dollaradayandfound you have to be the biggest idiot on this blog site. You never make a comment that is logical on any subject you comment on. You need to go check into the old age home as you have lost it. Read the articles more then once so you can get that pea brain of yours to understand what is said. God I hope you never had children because I would never wish to see any other human being as stupid as you seem to be. Either you can't read or you are such a bottom feeder that the only thing you understand anymore is your own self pity. Do us a favor and go away.

I would like to see teachers get a pay raise too.

Teachers are one of the most under paid professions in Georgia. And the have 2 very powerful unions to defend them. So give the cops a break.

... teachers in Georgia do NOT have unions. Teachers can join 'Associations' but cannot be union members. They do not have collective bargining power. That is part of the reason why starting teachers in union states make double the average annual salary of Georgia teachers. I just want the facts to be acurate.

Who ever said that the police department was a college educated workforce? MOST officers do NOT have college degrees.

Nurses, teachers, police officers and the military are all underpaid - should they all unionize?

The PTC police may want to know their health insurance is hundereds of dollars cheaper than that of a school teacher here in the county.

Who ever said that the police department was a college educated workforce? MOST officers do NOT have college degrees.
---PCPD has a very high majority of officers with degrees. Some with double majors and some with master's degrees.

Nurses, teachers, police officers and the military are all underpaid - should they all unionize?
---Yes!

The PTC police may want to know their health insurance is hundereds of dollars cheaper than that of a school teacher here in the county.
---Then they should stand up for themselves too.

Most police officers in PTC actually DO have college degrees. Some have both military experience AND college degrees. While, across the nation, most officers might not have degrees, in PTC, nearly ALL of them do. D. Epps

There is no disrespect for anyone. I think someone said that they were not standing at attention. Maybe they were standing to let everyone know that they were there. Whether they were on their off day, just got off work, or were about to go to work they were there. It's harder to make a decision to take food from someone's mouth when you're looking them in the eye.

As for letting some officers go, we need them.

How can you expect to have officers patrolling cart paths when there are 7 or 8 openings right now and they still need more. I have an idea, you should apply.

I personally attend many of our City Council meetings, especially during budget time. Even though it's not that time anymore, I attended the meeting mentioned in this article to see a relative graduate from the CERT program. As an eye-witness to this, I must say that this article is nothing short of irresponsible reporting on the behalf of Mr. Munford. John, I am typically a fan of your articles, but you're wrong here. There were not 30 uniformed officers there - more in the ball park of 30 total people stood up, most of whom were in their normal clothes. I also noted that some of them had their families there, so some of those people may not have been officers. There were no more then 10-15 uniformed officers (only 11 are in their picture getting the award in Today in Peachtree City). The article goes onto say that they "stood at attention" - which, of course, none of them did... not even one that I saw. I got the impression that they stood up simply as a way of identifying themselves to onlookers, and showing support for the speaker. I construe a very negative connotation from your description of the events - especially as you (inaccurately) describe them standing at attention and refer to their presence as "a show of force, union force". I don't think anybody would view the presentation as threatening or inapproprieatly "forceful", unless they're just looking for a catchy way to write about it in the paper. If that's not the tone that was meant to be conveyed, then excuse my interpretation - but either way it begets the nonsense that people like Dollaradayandfound write. People like dollar lock onto one thought or idea from an entire series of events and lose focus on anything outside what caught their attention. For example, he writes extensively about how the police are wrong for starting a union because they want more money or cheaper benefits. A responsible person views all of the aspects of something, and ensures they are educated fully about something before slamming somebody on the 5% of an idea that they caught onto. I interpreted the union's concern as being multi-faceted, and having nothing to do with demanding more money. I was fortunate enough to see the battles that surged through council budget meetings this year. I never once heard the chief, or any other department heads, asking for money - The concern was how much money was getting taken away, and for what. The city manager proposed a 100% increase in Health Insurance premiums, it had to be negotiated down through sacrifices to the 25% increase. Not only did he remake the pay-for-performance pay scale, but he said they should not allow more then 25% of any one city division to receive the higest (but already degraded) increase in one year. How could that allow for a fair rating scheme when you have evaluations at staggered intervals over the year? The city called for a cut in cost of living increases as well (total savings for the city in the ball-park of $100,000), then in the same breath they approve spending more than that to put air conditioning in recreation park bathrooms (priorities?). All the arguments I heard from the city employees (police included) were just trying to hold onto what they've got, and not sacrifice their benefits to pay for over-hyped recreation projects. It was also a recurring discussion about whether the COLA cut was only temporary (as promised), and how much increase they could expect on insurance premiums in the future. It sounds to me like the union is trying to protect employees from things that sound a lot more scary than .5% on their raise, or 1% on their COLA. I think they are doing the right thing and looking to the future, and seeing a need to protect themselves from the resurfacing of some very serious issues.

