tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.comments2019-01-31T17:26:08.719-08:00Save The PensionLois Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09906404530625546026noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-86264902858785169252018-08-17T10:44:38.155-07:002018-08-17T10:44:38.155-07:00Carol, as one of the old DPA reps that continually...Carol, as one of the old DPA reps that continually battled with city leaders alongside Dick, Monica, Larry Barbee and others I would like to thank YOU for a FANTASTIC TRIBUTE to Dick Hickman.<br />There is a whole lot of history here that you put together so well. I only wish ALL our people knew the real stories behind the pension mess.<br />Carol, I would like to thank you again. I was able to say good by to Dicky before he passed and we were able to share a few laughs.<br />Thanks, Bill HuntBill Huntnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-55625715437143124292018-08-17T08:06:26.741-07:002018-08-17T08:06:26.741-07:00Very well said. He was truly a great man. I heard...Very well said. He was truly a great man. I heard all the stories long before I met him. I saw him only once a year, but was always happy to be able to share a few moments reminiscing. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-20517385098804082102017-07-04T00:38:31.733-07:002017-07-04T00:38:31.733-07:00Open records request? Open records request? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01835413081295341350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-60013644030829458582017-05-31T19:22:18.417-07:002017-05-31T19:22:18.417-07:00Well said. Right on!Well said. Right on!David Slaughternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-21361721814752409312017-05-24T15:43:32.495-07:002017-05-24T15:43:32.495-07:00I found a silver lining: All the citizens complain...I found a silver lining: All the citizens complaining about their recent elevated property evaluations can relax - they'll be dropping like a rock soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-18771406700027528142017-05-24T11:43:34.593-07:002017-05-24T11:43:34.593-07:00The flood gate is open! Criminals In - Safety Offi...The flood gate is open! Criminals In - Safety Officers Out: Citizens of Dallas, be sure to "Thank" the Mayor who caused this safety issue to become worse, for stabbing you in the back by not considering your safety or telling the truth! Your city is not adequately protected! Property values are going on a downward spiral, your taxes will be increasing anyway and your safety is at great risk for many years to come...Welcome to Our World!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-32441120279886201532017-05-24T11:34:45.832-07:002017-05-24T11:34:45.832-07:00The floodgate is now open! Criminals In - Safety O...The floodgate is now open! Criminals In - Safety Officers Out! Citizens of Dallas be sure to give special "Thanks" to the Mayor of Dallas for causing a your safety to be jeopardized when he bamboozled you into believing he had your back. Consider yourself stabbed in the back because your safety was even considered as you will soon learn. Your City is "<b> NOT</b>" adquately protected. Your safety is at RISK, property values! <b>Welcome to Our World!</b> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-21475109853512392112017-05-24T11:03:21.511-07:002017-05-24T11:03:21.511-07:00The flood gate is open! Criminals in - Safety Offi...The flood gate is open! Criminals in - Safety Officers out:<br />Citizens of Dallas, be sure to "thank" the Mayor who caused this safety issue to become worse, for stabbing you in the back by not considering your safety or telling the truth! Your city is not adequately protected! Property values are going on a downward spiral, you taxes will be increasing anyway and your safety is at great risk for many years to come...welcome to our world!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-35040725607086149712017-05-19T16:49:12.008-07:002017-05-19T16:49:12.008-07:00I hope this works. I am sorry there is such a burd...I hope this works. I am sorry there is such a burden to the first responders, as there was in the Flynn plan, too. Huge sacrifices but you are right, the whole thing was spun as a bail out by the public for firs responders who "spilled their milk." Ron Pinkston heard Kleinman's hired campaign jerks telling voters that a vote for me meant a tax increase. Said I would turn Dallas into Detroit. The young shit was not bright enough to know his history: it was crooked politicians who ruined Detroit, not the unions. In fact, Kwame Kilpatrick moved to Dallas after leaving Detroit.<br /><br />In any case, forgive me, but I am calling it a bail out. Why? Because I want my district to see that they were lied to by Mr. Kleinman. Property appraisals are in and sky high, so the city will soon have more money to work with. But I want everyone to know that they voted for Mr. Fake Fiscal and the bailout happened anyways! Taxpayers will pay 34.5% over 27.5% on the payroll. Tee hee. I am going to remind them of that every single day until May 2019. Candy Evanshttp://candyfordallas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-57894292246604420902017-05-15T07:54:28.764-07:002017-05-15T07:54:28.764-07:00Excellent points! We can not hope that Flynn hono...Excellent points! We can not hope that Flynn honors and holds true, the rest I'm not inclined to believe!