July 4, 1776 - July 4, 2009

AMERICAN PATRIOTS STILL EXIST TODAY - Senator Jim Inhofe (OK)

AMERICAN PATRIOTS STILL EXIST TODAY

July 4th Message by U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

July 2, 2009

It was 233 years ago that founder John Adams, speaking about the birth of our nation, predicted that the July anniversary would be "celebrated by succeeding generations" as a great festival that "ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty." The Massachusetts founder's prescription for paying tribute to the day included "pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other from this time forward forever more."

On that first July occasion, he also acknowledged the "toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost" to maintain and defend this nation. All these years later, John Adams' words continue to ring true.

This fourth of July, millions of Oklahomans will join with other Americans to celebrate the birth of liberty in the United States. We have celebrated this birthday during times of peace and times of war, times of great prosperity and times of great difficulty, times of confidence and times of uncertainty. Regardless of the circumstances, Americans around the world commemorate this day in the way Adams envisioned.

What then of the sacrifice? John Adams and the other signers of the Declaration of Independence knew that their stand for liberty and independence would come at a great price. During the Revolutionary War, many of these brave men lost their fortunes and possessions, fought side-by-side with the volunteers of the militia, and gave their life and the lives of their loved ones for the sake of liberty. Through it all, they never gave up their vision of freedom from tyranny.

The sacrifices made by these early Americans began a tradition that each succeeding generation has carried on, paying a high price to defend this nation, our freedoms, and the freedoms of others. Often, the cost of freedom has demanded the blood of our men and women on the battlefield.

Since Oklahoma statehood in 1907, many in our state have had a long and proud tradition of serving the country through military service. Through two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflicts, many Oklahomans have paid the ultimate sacrifice in a foreign land while fighting for this nation. We are eternally grateful to generations of Americans, past and present, for guaranteeing the freedom our founders envisioned at the birth of our nation. They made America the greatest nation on earth.

Thankfully, the tradition of volunteers willing to defend freedom is not just something for the history books. American patriots still exist today. I have seen them fighting on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan. I have talked to them where they are stationed around the globe. Today, over 3,000 Oklahomans are deployed in support of the War on Terror and over 30,000 have deployed since September 11th, 2001. These patriots today are paving the way for future generations to enjoy July 4th celebrations. As long as this country produces such heroic individuals, we will remain free.

As we celebrate this July 4th, mere words will never fully express the gratitude this nation owes to those who have served and continue to serve. May we celebrate this day with the grandeur it deserves and with the solemn recognition and gratitude to those who have made it possible.

God Bless America - Senator Robert Byrd (WV)

BYRD'S-EYE VIEW

July 4th: Reason for the Season

Independence Day is here. It is our nation’s birthday! The Fourth of July is a celebration of the day, 233 years ago, when our forefathers threw off the yoke of tyranny and declared themselves to be free and independent people.

What courage they had. With the signing of the Declaration of Independence, they had committed an act of treason against the British crown, and the British government had a history of crushing colonial rebellions. Benjamin Franklin was quite sincere when he remarked at the signing of the Declaration: “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

Therefore, on Independence Day, we rightly celebrate and honor the incredible courage of these men as well as their tremendous vision.

What a collection of political talent they were. In addition to Franklin, there was Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Sam Adams, and John Hancock. On July 4, 1776, these and 51 other determined, patriotic Americans adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence, thus beginning the world’s greatest experiment in government. And with the signing, these men established that “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” are not only “unalienable Rights” of all people, but that “Governments are instituted among men” to secure these rights.

As we celebrate this glorious day, however, we should never forget, as we say of Christmas time, the “reason for the season!” In the last line of the Declaration of Independence, the signers acknowledged their “firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.”

One of those signers, John Adams, wrote that the American Independence “ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, illuminations.” But he also pointed out “it ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”

Therefore, on this Fourth of July, I urge you to enjoy the picnics, parades, ball games and fireworks. But I also urge you take time to remember our forefathers, those brave Americans who paved the way for the rights and liberties we have today. And, I ask you to take time to thank our Creator with “solemn acts of devotion.”

Happy Birthday America! May God Almighty continue to smile upon you, and forever bless you.

In the words one of America’s greatest poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

Sail on, O Union, strong and great!

Humanity with all its fears,

With all the hopes of future years,

Is hanging breathless on thy fate!

June 24, 2009

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Toledo, OH - Say It Ain't So, Ignazio - Council Delays Ratification

IGNAZIO MESSINA

TOLEDO BLADE

"Toledo City Council on Thursday refused to vote on a new three-year labor contract for the city’s police patrolmen, which requires the officers to temporarily pay into their pension plan, freezes wages for two years, and requires them for the first time to pay a small portion of their health-insurance costs.".

