Ryn Melberg Comments On Layoffs Final - 4/14/2009 - Hoboken Mayoral Candidate

1. Contact: Patricia Samperi
201-978-6913
pat@hirerynformayor.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CITY LAYOFFS NOT NECESSARY:
RYN MELBERG QUESTIONS PROCESS USED
Hoboken, N.J. – April 14, 2009 – Ryn Melberg, candidate for mayor of Hoboken, commented today on
the recent layoff of city employees. Ms. Melberg said there is every indication that these layoffs could
have been avoided without cost to the taxpayers.
“There is a well-known process in the business world that companies follow when downsizing,” said
Ms. Melberg, who has led large-scale business transformations and consolidations at leading companies,
including American Express, JP Morgan Chase and Credit Suisse. “You start by eliminating all
independent contractors, followed by non-emergency overtime, followed by the reduction or elimination
of part-time and temporary employees. Only after you have exhausted the first three options, do you
layoff full-time employees.”
She added that when businesses do layoff employees, managers use job descriptions to help identify the
least critical positions. “Most Hoboken positions do not have job descriptions,” she said. “So how did
City Hall determine that the positions eliminated would have the least impact on services provided to
residents?”
With most of the layoffs occurring in the area of public safety, Ms. Melberg questions why City Hall
hasn’t shared the process it used to determine which positions to eliminate.
“We have neighborhoods that residents are worried are underserved by the Fire Department,” she said.
“These cuts put our resident’s lives and properties at risk.”
“Under my administration, we won’t hide the processes we use,” she continued. “Hoboken residents
and employees have a right to know how city hall conducts business. I want everyone to see that the
decisions we make are in their best interests and safety.”
Continued on next page…
Paid for and authorized by Friends of Ryn Melberg, PO Box 3273, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Self Printed. In-House.

2. Ryn Melberg, Comments on Hoboken Layoffs, Page 2
About Ryn Melberg
It’s time to take the business of our city seriously. It’s time to Hire Ryn Melberg for Mayor. Hoboken is in
the worst financial shape in twenty years. We have allowed the current Mayor and City Council to spend far
more money than we have, resulting in devastating deficits and a State takeover of our finances and budget.
Because of this, the state finance board has raised our taxes 47% this year. And, unless we do something now,
they will go up again.
Meanwhile, people are afraid of losing their homes, others are struggling to keep their businesses and our
infrastructure is crumbling.
With our current international recession, we cannot expect a bailout from the Federal or State government. We
have to develop new sources of income and streamline our government so it is workable and affordable. This
year, we have to hire a Mayor who will get our economic house in order while protecting our neighbors – seniors,
working families and locally-owned businesses.
There is only one candidate in this race who has the financial management skills and experience to do this job.
That candidate is Ryn Melberg.
For information, visit www. HireRynForMayor.com or email: info@HireRynForMayor.com.
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Paid for and authorized by Friends of Ryn Melberg, PO Box 3273, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Self Printed. In-House.