Starkman: At ABC6, Seeking the Line Between Activism, Journalism
Friday, December 27, 2013
Dean Starkman, GoLocalProv News Editor
One of the big journalism debates in this age of media disruption centers on the degree to which journalists and news organizations should maintain their “objectivity,” a rigid segregation of newsgathering from political views, or whether reporters should be allowed to play more activist roles and wear their political views on their sleeve.
Back in October, for instance, the former top editor of The New York Times, Bill Keller, engaged in a celebrated, lengthy back-and-forth with Glenn Greenwald, ex-of the U.K’s Guardian newspaper and the reporter behind the blockbuster National Security Agency leaks by Edward Snowden.
Keller argued that maintaining an appearance of “impartiality” was crucial for maintaining the public trust. Greenwald said objectivity is a pretense that fools no one since everyone has beliefs, and it’s more honest just to reveal them rather than pretend that news organizations are comprised of so many robots.
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Two issues
That’s one issue. A second involves the technological revolution -- the smart phones, complete with video cameras and recording equipment, that have become so ubiquitous so as to turn almost everyone into a reporter, or at least a fact-gatherer, especially during breaking news events like natural disasters and political gatherings.
At ABC6, these momentous issues come together in a small way in an interesting case that involves a news executive, importantly a non-journalist, and a volatile local issue in Fairhaven, MA, where wind turbines have generated great controversy.
Recently, a reader wrote me to complain that an ABC6 manager, John Methia, was, in his off-hours, also involved in a local group called Wind Wise Massachusetts, which seeks, as it says on its website, to “challenge assumptions about wind turbines,” and is routinely described in news accounts as a “turbine opposition group.” The group raises a range of concerns about the turbines ranging from health, safety, and noise to their viability as an economical source of power.
Controversial
Sixteen towns in eastern Massachusetts have wind turbines, and, residents have raised complaints in at least five of them.
Fair enough. This is how democracy is supposed to work, and even people who work for news organizations are citizens, too. (If you’re wondering, I don’t have a view on the substance of the matter, and, yes, I think that does make me impartial.)
It’s important to remember that Methia is not -- repeat, not --a journalist within ABC6 as an organization. More on this point below.
Methia would, however, qualify as a Wind Wise activist under any commonsense definition of the term. He is listed as a contact on Wind Wise press material, and, according to this account in SouthCoast Today, produced at least one video for the group:
Windwise member Louise Barteau said the group decided to make the video to "get beyond the political signs on people's lawns and show the faces of the issue."
She and fellow Wind Wise members Kenneth Pottel and John Methia knocked on doors in the neighborhoods near the turbines to find interview subjects, many of whom, Barteau said, “ have not previously described their experiences publicly.”
And when a pro-turbine candidate, Peter DeTerra, in September handily beat turbine skeptic John Wethington for a seat on the city’s Board of Health, in a redo of a hotly contest race, Methia publicly expressed his disappointment:
Turbine neighbor John Methia, who is also a member of the turbine-opposition group WindWise, said "We obviously don't feel good”
Straightforward coverage
ABC 6 has indeed covered the issue – it’s hard to avoid if you’re covering Fairhaven – relying on its chief political reporter, Mark Curtis, and from what I’ve seen, the pieces have been pretty straightforward. These two were sent to me, and you can judge for yourself.
The reader objects to Curtis’s use of such constructions as “critics say,” as in:
"There are critics in Fairhaven who say the turbines never should have been built on soil that is too wet and sandy.”
But, critics do say that, and, in fact, one critic does so in the next paragraph.
I asked Methia about the complaint. He forwarded my query to the station’s general manager, Christopher Tzianabos, who (kindly interrupting his holiday) sent me a detailed reply, which I’ll quote at some length.
Response from ABC6
His first point, is, as stated, that Methia is not a journalist, but is director of broadcast operations:
…[A]s such, he oversees our studio operations; commercial/promotion production; and engineering. Essentially his job is to keep us on the air, and looking professional. He has no oversight or editorial role in our actual news content or newscasts. That executive position belongs to our News Director. In short, John’s contribution to our news operation is to have the lights on; the cameras working properly; and the signal going out to our viewers.
A newspaper equivalent would be the head of the circulation department or the printing plant.
Having said that, Tzianabos says, “I expect all of our employees to be the ‘eyes and ears’ in their respective communities,” and Methia has provided info on local news including upcoming turbine hearings and the like, plus, of course, non-turbine news, including word that a U.S. Marine from Fairhaven was killed this month in Afghanistan.
Still, at this point, Methia should be counted, as Tzianabos says, as a “tipster,” a source, and nothing more
But, as noted, Methia has also twice contributed video to WLNE broadcasts, Tzianabos says.
