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Do IT this week: Layering
Those jeopardized by budget cuts warn the entire county would be affected
By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 10:48 p.m. EST, Nov 30, 2009
Summit County sheriff's deputies, supervisors and supporters packed County Council chambers today to protest upcoming layoffs and demotions.
They also warned about the negative impact on public safety.
The county plans to lay off 34 deputies and demote supervisors Dec. 21 to reduce spending if the public safety unions don't accept $1.9 million worth of cuts in pay and benefits. More than 90 law-enforcement workers are affected.
''We're asking that all members of council take a long hard look at everything,'' said Deputy Doug Quiner, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 139, which represents about 330 deputies.
The deputies and supervisors unions held a rally outside the county courthouse in downtown Akron before marching across the street to the council. About 75 people attended, carrying signs saying ''Budget cuts lead to safety cuts'' and ''Save our safety forces before it's you who needs saved.''
The cuts will affect the entire county, despite many communities having their own police departments, Deputy Lyn Watters said at the rally.
Watters, who organized the rally, noted that the sheriff is responsible for checking up on registered sex offenders throughout the county and supports communities through specialized units such as SWAT, crime scene and bomb squad teams.
''All of these operations will be affected in such a way as to severely reduce the ability of the sheriff to provide adequate services in these areas,'' she said.
Many deputies and supervisors also believe they are being asked to take the brunt of the financial cutbacks. The demotions themselves amount to a 16 percent pay cut, they said.
The county has the money to avoid the layoffs, the unions said, noting that the government has a $25 million rainy-day fund.
County Executive Russ Pry has recommended trimming $9 million from the 2010 operating budget to help offset declining tax revenues and rising personnel costs. He also wants to avoid dipping into the rainy-day fund.
The county has responded to the financial downturn by offering buyouts; raising fees, such as dog licenses; not handing out raises to nonbargaining employees; imposing unpaid furloughs on some workers and instituting a hiring freeze.
Pry and Sheriff Drew Alexander told the County Council that the unions have been presented with concessions to prevent the layoffs and it's up to them whether to approve the cuts. They added that the concessions would be for one year only.
The unions have yet to decide what to do about the concessions, which include forgoing raises; giving up longevity pay and clothing allowances; and taking furloughs.
Council President Nick Kostandaras told the unions that the council takes the issue seriously.
''This is not a slap in the face to the safety forces,'' he said. ''These are bad economic times and we are trying to deal with it.''
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Summit County sheriff's deputies, supervisors and supporters packed County Council chambers today to protest upcoming layoffs and demotions.
They also warned about the negative impact on public safety.
The county plans to lay off 34 deputies and demote supervisors Dec. 21 to reduce spending if the public safety unions don't accept $1.9 million worth of cuts in pay and benefits. More than 90 law-enforcement workers are affected.
''We're asking that all members of council take a long hard look at everything,'' said Deputy Doug Quiner, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 139, which represents about 330 deputies.
The deputies and supervisors unions held a rally outside the county courthouse in downtown Akron before marching across the street to the council. About 75 people attended, carrying signs saying ''Budget cuts lead to safety cuts'' and ''Save our safety forces before it's you who needs saved.''
The cuts will affect the entire county, despite many communities having their own police departments, Deputy Lyn Watters said at the rally.
Watters, who organized the rally, noted that the sheriff is responsible for checking up on registered sex offenders throughout the county and supports communities through specialized units such as SWAT, crime scene and bomb squad teams.
''All of these operations will be affected in such a way as to severely reduce the ability of the sheriff to provide adequate services in these areas,'' she said.
Many deputies and supervisors also believe they are being asked to take the brunt of the financial cutbacks. The demotions themselves amount to a 16 percent pay cut, they said.
The county has the money to avoid the layoffs, the unions said, noting that the government has a $25 million rainy-day fund.
County Executive Russ Pry has recommended trimming $9 million from the 2010 operating budget to help offset declining tax revenues and rising personnel costs. He also wants to avoid dipping into the rainy-day fund.
The county has responded to the financial downturn by offering buyouts; raising fees, such as dog licenses; not handing out raises to nonbargaining employees; imposing unpaid furloughs on some workers and instituting a hiring freeze.
Pry and Sheriff Drew Alexander told the County Council that the unions have been presented with concessions to prevent the layoffs and it's up to them whether to approve the cuts. They added that the concessions would be for one year only.
The unions have yet to decide what to do about the concessions, which include forgoing raises; giving up longevity pay and clothing allowances; and taking furloughs.
Council President Nick Kostandaras told the unions that the council takes the issue seriously.
''This is not a slap in the face to the safety forces,'' he said. ''These are bad economic times and we are trying to deal with it.''
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 10:59 PM, 11/30/2009
Pry needs to check himself. . .
akron, oh
Posted 11:50 PM, 11/30/2009
no one will get laid off if they take the pay cut.Take one for the team and take the pay cuts then everyone will have a job.
Independence, oh
Posted 06:58 AM, 12/01/2009
@wethepeople ... take one for the team? Look at what county council is asking. Take a paycut of about 20 percent when a month-long furlough is included on top of pay cuts and everything else. That's right, four weeks of unpaid time off. You know what they call that at most places? Layoffs without unemployment.
akron, oh
Posted 07:31 AM, 12/01/2009
The county is going throught the same thing Akron did. Setting up layoffs so they will be eligible for stimulus money from the Feds.
