Michele Madigan criticizes incumbent Ken Ivins’ Department of Public Works jobs vote
From The Saratogian, click here to read the story at www.saratogian.com
Published: Thursday, September 29, 2011
SARATOGA SPRINGS — As the race for finance commissioner heats up, candidate Michele Madigan has released a statement criticizing incumbent Kenneth Ivins’ vote at the Sept. 20 City Council meeting to change some positions in the Public Works Department.
The council — with the exception of Commissioner of Accounts John Franck — voted to approve changing a part-time position to full-time, increasing another position’s pay and the creation a third position of “reservation coordinator” for city properties that can be rented by the public.
Madigan questioned the timing of the decision.
“It is incomprehensible that Mr. Ivins would vote to increase city expenditures two weeks before the release of the 2012 city budget,” Madigan’s statement said. “Budget hearings are scheduled to take place shortly after the release of the city budget, and this is the appropriate time to discuss these new positions and salaries.”
However, Ivins pointed out only one position was created and added he is still in negotiations with Public Works Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco about the funding of the new position.
“Just because I voted to create the positions does not mean I voted to fund the positions,” Ivins said. “Mr. Scirocco made a good argument for creating the position (of reservation coordinator),” adding that he has been meeting with the commissioners this week, going over requests for each department and “crunching the numbers.”
The comprehensive budget is due out at the Oct. 4 City Council meeting, and Ivins said it will be done just under the wire. He said there is no guarantee the new position would be included in it.
In the statement, Madigan also called for public budget hearings in different neighborhoods throughout the city “to increase citizen participation and so voters have a better understanding of what the city does with their tax dollars,” she said, challenging Ivins to hold them.
“I’m always open to talking to the public,” Ivins said, adding he has been going door to door talking to voters about the budget. “It’s campaign season; I always go door-to-door. One of the biggest issues on people’s minds is keeping taxes down.”
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