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The challenge of the mayors' Task Force on Efficiencies and Consolidations isn't merely to come up with ideas for saving money. The challenge is to come up with ideas that won't get shot down.
City officials, feeling the breath of a March 31 budget deadline on their necks, are looking for money, and their search has led them straight into the trash bin.
Aldermen don't get parking tickets. But Jack Brady does.
MAYOR Ted Gatsas has a new favorite phrase: "Imagine the possibilities."
ALDERMAN Jim Roy thinks the man in charge of Manchester's Office of Youth Services should be fired.
The name plate on the conference table said Mayor Frank C. Guinta, but the man in the chair behind it was someone else.
MAYOR-ELECT Ted Gatsas shares his predecessor's views about the city's public access TV stations.
JOE LAHR is well aware of rumors that MCAM, the public-access TV station he manages, is on the verge of shutting down.
With all the money Alderman Ted Gatsas was raising early on the in the mayoral race, it seemed this election was destined to be a record-smasher. The picture looks a little different now.
SCHOOL BOARD members Art Beaudry and Debra Gagnon Langton weren't getting much help from the Democratic Party, so they're getting an assist from the GOP instead.
One alderman noted, "I'll be honest with you: I don't know where most of the department heads live." In fact, roughly 40 percent of all Manchester department heads and city officers live outside the city.
IF REPUBLICANS gain some seats on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen this year, they'll probably want to raise a glass in toast of Fred Tausch.
Alderman and state Sen. Ted Gatsas' campaign for mayor continues to vacuum up money, recently at a rate of $1,000 per day.
In past primaries, two candidates would move on to the general election, and one would be recognizable as a Republican, and the other would be a Democrat.
Ted Gatsas has begun firing shots at Bobby Stephen, a chief foe in the quickly intensifying campaign for mayor, after quietly enduring weeks of heavy fire from his opponent's camp.
Superintendent Tom Brennan doesn't have all the answers, but he can safely say this about the new school year: "Things will not be the same."
Mark Roy is just getting around to posting campaign signs, three months after announcing his bid for mayor. Meanwhile, Ted Gatsas has put up about 1,000.
Manchester's City Charter places no limits on how much money a person or group can give to a candidate. It doesn't place any restrictions on who may donate, either.
When a superior court judge threw out the city's case against the proposed spending cap, one alderman declared the matter closed. Really?
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY recently went after Mayor Frank Guinta for not paying his sewer bill on time. You'd think they would have checked to make sure their own candidates were a bit more punctual.
Also, a new report by a state task force asserts that young people in the Granite State don't "connect" with the phrase "Live Free or Die." Some say the motto is "not a friendly, supporting message" and "something else is needed."
The drama begins tomorrow, when the first batch of candidates lines up at the City Clerk's Office for the start of the two-week filing period. Doors open at 8 a.m.
Mayor Frank Guinta found himself tangled up in the sort of mini-scandal that was just weird enough to earn mentions on several major political blogs, including The Huffington Post.
Mayor Frank Guinta found himself tangled up in the sort of mini-scandal that was just weird enough to earn mentions on several major political blogs, including The Huffington Post.
City Hall: City lawyer says mayor can't force furloughs
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By SCOTT BROOKS
New Hampshire Union Leader Staff
Sunday, Apr. 12, 2009
 Scott Brooks has been covering Manchester politics since 2007. His
column can be found every week in the New Hampshire Sunday News.
E-mail Scott Brooks at sbrooks@unionleader.com
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EVERY BUDGET involves some assumptions. Mayor Frank Guinta's involves one very big one.
Guinta, who presented his budget March 31, assumed the city would save $3.6 million by forcing every one of its employees to take seven days off work without pay. It's only been a couple weeks, but already that assumption is starting to crumble.
City Solicitor Tom Clark now says the city, by and large, doesn't have the power to impose the furloughs on the unions. In all but a few cases, the unions would have to agree to them.
They'll need some convincing, for sure. Mike Roche, the self-proclaimed "dean" of the city union chiefs, has repeatedly said the mayor's furlough plan is "dead in the water."
