he’ll probably call each donor and ask them what they’d like to do with their contribution. Legally, he said, the money can’t be transferred to Guinta’s federal campaign.
OUT OF CONTENTION: School board member Doug Kruse has decided not to run for mayor.
“I just think this is not the time,” Kruse said.
Kruse said he is considering other offices and will likely make an announcement this week. He would not commit to running for reelection in Ward 8.
Other Republicans who are said to be interested in the mayor’s job are Aldermen Ted Gatsas and Mike Garrity and former Alderman At-Large Rich Girard.
IN THE PINK: It’s an uncomfortable subject, but like it or not, it’s going to come back up.Pink slips.
Superintendent Tom Brennan has said it will be necessary to give some out to teachers this week, but he needs the school board’s authorization to do it. A vote to give that authorization to Brennan failed two weeks ago, by a count of 9 to 6.
Mayoral aide Mark Laliberte said the mayor, who voted in favor of pink slips, will call a meeting to force a second vote, most likely this Wednesday. Whatever happens that night is expected to be the final word on the matter, since the teachers’ contract requires the district to dish out layoff notices no later than May 10.
Expect to hear plenty of talk about teacher layoffs at tomorrow night’s public hearing on the city budget. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Memorial High School.
Last year’s public hearing drew about 2,000 people. It would be surprising if this year’s hearing is any less packed.
MIKEY LIKES IT: Mike Roche, mouthpiece for the city unions, was positively giddy about the aldermen’s decision last week to switch health insurance carriers. Broadly speaking, he said, the employees don’t like Cigna as much as they liked Anthem, the company that once administered insurance to city workers and will do so again, starting in July.
“Anthem is a better plan,” Roche said.
Roche, however, did say he thinks the unions should have had some say in the decision. The selection committee that reviewed the bids did not include a union representative.
Consultant Tom DeLacey conceded it would have been a good idea to seek more input from city employees.
ALL WET: City officials are still weighing the pros and cons of charging non-residents for a dip in Manchester’s public swimming pools.
“We’ve been calling around to other towns and finding out what they charge,” said Chuck DePrima, interim director of parks, recreation and cemeteries.
Odds are the pools will remain free for everybody this summer, he said. Swimming season begins in late June, after school lets out.
Other changes may be afoot. DePrima has said he would have to scale back operating hours at the pools if the aldermen approve Guinta’s budget proposal.
If that happens, he said, the city may decide to ban non-residents from the pools entirely. Otherwise, he said, there would be a real risk of having too many people trying to swim in too few pools.
BRUNELLE FOR ALDERMAN?: Gerard Brunelle says he is contemplating a run for alderman in Ward 12.
Brunelle, a Democrat, is a campus safety officer at St. Anselm College and a part-time court officer for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department. His is also the uncle of state Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Brunelle.
UNAFRAID: State Rep. Pat Long says he isn’t alarmed by Alderman Peter Sullivan’s early fund-raising. A campaign finance report shows Sullivan raised $1,250 during the quarter ending March 31, an unusually large sum for an alderman this early in the year.
Long, who has said he will challenge Sullivan for the Ward 3 seat, said he doesn’t have time to worry about fund-raising right now, what with his responsibilities in Concord and with the Ironworkers union.
“I’m way busy,” he said.
HEADS UP: The City Hall column will be on hiatus next week.
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Read Scott Brooks’ coverage of Manchester City Hall in the New Hampshire Union Leader. E-mail him at sbrooks@unionleader.com.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
Sounds like Mr. Long is too busy to be an alderman. Better to keep Peter Sullivan, who's doing a fine job and has no trouble making time for meetings.
- John A., Manchester
"HEADS UP: The City Hall column will be on hiatus next week."
Scott .. how can you do this to us? Think of the "children". Joe Kelly, the two Joes, the city union bosses, the guy running for alderman, the gay marriage advocates, the teachers, our mayor and future congressman Guinta, .. all the municipal employees who live in suburbs, O'Neil/Lopez/Smith, Ms Murphy,
the police/fire/and garbage, .... I get it, this is a joke, you are testing us. Ok... whew.. for a minute there, I was worried. See you in two weeks with more corruption, personal failure, campaign talk. .. wait :; you aren't moving to Bedford are you?
- tom, manchester,nh
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"Alderman joins race for mayor"
By GARRY RAYNO, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, Thursday, May 7, 2009
MANCHESTER – Three-term Ward 1 Alderman Mark Roy will run for mayor this fall, saying he wants to bring a consensus-building and fair-minded style of government to the Queen City.
Roy, 40, said he has a fundamental belief that "if people don't get involved and work toward the solution, the solution may never come."
Roy seeks to fill the position to be vacated by current Mayor Frank Guinta, who has said he will not seek a third term, and instead is likely to seek the Republican nomination to the 1st District U.S. Representative seat currently held by Democrat Carol Shea-Porter.
Roy is one of several Democrats expected to run for the mayor's position, which for the first time in 22 years will not have an incumbent in the race. There are as many Republicans interested in the office, in what is a non-partisan election.
Roy expects budget issues to be both an immediate and on-going issue as Manchester faces the loss of both state and local revenue.
"You basically have two options: either you raise taxes or you find a better, more efficient way to do business. I'm committed to finding better and more efficient ways to do business within the city of Manchester," he said.
Despite the city's money woes, Roy said, he will be a pro-education candidate and mayor.
"I commend (former) Mayor (Bob) Baines for all of the work he did to get the physical plant of the education system going in the right direction. I'd like to pick up some of the things he would have liked to have accomplished before he left office, like a more efficient education delivery system," Roy said.
He said he wants to raise his two children in the city and wants them to have an excellent public education with economic opportunities so they can remain in Manchester. "I want them to be able to afford to live here by making Manchester's tax rate competitive," he said.
"We've talked about making Manchester a more business-friendly location for many years and increasing our tax base, but it's very difficult to convince companies to come to Manchester and expand here when they don't see Manchester investing in ourselves," Roy said.