Reno, NV - Police union says residents may prefer public safety to art

This is a tough decision here. Get my ass kicked or collect $200. Let me think... I could use a good ass-kickin', I'll be very honest with you... nah, I think I'll just go with the two hundred.

Spoken by Joe Pesci in "My Cousin Vinny"

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KRNV

Police union says residents may prefer public safety to art

"It's known for its color, culture, and this year, the controversial cost.

The city of Reno is still a big financial supporter of Artown, while at the same time it is warning police officers and other city employees that they may loose their jobs in order to balance the budget.

A representative with the Reno Police Protective Association says, Artown is not a tourist event, it's a local event. The representative says, the question is, are city leaders doing this for revenue or because it's a good thing for locals? The representative says, if the answer is, because its a good thing for locals, they should look at a public opinion poll which shows art isn't as high as public safety."

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Toledo, OH - Ignazio Reports The Details of TPPA Tentative Agreement and the Votes

BY IGNAZIO MESSINA

TOLEDO BLADE

Toledo police patrol officers approved by a slim margin last night a new three-year labor contract that requires them to temporarily pay into their pension plan, freezes wages for two years, and requires them for the first time to pay a small portion of their health-insurance costs.

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Toledo, OH -Wagner Navigates The Rapids -TPPA union approves contract offer - Council Votes Today

WTOL 11

TPPA police union approves contract offer - WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 |: "TOLEDO (WTOL) - With 90 percent voter turnout, the Toledo Police Patrolman's Assn. (TPPA) has approved a 3-year contract offer with the City of Toledo.

We are told by the union the vote passed by a small margin. City Council is expected to vote on the contract Thursday.

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner issued this statement after the contract approval:

'The concessions provided in this contract, are appreciated, and I thank the TPPA membership for their willingness to help our community during this economic downturn.'"

Sarasota, FL - Police protest cuts at City Hall

BY ROGER DROUIN

SARAGOTS HERALD TRIBUNE

NEW: Sarasota Police protest cuts at City Hall | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida's Information Leader: "SARASOTA - Police officers protested outside City Hall Wednesday, saying the police force is at a dangerously low level and taking personal jabs at City Manager Robert Bartolotta.

“He is cutting jobs, and he accepts a pay raise,” said retired Police Capt. Gerry Lacertosa, one of about 70 current and retired officers who gathered outside City Hall.

The City Commission approved a 3.5 percent pay raise in 2008, bumping the city manager's annual salary from $170,870 to $176,850."

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Sacramento, CA - California Runs Out of Cash - Ho Hum

BY RON YORK

POLICEPAY.NET

Why does my heart go on beating

Why do these eyes of mine cry
Don't they know it's the end of the world
It ended when you said goodbye

The End of the World, sung by Skeeter Davis - 1962

The State of California failed to pass a budget before midnight last night and as a result FYE 2010 is "Busted." Folks, it is a non-event. The state will continue to operate by issuing warrants. Warrants are similar to drafts, but they pay interest. Employees and vendors who need cash can sell their warrants. Those who do not curently need cash will buy those warrants and earn the interest,

Go to bed and sleep well. Tomorrow, it will be business as usual - tax and spend. Ignore the press. They are clueless. Your wallet may not be safe but government is. Pass the pork.

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Sacramento, CA - California crisis a threat to US economic recovery

BY MICHAEL B. FARRELL

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

California crisis a threat to US economic recovery | csmonitor.com: "SAN FRANCISCO
After lawmakers in Sacramento failed to meet a midnight deadline Tuesday to close the state’s $24 billion budget gap, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state fiscal emergency Wednesday. He hoped to prod politicians into coming to an agreement over spending cuts and keep the state’s financial crisis from deepening.

Politicians continued to wrangle over cuts Wednesday that would meet the approval of Governor Schwarzenegger, who has demanded a plan that balances the budget. Meanwhile, the state’s controller prepared to issue IOUs to creditors if the state can’t agree on a spending plan by Thursday.

California is not the only state struggling to pass a budget, but the depth of its crisis and the size of its economy raises the financial problem to a level of national concern."

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Houston, TX - HPD Cuts Officers' Overtime

FOX 26 HOUSTON

HPD Cuts Officers' Overtime | Houston weather, traffic, and news | MyFoxHouston.com | FOX 26: "HOUSTON - Today is the beginning of the fiscal year for the city of Houston.

And the head of the police union says it could also be the beginning of a crime wave. This comes after Houston city officials slashed $14 million dollars from HPD's overtime budget. Houston Police Union President Gary Blankenship says the overtime dollars were used to fill the gaps on the streets.

In other words, Blankenship says we can expect more crime because there will be less of a police presence on the ground. He and other officers point to areas like downtown Houston where overtime dollars were used to patrol main streets and address the homeless issue."

