When Mayor Linder was elected, we all expected that there would be changes.
We looked forward to learning who he’d name to top spots in his administration, police force, and the various boards the city has a say in like the Chester Water Authority, Redevelopment Board, and CEDA. And we figured a number of non-union positions would change hands.
But not all in the first 10 days.
Does he realize that he’s been elected to a four year term? What’s the hurry?
I was wrong in thinking that he’d simply ease his way into office and ride the euphoria so many have for him.
Instead, he’s given himself a raise; hired a chief of staff related to the State Rep who allegedly will earn over $100K; brought folks into key positions from outside of town; gave his city council partners nearly $550 a month to drive around Chester; fired a dozen folks with no notice on Friday the 13th; named a police chief (oops, Commissioner) that doesn’t seem to be a fan favorite while demoting the fan favorite.
With every opportunity to make changes to the budget before it was approved, he choose to approve the 2012 budget, then totally amend it weeks later.
One amendment took $107,000 from the Crozer Library which he quickly says was a mistake.
Mayor, if you’re making $107,000 mistakes in your first couple weeks, please slow down. We really want you to be successful for the sake of our city.
Don’t let your haste ruin you from the start.
(If there is anything to do fast, get the boarded up windows fixed at city hall. It's an eyesore)
(If there is anything to do fast, get the boarded up windows fixed at city hall. It's an eyesore)
He is not in chrge kirkland is, just look how he spoke to the people the other day..........
ReplyDeleteWonder if the Mayor know it's illegal to fire nonunion rank and file employees just because of politics like he admitted in the article? Hope they get lawyered up and get what's due to them!
ReplyDeleteNobody that's union was fired....
DeleteThere are people out here hurting and the new administration gave themselves raises,car allowances,Thad Kirklands son-in-law Ron Starr 125,000 dollars for a job that paid 96,000 after 10 years of service.Congratulations Mayor Linder you just handed the city of Chester back to the Republicans in 10 days.
ReplyDeleteRon Starr does not make 125k per year, but Tom Moore (prev chief of staff) did... You still mad?
DeleteOnce again, unless you know something I don't, I have never made an annual salary coming anywhere close to $125K and I've been working for the city for 12 1/2 years? Now...you still mad that your "facts" don't check out?
DeleteYou fail to realize, this what new administrations do; you don't see any new Presidents keeping around old Presidents cabinet members unless it is a special circumstance. Other than that, new admin clear the way for their interest!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteWhere do all these new City employees live? do the new solicitors live in chester? does the new chief of staff live in the city? Why is Linder hiring people from outside of chester to run chester. I thought the city charter required all city employees to live in chester? Does Bail even live in chester? I guess Linder doesnt believe that chester residents are qualified to run the city. thats a shame!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that matters is that city council says qualified candidates can be hired from outside of the city. My quess is that means that city employees are no longer required to live in the city so current employees can move out if they choose.
DeleteOur next mayor may not be from Chester. Imagine that.
We've had mayor's that weren't from Chester before and Pileggi didn't even live in the city when he was mayor he just owned property, most of our police officers don't live in the city either....so Linder claiming during his campaigne about not having the people who live in the city work for Harrah's and the Stadium, and how he would change it was a bunch of malarkey....ijs
DeleteDanyel, sorry Pileggi does live in the city I live across the street from him and I see him often. Bail also lives in the city I also know where he lives an I used to live on his block.
DeleteLinder IMO is a joke just look at what he and his admin has done in 10 days. Was the director of communication job even posted or announced to the residents of CHESTER?
Wrong! Yes, you do see him often to visit his sister... smh..
DeletePileggi did not and has never lived in the City of Chester, owning property and being there so people can think you live there is not the same as the address you call home and live in and raise your children in, the school district your children are growing up in and being educated in is HOME!!! Anony@2:36pm 1/15/12... Do you see his family often, do you have a neighborly relationship with his family, his children? Election time is coming f course you will see him he has to make people who don't pay very close attention to the facts believe the illusion...