<br />Thank youDebbie Moellernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-51247836095245665942017-05-12T17:01:00.273-07:002017-05-12T17:01:00.273-07:00Yes it was an uphill battle, but so many people ha...Yes it was an uphill battle, but so many people have taken note it was not a bad loss: I got 37% of the vote with a horribly low turn out, only about 4500 voters. That means one third of the district voted for me. Spot on about the elderly who still trust the Dallas Morning News. I needed to churn out the younger voters, which is so hard,but next time, if we have to hire party buses for the voters, we will. Too many people have asked me to run again!<br /><br />Also take note that the "bailout" is going on as scheduled this week in Austin, which Kleinman fought so hard for and told everyone would happen if I were elected. Funny I lost and we are bailing out? <br /><br />I remain committed to helping my precious men and women in blue, and will follow up shortly to see what I can do to lead the charge to change the taxpayer's hearts and minds. To be continued...<br /><br />Candy Evanshttp://candyfordallas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-60573954388151520962017-04-22T20:47:31.566-07:002017-04-22T20:47:31.566-07:00I am the widow of a retired Dallas Police Officer....I am the widow of a retired Dallas Police Officer. He served the city of Dallas for 31 yrs. It is deplorable to know that all his hours of dedication<br />and that of other officers can be thought of as not worth the pensions that they deserve.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-80381896623374866782017-04-21T19:03:11.353-07:002017-04-21T19:03:11.353-07:00I am a taxpayer in the City of Dallas. I am asham...I am a taxpayer in the City of Dallas. I am ashamed of the Mayor and understand the consequences of his actions. I pay more taxes each year our house is over valued. I support our first responders! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482020108758055881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-73890496430356888132017-04-12T21:31:20.855-07:002017-04-12T21:31:20.855-07:00as noted, the
" Ponzi scheme from the beginni...as noted, the<br />" Ponzi scheme from the beginning" comments , kleinman knows to be false...it is political grandstanding, designed to inflame citizens....the transparency of rawlings and kleinman's motives make you wonder...do they really think they are that much smarter than all those listening?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-87761910610023133872017-04-10T11:24:11.691-07:002017-04-10T11:24:11.691-07:00Does Kleinman really actually think the average Po...Does Kleinman really actually think the average Police or Fire pensioner are millionaires? I hate to be the one to burst his bubble, but I know of none who have earned that much in DROP. Most of us retirees have no DROP and earn only a livable pension without the benefit of social security as a backup due to being a member of the DPFPS, which required that we not pay into social security due to it being a private governmental retirement system. That was not due to our having a say in the matter. It was required as a condition of employment with DPD or DFD. In Kleinman's world we are greedy and apparently deserve to have our defined pension benefits lowered to whatever he feels we "deserve" so as not to burden working taxpayers. Here's a question for him. How would you feel if you had retired on your 401k plan that guaranteed you 4% return on your investments and they suddenly decided that, inflation and the economy being what it is and all during the 10 years since your retirement, they were going to have to deny your further 4% interest and lower it to 1% retroactive to when you retired; don't worry, however, you won't have to pay what clawback we demand up front, we'll just take it out of your future retirement checks? You, sir, are quite disgusting in your attempts to further your own political standing with future voters at our expense. It appears you might have more empathy for those engaged in the homeless lifestyle than for those who put their butts on the line for your safety day in and day out. Shame on you! Losing even 10% of my retirement would force me to seek employment at the age of 70. We all retired on the lifestyle of our minimum retirement checks, not on the "break glass if the economy gets bad" scheme you advocate. Put your bridge to nowhere and Central Park SW pie in the sky up your self-serving a$$ and do what is right. Fix our damn pension so we can continue to live on the pension promised us. I've got scars all over me for living your nightmares for you for decades. Show me a little respect when I need it.James R. Poolhttp://emailnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-69464861800946726802017-04-08T18:53:45.487-07:002017-04-08T18:53:45.487-07:00Got another flyer from Kleinman today claiming he ...Got another flyer from Kleinman today claiming he was the only one with a constructive pension fix Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-22253283151515254992017-03-28T06:16:21.184-07:002017-03-28T06:16:21.184-07:00The unfortunate firefighters that are too old to g...The unfortunate firefighters that are too old to go somewhere else and still need a few years to retire....now to nothing will have to work til they're seventy at the fire department or longer or never retire and die under the station.