The city, as a community, needs to work to address the issues standing between where Manchester is today and where the city could be tomorrow, he said.
Roy is an owner of The C M Roy Group, a real estate and development firm. He and his wife have a 2-year old daughter and a 10-month-old son.
"I'm doing this as much for them as anybody else. You need to invest to get the payback," he said.
He said he has been amazed at the number of people encouraging him to run for mayor.
READERS' COMMENTS:
As a business owner, I'm excited to see a business owner run to be chief executive of the city. He has served my ward well and is a great neighbor.
- Jeremy Hitchcock, Manchester, NH
As an aldeman Roy's record to date shows that he is the problem of what is wrong with our city government. Vote against this clown
- Rob, Manchester
Roger has partisan blinders on. Teddy Gatsas was the big proponent of this years budget, the one that raised taxes, cut bus service, cranked up the deficit, but protected good old boy city employees.
- Richard, Manchester
Mike in Manchester, You are dead on!! People only remember short term but the Wiz let the city fall into dissrepair, then called Baines a out of control spender, when the money had to be spent because of him. 40 kids in one classroom and 30 books! No surprise he was chairman of Guinta's campaign. The only reason Guinta became mayor is because no one went out and voted in the election thinking it was a landslide for Baines.
Guinta never cared about our city, he's not from here, and used us as a political stepping stone. All he cared about was his record! Proposing 0% tax increases, then stepping away to pin the teachers firemen and police against the tax payers! Thankfully Gatsas and co. crafted a better budget, but Guinta sits back and says I proposed zero increase, and the gang of 8 screwed you! We are still small enough of a city where we should have local people running city office that have a genuine intersest in the city and the peple in it!
- Ryan, Manchester
The only two Alderman who have the guts nd knowhow to become Myaor of Mnchester are Theodore “Ted” L. Gatsas and Michael Garrity , the rest are simply control freaks with an inflated ego.
WAKE UP Manchester residents were being fleeced by these useless characters on the board of Mayor and Alderman.
- Roger R.Charest, Manchester, NH
Bobby Baines, all disrespect intended, was removed from office due to illness.....the voters were sick of him and his tax and spend democrat policies. If you want a model to work from look to Mayor Roy. Bob Baines can't hold his jock.
- Tom, Manchester
You better believe Baines spent money on the schools. After Wieczorek completely devastated the schools somebody had to come in and actually show the citizens that schools are important. Let's not forget that Baines made significant improvements to the quality of education in this city and he also put a lot of money into the buildings that was desperately needed.
So, if you want to blame Baines for spending money, by all means...go for it. Wieczorek didn't have any care for the schools and neither does Guinta. hmmm...that is tough to figure out isn't it.
- Mike, Manchester
Go back to the heyday of Bob "people like tax hikes because of the value they are getting" Baines? NO THANKS!
- WS, Manchester
To guys like Roy going in the right direction means spending more money! Thats all Baines did with the schools.
- Mike Bodruk, Manchester
Well Mark Roy one of the big spenders wants to be Mayor, maybe if a few more of their type get in the mix we can get some sane Aldermen and women to take their place. Personally I don't think Aldermen Lopez and O'neil have the guts to place their seats in jeopardy they are wimpy wusses.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
I have known Mark Roy and his family, the Thorntons of Manchester, for years, and I know him and his family to be wonderful human beings.
He should make a wonderful mayor for Manchester.
- Bob Kroepel, New Durham, NH
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"Martineau raps mayor over city budget"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, May 12, 2009
MANCHESTER – Welfare Commissioner Paul Martineau ripped into Mayor Frank Guinta yesterday for his handling of the city budget, saying Guinta's dealings with the Welfare Department were not "business-like."
Martineau said he was kept out of the loop when Guinta settled on a budget proposal for the Welfare Department. He and Guinta had previously agreed the department would get $1.12 million, Martineau said, but Guinta wound up proposing $67,000 less than that.
"We hear all the buzzwords about running the city like a business, efficiencies ... synergy and so forth. But if there's no communication," Martineau told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen yesterday. He did not finish the sentence.
Martineau was followed into the aldermanic chambers by Marty Boldin, director of the Office of Youth Services, who criticized Guinta's decision to cut funding for a program aimed at juvenile arsonists. More than 30 "high-risk" children would have been served by the FireSafe program, Boldin said. The program costs $10,000 a year to run, but Boldin said the program deters kids from starting fires that would cost much more than that in damage.
"Not all cuts save money," Boldin said, "and this is one that I certainly don't think will."
Guinta prompted Boldin to note that the program used to be funded by the county and that some of the children it serves are not from Manchester.
The mayor was largely silent during yesterday's meeting, the latest in a series of discussions about the city budget. Aldermen are continuing to hear from department heads. The board is expected to approve a budget in the next month.
Jennie Angell, director of information services, said the mayor's proposal is "very lean and very tight." The proposal gives her department, Information Systems, about $76,000 less than Angell said she "would have liked." However, she said, "We realize that the current financial situation is challenging, and we will do our best to work with whatever budget the Board of Mayor and Aldermen decide to appropriate."
Department heads have offered mixed views on Guinta's plan to have city employees take seven days off without pay. Angell said she is concerned about the plan, noting her department has fewer workers than it used to but is doing more work.
Guinta's proposal would increase the Welfare Department's budget by 6 percent if the workers take furloughs, and by 4 percent if they don't.
Guinta told Martineau he hoped his budget proposal "would be enough to get you by."
READERS' COMMENTS:
Mr. Martineau, I agree with Todd from Manchester. Why don't you start going after the welfare frauds? That I'm sure would more than make up for the loss that you are griping about. There are alot of people capable of working yet are not and are living off welfare. I'm all for helping the truly needy, those who through no fault of their own or through unfortunate circumstances need asistance. But not those who are having baby after baby or those who are just plain not willing to work. Seems only Mayor Guinta understands the plight of the the taxpayers
- Rob, Manchester
Mr. Guinta's promise was to keep taxes down. Sounds like he is working hard to live up to what voters elected him to do.
