>The VC voted a 12% raise which increased the manager’s salary to more than the Governor of the State
Let’s get away from the pro vs. anti Arohnson discussion. The true issue is the 12% raise the VC voted for Ken Gabbert. The fact that Arohnson voted against it, is immaterial. The VC voted a 12% raise which increased the manager’s salary to more than the Governor of the State, the Mayor of Newark or the Managers of any other muncipality in the State.
Looking at the justification of the other members of the VC is the problem.Several members said: “He saved thousands of dollars for the Village”. I would like to know the specific. As I see it, the Village Manager indiscrimitally fired 30+ employees in year one, hired back 7 the following year and the Village is still under staffed and can not function. In addition both the Fire and Police Department have added people.
The Mayor said:”Since the union workers got raise, the non union employees (the Manager) should get raises also”. But, it was the Village Manager who negotiated new contracts with the Fire and Police Departments which gave them 4% increases. Not the 12% he’s getting.
What did he do: He increased the parking meter hours, the permit fees for oudoor dinning and the charges to Midland Park residence for water hook ups and other charges. These aren’t savings. They are additional revenue, just like the 7% increase in our taxes. What else did he do: The Village is being sued directly as a result of his hiring a new Police officer. In addition, the Village is being sued by the surrounding communities because the Water Authority, as a result of questionable allocation of Village expenses made while Gabbert is the Village Manager.
So I continue to ask “What did he do, that the VC used to determine that he was doing a great job?
The fact that no public outcry was made over the Village Hall construction, the School Budget, the Station Construction or other errors made in the past is not a reason not to question this action by the VC.
The VC may know more than I do, but they have a responsibilty to explain their actions. I have the responsibilty, if not satisfied with the explanation to ask for more information and if I can’t get it, to take futher action.
