Take-home cars by city workers get scrutiny

[steven]

Employees who take home city vehicles are coming under Common Council scrutiny, as lawmakers press Mayor Byron W. Brown to prove that there are controls in place that prevent abuses.
South Council Member Michael P. Kearns said he recently received three reports of marked city vehicles seen in Cheektowaga. Two of the sightings occurred at about 6 a.m., he said.
"I'm absolutely concerned that there are some city cars on the loose," Kearns said last week.
Meanwhile, some lawmakers raised questions about a request from the Fire Department to keep eight cars unmarked. A city law that has been on the books for more than three decades, but has been unevenly enforced, requires city-owned vehicles to display official emblems. Many believe that such markings are deterrents to abuse.
When the Council meets today, it is scheduled to consider the Fire Department's request for exemptions that would keep vehicles unmarked for the commissioner, three deputy commissioners, two arson investigators and two administrators.

Deputy Fire Commissioner Garnell M. Smith told the Council that the cars are used for undercover surveillance, including the monitoring of injured and sick employees.

Council Majority Leader Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr. of the Niagara District said he will support keeping the vehicles unmarked. Employees must understand, however, that the cars are to be used only for business, he said.

"Just because they have an unmarked car doesn't mean they take it shopping, go to a golf course or go wherever they want to go," Bonifacio said.

In the past, Bonifacio added, some officials viewed take-home cars as a perk that could be used in any way they saw fit.
"If they have to go to the corner store, they should walk," he said.

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial...19/1013495.asp

[citymouse]

Most of those people are in exempt positions such as commissioners and their deputies. Some are supervisors such as the street superintendents who have to be able to come in on a moments notice,at all hours, to any location in the city, mostly during severe weather.
They also pay social security tax on a fixed amount ( all though I don't know the formula) as the use of the vehicle is considered income.
Some of those guys live outside the city as that particular department is exempt from residency.
I think, personally, that some of them don't need vehicles, those that do don't need the loaded top of the line vehicles, such as the Tahoes they drive.
Just my feelings.

[biker]

They also pay social security tax on a fixed amount ( all though I don't know the formula) as the use of the vehicle is considered income.

Not quite.

They pay income tax on the personal use of the vehicle, as a non-business perquisite.

On the self-reported personal use of the vehicle.

Which, as Byron has probably only hired pure-as-the-driven-snow, public-spirited saints, is 100% accurate.

[citymouse]

Not quite.

They pay income tax on the personal use of the vehicle, as a non-business perquisite.

On the self-reported personal use of the vehicle.

Which, as Byron has probably only hired pure-as-the-driven-snow, public-spirited saints, is 100% accurate.

No it's definatley a social security tax. Maybe they do pay income tax on it too, I don't know for sure.
Byron dosen't have anything to do with it. The system was in place before he got there and a good portion of those vehicles are assigned to civil service people who are not appointed by paronage and who were there in those positions well before he was elected
I don't know why , after all these years, and after the number has declined, the News decided to make it the "flavor of the month" now.

[biker]

I think they are just desparate for something to write about.

Absolutely everything else is working very well in the COB.

I think the snow removal in particular the past two months has been outstanding!!

[Deerhunter]

I have a 4 wheel drive truck so I can get to work in most any storm. I don't think "they" need take home cars. If they are included in a compensation pkg, so be it. It is in the contract, but aside from that. If someone could show me where the Police Chief or any other Dept head, absolutely had to get to a scene in order to make a decision, It would be enlightening. I can't think of any incident where this has occurred. I see them as a perk that could be eliminated, not only in the City but every municipality.

[granpabob]

I drove a company truck for years and often had a company car but they were left at the shop every night. I was up to me to get transportion to work. Only people who acttually require transportion as part of their job should have a car provided all others should buy their own. If a vehicle is needed during they job they should get one from the motor pools and return it right after they are done. How many people can their be who have to have a public car at home.

[WNYresident]

I have a 4 wheel drive truck so I can get to work in most any storm. I don't think "they" need take home cars. If they are included in a compensation pkg, so be it. It is in the contract, but aside from that. If someone could show me where the Police Chief or any other Dept head, absolutely had to get to a scene in order to make a decision, It would be enlightening. I can't think of any incident where this has occurred. I see them as a perk that could be eliminated, not only in the City but every municipality.

Same goes for take home cars in the ECWA. When was the last "water" emergency?

[biker]

How many people can their be who have to have a public car at home.

Me.

I'd like one in my driveway right now.

Fully gassed up, of course.

[biker]

Same goes for take home cars in the ECWA. When was the last "water" emergency?

I think the last emergency was when someone just couldn't get to sleep during the third shift.

[BuffaloEMT14216]

I firmly believe the Commissioners of Fire and Police should have take home vehicles. For example, Commissioner Lombardo,(C-1) shows up at virtually every fire scene to support the troops. He's a hands on kind of guy.
He is issued a stock fire red Ford Crown Victoria. It has a small marking of BFD in goldleaf on the front doors. Anyone in Fire/EMS knows that it's the Commish. Now Deputy Commissioner, Garnell Whitfield,(B-52) has a Chevy Tahoe/Suburban. That doesn't make sense to me. I think Mike should get that, but he's a fireman's fireman. He's more about what the troops need, which the Fire Department needs after years of D'Orazio at the helm.
When I had a trauma code on the Kensington Expwy., I saw Commissioner Gipson show up in a normal Crown Victoria as well. I told my partner, that's the Commish. I felt supported, and he's not even my boss! I have also seen him out to back up his troops. They should be so lucky after Tony's boys were running things.
I have no problem with these two gentlemen having this perk. These two men have already proven they are dedicated to there departments as well as to their personnel. They have both worn the uniforms of their respected departments and are loyal. They have already showed a more hands on approach then Tony's cronies, Rocco Diina and Michael D'Orazio. Two men that could give two sh*ts about the department, the personnel, or the city for that matter. I'd like a , Where are they Now?

[citymouse]

I work in Public works. There are more than a few who have take home vehicles that don't need them. I agree that the superintendents do. They are the top level guys on the street.

[biker]

I thought you were in Streets.

How many paychecks are you collecting?

[granpabob]

I work in Public works. I agree that the superintendents do. They are the top level guys on the street.

why!! when they are off duty the next shift can use the same vehicle. if they take it home it is out of commision for all that time when someone else could be using it

[biker]

They oughta just pass a law that says fires can only break out during the day shift.