06/14/11 Delman's Pussy Footing Gets Slammed By The RTM

Despite Evan Delman's Plea To Postpone Police Contract, RTM Approves Contract And Three Other Union Contracts

Evan Delman of the RTM’s Town Services committee said his committee had intended to vote on the contracts, but “was informed that no action was the best action at this time, for reasons I won’t go into.” He then made the motion to postpone the vote on the police contract to September.

That led to outcry from numerous RTM members who felt that the body should proceed with the vote.

Jim Boutelle of District 8, who has been on the RTM for a number of years, said he believes all the parties involved in the contract negotiations “have done their work” carefully on the contracts, and urged his fellow RTM members to follow through with a vote.

“I think for us to postpone this to September, which is basically ducking a vote, is irresponsible on the part of this body,” Boutelle said. “I didn’t get elected to the RTM to dodge votes. I’ve heard RTM members joke during the budget season that the best approach to the budget process should be ‘we need more zeros’ or ‘oh no it’s good the way it is.’ Well, tonight’s your night to vote, one way or the other. If you want to send a message on the budget and you think the contracts are negotiated too high, then have the guts to say so.”

“I feel that when we have a reasonably negotiated contract between our town and our unions, we should vote on it, not duck it,” Boutelle added. “So vote on the four contracts — or in my opinion don’t run for re-election.”

Police Sgt. James Bonney, president of the Silver Shield Association, and also an RTM member from District 4, said the association made many concessions in the negotiations. “We wanted to show you we were willing to help,” he said. “Almost every point the town asked for, we gave on.” At the same time, though, the association wanted the town police department “to stay competitive with the other markets, so we get good officers here,” he said. “We don’t want to have the worst benefits in the area, because then we won’t get good cops. I feel that we gave enough to suit the town, and we gave enough to suit the association. I hope that you will approve this … ”

Joan Caldwell, RTM member District 10, said she was determined to vote, not postpone, because it was the right thing to do on behalf of her constituents.

“I came to the town meeting because I wanted to do something for my town,” she said. “That includes approving and disapproving contracts. I’ve never walked away from one and I’m not going to do that tonight.”

“What does rejecting or postponing this do for us?” she continued. “We have 14 items on the agenda tonight and we already postponed four. And now we’re talking about postponing four more. I don’t think that rejecting or postponing these contracts sends the message that some of us want to send … but for those of you who want to send that message, then let’s send it!”

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12/28/09 Now We Might Hear The Rest Of The Story ..... Greenwich Post Breaking News

Covering the news of Greenwich, Connecticut Breaking News The Greenwich Police Department’s union leadership is looking to shed some light on the settlement between the town and several minority officers who charged it with discrimination. Read More - Comment - Share A $887,000 settlement in the case was revealed last week, but contains a confidentiality agreement that prevents details about the settlement and comment from those involved. Now Sgt. James Bonney, president of the Silver Shield Association, told the Post on Monday the union is looking at filing a freedom of information act calling to have those details disclosed..... .....The New Haven jury found in favor of claims made by Terral Hardy, John Rodriguez, Scott Johnson, Carlos Franco and John Woodward that they were not offered the opportunity for advancement that white officers were...... .....The suit charged “overt racism” in the GPD, including racist comments by superior officers who were never disciplined for their conduct and harassment by high ranking officers, with former Chief of Police James Walters and former Captain Michael Pacewicz, both of whom were active duty officers at the time, specifically named in it...... QUOTE: “This seems to us like the town is trying to hide something,” Sgt. Bonney said. “Why else would they want a confidentiality agreement put in place? I know from talking to the officers before that they were very adamant that this be brought out for the public to see what goes on in the town. I don’t like secrets and I want to know what happened here. These are public employees and town funds and tax payer dollars.” Hearst Newspapers Is Once Again A Day Late And A Dollar Short..... Where Is The Greenwich Time????

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10/12/09 Greenwich Taxpayers To Pay Through The Nose To As The Town Rewards David Ridberg With $181,000 Plus Benefits For Failure After Failure

On the heels of a state Supreme Court decision that put to rest a lawsuit that had halted police department promotions for years, the police chief announced Monday that he has signed on to lead the department for another two years.

The news comes just weeks before the department's No. 2 command official, Michael Pacewitz is set to officially retire under the conditions of a separation agreement worked out with the town last year.

Both agreements aim to turn the tide within the department, which has been plagued with litigation and internal conflict. However, the agreements have also caused rumblings within the rank and file over the fairness of the closed-door deals.

Greenwich Chief David Ridberg will be here until November 2011.

Ridberg who is laughing all the way to the bank has not revealed his plans beyond that date.

The agreement, that is going to make Greenwich taxpayers pay through the nose, stipulates that Ridberg be paid an annual $36,000 stipend issued monthly on top of his $145,000 base salary through November 2011.

The stipend puts Ridberg at the top end of the salary range for his position, which is capped at $186,000.

First Selectman Peter Tesei said the decision to compensate Ridberg was the only viable option he saw to help the department transition into a new era following several tenuous years caused by a police lieutenant's lawsuit that froze promotions to the top four command staff positions.

Since December 2008, all four positions have been vacant.

The cause of the injunction, a lawsuit filed by Lt. Gary Honulik in 2004 over a controversial promotion to captain.

The town also entered into an agreement with Captain Michael Pacewicz, the department's second-in-command, in December 2008 stipulating that the department veteran would step down at the end of 2008, but remain on active payroll until Nov. 1, 2009, using accrued vacation and sick time in addition to 25 weeks of severance pay.

Pacewicz was promoted to captain over Honulik in 2003, a move that led to the lawsuit.

The separation agreement also stipulates that Pacewicz will receive a lump sum of $17,800 in additional compensation for his years of service.

Pacewicz's final salary was $117,870. He also received a 10 percent bump in his pension enabling him to reach the maximum pension percentage a police officer can receive.

First Selectman Peter Tesei said he agreed that removing Pacewicz helped ease tensions in the department.

Sgt. James Bonney, president of the Silver Shield Association police union, has repeatedly declined to comment on Pacewicz's retirement package.

Many front line police officers have voiced concerns about the agreements awarding additional compensation while the rank and file has been forced to pick up much of the slack caused by the injunction.

The department has delegated many tasks typically completed by captains and deputy chiefs to lieutenants as a result of the injunction.

Mr. Tesei is the acting police commissioner of Greenwich.

Tesei said the proposal is pending approval by the Board of Estimate and Taxation, but hopes the promotional process could be complete within 6 months.

Tesei said they were hopeful the department would be able to move forward and make up for lost time.