Question 6: What is the appropriate staffing level for a town like Verona and what would you do to get us there?
Donna Cannizzaro: As cost of goods and services rise; governments need to look for ways to reduced spending. Maintaining staffing levels are not within the purview of the Council and is that of the Town Manager under the Faulkner Act. The Council can act as a Board of Directors lending input and concepts; but it is the Town Manager who looks for ways to increase efficiencies without sacrificing service or placing an undue burden on the residents with a rise in taxes.
Like most businesses, as people leave or retire, governments must similarly look for ways to consolidate responsibilities before filling the open position. Staffing may naturally go down through attrition; and in certain departments with the constant introduction of new technology and software, some departments may find they require less resourcing. But this may also lend itself to the fluidity and scope of the Town Manager’s role to reassign staffing in departments where there is an uptick in volume where a deficit has been identified requiring adding to staff. A deficit should NEVER compromise life-saving services or adversely affect safety of the residents.
At a time when safety is first and foremost on everyone’s minds, the Verona Police Department may be in need of increased personnel. Again, the Town Manager, in consultation and collaboration with the Police Department, will appropriately make these decisions as they follow the code and recommendations set by a recent NJ State Police report. I am confident that the staffing levels will also address where the resources should be placed, i.e., traffic unit, detective bureau, juvenile officer or leadership roles within the department. Again, I am confident that the Town Manager will ensure that the Verona Police Department is staffed properly in order to keep us safe 24/7 and that their response time is as low as possible and will not jeopardize life-saving services or safety of our community.
We also need to consider proper staffing of non-sworn officers like dispatchers who also play a critical role. While they are professionally trained to field incoming emergency calls and follow emergency response protocols, they relieve the uniformed officers in order to put them back on the road, patrolling the town and responding directly to emergency situations. Using more dispatchers could provide relief to the uniformed officer and provides a balance of service and spending.
Shared services is another great way to help stabilize the budget. Verona shares many services, for instance our health and human services, animal control, code enforcement departments are shared with various surrounding towns. Our volunteer at fire and rescue department often provide mutual aid and respond to other communities when necessary. The Verona Department of Public Works also shares a number of services with our Board of Education provided it is a mutual benefit to the public. Where ever we can look with other communities or within our own community where we can consolidate and share resources and services, is a great means of keeping taxes stabilized.
Dear Verona Friends,
As the former Mayor of Verona, and current Council Member, it has truly been my privilege and pleasure to have served the community I love these past 8 years. While I am not seeking reelection this year, my commitment to Verona remains strong. That is why I am encouraging all of my Verona Friends to join me in my support for Donna McNinch Cannizzaro, and Ted Giblin in the coming election. I believe we need fresh, new voices on the Verona Council, and these two fine candidates will bring a much needed sensible and unbiased perspective to the dais.
Donna is 5th generation Verona. Her father was a proud Verona Police officer, and she and her daughter Shannon are both products of our outstanding Verona schools. She is committed to maintaining transparency, stabilizing taxes, bolstering the essential services our residents enjoy and upon which they rely, and strengthening our public safety programs and policies. She will gather as much information as possible before making any decision concerning our town, and then that decision will be based solely on what is in the best interest of the entire community.
Ted Giblin comes from a family of devoted public servants. His astute financial background will insure the highest level of, and commitment to fiscal management. He is a beloved father of two young children, and devoted husband to his wife Liz. Over the years, Ted has served on numerous committees in town. As a member of my Mayor’s Ball Committee, he helped raise nearly $20,000 which went to support myriad local charities and volunteer organization. His character and integrity are above reproach, and I challenge any of his opponents to prove otherwise.
This is a pivotal time in Verona, and we need serious candidates who will work hard for our residents with no agenda other than what is best for the whole community. I strongly recommend and encourage you to join me in my support, and vote Line 1A, Ted Giblin, and Line 2A Donna Cannizzaro on Tuesday May 9.
Thank you,
Bob Manley