The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. will hold a public comment session on Monday December 6 at fire headquarters at 1950 W. Exchange Place, Tucker. Residents unable to attend the public comment session can also give public comments by calling 770-724-7839 between 2-4 p.m. on Monday.
When is the department going to seek comments from the officers themselves? That's what we thought.
AJC article.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Dekalb Deputy Sheriff Shot
The shooting happened on Keys Crossing Road off Briarwood Road. Details are sketchy and will be updated as they comes in.
From all indications, the deputy should recover.
UPDATE: The deputy is listed in serious condition after being shot while serving a misdemeanor arrest warrant at Keys Crossing Condos. The deputy's partner returned fire striking the perp in the chest.
After being barricaded a few hours, the perp surrendered. Too bad this vermin didn't come to the door a second time with a gun in his hand so our S.W.A.T. guys could have ended his miserable life for him.
Godsped the deputy.
AJC article
From all indications, the deputy should recover.
UPDATE: The deputy is listed in serious condition after being shot while serving a misdemeanor arrest warrant at Keys Crossing Condos. The deputy's partner returned fire striking the perp in the chest.
After being barricaded a few hours, the perp surrendered. Too bad this vermin didn't come to the door a second time with a gun in his hand so our S.W.A.T. guys could have ended his miserable life for him.
Godsped the deputy.
AJC article
Saturday, November 27, 2010
This Thanksgiving I Was Thankful For....
This DeKalb County vehicle was photographed on Thanksgiving Day parked in front of Bass Word Pro Shop on Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County GA. It's not like the driver was working in DeKalb County and ran inside a store for a snack and a drink.
Yet a another example of wasted taxpayer money through the take home car program.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
What Do You Expect, It's In A Slum
Not enough money? Didn't the commissioners just allocate 43 million dollars to refurbish Recorders Court?
Comments Closed
Comments Closed
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Over 30 Officers Have Quit So Far This Year
And the word around the pumps is there will be no more academies in 2011. The money has been allotted for police cars instead. If you think we are short now, just wait a few more months.
Kenneth Fye, Retired 911 Operator-Crime Scene Technician Dies
Kenneth Fye, retired Dekalb 911 Operator and Crime Scene Technician and who was currently employed by Dunwoody Police, died November 21, 2010. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
Go in peace brother.
Go in peace brother.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
"If They Want To Get Paid More, Then They Have To Carry More Of The Burden...There's No Way Around It"...Jeff Rader, DeKalb County Commissioner, District 2.
It's finally official. The county is facing a 55 million dollar deficit for the year 2011. And now Jeff Rader is making threats, insisting we carry more of the burden and produce more traffic citations, and then just maybe we'll see about a pay raise.
Mr. Rader seems to think we are nothing more than tax collectors with guns on our hips. He is holding over our head a pay raise with conditions. Those conditions are writing more traffic citations, thus taxing the common working man even more.
And exactly what does he mean by "we have to carry more of the burden"? Were we not furloughed 10 days in 2010? Did we not lose paid holidays? Were we not forced to work holidays for no pay? Is our pension contributions not increasing 100%? Isn't our health insurance cost increasing as much as $100.00 per month?
Tell us Mr. Rader, what burden are you and the rest of the commissioner carrying? Tell us Mr. Rader, how many furlough days did you get in 2010? How many holidays did you work for no pay? How many paid holidays did you get in 2010 Mr. Rader? How many bullets were fired at you? How many thugs were you forced to shoot to save your own life and the life of others?
And you Mr. CEO Burrell Ellis, what is your burden? Are you burdened with deciding who among your staff should get a 34% pay raise? Are you burdened with who should get a $500. per month car allowance? What about the $40,000.00 pay severance for Shelia Edwards? What about the 100 thousand dollar severance pay Keith Barker received when he was fired?
And for the rest of you commissioners. How many millions of dollars have you spent on libraries, sidewalks, parks and art centers in 2010? How many furlough days did each of you take? How many holidays did you get? Bueller? Anyone?
What about the GSU study that suggested the county government be downsized, yet the commissioners ignore it and let over 800 people take an early retirement, then turned around and hired 600 more people? What about the take home cars Mr. Ellis? You continue to cost the taxpayers over $700,000.00 per year in take home car cost. County employee cellphones costing the taxpayers 1.2 million dollars a year.
