An Open Letter to our Readers
As we've said in other postings, we don't answer e-mail. We read everything we get, but two-way communication is out right now - too easy to trace things back to us. We DO take all suggestions into consideration for post material, and we've used quite a few already. We like to think we're at least minimally responsive to our reader's input. Very Minimally.
Anyway, we've been contacted by one of the candidates for the upcoming FOP Pension Board election and we are seeking reader input. As we've stated (and you may have assumed), we are keeping an open mind on just about all issues regarding the union. We're NOT shills for the Citywide Team, even though Mark Donahue was kind enough to mention us at a General Meeting (if only to deny that he knew us.) We confess to being not as disappointed as in years past with the current contract, so we have no axe to grind there. We are also not endorsing (or associated with) any of the other figures that ran for elective office. We don't have a dog in these fights.
Back to the issue at hand; we don't want to appear to be taking sides. This candidate has posted a couple of links to his website in our comments section and we're fine with that. It hasn't really drawn any responses, so we take that as non-interest on the part of our readers. It's the same thing with the two members who were recently expelled from the union. Both contacted us; both posted in the comments sections; both received no interest from our readers; so we didn't expound on it at all.
If we linked to this candidate, would that be viewed as a tacit endorsement of his candidacy? It isn't his fault (nor ours) that his opponent(s) haven't made the effort to create websites. But it also isn't our desire to have someone who's views we may or may not support piggyback on our success. What say you, the readers? STAY ON TOPIC PLEASE.
posted by SCC at 2:50 PM
38 Comments:
I say that if they take the time to start a site or a blog for a reason, then you could link to it, no problem. They should not be allowed to shill their sites/blogs on this blog on a regular basis. If somebody is interested in going to their site/blog, they can use the link. I think linking should be viewed as an appreciation for their work, not necessarily an endorsement of their content.
The bruce a cop now thats a joke, he chase squirels in the forest preserve.
They have their own blog. We're asking if we should link to it. Read the post please
Sure, let them link, they may have something of interest to say and could benefit us/me.
As long as you do it for all the candidates, it probably would be a service anyway to the readers. Just about all of them are Bush supporters anyway.
Thanks SCC I’ll post some comments soon.
Kevin C. Jans Candidate for the Patrolmen’s Spot on The Pension Board
I say leave them out. Leave this blog as our soap-box for department issues, not some canididates gain. If a candidate wants to get their views out, let them go district to district & speak to the troops in person. This is the lazy candidates way out!
My comment is to link to the blog and that's it.
One guys blog is already listd in another section.
Link the blog,antything that will create more interest in the union will be good for all of us.
let their lazy asses go to every dist, to roll calls and talk to us in person. I like to see how much they sweat when you ask them the hard questions. let them earn it, not siiting behind a computer being comfortable!!
Leave your site clean. Let them do their political work on their own sites, PLEASE!
We have enough issues to deal with without their individual agendas.
This site is fresh and gives each person a way to say their TRUE feelings.
Keep it FREE!
Let them link, so long as they fear."
Put 'em all up there. Names/links only. The more info available to the members, the better. If you want to endorse, go ahead. I suppose that means conversely that you can slam them too. GO FOR IT!!!
It definitely doesn't take away their responsibility of visiting roll calls. Let's also hear where they've been and where they've ignored. Keep track of them.
Anonymous at 704pm stated "let them go to all the districts and sweat".
When was the last time this guy went to an FOP meeting. Any of these guys who run for an office takes money from his own pocket to run. Its great to sit back here and write anonymous postings,but these independent guys who run deserve some credit. The Patrolmen in this deparment can wield alot of power if we could stand together for one cause. Thanks SCC This Blog helps.
If they want a 9 to 5 job with holidays off and no supervisor to report to, they should face the coppers they want to represent. I don’t think there should be a link to any candidates blog.
JANS, Kevin C.
