THE END IS NEAR

Unless some as yet unknown earth shattering event takes place between now and Midnight up to forty city workers will be on official notice that they will become redundant next year. Commissioner of Finance Ivins first budget proposed in early October goes into effect at the stroke of midnight thereby eliminating about 40 city jobs. Those cut lose will be eligible for unemployment. New York State now provides 67 additional weeks of unemployment benefits, as well as the usual 26 weeks of regular benefit and you may receive up to $405 a week which is more than many working people make. It also goes without saying they keep their city provided education {free paramedic training for fireman for example} and they will cash in their sick and vacation time. The real saving will come in the long run particularly if these positions are not filled and the personal cuts are permanent, its time the Fireman went back to fighting fires and stop playing roadside MD and the police got back to the basics of community policing and give the ballistic shields and tasers a rest. As far as DPW they need better management and a stop to rampant cronyism and nepotism or our streets and infrastructure will look like shit for the foreseeable future,