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Crime & Safety

Change of Venue, Same Issues in Police District Talks

Motion rescinded to allow commissioners to take part in Port Washington Police District contract talks.

After last meeting's overstuffed turnout, the Port Washington Police District's Board of Commissioners held its monthly meeting in the auditorium of Sousa Elementary School instead of police headquarters.

With close to 75 officers and community members on hand, the talks between the commissioners and members of the Port Washington Police Department were heated, and not just because of the sweltering heat outside on Wednesday evening.

Commissioner Angela Lawlor Mullins motioned to rescind a motion, which passed two-to-one at the Board of Commissioners' May meeting, that would not allow the commissioners to meet at the collective bargaining table talks. Mullins was the sole opposition at the May 26 meeting.

While Commissioner James Duncan once again voted against the motion, Commissioner Sal Zimbardi voted, at the advice of his lawyer, a reserved yes on rescinding the motion.

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"I hope that the commissioner or commissioners who do sit in on these talks don't say anything to jeopardize the community," Zimbardi said.

Ken Gray, labor counsel for the Port Washington Police District, explained to those in attendance what the adverse effects of having a commissioner attend contract talks could possibly be.

"If a voting commissioner sits in and is part of the negotiations, then they are obliging themselves to vote yes on the contract and must encourage others to do so, possibly taking the vote out of the other commissioners' hands," Gray said. "Even if the attending commissioner does not say anything during the contract talks, just by being in attendance could be considered tacit approval."

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Community member Hank Ratner asked Commissioner Mullins why she felt it was important to attend the contract talks.

"I was elected by the taxpayers and I feel that I should represent the taxpayers at the meeting," Mullins responded.

Others in attendance, including Sergeant Steve Cardello, said they were concerned about the impending shift changes from 12- to eight-hour tours of duty, taking effect on July 1.

"The commissioners are willing to rescind the July 1 deadline, but the PBA have not gotten back to me yet," Gray said.

If negotiations aren't resolved by the July 1 deadline, the Port Washington Police District will be switching over to eight-hour shifts on that date. The next meeting of the Port Washington Police District's Board of Commissioners is scheduled for July 7 at 8 a.m.

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