By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Concerns continue to mount for some San Benito firefighters regarding longevity pay as well as the state of the department’s allotted funds.
Caleb Silva, representing the San Benito Fire Fighters Association, spoke candidly during the public comments portion of Tuesday’s regular city commission meeting, stressing the urgency of what he called a dangerous situation to run the fire department “solely based on numbers.”
“Along with the stations’ concerns that are there with the firefighters, this proposed new administration has discussed with us about making some very drastic changes. We feel that they would like to run our department solely based on numbers, and that is dangerous,” Silva said to the commission at Tuesday’s meeting.
These comments come weeks after longevity pay was cut across the board for all city employees. This drew the ire of many firefighters – some of whom reported to the News a desire to work elsewhere should more cuts be expected.
Longevity pay was implemented by the old administration as a perk system in which the longer an employee works for the city the more pay accumulates, according to City Manager Manuel Lara.
City commissioners at the time expressed difficulty in making said cuts, but they also urged that it was a necessity when facing the current budget crunch.
Human Resources Director Arturo Rodriguez – whose duties now reportedly include addressing the city’s emergency and civil service departments – acknowledged Silva’s concerns but also cautioned that the city’s spending must remain conservative in order to maintain all operations.
“They [irked firefighters] are basically upset. It was indicated that they had requested a meet and confer but that we had not communicated. We’ve been in constant communication with Caleb all the time,” Rodriguez said. “We just have to balance the budget before we do any collective bargaining. So why he said what he did, I don’t know.”
Still, Silva expressed further issues of concern.
“Approaching the citizens’ public safety solely based on numbers is wrong. From 2009, this proposed budget lost $450,000. This has included lowering our minimum staffing from seven to six. This number works as long as there are no calls. As soon as the first emergency is dispatched, we begin to work in situations with dangerous numbers… dangerous not only for our citizens, but also for the fire department staff,” Silva stressed.
The approved general fund budget for fiscal year 2011-2012 shows that the fire department was cut $33,657, from $1,800,524 the year prior to $1,766,867.
“He (Silva) is coming to his own conclusions. No one has ever suggested that,” Rodriguez said when asked to respond to Silva’s comment about the city’s financial approach to public safety. “The most important thing is public safety, making sure public safety services are there for San Benito. So when he says what he did, that’s based on his interpretation.”
Citing studies but divulging no sources, Silva continued in his criticisms of the city’s budgeting allocations by stating that the department would have to switch from a four-man engine setup to a three or two-man crew. “That increases the time it takes to handle a dangerous situation, increasing the chances of a firefighter’s injury and death and also increases the citizen’s injury or death. We feel that this demonstrates a disregard for the safety of our firefighters and the citizens we help,” Silva said.
Rodriguez disagreed.
“We’re going to have to spend wisely, not that we haven’t in the past, but we’re looking at things closely. The one constant is that public safety has always remained a priority,” Rodriguez said.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the Sept. 11 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
3 comments
Is Mr. Art Rodriguez speaking as a Human Resources Director or as an Assistant City Manager?
To my knowledge, there has never been an “official announcement” out of City Hall promoting him or assigning him the extra responsibilities! Maybe I just did not “get the memo” or it was one of those vague motions made after an “Executive Session”!
I do see the City Management Department is increasing its budget from $614,067 to $1,114,952. That’s a $500,885 increase! (maybe it’s a typo)!
Inquiring minds want to know!
well its not a typo, Art and Mr. Lara are just hoping no one notices that big budget increase, they are probably enjoying playing with all that “free’ mone!. They seem to have plans beyond what they are divulging to the publuc, the city commisioners, or to this fine publication. Oh San Benito San Benito, where would you be now without all your silly secrets?
good job caleb! it’s no wonder that Mr. Art disaggress with you, he looks as incompetent and inept as ever with the facts right in his mug. He may say you have a different interpretation of the facts but his view is skewed by ignorance and lack of experience. He knows nothing of running a public safety operation. He is a buffer for the city manager, plain and simple.