Corea Intends to Hold City to Contract

CAPE MAY — Former City Manager Luciano V. Corea Jr. told the Herald he intends to see that the city follows his contract which requires him to be paid until Jan. 31, 2010.
Cape May City Council voted unanimously June 17 to approve a resolution to remove Corea from his position. (See related story.)
Corea said council had the perogative to terminate a city manager.
“But I also have a contract and I fully expect that contract will be honored and implemented,” he said.
The city renewed his contract in Febuary 2007.
If Corea accepted another position, he would have to repay the city for his compensation. He said he “would not be seeking additional employment until after the contract ended.”
“It doesn’t make sense for me to get another job when I’ve already got one,” he said.
Corea said his attorney is looking at available options including the right to have a public hearing before city council. He said at this point in time, given the situation with his contract, Corea said he was not seeking to get his job back.
“There’s no incentive for me to seek to get my job back,” he said.
Corea continues to receive his salary but the city did take back his city car and cell phone.
He said city managers have contracts because they are subject to be dismissed by council and have no other job security.
Corea left council’s closed session meeting June 17 while discussion continued for another hour. He said City Solicitor Tony Monzo came into his office and told him that he was being suspended immediately with pay.
Corea said he returned to his office the following day to remove his personal property and to say goodbye to coworkers.
In 2007, Corea requested a four-year contract but the city negotiated a three-year deal with no longevity beyond that date,
For 2007, Corea’s salary was $111,062, increasing to $116,616 in 2008, and to $121,115 in 2009.
The city negotiated 20 days of vacation time. Since Corea was on call 24-hours per day, he received use of a city vehicle.
If Corea’s contract was terminated by the city “therefore for any other reason than for cause, he is entitled to payment for unused sick leave not to exceed $12,000.”
“He is doing a great job and we are glad to have him for three more years,” said Mayor Jerome E. Inderwies, Feb. 20, 2007.