Potter Flare-Up? Get Rid of It With Truthulax
Mayor Mike Purzycki thought Tuesday’s news release about the city issuing $43 million in bonds for capital projects exemplified “routine.” The city doesn’t sell bonds every year, but this issue was approved in the 2016 budget, and as news events go this was on a par with the altered trash-pickup schedule for holiday week.
But when your city has a case of the Potters, nothing is routine. Especially when it’s Velda.
City Treasurer Velda Jones-Potter apparently believes in the power of the press release, because she issued one Wednesday blasting the mayor for — um, putting out a press release. His plan, she wrote, “has not been vetted by city council or subjected to public scrutiny. My office is still outlining financing strategies for the city’s capital budget. The mayor’s statement shows disregard for legislative authority.”
She didn’t stop there. “I cannot advise authorizing a debt issuance of this magnitude for new money while unspent proceeds from 1998 remain in the City coffers, not to mention the $22 million unspent from the $43 Million bond issue of 2015,” she said. “We must stop the practice of borrowing more than we demonstrate a discipline or capacity to expend and do a better job prioritizing city needs.”
Funny thing, though — she never talked to City Council President Hanifa Shabazz about being disregarded. Shabazz joined Purzycki in pointing out that Jones-Potter is both wrong and overstepping the authority of her office.
On Thursday, the News Journal suddenly had a copy of Jones-Potter’s budget request for the treasurer’s office. It included a pay increase of more than $20,000 for Velda herself, which would bring her salary to $139,000 — more than the same position pays in the City of Philadelphia.
Show of hands: How many think the timing of Thursday’s story was a coincidence?
If Cassandra came back here for a day, I’d ask her one question–Is there any elected Wilmington official who is not either feathering their own nest and/or feathering the nest of a friend, paramour, and/or business associate?
I can’t think of one.
Which reminds me. The Potters do nothing but Hoover public money into their pockets. Is there nobody to step up and challenge Charles Potter? I’m sorry, but if Network Delaware can’t identify someone, then perhaps they’re more smoke than fire.
She’s got a good plan. It’s the utilities plan. Ask for a ton and when you get 9% everyone feels like they won. Either they are every elected officials drug dealer or they are their Ray Donovan
So the fact that the mayor or council leaked the request is the story here and not the audacity and greed of the Potters?
She already makes as much as she did when she was state treasurer. Yes, the city and state treasurer salaries are the same, “earning” $113,000 and change.
I say “earning” because neither is a real nor necessary job. Both could be abolished in a heartbeat and their functions turned over to professional staff in other agencies.
They are both total disgraces as public servants. They only feather their own nests at the expense of everyone else. The city raised property taxes 7.5%, cutting firefighters and Velda wants a 20% raise? She knew the salary when she ran for office. I think they have to pay off the legal issue with their house and are strapped for cash, so just drain the public coffers to get it.
@SW: It wasn’t the lead, so it’s not the story. But it’s certainly part of the story, wouldn’t you agree? I mean, they clearly think of themselves as playas, and they obviously have no game.
Alby: they are the definition of playas. they have been feeding and scamming from the public trough and keep coming back again and again, either through elections or hirings.
@Arthur: Yeah, but it’s petty graft. And say this for them — unlike so many other Democrats, they’re DIY. Others get a patron to stop the gravy train at their station. The Potters stage a hold-up.
In responces to all of the good comments let’s not forget that Bud Freel the Finance Chairmen plays a part in this. He should know that she can not give herself a raise in the middle of her term. That raise would of had to be voted on in the 2016 budget. Also do she not realize that this is not her money it is tax payers money. If she needs money to make up for the $11900.00 they had to pay for the roof, then she needs to get a part-time job. I heard that Marshall is hiring. What a crook they both are.