"Our position hasn't changed," he said.
Clark's opinion took Guinta by surprise. A mayoral aide, Mark Laliberte, said Guinta didn't know when he proposed his budget that negotiations would be necessary. In fact, just a little more than a week ago, Guinta said he was under the impression the city could bypass negotiations in all but two or three cases.
"There may be a couple that require negotiation, but the jury's still out on that one," he said in an April 2 interview.
There are 17 unions in Manchester government, and according to Clark's memo to the board, 12 of them are legally protected against mandatory furloughs. Those unions represent the bulk of the city's workforce, including teachers, highway workers and police officers.
Clark said there are five unions who may not be protected under contract. That would be two Fire Department unions, the Welfare Department union, the library union and the school directors union. But even in those cases, Clark said, imposing furloughs "would most likely result in a legal challenge by these unions."
The city can impose furloughs on salaried employees, such as Clark himself, but it must do so in full-week increments, the solicitor said. So the mayor's plan, strictly speaking, doesn't work for them, either.
Alderman Peter Sullivan said the Clark memo does complicate things.
"It's going to be especially difficult," he said, "since you have such an adversarial climate at City Hall right now."
"My hope," he added, "is that folks like Mike Lopez and Dan O'Neil will step up and try and talk some sense into the heads of some of the union leaders who are the most resistant to the proposal."
They should get that chance. Roche said he and Lopez spoke last Thursday and are trying to schedule a meeting.
LEAVING MANCH-VEGAS: Take heart, Manchester. Alderman Kelleigh Murphy still loves you.
It's just that, well, she wants a bigger home, a place to raise a family. Bedford had what she was looking for.
"We found the perfect house. It's that easy," Murphy said after announcing she plans to resign her seat and move to the 'burbs.
"Really," she said, "what it came down to for us is lot size. In Bedford, we got two acres. In Manchester, we were looking at .3-acre lots."
And, though she says it wasn't the deciding factor, she admits she thought about the quality of Bedford's schools compared to Manchester's.
"Bedford has one of the top school districts in the state, and that's not something we could ignore, wanting to have children," she said. "I'm not knocking Manchester's school system at all. But Bedford has, I think, it's top three in the state, next to Amherst and Bow."
KEITH WILL BE COUNTED: It's not crystal clear yet how things would play out if Murphy does step down, but if there is a special election, former Aldermen Keith Hirschmann says he'll be on the ballot.
"I was going to run in the fall," the Ward 12 Republican said. "If it opens up sooner, I'll put my name in when it's appropriate."
SHADES OF GRAY: Last week, we noted in this space that the Democratic field for mayor has been looking rather thin. Then we got a call from Gray Chynoweth.
"People have been talking to me, urging me to consider running for mayor, and I'm thinking of saying yes," the local attorney and former New Hampshire Young Democrats president told us.
Chynoweth, 30, is legal counsel to the state Democratic Party. He hasn't held public office before, but he said, "If I can make a difference, it's hard for me to not think seriously about it."
DOWN TO THE NUBS: The city spending freeze does appear to be working. Finance Officer Bill Sanders is now projecting an expenditure surplus of $1.1 million, up from $740,000 two months ago.
"I do think department heads are being frugal and careful," he said.
On the other hand, revenues are still way down, and they could go even lower. There's a strong possibility the city won't be getting its piece of the state "revenue sharing" pie, in which case, the aldermen will be staring into a $3.5-million abyss.
"So," Alderman Sullivan said last week, "we're going to have to chew our fingernails down to the nubs and beg and plead with the Senate delegation."
"That would seem to be the only alternative, yes," Sanders said, although he added, "I don't know about chewing your fingernails."
HARSH WORDS: Alderman Jim Roy tore into Guinta Tuesday for temporarily suspending a plan to let the Highway and Fire departments buy new vehicles. The board had approved the plan in December.
"Our authority was ignored, and I think that's bordering on criminal," Roy said.
"Are you saying I'm a criminal?" Guinta asked.
Roy backed down, but only a little. "You stopped the process that we put in place, and I don't think that's appropriate," he said.
