The APT has endorsed Jack Thorsen, Esther Kennedy, Anthony Coviello and Eric Spear for City Council. For the School Board the APT endorses Mary Olea. We are encouraging BULLET VOTING.
PRESS RELEASE, Herald Oct 28 2011 Article, Portsmouth Patch Article, APT Olea Press Release
Sample Ballot with referendum preventing THIS type of event in the future.
The Ward 2 is moved to the North Church Parish House (355 Spinney Road and off Middle Road) due to the Middle School renovation.
PDF version with source links Council Voting Record *Mr. Coviello and Mr. Hetjmanek tell the APT that they voted….. more HERE **
Click HERE for Tax Pledge
Since June 2010, the APT has been tracking the Portsmouth city council on selected votes that directly affect taxes and efficient government in Portsmouth. Below is some background on the votes tracked so far. As more key votes come-up, we will add the voting information.
- June 7 ‘10 – The $86.3M city budget (Source: City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2010 p. 7-11) [Accessed Jan 16, 2010]. This vote was directly related to the over inflation tax increase implemented this year. This unsustainable budget contained no substantial cuts or efficiencies. The Portsmouth Budget went from $84M to $86.3M (Source: City Budget FY 11) [Accessed Jan. 16, 2011], an increase over local inflation. (Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics) [Accessed Jan 16, 2010]. It contained funds for salary increases and overstaffed city departments while the economy was in a recession. Councilors who supported this budget are directly responsible for your tax increase.
- June 7 ’10 – School Department Budget (Source: City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2010 p. 7-11) [Accessed Jan 16, 2010].The well over inflation increasing budget requests from the school department are unsustainable. In spite of School Budget spending increasing well over inflation for years, Portsmouth is classified as a “District in Need of Improvement” by NH Dept. of Education in the 2010-11 report (Source: NH Dept. of Education, Districts in Need of Improvement 2010-2011 report p.2) [Accessed Jan. 16. 2011]. To be designated a District in Need of Improvement, a district must miss adequate yearly progress in the same content area for TWO consecutive years. In 2007, in spite of the three previous years of well over inflation school spending increases, 3 of the 5 schools in the Portsmouth School District missed the state mark for adequate yearly progress in at least one category. In 2010, union teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators and our school superintendent were automatically rewarded with 10 year rolling average COLA increases resulting in increases over the actual year’s inflation (Source: Portsmouth School Contracts, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics) [Accessed Jan. 16. 2011] (most private sector jobs receive increases based on merit or performance).
- June 7, ’10 – Fire Chief Contract (Source: City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2010 p. 14 ) [Accessed Jan 16, 2010]. This vote is an excellent example of Portsmouth city management receiving high pay and extraordinary benefits. Councilors who supported this contract continue to set a precedent of overpaying public employees and giving in to demands for unnecessary benefits. The fire chief contract included (Source: City Contracts Fire Chief Contract [Accessed Jan. 16, 2010]:
- A Jan. 1 2010 starting salary of $108,635 with automatic 10 year rolling average COLA increases guaranteed at 2% and capped at 5% (Clause 3 in Fire Chief Contact). Most private sector jobs receive increases based on merit or performance.
- Contracted employment to June 2014 (Clause 2 in Fire Chief Contact)
- Termination Severance Payment (also known as a “golden parachute”) of one years full pay or the balance of the contract which ever is less (Clause 6 in Fire Chief Contact).
- An automobile for business and personal use (Clause 10a in Fire Chief Contact).
- Starting July 1, 2010, 30 days paid vacation, which, may be converted to cash if accrued under contract specifications. (Clause 10e in Fire Chief Contact).
- 11.5 paid holidays (Source: Professional Management Association Union Section 3A)
- All dues for any organization deemed necessary and desirable (Clause 10c in Fire Chief Contact).
- Expenses paid deemed for professional development (Clause 10b in Fire Chief Contact).
- Select benefits as contract specified from the Professional Management Association Union (PMA) including 15 days paid sick leave (PMA Section 3E1), a paid dental plan (PMA Section 6), paid disability insurance (PMA Section 7), health insurance as contract specified (Section 12) and course reimbursement that provide for improved job performance (PMA Section 10). (Source: Professional Management Association Union).
- Dec 6, ’10 – Ranking Officers Police Contract (Source: City Council Meeting Minutes Dec. 6, 2010 p. 10) [Accessed Jan 16, 2010]. This vote is another example of Portsmouth city management receiving benefits that are very hard to find in the private sector. Councilors who supported this contract continue to perpetuate an unsustainable city budget. This contract (Source: Portsmouth Ranking Officers Contract) gave already highly paid officers:
- Two immediate cost-of-living increases totaling just under 6 percent. Portsmouth will pay $500K more to the Ranking Officer’s union over 6 years. Click HERE for Herald article “Portsmouth will pay $500K more to police” 12/10/10.
- Automatic 10 year rolling average COLA increases guaranteed at 2% and capped at 5% - until the contract expires. (Section 14 in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- Extra pay for academic degrees. $500 for an Associates, $1000 for a Bachelors , $1500 for a MA, MS, PhD or JD (Section 34 in Ranking Officers Police Contract)
- Longevity pay (Section 31)
- 11.5 paid holidays. (Section 19 in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- 30 paid days of vacation after 20 years of service (Section 21 in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- 4 paid personal days (Section 20 in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- 15 days of sick leave without loss of pay (Section 22 in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- 3 days of funeral or emergency leave without loss of pay (Section 30 in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- Any duty requiring extension of the 8 hour work period will be considered overtime. (Section 15, 16 in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- For off duty court appearances Ranking Officers are paid a three-hour minimum at time-and-a-half (Section 16A in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- For off duty special assignments including parade or protection duty Ranking Officers are paid a three-hour minimum at overtime rate. (Section 16A in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- Health insurance as specified by contract(Section 26 in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- Dental coverage as specified by contract (Section 27 in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
- Liability insurance for actions arising out of improper performance including false arrest (Section 28)
- Life insurance (Section 29)
- Clothing Allowance as specified under contract (Section 32)
- Juniors leave before seniors if there is a reduction in rank. (Section 12 in Ranking Officers Police Contract).
