Council votes for deeper cuts in public safety
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: March 16, 2012
The Utica Common Council has voted for even deeper cuts in Mayor Robert Palmieri's 2012 proposed budget.
According to Robert Wenner, the fire union president, there will now be a total of 12 cuts in the fire department.
PBA President, Sgt. Dominick Nitti says there will be 17 cuts made in the police department when it's all said and done.
As soon as the public heard the news, members of the UPD and UFD left the Common Council Chambers immediately in anger.
There were six council members who voted for the cuts, 1 member who voted no, and 2 who abstained, which counted as a no vote.
This vote by the council drops the UFD down to 123 members and the UPD to 163 members if everything goes into place.
"I wasn't expecting it, and the cuts are devastating. They don't understand the effects this will have in the city of Utica," said Police Chief, Mark Williams.
"They're talking about laying off people who the federal government pays their salaries and benefits and then they're going to turn around and get rid of the Chief Fire Marshall in the city of Utica which has overseen programs that have reduced the fires by 1/2. Some of this is just the most absurd things I've heard in my 36 years in the fire department," said Utica Fire Chief, Russell Brooks.
In regards to this vote and reaction, Councilman at Large, Frank Meola says he hopes the chiefs and unions can get together and have a financial solution for the council as soon as possible.
Chief Brooks and Williams say they will continue to hold their heads high.
The proposed budget is due this Tuesday, March 20.
According to Robert Wenner, the fire union president, there will now be a total of 12 cuts in the fire department.
PBA President, Sgt. Dominick Nitti says there will be 17 cuts made in the police department when it's all said and done.
As soon as the public heard the news, members of the UPD and UFD left the Common Council Chambers immediately in anger.
There were six council members who voted for the cuts, 1 member who voted no, and 2 who abstained, which counted as a no vote.
This vote by the council drops the UFD down to 123 members and the UPD to 163 members if everything goes into place.
"I wasn't expecting it, and the cuts are devastating. They don't understand the effects this will have in the city of Utica," said Police Chief, Mark Williams.
"They're talking about laying off people who the federal government pays their salaries and benefits and then they're going to turn around and get rid of the Chief Fire Marshall in the city of Utica which has overseen programs that have reduced the fires by 1/2. Some of this is just the most absurd things I've heard in my 36 years in the fire department," said Utica Fire Chief, Russell Brooks.
In regards to this vote and reaction, Councilman at Large, Frank Meola says he hopes the chiefs and unions can get together and have a financial solution for the council as soon as possible.
Chief Brooks and Williams say they will continue to hold their heads high.
The proposed budget is due this Tuesday, March 20.
