Read on Twitter
I'd like to announce today that the City Council is now interviewing and hiring our staff positions to help create the Community Police Review Agency and Police Commission!
...I'd like to, but I can't. Because we aren't.
It has been 3 months since these funds were appropriated.
...I'd like to, but I can't. Because we aren't.
It has been 3 months since these funds were appropriated.
Why are these jobs (an analyst and an organizer position, reporting to the City Council, to help run the outreach and drafting process) not currently posted?
The City Clerk submitted the request to post the jobs on September 30. Mayor @JoeCurtatone stopped it.
The City Clerk submitted the request to post the jobs on September 30. Mayor @JoeCurtatone stopped it.
The City Clerk was directed again today to post those jobs. They are not posted as of now.
These are $45 and $55/hour temp jobs to help run a community process and construct a Best-In-The-Nation police accountability structure, and it continues to be delayed by our Mayor.
These are $45 and $55/hour temp jobs to help run a community process and construct a Best-In-The-Nation police accountability structure, and it continues to be delayed by our Mayor.
Apparently the Mayor views this as a negotiation - we on the City Council wanted to pay people TOO WELL to do vital work that is being demanded by our community.
He wanted to pay them 65% less, and refused to post the jobs as specified by the Chair of Legislative Matters.
He wanted to pay them 65% less, and refused to post the jobs as specified by the Chair of Legislative Matters.
So here we are, 2 weeks later. Still no jobs posted. Still not getting the work done. Still being obstructed.
We committed to you that we would do this work during Budget Season, back in July.
I had to be transparent with you as to why the work still isn't happening.
We committed to you that we would do this work during Budget Season, back in July.
I had to be transparent with you as to why the work still isn't happening.
Please stop negotiating. This isn't a fight anyone needs right now, @JoeCurtatone. Why nickel-and-dime over money already appropriated for this purpose? Why further delay this process which thousands of our constituents are demanding? What higher purpose is being served here?
I'm enormously frustrated by this. My colleagues @lancedavis, @MbahCouncilor, @BenForWard3, and myself have been working with community advocates and experts around the country. We're eager to bring this to Somerville.
Let's get to the work. We should be on the same team here.
Let's get to the work. We should be on the same team here.
Postscript: 8 hours after going public with this thread, the jobs were posted - tho at 77% of the salaries the City Council specified.
Thank you for paying attention and for your anger. If you know activists or law students who might be great for the jobs, please pass it along.
Thank you for paying attention and for your anger. If you know activists or law students who might be great for the jobs, please pass it along.
Here's links to both postings. Thank you again, everyone! https://twitter.com/SomervilleCity/status/1316907255988617221
