- 1,286 jobs were eliminated in Miami-Dade government and 13 libraries were closed since Mayor Carlos Gimenez become mayor in July 2011. But don't worry, over 3100 top "managers" will not face reduction of their six-figure salaries!
- 300 more police officers will be receiving pink slips very soon.
BALANCING THE BUDGET
- "What started as a $239 million hole in Miami-Dade County's 2012 budget is growing by the day as the county and its 10 unions struggle to reach new contract terms." The Miami Herald (November 16, 2011)
- "Each and every day that the county and its 10 unions fail to reach accord on new contracts, the county digs itself $300,000 further into a hole." The Miami Herald (November 16, 2011)
- "The county says it is seeking a cut totaling 21 percent in salary and benefits from police." The Miami Herald (October 17, 2011)
- "The (police) union says the proposed cuts, for some officers, actually would total to more than 30 percent -- a number the PBA that would drive away talented officers and recruits, endangering public safety." The Miami Herald (November 12, 2011)
Interesting is the statement and the nerve of Genaro Iglesias, Deputy Mayor/Chief of Staff, Miami-Dade County, the right-hand man of the Mayor Carlos J. Gimenez:
"One point that isn't up for debate is the need for county government to tighten its collective belt."
(Source: The Miami Herald (November 23, 2011, Page 20A)
If they want austerity, they need to start with themselves, meaning Genaro Iglesias, William Bryson and Mayor Carlos J. Gimenez who each receive between $277,000 and $370,000 for their salaries and pensions.
It should also be reminded that it was just a pure sham when Mayor Carlos Gimenez accepted a cut of 50 percent cut in salary from what the former mayor Carlos Alvarez was receiving. Mayor Gimenez gets a $150,000 in salary plus $10,000 in bonuses and another $140,000 for his pension as former firefighter--a total of whopping $300,000!
For comparison, the salary of the Florida governor is a meager $130,000.
Incompetency and corruption come always with a high price and we all end up paying for it.
Farid A. Khavari, Ph.D., economist is the author of ten books dealing with economics, environment, energy, healthcare, finance, banking and other issues.
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