Proposed Layoffs Make No Sense

The recent layoffs of Village employees proposed by the Village Manager delineates a new direction for the Village of Hanover Park that does not make sense. Trustee Carter asked for a wage freeze with no bonuses for Department Heads. The Village Manager then appealed to protect his “Department Heads as the most important employees who carry out the mission of the Village.” It was a moment of disbelief for me. First I was appalled to learn that department heads were receiving bonuses of taxpayer dollars from the Village Manager as these have never been discussed at any budget meeting I have attended. Secondly, I strongly feel that the rank and file employees, those on the street, protecting our homes and handling day to day business with residents and businessmen are the most important employees who carry out the mission of the Village. So, I asked the Village Board members if they agreed with the Village Manager. Community Party members all voted to support the Village Manager’s proposal. They believe that raises and bonuses for the highest paid employees are in order while reducing the staffing.

During these difficult economic times, our residents are counting on our Village to deliver needed services. Foreclosed homes and financial hardships put a strain on property upkeep, which drives our property values down. Now, we are cutting jobs of long-time employees. This is especially unfortunate at a time when government bodies should refrain from contributing to out-of-control unemployment. I have not seen evidence that these job cuts are the only way to make the Village budget work. The Village Board has not been presented with any alternatives to these cuts. Until the Village Board completes a review of the budget presented by the Village Manager, no terminations should occur. The Village Manager is fully aware that I do not approve of the employee terminations given the selective process being used and the lack of alternatives provided to the Elected Officials.

Hanover Park Progress is devoted to deliberative, open government, where the Village Board sets the vision of our hometown. This vision should be created with the input from residents as part of an open process which includes budgeting and yearly objectives. The Progress team does not believe that the Village Manager should set the direction for the Village. The Board should not have to react to the actions of the manager. This puts the elected Trustees in a reactionary position, which emphasizes the needs of the Village Manager and department heads above the needs of the residents. It is time to put the needs of the taxpayer first!

The decision of the Village Manager to place the needs of Department Heads ahead of the working employees is a sad reflection on where this organization is today. This is pretty embarrassing dialog and in total misalignment with my own personal values as a retired manager of a multi-billion dollar organization. As a manager, I understood that my success was based on the success of the people who worked in the trenches. I went out of my way to acknowledge that fact and give recognition to those individuals' hard work that made our organization successful. It has become most unfortunate that the Village Manager dictates policy for the Board Majority who have become a rubber stamp for the demands of the Manager.

It’s time for a change! It’s time for taxpayers to have a say in their Village! It’s time for a cohesive Village Board that is willing to work together in a consensus environment and is willing to listen to the needs of the residents. It’s time for Progress in Hanover Park!

Rod Craig