Tag Archives: Belinda Gergel

A 6-1 vote that was really 4-3

By adam beam | Published: July 9, 2009
Columbia City Council members approved the controversial landlord registration ordinance last night by a 6-1 vote. Councilman Kirkman Finlay voted no. While the official vote was 6-1, the real vote was 4-3. Joining Finlay in opposition to the ordinance were council members Daniel Rickenmann and Tameika Isaac Devine. Those three did not support the ordinance because it [...]
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No picnic for Columbia employees

By adam beam | Published: June 8, 2009
A majority of City Council members this morning cut $10,000 from next year’s budget by eliminating city employee’s annual picnic. Four council members — Mayor Bob Coble, Tameika Isaac Devine, Daniel Rickenmann and Belinda Gergel — met this morning to figure out how to cut $2.3 million from next year’s budget, which begins July 1. As [...]
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The case for, and against, Columbia salary cuts

By adam beam | Published: May 29, 2009
I mentioned briefly in my story yesterday that some City Council members are pushing for an across the board 2.5 percent salary cut for employees, which would save taxpayers $1,250,000 next fiscal year (which begins July 1). The breakdown looks like this: FOR salary cut: Belinda Gergel E.W. Cromartie Kirkman Finlay AGAINST salary cut: Sam Davis Bob Coble Tameika Isaac Devine Daniel Rickenmann Q. Why [...]
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134 people want to be Columbia City Manager

By adam beam | Published: May 7, 2009
The application period for Columbia’s next City Manager ended April 30. Here are the stats: 134 applications (mostly from out of state) 42 are qualified 12 are qualifiable, meaning they can easily become qualified 134 applications is a lot, but not surprising in this economy. Charles Austin was making $162,000 a year when he retired — a salary that [...]
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Council members justify health insurance vote

By adam beam | Published: May 7, 2009
Some comments from Columbia City Council members on yesterday’s decision to raise health insurance premiums for retired employees: E.W. Cromartie “The finances of the city have drastically changed. I don’t want to vote for going back on that promise. But as a council members, I have to make tough decisions. I have to balance the prosperity of [...]
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