Link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100210/NEWS16/2100322

"Toledo Mayor Mike Bell's decision to increase the salaries of a few top city officials has irked some union leaders and might cost somevotes for a possible income tax increase in May, but he is sticking with the pay raises. Steve Herwat, deputy mayor of operations, said the top-level employees were entitled to raises from promotions and because many are performing work that used to be handled by more than oneperson."

Well, sure who doesn't a pay raise, if the person is multi-tasking.

"Mr. Herwat yesterday also said the Bell administration plans to finish its 2010 general fund budget by March 1 to balance a $43.8 million shortfall, and that it has identified $25 million in savings."

Well, sure tell us something we don't already know, the budget shortfall is front and center, each and every day, like the snow falling, which is going to increase the budget costs for the departments responsible,  maybe the head of the Public Works department needs a raise, also?

"Dave Welch, who was promoted from commissioner of streets, bridges, and harbor to director of public service. His pay increased from $73,998 to $80,500."

Why sure, but of course.

It is all about appearance and the fact that the administrative personnel in the city are part of the reason why there is the mess, fiscally we are in. They as workers did not do what needed to be done, manage the city effectively and properly.

Oh, sure, we can sit and spin ourselves till we are red in the face about the politico's, it is the responsibility of those in administrative positions to lead and turn the city around.

"Mr. Sarantou also said some Toledo commissioners and directors receive less pay than city union members who can get paid for overtime"

Gee, what an insight, hourly people out plowing the streets day and night in the winter, as an example, and the workers make more on overtime hours, that the bosses, really? This is something new?

The administration and council still do not get it.

The city is in the mess it is, because of the habits of the past and to some extent to the present.  Fiscal conservatism seems to be a theory or policy that the administrations and council cannot grasp.

The city income tax collection is down, because people are laid off, out of work, unable to pay taxes because of no job, or are making less now than before, or the population has dropped, but the administrations and councils still get spending on matters like this. And really how much of staff do we need in the offices to manage the city? How many assistants to assistants are needed to assist each other.

We sure don't seem headed down a path of change, it seems to be more of the same, when people in office are reaping the perks office and are not in the same fiscal state that a lot of the citizens are.

Talk off sharing the pain, is laughable. How does a person elected to office and getting upwards of over 100K a year, share the same pain as someone earning 20K a year and with the costs, of living rising each and each every year.

It sure seems that this administration is out of tune with the reality we face, like the last one, and when the city descends into receivership, hopefully the books and budgets will be brought into line and the leadership learns from it.