I find it a sad state of affairs when politicians play with peoples lives so they can get money from the Feds.
Posted 07:32 AM, 12/01/2009
Can't be layoffs, we passed a levy so the our area can continue to have their service since we don't have APD service. If our service is cut, so should my taxes...They are cut thin as is...find the money like you found money for an Art Museum and to move that house on Exchange St. Crime isn't going to go away it'll get worse.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:50 AM, 12/01/2009
There is overkill in every gov't department--services will be the same if organized correctly, but make sure the cuts aren't just from safety forces. Safety forces should be the last to be considered. The officers that have been there for 15 years shouln't take a paycut for the rookie--that's the basis of unions.
akron, oh
Posted 08:56 AM, 12/01/2009
Logic, I hope you're prepared to file a breach of contract suit because you and every other person who pays for their safety force are about to get taken.
Tim Crawford's words-We've been spending the past few years like a bunch of drunken sailors. Great people to have in charge of your county finances. They had no problem finding money for other things, but no one will want to come near the area if it's nothing more than a shooting gallery... oh wait, it already is so let's cut more officers since county council apparently enjoys squandering our tax dollars.
cuyahoga falls, oh
Posted 09:47 AM, 12/01/2009
If, there isn't enough money to prevent layoffs how is it that a retiree drawing a pension is also working once again drawing a salary ?
Akron, OH
Posted 09:57 AM, 12/01/2009
ADP and SCSO..... a match made in heaven.
Posted 10:03 AM, 12/01/2009
If you ask me these are all overused ploys to get deputies more overtime activity. "Watters, who organized the rally, noted that the sheriff is responsible for checking up on registered sex offenders throughout the county and supports communities through specialized units such as SWAT, crime scene and bomb squad teams."
Akron, OH
Posted 11:03 AM, 12/01/2009
The County and the FOP agreed in good faith to the terms of the contract! Find the money, county!! MAN UP AND LIVE UP TO THE AGREEMENTS YOU MAKE!!!
Don't play with people's lives for political purposes!!!!
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:10 AM, 12/01/2009
Boy Akron sure started somethibg with the lay off of safety forces. Every government agency in the area is falling in line to do the same. Why do we never read about layoffs form any other labor group other than safety forces. The county has 25 million in a rainy day fund. What is this used for and where does it come from. Also they want a cigarette tax for the arts. If they lay off deputies, they will not have any to work at the ballet. Why not a tax for public safety. Thats no good, Akrons Issue 8 didn work either.
Norton, Oh
Posted 11:19 AM, 12/01/2009
Its funny how our safety forces are laid off, while numerous employees of Akron and Summit Cty govt are double-dippers. The other story only speaks of one of many... but THEY aren't let go...
How do we get a ballot inititive changing our charter to prohibit double dipping?? Allowing this to happen when they could eliminate the position, and still whining 'we need more money' is bull &$#*
Elect the incumbents... get what you deserve... Its time to clean house in Akron, and in the rest of Summit County...
Barberton, oh
Posted 11:36 AM, 12/01/2009
Their really doesn't need to be any comments after the spot on one from ZAPDOG, the city and county are out of the peoples control.
akron, oh
Posted 11:54 AM, 12/01/2009
Well this is a no brainer. If they choose not to take the cuts, there will be lay offs. My question is, if there really a need for the cuts? Perhaps Pry is using the money for the holiday parties etc.
akron, oh
Posted 12:23 PM, 12/01/2009
People there is nothing you can do so sit down shut up and do as you are told.
Posted 12:33 PM, 12/01/2009
will someone tell pry that it's raining.
Copley, OH
Posted 02:08 PM, 12/01/2009
At "We The People": Your comment is what is wrong with the country. We sit down and take obey everything the government says, while those in office get richer. It NEEDS to stop! The public needs to stande behind our safety forces. We need to put pressure on to stop unnecessary government spending to ensure there are enough funds to protect us.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:39 PM, 12/01/2009
Hey Summit County why dont ya call the CPA that exposed and later criticized the City of Akron's financial games and inept recordkeeping when the Akron FOP and Firefighters were dealt the "no money" card by Mayor Don? What is it with these governments compromising public safety in the name of budget cuts?
akron, oh
Posted 05:00 PM, 12/01/2009
I'm not a huge fan of the S.O. I think there is fat to cut (mostly top heavy) and I don't like the politics. That being said, the county should dip into the rainy day fund and keep the current deputies. A contract was signed by both parties and it should be followed.
AKRON, OH
Posted 05:31 PM, 12/01/2009
I THINK SHERIFF ALEXANDER AND CHIEF JAMES AND ALL THE REST OF THE TOP DAWG HIGH LAW THAT DONT DO ANY THING BUT DRINK BEER AND PLAY GOLF ALL DAY.THEY SHOULD TAKE A PAY CUT.
AKRON, OH
Posted 05:34 PM, 12/01/2009
THE PROBLEM IS TO MANY CHIEFS AND NOT ENOUGH INDIANS
Copley, Oh
Posted 10:38 PM, 12/01/2009
Pry has a 25 million rainy day fund which could be used to prevent layoffs but he doesn't want to tap into it?
Come back to earth Pry, a lot of people don't want to tap into their savings but have to.
Jeez, where did these dork politicians come from?