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Toledo, OH - The Deal Is Revealed - It is Probably The Best That Could Have Been Obtained

BY IGNAZIO MESSINA

TOLEDO BLADE

"Under a tentative contract being voted on Wednesday, Toledo police patrolmen would pay 7 percent of their own pension contributions for six months and have no pay increases for two years.

After months of calling for wage cuts to help eliminate a $12.5 million budget deficit, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner has agreed to a pay hike for police in the third year of agreement.
Dan Wagner, president of the Toledo Police Patrolmen's Association, said officers understand the contract is concessionary and said many were voting against the agreement crafted by top city officials and top police union officers after months of public wrangling."

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Oakland, CA - $83 million cut won't end Oakland budget pain

BY MATTHAI KURUVILA

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

$83 million cut won't end Oakland budget pain: "Oakland's City Council whittled and slashed $83 million from the city budget Tuesday night, ending a months-long battle among council members, the mayor, unions and residents.
But the war over the city's finances is far from over.

Decisions by the federal, state and county governments as well as city voters this month could all play havoc with the city's finances - for years to come.

'Tonight is just the beginning of just buying time for the next couple months,' said Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente."

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Vallejo, CA - More Casualties From The Battle of Vallejo - another fire station closes

BY JESSICA YORK
VALLEJO TIMES HERALD

Vallejo closes another fire station - Vallejo Times Herald

A new fiscal year in Vallejo kicks off this morning with the closure of the city's third of eight fire stations, this time on Mare Island.
The station's 8 a.m. closure, considered by Vallejo officials as separate from the city's year-old Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing, is one of many coming changes, that include layoffs and employee wage and benefit cuts.
Fire officials estimate closing the Mare Island Nimitz Avenue fire station will add significant minutes to paramedics' and firefighters' emergency response times on the island.
The station had the smallest call volume of six stations
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Modesto, CA - 9 cops out of a job today as layoffs take effect

BY ADAM ASHTON

MODESTO BEE

9 Modesto cops out of a job today as layoffs take effect - Local - The Modesto Bee: "Nine Modesto police officers are losing their jobs today because the city and their union were not able to negotiate wage concessions that could have saved their positions.
The city and the 202-member Modesto Police Officers Association did not meet Tuesday, Mayor Jim Ridenour and MPOA President Tony Arguelles said.
But Modesto and the union that represents police sergeants and lieutenants sought to avoid layoffs in contract talks Tuesday afternoon, but neither side was ready to announce a deal."

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Oakland, CA - Council Approves Budget With Layoffs

CBS 5

Oakland Council Approves Budget With Layoffs, Cuts - cbs5.com: "OAKLAND (BCN) ―
The Oakland City Council voted 7-1 Tuesday night to approve a $414 million general fund budget for fiscal 2010 that closes an $83 million shortfall through a series of tough measures, including laying off more than 60 employees.

Another measure is reducing compensation by 10 percent to all city departments, including the Police Department.

It remains to be seen, however, whether the $13.4 million reduction in the Police Department's personnel budget will actually come from a reduction in officers' salaries or from layoffs."

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El Paso, TX - City asks police and fire unions to postpone Sept. 1 salary increases

BY DAVID CROWDER

NEWSPAPER TREE

City asks police and fire unions to postpone Sept. 1 salary increases - Newspaper Tree El Paso: "El Paso police and firefighters will be asked to temporarily forego their pay raises in the next fiscal year to help the city balance a budget that will continue to take beating in the national recession.

But first, the members of the two unions would have to ratify the proposals in elections before the raises set out in their contracts could be postponed.

City Manager Joyce Wilson said if both departments go along with the proposals, it could save the city as much as $1.3 million in fiscal 2010.

The El Paso Sheriff’s Officers Association may also be asked to make concessions to help county government through a $17 million budget crisis that is significantly worse than the city’s."

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Just How Obscene Are Those California Pensions? Part 3

BY RON YORK

POLICEPAY.NET

Oh, they are obscene - really obscene! If you believe this, go back and reread the first two posting. The bottom line? It does not matter how obscene they appear. Pensions (a ten dollar bill) are only a portion of the cost to the employer. What matters is total cost - PERIOD! General Motors did not become non-competitive with the Japanese because of pensions and health insurance. They became non-competitive because their "unit costs" were higher than the Japanese "unit costs." Unit costs is all costs - land. labor, capitol, and entrepreneurship. It is true that labor is a big component, but it is still just a portion of the cost.