Everyone wants more. City departments, federal departments, employers, citizens, military, etc. There is only so much to go around.
Mr. Mayor, you're doing a great job. Please keep it up!
- JAC, Manchester
Mr. Tarr, how many elections have you entered and lost? Paul Martineau is doing a great job. He works tirelessly as do his workers in the office. Martineau is not a spend thrift as you cast him out to be. Maybe you should do some research on how much money he has saved the city of manchester before you go spouting off how he is a democratic elite. Maybe you should get to know him and wht his job is before you try to throw him under the bus. Maybe you should run for Welfare comissioner...but then again, you have run for elected office and lost.
- Mike, Manchester
I think the point is not about trying to find programs to cut, but to manage what we have. First, let's evaluate the outcome of any taxpayer funded program. Does it successfully serve the purpose that it was intended to serve? Is there another way to serve the same purpose less expensively? Is the purpose worthy of taking taxpayer's money? After this kind of evaluation, budgets can be realigned so that the most can be done while confiscating the least from the taxpayers. Although, there are always plenty of people that want some one else to pay for their programs, every expenditure is not a necessity and some programs may be effective at lower budget levels.
- Frank, Manchester
Jack from Hollis...first off...those Bums you refer to are people who are in difficult times. If you were an educated person, which you clearly are not, you would understand that Martineau is the Welfare Commissioner of Welfare for the City of Manchester...not a state run agency but a city run agency...helping CITY residents. It has no effect on your taxes in Hollis or anything of that matter. So, maybe you should do some research before you spout off on topics you know nothing about.
Second, City Welfare is an agency that helps residents in Manchester who are in desparate need. It could be anybody...a person who just lost their job, a person who is disabled and awaiting disability payment, a homeless person in need of medication or anybody who demonstrates need.
The city welfare office is a good office that helps people every single day. So Jack from Hollis maybe you should understand what City Welfare is before you come on here and write comments that clearly took little to no thought.
- Mike, Manchester
With job cutbacks, layoffs and reduced hours, now is not the time to raise taxes or fees. It is time for everyone to in city government to find ways to save our money. City employees have the choice to loose a few days work or be responsible for their co-workers loss of their jobs. We have to put up with longer lines and fewer services either way.
- D. J., Manchester, NH
Really? Cutting support for those in need in the worst economy we've seen in a long time? Martineau could hardly be called a liberal spender...by *any* stretch of the imagination!!!
- Jennifer, Manchester
Well, this seems to be a trend for Gunita. He is handling the school system in a bad way, too. Our reading specialist was pinked and it looks like she will not be replaced. Send in the feds--now. I suspect we will lose our accreditation. Guinta does not seem to care about much of anything aside from himself and that includes welfare and promises made. His promises are empty.
- JT, Manchester
Democratic elite? That's a joke of a comment. Like the Republicans are out there for the little guy. Ridiculous.
- Bob V, Manchester
Hey Martineau... Why don't you start going after some of these citizens that abuse the welfare system? Then maybe you won't need such an outragous budget to handle them all. There are plenty of minimum wage jobs out there that they don't want to do because of their free monthly check you send them!
- Todd, Manchester
Why are there bums on welfare anyway? Why do I have to pay for other people's bad decisions? Can't these people get a job and lead a responsible life like the people who pay the welfare toll? Still there is a 4-6 percent increase and there's screaming!? My pay didn't go up 4% last year.
- jack, hollis
Welfare Commissioner Paul Martineau also said in a 'Meet the Candidates' back in 2007; 'Don't elect Republicans because they will take your jobs away!'. Only two republicans were asked to attend, myself and another person and we didn't find that amusing then. Mr. Marineau is a democratic elite, one who is not out for saving taxpayers and their dollars. He even has made comments about welfare applicants in the past. This reader thinks it's time Mr. Martineau had a challenger to his position, maybe we could find someone who thinks of everyone and is willing to take a reduction in their budget for the greater good. Any takers?
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
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"City Hall: Unions dangling a financial carrot for aldermen"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, May 17, 2009
AFTER WEEKS of wrangling, the unions are offering to make some concessions (and no, they aren't talking about a furlough.)
Five of the city's 17 unions stepped forward last week with a deal for the aldermen. Sources say those unions, a group that includes teachers, police officers and firefighters, have offered to give up half of their cost-of-living-adjustments in the coming fiscal year.
In exchange, the sources said, the unions want their contracts renewed for another three years, with pay raises guaranteed through 2013.
The offer is a big step in what has been a tumultuous budget process, though it's not yet certain whether the aldermen will accept it. Board members are hashing over the details.
An important factor will be whether the deal would save enough money to make it worthwhile. One source said the deal would save something in the range of $1 million -- not exactly chump change, but way short of the $3.6 million Mayor Frank Guinta said he would save if every city worker took seven days off without pay.
Then again, the rest of the unions could come aboard. Aldermen are slated to talk to all the union heads tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.
Mike Roche, the unions' spokesman, would not discuss the proposed deal but said he's open to anything so long as it's not a mandatory furlough (or as Roche calls it, "the F word").
The president of the teachers' union, Scott McGilvray, said he would not characterize anything presented by the five unions last Tuesday as an "offer." Like Roche, McGilvray was also loathe to discuss the negotiations.
He did say the discussions have been positive, but he tamped down expectations, saying, "I don't think what we discussed . . . is going to be some magic bullet that's going to get this budget dilemma solved."
Barring any changes, employees in the four law-enforcement unions are due for a 3 percent pay hike this July. Teachers are in line for a 2.5 percent raise in September.
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DUELING BUDGETS: It's hard to see how anyone could come out a winner when it comes to this year's budget, but some will try.
