Rochester Mayor Cries For Money, But Hands Out Thousands
Rochester, New York Announces Incentive Bonuses
While performance-based pay is commonplace in the private sector, the Mayor of Rochester, New York has decided to implement the practice at the government level. As a result of his new plan, the already cash-strapped City of Rochester, is handing out thousands of dollars in bonus pay. This plan, especially coming at this point in time, has at least three major problems.
- The economy is in a bad way.
- Mayor Duffy is handing out taxpayer money to pay huge bonuses.
- Mayor Duffy spends more time crying for money in Albany than he does at home. How can he justify this reckless spending?
All of this also comes at a time when the President of the University of Rochester, Joel Seligman, announced this week he will not take a pay increase next year because the U of R is uncertain of what will happen to their funding stream in the midst of the current economy.
How Much Are They Getting?
Top employees of the City of Rochester have received performance pay awards that Mayor Bob Duffy instituted earlier this year. And, at least for now, the Deputy Mayor will be paid more than the Mayor. Of the 350 city government employees eligible for the incentive pay, 295 received some sort of award for a total of close to $770,000 in bonuses paid. Among Mayor Duffy’s 20-person Cabinet, none received less than a $4,000 award.
The Economy Is In A Bad Way
How can Mayor Duffy justify this kind of spending when New York State, along with many other states, are already trimming and cutting their budgets because of overspending and deficit spending. Not only are state governments making budget cuts, but many businesses are too. Mayor Duffy is already one of those screaming foul as Governor Paterson looks at areas to trim the State budget. Mayor Duffy, and others, are all complaining they will not survive without money from the State level. If that’s the case…
Mayor Duffy should be ashamed of himself for handing out this kind of money.
He’s Using Taxpayer Money
In a time of government bailouts where many are calling on the government to stop using taxpayer money to bailout failed companies, Mayor Bob Duffy apparently has no problem using taxpayer money to hand out bonus bucks.
Close to $770,000 dollars in taxpayer money is being spent on bonuses!
Of course this comes on top of the new Rochester City employee rule that says if you’re going to work for the City of Rochester, you must live in Rochester. Mayor Duffy was upset that people were working in Rochester, taking Rochester taxpayer money for salaries, and then spending that money elsewhere because they don’t live in Rochester. As a result, he enacted a rule that says government employees must live in Rochester. Apparently the Mayor wants to keep the taxpayer money in Rochester, but he has no problem with spending the money on bonuses.
Again…Mayor Duffy should be ashamed of himself for handing out this kind of money.
Mayor Duffy Cries For Money From Albany…But Can Give Out Money
Since taking over the office of Mayor, Bob Duffy has spent more time in Albany crying for more money than he has in trying to find money in his own budget. He’s always on the road to Albany crying about a budget shortfall in Rochester. He then blames the shortfall on New York State and badgers the legislative leaders in Albany for more money all the time. He’s like a broken record on this!
Reality is, New York State has pumped more money into Rochester than pretty much any other city in New York State. Of course much of that money went into the failed ventures of dumb projects like the Fast Ferry and PaeTec Park. One is gone, the other remains an embarrassment. Add on top of that, his constant crying for free money from Albany for what’s destined to be yet another big failure in downtown Rochester, Renaissance Square.
Of course lets not forget the wonderful plan to demolish Midtown Plaza. All the eggs for that were placed in one basket. But as time now progresses, it seems many of the eggs are breaking, once again. What will downtown Rochester end up with? A Skywalk to no-where, a big hole covering a number of city blocks, and displaced store owners from the plaza out of business. And, lets not forget, millions of state money earmarked for the project, that simply went into a big hole in the ground.
Mayor Duffy says the City of Rochester has a budget gap to close. He cries and cries for more money, and now he gives out taxpayer money to the tune of close to $770,000! Rochester’s City Council does not like the idea. Those on both sides of the aisle told him it’s not a good idea. But, Mayor “Bully” Bob cried once again and got his way.
Mayor Bob Duffy should be ashamed of himself.
In light of this reckless spending of taxpayer money by Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy, I have two suggestions.
- Albany Legislators – The next time Mayor Duffy says he doesn’t have enough money, laugh in his face and ask him about the bonus bucks.
- Rochester voters – Mayor Duffy is up for re-election soon. Maybe it’s time to vote him out of office before he spends more of your money recklessly.
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
