Police Layoffs

[kellyann1293]

According to the city's website the council meeting starts at 8:00PM. Prior to the city council meeting, the judiciary committee meets at 6:30PM and the finance committee meets at 7:15PM.

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[stargazer4082]

I voted for Bob Sabonjian in the last election and just heard about this site and thought Iwould weigh in with my own feelings.I am mad about the lack of change in Waukegan since Mayor Bob took office, I am mad about the fact that they want to layoff fire and police and I am really mad that Ray Vukovich is being reappointed tonite again as the government director for the city. They are telling us there is a huge deficit. Ray Vukovich has served under three mayors Drew, Hyde and Sabonjian so why didn't Ray ever tell anyone about the budget problems? He oversee the budget. This huge deficit didn't just happen overnight. It had to be a long time coming. I want to know if the mayor and aldermen are going to take a 12% paycut like they are asking others to take.They get insurance for their part time jobs too. Insurance for a part time job? Nice work if you can get it. No wonder they all want to hang on to their cushy jobs as aldermen.Isn't it time for Waukegan to have a real city manager with a college background? I say if they are going to cut personnel they should start with Vukovich who has been a contributor to the financial mess we are in. If Mayor Bob is going to live up to his campaign promises than he should clean house starting now. Otherwise he will lose my vote next time around.

[Blackdiamond]

AND MY VOTE ALSO. :x

[Frankzilch]

People are upset over the possibility of losing a few police and fire personnel but what about the ones who DO NOTHING ALL DAY LONG, ALL WEEK LONG. Hardworking Guys and Gals on the WPD and WFD... you KNOW THIS IS TRUE. Why protect these mopes?

[reasonable1]

frank, even if one of the WPD or WFD guys really wanted to do nothing all day long they couldn't, there is just too many calls in Waukegan for that. I got a scanner about a week ago, and am surprised about what types of calls these guys go to and how many they get. And FYI most of the people that are facing layoffs are the younger, go getter types of officers who work the midnight of afternoon shifts that keep you safe during the night.

[shalwechat]

People are upset over the possibility of losing a few police and fire personnel but what about the ones who DO NOTHING ALL DAY LONG, ALL WEEK LONG. Hardworking Guys and Gals on the WPD and WFD... you KNOW THIS IS TRUE. Why protect these mopes?

The city needs to make some difficult budget calls. If all of the city of Waukegan city workers (mayor, legislators, police, fire, office people etc) are concerned about the financial health of the city, they should consider a across the board salary decrease. I hope this financial short fall are not balanced on the back of the taxpayers. Maybe have municapal workers fund their own retirement plans, take a 10 percent pay cut, furlough days, and unfortunatly lay off people. If the city cannot afford these officers and fire people....they need to be let go. the city needs to join the reality of doing 2x more with 2x less resources.

(i am assuming the city is honest in depicting the budget, no hidden sources of revenue)