Council letting abuses slide

Posted 12/1/16

To the Editor: Having been a regular attendee at city council meetings for at least a decade and attending budget hearings for years, there has been one issue that has been spoken about over and over, year after year, and remains unchanged to date. That

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Council letting abuses slide

Posted

To the Editor:

Having been a regular attendee at city council meetings for at least a decade and attending budget hearings for years, there has been one issue that has been spoken about over and over, year after year, and remains unchanged to date. That issue is the overtime abuses and cost over runs of the Warwick Fire Department. I have watched as the last 4 fire chiefs have failed to even come close to operating within the confines of the extremely generous budget that that taxpayer grants to them year after year, only to give us the middle finger wave, and repeat the performance the following year.

Tens of millions of dollars of non-reconciled overtime has been discussed for years, resulting in no reasonable explanation from any of the chiefs, with no council member attempting to perform the simplest of document research to reconcile the inconsistencies, and every year we see the same incompetent use of our tax dollars with explanations that a toddler would be embarrassed to put forth.

As an example of the incompetence, I will refer to specifics from last year’s budget hearings. Under questioning, Chief McLaughlin, Mayor Avedisian, and Finance Director Zmyslinski were unable to reconcile how sick time was accounted for. Having no line item in the budget for uniform firefighter sick time, they attempted to use the default position that sick time is included in the line item for salary. If in fact that is true, then it becomes impossible to track individual sick time. This becomes an open door for fraud.

Under questioning pertaining to the explosive overtime line item, McLaughlin indicated that “there was an enormous amount of fire fighters out sick resulting in overtime coverage”, however, the documents obtained from the city indicate that virtually no firefighter was docked a sick day.

When that line of crap failed to satisfy me, the chief back pedaling and stated that the majority of the overtime was due to special rescue training such as high elevation training etc… Unfortunately, the chief didn’t realize that the person asking the questions was aware that a 1 million dollar federal grant was given to the WFD for that specific training.

The next part of the discussion centered around a contract stipulation called “substitution”. Substitution is known as one man working a shift for another man at straight time. It’s commonly referred to within the department as “the gentlemen’s agreement”. Under the union contract on page 16 it is defined as the following:

SECTION 2. SUBSTITUTIONSThe right to substitute at any time shall be permitted, provided, however, that permission in writing to substitute must be obtained from the Battalion Chief on duty. A substitution shall be defined as a mutual exchange of time. No other form of compensation shall be allowed.

When Chief Mclaughlin was questioned directly on this issue, he testified on video, that he could produce each and every instance of substitution that was granted by the department “in writing”. The following day a public records request was made for the substitution documents in accordance with the contract requirement and the chief’s statements. The formal answer of the request given by the Chief – “NO SUCH DOCUMENTS EXIST”.

No questioning of the obvious inconsistencies came from the council Finance Chair Vella-Wilkinson, and no inquiries from the remaining members of the council. Only silence. Given the fact that the majority of the members of the city council take regular campaign contributions from the WFD union, it’s easy to understand why the council just “let it slide”.  Coincidently, as a taxpayer you should know that not only did 6 members of the council admit to not reading the new fire contract prior to voting on it, but they also took campaign donations from the department just weeks before ratifying the contract. This is all publicly available information, and the information compiled after months of research has been made readily available.

In particular, the new contract increased the unused sick pay bonuses from $345,000 to $932,500, per year for the term of this contract, and I would assume that this perk will not be given back in the near future. A perk worth tens of millions of dollars, all subsidized by you, the taxpayer, whose spokesperson, didn’t read the contract but did take union donations. God help us.  How did we get to this level of incompetence?

Let me be the one to spell it out for you, as here is what takes place. Firefighter A calls Firefighter B to work his shift (for whatever reason, say for example, to go to URI to work on a painting contract). Firefighter A calls out sick (substitution) is paid for the day, is not docked one of his 20 sick days, and Firefighter B is paid overtime for the shift covered. The scheme rotates from man to man in the department, no one is charged off a sick day, and the overtime goes thru the roof.  Now this may be my analysis, but the city documents suggest the same, and the city has offered no other documents to suggest otherwise. Let’s face it, we all know that this is happening, but the city council continues to “let it slide”. At one time or another, every member and every chief of the department is a beneficiary of the scheme.  By the way, the documents obtained by the city also reflect this.

