Comments on: EDH Fire Department needs new board members

By: J Miller

J Miller — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 13:48:44 +0000

I am voting for the Petersen’s or Peterson because our current board is out of touch with reality. Our firemen and women are compensated way above what the market will bear!

By: Dick Callahan

Dick Callahan — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 02:28:16 +0000

Here are the facts right out the 2012/13 Budget. The average wage (money in the paycheck) is $137,394. The average taxpayer cost per firefighter (pension, health, dental) is $197,346.
The real problem that the current Board is either oblivious to or choses to ignore is the Pension and Retire Health Liabilities. Our EDH Pension/Health liabilities are at least $14 million and that number is going to rise when CalPERS issues its next report.
For the benefit of our firefighters and taxpayers, the Board should set aside money in the reserves to ensure we can meet our commitments. To date, they have ignored my requests to do this – they believe that the pension problem will be magically solved. If the State did nothing but use tax dollars to fund the Pension deficits, that is shut down – it would take more than 4 years to catch up – yes, 4 YEARS! Of course CalPERS will never go bankrupt – just like GM, United Airlines, AIG, Lehman Brothers, etc will never go bankrupt……

By: Jim Michaels

Jim Michaels — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:14:11 +0000

John,

Thanks for the reply. I guess my only concern is you point out what you believe is the firefighters putting their “spin” on things and you call it unprofessional and insulting. But, is it not more insulting to the people of EDH to be lied to by some of the challengers? In my opinion doctoring credentials and using comparison cities, which are not comparable, is more insulting and more careless.

The men and women who are supporing their candidates are doing so on their free time, with their own money and are hoping to keep the best fire department they can for their community.

Also I looked back at an article here that was from the Fire Chief Dave Roberts. he cites the grand jury investigation as the average salary this year for employees is $137,000.00. If you add benefits it comes close to $200,000.00. So you stating that their salaries extend well above and beyond is slightly skewed. Some might say that your views are insulting and careless. Additionally there are no new employees, meaning noone is making bottom step wages. So you stating that an entry level fireman is making above and beyond $200,000.00 is not correct, because there are no entry-level fireman.

If you have issues with the benefits package, I would ask you this: As someone who was a fireman, and whos father was a fireman, do you not think that these men and woman deserve to have good benefits to care for them while they serve EDH and are exposed to thousands of illnesses and cancer causing items each year?

Finally, as people who are available around-the-clock, whose soul purpose is to render aid to those in need, I dont think that these men and woman have been bad-natured. They are passionate about their beliefs and are making a stand for them. Isnt that what this country is all about? I would suggest that you and the others running are just as passionate for your beliefs and could be seen as just as bad-natured.

Again I am just an outsider looking in and trying to help my relatives and ensure they continue to get the best fire and medical care they can.

As far as emailing you, I think there is no reason why things shouldnt be said right here where the public can read it.

Sincerely,

Jim

By: John Peterson

John Peterson — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:48:41 +0000

Jim, I was a Fireman for 9 years, as was my father who retired after 26 years. I
About 60% of my life (I’m 51) has been spent around the Fire Dept. I have said many times publicly that the firemen here are as good as any you’ll find anywhere.
That being said, I have little tolerance for their continuous insults of the board challengers who are giving freely of their own time and money to help their community. Criticism is one thing, but the fire dept’s attacks on the challengers are clearly aimed toward discrediting anyone who would challenge what many would consider a puppet board.
Having been a fireman and learning the system, the EDHFD has the unusual advantage of helping to elect the people who will determine how much money they will make. Normally the FD spend is overseen by a mayor, city council, and especially a city manager. Those officials keep a check on all the city’s departments, and make sure everything work for everyone fairly (or try to anyway).
In EDH, there is no such unbiased checking system. Mr. Hartley told to pick on him, not “his guys”. That’s the problem. The incumbents want to be one of “the guys” instead of being the body responsible to keep “the guys” in check.

Again, having known hundreds of firemen in my life, these folks are as good as any you’ll find. I just couldn’t stomach, what was in my mind, a greedy
insistance on salaries extending above and beyond $200,000 per year for even entry level firemen, and control of the board that determines that.

They can provide spin all they want, and they can dress their kids in fireman coats and have them stand on busy boulevard street corners holding up election signs (that seemed a little careless), but their motivation is clear.

Also, as a former fireman, I just can’t support the callous disregard for our citizens tax dollars the firefighters union has had. And it’s one thing to ask for the things they have, but it was up to the board to work harder on the citizen’s behalf.
So for those FD people to personally attack (with insults – read their postings) any folks in our community who would challenge the FD’s spending habits really bothers me. I’m assuming their bad-natured attacks are out of character, but it is still bad character. Plus, the insult-laden attacks are directed at citizens who have far superior education and professional experience, and frankly are the people who pay them. That disrespect is inappropriate and unappreciated.

Finally Jim, I apoligize for poor grammer and spelling, as I’m on my iPhone. I also really appreciate your interest, and please reach me by email if you wish, and I’d be happy to further our discussion as much info as you’d like.

John

By: Jim Michaels

Jim Michaels — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:09:56 +0000

Mr. Peterson,

I have been folowing this event closely as I have family members who live in EDH and I have suffered through a fire department that has struggled.(SPFD).

If you read the article a few weeks back in the village life that introduced the fire departments “pipes and drums” you would have seen where it stated that the money that funds this group comes from the firefighters and volunteer firefighters associations. These groups do not have ANY access to tax payer monies. Their funds are raised via pancake breakfasts, honor guard classes, fill the boot drives etc. None of the money involved in funding the Pipes and Drums came from taxpayer dollars.
I think it is proper that you get your facts right before going to war.

And honestly, you accuse these firemen of “critisizing” the people running for office. Is that not exactly what you are doing to them? Politics are not fun everyone knows that.

As someone who has had a family member treated by this fire department I can honestly say that their care was above and beyond. They follow-up with their patients, they dont forget about you.

And just so I understand, how is it that when a fire department person explains their side of the story that you are in a position to judge and call it insulting and critical? Have you ever done their job? Have you ever spent any time at El Dorado Hills Fire Department?

Sincerely,

Jim Michaels