Guinta said he never meant to block the purchases but admitted he "should have been clearer" about his intentions. His budget proposal does allow most of the vehicle purchases to go forward as planned.
OPEN MOUTH, INSERT FOOT: Parking Manager Brandy Stanley would like to take back that thing she said at last week's Public Safety, Health and Traffic Committee meeting.
"I don't put my foot in my mouth very often, but I sure did that time," she said afterward.
The comment in question had to do with citations, the kind other city departments (not hers) give out for such offenses as noise violations or building-code violations. Stanley, responding to an alderman's question, said some departments aren't sending out as many as they're supposed to because it costs too much to mail them.
Might be true, might not. Stanley says she doesn't know.
"That was based on a conversation I had with someone that wasn't in any of those departments, and it was over a year ago," she said.
YOU'RE INVITED: The public hearing on the city school budget is scheduled for tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at the school administration offices, 286 Commercial St.
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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YOUR COMMENTS
The mayor isn't trying to do something illegal, he is trying to renegotiate to reach a compromise that is bearable for all, including those that would be otherwise laid off.
There are FEW people I know who have NOT had a pay cut, or been laid off in the past year. Why do public employees feel like they are untouchable and have some God given right to a job where their pay is never discussed, unless it is a pay increase?
You can thank your union rep when you are standing in line at the soup kitchen because you have NO income.
- JAC, Manchester
How can anyone defend a budget/mayor's proposal that says "you should work a week and get paid absolutely nothing for it"? If he wants a real furlough than close schools for a week and teachers don't work and don't get paid. If you support this proposal than take a weeks worth of your own pay and give it to the city for this, problem solved.
- J Paige, Manchester
In regards to a new Mayor, experience during these hard economic times would go a long way to make me feel more comfortable with the candidate.
Hopefully someone who would speak straight and honestly to the people and do the research before putting out numbers that do not add up and riling up the residents with false hopes!
- Deb, Hooksett
As a business owner and Manchester resident, I believe Mayor Guinta has been effective and pragmatic in dealing with the challenges the City has faced. I wish him luck and support in whatever office he chooses to run for next.
That being said, I really like the idea of Gray Chynoweth running for Mayor. Gray and I might not always agree on political philosophy but he is as honest as they come and he would be a great leader for the City in the difficult times ahead.
- Dylan Cruess, Manchester, NH
I had the privilege to work with Gray Chynoweth for three years. He's bright, hard working, and although it sounds trite, truly cares about this City. One of the most forward thinking individuals I've ever met. He offers a unique blend of knowledge of the business community and local and state politics. The City would be lucky to have him leave the private sector for a life of public service.
- Ken Viscarello, Manchester, NH
Another vote of encouragement for Gray Chynoweth. We need a shift in how the Mayor approaches things in Manchester and I think that Gray can do it!
As a Manchester Young Professional, he has the potential to inspire and energize a large chunk of the city's population that is not involved in city politics.
If he can be convinced to run, I will put my time/energy into supporting him...
- Jason Allgire, Manchester
Tom, I did have a child in the Manchester school system. I am also a professional who works for the city, pays property taxes and lives in Manchester. I choose to stay here because I grew up here and I love this city. People who abandon it are the problem, not those who decide to stay here and try to make it a better place.
- JF, Manchester
Becky,
What staffs get to go to "5 star" resteraunts for lunch? I barely get to eat during my 20 minute lunch break.
Jeff and Brian, et al.
Why can't all the taxpayers complaining about "sharing" the pain chip in their $13.50 and share the burden of this? I'm a taxpayer and don't want this but am willing to "share".
- John, Manchester
if you had to pick, would you choose:
a) 1 week off without pay
b) 52 weeks off without pay/benefits
I was not given a choice and handed option b
be happy with what you have: unions or not.
- RG, Manchester
Jeff in Manchester, and all the others who speak from ignorance. This is not New York or Chicago. Its New Hampshire. These evil "Union Bosses" you speak of are everyday workers involved in the union for FREE. Everyone is trying to protect themselves and what little they have. And by the way it is not up to city workers figure out how to balance the budget. They need to worry about doing their own job and not the mayors.