Why is it that people speak with such sanctimony when talking about "public funds?" Why are "public funds" any more sacred than corporate and individual funds? Why are public funds elevated to a status of Deity and non-public funds seen as decadent and obscene? I am looking at today's edition of the Wall Street Journal and on the front page is Bernard Madoff. Until yesterday, he was a full partner in the "public funds." Now, he is a outcast with no say so. The purpose of this diatribe is to pronounce that all funds (money) are created equally. I choke every time I hear the phrase "public coffers." What is that? God's checking account?

Last week, I received an email from Modesto. It was the most intelligent rebuttal to my remarks that I have ever received. I was amazed at the knowledge that this person had concerning pensions and pay. It was impressive. One of the points raised was the burden of risk that the city had to shoulder concerning defined benefit pensions and how the writer felt this to be something less than prudent. I was at the San Francisco airport when I received this articulate email. I quickly shot back a reply that pointed out that risk was a two-way street that offered gains as well as losses. In no time, I received a response that readily acknowledged this, but insisted that the risk, good or bad, should not be borne by the employer. You know, I cannot disagree with any of the arguments that my writer raised.

Today, we will look at those risks. There are four major risks - market, mortality, actuarial, and political. Not sure about that last one? Well, if it was not for the political risk we would not be having this discussion. California is inundated with the "more conservative than thy" groups. This has led to the development of a popular consensus that governmental entities should not be subject to risk like all of us are in our personal lives.

Let's look at the risk and potential negative exposure. Market risk means that the invested assets may be less than what is required currently - the evil unfunded liability(think the devil, the plague, or Hitler). The mortality risk (We wouldn't have promised such a generous pension if I had known you were going to live so long.) Actuarial risk (Sorry, we thought more people would quit before becoming vested.). The political risk (We did not know that Review-Journal or the Union Tribune might suddenly attack your pension, forcing us to lower the benefits.)

The political risk is the sole property of the employee. The other three are transient. They can be shifted between the employee and the employer at anytime. Let me put some labels on this. A plan that puts the risk on the employer is a "defined benefit plan." A better name would be guaranteed benefit. The plan where the employee has the risk is a "defined contribution plan." A better name would be guaranteed contribution. The assumptions that actuaries use for defined benefit plans have been very good. It is true that any given point in time the actual results are better or worse than the assumptions, but in the long run the assumptions are fairly accurate.

You could easily assume that this risk is the thing that is causing the strong push back on public safety pensions, but that would be wrong. It is not the risk that brings out this public animus. It is the vulgar shadow of a pension deemed outrageous by empirical data that has evolved into dogma. The anger raised by the 90% pension is not based on economics or mathematics, but the oldest vice know to man - envy. They have it and I don't.

When I was growing up in the fifties and sixties, there was a shoe shine man (African descent) who always had a shiny, relative new Cadillac Coupe De ville. When we went to a football game, or the county fair, the person with the most expensive and best looking car was this shine guy. While it was never said directly, but with pointed remarks, most people felt that a person in his station in society was not deserving of having the best car in town. After all, he was the lowly shine man at the barbershop.

The thing that the people in my town never acknowledged was the sacrifice that this man had to make to be number one in the car parade. He made no more money than other shine men. He just spent his differently. I am sure he had no savings, life insurance or health insurance. I know for a fact that his home was a shack on the East side of town. He had no television and never ate out. Another thing I am certain about is that none of us "uppity white folks" ever took the time to calculate the value of the forbearance required to own that Cadillac. We just saw a shine man driving this expensive automobile. He already held a position of low esteem in our town because of his dark skin and his unskilled job. The car just added contempt to his resume.

I know what many of you are thinking. Our police officers and firefighters have the Cadillac (90% pension) and all of the other amenities of life. In the first issue of this saga I told you that the average police officer in California has a total compensation package of $125,000. Do you find a compensation package of $125,000 for police officers to be offensive? How about for Bill Gates? The editor of the local newspaper? A lawyer in your town? The President of the United States? You just cannot take your eyes off of the Cadillac?

A message to my guys. As long as you have a Cadillac (90% pension) parked in your driveway, you are going to be under constant attack. You need to replace the Cadillac with a utilitarian vehicle that costs the same as the Cadillac. And, what might that be? It is a defined contribution plan that costs the same as a defined benefit plan. There is no stated benefit with a defined contribution plan, just a steady annual contribution. As long as the 90% pension is on the stage, you are going to get the tomatoes lobed at you.

Feel free to email me your thoughts. I like rebuttal. Start lobing the tomatoes at me.

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Durant, OK - City, police force negotiate new contract in Durant

KXII SHERMAN, TEXAS

City, police force negotiate new contract in Durant:

"DURANT, OK – Durant Police signed onto many positive changes for the department and the city Wednesday. The Durant Fraternal Order of Police signed a three year contract with the city Wednesday morning.

The contract will give all uniformed officers a 4% pay raise and improve some of the working conditions within the department.