Alderman Mark Roy said he is planning to come out with an alternative budget proposal of his own in the next few weeks. Word has it Alderman Ted Gatsas is working on one, too.
You've got to figure either would love to be the hero who tamed the budget crisis. Sounds like the sort of thing one would brag about in a mayoral campaign, no?
Roy, a Democrat who has already announced his candidacy for mayor, said his plan includes a "voluntary furlough package." Obviously, Roy said, voluntary furloughs wouldn't save as much money as mandatory ones, but it would save some.
Contrasting himself with Guinta, Roy said, "I'm not demanding something of the employees. I'm asking for their cooperation."
Roy said he has about 20 other cost-saving ideas he plans to bring forward for the board's consideration. He said his goal is to keep the tax rate where it is, but he would not say whether his proposal does that.
Both Roy and Gatsas have recently sat down with the union reps to discuss their ideas. Broadly speaking, Roche said, their ideas were "very similar."
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UNOFFICIALLY, IT'S OFFICIAL: That Gatsas is running for mayor is probably the worst-kept secret in City Hall.
Several aldermen have told us they're certain the Ward 2 Republican will run. Alderman Mike Garrity said so, and he ought to know, since he was considered one of the top Republican prospects for the job until just recently.
Garrity said he decided to stay out of the race because he wants to be there for his family. "I have a 13-year-old son at home," he said. "Being married -- it's just too much time."
Officially, Gatsas won't say what his plans are. We asked him about it on his way out of the aldermanic chambers last Tuesday. He treated the question as if it were a gnat, swatting at it as he mowed on by.
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DON'T RULE IT OUT: Alderman At-Large Mike Lopez won't be counted out.
Lopez, a Democrat, said he isn't letting Roy's candidacy influence whether he'll run for mayor. He said he planned to make an announcement soon, but not before last Wednesday, when he went in for surgery on his sciatic nerve.
"I told Mark, right now I'm concentrating on my surgery," Lopez said the day before the operation.
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SORRY, MIKE: For months, Roy had said he would not get into the race if Lopez did. At some point, though, he decided he didn't want to wait any longer.
"I felt that in order for someone to lead the city come next January, they had to get out and start talking about what their intentions were during the budget process," Roy said.
Roy stressed that he has the utmost respect for Lopez. "Even if he ends up being an opponent, I will never say a bad thing about Mike," he said.
Lopez merely shrugged. "Everyone is entitled to do what they want," he said. "Free country."
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ON BOARD: Former school board member Tom Donovan has agreed to join the Roy campaign as fiscal agent. Gray Chynoweth, who had previously considered running for mayor himself, will be a campaign chairman.
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DONOVAN VS. WIHBY?: The race to succeed Roy in Ward 1 is already getting interesting.
Two big-name pols have said they're thinking of running. On the Democratic side is Donovan, the 2007 mayoral candidate. Across the aisle is Dave Wihby, who held the Ward 1 alderman's seat from 1986 to 2004.
"I think I could contribute something again if I came back," Wihby said.
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APPLICANTS WANTED: Alderman Betsi DeVries is looking for someone to fill the Ward 8 school board seat, which is about to be vacated by Doug Kruse. At least two people have contacted her to express an interest in the job: Christine Pariseau Telge and Kevin Verville.
Pariseau Telge, a registered independent, is the owner of Milly's Tavern. She ran unsuccessfully for alderman at-large in 2007.
Verville is himself a former aldermanic candidate. He conceded he would be surprised if he got the nod, since DeVries is a Democrat and he's a Republican.
But then, he said, "You never know. This is the era of change."
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FAREWELL ADDRESS: Kruse said goodbye to the school board last Monday. He's moving south to take a job at Florida Atlantic University.
"Know this," he told fellow board members. "I am so proud to have called you all my colleagues, and I certainly will miss you as I go forward."
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NOT A RADICAL: Alderman Peter Sullivan has taken up the cause of gay marriage.
"There was a time when I could not have foreseen taking such a stance," Sullivan wrote in a letter to Gov. John Lynch last week, just a few days before Lynch solidified his stance on the marriage bill. Sullivan noted he is a practicing Catholic and "hardly the embodiment of a radical, by any definition."
However, he wrote, "I have learned to listen to my friends and neighbors in the GLBT community. I have come to understand that we owe them the same legal protections and the same degree of dignity that we claim for ourselves."
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ACCESS DENIED: The city has started blocking certain Web sites on employee computers because its bandwidth can't handle the load, according to Information Services Director Jennie Angell. Among the sites that are now banned: Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and, as Angell put it, "certain sports sites."
Tough break for city workers. But hey, there's always Spider Solitaire.
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Read Scott Brooks' coverage of Manchester City Hall during the week in the New Hampshire Union Leader. Email him at sbrooks@unionleader.com.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
Dominic and Mike,
I am a Manchester teacher who owns a home in Manchester and pays taxes. You bet I want my cost of living increase. After what I paid to go to school in order to give BACK to Manchester, I deserve my 2.5% increase. You bet I do. Maybe that makes me selfish, but I give so MUCH to the children of this city that I deserve my 2.5%. I also work a second job, which makes it just possible to survive.
- JT, Manchester
Oops, I made a spelling error. I am not perfect nor do I claim to be. Whatever style or technique is used to convey the message is not the issue here.
The point of the whole matter is this city and many others are so out of touch with reality, and what is happening with our money, and lives. We need serious change in this city. I dont see how talking about a style of language is going to change it. We need a reality check. We need to get rid of some of the old dead wood that is downtown and get a fresh approach to running our city. Mr.Tarr wants to bring in real people, well the truly qualified people will cost money. It will be a cost to the residents that they cant afford.
- Robert, Manchester
To Peter Sorrentino, Manchester
I get so tired of having the teachers, firefighters and police used as weapons on the tax payer as if we all get to see the books and spending in an honest way. I'll bet you if we all knew where every nickle got spent we would not just find a ham sandwhich but most likely entire pork farms in state spending we could do without and go back to doing for ourselves again if we so choosed to do so. But they always threaten us with the actual services most of us would be happy to support.
