Post by novillero on Jul 29, 2008 20:36:46 GMT -5
In Orange, New Jersey
Orange mayor to forgo salary
He will accept pay for 2 other posts
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
BY KEVIN C. DILWORTH
Star-Ledger Staff
Facing criticism for appointing himself to a full-time job as Orange's civilian fire director, Mayor Eldridge Hawkins Jr. said yesterday he will forgo the mayor's part- time salary.
Hawkins, who took office July 1, said he would not accept the $25,000 a year salary he is entitled to as mayor. But Hawkins said he will take the $76,000 a year salary for the fire director's position and the $3,700 he earns as the emergency management coordinator.
Hawkins, who turned 29 on Friday, took a leave of absence two weeks ago from his job as a patrolman in West Orange to devote his full attention to Orange.
"To make it financially possible for me to work full time in Orange, I assumed the job of fire director," Hawkins said of the formerly vacant post.
"I have listened carefully to the constructive criticism of those who don't want me to accept both salaries, and have decided to follow their advice," Hawkins said. "I will not receive the mayor's salary while being paid as fire director."
Instead of earning $104,000 a year, Hawkins said he will only take home $79,700.
In contrast, Hawkins earned about $70,000 with overtime as a police officer last year. Hawkins' police salary was $50,984, as of March 30, 2007, according to the state Pension Office.
Orange Citizens Budget Advisory Committee member Nicole Williams said the committee has recommended that the Orange City Council keep the fire director's post vacant, to save the city money.
In the past, the post often has been viewed as a political patronage job, especially since the fire department already has a new fire chief, seven deputy fire chiefs and 18 captains to run it and set policies for the 47 other firefighters employed there.
Hawkin's latest move did little to appease his critics.
"Shuffling the cookies will not change the fact that he got caught with his hands in the cookie jar," said resident Bruce Meyer, a founder of the Responsible Citizens for Orange community watchdog group.
Hawkins, who has no previous firefighting experience, served on the West Orange police force between the time he joined, in the fall of 2004, until West Orange Police Chief James Abbott, on July 14, granted him an unpaid leave of absence, from his patrol duties, through July 1, 2012.
It was not immediately clear if a mayor has the power to appoint himself to a paid position in the city.
Kevin C. Dilworth may be reached at kdilworth@starled ger.com or (973) 392-4143.
www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1217306196235280.xml&coll=1
Orange mayor to forgo salary
He will accept pay for 2 other posts
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
BY KEVIN C. DILWORTH
Star-Ledger Staff
Facing criticism for appointing himself to a full-time job as Orange's civilian fire director, Mayor Eldridge Hawkins Jr. said yesterday he will forgo the mayor's part- time salary.
Hawkins, who took office July 1, said he would not accept the $25,000 a year salary he is entitled to as mayor. But Hawkins said he will take the $76,000 a year salary for the fire director's position and the $3,700 he earns as the emergency management coordinator.
Hawkins, who turned 29 on Friday, took a leave of absence two weeks ago from his job as a patrolman in West Orange to devote his full attention to Orange.
"To make it financially possible for me to work full time in Orange, I assumed the job of fire director," Hawkins said of the formerly vacant post.
"I have listened carefully to the constructive criticism of those who don't want me to accept both salaries, and have decided to follow their advice," Hawkins said. "I will not receive the mayor's salary while being paid as fire director."
Instead of earning $104,000 a year, Hawkins said he will only take home $79,700.
In contrast, Hawkins earned about $70,000 with overtime as a police officer last year. Hawkins' police salary was $50,984, as of March 30, 2007, according to the state Pension Office.
Orange Citizens Budget Advisory Committee member Nicole Williams said the committee has recommended that the Orange City Council keep the fire director's post vacant, to save the city money.
In the past, the post often has been viewed as a political patronage job, especially since the fire department already has a new fire chief, seven deputy fire chiefs and 18 captains to run it and set policies for the 47 other firefighters employed there.
Hawkin's latest move did little to appease his critics.
"Shuffling the cookies will not change the fact that he got caught with his hands in the cookie jar," said resident Bruce Meyer, a founder of the Responsible Citizens for Orange community watchdog group.
Hawkins, who has no previous firefighting experience, served on the West Orange police force between the time he joined, in the fall of 2004, until West Orange Police Chief James Abbott, on July 14, granted him an unpaid leave of absence, from his patrol duties, through July 1, 2012.
It was not immediately clear if a mayor has the power to appoint himself to a paid position in the city.
Kevin C. Dilworth may be reached at kdilworth@starled ger.com or (973) 392-4143.
www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1217306196235280.xml&coll=1