Two videos
The Board of Health election this fall was actually a do-over from one on April 1, 2012, when candidate Wethington was, mistakenly it turned out, declared the victor over DeTerra, the incumbent. Methia was there and shot video when Wethington was (again, mistakenly) sworn-in afterward by the town clerk.
Here's Tzianabos:
"John Methia used his cell phone to videotape Wethington taking the oath of office from the Town Clerk. Later that night, the Clerk found some previously uncounted ballots, and declared DeTerra actually won. Apparently, she had sworn in the wrong man (which many thought was legally binding). To our knowledge, no other video or photo of the botched swearing-in existed. So Mark, used about: 12 (seconds) of John Methia’s swearing-in video, which was a public event in a public office. A judge eventually ruled the race was a tie, and a new election was held. That’s a pretty big news story, which we covered extensively."
The only other time such video used was when Methia shot Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection personnel conducting late-night noise tests in response to complaints from residents about turbine noise:
John videotaped the state inspectors conducting the tests sometime between 1 and 4 a.m. in, I believe, October 2011. When the state later found the turbines in violation of noise standards, Mark used about: 10 to: 15 (seconds) of the video of the testing, in one of his stories. Other than providing the video of public officials doing their job in public sight (which is fair game), John had no other role in the story script or editorial decisions.
Both brief pieces of video captured public events, very germane to this ongoing story. Our News Director authorized Mark to use them.
A bit more
And a bit more from Tzianabos:
I agree the turbines are a political issue, but they are much, much more that that. They pose legal issues, public health issues, a statutory compliance issue, and an issue of sustainable, alternative energy and its environmental impact. There’s a lot there. The fact that a municipal election – in which the turbines were a central issue – ended in a tie and had to be ruled on by the courts, tells you just how big of a deal this has been. Our News Director and producers have had lengthy discussions with Mark about covering various developments in this story. I have occasionally interjected my thoughts as well. John Methia has no part in our editorial meetings or discussions, or the ultimate end product of Mark’s stories. I think our procedures have led to fair, unbiased coverage and we will continue to do so.
Where does this leave us?
In my view, Methia’s mere status as an activist does not present a conflict with his non-news role at ABC6. News personnel have a special status, and responsibility, that other employees do not. I’m not prepared to advocate a blanket rule against non-journalists taking part in political controversy.
But does his mere status as an activist create for ABC6 an appearance of conflict, as opposed to an actual conflict. Perhaps this is more in the eye of the beholder, but in my view, no.
And the video?
But what about the video? To me, that’s different. When Methia is shooting footage, he starts to put on a journalist’s hat. He is gathering news. I don’t see much distinction between taking photos, or video, and taking notes in a reporter’s notebook. Each act requires a process of selection. Some images or facts are included; some are left out. It shouldn’t come as a huge shock, for instance, that the Methia video that made it on the air would tend to be material that the anti-turbine people would want to see.
But wait: shouldn’t Methia’s video be considered like any other video coming over the transom – something to be evaluated by news personnel?
In theory, there’s no difference. But in practice, what’s happening here is that a news organization employee – and with some clout, after all, even if he’s not on the news side -- is gathering material for broadcast, and lo, it gets on the air.
Here, the pro-turbine people would seem to have a beef. Indeed, it’s a lot for ABC6 to ask viewers to trust some theoretical Chinese Wall between the business side and news, especially on such a hot-button issue. This is a bridge too far.
Close call
Is this the biggest deal in the world? No. To me, it’s a foot-fault. Indeed, it’s the closeness of the issues that makes the case so interesting.
In fact, I’d slice the salami even thinner. I would have used the video of the botched swearing-in –no comparable footage exists, and that moment needs to be in the public record – and bagged the middle-of-the-night inspection video.
Why? Because if it was that important, WLNE could have sent a camera crew to cover it. If the station pleads a lack of manpower – and I’m sure that’s an issue – I’d says that the principle of relying on activists who work for you for basic news gathering is one to be avoided, no matter what, and that goes double for activist who work for you. Just do without footage.
Still, close call. If Methia wants to stay active, and there’s no real reason he shouldn’t, he should avoid news-gathering. If he wants to gather news, he should be held to journalists’ standards. And – sorry, Glenn Greenwald -- there is no way someone can be politically active on an issue and be involved with news coverage for a mainstream news organization. No way at all.
Related Slideshow: City Employees with the Highest Salaries
How much does a top position in Rhode Island’s capital city fetch in pay and benefits? GoLocalProv has identified the 40 highest earners in the city (excluding school workers) by the amount of total compensation they receive. The data, which was provided by the city, breaks out pay in four categories: base pay, longevity, overtime, and details. City contributions towards three benefits are also shown: medical, dental, and retirement. In the below slides, the top 40 highest earning workers for fiscal year 2013 are listed from least to greatest.
