Posted on 10/01/2008 7:55:43 AM PDT by SmithL
Purple- and blue-shirted city workers crammed the council chamber Tuesday night to protest Mayor Ron Dellums' proposals to cut $42 million from Oakland's budget.
The outcry came after Dellums addressed the council in the first string of meetings aimed at getting to the bottom of Oakland's fiscal mess and amid a national economic crisis that left city officials — including Dellums — concerned the problems would likely get worse before they get better.
The council discussed, but took no action, on Dellums' proposed cuts.
City employees represented by SEIU Local 1021 and the Professional and Technical Engineers Union Local 21 said Dellums' plans — which include at least 84 layoffs and possible weekly City Hall closures — are not the right solutions.
"It's a major, radical cut in quality of life in Oakland and of services," said Christine Saed, a senior librarian active with Local 1021.
...Local 1021 joined with Local 21 to bring in a consultant to look at the city's books and develop alternative recommendations. A report is expected to be completed within in 10 days.
Union members cheered one another loudly at times Tuesday and waived signs reading "Save City Services."
...He had a simple diagnosis for the situation: Oakland is living beyond its means.
The mayor recommended closing $32 million of the $42 million gap by eliminating or freezing vacant positions; laying off 84 employees; transferring general-fund costs to other city funds; and increasing rates for parking meters and parking citations.
He proposed filling the final $10 million by either shutting down City Hall once a week until July with exceptions for essential services such as police or fire; laying off 120 more employees; or asking for concessions from employees such as cost sharing on retirement or medical insurance.
(Excerpt) Read more at insidebayarea.com ...
Ron “Red” Dellums now under fire by unions? This is too funny to be true. He sat in Congress and at every chance gave everything to everybody and now he’s where the rubber
meets the road and can’t come up with the horsepower, read cash, to move he bloated city vehicle down the road. LOL!!
Can’t we just “amend” the “rescue bill” to get Oakland’s budget “federalized?”
I wonder, ... is it possible to “federalize” my household budget? ... Let me see, where did I put my congressman’s phone number?
Mayor Ron Dellums' proposals to cut $42 millionWhen in Congress, Dellums was nonstop bitchin' about US defense, Pentagon, US interests, etc -- but went, uh, ballistic when the Reagan Peace Dividend led to closure of multiple bases in his district. Those bases had been there for years.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.