Then we can get into the promises of pensions to political hacks, friends and relatives of those we elect. They hand them out as if the tax payer never feels the burden. They work twenty years and get a pension and people like me work forty plus years only to have the politicians destroy the social security system and tell me sorry. I thought people sought out government jobs because they cared for their country. Now government is an employer and more corupt than the so called evil business men government keeps telling us to hate.
One party really should just change its name to the communist party since its core values seems to be having everyone working for government. Well I don't go out and work every day to support government and hope the majority of Americans feel as I do.
- Deb, Derry
Negotiations with the Unions? Are you for real here. Here is the way the negotiations should go:
OK Union....we will provide your members with a pay increase if there is a surplus in the budget. If not, then no raise. End of story. It is outrageous that these union thugs want more and more and more. Privatize the whole lot of them. In todays economic situation there is no room to negotiate because THERE is NOTHING to negotiate. Be thankful you have a job and be thankful you have insurance. Enough with the police, the fire and the teachers. Freeze all their pay until such time the economy can handle an increase. The aldermen need to put their foot down and say no more negotiationg. You get a raise when there is money.
- Mike, Manchester
What planet do these union people live on? They are not looking out for anybody but themselves. After the dot com bubble burst, I went three years without a raise, constant furlough's and changing work hours so the company could save on operating cost to name a few things that saved peoples jobs. This sense of entitlement that the unions display is deplorable. YOU PEOPLE HAVE JOBS. I'm sure that there are a lot of people out there who would kill to have your jobs, even without a raise or a union.
- Dale, Manchester
It's good to see the unions and the city starting to work together. It is something that can be good for both sides. Robert in Manchester- It's paid, not payed. I will agree that the schools are failing badly if a simple word like that isn't spelled correctly.
- Mike, Bedford
This token offer by the unions is a disgrace and totally inconsistent with the current economic climate. They forget that government exists to serve the people, not the other way around.
Why shouldn't unions act boldly when faced with a lame duck mayor? Obama is the president, right?
If Guinta isn't willing to fight this one to the mat, he has no business being Mayor. If he won't take a stand on gay-marriage, he has no business being governor. And if he won't take a stand on DOMA, he has no business being a Congressman.
Manchester citizens are hungry for a new mayor who will take a stand on all of these issues. Maybe we'll get one.
- Steve, Manch
"unions want their contracts renewed for another three years, with pay raises guaranteed through 2013."
****************************
Are you kidding me? No one except the unions ask for a guaranteed pay raise and make it part of the negotiations. That is plain ridiculous.
It seems that the unions are squeezing the last drops of money out of the city that they can before the party is over. And that time is coming soon.
And for people to say that the teachers and firefighters are underpaid, have no clue what the rest of us make and how much we have to work to make as much as them.
Maybe I should have become a teacher, get paid a good wage, do enough to get by, and have the summers and holidays off.
- Domenic, Manchester
So the unions want to renew their existing guaranteed pay raise contract for another three years, but they will give up part of their guaranteed pay raise this year. Could the UL actually have reported this correctly?
This is a big win for the taxpayers. When the economy is good is they get a 2.5 – 3.0% raise. When the economy is bad they give up the fat 2.5% raise, so they will be ‘guaranteed’ a fat 2.5% when the economy is good? Are these really the unions that are pushing around our city? Will unions have to bring this to a vote by their members? If so, how would it pass? Are the employees that naive?
For those making comparisons to auto dealers, and other businesses, are you not aware that they have much less demand for their products and services (auto dealers are selling far fewer autos)? That is why they cut back. Are you cutting back on your demand for city services? Will you not expect your trash to be picked up? Will you allow for higher crime due to less law enforcement officers on the job? What about fire? Will you not send your children to school?
I want my taxes lower too, but I’m not going to incorrectly compare city services to businesses. How about we do things differently, with fewer people? Such as buying modern trash trucks operated by one person, not three (We need several news ones anyway)? How about we consolidate redundant functions like payroll, accounting, etc? Imagine the savings you could find if you actually looked behind the doors of city hall, not just on the streets and at board meetings. This is now to save money. Not 1.5% of just employee costs. That will just not get you very far. Wake Up!
- Peter Sorrentino, Manchester
Robert, of Manchester .. you are a credit to the excellence of public education. Your adroit use of syntax, peppered with just a touch of colloquialness, is without a doubt the perfect example of further need to spend our taxpayer money on highly paid teachers, and others within our municipality. Thank you for enlightening us...
- tom, manchester,nh
I think that is is very sad that our city employees do not look at the big picture, they are not willing to keep there jobs by taking a day off here and there over the course of the year? The unions are selfish and dispicable and using the feeling of "entitlement". Maybe someone should tell them that the economy is not good right now in the "real world", where people are losing there jobs or taking unpaid time off.
- Nick, Manchester
Where does it say the people have to hire union workers to do the jobs our taxes pay for?
How is the unions getting half the pay raises, a three year contract with pay raises guaranteed through 2013 going to stop our taxes from being raised during an economic down turn where many in the private sector are loosing their jobs?
I'm learning to lower my own pay scale to survive and go without while these unions are still getting pay raises and all the politicians have to do is find a clever way to make us pay for them without us knowing.
I'm not anti worker but when I hear about making sacrifices from unions it seems to still mean they get something while many of us are going without. It's easy to see who controls our politicians and it's not the people.
- Deb, Derry
Where do we get real people ? It appears Mr.Tarr, you are not the person either.