Mr. Rader, you and the other members of the commission have cut the budget on the backs of your police officers. The same officers that keep you and the citizens safe at night. You want to draw a line in the sand and say we have to produce more while carrying more of the burden? Then you go ahead and draw that line. Because we will cross that line. We will raise up against you.
If you stand over us from your elitist platform and demand more production before you consider more pay for us, if you take one more thing away from us, then we promise you one thing: The lack of production will be the least of yours and the commissioners concerns.
Click here for AJC Article
Mr. Rader seems to think we are nothing more than tax collectors with guns on our hips. He is holding over our head a pay raise with conditions. Those conditions are writing more traffic citations, thus taxing the common working man even more.
And exactly what does he mean by "we have to carry more of the burden"? Were we not furloughed 10 days in 2010? Did we not lose paid holidays? Were we not forced to work holidays for no pay? Is our pension contributions not increasing 100%? Isn't our health insurance cost increasing as much as $100.00 per month?
Tell us Mr. Rader, what burden are you and the rest of the commissioner carrying? Tell us Mr. Rader, how many furlough days did you get in 2010? How many holidays did you work for no pay? How many paid holidays did you get in 2010 Mr. Rader? How many bullets were fired at you? How many thugs were you forced to shoot to save your own life and the life of others?
And you Mr. CEO Burrell Ellis, what is your burden? Are you burdened with deciding who among your staff should get a 34% pay raise? Are you burdened with who should get a $500. per month car allowance? What about the $40,000.00 pay severance for Shelia Edwards? What about the 100 thousand dollar severance pay Keith Barker received when he was fired?
And for the rest of you commissioners. How many millions of dollars have you spent on libraries, sidewalks, parks and art centers in 2010? How many furlough days did each of you take? How many holidays did you get? Bueller? Anyone?
What about the GSU study that suggested the county government be downsized, yet the commissioners ignore it and let over 800 people take an early retirement, then turned around and hired 600 more people? What about the take home cars Mr. Ellis? You continue to cost the taxpayers over $700,000.00 per year in take home car cost. County employee cellphones costing the taxpayers 1.2 million dollars a year.
Mr. Rader, you and the other members of the commission have cut the budget on the backs of your police officers. The same officers that keep you and the citizens safe at night. You want to draw a line in the sand and say we have to produce more while carrying more of the burden? Then you go ahead and draw that line. Because we will cross that line. We will raise up against you.
If you stand over us from your elitist platform and demand more production before you consider more pay for us, if you take one more thing away from us, then we promise you one thing: The lack of production will be the least of yours and the commissioners concerns.
Click here for AJC Article
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Retired Sergeant Stan (Mike) Gifford Dies
Stan Gifford died today of kidney failure. More information will be posted as it comes in.
Go in peace brother.
Go in peace brother.
Pension News From Robert "Robbie" Robertson
DeKalb County Pension Board Update November 2010
First of all, I hope this update finds all of you well. I know when times are tough it seems like information is slow in coming, but I will do my best to keep you updated. I am doing my best to keep everyone updated, but up to this point, there is no central e-mail list of all the current and retired employees. So, I have decided that this blog is a good central point to post any updates for now.
There have been a number of inquiries as to how often the DeKalb County Pension Board meets. We meet two months, not every month. Our last meeting was held on November 4, 2010.
The last time I posted was on September 17, 2010 with all the updates available. As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, the last Pension Board meeting was held on November 4, 2010 and below you will see the abbreviated actions taken and discussed. You can all see the official minutes posted on the DeKalb County Risk Management website. These Minutes can not be posted until approved by the Pension Board.
November 4th, 2010 DeKalb County Pension Board Meeting
Approved the Minutes of the September 2nd, 2010 Pension Board Meeting, now they can be posted on the county website.
Reviewed the October 4th, 2010 investment committee meeting.
CEO Ellis made brief appearance to discuss the funding status of the Pension Plan and the increased employee and employer contributions. Just so all of you are aware there have been some detailed discussions within the BOC about going to a Defined Contribution Pension plan for the future. This plan would only affect new hires after the adoption date.
Approved payment of invoices for Money Managers, Legal, and Professional Services. All payments were normal expenditures.
