Ward 7 Newsletter Jan 2012… (pdf)
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This letter updates various issues in Ward 7 and our City.
While canvassing our neighborhoods last year, many residents commented on the poor condition of our roads and sidewalks. Many are cracked and deteriorated.
With that in mind, I have talked on several occasions with Mr. Mark Mahoney, our new City Public Works Director, regarding the sidewalk, street, and other improvements needed in Ward 7. Although there is no guarantee, it appears several areas of Ward 7 will receive attention in 2012.
However, the City’s budget remains very weak, making it difficult to direct revenue toward neighborhood improvements. Based on recent actuarial reports, our Police and Fire Pensions’ unfunded liabilities continue to grow at an alarming rate.
Our City’s finances are seriously out of balance – and these two local Pension funds are a major cause. I favor one-year pay freezes for all our City workers as their union contracts expire. Many of our city workers benefited from union contracts that paid annual 4% raises over 5 years (almost 22% compounded) – during the Great Recession. We also must repeal the practice of offering retirement pay spikes to our Firefighters and Police, which inflate pensions permanently.
We cannot keep spending money we do not have. I am dedicated to bringing these fiscal problems into focus with other city office holders, and keeping city residents informed. As always, please share your views and any concerns by emailing joeforward7@aol.com or phoning 787-2297.
Very Respectfully,
Joe McMenamin
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 