Unusual Opposition

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It seems ridiculously absurd that 20-year Councilman Ed Icove and Ward 1 Councilwoman Ruth Gray, currently in her 7th year, would attempt to portray their concerns as genuine regarding the 2012 Budget. They consistently voted in favor of everything that has put the City of South Euclid in the dire financial situation it is in today.

Video below:  February 22, 2012 - Budget Hearings; South Euclid Law Director Michael Lograsso reveals:

• Outside council was brought in to negotiate all city union contracts.
• Jon Bauman handled the Cedar Center negotiations with Gordon Food Service, Bob Evans, Coral Company and DeVille Development.
• The cost of outside council paid from the law department budget appears to be in the range of $150,000 - $160,000.  The total amount allocated for the Legal Administration in 2012 is $333,432.

•  time: 8 min. 18 sec.

Please click on links below to view related posts:

Why So Much?


Administrative Salaries Must Be Cut

Let The Good Times Roll

A budget hearing held on February 22, 2012 reveals that a new position, “CHIEF BUILDING INSPECTOR” became effective the previous day and comes with a $15,000 per year pay increase for that individual. It is unknown how the creation of a new position with a commensurate salary increase was achieved without the approval of City Council. City officials tried unsuccessfully to suppress the subject of this job creation and the corresponding wage.  Watch the chain of events as the information is reluctantly discussed. 

Interestingly, prior to the topic of the pay raise and the new position being brought up; the subject of increased “PERS” - Public Employees Retirement System and Medicare amounts was attributed solely to the end of furlough days with no mention of the pay increase or new position.

Building Commissioner, Paul Kowalczyk: “So that’s really where you saw the increase in the personnel services.”  

Ward 2 Councilman, Moe Romeo: “How about other charges, anything in there that’s of any consequence?”

Building Commissioner: “Nothin’.  Nothin’ that really I would think would jump out at you.”

It is later in the discussion when the conversation shifts to reveal the truth.

Ward 4 Councilperson, Jane Goodman: “Are you doing personnel separately?”  She makes reference to the title, "Deputy Director."

Council President, David Miller: “There’s an increase.  Everyone had stayed the same except for the one gentleman who went from 47 to 62.  Is that the new job description?  The new position?

Building Commissioner: “The chief building inspector, yeah.”

• time: 5 min. 14 sec.

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Please also see previous related SEO posts:

Administrative Salaries Must Be Cut
Hope You're Sitting Down For This One
Standing By The Proposed Raise
Modified Raise
Taxpayers - Watch Your Back

Reasonable Suspicion

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Please also see previous posts:

No Capacity For Shame

What's In Your Wallet?

Another Proposed Tax

Cash Grab

Cash Grab Update