West Covina is laying off 21 maintenance workers. I wonder what is next considering the fact financial situation is not improving...
Financially pinched West Covina cuts half of its maintenance division
https://www.sgvtribune.com/2018/07/19/financially-pinched-west-covina-cuts-half-of-its-maintenance-division/
I was hired in the early 1980's for the maintenance department. We handled everything and anything regarding maintenance and I was one of a hundred or so employees. We were then cut by 20% a few years later and we as individuals took on more duties. Then in the 90's contracting became all the rage to save money and we were cut further. With each cut, we received less than the police, fire, or city hall employee raises but took on more duties as contracting kept rising in costs. The council meanwhile started earning wages and became constant bedfellows with Police and Fire and their benefits (police, fire, council) all got better while ours continued to suffer. The final straw was the council sold the Water rights the City owned to Suburban and with it a loss of constant revenue. Now, WC is nearing bankruptcy and the Police and Fire continue to receive their wage increases. Meanwhile, the City has become a haven for homeless, accumulated trash in the parks and streets, a regular spot on the news for crime, and plummeting property values. The council that made all these decisions that have negatively impacted the City continue to reap the benefits in perpetuity as they voted themselves raises, benefits, and ruined the City. It was easy to do as they used money that was not theirs to sow the seeds of despair and ruin. Look up the archives or your memory and you will find the culprits.