Coatesville City Manager Harry Walker sought to layoff an American citizen in the Finance Department after spending $4,000 of taxpayers money seven months earlier to obtain a work visa for a person of nonimmigrant status to work in the same department.

Council voted at its Oct. 26 meeting to deny Walker's request to layoff 11 full-time and part-time employees over concerns on how those being laid off were selected. "It outrages me to learn that we are laying off an American citizen with years of service to the city while paying $4,000 to acquire a work visa for someone who is not a citizen of this country," said Council Member Ed Simpson.

Dharmesh Kalaria, a citizen of India, was part of a consulting time hired by Walker, according to Simpson. He said that while Kalaria was still employed by the consulting firm, the city paid the $4,000 for his work visa. "Why should city taxpayers pay for his work visa when he was already working for the consulting firm," questioned Simpson

Simpson said he learned of the hiring when he questioned an item in the city's check-run. "I saw this $4,000 for USIMGS and questioned what it was for. I Goggled it and got United States Immigration Service," he said.

Simpson said he next called Council President Marty Eggleston. "He told me he had just learned about it and was ablout to call me," Simpson said. Eggleston confirmed Simpson's account.

"I can't imagine that there aren't capable people here that can do that job," Simpson told Walker at the Oct. 26 meeting.

Walker said the layoffs were needed to save $470,000 in annual salaries and benefits to offset budget shortfalls.

Simpson said he understands there will be layoffs. "My issue is who they're laying off. To mee there seems to be no respect for seniority of American citizenship," he said.