I'll be at 023 all watches 17 Oct 05
traffic court 0845 18 Oct 05, then FOP General Meeting at noon 18 Oct 05
anyone want me to visit them on 19 Oct 05? post it!
I'll tell you how by working together we can improve our golden years!
White Sox cheat again. Who needs tickets for game 7?
Link it. It makes it a little bit eaisier to stay up to date.
Let them go to all the roll calls, at all units and districts. Let them spend their own money, as they should.
That spot is a golden one!
The guy that's leaving it was never there 40 hrs. a week, ever.
Ask the office people at the pension board where these elected people are when you call or visit and they will laugh at you.
Sure they put in some time, but their butts ain't glued to the chairs.
Let the candidates come to all of us and visit in person for this Golden Spot.
Cause once their in, they won't be working the street.
Why is it all the politicians are norhtsiders who never saw police work and always want it easier than they have it. By the way Area 3 has five more Dic's then is budgeted for and still can't solve crime.
for evil to triumph good men must do nothing! Your families welfare may well depend on the issues being decided by your union and the city. Remember when the union was just about to agree with a day off system that would give you weekends every 10 weeks or so! the districts started screaming and the union quickly dropped the whole subject. Just because we have a contract is half the battle THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONTRACT on a daily basis is the challenge!
Go ahead and link him. He showed up at my roll call and stated his case. Much respect to him.
FTR, I am tired of getting mail at home. Why is the FOP giving out MY address for these elections. Mail my ballot and nothing else.
PS If I get mail from you, you are NOT getting my vote.
Hey not a house mouse,
The union also voted to give up to 5000.00 to the guy they want in the spot. I dont have a problem with the FOP backing one guy,thats part of the political process. I dont think they should give him 5000.00 of our money. ITS WRONG!!
The union allowed the city to skip a multi-million pension payment. I dont want to see any more of our money being lost.
Link It so we can all stay informed
Dear SCC-
I've got the links up on my booger-blog... so if you're interested, click on over... Hell, I even put up a pseudo-link to Robbins! And I'm not out-n-out endorsing anybody- just returning the favor of a cross-link from Tierney... like SCC did for me... I wouldn't stress out about this too much dearest Modulator- I mean I just got the FOP's sanctioned guy's DIRECT MAIL card in the mail- AND he's ALL OVER the front page's Donahue Report in the Newsletter... so he ain't hurting for attention- they're all probably chuckling over any hand-wringing over this... so click-thru if so inclined- and to ANY candidates who aren't `Bloggin'... WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU WAITING FOR- it's so damn easy, totally FREE!
023 1st watch will be on the 18 Oct 05. I'll be working when 1st watch on the 17th is held.
SCC,
Yes let them write what they want. Start a new thread seperat from others. There should be no thread-jumping or takeovers.
Start a new one just for them. Let them spew their rhetoric adn slam the other guy. Let it be fun.
Better even, let them put into writting what they claim they are going to do for us. Then we can remind them of what they wrote once they win!
SCC, Thanks for opening up the topic.
http://tierney4cpdpension2005.blogspot.com/
I have atended roll calls, gone to districts. I do not have the power of the FOP behind me. Even the flyers I have posted are getting tore down, I don't touch anyone's posts. I have been a watch rep for 8 yrs, always volunteered to be on FOP commitee's, NEVER ONCE given the chance. The only way you are allowed to participate is if you win a election or are someone's friend. What would my chances or Kevin Jans be or anyones to ask the FOP for an endorsement? NIL! The board of directors is firmly in FOP control. Especially to get a cash stipend of up to $5000.00. My copy costs alone for flyers was $400.00
You can check out my BLOG listed. I set that BLOG up so I wouldn't pollute this one with the politics. A link would be appreciated and I will link to anyone who requests on my BLOG including Officers Robbins and Jans. Got PO Robbins card, haven't seen the Newsletter. Nice to have friends with resources. Check your mail I worked my butt off in side jobs to run my campaign. Everyone deserves a fair chance, I encourage the membership to VOTE. Good Luck to all!
