While I prefer to limit my public comments on matters involving Garwood employees or labor contracts, there is an incredible amount of false information circulating on social media regarding our Department of Public Works. Unfortunately, much of the misinformation is coming from a current member of the Council.

First, let me reassure everyone. There is no elaborate scheme against the Garwood Department of Public Works; I am not attempting to force anyone to resign or shut down operations. In fact, we have been diligently adding seasonal laborers as quickly as we can find suitable candidates to address recent staffing issues resulting from accidental injuries to two of our full-time laborers.

Since mid-2022, the Garwood DPW has operated effectively with six full-time and one permanent parttime laborer after two laborers resigned. The decision was made in 2022 to leave those full-time positions unfilled for the remainder of the year and to use seasonal labor as needed. In 2023, the Public Works Superintendent did not request the positions in that year’s budget process. There was no request in 2024 either, until Councilwoman Kim Salmon, who does not sit on the Public Works Committee, unilaterally decided the DPW is understaffed after a second injury to a full-time laborer. Why should the temporary leave of a full-time employee in the short term mean we should commit to two full-time employees in the long term? It doesn’t make financial sense – using seasonal workers to fill the short-term openings does.

The remainder of the Council has expressed openness to revisiting the staffing number for our DPW; however, these discussions will be ongoing and based on facts as they change – not over anecdotes and alarmist social media posts, including ones by Councilwoman Salmon proclaiming the Council has decimated the DPW, just one day after the second laborer was injured. These decisions must be carefully considered for the benefit of Garwood’s current taxpayers and the long-term financial sustainability of our community.

Without discussion, it would be irresponsible to commit to increasing the overall number of full-time laborers from a level that has held since 2022. We need to remain focused on the long-term costs associated with a 5-step salary guide, which tops out at $76,000 after five years. Even with modest inflation adjustments, these costs will compound resulting in $100,000-plus annual salaries over the next 10 to 15 years, plus the cost of healthcare and pension benefits. We need to manage these long-term decisions carefully, and taking an emotional stance to expand the workforce to address a temporary situation is simply not responsible nor fair to the taxpayers of today and tomorrow.

I hope this brings some clarity and contrasting perspective to the misinformation being spread online for way too long. I’ve said this many times at our Council meetings, but it is worth repeating: this Council cannot and will not govern nor legislate based on the back-and-forth banter on Facebook. As Mayor, I am committed to transparency and ensuring the public has the truth. My door is always open, and I will always aim to give you the best information I can so you can walk away with the facts and make your own informed opinion.

Jen Blumenstock Mayor of Garwood