Reviewed Callan Associates report on all of the pension investments. Through September 30th, 2010 the pension had returns of 11.44%.
The board approved with Callans Associates advice, adjusting the asset allocation to several money managers, and approved transferring money to pay pension benefits.
The board discussed and approved new lower negotiated fees with all fixed income managers.
The Board tabled a vote to introduce a Home Rule Ordinance to address pension investments in comingled funds.
The board approved forwarding the Home Rule Ordinance to the BOC for approval. This is to increase the employee and employer contributions. This employee increase is still below the national average. This contribution increase is required to meet the minimum state funding requirements and would have been required even without the early out window. The board again discussed increasing the contribution to cover a built-in cost of living raise for the retirees.
The board approved normal requests from rehired employees to repay contributions withdrawn from the pension plan from prior employment. These were all normal request that were received in the proper time line.
The board approved two disability applications.
The board approved polling places for the upcoming Pension Board elections to fill the two active employee positions.
Meeting Adjourned
Thank you for your support,
Robert “Robbie” Robertson
Retiree Representative
DeKalb County Pension Board
First of all, I hope this update finds all of you well. I know when times are tough it seems like information is slow in coming, but I will do my best to keep you updated. I am doing my best to keep everyone updated, but up to this point, there is no central e-mail list of all the current and retired employees. So, I have decided that this blog is a good central point to post any updates for now.
There have been a number of inquiries as to how often the DeKalb County Pension Board meets. We meet two months, not every month. Our last meeting was held on November 4, 2010.
The last time I posted was on September 17, 2010 with all the updates available. As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, the last Pension Board meeting was held on November 4, 2010 and below you will see the abbreviated actions taken and discussed. You can all see the official minutes posted on the DeKalb County Risk Management website. These Minutes can not be posted until approved by the Pension Board.
November 4th, 2010 DeKalb County Pension Board Meeting
Approved the Minutes of the September 2nd, 2010 Pension Board Meeting, now they can be posted on the county website.
Reviewed the October 4th, 2010 investment committee meeting.
CEO Ellis made brief appearance to discuss the funding status of the Pension Plan and the increased employee and employer contributions. Just so all of you are aware there have been some detailed discussions within the BOC about going to a Defined Contribution Pension plan for the future. This plan would only affect new hires after the adoption date.
Approved payment of invoices for Money Managers, Legal, and Professional Services. All payments were normal expenditures.
Reviewed Callan Associates report on all of the pension investments. Through September 30th, 2010 the pension had returns of 11.44%.
The board approved with Callans Associates advice, adjusting the asset allocation to several money managers, and approved transferring money to pay pension benefits.
The board discussed and approved new lower negotiated fees with all fixed income managers.
The Board tabled a vote to introduce a Home Rule Ordinance to address pension investments in comingled funds.
The board approved forwarding the Home Rule Ordinance to the BOC for approval. This is to increase the employee and employer contributions. This employee increase is still below the national average. This contribution increase is required to meet the minimum state funding requirements and would have been required even without the early out window. The board again discussed increasing the contribution to cover a built-in cost of living raise for the retirees.
The board approved normal requests from rehired employees to repay contributions withdrawn from the pension plan from prior employment. These were all normal request that were received in the proper time line.
The board approved two disability applications.
The board approved polling places for the upcoming Pension Board elections to fill the two active employee positions.
Meeting Adjourned
Thank you for your support,
Robert “Robbie” Robertson
Retiree Representative
DeKalb County Pension Board
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Loflyer Speaks To Pension Board Member Robert Robertson
Loflyer sat down with Robert Robertson, a representative of our Pension Board.
Click here for some insightful reading.
Click here for some insightful reading.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Former DeKalb Police Chief Louis Graham Dies After Long Illness
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Never In Our Career Would We Ever Dream The Words "Struggling Pension Fund" To Describe Our Pension
Jodie Fleischer did a story about our pension and the increase of our contributions looming ahead. At least Jeff Wiggs went on camera. But it just wasn't direct enough.
The story needed to be simplistic and right to the point. For starters, Jodie, in an effort to make our furlough days part of the story, probably unintentional, made it appear the commissioners were not available for comment because of furlough days. A reminder to everyone reading. The commissioners are not bound to take furlough days, and do not take furlough days. Their pay has not been cut. They still get paid holidays. On more than one occasion the commissioners have adamantly said they are bound by "law" not to take furlough days. Did we miss the commissioners donating the equivalent of a furlough day of wages to a charity? Not!