http://tierney4cpdpension2005.blogspot.com/
If FOP is using union dues to give Robbins $5,000.00 against two other membrs of the lodge than a part of their dues are being used against them. Donahue makes over 150,000.00 why cant he just give him his own donation. Robbins supported the give back of 23 million dollars just to suck up to Donahue and you want Robbins to represent YOU!! Anyone but Robbins
Everybody who's crying about forgiving the $23 million payment the City owed to the pension should think about a few things before going ballistic. From the personal side, it's a hot-button issue that's got a bunch of people worked up into a frenzy, which is understandable. From an economic viewpoint it's a non-issue.
The fund is valued at 3.6 billion dollars. The $23 million is only about 6% of the fund's value...Not statistically important. It's not even the interest income for a year.
But what did we get in exchange for the $23 million forgiveness? Now we're maxed out at 29 years of service instead of 32 years. At first glance, this means everybody can retire 3 years sooner. What's three years of your life worth?
But it's even better than that. Take another look at it. Under the old salary schedule, top salary was at 30 years. Since the pension is based on the average of your best 4 years out of the last 10, that meant the we actually had to work to 34 years and 1 day to get the max. pension. (Last step raise kicked in at 30 year anniversary. 30 years + 4 years at highest salary = 34 years.)
With the salary schedule now topping out at the 25 year step, we can now leave on 29 years + a day at the max. pension. 5 years is a big difference, especially when you're in your 50's. Now people can leave while they still have their health and are young enough to enjoy themselves and spend time with their families or do whatever they want.
Could the deal have been better? Absolutely. 80% pension and retiree health care costs must be the top priority.
But before you fire up that ulcer again, ask yourself what price tag would you put on the quality of life for you, your family and your partner.
Let's set the record straight. The FOP did NOT give Steve Robbins $5000.00 outright. He can receive up to $5000.00 in reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses related to his campaign. Steve Robbins, along with myself, Mike Lazzaro, Bill Dougherty, and Carlos Saladino have attended together almost every Pension Board meeting for the last two years. We have directly addressed the Board and the Trustees individually. We became very fluent in the Board's procedures and openly questioned their actions or inactions regarding Police Officers. Because of our distaste at the way some applicants are treated by the Board at times, along with some decisions made that we felt were detrimental to fellow Officers and the Fund as a whole, it was decided to put together a slate whose goal would be to correct the perceived injustices we have observed. One person CANNOT do this alone. This has been proven time and again. Therefore Steve Robbins, Mike Lazzaro, and Ken Hauser were chosen for this task, with the full recommendation of two committees that work closely with the Pension Board, the Disability and Pension (of which I am a member and also am a full dues paying member of F.O.P.)committees. The Leuitenant that was chosen by us was not endorsed by his Association and chose not to run against the one they picked, who, by the way, comes highly regarded. I have never seen either of the two persons opposing Officer Robbins ever attend a Board meeting, which is necessary to grasp the full knowledge of the workings of the Pension Board. To make the necessary changes to not only help improve the Fund but also the service to our Officers, a competent, cohesive slate is absolutely necessary to accomplish this goal. Steve Robbins is definitely qualified and very knowledgable of the duties and operations of the Board that it makes him an obvious choice. If Officers attended these meetings they would see how important it is to have this slate, as the F.O.P. has. The Board has never seen a united front such as this against them and the very exposure of this to them has already brought some changes in how their business is conducted. Our presence alone has made an impact. If Officers really are interested in change, they all should attend the monthly meetings, which are held every 4th Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. A larger presence would definitely send a stronger message.
lets see sgt. you are a full paying member of the fop and pbpa. that is in violation of fop constitution and by laws fop limits your asssociation to one group you can be a fraternal member of fop so why would you pay so that can represent you as a member of the barganing unit when you are NOT. Just like to spend your money huh
Hey sarge you said,"The $23 million is only about 6% of the fund's value...Not statistically important"
Sorry but FU++ you if 23 million is "Not statistically importan" in your eyes, every GD dime is important to me! If you and Robbins feel that way then stay the FU++ away from my pension money!
