Feelings on Layoffs Aired at City Council

Strong feelings were expressed at the end of the Marion City Council meeting Monday evening. The discussion included a plea from the Marion FOP president, a councilman calling for other cuts, and a resident stating that the police need to accept the layoffs because there is simply no money left.

Chris Adkins, president of the Marion Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) lodge, expressed his fears over what the loss of 16 officers will mean for Marion and for other officers starting January 1. He stated that 13,000 calls have been answered by those 16 officers this year and said next year some of those calls may go unanswered.

Adkins said he and other officers are concerned they may not be able to rely on backup next year and, because of that, the likelihood that officers will be injured. He explained the situation is made worse because of the layoffs at the sheriff’s office which means Marion County as a whole will have 28 fewer officers on the road in 2012.

Adkins stated that he isn’t naive to think that all 16 jobs can be saved, but he urged council members to seek ways to save as many as possible.

Ralph Hill, a Marion resident, spoke saying the police department should not be immune when it comes to layoffs. He said that many in Marion have been in the same situation and said there was a lack of concern when factories cut employees.

Hill stated that officers “have to bite the bullet and accept the layoffs,” but said they are not willing to sacrifice. “You just have your hand out asking for more and more.”

Jay McDonald, a major with the Marion Police Department and Ohio FOP president, said officers have not asked for a handout. He reminded council members that officers, including him, gave $7,000 back last year in order to keep officers on the street. He stated that no others did the same to save jobs and officers did this willingly.

“It’s offensive and outrageous to say we are standing here with our hand out,” stated McDonald, saying officers put their lives on the line and earn every nickel.

McDonald told council members that his recommendation is for them to pass a resolution demanding the state give them back their local funding. He said the state took the money, which for decades has been paid to local governments, to put it in a rainy day fund that now has over a billion dollars in it.

“It’s raining in Marion,” said McDonald.

Wade Ralph, Vice President of IAFF, which represents Marion firefighters, told council members that his group voted last week to provide concessions of over $200,000 in order to stop layoffs in their department. While there will be no layoffs, Ralph agreed with an earlier statement that retirements, and not filling those positions, are “back door layoffs.”

Ralph said the retirements and concessions have affected fire services in the city. He explained that Station 2, on the west side of Marion, has been closed half of the year. He said that will probably be worse in 2012 because the department is 15 individuals below full staffing.

Councilman Ayers Ratliff reminded those in attendance that officers and firefighters are already giving back, including paying more of their insurance which saving the City a quarter of a million dollars.

Ralph Hill spoke again, saying, “Personally I am truly offended. I’m offended that you people don’t understand that there is no money.”

Hill said that City employees want pity, but there are others that deserve pity in the community. He said people that can’t pay their bills.

Dale Osborn, who won election for City Council in November, asked if council members had even seen the complete budget. When there was no response from council, he asked how they can make a decision if they have not even seen all the information. He said he asked for a copy of the full budget a week ago and has yet to get any information.

Dan Wigton, a local business owner, said he believes there is a public relations problem. He said the community has an issued with hearing that the City is laying off officers at the same time they are building a $3.5 million aquatic center.

Ratliff explained that the aquatic center will not use a dime from the general fund and will actually help the city funding wise by absorbing salaries and benefits that would be coming from the general fund in a normal year. Wigton says he understands that, but that the community in general doesn’t seem to have the same understanding.

Ratliff stated that he wants to see a number of reductions explored before officers are eliminated. Those cuts include looking at sharing a secretary between the Mayor and Safety Director, not filling an assistant law director position, and more. He also pointed to new chairs that were purchased by the courts at the same time the City is talking about laying off officers.

Ratliff said that until these other cuts are made, he will never support laying off a police officer.

The 2012 budget will be discussed again at a Finance Committee meeting next week. It is expected to be voted on by the new City Council which will be sworn in on January 2, 2012.