I really, really tried!
Believe me; I wanted to be able to write about something pleasant, something light on this Thanksgiving week… until I watched the City Council meeting Tuesday night.
Perhaps the school system is at fault or the parents. Maybe it’s the influence television has on our youngsters but it irks me when teenagers go before the council and say, “…you guys…” That is not an appropriate form of address to a legislative body or people who deserve respect and formality.
They were nice kids but their way of approaching the microphone left a lot to be desired. They will soon be entering the job market and at this age, some sort of education should be going on to deal with the pressures of employment.
Governor Charlie Baker has signed a bill where public schools must teach civics starting next year. There many common sense things that should be recommended for our high schoolers to learn beyond keeping track of a checkbook, things like learning to be adults.
And remember, “you guys” is not the appropriate form to address anyone, unless you are in a playground.
Charging back Columbia Gas
There are several Department of Public Works employees working overtime for Columbia Gas and, out of curiosity, I requested under the Freedom of Information Act the entire payroll for the month of October. I just wanted see who was getting the overtime. What I didn’t expect to see was the excessive salaries being earned.
Several of them earn anywhere from $7,000 to $12,000 during that month and one earned $11,426. That is not counting the director of that department or other professionals, but the ones doing the bulk of the hard work in the city. I applaud them for working hard even when that means between 280 and 420 hours during that period. Who can work 420 hours and still be standing? I am not in liberty of revealing the names because that will be a violation of their privacy. I just want to see how much of that overtime will really be paid back by Columbia Gas.