Durant Police say that city manager Jim Dunegan, who is an ex-police officer himself, was integral to the smooth negotiations.

'It gave all the officers a very nice pay raise and it helped with some working conditions we have within the department, and the city made it very easy for us to achieve this,' Capt. Chris Cicio of the Durant Police Department said.

Captain Cicio also says that because negotiations went so smoothly, this is the first time in over 16 years that the city's contract with the Fraternal Order of Police has been signed before the July 1st signing deadline."

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Austin, TX - Agreement reached over APD pay raises

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | TOP STORIES | Agreement reached over APD pay raises:

"After two full days of negotiations, the Austin Police Association and the City of Austin have reached a tentative agreement to defer 2010 pay raises.

According to union President Sgt. Wayne Vincent, the move would save the city roughly $4.7 million during the 2010 fiscal year.

The savings equals roughly the same amount of money needed to fund the 2010 police cadet class.

Chief Art Acevedo listed the cadet class as part of a 3.5 percent department-wide budget cut.

Under the union's current contract with the city, officers were supposed to get a 2.75-percent pay raise for the 2010 fiscal year.

According to Sgt. Vincent, if the union's membership votes to accept the tentative agreement, that raise would in effect be eliminated."

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San Diego, CA - Watchdog Is Looking Out For You

BY ELEANOR YANG SU AND AGUSTIN ARMENDARIZ

UNION-TRIBUNE

City payroll sees big gains in high-income earners: "San Diego city employees earning at least $100,000 are the fastest-growing income group on the payroll, according to an analysis by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

About 13 percent of city employees exceeded the six-figure mark in pay last year, when salary, overtime and add-on pay for reasons such as bilingual skills were included. That's up from 4 percent in 2003, and 7 percent since Mayor Jerry Sanders was elected in 2005."

Dunkirk 2009

BY RON YORK
POLICEPAY.NET

Dunkirk has become the symbol for retreat and many times is portrayed as an act of weakness. This image is completely false. Dunkirk was not a cowardly act by the British. It was a brilliant maneuver that eventually contributed to the ultimate victory. Dunkirk was the best alternative to a certain defeat at the hands of the Germans.

Today, many police unions find themselves in the same position as the British in 1940, having to choose between certain defeat and retreat. The rational choice is obvious. Unfortunately, ego and pride often get in the way. Most police unions need to be in damage control mode until there is an improvement to the economy. The national economy is near the bottom of this contraction and will start growing soon. The recovery for local governments will lag behind by about six months. The Christmas retail season should be better than last year.

The predicament that we are currently in is not a normal recession. Recession is the correction of excess inventory and consumption. The malady that afflicts us now is the product of fear and panic. The last ten months have been a period of forbearance, not the purging of excess. Once confidence improves to a point of security, spending will rebound sharply. It will be the first quarter of 2010 before improvement will be seen in local government revenue.

Today is the most hostile environment to be negotiating in. The next six to nine months will not be much better. Cities will be in the Fred Sanford role - "This is the big one Elizabeth. I'm coming to meet you baby." This makes the seventh contraction that I have had to confront this pessimism. I am sure it is not the last.

If you are currently in negotiations, you have four viable options:

1. Backload pay increases
2. Tie raises to an economic benchmark
3. Provide for wage reopeners if certain conditions are met
4. Sign a no change or small change contract for one year

Fact finding and arbitration will be difficult to win in most places. The economy is out of your control, just like a hand of cards in poker. You play the hand you get dealt. You currently have a pair of deuces. I would not play like I had four of a kind.

The goal is to hold any damage to a minimum and live to battle another day. Now is the time to build the relationships that will be needed later. You are pinned down and the city has assault rifles and are firing non-stop. Keep your head down and wait for backup (economic recovery). I can hear the sirens in the distance.

If you have a contract that is not up for negotiations and your city wants to renegotiate the current year pay increase, impose furloughs, or other cost reductions, meet with them. It is okay to make concessions, just get their marker. Let go of the bravado. Just focus on the long term goal. The road to success is not straight. Retreat and compromise is not a sign of weakness. Forget about what other departments think.

The economy will rebound quickly and sharply. To benefit from the rebound you will have to still be alive. The biggest problem you will have is with your membership. Lowering expectations is job number one. To your membership, your success depends on how well you improve basic pay. Right now that will be difficult.

It is hard to not be distracted by the "gloom and doom" being disseminated by the press. Ignore them. Concentrate on controlling damages, managing expectations, and building relationships. Play it cool - real cool. Dying for the cause is not a requirement.

Call me, if you want. There will be no charge.

Ron

TOLEDO, OH - WAGNER SAYS DEAL MADE - RATIFICATION JULY 1 AND 2?