As of this date, with all of the years of controversy over the abuses, still, no council member has requested an audit or any kind of basic investigation to reconcile what appears to be on face value, an organized fraudulent scheme. The research and documentation is available to the council members, yet they do nothing. Not one minute of questioning.

At the council meeting of Monday, Nov. 21 a purchase came before the finance committee and the formal council that rattled the meeting. For 45 minutes the finance chair and other members of the council became irate over the request to purchase 2 replacement slides for 2 playgrounds. The cost of the slides, $5,000, became the focal point of the council debate. The discussion went from cost, to need, to materials, to safety, to repair, and went on for a debilitating 45 minutes.  Playground slides, sent the finance chair spinning out of control. If only the council would spend 1/10th that amount of time discussing the real financial issues plaguing this city, such as fraud, deception, and theft, maybe, just maybe, they could accomplish something for the taxpayer.

I will offer the following as my solution. The city should purchase the 2 slides. I will contribute 50 percent of the cost. One of the slides should be erected in front of the WFD headquarters, not only for the children to play on, but also as a trophy reminder to the taxpayers from the fire department. The other should be erected inside the city council chambers adjacent to one of the windows. That way, when educated members of the public bring to light serious fiscal issues, and make reasonable requests to the council to rectify them, the council can just take the advice, the research, and the problem, open the window, and let it slide.  Rob Cote

Warwick 

Comments

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  • davebarry109

    The fire department OT scandal has been going on for almost 30 years. They are so politically enshrined/powerful, that there is nothing the Chief or Mayor can do without a revolt. Just keeping paying your taxes. Or move. The WFD will never change.

    Friday, December 2, 2016 Report this

  • bendover

    This letter is quite interesting. By now, I am used to seeing ad hominem personal attacks against this man but right now, the silence is deafening. For the record, I don't know Mr. Cote but if any part of what he has written is true this city has a major fraud problem. Slipshod record keeping is no defense when it comes to matters of law. Of particular interest is the federal money involved, which usually comes with strings attached as to how it may be used and not commingled for some other use. A writ of Mandamus for those politicians and administrators to appear in Federal court, especially regarding potential misuse of Federal aid or grant money may be in order. I believe you could make the same case for the Governor and the Mayor of Providence to explain themselves before a Federal judge or Magistrate as to how they can pick and choose, arbitrarily, which federal laws they will enforce and which they can ignore. Their lack of explanation should get them remanded. As for the case that Mr. Cote has presented, I am no longer shocked by what goes on but am shocked that it is allowed to continue...Cautionary tale, there is a new boss in Washington and a soon to be US attorney general...Stay tuned.

    Friday, December 2, 2016 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    For the record:

    I believe the firefighters contract have too many political loopholes. Sick time, personal time and overtime need to be clearly and simply stated. It's not. Neither is the injury retirement qualification.

    That said, I believe that if there are people paid to do what they do; if EVERYTHING they breath is cancer causing; if they take their life in their hands EVERY TIME they answer a call; then their base salaries should be increased, maybe by a lot.

    I think we all agree that the contracts are way to complex. It invites problems. Make it simple. Eliminate the many loopholes. Then pay the firefighters more in their base pay. I wouldn't (couldn't) do what they do for the money they make.

    That's how I see it.

    Merry Christmas all.

    Rick Corrente

    Saturday, December 3, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Rick,

    Again you make a ridiculous comment as you did at the debate. Where is your data that "EVERYTHING" they breath is cancer causing? Just another foolish uneducated comment. You continue to speak without any data to back it up. By the way Rick, not sure if you are aware that in an incident of a fire, they wear theses new inventions called Scott Air Paks. They are filled with grade E breathing air. Also, the sick time, overtime and personal time is clearly stated in the contract. You may want to take the time to familiarize yourself with it before you make another foolish statement attempting to once again suck up to a union. Know the facts before you comment. You may also want to study the budget data, as that is what this topic is about. It takes research Rick, learn how to do it before opening your mouth.