<br />Rawlings you're the devil.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-58389049549348241392017-03-27T21:02:08.227-07:002017-03-27T21:02:08.227-07:00I joined the Dallas Fire Department on August 1, 1...I joined the Dallas Fire Department on August 1, 1965. I rode the backend of the apparatus where new men typically rode. The officer and the nozzle man had self contained breathing apparatus( bottled air) the #3 and#4 man had only mine masks which did not filter the hot fire gasses. I was promoted to driver and assigned to ambulance 706 and rode that ambulance until I made Lieutenant in 1978. I was assigned to engine 3 and remained there until 1981 when I was promoted to Captain and was transferred to station 4 at Cadiz and akard. I rode 4 truck until I was transferred to 57 eng and then to training where I retired on January 1, 2000. My wife who was a school teacher retired the year before. I have been retired 17 years. I took the pension I was offered by the city of Dallas. I didn't hang my head because during my 34. 1/2 yrs I had been assaulted, cursed, shot at, burned and overcome by smoke in service to the city I loved and it's citizens who I respected. I had a heart attack aortic aneurism. I'm now 72 years old and not in the best of health. Granted I ate too many chicken fried steaks but some of this possibly could be job related. I did not apply for a service disability because I knew it was a hazardous occupation when I took the job in 1965! Now I can't get a job driving a school bus because of my heart. I can't be a Walmart Greeter because I am unable to stand for hours<br />Now what am I to do when my pension I earned is about to be drastically reduced. I don't want a hero bar! I'm just asking that Dallas stand behind the pension I was offered so my declining years aren't spent in poverty. Mayor Rawlings says he just wants "bodies"! If he gets his wish my suffering will be short lived because of my age and health but the citizens of Dallas will pay dearly for much longer. My main concern is the honesty of these "bodies" I knew my men and they could be trusted 24/7. Will they do CPR on one of your children without relief ,will they take your mothers necklace when no one is looking. A Fireman can enter your home on a perceived threat. Will you trust these "bodies" to do just that without seeing something they want. Only time will tell! What do you think?John Lee Carternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-62184544486357211802017-03-27T19:51:40.901-07:002017-03-27T19:51:40.901-07:00I have notified my City Council representative of ...I have notified my City Council representative of my concerns. While I trust he is doing his best to minimize Mayor Rawlin's, he can't do it alone. I don't agree with everything Phillip Kingston stands for, but I do for most of them. The jury is still out whether he knows of the real danger this city is facing with the loss of public safety officers. Dallas you better wake up and slow this Mayor down. He has done more to harm this city of ours than all combined in the 49 years I have lived here. Educate yourself and support your city council representatives to stop Mayor Rawlin's.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482020108758055881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-34472632530286273592017-03-27T19:30:39.530-07:002017-03-27T19:30:39.530-07:00This is all true. The Mayor cares nothing about p...This is all true. The Mayor cares nothing about public safety because it will not effect him. As in the past it will be the southern sectors of the city that suffer. In the past manpower was relocated to the northern sectors when there was a shortage. Unfortunately we know what will fill the void. Also if the younger officers believe that the "New Plan" will be there for them they are sadly mistaken--less money going in by the city-34% of base pay only and fewer officers participating--set to fail. Also the Mayor doesn't care that the people effected are in their late 60 70 and 80. Not a great job market and also most have some health issue. Also I wonder how many retires are living in retirement homes, assisted living and how the cutting of their pensions will adversely effect this. <br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-41484281640259871432017-03-20T09:21:29.556-07:002017-03-20T09:21:29.556-07:00I am the widow of a Dallas Police Officer. He reti...I am the widow of a Dallas Police Officer. He retired after 31 years. He suffered a heart attack during that time but returned to the job. Our family supported the Dept. even though concern for his safety and crazy shift changes were difficult. He worked extra jobs and I was employed. He never in all that time considered leaving DPD. His Pension was a blessing after the second heart attack. What a shame that retirees their families and surviving widows are left with concerns of their financial futures.