Girard mayor fights raises

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The mayor said his planned veto has nothing to do with a recent disagreement.

GIRARD — Pay raises for Police Chief Frank Bigowsky and Fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss may lead to more hard feelings among city officials.

City council is considering pay increases for both department heads, but Mayor James Melfi said he will veto any decision to offer pay increases without a review of the employees.

Bigowsky is paid $47,350 annually plus $1,716 in longevity pay. Bornemiss is paid $49,125 annually plus $2,756 for a paramedic certification and an additional $884 in longevity pay.

The proposal before council would take both men’s pay to $55,016.

Melfi and Bigowsky have already been engaged in a heated and publicized disagreement.

Bigowsky recently sent a letter to the civil service commission detailing a meeting between himself, Melfi, police Captain Jeffrey Palmer and Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert. In the letter, Bigowsky said the mayor was threatening, demeaning and irate during the mid-April meeting.

Melfi said the letter contains information that simply is not true. He said the law director is preparing a statement in response to the letter.

“We are having the letter reviewed because there are blatant falsehoods in the letter,” the mayor said. “We are looking at possible disciplinary action.”

Melfi also said Bigowsky failed to attend a mandatory meeting in his office this week. Bigowsky, however, said he is on light duty indefinitely per doctor’s orders and in the office only a few hours a day.

Melfi said his decision to veto the pay raises if approved has nothing to do with the recent turn of events between himself and Bigowsky. He said it is simply his policy not to approve pay increases without an evaluation of the employee.

“I will not support any raises given to anyone without an evaluation,” he said.

The heated meeting which Bigowsky details in the letter took place after Melfi and Bigowsky disagreed over the recent hiring of a police officer.

Melfi selected the candidate third on the list of people who took the civil service exam, but he said the police chief wanted a candidate 16th on the list to be selected. The mayor can select candidates from the top 10 on the list.

Melfi said the chief wanted to eliminate candidates to bring his selection for the open position into the top 10 eligible candidates.

“I would never allow that to happen,” said Melfi. “At the very best it’s unethical and improper.”

The April exchange is not the first time Melfi and Bigowsky have been on opposite sides of the fence. The two city officials have bumped heads over funding of the police department, purchasing of police cars, pay raises and staffing numbers.

Bigowsky would not comment on the matters between himself and city administration except to say those various issues need to be addressed.

“My letter speaks for itself, and I think there are some issues that need to be addressed. I am just asking for a fair opportunity to do that,” he said.

Melfi said any issues between Bigowsky and city administration stem from the chief’s issuance of demands for various things. He points to the chief’s displeasure with the selection of Chevrolet Impalas for new cruisers and the decision to buy only six of the cars.

Melfi said Bigowsky wanted an entire fleet of more expensive Dodge cars.

Melfi also points to the chief’s request for more staffing.

Melfi said the chief must take a realistic look at the city’s financial picture and act accordingly.

“No one is against spending money for police and fire. What we are against is spending money we don’t have,” said Melfi. “We are going to make the decisions that best suit the city.”

Despite any disagreements, Melfi said city administration and the police department will continue to work together smoothly.

jgoodwin@vindy.com