Pink slips ahead for El Monte staffers?
It sounds like there could be some scary times ahead for El Monte employees.
At the special meeting on Monday, Councilwoman Emily Ishigaki said that she has heard rumors that some employees could be receiving pink slips in the coming months. City Manager Jim Mussenden said they would discuss it in closed session.
But the public -- and the employees -- still don't know what that means for their future.
A staff report issued by El Monte tells us that in order to balance the 2008-09 budget, the city will need to reduce its workforce. This is probably one of the first cities in the San Gabriel Valley that we've heard of that could be cutting its workforce. Covina was considering it, but the passage of the utility tax seems to ensure the jobs for existing employees. Baldwin Park will be freezing some positions, but not at the cost to any employees. And Rosemead has a sound budget this year. If anything, we've seen Rosemead take on more employees than it has in previous years.
Councilwoman Pat Wallach asked the city manager if the city has asked staff to consider giving back some of their money to the city.
"Have we asked employees to donate part of the salaries back to the city to wait for the city's budget to straighten out? If everyone gives a little bit, then it saves the little guy on the bottom."
In that case, I wonder whether staff will be asking council members to give back some of their salaries, too?
Among the suggestions to prepare for the budet, the council will be asked to consider eliminating retiring employee's positions; offering retirement incentive to positions that will be replaced by new employees with different benefit packages; and to ask eligible employees to invoke the early retirement option.
The council did not take any action on Monday, although they discussed the issue in closed session for nearly 45 minutes.
Ask the Mayor and Emily why the city is going broke?
Last time I check it took 3 votes not 2 to get things done. Maybe you should ask where Pat Wallach and the other City Council members have been on this votes. I mean really...you are obviously the same loser who posts the same rips on Emily and Ernie. Maybe you should ask what the other three have done as well. Unless you are one of them?
The Mayor and city council has over paid the El Monte Police rank and file. This has finally taken a bite out of the city staff employment status. Instead of cutting or laying off staff why don't they cut their own salaries first. Have the City manager Jim Mussenden, city attorney Clark Moseley and the mayor and council to set an example for a change.Why is it always staff? Cut back some of your programs. Less concerts, less big city events, that cost an arm and a leg. Don't spend on what you can't afford. You all living high on the hog on the tax payers money. No more steak and wine. Try hamburgers and punch like the rest of your city residents. Stop trying to show off. All this spending has finally caught up with the 2008-09 projected city budget. You all saw it coming. Your motto for El Monte should not be "The end of the Santa Fe trail." It should be "The End of El Monte," thanks to bad book keeping, overspending and a mayor and council who are out of touch with the citys budget. It is their responsibility to know exactly where the citys finances stand. There has only been one councilmember who,dares to question this out of control spending. Pat Wallach, who stands al aolne.(I don't think they understand it. It is over their heads.)She is not afraid to ask questions and vote her concious. The others either don't care, are asleep or don't even bother to read their budget packets. So we all end up loosing in the end. Please don't tax us anymore. Maybe the city manager will find a couple of bags of money in an old desk. He did last time. Check that desk again Jim. You all have falied us the residents of El Monte. WE all owe this financial mess to Ernie, Mr.Big Bright Dumb Ideas and Emily, Mrs.Big Mouth Rubber Stampper. Who's constantly believes in spending, spending, spending, without a worry or care like it is her own money.
To Anonymous:
Emily retired from the city on OVER 100% of her salary and her daughter and future son-in-law are both employees of the city (bet they don't get pink slips). Anything Parks and Rec or the police want, Emily votes "yes" for. Mayor Ernie, at the last council mtg., during the discussion of the lack of money and possible lay-offs, wanted to see if city could somehow help the city employees with their transportation to work.
You are right, all spending takes at least 3 votes. We know who two of them are....lets watch real close and make sure the third vote doesn't get our votes next election.