DeleteGave themselves all raise... Meanwhile the Firefighters have not received a raise in 5 years. The Firefighters have a arbitration award that the old administration appealed and now the new administration is following thru with the appeal! AFTER LINDER told the firefighters(when he was director of public safety) he wouldn't fight them anymore and waste tax payers funds like Butlers team. Way to back "YOUR GUYS" Linder!!
ReplyDeleteLinder was never happy that Butler cut the salaries of the mayor and city council members last year to show support for upcoming union negotiations. I guess this is Linder's way of getting that salary cut reversed - give himself a raise and bump up the car allowance of council members.
DeleteIf this is what the first 10days I shutter to think of the next 4yrs
DeleteYOU VOTEDE FOR HIM!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWho is the You you refer to?
DeleteWho is the YOU you are reffering too?
DeleteStefan, I think its already too late, Linder came out his corner swinging. Clearly his actions show that he is hasty when it comes to decision making or he's surrounded himself with individuals who obviously don't have the city's best interest at heart. I guess thats what happens when you bring in outsiders. To the firefighter, what a blatent slap in the face, thats what happens when politicians want your support. I hope you guys fight him every step of the way. To Danyel, do you have proof that former Mayors didnt live in the city or are you feeding into rumor? Just asking. If you work for the city I think you should reside in the city, thats just my opinion and I'm certain there are many who would disagree. Again, thats just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteONewhosees, yes the fact that the former Mayor didn't actually live in the City is proof, he owned property that he did not live in, his family did not reside in the house, his children were not residing in the city...I too agree with you that if you work for the city you should live in the city...and there are a very many people who would agree with that statement and they all live in Chester and none of us think that a PO box, and unihabitated apt, or just owning property is considered liviing in the city it just means you have an adress....this grandfather policy needs to go....and the policy which states that if you are hired here you have 3mos to LIVE here, or your job goes...that way the people who are charged with running the city and protecting it's citizens will have a vested interest in performing to the top of their abilities because their families would be here, and they would fight with us citizens that are fighting daily to improve the quailty of education here because their children would be educated here as well....ijs
DeleteDanyel, which former Mayor are you saying didn't live in the City?
DeleteOK, so where do I begin… Chester has been run by Pileggi Opps! The Republican Party for years! So when the president, mayor or any elected official come into office they bring their own admin?? So let me get this straight the Police Chief is supposed to be the mayor’s right hand? So he was supposed to keep Butlers Chief as his right hand????
ReplyDeleteTo clear rumors the Mayor did NOT get a raise he gets 40kper year and council makes 35Kper year. Chief of staff does not make over 100k per year he actually took a pay cut to put some of that money back into the city budget. Now the former Chief of staff Tom Moore made 116k per year and was NOT a city resident! Wendell Butler was not a city resident (in the end) , Agnis the former Director of finance was NOT a city resident making 90k per year, but the real city resident are making pennies! I have family members that work in city hall went hard for Butler and making 17k per year another making 27k per year and the list goes on……
Not the go back and forth, but this boggles me to see the city wanting Linder to fail if he fail the city fail. So get your facts straight! Good day….. :o)
Summer the new director of communications DOES NOT live in the city? We don't want Linder to fail we want him to be what he campaigned he would be an educated choice. He also stated he was about change well to me it's the same old politics just the dems are in charge. He fired more educated people with college degrees. Just bc someone does not live on 9th and Kerlin does not mean they do not live in the city. Linder did not get a raise but he approved of the car allowance increase, he is riding around in a city car. Please understand getting demoted and keeping your pay is not the same as getting laid off because you supported someone that hired you. The people that were fired were life long citizens of Chester they bleed orange and black before they bleed the republican red so our city lost good home grown people because of politics now that's not right Linder.
DeleteAnonymous 12:54pm
DeleteAs you say...So get your facts straight.