Jodie should have inserted that while employees are being furloughed, Burrell Ellis gave his staff pay increases as high as 34% per year and gives his staff monthly car allowances. Let's not forget the pay raises handed out by Connie Stokes and bad check writing Sharon Barnes.
The story says our pension contributions are increasing by 4%. She failed to mention that we currently contribute 4% and that is being increased by and additional 4% or a 100% increase. To make it simple: We are paid by-weekly. If you currently contribute $100 a pay day, that's $200 per month or $2400 per year. In 2011, it increases to $200, per pay day, or $400 dollars per month, or $4800 per year. Additionally, our health increase payments are increasing by as much as $100 per month or $1200. per year. In total, that is an overall increase of $6000 per year, or a reduction in pay of $6000 per year. Plug your own numbers in. Did we mentioned we are being furloughed on top of this?
One reason mentioned for the "struggling pension" is the economy. What was not mentioned was the pension board, in their infinite wisdom, loaned the county 43 million dollars for the early retirement program. Least we forget the county is facing a budget deficit of 50 to 80 million dollars in 2011. How are they going to repay the 43 million dollars?
Ms. Fleischer says "DeKalb County seems to be facing one emergency after another". We can't recall any other metro county being described like this, even in these economic times.
Click here for required reading.
The story needed to be simplistic and right to the point. For starters, Jodie, in an effort to make our furlough days part of the story, probably unintentional, made it appear the commissioners were not available for comment because of furlough days. A reminder to everyone reading. The commissioners are not bound to take furlough days, and do not take furlough days. Their pay has not been cut. They still get paid holidays. On more than one occasion the commissioners have adamantly said they are bound by "law" not to take furlough days. Did we miss the commissioners donating the equivalent of a furlough day of wages to a charity? Not!
Jodie should have inserted that while employees are being furloughed, Burrell Ellis gave his staff pay increases as high as 34% per year and gives his staff monthly car allowances. Let's not forget the pay raises handed out by Connie Stokes and bad check writing Sharon Barnes.
The story says our pension contributions are increasing by 4%. She failed to mention that we currently contribute 4% and that is being increased by and additional 4% or a 100% increase. To make it simple: We are paid by-weekly. If you currently contribute $100 a pay day, that's $200 per month or $2400 per year. In 2011, it increases to $200, per pay day, or $400 dollars per month, or $4800 per year. Additionally, our health increase payments are increasing by as much as $100 per month or $1200. per year. In total, that is an overall increase of $6000 per year, or a reduction in pay of $6000 per year. Plug your own numbers in. Did we mentioned we are being furloughed on top of this?
One reason mentioned for the "struggling pension" is the economy. What was not mentioned was the pension board, in their infinite wisdom, loaned the county 43 million dollars for the early retirement program. Least we forget the county is facing a budget deficit of 50 to 80 million dollars in 2011. How are they going to repay the 43 million dollars?
Ms. Fleischer says "DeKalb County seems to be facing one emergency after another". We can't recall any other metro county being described like this, even in these economic times.
Click here for required reading.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
No Pension News From Our Representative
Some have been asking for updated information about our pension such as quarterly reports and minutes. Robert Robertson used to keep us updated via county employee eamil, but nothing in resent history. The last time the county updated pension minutes on the county website was July 2010.
The last time we heard from Robert Roberson was September 17, 2010, here on the blog. We guess he felt pressure for responding and has been told to cease.
We believe when pension board elections comes around, LoFlyer should seriously consider running to represent the employees.
But when we do learn anything, we'll be sure to post it.
The last time we heard from Robert Roberson was September 17, 2010, here on the blog. We guess he felt pressure for responding and has been told to cease.
We believe when pension board elections comes around, LoFlyer should seriously consider running to represent the employees.
But when we do learn anything, we'll be sure to post it.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Before He Takes Office, Stan Watson Is No Friend
Before Stan Watson, newly elected District 7 Commissioner (who ran unopposed) takes office, he asked his buddy Larry Johnson for $15,000.00 dollars of taxpayer money for his "transition effort" into office. Little Larry only gave him $5,000.00. Watson called it "pittance".
