Robert Lombard, the Business Administrator

Throughout literature are tales of people who gain power by selling their souls to the devil.  Well in this case, Robert Lombard sold his soul to Bret Schundler, not the devil, although Jaime Vazquez and others have referred to Bret Schundler as the anti-Christ.

Robert Lombard's continual lies have harmed many people.  They have lost health insurance, pensions, and jobs that they have earned through civil service testing.

On March 1, 1996, OAL Docket No. CSV710-95, Robert Lombard was questioned by Philip Feintuch who asked about the number of provision employees in the city. For the unknown, Provisional employees have not passed or taken tests for job titles. The union charged in the lawsuit that permanent employees were laid off while the city hired provisional employees.

When question in Samuels' court about provisional employees hired during the 1994 layoffs, Robert Lombard downplayed the numbers. Under oath Lombard said, "...several assistant business administrators are provisionals...(It is a) routine process of the City to have provisional appointments pending permanent certifications of the Department of Personnel."  Then he went on to blame the Department of Personnel for not expediting a list for the Neighborhood Improvement District. This statement implies the city was honoring the state constitution laws on civil service.  Lombard's statement is a lie. The laid-off employees never had a chance to refute those statements because they thought they were severed from the case.

Robert Lombard is the hiring agent for the city, when a new job title is created, he is required to have the job open up to civil service testing. 

I have inquired about these new titles at council meeting during the public speaking on the ordinances. Robert Lombard has responded by stating these jobs were created with people in mind.  He has even said that he doesn't believe in civil service.

If jobs are not handed out through the merit system (civil service) then jobs are created through patronage.  Supporters get the jobs and enemies are fired!

Lombard also testified that there have been no systematic raises given to non-union employees, even though some people were paid increases on a selective basis.  (At this point, please re-read the article on Raises).  He said no one has been hired to replace the people who were laid off, because such actions would be improper. 

I called Stan Dorfman, an employee of the Merit System who said most complaints about the city not using the Merit System (civil service) comes from Jersey City.

For the record, I played Robert Lombard's court statement during a public portion of a council meeting.  The council, and several reporters were present. His voice was as clear as a bell.  It is too bad that his parents were not present, they should know that they raised a liar for son.

Robert Lombard, also lied during the budget hearing on December 18, 1996.  A question was raised about using lien money as part of the current collection rate.  On page 49 of the transcript Lombard stated, "...the city does not take delinquent taxes and apply it against the current tax collection rate."   However, the audit performed by Deloitte and Touche LLP, on page 61 showed a collection rate of 89.85% for the period end of June 30, 1994.  The following year, the June 30, 1994 collection rate changed to 91.68% (audits show more than one year).   The auditors stated, "Revised to include collection from liens sold from current years taxes."  The figure changed the following year because Bret Schundler like 90's not 80's. 

Robert Lombard is paid well.  He receives a high salary and a generous car allowance.  You can sell your soul!