You seem to know a lot about where people live and how much they make. Yet, TMoore claims you're wrong.
I wonder who I should believe.
Ummmm, anonymous 12:54, please get your facts straight if you are planning on calling me out on this blog. First of all, I bought a house in this city over 10 years ago and have been paying city taxes longer than that. Secondly, I made $116K?!? Really?! My salary last year was under $100K and that's after 7 years of experience. Thus, since you obviously don't have any of your facts right about me, it's hard to find you credible about anything else. By the way, stop the nonsense that the former Mayor doesn't live in the City 'cause he does. Quit trying to make stuff up and work a little on your facts ok?
ReplyDeleteWay to go Mr. Moore. There is nothing more disturbing than people who spout misinformation. People....do your research, that's what's wrong with this city, stop listening to and spreading false information. For God's sake obviously you have access to the internet, go on the County's website and you can find out who is paying real estate taxes whether they live here or not. The fact is they are vested here. Now let me know if you find tax records for the new Administration.
DeleteYes, indeed, please go research before you go "running off at the mouth," I agree with above reply!
DeleteShow me the money...I mean the budget. That's where the real answers sit. Anyone know where we can find it?
ReplyDeleteIts so sad that people want to see this man fail as said previously if he fail the city fails..Get it together people and stop al the gossiping especially when your spreading false tales...Get your facts straight before you put it iut there...Sad get a life....You ^^^^^^ there with all the wrong info...
DeleteI could be wrong but I don't think people want him to fail. We all would love for him to turn this city around. That's the change we voted for, I think.
DeleteHe's brought a lot if attention to himself very early with his appointments, the firings, the budget amendments, and the $100 tickets.
As the dust settles and his plan has a chance to work, we'll see if it succeeds or fails.
Time will tell.
After living in Chester nearly all of my life, I applaud Mayor Linder. The hand he received when he took office, much like our current President, was just a badly dealt hand. Frankly put, I'd applaud anyone who would want the position for the pennies and headache. Chester deserves change and Mayor Linder should not have to wait any specified period of time before he makes changes. True leaders often find themselves faced with making unpopular decisions and it's unfortunate that some people get hurt feelings in the midst. Chester is n need of a shake up and it's for the good. Have we not lost enough lives due to sensless violence? Have we not seen enough students graduate and still not have an appropriate education. When are we the residents going to wake up a realize that we need to look at the big picture and stop standing in line waiting for handouts? I think the time has come for us to move beyond where a person lives versus whether they are the right person for the job. Chester needs to recruit the best candidates to turn this city around and the residents of Chester need to get onboard. Lets be honest, the best candidates may not be from the city but they are volunteering compared to what they could be earning if they accepted positions elsewhere. Let's rally behind the man that has been elected to do a job. Dr. Linder is more than qualified to be the Mayor of Chester. We owe this to ourselves. If you hear of other community members bad-mouhng our elected officials, ask them when's the last time you've done something to make the city a better place? Are you a law-abiding citizen? Did you pay your taxes? Are you correcting your kids when they do wrong? Did you pick upany trash on the streets? Are you with holding information from the police that could potential put an end to some of these people terrorizing our city? The list goes on...
ReplyDeleteThis post is unbelievable. You say it's ok for people to live outside the city if they are qualified but Mayor Butler received so much crap bc police officers used the same address. True leaders keep good workers no matter if they are republicans or democrats. Now I ask you did you bad mouth Mayor Butler? Did you give him your full support? By the way I own a house in Chester I live in Chester I pay taxes in Chester I worked the Mayors clean up and I work with kids in the city. My problem is this we are giving Linder breaks we would never give Mayor Butler
DeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what you mean about being dealt a bad hand though. Not many cities like ours have a balanced budget. Success and failure revolves around money and the prospects of getting more. Everything is measured by your city's ability to afford what you want your city to become.
