As a concerned citizen of the City of Hollister, I’m sending you
my views on the proposal of RIF’s for the City of Hollister work
force. I have gone through three layoffs in my work experience and
soon will be laid off in July 2004
”
due to a company acquisition.
”
I feel the pain these folks are going through along with the
impact this will cause the good citizens of Hollister.
As a concerned citizen of the City of Hollister, I’m sending you my views on the proposal of RIF’s for the City of Hollister work force. I have gone through three layoffs in my work experience and soon will be laid off in July 2004 “due to a company acquisition.” I feel the pain these folks are going through along with the impact this will cause the good citizens of Hollister.
In all my cases, coming from the private sector, the layoff was a last resort because of “loss of revenue.” That hasn’t occurred with this situation – you are looking at proposed loss. Therefore, please consider all options before going forward with this drastic measure of decapitation. Yes, I call it that because that is exactly what you will see thereafter. Work with all department heads and union representatives to come up with alternative solutions.
I listened to your meeting Monday night and clearly these folks are willing to sacrifice some of their pay in order to keep their standing within the department. That’s called commitment, loyalty and passion.
Some immediate ideas addressed:
– Four business workdays (huge cost savings in operations & labor costs.)
– Job share (this works very well for efficiency.)
– Perhaps no cost of living or salary increase for the next year (I had gone with no salary increase for two years. It can work.)
– Look at all your contracted work – ensure this level cannot be handled by internal departments. Folks may have to take more on with no pay increase.
– Raise at a minimum the public transit cost.
– Take into consideration all ideas and views of the city workers that are willing to make a change in order to keep their positions.
Some long term ideas are:
– Put a 1-cent sales tax on the November ballot to cover public safety and education (or education will be next.)
– Raise at a minimum the property tax (citizens of Hollister understand we will be on our own if we do not come up with an alternative to cover our costs.)
– Raise water and garbage costs at a minimum in July.
– Evaluate and appraise all city property (we may be able to recover cost at that level.)
I would also like to address a few positions that are on the proposed list for RIF:
– Public safety (fire and police): This is not acceptable. Our community has grown and will continue to. We need our protection. The fire chief and three police officers, Brad Pike couldn’t have said it better – “Send a ship out to sea without a captain and tell them good luck.” Basically, hopefully, you’ll find your way back.
You cannot run such a vital organization without a strong leader. Chief Garringer is in fact the soul and the backbone of that department. Without his leadership and direction, you will seriously lose the established results you have seen since his appointment. I think you sensed that Monday night with all the support and presence of firefighters at the meeting. At least allow him to see the next station and projects completed so that he can work on enhancement of leadership roles for the new era. I ask that you reconsider his position at least through the next 2005 budget plan.
Now regarding police. With our increase in crime and public education for all citizens, specifically to our young people of Hollister, we need the presence of these fine officers. We can’t turn back the clock and say we live in a world where we can keep our doors unlocked, women are safe from predators, people aren’t desperate and robbery and crime doesn’t exist. That’s not the real world.
Both of these areas and positions must be removed or replaced with another alternative. You need to ensure the people of Hollister are safe and secure – always. That is your civic responsibility as an appointed official for the City of Hollister. Because when we do get a disaster and it will happen, (view Paso Robles, San Bernardino and Morgan Hill disasters this past year ) along with the current terrorist alerts we live in, we are on our own should any of the above occur, so please reconsider these positions for elimination.
In closing, consider the city manager has done his job. He has presented a defined proposal that will in the short term help him work the budget plan for the next year. It’s not going to resolve our city’s future. What next? Schools, teachers, businesses that will close due to losing money.
Thank you in advance for considering all the above.
Susie Fisher,
Hollister
