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First round of county layoffs worth $2 million; more to come

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

(Updated Thursday, February 26 - 5:45 am)

By Gerald Witt
Staff Writer

Guilford County announced a layoff late Tuesday affecting the county's lead economic development agent and other positions.

"I know that it was pretty significant, about $2 million worth," Republican county commissioner Billy Yow said about the impact of the salaries on the county's budget.

"I heard about it the day before yesterday," Yow said, adding that he heard the change was coming weeks ago. "It’s the first round; I hear there's more to come."

The layoff, called a reduction in force under county policy, was first confirmed by Rob Bencini, who was director of the county's Community and Economic Development Department. Bencini said his position was eliminated.

Positions affected by a reduction in force must be determined by the county manager and his or her staff. Commissioners hire and fire the county manager, attorney and tax collector.

Bencini said he was unsure of other affected positions, but outside sources say that positions in the county's planning and other departments were also affected.

Interim county manager Brenda Jones Fox and personnel director Sharisse Fuller did not immediately return phone messages Wednesday.

E-mails sent to deputy county attorney Mike Newby were returned undeliverable.

Check back here for more updates throughout the day.

Accompanying Photos

Margaret Baxter (News & Record)

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Paul J

February 25, 2009 - 10:40 am EST

We need to get rid of a bunch more do nothing government workers.

snowman

February 25, 2009 - 11:14 am EST

Start from the top with the county, anyone making over $50,000/year and don't stop here this needs to be in the city as well. I'm sick in tried of seeing city and county workings at a job site that should only take a couple to people to complete the job and you will see 25 trucks and 100 employees, doing what NOTHING but sleeping.

newkid

February 25, 2009 - 11:24 am EST

You know what I'm tired of? People who make blanket statements implying that government workers "do nothing." Next time your house catches on fire, you better hope a "do nothing" firefighter or two shows up! The next time you fly on an airplane, you better hope a "do nothing" air traffic controller is on the job. The next time you take a drink of water, you better hope that a "do nothing" utility worker has done his or her job testing the water system....

Last time I checked, the bankers, stock brokers, real estate speculators, ponzi schemers, and hedge fund managers who have brought this country's economy to its knees were NOT government workers.

snowman

February 25, 2009 - 11:50 am EST

I call it as I see it. Thank you, Mr. Do Nothing.

newkid

February 25, 2009 - 12:48 pm EST

Swing, and a miss! You're also wrong about me being a government worker!

MyTwoCents

February 25, 2009 - 2:07 pm EST

There's no doubt that we have many government workers to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude - but I think we ALSO know that there are many government workers who - how do they say - milk the clock?

In general, government is too big...local, state and federal....and Mr. Obama is well on his way to making it even bigger.

Hat's off to Guilford County for making the tough decisions and cutting back. Maybe our property taxes won't take such a drastic jump next year.

newkid

February 25, 2009 - 10:38 pm EST

Oh, I agree....there are useless people in all areas, government included. But one of the legacies of the Bush administration has been to divert attention from REAL waste and thievery: no-bid defense contracts, billions paid to CEOs who ran their companies into the ground, billions spent fighting the war against terror in the wrong country, etc. While at the same time we focus on relatively minor issues, such as whether some government workers "do nothing" while on the public payroll, even some that *GASP* make more than $50,000 per year. We waste that much in Iraq in a nanosecond; Bernie Madoff stole that much from investors in the blink of an eye, Exxon pocketed that much in profits faster than you can pump half a gallon of gas....

Paul J

February 25, 2009 - 5:56 pm EST

Remember government workers are the people no one else will hire.

Theo

February 25, 2009 - 9:15 pm EST

Paul J, please elaborate! I’ve been a Government employee for 16 years and I have worked in the private sector for 15 years. In my brief 31 years of employment in the two sectors, I can tell you there is no difference between the quality of employee from these two areas. As for your callous statements, it appears you have lost your ability to think judiciously. I find it troubling to imagine anyone wishing unemployment on anyone. Let’s not forget all those Government employees who lost their lives on 9/11. Yes Paul J, they had families and they died providing the ultimate sacrifice. While you sleep in comfort behind your locked doors, a Government employee is putting his/her life on the line for you! These Government employees will save your life regardless of your callously typed unmitigated statements. This is difficult time for everyone and it is time we work together. I am sorry your edification and your morality have left you devoid of any type of awareness but I will dare you to find your heart! If your point of view is indicative of the private sector, then we are truly doomed!

djfoams

February 27, 2009 - 10:33 am EST

Well said, Theo. People who make callous statements like the ones above have no idea what it takes to run a county, city, or state or have the capacity to understand the services government provide. Without government your neighbor could build an asphalt plant that does not meet any code requirement on an unpaved street with no electricty or running water and trash piling up because of no trash service and due to no building code the plant will cause your house to catch on fire with no one to respond to put the fire out while your children are walking the streets with no police protection. I think people get a lot for the tax money, whether they appreciate it or not.

ninjaridah

March 27, 2009 - 1:08 pm EDT

I agree, well said Theo. It appears that you lost Mr. J. I'm guessing around the 3rd sentence. Mr. J., grab Roget's Thesaurus so you can keep up with Mr. Theo. This is just too funny!!

incredible

March 7, 2009 - 12:43 am EST

How do you supposed Guilford County will be able to hire the accountants, attorneys, physicians, and dentists that are needed to run the government and provide necessary services to its citizens for less than $50,000? It's time to get real.

Linus_61

February 25, 2009 - 2:48 pm EST

Hmm well being a former County worker from up North, I know for sure that the people who make the most do the least and are the least qualified. My former boss if you call him that-had only a two year degree and he got caught drinking on lunchtime so he was forced to retire--not fired--now he is attempting to comeback because they are privitizing the place where I used to work or at least those are the plans. So much for justice!!!

chickenlittle02

February 25, 2009 - 6:46 pm EST

N&R might need to do a little investigating about WHO was fired, and what vendetta certain commissioners had on them.

tledford

February 25, 2009 - 8:23 pm EST

Eliminate the salary and travel expenses for County Commissioners effective immediately. Over $200k/year saved. And the result will be that they earn what they're worth.