More Budget
Games
During the last round of budget crisis, the state recommended that Schundler cut the work force by eliminating provisional workers (workers that are not civil service). Most of Mayor Schundler's supporters are classified as provisional workers. Besides how can they work his politics if they are laid-off?
During the 1994 layoffs many of his supporters were "bumped" by civil service personnel. He had their layoffs rescinded by the Merit Service. He claimed 300 were laid-off but approximately 55 lost their jobs. Schundler knows that he cannot fix the layoffs they way he did in 1994.
Now Schundler offers a "buyout" that the state blasts. He offered a six months' salary and three months' medical coverage to employees with as little as one year's service, if they quit by Dec. 31. Llrich Steinberg, Director of Local Government Services call it, "a very liberal program." But, they allowed the "buyout" to happen.
Politics must continue. In his bid for the governor race. Schundler needs support from people around the state. Apparently, there is a Republican in South Jersey that Schundler needs to work his magic. This south Jersey Republican has a son on the Jersey City Police Department. The son wants to be made sergeant but the city is under mandates about promotions and raises.
On February 5, 2000, the local paper reported, "14 cops promoted against state orders." Despite the pressure from Trenton, the mayor approved of the promotions.
This is done while the city has laid off personnel and is begging the state for $27 million in additional state aid. Schundler ignored the $16 million stipulation on hiring and freezing of promotions.
Tom Damm, spokesman for the state Department of Community Affairs said, "It's another sign of bad faith from the mayor's office at a time when it's trying to convince the Legislature that it needs an additional $16 million."
On February 11, 2000, the state yanked the 14 recently promoted sergeants from their new positions but extended the list for 45 days.
Schundler sends in his "fix-it man" Robert Lombard to clear up this problem in Trenton. He's an expert at cleaning up Schundler's mess. After questioning Lombard, the board choses not to formally reprimand Jersey City for going ahead with the promotions without the waiver.
Lombard told the state, the city would save money with these promotions. But according to the newspaper, the paper trail was not available to prove this statement.