- Joe, Manchester
I also hope to see Gray Chynoweth run for Mayor. He has much of the respect from the leaders of the city and has experience working in both a large law firm and as general counsel for a successful and growing company. He is a beacon of new ideas, understands the issues that the city faces, and is approachable and committed to seeing that Manchester continues to prosper. His keen sense of business acumen coupled with his knowledge of local government affairs and his charismatic young personality provides him with the base to lead Manchester. Chynoweth for Mayor!
- Jeff Penta, Manchester, NH
I've known Gray Chynoweth for the past four years, and I think he'd make a great Mayor. Let me be the second one, after Dave Allen, to endorse his candidacy.
- William, Manchester, NH
I can't believe how many people are saying "these unions" should agree to this idea. Everyone loves to chirp about the economy being bad etc, and complain that "these unions" somehow manipulate everything. Fact is when the economy is good no one wants these jobs because in a good economy they often pay less.
A week off without pay, voluntarily??? Who in their right mind would agree to this, union job or not? No one I know! I certainly can't afford a week of lost pay.
- Michael, Manch
JF, Manchester NH ... I don't know if you have a family, kids in school, but if you do .. you would want the best for them.
You wrote "Of course their schools are tops" about Bedford .. yet you think Ms Murphy should stay in Manchester with all the political corruption and the wasteful school system? Why? Why would she want her kids to get a less then excellent education? And what about all the city employees who also live in Bedford and send their kids to Bedford schools. Like the police chief .. they left Manchester for a reason.. The city is a corrupt sewer, run by the likes of Lopez, and alderman O'Neil. Until city hall finds representatives who care about the city and not overpaid underworked city employess, the best and brightest will leave and won't look back.
- tom, manchester,nh
Typical Guinta, mouth off like a tough guy then realize he has no basis to force things and wonders why they won't work with him...
- Jim Wilson, Manchester
As a local, small business owner, I feel that Mayor Guinta has been a strong advocate for businesses in Manchester and I look forward to seeing his impacts state-wide...be it Governor, Congressman or in the Senate.
I too would be excited to see Gray Chynoweth run for Mayor of Manchester. I’ve seen first hand his passion for local issues and witnessed his extreme dedication to our community. Manchester is fortunate to have such a young and ambitious talent seriously considering public service.
- Nick Soggu, Manchester
I vote for reducing headcount, we can't afford this many workers at this wage and benefit rate. Whats going to happen the next reval when the prices of homes drop, they're going to go up on the tax rate? They can cut back it's just the aldermen don't "want to". They don't have the care for the ability of the people to keep paying.
- Jack Alex, Manchester
I vote for reducing headcount, we can't afford this many workers at this wage and benefit rate. Whats going to happen the next reval when the prices of homes drop, they're going to go up on the tax rate? They can cut back it's just the aldermen don't "want to". They don't have the care for the ability of the people to keep paying.
- Jack Alex, Manchester
We need to put a stop to all these life- sucking unions.
They want, want, want, but when it is time to give some in order to let the people they represent keep their jobs, they could care less.
All unions are is a bunch of people who want to make money off of others and do nothing.
I never would join a union or allow one in any company I would start. If the employees that I have feel that they can't come to me face to face and work something out, then something is really wrong.
I hope these people stand up for themselves and boot the useless unions to the curb! Keep the money YOU earned!
- Donna, Rye
Lay them off and don't hire them back.
- John Krats, Manchester, New Hampshire
If it comes to furloughs or layoffs, I can not see how layoffs are in the best interest of the union membership. Furloughs allow benefits to remain in place and paychecks to continue whereas layoffs mean unemployment compensation and loss of benefits and costly COBRA payments for those families who can afford it.
- Sandra W, Bradford
I'd be excited to see Gray run. He's full of energy, great ideas, and has a fresh perspective. He's a NH native who has been around the country to gain a sense of what works and what we can do here to make Manchester more of a destination. I think he would bring a sense of forward progress and also answer the question "what's next?" for Manchester.