Explaining his actions, Johnson said "We have a $30 million deficit, the pension, furloughs and all kind of problems. This is an imperfect storm and we’re trying to get him acclimated.” Acclimated to what, sticking his hand in the till?
Little Larry Johnson also said no vote was necessary because it was under $100,000. A spokesman for the CEO said the county does not have a policy governing transition money.
So there you have it, a big ol' bag of taxpayer cash money for the commissioners to stick their hand into anytime they want.
AJC article
Explaining his actions, Johnson said "We have a $30 million deficit, the pension, furloughs and all kind of problems. This is an imperfect storm and we’re trying to get him acclimated.” Acclimated to what, sticking his hand in the till?
Little Larry Johnson also said no vote was necessary because it was under $100,000. A spokesman for the CEO said the county does not have a policy governing transition money.
So there you have it, a big ol' bag of taxpayer cash money for the commissioners to stick their hand into anytime they want.
AJC article
Monday, November 8, 2010
Bleak Is The Only Way You Can Describe Our Future
When you think times can't get any harder, they do. The commissioners are going to vote to increase our pension contributions 100%. For entry level police officers, that means an increase of about $52.00 per check or $104.00 per month. If you are topped out in your rank, it will be hundreds of dollars more each month. In simple terms, come January 1, 2011 we start the new year off with 4% reduction in pay.
Burrell Ellis claims the commissioners are bound by law to make the increases. He claims the early retirement debacle that cost our pension fund 43 million dollars has nothing to do with it.
Just as he claims that "law" will not let him or any commissioner take a reduction in pay. It is law they receive their full pay while they set back and cut ours to disbelief.
This on the heels of our health insurance premiums being raised as much as $100.00 per month and forcing some police officers to change insurance companies.
We have not had a cost of living increase in years. We have lost our merit pay increases. We have lost our end of the year sick time payments. We have lost paid holidays. We have lost overtime pay. We are being furloughed 7 days this year. The county is facing a 50-80 million deficit in 2011. There is talk, which has not been denied by any commissioner, that we will be furloughed up to 17 days in 2011.
In the meantime, Burrell Ellis hands out pay raises to his staff in upwards of 34% per year, he gives ten of thousands of dollars in payouts to those forced to resign. To this day he continues to give his staff take home cars or car allowances, while we stand in the parking lot waiting on a car so we can go out and protect the public.
The commissioners will not stop. They are opening new police precincts, talking of spending millions of dollars on buildings to open even more precincts. Spending tens of millions of dollars remodeling the slum Recorders Court. Buying up land for new parks. It just keeps going on and on.
It is becoming more and more clear everyday. Burrell Ellis and the commissioners are raiding the treasures of DeKalb County and giving it to the "few and the favored", all the while trying to make up for their crimes on the backs of the hard working police officer.
Not one commissioner has stood up and said STOP! ENOUGH ALREADY! WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR POLICE FIRST!
The antics of these commissioners will cause the safety of the citizenry to crumble. A demoralized, underpaid, unappreciated police department is not an effective police department. The citizens will suffer.
Sorry Assistant Chief Yarbrough, the timing of your promotion could not have been worse. And your question put to all the uniform Majors and Captains on what can be done to improve morale, make working conditions better or what positive improvements can be made, sounds a little silly, for a lack of a better word.
How much more are we going to take!
For your reading enjoyment, click here for Ellis' memo.
AJC article here.
The madness will never end!
Burrell Ellis claims the commissioners are bound by law to make the increases. He claims the early retirement debacle that cost our pension fund 43 million dollars has nothing to do with it.
Just as he claims that "law" will not let him or any commissioner take a reduction in pay. It is law they receive their full pay while they set back and cut ours to disbelief.
This on the heels of our health insurance premiums being raised as much as $100.00 per month and forcing some police officers to change insurance companies.
We have not had a cost of living increase in years. We have lost our merit pay increases. We have lost our end of the year sick time payments. We have lost paid holidays. We have lost overtime pay. We are being furloughed 7 days this year. The county is facing a 50-80 million deficit in 2011. There is talk, which has not been denied by any commissioner, that we will be furloughed up to 17 days in 2011.