    As far as your other comment that they take their life in their hands every time they answer a call. Stop the fellatio. Its much more dangerous trying to go once around the Apponaug rotary as a pedestrian than it is being a Warwick FF. The point of the conversation is called ORGANIZED FRAUD. Don't try to muddy the point by bringing in irrelevant issues. What you don't seem to understand is the concept called accountability. When the chief cant reconcile how sick time is accounted for there is a major problem, bottom line, major problem. Unfortunately he is not, and has, not been held accountable by people like your best buddies Travis and Wilkinson. I have to give Travis a pass due to her limited mental capacity, but the finance chair, your best girl Wilkinson, turns her back to it so she can continue the union fellatio. Its sickening that you and the rest of them just don't get it.

    Rick, do you know what its called when 2 or more people interact in an organized scheme to defraud or to OMUFP? Its called the RICO Act.

    By the way Rick, this morning by 10:18 am, three groups of Warwick Firefighters went to Daves on Airport Rd. That's 3 trucks, 9 guys. Total purchases less than $20. First group got 3 slices of roast beef, 2 slices of cheese, and 1 bulky roll. Second group got 2 bottles of soda and a bag of chips. 3rd group got a package of napkins. That's what is called sticking it up the ^&& of the taxpayer. I wonder what life threatening scenario that they faced in the produce isle? Get real, and do some research once and for all.

    Saturday, December 3, 2016 Report this

  • Warwick Man

    Rob, your comments are so misinformed. YOU MY ARE ONLY ONE WHO NEEDS TO CHECK YOUR FACTS. And stop with the lying about shopping this morning. No one is airs you seriously because you blatantly lie. The real reason no one is looking into fraud claims are because there are ZERO to begin with. Anyone with half a brain (rob lacks any) can see through his rhetoric.

    Saturday, December 3, 2016 Report this

  • Warwick Man

    Captain,

    It must suck going through life a jealous man child. You need a participation trophy....

    Saturday, December 3, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Funny stuff Warwick man. Tough however to interpret your grammar. Fact of the matter there is ample evidence of fraud. By the way, all of my comments are substantiated by official city documents. I can send them to you if you wish. I can also tell you your wage and sick pay bonus if you give your name. Unfortunately, I cant tell how many days you substituted as your department does not track them. But, sooner or later, you chief will have to turn over the "change of shift" documents. We will cross reference those with the people working on the URI Green Hall painting project.

    Saturday, December 3, 2016 Report this

  • Warwick Man

    I welcomed any investigation as I'm itvwill be ample evidence to shut you up... RISP please investigate this....

    Saturday, December 3, 2016 Report this

  • Hemi_Royed

    What the hell is wrong with you lil' Robbie? You insult people, make up fantasy subject matter, and are on here constantly. Do you work? I am guessing you're a societal leach or else mommy and daddy are still paying you to keep you out of ThEIR basement. You're a Hendricken Grad? How in the name of Jesus did you enter there let alone graduate. You are an embarrassment to the school, the city, but fit right in with the rest of the losers that Rhode Iland harbors. Unless you have proof, CONCRETE proof of what you allege then take some advise and cease and desist your attacks. You are coming into a full blown confrontation which will not be pretty on your part. We the employees of the City of Warwick have had enough of your harassment. Your full of BS>>>so Schlaf mit einem offenen Auge you enormous unstable TURD !

    Sunday, December 4, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    10:28 am Monday

    Engine 2 pulls out of Dave's Market, while engone 2 just pulling in.

    And yes. I have 100% concrete evidence in the form of over 100 pages of city documents.

    Monday, December 5, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Sorry, should have been

    10:28 am Monday

    Engine 2 pulls out of Dave's Market, while engine 6 just pulling in.

    And yes. I have 100% concrete evidence in the form of over 100 pages of city documents.

    Monday, December 5, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    http://www.dallasnews.com/news/dallas-city-hall/2016/12/08/dallas-police-fire-pension-board-ends-run-bank-stops-154m-withdrawals

    Thursday, December 8, 2016 Report this