dollaradayandfound. Where do you see disrespect? From city employees taking a stand against people cutting their benefits in the name of saving money while they try to double their own salary? Or maybe from city officials spending money hand over fist on their pet projects while making cuts on the people’s paycheck who work hard trying to keep this city what it is? Do you honestly expect city employees to sit back and watch their benefits taken away from them while city officials do only what's good for themselves and pay off 1.5 million dollar loans that doesn’t even belong to the city? What is the city going to do two years from now when all the professional officers we currently have move on to other agencies looking for better pay and benefits? Should the city start hiring the reject cops from other departments? Or maybe they should just lower their standards and hire a few GED grads. What happens when that still doesn’t bring in applicants? Who do you want protecting your home or business at night? Well trained professionals, or cops that get hired because they can’t get hired anywhere else? No, I see no disrespect from the officers. They stood up and made a stand. They exercised their right to be heard just like any one else. They have proven that they are among the finest time and time again. If the choice is awarding quality work and retaining good, professional officers or lowering the standards just to fill a squad car, my vote goes to the professionals.

Yes, it was disrespect, pure and simple. Even George Bush deserves more respect than that as long as he holds the revered office of President of the USA. Reason: they must make decisions daily as they were hired to do.
I have no quarrel with any PTC police officer. I don't know any personally. However if I were an outstanding professional as you describe them, and was dissatisfied with my pay and benefits, I would go somewhere that they paid more for my services. I know it is more dangerous in Atlanta, or Philade;phia, or D.C., or even Riverdale, but the pay is better, and I expect the management is even worse.
What do you think would happen if 30 military officers showed up at a press conference for the Sec of Defense, in uniform, at attention, with an agent, and demanded more pay and better working conditions? The US debt nor the Sec. of defense's salary would't have much to do with it, would it?

Do you understand the quality of officers we have here? We have some with military experience (honorably discharged), some with prior police experience, some with their associate's degree, most with bachelor's degrees, and some with master's degrees. There is a very few without any formal education, but they make up for it in experience.

If 30 military officers stood up at a press conference I would say they failed to follow the chain of command and should be reprimanded for doing so. But they should also be heard and if, once heard, it's found that they attempted to abide by the policy of addressing problems through the chain of command and the chain of command failed them then the reprimand would be recinded and it would be addressed with those in command above them for failing to due their duty and responsibility in serving their subordinates. You do realize that every manager, commander, supervisor, or leader has a duty to serve those that serve them, right?

Gee, do you see a parrallel? Police departments are a paramilitary organization by design. Governments tend to run the same course through most of the U.S. and would lead me to believe that this was probably the only recourse that was available to these men and women.

Perhaps you should open the windows, open the doors, breath some fresh air and get outside every now and then. Go out and talk with a city employee, a member of Public Works cleaning up one of the parks, laying asphalt on the road, a fireman in a store, a police officer at the Avenues, or just go there and speak with them. They are public servants here to help us and we're neglecting them. And you're propgating this attitude of indifference.

May I ask why?

