As Budget Worsens, Council Hires

by KYW's Mike Dunn

Philadelphia may be in a cash crunch, but there is no hiring freeze at Philadelphia City Council.

Four council members brought in new staffers last month, one each.  All four hires filled existing vacancies of relatively low-paying positions.  But some grumbling was heard in the corridors of City Hall because of the timing: the hiring comes as the mayor looks at possible layoffs of police, firefighters and other city workers to close a projected billion dollar, five year deficit.

Councilman Bill Green hired a person to handle public relations at $35,000 a year.  Green says he simply filled an existing vacancy:
  
"When an office of six people loses a person, it really affects the way the office operates."

Green says Council is doing its part:
 
"City Council cut its budget by 10-percent, more than any other row office.  I am within my budget."

Among the other hires: Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown brought on a $29,000 a year special assistant whose duties include driving her around.

In a statement, the Council woman said she needed to fill an existing vacancy because the rest of her staff is "stretched to the limit serving the citizens of Philadelphia."  She was not available for comment as to why she needs a driver.

City Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez hired an attorney at nearly $30 an hour, with a total salary cap of $30,000 a year.  Sanchez said the attorney also has accounting expertise and will help her during the upcoming budget hearings.
 
City Councilman Frank Rizzo hired a part time administrative assistant in January who he said will work only ten hours a week at $10 an hour.