Our Brother And Sister From Cornwall PD Need Our Help

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OUR BROTHER AND SISTER POLICE OFFICERS FROM TOWN OF CORNWALL PD NEED OUR SUPPORT

Police Officers of the Town of Cornwall PD were shocked ten days ago by the sudden layoff of 2 full time police officers and the demotion of one of the three sergeants. On Tuesday August 23, the town board announced a special meeting for the following night, Wednesday August 24, concerning the address the Police department. This was a non scheduled meeting, no announcements were placed in the newspaper etc. to make the public aware of the meeting. At that meeting, by a vote of three to two, it was decided to lay off two full time police officers and demote one Sergeant to the rank of police officer, effective Sept. 7

Past events in the town of Cornwall show the following points that raise questions of motives for the three town board members that voted for the layoffs. For those of you interested in numbers and event, I have listed some here.

There are 2 bargaining units in the town of Cornwall, namely the CSEA, and the PBA which represents the full time and part time officers and Sgts in the PD. For fiscal year 2009 and 2010, the town offered the Full time PBA raises of 1% for 2009 and 1% for 2010. Yet during this same period the town awarded the CSEA 4% for 2009 and 3% for 2010. These awards were awarded after the economic slide started in 2008. The PBA representing the full time officers and the town went to arbitration. The arbitrator ruled on giving 4% for 2009 and 3.5% for 2010. My source for this information is the Arbitration decision, which I found on line. One of the members of the PBA has told me that the Town of Cornwall PBA members were the lowest paid town police in the county, both before AND AFTER the arbitration award (The award was dated May 2011).

It is the PBA's view that their research for their arbitration showed the town had a $500,000 surplus and that account, along with their offer to their CSEA members, as well as adjoining agencies salaries, was the reason for the award. Further, it is the contention of the PBA that they very meeting where the vote to layoff the officers was held WAS AN ILLEGAL MEETING as it was an unscheduled, and unadvertised meeting. Some may wonder (I know I do) if the layoffs are revenge for the PBA winning the arbitration decision.

In an article in "The Cornwall Local" the Supervisor, Kevin Quigley blamed the recent arbitration award and that they had not budgeted for that amount in the town budget and that the town is ...'out of money'. Yet they sure had money for the CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association).

For those of you not familiar, Cornwall is a desirable town of live in, and the town Police dept. has (or had) 8 full time police officers and 3 full time sergeants, as well as another 10 part time officers to assist with the work load. The Town PD covers the entire town of Cornwall with the exception of the Village of Cornwall On Hudson, which has it's own smaller PD, you may remember that agency from the recent articles about the Village not renewing the contract with their then Police Chief. That slot is still vacant, I believe.

I recently spoke at length with one of the officers to be laid off on Sept. 7. He has been an officers for 5 years, was 'proud to work there", enjoyed working for the Cornwall PD, and now may lose his house and his car. The other officer is the departments only female officer. The Sergeant being reduced in Rank is Doug Scofield, who coincidentally enough, is THE PBA PRESIDENT.

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. The officers are the among the police that cover where we live, where we commute through, where we shop, and protect our families and friends. I urge you to "do the right thing" The PBA would appreciate the support by your presence at the next two Town of Cornwall Board meetings. The first one is this Tuesday, Sept 6,they are asking we start assembling at 6 pm. The Town Hall is located at 183 Main Street in Cornwall. The second meeting is on Monday Sept 12 and they ask us to be there at 6:30 pm. (Our lodge meeting is 8 pm that evening) Come and bring a friend, better yet, bring several friends, pass the word. If you have friends or relatives in Cornwall (several lodge members live there) get involved as it affects you even more.

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Wish you the best of luck. Fight like hell! Only thing is the date; it's either MONDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH or TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH (You have Tuesday, Sept 5th). You should change the date in the announcement so as many people as possible show up on the right night. Good luck.

[MoFire390 118]

good luck ace!!!!!!!