WARREN Mayor: Don't split the tax

The mayor-elect also opposes splitting the tax.
BY DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Saying council needs to be united in its support of an income tax, Mayor Hank Angelo opposes a proposal to split the safety-forces tax into two separate issues.
Councilman James A. "Doc" Pugh, D-6th, is sponsoring legislation that would place two temporary income tax issues of 0.25 percent each, one for police and one for fire.
"I would not be favor of separating the tax between the two departments," Angelo said.
The 0.5-percent income tax for both departments runs out at the end of 2004. Pugh's proposal would place both issues on the March 2 primary ballot. Each tax would run from Jan. 1, 2005, through Dec. 31, 2007.
Pugh cites a concern that a combined income tax won't pass because of recent problems within the police department. Both pieces of legislation are to be discussed at council's regular meeting tonight.
"Council's best hope for passing the tax is to be united, work closely with the incoming administration to resolve the problems within the police department and to steadfastly assure the public that, with some minor exceptions, there are excellent men and women working for their safety," the mayor said.
Mayor-elect Michael J. O'Brien also opposes splitting the tax into two issues.
"The income tax was passed on the backs of the police and fire departments together," O'Brien said. "I think it's important to keep the continuity."
Permanent or temporary?
Another ordinance set for second reading at tonight's meeting would place a question on the March 2 primary ballot to make the 0.5-percent income tax for both departments permanent.
Councilwoman Susan E. Hartman, D-7th, lead sponsor of that legislation, has said that when the 0.5-percent income tax for both departments was passed in 2001, voters were told that the initial tax would be temporary and then they would be asked to approve a permanent tax.
For the income tax to succeed, the public needs to see council coming together, Angelo said.
"That won't happen, because some of the council members are dissatisfied with the direction the police department has taken," the mayor said. "Since this administration is leaving, public attacks on us diverts attention from the real problems."
Councilman's comments
Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, who opposes separating the income tax into separate issues, has said that he attributes many of the problems with the police department to "bad blood" between the department and the administration.
"In response to Mr. Fonce's comments, I have never had a screaming match outside of the municipal justice building with the police chief, nor have I had a screaming match with the chief inside of his office," Angelo said, referring to Fonce. "He's entitled to his opinion."
Angelo said the option to separate the tax is being offered only as an alternative by some on council.
"Our city police are still doing an excellent job and are to be commended for all that they do," the mayor said. "Recognizing that there are problems is the first step to correcting them, and I believe we are doing that."
If council members believe there's a need for compromise, they can discuss whether the tax should be permanent or temporary, Angelo said.
"But the focus of the discussions should center on why the tax is needed and not problems that will only magnify should the tax fail," he said.
denise.dick@vindy.com