In the meantime, Burrell Ellis hands out pay raises to his staff in upwards of 34% per year, he gives ten of thousands of dollars in payouts to those forced to resign. To this day he continues to give his staff take home cars or car allowances, while we stand in the parking lot waiting on a car so we can go out and protect the public.
The commissioners will not stop. They are opening new police precincts, talking of spending millions of dollars on buildings to open even more precincts. Spending tens of millions of dollars remodeling the slum Recorders Court. Buying up land for new parks. It just keeps going on and on.
It is becoming more and more clear everyday. Burrell Ellis and the commissioners are raiding the treasures of DeKalb County and giving it to the "few and the favored", all the while trying to make up for their crimes on the backs of the hard working police officer.
Not one commissioner has stood up and said STOP! ENOUGH ALREADY! WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR POLICE FIRST!
The antics of these commissioners will cause the safety of the citizenry to crumble. A demoralized, underpaid, unappreciated police department is not an effective police department. The citizens will suffer.
Sorry Assistant Chief Yarbrough, the timing of your promotion could not have been worse. And your question put to all the uniform Majors and Captains on what can be done to improve morale, make working conditions better or what positive improvements can be made, sounds a little silly, for a lack of a better word.
How much more are we going to take!
For your reading enjoyment, click here for Ellis' memo.
AJC article here.
The madness will never end!
No Immunity For Torrey Thompson. I.A. Statement Thrown Out
Georgia Supreme Court has ruled that former DeKalb Police Officer Torrey Thompson is not immune from prosecution for defending himself when he used deadly force attempting to apprehend Lorenzo Matthews in July of 2006.
On the other hand, it was a major victory for officers who are forced to give statements to Internal Affairs. The court ruled statements given to I.A. cannot be used in prosecution. It's a crying shame the D.A.'s office attempted to use Torrey's I.A. statements against him.
Read more here.
On the other hand, it was a major victory for officers who are forced to give statements to Internal Affairs. The court ruled statements given to I.A. cannot be used in prosecution. It's a crying shame the D.A.'s office attempted to use Torrey's I.A. statements against him.
Read more here.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Commissioners Set To Waste More Money
During the up coming commission meeting Tuesday, the commissioners are set to purchase more land for a park. This time the land is located in a neighborhood in the Emory area. The property doesn't face or border a major or even a minor thoroughfare. It’s tucked neatly off the beaten path of a neighborhood street.
According to county records, the land is valued at $259,000. The seller wants $400,000. The county is offering $415,000. Why? Why the inflated price? Something just doesn't smell right. Can you say Gwinnett County?
The county has over 107 parks now, 4 of those are within 5 miles of the property the county wants to buy. Who is the seller and what is their connection to Jeff Rader, District 2 commissioner?
Even though the money comes from 2001 Parks Bond Acquisition Fund, District 2, it is still taxpayer money. It is taxpayer money being used to clear the land, build the park and maintain it. What will the initial cost be? How many millions?
More examples of the commissioners drunken, or crack cocaine haze spending at a time when county employees, especially the police department, are having a hard time making ends meet.
The madness continues!
According to county records, the land is valued at $259,000. The seller wants $400,000. The county is offering $415,000. Why? Why the inflated price? Something just doesn't smell right. Can you say Gwinnett County?
The county has over 107 parks now, 4 of those are within 5 miles of the property the county wants to buy. Who is the seller and what is their connection to Jeff Rader, District 2 commissioner?
Even though the money comes from 2001 Parks Bond Acquisition Fund, District 2, it is still taxpayer money. It is taxpayer money being used to clear the land, build the park and maintain it. What will the initial cost be? How many millions?
More examples of the commissioners drunken, or crack cocaine haze spending at a time when county employees, especially the police department, are having a hard time making ends meet.
The madness continues!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wiz Miller Pops Up From His Prairie Hole And Admits There's A Morale Problem
Wiz Miller finally, after more than a year, addresses the morale problem of the department. He was just short of saying "be thankful you have a job!".
Miller's solution to the morale problem is more take home cars. Huh? More take home cars? Did he miss the part where Burrell Ellis rewards his staff with pay raises, take home cars and car allowances? At the same time thumbing his nose at us and the taxpayers by ignoring suggested cut backs in take home cars. He has cost the taxpayers $700,000.00 in take home car usage.