Where does Shemash mention the 24 Mil in his post?
The FOP SHOULD have announced publically that it was offering any monies to any candidate who could impress them with his ability to be a pension rep. This way everyone would have a shot at it
Forgiving the city's obligation of $23 million had no bearing on either the pay topping out after 25 years nr the ability to get the extra half percent for the years after 20.
The former was negotiated in the contract, and the latter was voted on in Springfield
What gets me is that the FOP was able to negotiate a deal that effected the supervisors as well as the P/O's and the supervisors were mute about it.
Also I aint happy about the fact that our funds were dispersed to a pension cadidate sort of on the QT.
Being on this job is like being Alice in Wonderland.
The Pension Board Has 8 Members (read about it)
If any one is offering the world! It's too good to be true!
The pension board has 8 members. 4 appointed by the CITY. 4 elected by the various ranks,
Patrolman, Sgt, Lt. and above, a Retiree
THE SINGLE PATROLMAN VOTE IS WHAT IT IS! 1 OF 8
DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR! WE CAN ONLY DO THE BEST WE CAN!
THE ONE OF US ELECTED TO THE BOARD WILL NOT CHANGE THE WORLD.
THE F.O.P.'S FRIENDS STATE AS LISTED IN http://secondcitycop.blogspot.com/
as quoted: Sgt. Mike Shemash said... (In parenthesis are my observations)
(NEW F.O.P. SPOKESPERSON BY THE WAY HE IS ACTING!
A SUPERVISOR! MANAGEMENT!)
Steve Robbins, along with myself,(Steve Robbins supervising Sgt>>>) Mike Lazzaro(also running for the Sgt spot on the pension Board), Bill Dougherty, and Carlos Saladino have attended together almost every Pension Board meeting for the last two years (On or Off Company Time? Let the A & A sheets speak for themself). We have directly addressed the Board(Elected) and the Trustees (Appointed by the Mayor) individually. We became very fluent in the Board's procedures and openly questioned their actions or inactions regarding Police Officers. Because of our distaste at the way some applicants are treated by the Board at times, along with some decisions made that we felt were detrimental to fellow Officers and the Fund as a whole, it was decided to put together a slate whose goal would be to correct the perceived injustices we have observed. One person CANNOT do this alone. This has been proven time and again. Therefore Steve Robbins, Mike Lazzaro, and Ken Hauser were chosen for this task, with the full recommendation of two committees that work closely with the Pension Board, the Disability and Pension (of which I am a member and also am a full dues paying member of F.O.P.) committees.
This is fabrication and inuendo . Ken Hauser is NOT part of the F.O.P. SLATE of candidates!
Ken Hauser is ENDORSED as is John Dineen by the F.O.P. along with up to $5000.00 stipend for expenses related to their campaign.
I have spoken to Kenny Hauser on many occasions! HE IS MY WIFE'S COUSIN! Kenny has accepted an F.O.P. endorsement, and has gone out of his way to work with ALL the various F.O.P. administrations even though he has isssues with them. Kenny want's whats best for the patrolman and retired P.O.'s. and has voted as such.
The elected officials of the F.O.P. recieved a letter from the pension board elected representatives during the latest contract negotiations firmly stating : "THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE DO NOT APPROVE OF FORGIVING 23.8 MILLION $'S DEBT TO THE PENSION FUND BY THE CITY ." The F.O.P. AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE PENSION BOARD, AND WITH STEVE ROBBINS AS A BOARD MEMBER VOTED TO FORGIVE THAT DEBT!
IS THIS THE TYPE OF REPRESENTATION YOU WANT?
IN BED WITH THE CITY?
posted by John Tierney at 01:34
Hey John since you are new in 016 you might get a few more votes if you actually came to roll call or at least attempted to speak to people. Introduce yourself
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