Looks like Random Pixels did it for me, dubbing John Rivera an "Asshole." For those with short memories, the PBA boss attacked Gimenez continuously during the campaign and he apparently is still going. Someone should put a sock in this guys mouth.
Also watch this hysterical video -- also on Random Pixels -- of State Rep. Daphne Campbell (under investigation for Medicaid fraud) trying to escape from Miami Herald reporter Marc Caputo.
19 comments:
I'd forgotten how vile John Rivera is. Thanks for the link!
Rivera has had his time. He has been a political bully for too long. His tactics don't mirror his members, and the politics are repulsive.
I have to say that the continued rollback of salary has resulted in my daughter having to sell her condo. She purchased it backed on her salary 2 years ago and between the rollback of salary, the increased payments regarding health plan and the state diving into the pension issue, she is now having only 300.oo a month after her bills are paid. I think it stinks to be hired at one salary and then have them take away 15% of it in a year. I ache for her and me as well, because she will be leaving miami...
Same in my family...but take heart, we will have a new stadium soon with a retractable roof.
I could never afford to buy a condominium. I was also laid off last year, and I am presently unemployed. Please excuse me if I don't shed any tears for your government employee daughter.
The health insurance charge (post salary) was only 5%. The 3% pension charge and the 3% Alvarez pay raise haven't even occurred yet. Not sure why you think she has been cut 15% to date. Sounds more like she doesn't know how to manage her money.
Your daughter is lucky she has a job unlike 15 million unemployed Americans. She can always get a job in the private sector.
About your daughter, it seems like she took out a low down payment overly large mortgage. Being stupid with money is why the County is facing a $400 mil deficit.
Need money? The Marlins deal will cost the taxpayers over $4 BILLION. 9 County commissioners voted for that disaster. Write them and ask for the money back.
"Geniusofdespair said...
Same in my family...but take heart, we will have a new stadium soon with a retractable roof."
Please bring back Roger waters, "The Wall," 'Cause I ain't about to go to a baseball game there. Marlins-National League team in an American League town!
Nationwide, the public is rapidly becoming aware how public sector employees are overpaid. In addition, public sector employees get health insurance plans and pensions that are far beyond the reach of private sector employers. Then there are dozens of other special perks. All paid by hardworking taxpayers.
Taxes are out of control and it is because of greedy small minded unions and public sector employees who think they are entitled to raises every 6 months and free take-home vehicles.
The worst offenders are firemen. Nowadays, with everything being built from concrete, firemen see 1-3 fire calls a month. But the pay? $114 per hour. More with benefits.
Gimenez knows about getting rich as a fireman. He retired as a fireman with a $4 mil pension, among other perks. He only contributed $250.000 to his pension and the taxpayers pay the balance of $3.75 mil.
Obviously, Gimenez now must represent all the taxpayers. They are pissed off. He must get pay and benefits reduced.
yawn....
To Geniusofdespair,
How do you think Carlos Gimenez should close a $400 MILLION budget deficit?
What does it take to fix the County?
Did I campaign for Mayor? Do you ask all reporters stupid questions or just me?
To GOD,
Since you always insert your opinion I thought you were a columnist, not a reporter.
Asking columnists questions is common.
Go read the Miami Herald then. I do investigative reports and give opinions. Go ask a Miami Editorial reporter ( they are ALL reporters over there no matter their title) your question.
I will print my answer under theirs.
If public sector employees are so overcompensated, can someone please explain to me why turnover in many County departments was so high before the economy went bust? Folks in professional positions were leaving in droves from municipal and County building and zoning departments and other departments like DERM to go work in the private sector - mostly for developers and consulting companies - presumably because the private sector paid so much better. I remember reading how there weren't enough building inspectors to go around. So those who didn't leave their government positions for greener pastures when times were good are "just lucky to have a job"? Believe it or not, there are government employees who work their asses off on a daily basis, who are extremely capable and dedicated to their jobs and to the public, and who deserve what they are paid - and possibly deserve even more. Some even work behind the scenes to mitigate the bad decisions made by Your elected officials. As bad as things are, your quality of life in this County would be worse without them.
Please. 3,300 public sector employees at the County make $100,000 or more.
Many County employees who left went to other public sector jobs. Many took various early retirement plans.
City of Miami firemen stay 25 to 35 years because the work is easy and they make $200,000 to $350,000+ per year. Why retire? The Fire Houses are like country clubs and the City gives them taxpayer paid vehicles and taxpayer paid fuel.
How to you get closer to closing the $400 million budget shortage -
1)Take away ALL Executive Benefits - including the Commissioners
2) No More CRA's and no more carry over
3) Do not have Commissioners rent luxury offices - have then use the offices downtown - as tax payers you are paying double.
4) Take away Take home car for "everyone"
5) Lay-off or fire the many layers of Chiefs or Management positions - because there is more than anyone can use!
6)Cap off DROP only 2 years of DROP and NO ONE should be allowed to return!
7) Cut back on programs that the COUNTY and TAX-Payers can not afford! Sorry if we are hurting - it is gone!
8) Procurement "must go" - way too long the "private Sector" has been eating the County alive - when the County purchase a door companies charge 5 times more than what the door is worth!
9) Reduce the departments - Gimenez said he would - lets see how long it takes because that means he "must" get ride of people at the TOP - something that is never done - because it is easier pitting working families against each other than finding real solutions!
10) Do actual collections the County has way too much money out there and no one collects,or enforces companies that do do pay!
Everyone thinks the County is a personal piggy-bank!
How about that to start with??
The problem is NO One wants to touch the highest paying people, they move them around with their high pay & benefits and hide them in some small closet so no one can question and tell everyone that they are worthless and just collecting a salary - meanwhile all the employees who do care, who do work their ass-off those are the ones you bash! Well the saying is true MISERY LOVES COMPANY!
On a note for that father with his daughter leaving - unfortunately people are so miserable they can not understand the suffering of a father knowing his daughter is going to leave. And YES it is true County "rank and file" did take a pay cut from 12% to 15% except people only listen to the Herald and Tea Party - they do not get the real numbers and facts.
A family plan cost 860.00 a month out of pocket to the employee plus know add a 5% pay cut towards insurance.
3% toward Pensions, 3% cut, plus a freeze on promotions, longevity, flex benefits, raises = add up to 12% - 15%
But it is easier to continue to cut salaries and blame the county employees for everything wrong in this County than to "GO VOTE" - And blame the Top people who got us here and are still in their cushy $$$$$$ positions.
All great suggestions.
I would add, fire every staffer and Assistant County Manager and every County attorney who worked on the Marlins deal. Anyone who touched that scam needs to be fired now because they are either stupid or they can't be trusted to tell the truth.
Gimenez should have a list of who helped Carlos Alvarez and George Burgess steal over $4 BILLION from the taxpayers.
Fire them now.
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