Where is the money coming from for these take home cars? Is he planning on giving every sworn officer a take home car? Sure we'll take one. What's the cost of giving everybody a take home car? 40 million dollars up front?
If everyone can't have a take home car, then just who will benefit from these take home cars? Some aide or assistant sitting in some 4th floor office?
Lee Mays is bound and determined not to raise taxes in 2011 even though the county is facing a 50-80 million dollar deficit. We just wish he was so hell bent on cutting waste through out the county instead of carrying the county on the backs of the employees.
So weak Wiz, really.
Watch the video to see "The Wizard" blow smoke.
Miller's solution to the morale problem is more take home cars. Huh? More take home cars? Did he miss the part where Burrell Ellis rewards his staff with pay raises, take home cars and car allowances? At the same time thumbing his nose at us and the taxpayers by ignoring suggested cut backs in take home cars. He has cost the taxpayers $700,000.00 in take home car usage.
Where is the money coming from for these take home cars? Is he planning on giving every sworn officer a take home car? Sure we'll take one. What's the cost of giving everybody a take home car? 40 million dollars up front?
If everyone can't have a take home car, then just who will benefit from these take home cars? Some aide or assistant sitting in some 4th floor office?
Lee Mays is bound and determined not to raise taxes in 2011 even though the county is facing a 50-80 million dollar deficit. We just wish he was so hell bent on cutting waste through out the county instead of carrying the county on the backs of the employees.
So weak Wiz, really.
Watch the video to see "The Wizard" blow smoke.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Impossible Situation
We are not exactly sure why Frank Klisrath was demoted to Captain. Was it because crime is up? Morale low? Unable to motivate the troops? Said no when someone thought he should have said yes? We do know he could be a micro manager at times and has his quirks just like everyone else. But when it comes to knuckle busting time, you couldn't ask for a better backup. In the streets, he is a cop's cop. Let's not forget his heroic act trying to save the life of the mortally wounded Pine Lake officer.
Klisrath was faced with an impossible situation, Now Mike Yarbrough as Assistant Chief, Commander of the Uniform Division, is burdened with the same impossible situation. Yarbrough is taking the reins of a uniform division that is defeated.
He is tasked to motivate officers that are being furloughed, maybe even 17 days in 2011. Officers who have not had a cost of living raise in years, whose merit increases have been taken away, whose pension contributions are increasing while the county ends contribution. Overtime replaced with comp time. Officers who were forced to change health insurance plans for the second time in 2 years, whose health insurance premiums are increasing upwards of $1200 per year, and a non-supportive Public Safety Director who only pops out of his prairie dog hole when he sees the light of a camera.
How will Yarbrough handle this? What will be his motivational style? We do know he has nothing to offer the everyday officer to motivate them. Assistant Chief Yarbrough cannot change our pay or benefits. Is there an answer? Just as a commenter said, nothing will change until things change in Decatur.
But we know what will not work. Coming down on the uniform officers with a heavy hand. Forced productivity beyond that which is required by the employee manual. The typical "do it or else" attitude. That management style will surely fail.
We wish him all the luck in the world. He is going to need it.
Klisrath was faced with an impossible situation, Now Mike Yarbrough as Assistant Chief, Commander of the Uniform Division, is burdened with the same impossible situation. Yarbrough is taking the reins of a uniform division that is defeated.
He is tasked to motivate officers that are being furloughed, maybe even 17 days in 2011. Officers who have not had a cost of living raise in years, whose merit increases have been taken away, whose pension contributions are increasing while the county ends contribution. Overtime replaced with comp time. Officers who were forced to change health insurance plans for the second time in 2 years, whose health insurance premiums are increasing upwards of $1200 per year, and a non-supportive Public Safety Director who only pops out of his prairie dog hole when he sees the light of a camera.
How will Yarbrough handle this? What will be his motivational style? We do know he has nothing to offer the everyday officer to motivate them. Assistant Chief Yarbrough cannot change our pay or benefits. Is there an answer? Just as a commenter said, nothing will change until things change in Decatur.
But we know what will not work. Coming down on the uniform officers with a heavy hand. Forced productivity beyond that which is required by the employee manual. The typical "do it or else" attitude. That management style will surely fail.
We wish him all the luck in the world. He is going to need it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