We all need to buclke down in the times we live in. have you or the City Government seen some of theses city workers in action lately. It seems though not covered by the Union Leader we have had several major house fires. Yeah the firemen are under payed. our schools are failing bad, Teachers are leaving, under payed. You get what you pay for and we as a city better start findind ways to fund our little piece of the world or it will be no longer. Let us do as other cities do, The mayor and alderman only get a stipend instead of a full salary. Entyce people to stay. Increase our taxes, in some sense it needs to be done, but when I see people just sitting around a city run road job and the operator of one of the machines is sleeping and another is reading a newspaper , I wonder why this is happening. How much money is this costing the city.
To end this Mr.Tarr, if you want real business people to run our city, it will cost you and every person in the city. Real businessmen/women are not cheap.
- Robert, Manchester
After reading all week in the UL about the auto dealerships which will be closing, and the loss of jobs and revenue, as well as the overall economy which is in terrible shape with millions of job losses; our city unions propose to give up cost of living increases if they get pay raises? This is a joke; right? How about the city telling these overpaid, underworked, slugs that the party has ended, and start laying off the fatcats who are so out of touch with the real world. Will someone at city hall wake up!
- Thom, Manchester, NH
When an alderman, any alderman says; "He said his goal is to keep the tax rate where it is." If that is the case, this reader doesn't think the taxpayers would be happy with another 4.7% increase on their properties when economic times are not as good as could be. Even another alderman stated; "upto 60%+ goes to salaries for city employees". Again taxpayers don't see their cost of living increases go up each year in their paychecks why then for city employees? This reader has been working for/at $7.50 per hour for the last two and half years and no raises in sight. It's time we had aldermen who understand it would be nice to give a raise to city employees every year however when the city starts loosing more and more taxpayers and there is only a handful of them left to tax, how are they going to offer them a raise? Time to vote in some real people who understand how to run a successful business and government is a business like any other.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
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"Workers, Manchester reach deal on cutbacks"
By SCOTT BROOKS, New Hampshire Union Leader Staff, May 19, 2009
MANCHESTER – City union heads and aldermen worked out a deal last night to halve pay raises over the coming year, while the school board rejected a similar deal and proposed freezing an upcoming pay raise entirely in order to save jobs.
City workers would lose half their pay raises over the coming year under a tentative agreement between the aldermen and the city's labor unions, a deal that would save the city $1.8 million.
In exchange, the unions would see their contracts extended for another three years, with pay raises guaranteed each summer. The raises would cost the city an estimated $5 million through 2013.
The deal is an alternative to Mayor Frank Guinta's call for employee furloughs, an option the unions have fiercely resisted. Yesterday, for the first time, Guinta said that option is off the table.
Aldermen's support for the deal was unanimous, though some members later said they worry the new labor contracts could prove burdensome in the long run, especially if the economy continues its slump.
"We are really rolling the dice on this," Alderman Peter Sullivan said.
Meanwhile, the school board rejected a similar proposal on an 8-5 vote. Rather, the school board wants to freeze the 2.5 percent cost-of-living raise in its entirety, extend the contract another year and offer a 1.5 percent pay raise for that year, said Vice Chairman Katherine Labanaris. The savings would generate $2.9 million, all of which would be devoted to preserving as many jobs as possible, she said.
Labanaris said the board decided it could not promise three years of pay raises in the future.
"The board took this action because they thought it was the only fiscally prudent thing the board could do at this time," Labanaris said.
It is now up to the five unions that represent school workers to consider the proposal.
On the city side, if the unions agree to the proposal, employees would see a 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase in summer 2010, followed by a 2.5 percent increase in 2011 and another 2.5 percent increase in 2012. Crucially, according to some union heads, they would retain their current health and retirement benefits.
Union heads are now taking the proposal back to their members for a vote. Several of them said they expect the agreement will sail through without a hitch.
"We think it is great," said Bill Clayton, president of the Manchester Professional Fire Fighters Association. The association's executive board approved the proposal by a unanimous vote yesterday morning.
City officials hope the agreement will help them stave off a large-scale tax hike in the coming fiscal year, beginning July 1. Officials are also trying to minimize layoffs.
Toward that end, Guinta characterized the agreement as a "good start" but said the aldermen are still going to have to find more savings. The agreement, he noted, saves only half as much money as would have been saved under his own plan to have every employee in the city take seven days off work without pay.
"There's a lot more work to be done," Guinta said.
Under the agreement, city workers expecting a raise this summer would not see one for six months. The delay effectively cuts their raises in half.
As a result, most employees would, in essence, see a 1.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment, instead of 3 percent. A perk for employees who retire before the raise takes effect: They would get their raises, retroactively, upon retirement.
On the city side, the savings amounts to roughly $1.05 million this year. On the school side, the savings is estimated at $800,000.
At least one board member, Mike DeBlasi, had "serious reservations" about the proposal "" first, because it likely doesn't save enough money to make layoffs unnecessary, and second, because it increases costs in each of the next three years.
"Knowing that it doesn't meet our goals right off the bat, and that the risk down the road is so severe, that's making me question it," DeBlasi said.
Guinta hesitated to characterize the proposal as either good or bad. He said he believes the proposal saves jobs this year, but said the new contracts could put the city in a difficult situation down the road.
Some city unions are expected to return to City Hall next Tuesday to continue discussions with the aldermen. Mike Roche, who has been acting as spokesman for most of the unions during the negotiating process, said the unions generally agree to the "concept" behind the proposal. He said he is hopeful the unions will approve the plan.
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Union Leader reporter Mark Hayward contributed to this report.
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READERS' COMMENTS:
I wish people would stop referring to the pay increase as a "raise". Teachers don't get raises no matter what we do in the classroom. We get tiny cost of living increases that increasingly aren't keeping up with the actual inflation rate.
Under this plan we will forfeit half of our cost of living increase for this year in exchange for a three year contract guarantee of full cost of living increases, which will not actually keep up with the inflation rate and apparently, aren't guaranteed because the fine citizens of manchester refuse to properly fund the schools even though a first grader can understand the negative impact this has had, is having, and will continue to have on the city of Lawrence North, I mean Manchester.