<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-59383430049776169902017-02-26T21:47:38.243-08:002017-02-26T21:47:38.243-08:00This is truly outrageous. When a person chooses p...This is truly outrageous. When a person chooses public service over any other career they literally give up much of themselves and forgo more money in the private sector. Their families suffer monetarily and time away from their family member. Social Security has financial problems now because Congress borrowed from the fund and has not paid back the fund. Publis servants deserve what was promised to them and if you reduce pensions for new public servants you won't get the quality of workers that you have now. I don't know much about the city of Dallas but was impressed recently by their stand on several issues by standing for what was right. They need to reevaluate this issue and do the right thing no matter what it takes. You cannot mess with public servants pensions. They deserve their duly earned pensions.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-58095299002581471272017-02-24T13:19:53.165-08:002017-02-24T13:19:53.165-08:00This Officer’s situation is a sad indictment of Ma...This Officer’s situation is a sad indictment of Mayor Rawlings and our City Council Members disdain for Police Officers and Firefighters. If there were no other responsible alternative solutions to the pension’s underfunding, I would agree with the Mayors recommendations, but there ARE alternatives. The Mayor and his supporters in City government know no shame. Take a moment to investigate how other cities have addressed their police and fire pension problems. Dallas is not alone. Many other cities are dealing with this issue. Dallas is the only city that decided to put the onus on the backs of the pensioners by reducing earned benefits, freezing their life savings and denying access to their funds. This is shameful. The Dallas Police Department is now in crisis. Officers are leaving in large numbers and recruiting has become very difficult. Officers are leaving because their pension fund is under attack. The City of Dallas will pay a price for the Mayors lack of judgment. This particular Officer deserves access to his money in addition to an apology from the Mayor. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-46433798386558744862017-02-19T13:03:09.624-08:002017-02-19T13:03:09.624-08:00When considering Officers like David, I don't ...When considering Officers like David, I don't know how Mayor Rawlings and many other City Council Members (like Lee Kleinman) can look in the mirror without feeling shame. The solutions proposed by the Mayor and advocated by his supporters will drive many Officers like Officer David into financial ruin. I am a 35-year retired veteran of the Dallas Police Department, and I will suffer the same fate as David. Citizens who hear the Mayor state his desire to save the Dallas Police and Fire Pension Fund should carefully consider his plans to accomplish this task. His methods are scorched Earth solutions for most retirees and remarkably unfair. Some solutions proposed by the City may in fact be in violation of the U S. Constitution and/or the Constitution of the State of Texas, so I'm sure they have a driving desire to acquire Sovereign Immunity. The Mayor and his supporters will resort to almost any means to accomplish their results. The citizens of Dallas should be very wary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057052806553826169.post-40865039386427333972017-02-17T14:35:37.936-08:002017-02-17T14:35:37.936-08:00I suggest that everything about this story is the ...I suggest that everything about this story is the true, and I believer the human interest aspects are as important to the Pension Fund dilemma, as "gold coins". It is a moral and ethical issue as well. Can you not understand that the Mayors decisions have sever consequences that harm others: people who are undeserving of mistreatment? <br /><br />Mayor Rawlings has exacerbated the Pension Fund issue. His bombastic assertions that Police and Fire pensions are greedy, self-serving people who voted overly generous benefits for themselves is simply a lie. Nothing could be further from the truth. His draconian "claw back" solution will force many Police and Fire pensioner into financial ruin. The Mayor is unwilling to fairly and honestly negotiate with the pension board. He has stone walled every reasonable resolution to the problem. The Mayor is a big part of the problem, not the bell ringer.<br /><br />In reading the human interest stories on this forum, I believe it highly unlikely that such people would be unethical. More likely, they have lived lives predicted on doing what is right and at great sacrifice. The Mayor should learn from their example. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com