file photo by Boyd Loving
Dear Mayor Aronsohn,
I feel the need for further clarification about a matter that I brought upWednesday evening.
When an elected official asks a question of the Village Manager regarding Village business, I think that a civil reply is appropriate. Councilman Sedon’s question about a possible reduction in the salary of the Village Manager, in order to compensate for the reduction in her job responsibilities, was on the mind of others. It seemed a logical question. Ms. Sonenfeld’s reprimand of Mr. Sedon, along with her comment that her salary is already as bottom as it can go, seemed completely inappropriate. I think with the current push for increased civility in public venues, Ms. Sonenfeld should be reminded that she works for The Village, and when one of her “bosses” (ie, an elected Councilmember) asks a question, a straightforward reply is in order.
Besides the tone of her reply, I also have a problem with the content of her comments. Let’s be reasonable here. A new position has been created to the tune of “six figures.” The responsibilities of this new hire used to be handled by The Village Manager. I think the suggestion that the increased expense might be offset by taking at least some money from The Village Manager’s salary was worth considering. Moreover, her public declaration that her salary is already rock bottom is very offensive. Ms. Sonenfeld has been on the job for just over a year. The salary that she is paid is what she agreed to; no one forced her to take the job or the salary. For her to now publicly complain that it is so low, so soon after she came on board, and especially when some of her responsibilities have been delegated to the new Human Resources person, seems quite inappropriate. You, Paul, were very outspoken about the salary, and salary increase, of the former manager. Well, now you have a manager who is publicly stating that her salary is low even while she is hiring more help.
I would sincerely appreciate your response on this – both the civility matter, as well as the payroll matter.
Thank you,
Anne LaGrange Loving
Does seem reasonable.
The questions posed are fair and reasonable; no need for the mayor to duck the questions.
yes thats is true. it seems very rude to many of us.
I guess people don’t get it yet. You do not question them. They are above it all. Roberta had to take a low salary or it would have blow their story line. Do not fear resident her salary will creep up with out you knowing.
well let her take a big fat 0% for three years like the fire dept did.
If someone did hold a gun to Roberta’s head and force her to take the job, she should call the FBI immediately. And if someone is holding a gun to her head now forcing her to work for a “rock bottom” salary, she should quit or call the FBI. She is not indispensable. She could be replaced in a NY minute.
If you even dare to ask a question, they get snippy with you. Roberta is on defense at all times, and it serves no useful,purpose. She seems to think that she is the savior of Ridgewood. Oh how she applauded herself when she came, taking a lower salary than Gabbert, and not taking benefits (she does not need them , her husband has them for her). Now she is whining about how her salary is low. Well, Mrs. Breath of Fresh Air, you can always resign.
amazing in this town how we continually go from bad to worse…
roberta had ZERO experience in municipal government, making her eminently unqualified for such an important job. Even after a YEAR she was openly admitting that she does not understand civil service laws. A perky smile and bubbly enthusiasm does not get the job done. Hiring others to do what she was hired to do….well, that may get the job done, but at great expense to the taxpayers. As far as I am concerned, we are now payin $100,000 more for the village to be managed. There were other applicants who were fully qualified with tons of experience but Albert and PAul and Gwenn wanted Roberta at all costs, and they continue to praise her publicly, even when she is clearly falling apart, snapping at council people who question her, and attacking members of the public ( witness her and Paul double teaming Lorraine Reynolds in April, it was sickening).
well no else is going to roll over and take 0% , right,that was some kind of a deal, right., the upper managers can take 0% and they will like it. right,
First, Lorraine should run for something because she has a clear head on her shoulders and expresses herself extremely well. Second, Roberta might want to take a look at the paper, plastic bottles, etc. that adorn the area around Vet’s field. Looks really great to all those visiting teams from other towns..
Before anyone starts “singing any praises” they may want to just take a look around. Pretty basic stuff.
She will be the first one to run to HR if she feels her rights have been denied. So Ma Sonenfeld, what about a truthful answer about the fact that you now have reduced duties?
Ma Sonenfeld has flown the coop, is away for awhile. Good timing.
a big fat 0 % for all top managers for the next 3 years no raise , hey that’s what your boss would like, we say yeah hello.
Sonenfeld deserves a cut in pay for outsourcing a major part of her job.
She also advertised for a part-time position clearly knowing she was going to raise it to full time with benefits after hiring her own friend. An entirely different population might have applied for a full-time position. If the position was going to make that transition so quickly, they should have readvertised and started over…..
11:52 is exactly right. what an excellent point. Perhpas what she did was completely illegal. Did anyone who wanted to get to apply when it became a full time position? Was there an open search for the full-time position? Or did the FOR (friend of Roberta) just automatically get bumped up to full time with benefits, with no competition? This should be investigated.
Sorry, meant OPRA