First of all, you are doing our nation a disservice by comparing our illustrious City Manager and Mayor with our Country’s President (republican or democrat). I guess some people are just bloody irrational. Second, if a group of police officers, sanitation workers, mine workers, pilots or any other group of people want their voices heard, who are you to determine that it is disrespectful. Maybe they should have sought your permission first. Have you ever heard of civil and constitutional rights? Neither you, the City Manager or the Chief of Police has the right to suppress the opinions, views, thoughts or beliefs of another. It doesn’t matter if it is one person, 30 police officers, or a thousand Teamsters. The day when government employees have to seek permission or are singled out, punished or disrespected for expressing legitimate concerns, this is the day a change needs to be made in city management. In spite of what they may think, the Mayor and City Manager do not operate a regime or dictatorship. You talk about a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. Well it makes me sick to hear someone like you trying to quash civil liberties, suppress basic human rights and control the constitutional protection guaranteed to each and every citizens of our country. You have a right to your opinion, but understand that others have this same right. For your information, Police Officers are also citizens. They pay taxes just like you and I and, although given authority to enforce the written laws, they are not peons or our personal servants. Guess what, they have a right to an opinion and to seek representation if and when they want. Although you may disagree, they also have the right to make demands just like you and I. Before you disrespect our finest, and yes they are outstanding professional officers, ask yourself why they have resorted to union representation. Hopefully the City Administration will show a little more respect for our city’s employees (all of them) and take the time to listen to their concerns. You need to look around you, count your blessings and then thank a public safety officer for keeping you and your family safe. By the way, it only takes that one traffic stop, that one domestic or that one unknown disturbance for a Peachtree City police officer to face the same degree of danger as those officers in Atlanta, Philadelphia, D.C. or even our county’s neighbor, Riverdale.

Just think about it. Our city can’t afford to lose experienced and well-trained police officers.

You have to notify the council ahead of time to be put on the agenda. They didn't storm them, or take them by surprise.

(the council should have seen this coming, with the arrogant foolish move to try and double the mayor's salary) Puuuulllleeesss this council isn't even worth the money the bank, and developers are paying them.

"However if I were an outstanding professional as you describe them, and was dissatisfied with my pay and benefits, I would go somewhere..."
Well geez, why didn't all those people at Delta think about that when they were getting giant pay cuts. Oh, that's right... they invested years out of their lives working for a company, building a pension, looking forward to the day that they'd have 15,20,25 years with THAT company and they could retire and not have to scrape by with social security. I don't know their retirement age or years of service requirements, but if an officer has been there for 5 or 10 years, it's going to be hard to just throw that away and start all over somewhere else with 0 - especially given the early retirement age for law enforcement.

Think about what you just said.....our guys are young, it won't hurt them one bit to start over with another dept. If we had middle aged cops I wouldn't be worried......but we don't they are very young.

We are actually in trouble, and in danger of losing them.

Remember when all you (Vote Republican) types supported Ronnie Rayguns fireing the FAA Controllers? Don't you hear that White Sox song, "NA-NA-NA-NAHAA-NA-NA-NAY--Good-bye."
How dare they want a decent wage and benefits. Next some poor working class scum will want a raise in the Min. Wage.
Send 'em all packing.

The Air Traffic Controllers and their union, are a good example of unions trying to protect safety.

For example, the union working in concert with the NTSB created guidlines to prevent controller fatigue. Things like not having a controller talk to planes for more than 2 hours at a time. Hospitals have started to emulate these guidlines for their residence programs to prevent fatigue and medical malpractice. They recognise that when dealing with human life you can never be too careful.

I have to go so I can get 8hrs of sleep before my next shift.

“However if I were an outstanding professional as you describe them, and was dissatisfied with my pay and benefits, I would go somewhere that they paid more for my services.”

That’s my point, dollar. Is that what we want? Do we need a mass exodus of well qualified officers looking for jobs in another city? What will we get when other police agencies are snatching up all the best qualified officers? Some of the PTC police actually live around Peachtree City (although from what I understand they can’t afford a decent home in the city limits) and are raising families here. They have a vested interest in this community and actually care about the direction the city is heading. All I’m saying is lets hear these guys out.

Let's hope our guys don't talk to any Sandy Springs cops, even the sheriff's office has lost guys to them. Better pay, better conditions.

I couldn't agree with you more. Just look at the Peachtree City officers and then look at some of these other agencies, especially some of the hick towns. Who would you prefer?

I suppose you find it easy to discuss the nature of a "bargain" with a retirement check and a full-time job check coming in. Did you have to support a family on basic enlisted pay and find housing that wasn't section 8? Maybe we should listen before jumping to conclusions.

When I heard about the unionization of the police department I did my research and found out that they support not only police, but fire department and government employees as a whole. They are a group there to act as a voice when the employees cannot, or will not, be heard. Why can't we hear them? Has anyone thought that the police may have been trying to speak to city hall for a while and no one would listen? As anyone knows, look at the American Revolution, the voice of a few taking a stand can lead to the act of many for things to change for the better.

