Comments on: Guest Editorial: Gretchen Straub on the SB Town Budget http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/ Life in South Berwick, Maine Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:44:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Nick http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1403 Nick Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:50:25 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/#comment-1403 The Highway department is NOT unionized. As far as the town goes, the PD is the only one. And the schools of course. The Highway department is NOT unionized. As far as the town goes, the PD is the only one. And the schools of course.

]]> By: Bill http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1400 Bill Sat, 31 May 2008 21:36:08 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/#comment-1400 Really? At the budget hearing, I heard the Chairman say that only the Police is unionized. The school is another matter. Really? At the budget hearing, I heard the Chairman say that only the Police is unionized. The school is another matter.

]]> By: Sam http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1399 Sam Sat, 31 May 2008 19:24:51 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/#comment-1399 The Highway Department is also unionized, as well as the school district. The Highway Department is also unionized, as well as the school district.

]]> By: Bill http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1395 Bill Sat, 31 May 2008 02:35:41 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/#comment-1395 The police department is the only part of the Town with a union contract. All others are not bound by union contracts. The police department is the only part of the Town with a union contract. All others are not bound by union contracts.

]]> By: Sam http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1394 Sam Sat, 31 May 2008 00:33:41 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/#comment-1394 Let's not forget that a lot of the town employees are union and the rates are set by the contracts. The town can not just stop giving them raises without re-negotiating these contracts. Not defending them (although they do a great job), just pointing out a fact that may not be able to be controlled by the council. Let’s not forget that a lot of the town employees are union and the rates are set by the contracts. The town can not just stop giving them raises without re-negotiating these contracts. Not defending them (although they do a great job), just pointing out a fact that may not be able to be controlled by the council.

]]> By: Molly http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1391 Molly Fri, 30 May 2008 19:49:13 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/#comment-1391 I think the Town Manager and Council should look at the issue of raises and benefits for town employees when tax payers are facing tax hikes. But I think that they should develop a fair and rational policy to do it, not just make cuts without thinking them through. Town employees are struggling the same way all of us are and they should be able to expect fair and equitable treatment by their employer. That's why I will vote to have this budget go through and I will call for the Town Manager and the Council to look at town employee raises and benefits to have a plan in place for future budgets so if we have to reduce or eliminate raises and reduce benefits that it will be done fairly and rationally. I think the Town Manager and Council should look at the issue of raises and benefits for town employees when tax payers are facing tax hikes. But I think that they should develop a fair and rational policy to do it, not just make cuts without thinking them through. Town employees are struggling the same way all of us are and they should be able to expect fair and equitable treatment by their employer. That’s why I will vote to have this budget go through and I will call for the Town Manager and the Council to look at town employee raises and benefits to have a plan in place for future budgets so if we have to reduce or eliminate raises and reduce benefits that it will be done fairly and rationally.

]]> By: Bill http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1390 Bill Fri, 30 May 2008 18:47:32 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/#comment-1390 Ron- What's the code enforcemnt "situation"? Ron- What’s the code enforcemnt “situation”?

]]> By: Ron http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1389 Ron Fri, 30 May 2008 18:34:38 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/#comment-1389 Point is that most people in this town are having a tough time. Too tough a time to be handing out raises. Whatever, my entire neighborhood is coming down to vote No anyway due to the situation with code enforcement. No point in providing raises or voting yes when the Town government seems to be working against you. Point is that most people in this town are having a tough time. Too tough a time to be handing out raises.

Whatever, my entire neighborhood is coming down to vote No anyway due to the situation with code enforcement. No point in providing raises or voting yes when the Town government seems to be working against you.

]]> By: Nick http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1388 Nick Fri, 30 May 2008 18:13:48 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/#comment-1388 logic, not login... must have computer on the brain. logic, not login… must have computer on the brain.

]]> By: Nick http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/comment-page-1/#comment-1387 Nick Fri, 30 May 2008 18:13:16 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/05/28/guest-editorial-gretchen-straub-on-the-sb-town-budget/#comment-1387 Well Ron, with that login I guess since I got a raise, bonus and 100% health insurance this last year I should support the town doing the same... Well Ron, with that login I guess since I got a raise, bonus and 100% health insurance this last year I should support the town doing the same…

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