- Fred, Amherst
My guess is most of these posters would be happy if all city employees were tied and burned at the stake.
Cut, cut, cut, gimme, gimme, gimme....which is it?
- Freeme, Concord
Tom, You want the city to suspend raises until 2010, and revisit the matter when the economy has stabalized. The problem with that is that as long as city employees are paid by tax payers, the economy will never be better according to the tax payers. They simply will never say, "now that the economy is better, let's now give raises."
Dave, Manchester: You seem to think city workers are not doing enough if they geve back 1/2 of their raises. That's $150 for every $10,000 they make. Are you willing to write out a check to the city for an extra $150 for every $10,000 that you make? It does not matter if you are a city employee or not, this is a city problem, and as a resident you should be willing to help out just as you think city employees should. For the good of the city, do what you want the city employees to do. Yeah, I didn't think so!
- Bob, Manchester
I find it hard to believe that any of you high and mighty people would be very happy about not getting a full paycheck, or not getting the raise that you have a CONTRACT for. Stop trying to balance the budget on the backs of the workers. You don't need your $14 tax cut. Has the city ever offered the workers a bonus when times were good? Oh, but thats different.
- Joe, Manchester
So, Mr. Tarr, you brought the idea of Everyday Math to the school district? Oh, I thought it was the Math Curriculum committee in the district....I work for the district and hadn't heard it was your idea...interesting...Did you also invent the program....?????
- JJ, Manchester
Jim, Manchester,
What I was getting at is there is in fact a way to gauge a teachers performance but it is not used in who is laid off, given a raise, etc. due to Union seniority nonsense. Ed and Jules seem to be happy with this system but most taxpayers are not.
- Craig, Manchester, NH
To Abby from Hooksett (obviously a city employee):
The aldermen cut their stipend by 20% last year.
- Clyde, Manchester
"Cry me a river people. You had it good 5+ years ago in the private sector and were making all kinds of money while the city worker just got by. Now you are down on your luck and the city worker is still just getting by. I'm sure every city department has an opening somewhere. If you want a raise then apply for a city job and stop complaining. waaaaaaaah!
- Rick, Manchester"
I see this is a city employee who wants his money. Well, I agree....when times were good people city employess should have been treated better. No argument. Fact is, that is in the past. Today, times are tough and for you to come on here and basically say it is payback time shows how much you don't value your job. If your job is cut because the unions don't want to cooperate you won't find a job in the private sector because there aren't any. Then you won't have your city job either...so...what will you do?
I don't think anybody is against city employees. People are upset with the UNIONS who want to have it all their way. Everything for the Unions no matter who it hurts. Maybe the city employees should vote to get rid of their unions and maybe then the employees would actually have a voice. The union is only trying to protect themselves and when it comes time for layoffs, what will the union do for you? NOTHING.
The taxpayers of Manchester can't pay what they don't have.
Maybe all the taxpayers in Manchester should withhold paying their taxes this June until the taxpayers voices are heard. What will the city do? Put a lien on every house in the city? Good luck. Maybe as taxpayers we should just refuse to make payments for this upcoming tax bill and force the leaders in the city to listen once and for all....it would also get the Unions attention because the longer the tax payers don't pay the more likely it would be for the unions to endure serious layoffs due to a lack of funding.
- Jeff, Manchester
How can the Unions even begin to think they are bargaining in good faith by saying..ok..we'll forgo 1/2 the pay raise this year if the city promises pay raises over the next 3 years? This is ridiculous. Nobody in their right mind would ever agree to anything like this but then again, we are are dealing with manchester politicians.
Tell the unions to take a look at the economic forecast and they will see we are still in a RECESSION and the union demands of more money over the next 3 years is out of the question.
The school board did the right thing maybe the aldermen should take a lesson from them. Enough is enough. The private sector is hurting and people are sacrificing pay raises just to keep their jobs yet city employees want their increases. Well, the majority of taxpayers in the city are not city employees thus a majority of the tax payers are in the "Freeze" zone meaning we are not being given our raises but we still have a job.
- Mike, Manchester
Craig,
I as a teacher had 3 performance reviews this year! Its already being done... Get your facts straight before you spout your ignorance....
- Jim, Manchester
Cry me a river people. You had it good 5+ years ago in the private sector and were making all kinds of money while the city worker just got by. Now you are down on your luck and the city worker is still just getting by. I'm sure every city department has an opening somewhere. If you want a raise then apply for a city job and stop complaining. waaaaaaaah!
- Rick, Manchester
It is very difficult to sit here and read the number of posts which lack substance but make suggestions that are statistically destructive. First off, teachers in general are not overpaid. If anything they are underpaid. Classroom sizes and nothing else should dictate the number of teacher required for the district. With that said, part of the calculation should allocate a need for more teachers based on the number of IEP’s. You cannot compare one district to another unless you take into account the number of individuals that need additional attention. Cities will generally have a greater number of IEP’s given the diversity in the population.
The fireman and the police force should be based on statistics as well. These sections of the government along with education are needed at the top of their game regardless of economic stress.
Where do you cut? Well I was less than happy to see 3 trucks, a front loader, and a supervisor on a 60 degree day cleaning up snow piles in cul-de-sacs’ in my neighborhood 2 months ago. We do not need recycling picked up every week. There needs to be a close look across all administrative positions throughout local government and reductions made.
There are many departments throughout government and yet it always seems that the department of education gets the most ribbing. What about City Clerk, Finance, Highway, Human Resources, Mayor, Parking, Public Works, Tax, Transit…..?
- Erik, Manchester
Craig,
Your plan for performance reviews does not take into account teacher seniority and course loads.
If a teacher has been in a school for 20 years, he or she probably teaches honors students. Those students are typically well behaved and will pass classes regardless of the instructor.
If a teacher has been teaching for a limited amount of years, he or she probably teaches remedial courses where students typically do not have as much success in terms of grades and behavior.
