State forces New Bedford City Councilor to work without pay

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The following was submitted to us from Henry Bousquet, Ward 3 City Councilor:

To the People of New Bedford and the Voters of Ward 3,

I am writing to inform you of what I see as a great unfairness.

 

Since April 17, 2014, I have been performing my duties as a City Councilor without pay while I examined an apparent conflict in state regulations (MGL Ch. 39, Sec.6A.) regarding compensation of public employees as it concerns my career as a public educator and my public service as an elected official of Ward 3.

 

In March of 2014, I received a call from the state, followed by a letter from the Ethics Commission, which stated in a legally complex manner that I unknowingly had a “conflict of interest.” Somehow my career as an educator at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech was in conflict with my duties as a city councilor. The conflict is not in the work I do, but because of the fact that I receive a salary from both positions and they are from the same municipality. It stated I had 30 days to choose one salary only. Apparently, because of a court ruling the ethics law conflicted in definition in such a way that I and my employers were unaware: based on the phrasing of the law, it seems regional school district employees and its teachers are municipal employees. Despite the fact that no “actual, material conflict exists” I am not allowed to collect the pay I have earned.

 

As your councilor I spend an average 30 or more hours per week at committee and community meetings, working with constituents to solve problems no matter the day or the hour. I have always worked hard on behalf of the people of New Bedford; it is a promise I made when elected in 2011, and one from which I have never wavered. It includes learning all aspects of those issues brought before the council and how to maintain good government in order to cast the most informed votes that I can, with integrity and fairness.

 

Fairness is what I seek for myself in this case, and I ask for your help in achieving it.

 

I have always worked two jobs to make ends meet. My family depends on it. I gave up my second job to serve the people of Ward 3. Like many of my neighbors, I am not wealthy. I live in a two-family in the heart of a working class neighborhood in my ward. I have young children, and my wife and I work hard to make it work. Being a city councilor was never a way to “get rich” but to improve Ward 3 and our city overall.

 

Please support the initiative to have my salary restored and to collect what is rightfully owed to my wife and children for the hours I spend away from them, working for you. I don’t expect all the compensation I have lost in the 12 months of foregone salary. I simply ask for the portion within the current fiscal year.

 

I am committed to the people of my city and want to continue to serve them, but this is an unfathomable sacrifice for my family. Help me right this injustice and help me to continue serving you to the best of my ability. Write a letter or send an email to the Standard Times, call WBSM , call your City Councilor, call the Mayor’s office and advocate on my behalf so that I can continue to serve you, New Bedford.

 

Gratefully,

 

Henry Bousquet CEC – Ward 3 City Councilor

Want to voice your opinion?

Petition here: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/restore-ward-3-councilor?source=c.em&r_by=8634735

Contact the State Ethics Commission

State Ethics Commission
One Ashburton Place, Room 619
Boston, MA 02108
Phone (617) 371-9500
Fax (617) 723-5851

Contact details: http://www.mass.gov/ethics/contact-us.html

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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6 comments

  1. I signed the petition and shared it to help do the rite thing and get you paid because this is just not fare!

  2. This is so unfair. This is like a violation of what our statue of liberty stands for. You work, you get Payed. And you have the freedom and the liberty to become who you want to become and be all you can be. The government and certain laws, rules and/or regulations make no sense some time. But I commend this man for not abandoning the position and walking away. Says alot about your character and what you stand for……

  3. it is a ethics violation… instead of crying like a baby dude should have done what the letter asked you to do… city ward councilor is not a job or career, it’s a public service he is compensated for. that’s the problem with politicians.. they look at what is suppose to be a service to country and constituents as a career… it’s not

  4. Henry, I can say that you have represented this city in so many positive ways, you have done your job as a voice for your ward, as well as for those not in your ward. Its sad to see this situation as it currently exhists. I stand behind my signature as I expect every citizen who also signed it does. Your work and time invested in the greater good of this city is and probably never will be fully realized. I hope for the sake of your hard work, your dedication and most importantly your family that this issue gets resolved correctly. Personally, I can’t thank you enough for the countless hours you have invested in the betterment of this city and its residents. If you need anything, it would be my honor to help. Sincerely, Tom Derosier.

  5. I agree its not fair but as I was reading this the government does not want anyone to do the right thing which is to save money. the government is so greedy that they want to leave people poor. Which doesn’t make sense. As for you sir not getting paid and they stop you from getting a second job. I believe that’s just wrong you have a family to care off mouths to feed. Don’t they know when they retire someone has to take their place isn’t that what’s the second generation is all about. Learning and teaching students and this is what we teach our kids bring them to school every day so they can get screwed by the government?

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