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Date Posted: Thursday, November21, 09:36:am
Author: the u
Subject: yeah, he mad.

from the mid hudson times:


Newburgh City Council rejects proposed pay raises
4-3 vote divides council, mayor upset
Posted Wednesday, November 20, 2024
By Alberto Gilman

A proposal to raise salaries for the Newburgh City Council was narrowly defeated Tuesday, Nov. 12, during a contentious council meeting. The vote was 4-3 against the salary increases, which had been a topic of debate in recent months.

The proposal aimed to raise annual salaries starting in fiscal year 2025, setting the mayor’s pay at $25,000, at-large council members at $22,500, and ward council members at $20,000.

Councilwoman Giselle Martinez, Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde, Councilman Bob Sklarz, and Councilwoman Patty Sofokles voted against the measure. Councilman Robert McLymore, Councilman Omari Shakur, and Mayor Torrance Harvey supported the increase.

Post-Vote Tensions
The meeting concluded with mixed emotions, as Mayor Harvey altered the usual speaking order during the council comments period, prompting a moment of confusion for Councilwoman Sofokles, who offered brief remarks. After other members spoke, Harvey began his own comments but was interrupted by City Manager Todd Venning, who pointed out that Councilwoman Martinez had not yet spoken. Harvey apologized for the oversight.

Martinez used her final comments to address the vote. “I wasn’t going to make a comment, but I feel I should say something regarding the vote we took tonight,” she said. “My colleagues work extremely hard. Sometimes, we hear comments from the public like, ‘You’re not doing enough for our city.’ I want people to come to our meetings and have these conversations with us.”

Martinez emphasized the personal sacrifices council members make, adding that the position is not about financial gain. “People forget we have families, we have lives. I fully believe my colleagues deserve to be paid more, but I couldn’t vote for this increase tonight because of personal conflicts and public perception,” she said. Martinez encouraged residents who believe the job is easy or lucrative to consider running for office themselves.

Mayor Expresses Disappointment
Harvey, visibly frustrated, also commented on the decision. “I work very diligently to keep this council united as mayor. I am disappointed with tonight’s vote,” he said. “We work hard day in and day out, often behind the scenes, to address issues and initiatives for this community.”

This marks the second time in recent years that a salary increase for the council has been rejected. A similar measure passed in 2020, with all council members except Shakur voting in favor of raises.

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