Comments on: Reminder: Newark City Council meeting tonight

By: Lou Vandelay

Lou Vandelay — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:38:00 +0000

As Gus said, they’re closing the loopholes:

Ex-fire chief billed for $7,000-plus in legal fees, lawyer says
By Tom Lochner
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 08/18/2009 02:08:42 PM PDT

By Tom Lochner

The Rodeo-Hercules Fire District has sent an embattled former chief a legal bill of more than $7,000 for negotiations that led to his recent retirement, the ex-chief’s new lawyer says.

The district also is denying Gary Boyles some pay adjustments he believes he is entitled to under a June 25 settlement agreement, according to the lawyer, William Kelly.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_13152102

By: Marty

Marty — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:03:57 +0000

A fire chief *should* make 180K+ per year for the reasons Gus presents. What’s absurd is that a rookie firefighter could make about 75% of that in his first year.

Tell me one other job besides sales where a starting employee makes 75% that of a 30 year veteran?

By: Laughing Citizen

Laughing Citizen — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:57:39 +0000

The sad thing about Newark is their problems goes back to before the downturn in the economy. They allowed all that no empty industrial area to be built that now is empty. Look who is exempt from the tax. If those exempt groups would also chip in, then it would take less than 6 years. What is good for the citizens of Newark is good for those exempt.

By: Gus Morrison

Gus Morrison — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:24:43 +0000

In general, public safety employees retire at a pension calculated at 3% of the single highest year’s salary multiplied by the number of years served to a maximum of 90% of that salary, at a minimum age of 50. This pension rate was authorized by the legislature about 10-15 years ago.

So, a fire chief earning $180,000 a year would retire at $162,000 if he/she had 30 years service. Depending on choices for a surviving spouse, that amount would be reduced by that choice.

The instance about the Contra Costa chief was another example of people gaming the system to their advantage. The loopholes they used will probably be closed quickly, but someone will find others. It is shameful and elected officials who allow it to happen ought to be recalled.

As for the question, “Why should a fire chief make $180K in the first place?” There are a couple of ways to look at that. First, just consider the steps between the entry level fire fighter and the chief-engineer, captain, battalion chief, division chief-5 steps, with 10% (arbitrary number I pulled out of the air) and you find a 61% difference in salary.

But, consider the value of someone responsible for 180-200 employees with an annual budget to manage of around $30 million (also my estimate, close enough). I would guess a chief’s salary would be in the ballpark of those with similar responsibility in industry.

By: Lou Vandelay

Lou Vandelay — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:24:17 +0000

I’ve never had a government job, run for office, volunteered my time to work for a candidate, or written a check for any campaign. I’m not a political backer. I’m a regular citizen who lives in Newark. I don’t feel that anything is being rammed down our throats – we all get to vote up or down on this tax. The city corrected a mistake and lowered the term from 20 years to 6 years.

I enjoy the Silliman Center and it’s OK the firemen have a new firehouse – the old one was pretty bad. I’m not so hot on the idea of a golf course, but I don’t believe that is where this tax will go. The tax would run for six years and it’ll take longer than that for the economy to recover and the studies for a project like that to be done. If they say this is money that they need to keep the doors open, I tend to believe them. I don’t want the planning department to stop issuing permits, the parks to go untended, the community centers to close, or other city services to stop.

Look at the websites for Fremont and Newark. Fremont has 21 departments; Newark has 8. They’ve been more careful with their money than Fremont. Times are tough. Newark is having the same problems as other local cities – reduced tax revenue, businesses closing, and the state raiding what funds the cities do have. People are right to be mad about a fire chief who retired at $240,000 a year, but that didn’t happen in Newark, it was in Moraga.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/danielborenstein/ci_13008390

By: Ishan Shah

Ishan Shah — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:34:06 +0000

Californiaguy: our retired fire chiefs make $240,000?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!

WHY?!

By: Laughing Citizen

Laughing Citizen — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:53:49 +0000

I have to laugh at all the posts here. Look who is in favor and who is against. The city employees, the city council, the elected officials and all the political backers. The people against the everyday citizen. Sounds like this is rammed down our throats. Fremont is still sore about not eating up Newark over 50 yrs ago. 3 words, LET IT GO! This is a Newark issue and not a Fremont battle.

By: Californiaguy

Californiaguy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:04:05 +0000

There is a revolution happening now. With cuts to services, cuts to education, people are sickened to hear fire chiefs retiring at $240,000 a year.
People are now becoming aware of the inequities with public employees pay and retirement benefits versus the private sector.
People are beginning to realize they are paying for this. Most politicians do not have the gonads to fo after this problem and adjust it.
Kudos to the Bart Board of Directors, they have started to implement a new labor contract that addresses these issue of inflated pay, and pensions.
I have forgotten did Fremont City Council give city employees a raise this year?
Join the Revolution and pressure politicians to address this third rail issue.

By: Dean

Dean — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:52:01 +0000

Arguments and rebuttal have been submitted. Please see our web site.

http://home.earthlink.net/~lewis2/vote.nonewarktax/

By: George

George — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 03:53:41 +0000

I have a list of the names of several men and women who have demonstrated the skills to protect our freedoms.

THey have demonstrated their skills in far off and unfamiliar places.

They are familiar with highly stressful life and death situations.

They know how to handle a fire fight in close-in situations.

They are familiar with rules of engagement.

They would love to protect your freedoms and rights for only a small portion of those benefits afforded our public P.D.