I would like to comment on a statement that was made in a Jan. 8 letter: “County department heads are now coming out of the woodwork to say they are understaffed.” The writer surmised County Executive Mark Poloncarz would now be able to justify adding union jobs.
I am responding as a former county employee (and victim of Chris Collins’ ineffective staff cuts). I can tell you that it was well-known that if a department head or deputy head were to disagree with any of the edicts that Collins made, then he or she would lose his or her job. Now some of these individuals held to their principles by going against King Collins, but most, and I make no judgment with this statement, kept quiet and kept their jobs.
As someone who has dealt with being pushed onto the unemployment line by an unreasonable employer, I am not sure I could voluntarily give up my job in this current economy. I do not believe there was any true consideration given to the impact that the loss of staff would have on the work to be done. It was all about removing bodies for a better head count of employees.
Gary C. Carrel
Buffalo
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial-page/from-our-readers/letters-to-the-editor/article714507.ece