- Jeremy Hitchcock, Manchester
Leave it to the tax payer paid Ambulance Chaser our city Solicitor to make the decision that the Mayor cannot furlough employees. How long did it take him to make that rocket Science type ruling, how many outside lawyers did he consult to come to this conclusion, with the staff of lawyers that he already has I bet he went to some outside ambulance chaser to make sure he was on the money. The City Solicitor's Office is bloated with political hacks just to shuffle the paper that this decision will be printed on.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester
So am I to assume that nobody knows how the pizza negotiations are coming??
- Brian, Manchester
Ok folks, the point is the unions need to work with the Mayor. Better yet lets lay them off.
- Robin, Manchester
Since everyone seems to be screaming about education spending in Manchester and how it's the lowest per student in the state, why don't we cut other city services and put that money into the schools. Taxes wouldn't have to increase because we would have taken money from other departments that obviously have too much overhead or administrative fluff. Try this for a couple years and see if throwing more money at the schools makes them better.
As for the unions and not wanting to voluntarily taking the furloughs....(don't target the teachers since education is where everyone wants to spend money) pink slip other city departments immediately. Don't wait a minute longer!!
- Dawn, Manchester
Good ridance Kelleigh Murphy . If it is a well to do community with no ethnic and social diverstiy you crave, than you and Bedford deserve each other. Of course their schools are tops, they don't have the challenges that Manchester schools have and face everyday. The staff in Manchester is the best in the state. If you can teach here, teaching anywhere else in this state is child's play. Shame on you for dissing a city in which you are an elected official. By the way, loved Joe Kelly's show last week. Bar room brawls, eh? Hmmm, is that acceptable in Bedford?
- JF, Manchester NH
What a joke this mayor is! He bases his entire budget on imposing a furlough on the unions when he doesn't even know that he lacks the power to enforce it? What an idiot! And to think, we the citizens of Manchester PAY this guy for that quality leadership! Goodbye and good riddance, Guinta; good luck selling your competence to the voters for a higher office.
- Frank, Manchester
Alderman Frank Guinta made a promise to improve the Manchester School System when he ran for mayor. Manchester had 3 schools listed as "In need of improvement" before he became mayor. Now every school is "In need of improvement" and 3 schools are on the state's list for corrective action. And....HE DOESN'T CARE!!! Kelleigh Murphy was elected ward 12 alderman almost two years ago. She has decided in a short amount of time that Manchester is not the place where she wants to raise a family. She's not the only one deciding to leave Manchester. Many families are deciding to leave the city because Manchester is not investing in the school system. A community needs good schools to attract families who want to live here. Bedford has decided to increase the salaries of their teachers this year. This contributed to their property tax rate increase. This decision has sent a message to their community that education of their children is important.
Mayor Guinta has failed to accomplish anything positive for Manchester during his two terms as mayor. He just made it more appealing for families to move out.
- Lisa, Manchester
" In fact, just a little more than a week ago, Guinta said he was under the impression the city could bypass negotiations in all but two or three cases.
"There may be a couple that require negotiation, but the jury's still out on that one," he said in an April 2 interview."
This only proves once again how Gunita should not be in this position or any other public office! He sure did assume a lot. You know what they say about assuming things..... What a waster of time and energy Mayor! Sharpen your pencil and get back to work!
- Tim, Manchester
Too bad Mrs. Murphy didn't show up at more school board meetings when she was on that board... if she wanted to make a difference.
Sayonara!
- Leah, Manchester
Also, if the City Attorney and the Mayor are not in agreement, that does signify an issue, however, the issue itself may be the mayor's proposal. The mayor has his own best interests in mind, and there may be better solutions which would work within the perameters of the worker's contract. Thank God we're not Boston--what was their deficit last year?...
- Becky, Manchester
Steve in Manch, are you really telling us that you expect the City's Attorney to always interpret the law to suit the Mayor's needs? Seriously?
and by the way, Guinta is NOT a trained as a lawyer. He went to Franklin Pierce Law, but not for a JD. Not sure what the heck he was studying there, but he is no more an Attorney than you or I.
