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Council Minutes of 12/17/2(102 <br />,,, qualifications, near the top of the pay scale even though the city is in financial <br />trouble. It seems that, during this financial crisis, it would have shown a sense of <br />leadership for the Mayor to hire these people at a lower pay scale. Also, the Mayor <br />has chosen to spend $20,000 to hire a lawyer for fire fighter negotiations when that <br />money could have been better spent to save a job. Was this done as a "payback" for <br />the fire fighters support of his opponent during the election? The fire fighters feel <br />they are fighting a battle against an administration that does not care about employees <br />as long as friends are given jobs at unjustified pay rates. The administration will fight <br />long and hard against employees. Why not fight for the employees? The Mayor once <br />said the city was going to be the premier city of the west side-he was partly right. <br />This city is the first-first to force retirements, first to lay people off, first to put <br />friends in all the wrong places. Yet through all of this, the city work force is still <br />premier. They lead by example and take pride in their jobs. They will not tolerate <br />anything less than giving their best. <br />Dave Boatman, 2093 Brown, president of fire fighters union <br />^ Questioned why the amount of the deficit keeps changing. Mayor Musial answered it <br />is roughly $2.3 million. In order to make the budget balance for 2002, it was reduced <br />by about $700,000. In 2003, there is a 3% pay increase built into the overall budget. <br />There is a reduction in Ohio estate tax receipts. At this point, he does not know what <br />the carry over is into 2003. The income tax collections are flat. All these items <br />coming together total around $2.3 million. If the carry over is $700,000, there would <br />be about $1.6 million to make up. <br />^ It seems like the Mayor hasn't wanted to present a good, solid plan to the <br />administration or employees other than give back any benefits you have or face <br />layoffs. If the tax credit could be temporarily reduced by 50%, enough money would <br />be generated so that no jobs are lost. It is difficult to trust the administration. If the <br />Mayor expects employees to trust him, he needs to start being forward, honest, open <br />with employees. If he can't do that, he needs to resign and ask Mr. Jesse for his <br />resignation. <br />Ted Vance, 27060 Oakwood Circle <br />^ Noted that there have been high-level employees forced to resign due to certain <br />financial improprieties. Does the administration have a policy for the investigation of <br />alleged financial improprieties of employees? If so, is it applied even-handedly? <br />Mayor Musial said if a situation is called to his attention, it will be looked into. To the <br />best of his knowledge, the policy is applied even-handedly. Any punishmerrt would <br />be dependent upon the circumstances and upon consultation with the Law Director. <br />• There have been a number of newspaper articles with regard to actions by the Mayor <br />that are questionable and some that are being investigated by ethics commissions. He <br />asked the Mayor, if the allegations prove to be true, would he repay the money to <br />Springvale, ask for the resignation of the Service Director and resign himself? The <br />Mayor said he could not comment on these questions at this time. These matters are <br />still under consideration. Hopefully answers will come very shortly. <br />14 <br />.;. _ ~ <br />