FOX TOLEDO

City, police reach tentative contract agreement: "TOLEDO, Ohio - The City of Toledo said late Monday afternoon that the Finkbeiner administration and the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association have reached a tentative contract agreement.

Finkbeiner administration spokesperson Megan Robson said the contact package will be presented to the TPPA Wednesday, July 1, for ratification.

The Finkbeiner administration has requested city council to hold a special meeting Thursday, July 2, for council to approve the contract deal."

San Francisco, CA - Retirement Package Drives Cost of Police, Firefighters

BY PAUL HOGARTH

BEYONDCHRON

BeyondChron: San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily News � Retirement Package Drives Cost of Police, Firefighters: "How would you like to make $100,000 a year, get generous annual raises and retire at 55 – with a pension that pays up to 90% of your final salary? San Francisco firefighters and cops get this, while other City workers (who generally make less) only receive up to 75% in retirement pensions. Voters passed a Charter Amendment in 2002 that created this package for police and firefighters – and now it’s costing us dearly. Gavin Newsom’s budget this year gives the Police another $16 million, but $12 million alone goes to pay for increased retirement costs (with 25% of the force eligible to retire.)"

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Chicago, IL - 41 Years Later, Police and Demonstrators Still Clash, but With Words

Note from Ron York: Most of you are too young to remember the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, but I am not. Chicago was inundated with a mob of pot smoking, maggot invested hippies who staged a riot under the guise of a demonstration. The Chicago Police Department saved the city from being totally sacked. The national press, which had recently been infected with anti-establishmentism, perpetrated one of the biggest lies since the invention of the printing press. They reported the story as police thugs beating innocent children who were peacefully exercising their right of free speech. They even labeled the event as a "Police Riot." The really bad part was that the public bought the lie. Prior to the Vietnam War, the press had been a fair broker of the news. During 1967 and 1968, they morphed into just another advocacy group. If you do not believe me, call Mark Donahue, president of the Chicago FOP. He will bend your ear off. So will all of his predecessors, like Bill Nolan.

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BY MONICA DAVEY

NEW YORK TIMES

CHICAGO — They arrived at the police union hall looking older, grayer, wider. At least one bore a cane.
A reunion of former police officers featured memories and pizza.

It seemed an unlikely reunion: a gathering, 41 years later, of the police officers who clashed with demonstrators during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in this city, leaving behind an image Chicago has tried to shed ever since."

The reunion’s invitation itself, penned by the son of a former officer, offered an utterly different view, saying that the officers had been “the only thing that stood between Marxist street thugs and public order,” and adding: “For decades the collective Left has white-washed what really happened during the riots of 1968 and 1969. Chicago Police officers who participated in the riots continue to endure unending criticism — all of which is unwarranted, inaccurate and wrong.”

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San Diego, CA - Union-Tribune Goes After PD Pay Package

San Diego Watchdog Group Goes After The Police Union - Newspaper Gladly Reports "Finding"

ELEANOR YANG SU

UNION-TRIBUNE

Jaime Fitzpatrick, a police officer who patrols Carmel and Sorrento valleys, received a 47 percent increase in pay last year. It was one of the largest raises among the city's work force.The increase wasn't triggered by a promotion or a change in duties..Fitzpatrick received a step increase, education incentive and general salary increase that the police union negotiated. Most of the raise, which boosted her pay to $84,500, was prompted by her completion of two years on patrol and the fact that she had a college degree.

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Oakland, CA - 10% cut in Oakland police budget proposed

BY MATTHAI KURUVILA
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

10% cut in Oakland police budget proposed: "(06-28) 19:46 PDT -- On the verge of closing a $83 million budget shortfall, members of Oakland City Council have proposed slashing 10 percent from the Police Department's personnel budget.

The move would cut nearly $12 million from the general fund budget and account for the single largest reduction in the budget proposal that's up for approval on Tuesday.

The question is: Where in the Police Department will the cuts come from?"
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Voices From Vallejo - Robert Schussel

Bob Schussel is a regular contributor to the Vallejo Independent Bulletin (VIB) and friends of the owner and publisher - Marc Garman. The VIB is the organized opposition to the police and fire unions. Bob frequently addresses the Vallejo City Council and is a member of the City Charter Review Committe. Although Bob is a likable guy, he and I disagree on many of the issues involving Vallejo and its bankruptcty case. He hopes to win me over to his point of view and I try to sell mine to him. He is critical of many of my writings. I consider it as fair and just criticism.

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Ron

Would you please publish this.

When you started writing about Vallejo you said the bar was too low for Bankruptcy and were critical of the analysis that citizens had posted on WWW.IBVALLEJO.COM as overstating shortfalls etc.