- Richard, Manchester
Tough financial times demand radical changes. There are many cuts which can be made; staff lunches at 5 star area restaurants paid for with tax payers money should be cut before employee hours. Staff can pay for their own coffee and lunches. Belt tightening should be done by everyone. If city employees are forced to take a week off without pay, so should the mayor. Yes, take a nice vacation, pay for it yourself....
Tough times, everyone loses a little in order to stay employed, otherwise it's foodstamps for all.
- Becky, Manchester
People. Have any of you taken the time to read the Mayor's budget address? Where is what the Mayor said illegal? Let me refresh your memory with a quote from the Mayor's budget address:
"Policy Item 2: This budget proposes a seven-day work furlough for all city employees: general fund, school and enterprise. This plan would save not just $3.6 million in the FY2010 budget; it also saves nearly 90 jobs and does not decimate city services. Many details need to be worked out prior to adoption of this policy, but I think department heads can manage this without great duress. Rather than closing city government down for seven days or impacting employee paychecks adversely, I believe that the cost of a furlough can be distributed evenly throughout the year. Employees and department heads would be responsible for determining furlough days."
Do you all know what the word 'proposes' means? Maybe you need to reread the above quote 4 or 5 more time for it to sink in. Let me give you the Readers Digest condensed version. It says: If WE can have all city employees take 7 days off without pay over the next year then maybe WE can avoid laying off about 90 workers. If not then about 90 workers will have to be let go.
The part that says "Many details need to be worked" means WE ALL need to sit down at the table TOGETHER and work this out. The unions have so far said: No, we don't want to work anything out - we have a contract.
In my opinion, Mayor Guinta extended an olive branch to the unions to ask for their assistance to help him avoid laying off any of their members - and that's all that he can do.
If the unions are absolute in their refusal to work on a furlough program then the Mayor should so what Mayor Menino of Boston is proposing to do - whack those unions the hardest who refuse to participate in a furlough program.
- David R, Manchester
Hey Chad from Pembroke, how the HECK do you have the gaul to make it sound like the Mayor isn't supporting the city employees!?!!?!!?! He formulated his entire budget around trying to save the jobs of city employees!!! Seriously, you guys are ridiculous!
- Casey Johnes, Manchvegas
The City Attorney is supposed to represent the City's interests. He certainly does in cities like Boston and New York. The City's interests are the Mayor's interests. What the City needs is a new City Attorney.
That there is a different interpretation between him and the Mayor means it is a judgment call. Guinta is also trained as a lawyer, his opinion is actually more valid. Settle it once and for all for future policy and future Mayors.
The 'all for one, one for all' mindset by unions when negotiating salary quickly dissolves when it comes to sharing the pain of furloughs. Guinta's error was in expecting them to negotiate in good faith. If they would rather have layoffs, then give it to them -- unapologetically and forcefully. And if it winds up in a courtroom, then
fight for it. Until their bitter end.
- Steve, Manch
Joe from Manchester you are "selling yourself short". Its not a weeks pay!!! Its 1.4 weeks pay!!!
You only work a 5 day week.... Goonta wants 7 days from you..
- Jim C, Manchester
So much for Franklin Pierce (where Guinta studied law) being a good school. The mayor of the largest city in northern New England, who happens to be a lawyer, can't comprehend the simple language of a labor contract?!
If this doesn't make some people realize that Guinta is in way over his head I don't know what would. This guy is nothing more than a career politician wanna-be. He's not even from New Hampshire. How can some of you think he cares about the future of Manchester? It is embarrassing that this is the face we present to the world.
That having been said, I also want to say a big PHEW! The furlough would have been about $1000 (after taxes) out of my pocket. I don't even live in Manchester, but the mayor wants me to pay for your trash pickup and other services I don't use? That's fair.