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#40 Alyssa B. Deandrade
Department: Police
Position: Police Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $146,690.77
Pay
Base: $77,210.61
Longevity: $7,393.16
Overtime: $22,337.05
Detail: $24,533.14
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $4,219.62
Dental: $421.72
Pension: $10,575.47
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#39 Arianne Lynch
Department: Mayor's Staff
Position: (Former) Deputy Chief Of Staff
Total Compensation: $147,159.76
Pay
Base: $127,507.25
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,380.08
Pension: $5,737.83
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#38 Clarence A. Cunha
Department: Fire
Position: Acting Deputy Assistant Chief
Total Compensation: $147,372.06
Pay
Base: $91,807.36
Longevity: $7,949.52
Overtime: $18,839.30
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $12,686.83
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#37 Kristopher S. Wright
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $147,585.09
Pay
Base: $58,663.74
Longevity: $4,447.53
Overtime: $48,507.28
Detail: $11,848.81
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,028.67
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#36 Thomas M. Miller
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $147,951.99
Pay
Base: $64,547.59
Longevity: $6,476.44
Overtime: $51,832.96
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,005.94
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#35 Daniel Crowley
Department: Fire
Position: Deputy Assistant Fire Chief
Total Compensation: $148,230.56
Pay
Base: $93,692.88
Longevity: $9,855.21
Overtime: $17,904.62
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.6
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $12,943.51
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#34 Alan N. Lippacher
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $148,783.985
Pay
Base: $63,829.18
Longevity: $6,602.73
Overtime: $53,326.52
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,936.495
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#33 David A. Soscia
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Battalion Chief
Total Compensation: $149,017.14
Pay
Base: $86,012.90
Longevity: $7,577.69
Overtime: $27,426.18
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $11,911.31
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#32 Michael Krasnowiecki
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Captain
Total Compensation: $149,110.485
Pay
Base: $68,849.54
Longevity: $6,762.06
Overtime: $47,784.88
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,624.945
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#31 Thomas E. Crowley
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Captain
Total Compensation: $149,965.63
Pay
Base: $69,535.07
Longevity: $7,177.86
Overtime: $47,429.98
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,733.66
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#30 John P. Morgan
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $150,207.15
Pay
Base: $58,102.50
Longevity: $6,116.69
Overtime: $57,905.69
Detail: $3,847.12
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,146.09
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#29 Timothy S. Printer
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $150,731.68
Pay
Base: $58,369.52
Longevity: $6,115.36
Overtime: $61,938.32
Detail: $3,847.12
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,219.42
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#28 Adam Chuman
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $151,066.51
Pay
Base: $58,490.27
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $61,915.02
Detail: $7,149.18
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $7,422.98
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#27 Michael E. Correia
Department: Police
Position: Police Captain
Total Compensation: $151,421.89
Pay
Base: $81,206.12
Longevity: $8,538.4
Overtime: $36,811.50
Detail: $1,264.85
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $11,083.47
Dental: $1,299.48
Pension: $11,218.06
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#26 Stephany Blackwell
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Technician
Total Compensation: $154,001.24
Pay
Base: $61,045
Longevity: $4,086.68
Overtime: $64,492.87
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,287.63
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#25 David J. Duggan
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $154,416.91
Pay
Base: $59,196.60
Longevity: $5,559.42
Overtime: $55,445.58
Detail: $9,910.95
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,215.30
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#24 Joseph R. Desmarais
Department: Fire
Position: Deputy Assistant Fire Chief
Total Compensation: $154,544.52
Pay
Base: $91,623.12
Longevity: $9,079.63
Overtime: $27,402.94
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $12,604.49
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#23 William R. Kenyon
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Battalion Chief
Total Compensation: $154,611.78
Pay
Base: $83,959.36
Longevity: $7,290.02
Overtime: $35,718.41
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $11,554.93
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#22 Bryan D. Hawkins
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Captain
Total Compensation: $155,608.63
Pay
Base: $69,542.14
Longevity: $6,601.81
Overtime: $41,215.01
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $27,303.36
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,646.56
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#21 Steven Pare
Department: Administration
Position: Public Safety Commmissioner
Total Compensation: $156,147.90
Pay
Base: $149,423.83
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: N/A
Dental: N/A
Pension: $6,724.07
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#20 Eric E. Fallon
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $156,404.55
Pay
Base: $55,236.24
Longevity: $5,829.36
Overtime: $63,076.02
Detail: $8,430.13
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $7,743.74
