Comments for Rescuing Providence

Comment on Bankrupt by Dan

Dan — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:55:36 +0000

Michael – No. And if I did, it might require a dozen or more tries before I could permanently disable myself to the extent where I could not return to any type of work after any recuperation period. A 58% disability retirement rate is ludicrous, even for abnormally dangerous occupations like electricians and landscapers. The fact that you will even attempt to dignify this stuff is part of why the public is so "disgruntled" with your union. We're sympathetic to what firemen go through - really, we are – but it's difficult to have an honest discussion when your "side" won't accept any responsibility or acknowledge reality.

Comment on Bankrupt by Michael Morse

Michael Morse — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:04:47 +0000

Ever fall down the stairs, Dan?

Comment on Bankrupt by Dan

Dan — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:26:15 +0000

This entry started off solidly by identifying *some* of the abuses that contributed to the current financial crisis (obviously there isn't only one cause), but I was disappointed to see it end in the same old tired "The Providence Firefighters Union fights the good fight, and stands up for what is right" romantic, self-congratulatory crap that makes reasoned conversation impossible.
Let's be real. The union doesn't stand up for "what is right" – it stands up for what it perceives as benefitting the union and the firefighters it is supposed to represent when they are lucky. They're hired guns and political players - let's not glorify it. Sometimes they prevent injustice, and sometimes they are the cause of it.
If you want to give the subject an honest treatment, why don't you address the disability pension elephant in the room. Some of those retirements were legitimate. The vast majority were not and EVERYONE knows that, including you. One of your entries a month or two ago mentioned a firefighter going out on disability retirement because he "fell down the stairs" and we are supposed to take that with a straight face? Give me a break, Michael. 58% is prima facie evidence of fraud according to any insurance actuary on the planet.

Comment on Bankrupt by Michael Morse

Michael Morse — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:01:33 +0000

Steven Day retired as a chief, the second highest paid chief in the PFD.

Comment on Bankrupt by RepealItAll'13

RepealItAll'13 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:36:02 +0000

I was interested to read that the cowardly Governor Gump, ever the one to avoid confrontation (i.e.; "Holiday Tree"), has proposed automatic pay raises for top RI State Dept. heads based on "Fairness" when union workers get an automatic increase. Not only does this leave middle management out in the cold, but he would get to avoid explaining to the public whether said person had MERITED the increase. The salary range for these hacks is already 90-150k, which is already too much. Imagine if they actually had to work and be evaluated on their performance! How anyone could elect this fool to office is amazing- if I hear one more person mention him and his father in the same sentence, I'm going to have an aneurism.
If RI voters do one thing between now and the next General Election, get a Runoff Election Bill before the Assembly or on a Referendum Ballot.

Comment on Bankrupt by Gloria Manchester

Gloria Manchester — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:06:03 +0000

You make it sound like only fire chiefs got that "special pacakge." The union president at the time, Steve Day, negotiated a 5% raise to older retirees to bring their pensions up to a living wage. At the same time, he negotiated 6% for "all future retirees", so that they would never be in the position of not making enough to live on. It didn't last long, but those who retired during a certain period (ALL firefighters) received it.
Excessive? Certainly. But no one has EVER asked the group to renegotiate the COLAS. The press and others (you among them) denigrate those who receive it. Mayor Cianci promised the moon, tried to take it back, but it was upheld it court. But NO mayor has EVER appealed to those retirees to come to the table. So how can you say with such certainty that they would not be reasonable?
ALL Class "B" retirees should receive the same COLA benefit, whatever that may be (2%, 3%). The only difference should be in rank – an EARNED difference – because you know from the time you become a firefighter that the higher your rank, the more you earn.
This issue has pitted brother against brother for too long. Firefighters, police, lieutenants, captains, majors, chiefs – all one.

Comment on Bankrupt by Jay Fab

Jay Fab — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:10:16 +0000

690 is way more than a "handfull" That's the number reported by the ProJo recently. Why oh why cant the city pass an ordinance that makes it impossible for ANY retired person to collect more than a working member !???? Makes "cents' dosnt it ?
The city fails time and time again to do ANYTHING to FIX the problem now OR for the future ! The 5 & 6 % people better wake up ! because if they dont , there may be ZERO money in thier future retirement checks curtosy of THEMSELVES !

Comment on Bankrupt by Old Jake

Old Jake — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:05:53 +0000

By the way, I loved the BOOK! GREAT JOB……..the only problem is that I am looking for book 3 now. Damn it, you have me hooked.

Comment on Bankrupt by michael

michael — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:40:41 +0000

No worries, Jake, I'm with you, we didn't design the system, we are the ones working, and getting disabled and paying. Great to hear from you, I was wondering where you went!

Comment on Bankrupt by Old Jake

Old Jake — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:20:33 +0000

Im sorry for whining on this Mike but here goes. I am a retired Firefighter for the City of Providence. I am currently receiving a Disability Pension in the amount of 44K. I have had 5 bak operations as well as operations on my shoulder and hand. The city never even sent me a card…..lol. I deserve my pension. I worked for it, I suffered for it and now its mine. But I have a mayor who spends on staff like crazy, who wont control welfare and who will not even look at the impact illegals are having on the city. Yet he, and his minions, declared war on the retirees because we are the reason why this all went bad. Yes I do get health care, I am not giving it up. As far as I am concerned its the very least the city can offer me. My life will be cut short by the medical maladies I have and have been aquired as a result of me being on the department. I don't believe I want to listen to a man who has characterized me as a villan and who deserves no respect because he thinks all of us are responsible. Mike, I am sorry but thats the way I feel.