June 30, 2009
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PBA says Town of Newburgh planned better before layoffs
TOWN OF NEWBURGH – The president of the Town of Newburgh PBA Monday said the elected leadership in the town “has failed in its fundamental duty to lead in this crisis.”
Glenn Ryther’s comments come after the town late last week laid off nine full-time employees and four part-timers. Two of the full-timers were police officers.
Ryther said the town board didn’t do enough before dropping the axe. “Responsible leadership would have formulated a plan that would have been implemented over time, insuring that the town remains able to meet its fiscal responsibilities,” he said. “Gradual work force reduction, if deemed necessary, could have been implemented through attribution during this time period.”
Aside from the layoffs, Ryther said the town cut only one employee’s salary. The town DARE officer, who has earned a $10,000 stipend for the last eight years, will have that eliminated, equaling an eight percent cut to her salary.HEAR today's news on MidHudsonRadio.com, the Hudson Valley's only Internet radio news report.