When was the last time that taxes were raised? But council wants to raise the cost of benefits, lower the COLA, reduce the amount of employees that can get a hgher percetage pay raise, and reduce the amount an employees can actually be raised. They also want to pay for an $800,000.00 golf cart bridge that has yet to be opened, put air conditioning in restrooms, take on $920,000.00 in debt, and raise their pay. Wait! Did that just make sense?

After all there are under 400 city employees, I think. Wow, cutting their benefits and salary will save the city so much money I don't know why it wasn't done before. It will create so much in the reserves to pay the newly aquired debt in a matter of months rather than years.

As I understand it there would only be approximately $40-$50 per year increase per household to bring this city up to the local average. I may be wrong in that figure, but it's the last one I heard.

"Wow, employees having to pay more for healthcare, welcome to the real world."

The crime has increased and our recreation department has apparently found a way to combat the crime. They're going to put air conditioning in the restrooms at the ball fields so that the crooks will go there to cool off and think about the error of their ways. This could have stopped the murder, the robberies, the burglaries, and the car break-ins that have occurred recently. Maybe we need more ball fields throughout the city. God, I'm glad the recreation department's budget is 250% higher than the national average. That should offset the police budget being 39% and the fire department being 15% lower than the national average. Wow, what a novel idea! I guess this is the real world after all.

Did we really need to spend $150,000 on bushes and shrubs along Hwy 54? Did we really need a golf cart bridge to Wal-Mart and Best Buy (one that is still unused)? Do we really need another senior citizens center when we already have one? Do we need to put in air conditioning in the restrooms in the ball parks? Do we need to raise the pay of the city council? They haven't had a pay raise in a while, but they haven't raised taxes in a while either. Think about it. Lower the benefits for the employees, raise the deductions from their checks, spend millions in debt that doesn't belong to the city, spend millions on pet projects, don't raise taxes, but BY ALL MEANS raise their pay.

Do you even realize that the majority of all city employees cannot even afford to live in this city? However, those that make the decisions regarding pay and health insurance don't rely on the city to pay for their bread and butter. Leave it up to us whether you deserve a raise or not by YOUR PERFORMANCE serving us. Who in their right mind would vote against allowing themselves a pay raise?

I think council should recognize the formation of a union for what it is. It's a sign that they are not listening anymore and they should meet with them in open session and address the problems of the city with an audience. I'd like to hear what brought them to this point. Is anyone with me on this?

In his interview he said that he would speak with the Police Department anytime they wanted, but wouldn't they have tried that first before going to a union?

I don't know who you are, but I like you.

I am going to tell you something that is not a secret in city hall but my be in the city as a whole. This information came from someone that should know what they are talking about. It is true that cost of living raises were cut, medical insurance was increased and the City manager attempted to put a cap on the amount of raises in each Department. What is not known is that he gave himself and his Assistant City Manager the biggest retirement bonus that has ever been given in the histroy of the city. That is right, the BIGGEST bonus ever. Not only to himself but to his "go for boy". The same guy who was head of the public works department where almost every manger under him was fired, resigned or went to jail for corruption 4 years ago. The same department he was the head of for almost 20 years.

Everyone keeps saying what is the problem. Well ya think that might be one of the answers. If that one does not bite you in the butt how about a City Manager that was arrested for drunk driving at a city facility by the police department. Gee you think that might have an effect on his ability to muster support from the police department ? Well 64% or almost 900 citizens on this web site think he should be fired for the way he acted when he was arrested. What happend with this when the city council decided what to do with a City Manager that was arrested and brought disredit to the entire city for his behavior? Well it was to allow him to get the biggest bonus in the history of the city, in the same year he appeared on TV looking like Mel Gibson in his mug shot.

Come on folks there is something wrong with this and you don't have to be that bright to see it.

OMG!!! I gata let this one sink in..... Hold on.......... bear with me.........almost there........... HOLY (self edited) !!!!!! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE (self edited) !!!!!!!

(Just trying to save you the trouble Cal.)