It now seems that they were correct and that the Union propaganda that the City had money was incorrect

What may be more important is the price that the Citizens of Vallejo are paying for the Unions unwillingness to help ( next year entry level Police will make $90K and with 2.5 years of service at least $102K), inept City Councils ( gave raises to the VPD even though budget shortfall is at least $10M to $15M) and a FIRE Union that wants to "destroy" Vallejo (no matter what the price) .

Within the next 18 months staffing for Police will fall from a high of 156 to the low 70s, 4 of the 8 Fire Houses will be closed and almost every City Service in the General Fund will be stopped or severely cut--Meals on Wheels ,Community Pool ,Library,most non profit community groups etc.

To date current Public Service Employees have not experienced any cuts--they get FREE health insurance ( up to $14K), retire at age 50 with 90% of pay,get some of the highest wages and total compensation in the US even though we are not a wealthy city.

Your readers will probably dismiss this letter as the rantings of the Public that doesn't really understand and who is anti Union.

The truth is that in Vallejo the Unions have controlled the City Governemt for over 20 years .The Unions have lost sight of the symbiotic relationship that needs to exist. They are killing my City and some of the personal vendettas exhibited by the Unions illustrate how misguided they have become.

If your readers really cared they would tell their brothers in Vallejo to settle with the City (pay give backs and start paying some of the cost of their health insurance) to allow both the Unions and the City to survive our current fiscal crisis.

Robert Schussel

Vallejo CA

PS The Post you choose to put on your site is highly misleading and seems to have taken a page from Kurt Henkes (IAFF 1186 President) rantings.The so called Enterprise Funds by law can not be used for other purposes.

As to every city employee being "pissed off at the City" this is not true. There is a lot of resentment towards the Public Safety Unions putting their own interests ahead of everyone else.
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Pueblo, CO - Sheriff’s deputy fired after witnessing fight

BY NICK BONHAM
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

The Pueblo Chieftain Online :: Sheriff’s deputy fired after witnessing fight: "A sergeant who had been on leave since May for reportedly witnessing a bar scuffle involving coworkers was fired Thursday from the Pueblo County Sheriff's Department.

Tommie McLallen, who worked at the Pueblo County Detention Center, had been on paid leave since May 2, when a fellow detention deputy and members of the jail medical staff reportedly were involved in a disturbance at a Pueblo West bar."
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Pueblo, CO - Colorado FOP Responds To Sheriff Firing Union President

Mike Violette, circa 1989





BY MIKE VIOLETTE

COLORADO STATE FOP

On Thursday afternoon the Sheriff finished the travesty that began in early May. He fired Sgt Tommie McLallen from his job with the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Department. This was an outrageous act of retaliation for Sgt McLallen’s active involvement as your Lodge President carrying forth the will of your organization with regards to obtaining the right to bargain collectively.

Although Sgt McLallen was fired from his position, the FOP Constitution under circumstances such as this allows he remain the Lodge 7 President for the remainder of the term of his elected office. He will be working on your behalf as attentively as he always has. That will not change. Many of you are wondering how Tommie is handling this. He is doing just fine. He knew they were moving to do this to him and both he and his family have been taking the necessary steps to prepare for it. He knows he will be vindicated in the long run, and what they did to him exposed for all to see.

In the meantime there are numerous things in the mill for him with regards to other law enforcement employment and various support efforts being organized both inside and outside of Colorado currently moving forward that will insure both he and his family are taken care of. This issue has grabbed the attention of the National FOP and is being spread to every lodge across the country.

As many of you are aware the investigation of this incident and the manner in which it was prosecuted was shameful at best. Our ongoing investigation reveals it to be a contrived overzealous effort designed to achieve a pre-determined end. In his statement to the local paper the Sheriff was audacious enough to state that “due process” was given and this was the result. Due process is best defined in one word—fairness. Obviously the Sheriff needs to study what due process is before making such a pronouncement. This was not anything remotely close to fairness no matter what the Sheriff and those closest to carrying out his will on this may believe. But that is and has been the way due process has been interpreted under this current administration in the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.

You all were advised in my letter of June 26th from the Colorado State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police that this contemptible act of retaliation against you and your Lodge will not go un-challenged. This is headed to a lawsuit involving retaliation, wrongful termination, protected speech, and violations of 1st and 14th amendment rights all resulting in financial loss and emotional pain and distress. Make no mistake about that it will happen. As you all know lawsuits take months if not years to resolve. The FOP and Sgt McLallen are committed to see this through to its final conclusion. You can be assured we will use every venue available to us to fight this arrogant act, and any others that may follow. This is a long term battle both in the legal arena and the political arena. We will prevail in both. This was not a fight we wanted. Apparently the Sheriff and his ever shrinking circle of support did.

