I have been reading these articles regarding our fire department and I must say that I am ashamed and saddened with what I am reading. I am the wife of 20 years of one of these local firefighters with this so-called “lavish retirement” as some have claimed.
My husband is 48 years old and in two years, when he turns 50, he cannot retire. Just last week we received his yearly retirement statement and trust me, it is not pretty. The figure that was shown “if” he were to retire could not come close to covering our bills. I am talking just the basics, and by the way, this tax (Measure S) we would be paying as well.
It was mentioned that many of these firefighters would collect their retirement while getting other jobs. As for my husband, yes, you are correct. He will have to work again not because he wants to but because he has to. After all, he just wants to provide for his family and be able to watch his grandkids grow up.
OK, now for facts: These firefighters for the past four years have voted to not take a raise or anything else. This was to hopefully keep what little they do get and not see any of their brothers hitting the unemployment lines down the road. Fact: some years ago these same firefighters with this so-called lavish retirement voted 100 percent to pass on a raise to enable the department to staff the Discovery Bay station 24/7 like all the other stations. You should have seen their paychecks then.
Reality: Several of these firefighters are out right now on serious injuries, which all occurred while on the job, and many of these injuries just happened to be while these brave men were on a two-person engine. My husband has dealt with two knee injuries and two back injuries and missed many days off work healing and lying in bed while dealing with the depression of hearing the siren, knowing he couldn’t be there with his brothers doing what he loves, all the while hoping to make it back.
He could have taken a 50-percent pay tax free for life but would not even think of it. He still gets up, never complains about his pains. The pain I speak of is twofold: the physical pain as well as the emotional pain of knowing that some feel he and his brothers are milking the system, wanting a free ride.
This tax is not about their pensions, and it is not about making their paychecks fat. It’s about these brave men having the tools and brothers they need to do their jobs.
I agree that in this day and age people are being taxed to death. However, this service that they provide cannot be lost. I have family here, like we all do, and I do not want any of them waiting 10 to 15 minutes for an engine.
If Measure S does fail, then yes: the people have spoken. I urge people to please really look into this and really think about it and find out the facts before you go and vote. Please give our firefighters – the ones that have our backs – that much.
Patricia Foss
Brentwood
I do realize that two wrongs don't make a right and when you wrote that Patrica's husband should quit if he don't like the pay, Then mam maybe you should consider moving if you pay to much in taxes.
I think you poured too much sugar on your letter. Everybody knows the need and good job the firemen do. You missed the point of all this I think. Everybody is hurting and have no extra money. This is nothing like the great depression. You have it pretty good. I wish my father could have retired instead of working all the time to just feed us. He worked until the day he died. Back then the firemen worked for free or next to nothing. Now they have this union who demands more than the people can give. This is what you need to think about. You should be thankful you have it so good. If you think your husband is not paid enough then he should quit. There are lots of people out of work who do not even have a job or retirement. I know because my family has struggled for years to pay the rent and feed ourselves. What's wrong with the younger generation? All they do is complain. We had to make do with what we got. They didn't have all these taxes everywhere back then too!
We will know know in June when the people have spoke. If it does not pass nothing,and I mean nothing good for the people who reside, work,or commute in this fire district will turn out for the better and nothing will turn out for the better of the firefighters who must and will still serve.
I think you are confusing sugar with salt. I'm not sure you read the same letter I read. Patricia's husband cannot retire and they do not have this so called "good life" you and many other people think these fire fighters have. Back "then" the population was a fraction of what it is now, the hazards of today's world are far greater, there are more homes and more cars on the road, therefore increasing the call volumes these fire fighters respond to while also increasing the risk they take responding. "Back then" the volunteer fire fighters ran very few calls and could still manage to keep a full time job while responding to emergencies, today that is not possible in this community!
You keep talking about "back then" well wake up Millie, you live in 2012 and this is the reality! There were at least 3 fires today in East Contra Costa and the department was sent on mutual aid yesterday depleting available units. Along with these fires there were countless medical calls that also needed to be responded to. I'd be surprised if any of these fire fighters saw their station in the last 48 hours long enough to clean themselves up for the next call.
Also, if everyone is hurting so bad why is there a line around the corner for Starbucks every morning? If people can afford to shell out $4 a day for their morning frappaccino, I'm sure the $16 a month to keep your family safe is not going to hurt as much as the increase in property insurance.
I am so tired of hearing that the fire personnel of East Contra Costa have it so good! These guys are the lowest paid in the entire county and possibly even the Bay Area. They could make more money working in an office but they choose to put their lives on the line for the safety of you and your family. This tax measure isn't just about the current fire fighters but the future of the department and the safety of this community.
I think you are confusing sugar with salt. I'm not sure you read the same letter I read. Patricia's husband cannot retire and they do not have this so called "good life" you and many other people think these fire fighters have. Back "then" the population was a fraction of what it is now, the hazards of today's world are far greater, there are more homes and more cars on the road, therefore increasing the call volumes these fire fighters respond to while also increasing the risk they take responding. "Back then" the volunteer fire fighters ran very few calls and could still manage to keep a full time job while responding to emergencies, today that is not possible in this community!
You keep talking about "back then" well wake up Millie, you live in 2012 and this is the reality! There were at least 3 fires today in East Contra Costa and the department was sent on mutual aid yesterday depleting available units. Along with these fires there were countless medical calls that also needed to be responded to. I'd be surprised if any of these fire fighters saw their station in the last 48 hours long enough to clean themselves up for the next call.
Also, if everyone is hurting so bad why is there a line around the corner for Starbucks every morning? If people can afford to shell out $4 a day for their morning frappaccino, I'm sure the $16 a month to keep your family safe is not going to hurt as much as the increase in property insurance.
I am so tired of hearing that the fire personnel of East Contra Costa have it so good! These guys are the lowest paid in the entire county and possibly even the Bay Area. They could make more money working in an office but they choose to put their lives on the line for the safety of you and your family. This tax measure isn't just about the current fire fighters but the future of the department and the safety of this community.
Even Kris Hunt admits these people are underpaid!
Let's stop this charade of saying otherwise. That is unless your goal is sweatshop labor. Yes, I am speaking to certain posters who have commented here today. The ones who are too dishonest to come out and admit it.
Bethel Island lost 2 structures today and that was with a station right down the road. Anyone want to guess what would have been lost if that first truck would have to come from Oakley.
I think the people opposing this measure need to comment on that. Bringing it back to reality, right Mr. B?
I think that someone of your age would be above mocking someone of my generation for expressing their opinion on a subject. Patricia has a right to express her opinion in this site, as much as you do with your posts all over this site.
Also your local East County Fire Fighters are THE lowest paid fire fighters out of all of the 32 Bay Area Counties. They are #32, these guys save your life for about $17 dollars an hour.
I don't think that my Grandfather would call that complaining, in fact, he would of called his Union Rep and seen what could of been done about getting equal pay for equal work.
If our firemen are making 17 dollars an hour and the fire district gets 8 to 11 million dollars in taxes already and now wants 8 million more with this new tax, then how come the district owes 11 million dollars to the union pension? Something is not right. This does not add up. I did go to school you know. The supervisors should make one big district and give the firemen all the same pay. I pay too much taxes already.