Holding the line on new hires is a good first step

Last Updated on Tuesday, January 08, 2013 01:16 pm Written by Opinion Tuesday, January 08, 2013 01:00 am

To the editor:

I, along with many other taxpayers, am pleased that Margate business administrator Richard Deaney is moving forward with the suggestion to have public works handle street-opening permits. The original plan, proposed by City Commissioner Taube, was to create a new $130,000 (including benefits) project manager-engineer position.

As a sign of unity and resolve to hold the line on spending, Margate commissioners should reintroduce and adopt a resolution calling for a hiring freeze on all nonessential employees, which both Mayor Becker and Commissioner Blumberg have supported in the past.

While holding the line on new hires is a good first step, there is so much more to do. The city is now faced with many important financial decisions that will have a long-term impact on Margate. There is the repayment of the $3 million or so in "emergency notes" the city incurred as a result of the hurricane, rezoning of flood elevations for home owners, utilization of FEMA restoration funds for City Hall and retrofitting Union Avenue School. 

The good news is that Margate already has an incredible, highly experienced staff in each of its departments (revenue, finance, public safety and public works) who work closely together for the best interests of the community. We all got to see this firsthand in the aftermath of Sandy.

Sharon Simon
Margate