After the initial flurry of public and internal communications surrounding this outlandish decision of the Sheriff you can expect things to settle into where they need to be. There will be updates both public and internal via email, the Lodge 7 website, and the State FOP website concerning information that can be released as we move forward. However, most of the work and on this matter will be done without fanfare or release. Rest assured we will be working diligently finishing up the investigation, necessary filings, and preparation for Sgt McLallen’s legal case. We will also be employing other strategies designed to deal with the broader scope of this as time moves forward. So it should be understood by the members that although things will settle down publically, they will be moving forward privately. All that will be done will have your interests, Sgt McLallen’s interests, and your union’s interests and goals at the forefront.

We fully understand the hostile work environment that you work under, and urge you to continue to communicate with us as you have been by email, phone, or through the “Contact Us” page of this web site. All the lines of communication that you have been using to avoid review by the Sheriff and others will remain as the primary FOP communications tool for now. We caution each of you to refrain from using any work computers for electronic communications on this or other issues. We know Sgt McLallen appreciates your support and we appreciate the pertinent information that continues to come into us. What you all have been sending will continue to be kept confidential, and will be treated with your status protected.

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Voices From Vallejo

The following is a posting on the TOPIX Forum sponsored by the Vallejo Times-Herald. The poster signed his posting "Anon" and addressed it to "Ron York"

Vallejo Forum

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Ron York,

You must remember, the city choose the path of BK. While the court ruled they did not have to "pillage" other accounts, the fact is Vallejo has $150,000,000 in a water account. The city choose not to use that money to supplement the GF and pay for public safety. Instead, they choose to file BK to break contracts which previous council agreed to.

They could have found ways to borrow from the existing accounts and pay for the contracts. Instead they leveraged public safety against the existing contracts. Vallejo now has one of the highest crime rates in California. It will take a decade to recover...if at all. Existing contracts were due next year and subject to negotiations.

I think every city employee is embittered by this process. I hope ten years from now the citizens will think it was all worth the effort. However, I think the real people who suffer from this situation, between hard headed union folks and vendictive council members, will be the public.

I don't like the thought of an entire city work force pissed off at the city...but there you have it. Good luck Vallejo!
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Oakland , CA - Council members target police budget

BY KELLY RAYBURN
OAKLAND TRIBUNE

Oakland council members target police budget - Inside Bay Area: "OAKLAND — As the city has moved through its worst budget crisis in memory, City Council members have said they want to see Oakland police officers take the same 10 percent compensation reduction other employees are expected to take.

Now, a group of four council members has proposed slashing $13.4 million from the Police Department's personnel budget — whether that money comes from ongoing talks on restructuring the police union's contract or not.

The proposal to cut the $13.4 million — made public Friday, four days before council members are expected to take a vote on a two-year spending plan — could put more pressure on the union to accept additional concessions.

It could also have negative impact on public safety — including possible furlough days for police officers or slashing sworn positions in the department — if the council votes to accept the proposal, and the union does not agree to change its contract."
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Toledo, OH - Wagner Says Mayor Blew Up The Deal Again

BY IGNAZIO MESSINA
THE TOLEDO BLADE

"The leader of the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association accused Mayor Carty Finkbeiner Friday night of again 'blowing up' an agreement that the two sides had worked out with the concessions needed to help the budget-beleaguered city out of the red.

'As we were finalizing the agreement, Carty called in with two last-minute additions he wanted thrown in,' said Dan Wagner, TPPA president. 'Lawyers from both sides said they were illegal, but the mayor insisted they be put in, and that blew the whole deal.'"
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El Monte, CA - Police union offers to give up raise

BY DANIEL TEDFORD
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE

El Monte police union offers to give up raise - SGVTribune.com: "EL MONTE - The city's police officers on Friday offered to give up next year's scheduled 4 percent raise, which they say would help the struggling city reach a balanced budget.

But there's a catch, the association wants six months notice before the city lays off any of its 113 sergeants and officers. The Police Department has lost about 35 positions during the last two years due to layoffs and attrition."
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Tulsa, OK - Despite budget, cadets graduate

BY NICOLE MARSHALL

TULSA WORLD

Tulsa World: Despite budget, cadets graduate: "The Tulsa Police Academy graduated 10 officers Friday despite the city's budgetary woes, which had threatened possible layoffs of the officers before they even graduated.

Union and city leaders announced Thursday evening that Tulsa's police officers and firefighters will take eight unpaid furlough days with the rest of the city's work force. The contracts, reached after weeks of negotiations, still must be ratified by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 93 and Tulsa Firefighters Local 176 memberships before they are final."

Calling the graduates "the class that might not have been," Police Chief Ron Palmer commended the officers for staying focused on their training and testing, despite the negotiations.

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