Let's see what unfolds during his time as Mayor; let us hold on and see if his plans are successful or a failure. We are treating the Mayor, as if, he's at the Appollo; as soon as his shoe, not his body, is visible, we are saying: BOO, BOO and BOO...Mr. Sand Man!!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Stefan, well said. As a resident who chooses to live here, nobody wants to see him fail. But as the article states, maybe he should slow his roll. Clearly he is entitled to make changes but as Stefan stated, Mayor Linder almost made a costly mistake by inadvertantly removing $107,000 from the Crozer Library. We all make mistakes when acting hasty. The last Administration made some mistakes as well, however they held the line on taxes which is almost unheard of if you look at surrounding communities. We are a city full of challenges, there are many who would disagree but it was the last Administration that moved Chester forward. I sincerely hope that Mr. Linder will do like wise.
ReplyDeletehey mr. moore, i agree with you regarding your pay however i know for a fact that ex-mayor butler does not rest his head in chester. he does own a house and property on lloyd st but every night he goes to bed in Concord Township and has been doing that for years. there is video proof of this. i also know that he parks his
ReplyDelete"get away car" at the bottom of lloyd st. and the ex-chief of police does not reside in the city either so why should the commish live there. one would be insane to sleep in that dump oh wait bail is insane.
Anonymous 8:48, thanks for agreeing that I know how much I get paid and it's nowhere the lies of $116K or $125K. You want to go ahead and also acknowledge I live in the City or do you need me to produce evidence on that as well? Look, I don't want to come at you to strong as I'm not sure if your the same misinformed anonymous that called me out previously, but all these false rumors that always seem to spread really get under my skin. Far too many people end up believing the nonsense and it just ends up dividing us with misinformation as we draw faulty conclusions about each other. Listen, I can tell you I've been at the Mayor's house on Lloyd Street many a times and early some mornings dropping off work stuff and it certainly was our honorable former Mayor there that answered the door. Maybe that doesn't put it to rest for you, but it works just fine for me!
Deletetmoore i will say that i know that you reside in the city at least for now. i would def move out since you can. and i can agree that you have been to the ex-mayors house but trust me he does not sleep there. if he knew you were coming im sure he got there early enough to answer the door. im also sure that if you did not live in the city but were expecting a visitor you would be at the address that you claimed you lived at. mr moore your a very smart man and you know what goes on. and i am not the same anonymous that doubts you. i know what i speak.
DeleteJust a thought...is hiring people from outside the city a pandora's box? In the sense that once they get their job and start making key decision they may not always have the besy interest of the people. Only because, like Stefan said, unlike Philly we don't come together and hold people accountable enough. Also, it would give the next may the power to do so and who knows if he/she would be able to do so effectively. That's the only reason I would ask our Mayor to be careful with changes of that sort b/c one day someone else will have that power.
ReplyDeleteGood reply, I believe that " the bad image'" logo tainted the city badly and that hiring from the outside is the only option. However, don't think Chester is a city with a bunch of walking door knobs (bunch of dumb dumbs). I came across a lot of people who are academically inclined, and they can hold their own against any college or university, yes, these people reside in Chester
DeleteI could not believe my ears; I came across a boat load of degrees in the city, yes, Chester!!!
DeleteHowever, they paint us as a bunch of headless morons!...the media, of course!!
BREAKING NEWS !!!! THERE IS A NEW MAYOR IN THE CITY HE'S MAKING CHANGES AS HE SEES FIT !!! IT'S BUSINESS, NOTHING PERSONAL DOES IT MATTER WHERE A PERSON LIVES,.IF YOU ARE NOT LIKING THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING SO FAR THERE ARE OTHER CITYS U CAN MOVE TO,STOP YOUR WHINING ITS ANNOYING !! GIVE THEM A CHANCE,ROME WASN'T BUILT N A DAY EITHER !
ReplyDeleteNEW CHESTER WROTE; NO ROME WASNT BUILT IN A DAY HOWEVER IT BURNT DOWN IN ONE DAY
ReplyDelete