Coral Gables Environment, Politics and Government
October 8, 2010 Leave a comment
The taxpayers of Coral Gables are still waiting for the views on the city’s budget, taxes, spending, salaries and pensions of numerous candidates for city office of commissioner or mayor .
Must we assume for now that they are all complacent about of the budget and associated taxes?
September 25, 2010 Leave a comment
I wonder what sacrifices the city’s management, commissioners and mayor are willing to make for the good of the city.
So far there is no evidence that the city leaders are willing to take the lead in making sacrifices for the city. Indeed, more than once we have heard that we have to keep employees, salaries and benefits up to sustain our quality of life. Who is willing to forgo some of their salaries and benefits to demonstrate to the unions that they will lead the city in a time of sacrifice. Will the candidates for public office make a pledge to work ad honorem for the well being of the city.
Florida A&M University President James Ammons says he’s deferring an $80,000 performance bonus due to tough economic times.
September 22, 2010 Leave a comment
Thanks to reporting by the Miami Herald we have learned that the City Commissioners have not taken a reduction in their pension accumulation factor of 3 percent during their first ten years of service. Why wouldn’t the City Commissioners lead the way by reducing their own pension factor to the same as the general employees. Should they think they are in the same family as the employees? Commissioners still haven’t shown enough toughness in handling budget, pensions and other benefits (especially health care benefits).
According to the ordinance, the multiplier for non-union pensions would decrease like this:
• Managers, who include commissioners, would keep the 3 percent multiplier for their first 10 years of service. In subsequent years, the multiplier would be reduced to 2.25 percent for every year of service.
• Professionals and supervisors, would have a 2.5 percent pension multiplier for the first 10 years of service, and then a 2.25 percent multiplier for subsequent years of service.
• Commissioners will decide in a few weeks whether or not to change the multiplier for “appointed” employees, such as City Attorney Elizabeth Hernandez and City Clerk Walter Foeman. Salerno does not belong to the non-union pension plan.
via Coral Gables OK’s pension cuts for employees and managers – Coral Gables – MiamiHerald.com.
September 22, 2010 Leave a comment
We have seen published several names of possible and likely candidates for positions of Commissioner or Mayor. Nevertheless, to my knowledge none of these new candidates have appeared at the Commission budget hearings with a view on taxes, pensions and benefits. With the exception of Mr. Kerdyk whose views are well known, it is quite surprises that the other candidates haven’t stood before the Commission to state their views.
This silence is very concerning.
A candidate who does not speak his/her views on the budget stands in full agreement with the Commission. [Quien calla, otorga]
Coral Gables Watch 