As a Garwood Councilwoman dedicated to serving the best interests of our community, I feel compelled to address the recent statements made by first-year Councilman Foley regarding my vote in support of fulltime workers at our Department of Public Works (DPW). Mr. Foley, who is the chair of our finance committee, purposefully misinterprets my decision as a refusal to collaborate and compromise. Therefore, I believe it is essential to clarify the rationale behind my stance and shed light on the broader issues at play.
First and foremost, my vote regarding the DPW was based on a commitment to finding sustainable, long-term solutions rather than opting for temporary fixes. While Mr. Foley portrays my decision as a refusal to collaborate, it is, in fact, rooted in a genuine concern for the strategic planning and fiscal responsibility needed to address our staffing challenges effectively. His solution of hiring seasonal workers is a temporary solution that addresses immediate staffing shortages but fails to tackle the underlying issues. The cause of this “crisis,” as Councilman Foley declared it in a March council meeting, is NOT the two men out on workers’ comp; it is the two men who were not replaced in 2021.
As elected officials, I understand it is our responsibility to develop comprehensive, long-term strategies that ensure stability and efficiency within our departments. Simply put, we need to think beyond the next few weeks and focus on creating the framework that will support our DPW and other essential services for years to come. Unlike Councilman Kearney, I DO believe our DPW workers are essential employees.
Mr. Foley has chosen to divert attention from the critical issues at hand. The articles and statements published about me are designed to distract from the real problems we face and to force my silence through intimidation. This behavior is not only unprofessional but also detrimental to the collaborative spirit he so frequently speaks about. This is a clear attempt to discredit me and undermine my efforts to advocate for full-time employees at our DPW. These tactics are set in place to avoid accountability for the decisions that are being made by him.
Every council member should be free to vote based on their views without fear of retribution or public humiliation. The Finance Chair’s claims are unfounded and serve as a distraction from the real issue. It is crucial for the public to understand that these statements are part of a broader strategy to discredit me and suppress legitimate debate. I firmly believe that our Department of Public Works needs a full, stable staff, not transient workers, to effectively serve our community.
Not every disagreement is cause for demanding emails, contention on the dais, and long-winded articles of diversion. Councilman Foley is, in fact, exhibiting the exact behavior he is accusing me of. I urge him to demonstrate the values and principles he continuously advocates for and work together for what is best for Garwood.
Councilwoman Kimberly Salmon Garwood