To all the people who don't understand how all the selfish union employees like myself would rather see our co-workers laid off than take an almost 3% pay cut let me try to explain it to you: first, most of the cuts could be made through attrition. In those cases where an actual cut needed to be made only those at the very bottom of the seniority list would be in danger of losing their jobs. Everyone who takes any job anywhere knows it's going to be shaky at first. For teachers, you can be non-renewed anytime during your first three years and they do not even have to give you a reason.
Second, if a mayor in America were to get away with basically docking the pay of municipal workers to avoid a tax hike, what's to stop every mayor from doing this all the time? What would stop Guinta from forcing a month-long furlough next year? That's why it's illegal folks. It just doesn't make sense and it's completely unfair and un-American.
Finally, how does it make sense to severely punish a small minority of mostly very upright citizens to spare the majority from a very small ($8/month per household) expense? It doesn't make sense. Again, that's why it's illegal. How a trained lawyer like Guinta didn't know this or didn't figure it out on his own is both shocking and embarrassing. This guy needs to go and all you anti-tax zealots need to go looking in your couch cushions for the 8 bucks.
- Fred, Amherst
Frank Guinta has failed to learn the lessons from the past. The last time that Mayor Wieczorek (sp) abused the city employees it came back to bite him when he ran for Congress. He lost by less than 700 votes. Hmm, that more than equals 3300 angry employees and spouses.
Be careful how much you abuse the current employees Frank or we will remember you during the next round of elections in 2010. In the end you might have a permanent furlough.
- Chad, Pembroke
So, as I understand it, the Union Bosses would prefer 90 of their fellow employees get sent packing instead of giving up one week of pay.
If I was in a city union, I would really question whether I was being properly represented and, if layoffs occur over furloughs, I would seriously consider a disaffiliation vote - I would be better off without it.
- Ryan, Hooksett
Joe in Manchester. You can talk all you want about the taxpayer but in the end you need to tell your Union Bosses that you don't want to be laid off. Come up with an alternative plan and stop bashing the tax payers. City employment is not a right like many city emploiyees think it is. Somehow city employees think they know it all and deserve everything. Well, in the private sector you don't have the choice of furlough or layoff. The boss walks in and lays you off...period. SO stop your belly aching and come up with a solution to the problem. Right now it is city salaries that are the majority of the budget so, if there is a cut, it will be in the salary level...which in turn means jobs.
Didn't you see the paper the other day? Nearly 10,000 people showed up for a job fair. Maybe you will be in that line next and it will be 10,001.
- Jeff, Manchester
The very foundation of why labor unions were formed are still alive today. Leaders in government (that would be you Mayor Guinta) trying to force illegal sanctions, working conditions on employees. Thank God for union leaders who are willing to stand up to these bullies and take the wrath of the anti-union to ensure that everyday working people have a voice.
- Champ Beauchard, Manchester
Alderman Roy of Ward 4 .. is he becoming the biggest joke in Manchester, or what? He is a hack ex fireman... for this bought and paid for hack to get all uppidy and call Guinta a criminal ... what a joke. I don't live in ward 4 .. but if I did I'd be looking to vote for anyone but sparky..
- Thom, Manchester, NH
Has anyone considered the fact that city worker job descriptions do not have the requirement to balance the city's budget? That being the case, workers don't have to ". . . want to accept furloughs . . . ". Taxpayers are not special people, they are just taxpayers who are paying for public services.
If you do not want a city supplied service, then tell the city's management IE: the politician you elected. Don't expect the worker to sacrifice a low paying job just because the over-paid, do nothing productive, politician does not know how to manage resources. Correct the cause, not blame the symptom.
- Gary L. Kerr, Chichester
Ok, so now that Guinta knows that his budget isn't even legal, does he go back an propose a realistic one? or is he going to leave all the heavy lifting for the Aldermen, so he can rail against them in his Congressional stump speech?
This guy should not be in a position that requires him to make ANY decisions for the public good. He just isn't capable of holding the office.
- Fred, Manchester
Hopefully Hirschmann will stay home and leave the aldermanic chambers alone. AS for the furloughs, if they aren't able to get that done then lay the people off.
- Jeff, Manchester
I find it disturbing our mayor is proposing a budget with illegal means to support it.
