THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 10, 1994 TAG: 9407080253
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
I read the article (The Virginian-Pilot/The Ledger-Star, Wednesday, June 29) in reference to 30-some employees in Portsmouth losing their jobs. The city manager held a news conference in reference to these layoffs, at which time he expressed regrets as he was walking away. The only regret he should be feeling is the loss of his own job.
When a city manger has to hire a private consulting firm to find ways to cut back on city spending, isn't he in fact hiring someone to do his job? Orton goes on to say in the article he would begin searching for someone to replace the deputy city manager, who is retiring and that position was not included in the cutbacks. Why not? Is Orton admitting that not only does he have to hire a firm to do his job, he also needs someone to assist him in the work he's not doing? There is definitely something wrong with this picture.
I don't think paying specialists to come in and take away 39 jobs is very economical. You have people who have dedicated their time and abilities to this city, to have that taken away because this firm believes they should. You're talking about someone's livelihood, their means of supporting a family.
These are not just names on paper or numbers listed in their computers. These are people with feelings, self-respect and pride, not just a position.
Cut out the city hosting large luncheons, dinners and picnics. Cut out the wining and dining by city officials who are trying to impress prospective dreams. Get a city manager who is willing and capable enough to do his own job.
If the city manager keeps taking away the roots of the city, what is left that already hasn't been destroyed will die.
Mrs. Robert G. Cowfer
Leeward Drive
Chesapeake
June 30, 1994
Do you realize that a 2.5 percent raise and with benefits would make City Manager V. Wayne Orton's salary about $100,000?
That is almost as much as the $110,000 salary of the governor of Virginia.
How can the City of Portsmouth afford this, when it has to raise water rates and garbage pick-up to meet the budget?
I agree with the $48,000 consultants that the city has a surplus of employees. In fact, some jobs were made for certain ones.
I suggest that any city employee making $40,000 or more take a 20 percent cut in pay and the city could make the budget very well.
Mary McGee
Wood Lane
June 27, 1994 MEMO: Infoline responses
Last week, we asked our readers for their thoughts on the City Hall
layoffs announced June 28. Below are the comments by readers who left
their name, address and phone number. To comment, call INFOLINE at
640-5555, then push 3473 (FIRE). Your comments will not be published if
you do not include your name, address and phone number.
Anyone that worked for the city for at least 10 years, or longer in
many cases, should've have been retained. The city fired them mainly to
keep . . . from having to pay retirement benefits.
Pamela Gilbertson
5645 Picadilly Lane
It's not only the people that were laid off that are concerned about
this, it's the people still on the job who think the situation wasn't
handled properly. Other people still there are still targeted for
layoffs. The thing was handled poorly.
Harry D. Tevis
600 Summers Place
I feel like it's a disgrace . . . These people put in a lot of time
and ... they shouldn't be losing their jobs like this and all losing
their benefits. There are people above them taking advantage of this.
They're taking retirement they don't deserve and they haven't put
pennies into these retirement funds. . . . They're kicking out people
with experience ... The people laid off look like some very valuable
people . . . The way they're being treated is terrible. . . . The matter
really needs to be investigated.
Mary Scott
5759 Rivermill Circle
The whole matter was handled very poorly. It looks like they got rid
of the best people instead of the worst. . . . I believe that (an
employee's) ability should have been taken into consideration . . .
Also, I think we should get rid of Wayne Orton and rehire these people.
Mary Ann Treakle
411 Robin Road
This is just one of the many ways that Wayne Orton tries to spread
his ``bigness'' around . . . I don't know what it's going to take, but
evidently City Council is going to have to be the one to get him out of
office because he's ruining everyone's life. . . . He ruins everything
he touches . . . He thinks he completely in control of everything and
he's not ... He's unfair.
Sherry Jones
736 Cherokee Road
I think it's a good thing. It's time city government, and all
government, starts to be run like a business instead of these little
empires like they have been for so long.
Glenn A. Cahoon
4512 Race St. by CNB