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#19 Brian R. Chin
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $157,360.51
Pay
Base: $58,983.30
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $84,865.12
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $5,618.60
Dental: $421.46
Pension: $7,472.03
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#18 Carl H. Richards
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $157,878.05
Pay
Base: $57,446.04
Longevity: $6,115.36
Overtime: $64,351.37
Detail: $5,808.93
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,067.295
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#17 Fausto G. Garcia
Department: Police
Position: Police Officer
Total Compensation: $158,048.96
Pay
Base: $57,220.64
Longevity: $5,477.53
Overtime: $4,296.80
Detail: $70,833.77
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $11,083.47
Dental: $1,299.48
Pension: $7,837.27
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#16 Thomas L. Cassin
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Captain
Total Compensation: $158,104.17
Pay
Base: $68,755.40
Longevity: $7,305.32
Overtime: $56,308.60
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,645.80
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
Photo: Flick/401(K)2013
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#15 Thomas F. Oates, III
Department: Police
Position: Deputy Police Chief
Total Compensation: $158,736.47
Pay
Base: $116,423.81
Longevity: $12,378.08
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $16,100.24
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#14 Michael L. Pearis
Department: Finance Administration
Position: Director of Finance
Total Compensation: $159,370.71
Pay
Base: $139,192.37
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,380.08
Pension: $6,263.66
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#13 Peter A. Tagliaferri
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $159,656.86
Pay
Base: $63,350.24
Longevity: $4,877.01
Overtime: $66,683.79
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,656.76
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#12 Michael A. Legault
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $159,740.28
Pay
Base: $57,446.04
Longevity: $6,115.36
Overtime: $72,016.89
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,072.93
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#11 Gregory D. Paolo
Department: Police
Position: Police Sergeant
Total Compensation: $160,715.32
Pay
Base: $70,277.64
Longevity: $6,818.24
Overtime: $30,025.64
Detail: $31,573.87
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $11,083.47
Dental: $1,299.48
Pension: $9,636.985
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#10 Andre' M. Ferro
Department: Fire
Position: Firefighter
Total Compensation: $162,109.81
Pay
Base: $58,333.41
Longevity: $6,251.76
Overtime: $61,589.16
Detail: $11,668.47
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1299.74
Pension: $8,177.95
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#9 James P. Mirza
Department: Fire
Position: Deputy Assistant Fire Chief
Total Compensation: $164,737.13
Pay
Base: $91,623.12
Longevity: $9,722.85
Overtime: $36,888.57
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1299.74
Pension: $12,668.24
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
Photo: Flickr/Tax Credits
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#8 J. J. Varone
Department: Fire
Position: Acting Fire Battalion Chief
Total Compensation: $165,600.53
Pay
Base: $84,914.32
Longevity: $7,290.02
Overtime: $45,628.29
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1299.74
Pension: $11,678.85
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#7 James S. Bennett
Department: Planning & Development
Position: Director of Economic Development
Total Compensation: $170,061.83
Pay
Base: $149,423.11
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,380.08
Pension: $6,724.04
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#6 Zachariah Kenyon
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $172,514.51
Pay
Base: $63,589.71
Longevity: $4,877.01
Overtime: $79,272.01
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $8,686.72
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
Photo: Flickr/401(K) 2013
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#5 Boyce Spinelli
Department: Water Supply Board
Position: General Manager, WSB
Total Compensation: $177,418.15
Pay
Base: $150,392.56
Longevity: $9,299.47
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $9,159.90
Dental: $1,380.08
Pension: $7,186.14
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#4 Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
Department: Police
Position: Police Chief
Total Compensation: $180,872.02
Pay
Base: $134,397.90
Longevity: $14,080.04
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $18,559.74
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#3 Luis F. Sanlucas
Department: Police
Position: Police Lieutenant
Total Compensation: $190,234.68
Pay
Base: $77,210.61
Longevity: $8,148.40
Overtime: $9,003.18
Detail: $72,819.67
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $11,083.47
Dental: $1,299.48
Pension: $10,669.88
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#2 Michael D'Amico
Department: Mayor Staff
Position: Director of Administration
Total Compensation: $196,086.60
Pay
Base: $174,327.20
Longevity: $0.00
Overtime: $0.00
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $12,534.60
Dental: $1,380.08
Pension: $7,844.724
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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#1 Vincent J. D'Ambra
Department: Fire
Position: Fire Rescue Captain
Total Compensation: $218,145.27
Pay
Base: $68,762.44
Longevity: $7,290.03
Overtime: $116,356.94
Detail: $0.00
Benefits (City Contributions)
Medical: $14,789.32
Dental: $1,299.74
Pension: $9,646.80
Note on Detail Pay: Details are normally funded by the private parties that require it. But some detail pay is funded directly by the city. Payroll data provided by the city Law Department does not distinguish between the two.
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