In your scenario teachers who have seniority would have better performance reviews. Your system only encourages the best teachers to avoid teaching lower levels, struggling readers, and students who do not perform well. Your system encourages any teacher who wants a pay raise to inflate grades or demand a course load of high achievers.
And Craig, please do not say that state test scores should be used. Again, that means any teacher who chooses to work with special needs students or refugees won't get a pay raise, because those students are at a disadvantage to pass.
Jules is asking for a system that does not drive teachers to flock to honors courses instead of being where the teachers are needed most. Almost anyone can transmit information to hardworking honors students with limited issues, but it takes a master teacher to engage the troubled students at any school.
What are the results that you suggest principals use to judge teacher performance?
- Ed, Manchester
Here's an idea- let's eliminate the at large BOSC & BMA positions. This will save us stipends and health insurance.
- Kelly, Manchester
Unfortunately, many fine individuals who have spent years in the district will leave because they have been pink slipped.
Because the city did not adequately fund education for a decade we are now in serious jeopardy of having (3) school shut down. I guess the solution is to fund the district... not through the people who get the service but the people who provide them.
If the teachers take this offer they are too stupid to be entrusted with my child. Bedford here I come!
- Bob, Manchester
I'm a proud teacher at West who feels as though the school board just offered to take me to dinner and then give me a furlough.
Call it what you will - you're not honoring your promises and taking from the rank and file.
- Blue Knight, Manchester
And will the school board and Aldermen be taking a cut in their stipends? Or, will they vote to pay for the health insurance they take?
It sounds as though the BOSC is not willing to "sacrifice" themselves, but putting the burden on the backs of the employees and TAXPAYERS.
- Abby, Hooksett
Henry - I like how all of a sudden I am a liar because you can't grasp the fact that my arguements are correct. I am not going to name the city I work for because I choose not to. That's my right.
- City Worker, Manchester
Doug Kruse - School Board Ward 8, Manchester .. : seems to me, the city is laying off teachers who have gone to college, and have an education while at the same time giving pay increases to people with high school diplomas .. and one wonders why Manchester is turning into Lawrence North?
- tom, manchester,nh
T of Manchester. To answer your questions. Yes I have a job, I also volunteeer my time in many areas that have helped our school system as well as our city. I also pay taxes, through a thing called renting. I have time to do all these things because I can manage my time efficently and a savings to the city. Some examples are; Advocating for EveryDay Math in the elementary schools, reducing crime in our neighborhood through the watchgroup we belong to and advocating for the city busses to stay funded and not reduced or eliminated altogether. This is my committment to our city and the schools my children attend. So yes, lets see some changes in how our city manages tax payer dollars, as School Board Member Doug Kruse has said, the school boards position is a better purposal than the one aldermen were purposing...It looks out for the majority of the people in the city and not just a choosen few.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester
A pay increase this year and a new contract that gives pay increases each year for the next 3 years.
And that's call a cut back. I think I need a new dictionary.
- Sue, Manchester
Not living in Manchester, this doesn't affect me, yet. But promising pay raises for the next three years (city workers) is bad enough when the economy is still going down. But why in the world would anyone agree to 1.5 raise the first year, then 2.5 the next two years?
What I would like to see, that would never happen, is the unions be taken out of goverment and state jobs, and all the positions be filled by non union employees. I would apply in a heart beat.
My pay and beneifits have been cut twice in two years. Given a choice between job or no job, I would take the job anytime.
Time to trim the budgets, keep people who work hard, time to unload dead weight in all jobs, union or not.
- Craig McIntosh, Allenstown
Big city fight in the big city I see. The taxpayers have a right to complain about anything that cost them money. I believe the unions won this round by getting anything short of the furlough. Only in union speak is a smaller raise a pay cut. The issue I believe is some city workers are dragging the majority down. Fire a couple unworthy teachers and gain the respect of the citizens. Explain to the city workers digging a hole somewhere to make sure 3 guys are not leaning against their shovels watching one person do most of the work and garner your taxayer's respect. Public employment can be a thankless job but everyone can improve
in some ways. The unions will always muddy the waters in Manchester in my opinion. They portray the feeling of entitlement that trickles down to that person just truly trying their best at their job. Someone mentioned when times are good, city workers get nothing in return. I disagree, that is when they get new equipment that will help them do their jobs easier. Whether a new snowplow or new computer. I believe the mayor had the best idea but the dance ensued and your leaders just put off the tough decsion.
- brian, weare
I have no problem paying taxes and incurring the raises you see each year with the cost of living and need for special projects BUT this agreement is ridiculous! These city workers are lucky to have a job (albeit not always the highest paying but with killer benefits) To shoot down a 1 week furlough to save jobs is selfish. To agree to a 1/2 pay increase is selfish. Take a furlough, agree to hold flat on pay increases for a year and be grateful you have a job.
- Sue, Bedford
As a victim of a layoff in the private sector late last year and as a current employee of the City, I have to take a deep breath before I read many of these ignorant comments. After being laid off, I accepted a position with the City that resulted in a 25% paycut from my position in the private sector. My position in the City has greater responsibility and is more challenging. I work longer hours without overtime pay (something I was granted in the private sector). As a new employee, my options for health care benefits and vacation are suspended because I'm on probation. Those benefits were immediately available to me in the private sector. My retirement contribution is not matched. My software, hardware and materials I need for my job are outdated and in disrepair. And the kicker - I will never see the pay increases that I did in the private sector. When times were good, I earned two 10% and three 8% pay increases over 4.5 years. I earned an annual bonus. I will never see that working for the City, even when the economy is booming. My inspriation to work hard is fed by new sources, though. I have more pride in my job than I ever have before. As a resident, I experience my work on a daily basis. Everything I design, bid, calculate, inspect or oversee - every resident that approaches me on a job - every morning when I enter my office, I'm (almost) grateful I was laid off in the private sector in order to have the honor for working for this City and serving the resi