What's next? We'll budget x for electricity and only pay 1/2 x.
- Crandall, Manchester
Mayor Guinta, you tried to save the jobs and the mighty union leaders have told you what they want and what they will do if you try to keep the jobs. No need to wait, you have the answer. Lay the 90 off and an extra 30 to show how much you support the union leadership. The article states "revenues are still way down, and they could go even lower", better to be prepared rather than try to save more jobs AGAIN. In the future just state, In support of union management we will be laying off XX people at the end of the week. Saves all the wasted time and energy trying to save the jobs. Those to get laid off already know the union position.
- Jim, Loudon
These furloughs shouldn't have to be mandatory. It's simple, either everyone takes a week off without pay or 90 or more of your co-workers lose their jobs.
I have asked many people who work in the private sector - and a few who work for the city - over the past couple of weeks what they would do if they had to choose between taking a week off without pay of having a bunch of their fellow employees get laid off. Not a single person said they had a problem with taking the week off if it meant saving other jobs. People didn't even hesitate with their answer.
It's a shame that the unions think a different standard applies to them.
- Tammy, Manchester
I work for the city and will make a deal with ignorant people like Ryan. How about I pay back all of the bonuses I received over the past six years to help out the city. Oh thats right, I didn't get any. City workers give up bonuses and higher pay for a more stable job. I'm willing to bet you would not give up a weeks pay in order to give ungrateful people a 14$ tax cut. How many people can afford to give up a weeks pay?
- Joe, Manchester
So nice to see so many back seat drivers with all the answers. Can we get back to what's most important, who will be awarded the contract for the school pizza, we are running out of time!!!!
- Brian, Manchester
Manchester would be lucky to call Gray Chynoweth mayor.
While it’s startling to see that Gray is considering pausing a promising business and legal career in order to serve, he has the passion, smarts, and common sense to lead this city.
If he runs, the story will be about a bright new direction and fresh ideas for Manchester. But Gray isn’t about just ideas. Having worked alongside him, I know he has the vision to create a plan, the charisma to sell it, and the character to execute it.
And the guts to pull it all off.
Residents of Manchester should hope he runs.
If he indeed wants in, let me be one of the first: Gray Chynoweth for Mayor.
- Dave Allen, Manchester
Mayor Guinta I told you on the 2 Joes Show that you're going to have to give the unions a drop-dead date. Solicitor Clark pretty much summed it up. Set a date. Then while you're waiting for the unions' response start doing the math for the layoffs. Have HR and the department heads start providing you the information you need to do the layoffs. The day after the drop-dead date expires with no union responses, announce the layoffs. Tell the MSD that they will be proportionately receive reduced funding by the city - which will force them to either announce their own layoffs or ask the state to grant it its own taxing authority (which it can, because the enabling legislation is already there).
Mr. Mayor don't be overly cautious with the unions. They'll only make it look bad for you. Set a date. Wait for it to expire. Then announce the layoffs, and turn a deaf ear to the unions. It's brutal. It's painful. It's the last act of desperation ...but it's honest, and that's all you can afford to be right now.
- David R, Manchester
Guinta is playing coy because he know the furloughs were illegal this whole time. His only intention was to pit the unions against private citizens in an attempt to make himself look good. It is fairly obvious that he isn't interested in solving any budget issues and is only looking out for his political future. This city is unfortunately on the decline in services and welfare because of poor decision from our last few mayors. Until Manchester wakes up will be be Lawrence mass North end.
- Greg, ManchesterG
How come Scott Brooks is the only reporter from the Union Leader ready and willing to take swipes at every Republican possible and sucks up to every Democrat? Some weeks he is okay, but there are others, like this weeks reporting, where I honestly wonder if he is on loan from the Boston Globe or New York Times or something.
- Sara Collins, Manchester
The mayor shouldn't HAVE to force the unions into furloughs. They should WANT to accept furloughs for the betterment of those they represent and the citizens of Manchester, however they don't. All that these unions think about is themselves and the Democrat Party they always in lock step with.
- Ryan Feltner, Manchester
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