______________________________

"Therapy is extremely expensive. Popping bubble wrap is radically cheap." JB

I'm with you, we should have fired this worthless bum for the DUI, and been rid of him forever. Gives himself a raise, tries to cut benefits for police and firemen,....the people who actuall work hard, and save us everyday.

I can't get over it ...he had the umitigated gall to give himself a raise.......We need to lighten the load.....can we hire and fire at will.....I mean once we get rid of harold?

...if it's one dollar more than it was the year before, and it was bigger the year before that, it would be the biggest bonus in the City's history.

I'd like to know how many people in total were arrested for DUI at the Amphitheater this year...with such contention during the budget period, perhaps some could claim selective enforcement? Yes, he was guilty, but exactly how many people have been carted away from the Amphitheater as intoxicated as was reported?

In any event - that would just be conspiracy theories running amok. Perhaps those who are looking to crucify others should consider taking a look inside their glass walls.

Getting back to the source - the problem is simple - there is not enough money to do all the things that HAVE to be done combined with all the things that everyone WANTS to be done. The solution is raising taxes. Let's all focus on seeing that accomplished!

How many people have been arrested leaving the ampitheater?? I bet the number is small.....which makes his arrest look even worse.

How many people have the audacity to walk up to the police, cup in hand, and feel invincible?

Thats what I mean, he had the audacity to do any of this, the drinking and driving, and pouring his drink on their shoes.......

Unbelievable!!! Sounds like he has a serious problem...I bet he will get caught again.

I bet the average citizen has never done any of this, in the entire history of the Fred.

It smells in River City.
When Steve Brown fired Jim Basinger and hired retired military and former Fulton County employee Bernie and promoted Colin just so he could avoid the Public Works scandal, I thought that was bad.

When I found out the salaries were $150k and $102K plus benefits which include health care and retirement, I thought it was really bad.

When I realized Colin does nothing and his promotion was only to give him retirement credits, I was really, really upset.

Then when I realized that all this was arranged by the (then) new mayor Steve Brown, I was extremely upset for a while, but then I saw many in community band together to get rid of the Brown clown. Happy days.
But unfortunately, the very expensive and very ineffective city manager and assistant live on. Basinger was the best for $100k and he didn't need an assistant.

Well people act like this is new news. City hall people have been talking about it for a long time. Look at who runs the city. A Mayor that is retired military and some sort of retirement planner. A City Manager that is retired military and comes out of Fulton County some place. Really he was Steve Rapson's boy. A Councilman that is retired military that can't say two words of his own without looking like a deer in the headlights. Everyone knows the city manager was selected to do anything Rapson wanted and that went out the window when "I don't know what I am doing Boone" got elected by accident over Rapson. Then the City Manager had to swim for himself and became the lap dog for Logsdon. They have an officers club in city hall at taxpayers expense. Only way to save money while you give yourself a big bonus is to cut employees money to show you could save money from everyone but yourself. O yea that raise and retirement bonus is a sure thing. Get's caught drunk driving and pleads quilty. Set up, I don't think so. Read the police report as it was on this web site. Drives up to the police officers and pours his drink on their shoes. Now that is one bright drunk driver. Then says "Do You Know Who I Am". This is not made up, it is in the police report and he has not denied he said it. And I bet if you check the number of drunk drivers that have been caught leaving the "Fred" over the years, it will be a lot. Come on he was a drunk that thought he could get away with it because of who he was. Everyone know who has been in the military that a officer on base, that is drunk driving, gets a ride home from the MP's. Sorry Mr. City Manager your rank did not pull weight in PTC. So now you take it out on the police. If you were back in your command in the military, you could send them all to the other side of the world for punishment.

You are right Mr. Morgan, we are paying 3 times as much for the City Manager and he butt wart, and we are getting nothing in return.

Are you kidding me? If true, the charges need to be increased to some type of assult or something that is a felony so he can be fired. Don't you think?

Dollaradayandfound had brought up the topic of how disrespectful it was for the PTC Police to stand up and be heard at the last council meeting. (I notice he is no longer taking part in this blog) But dumping your drink out on an officers shoe, obviously in defiance, well, that just takes the cake. It would seem that the City Manager has no respect for the officers in this community or the laws that they uphold. Hey dollar... you wana debate this one?

I don't know the story of the poured drink on the shoes. Deliberate, I suppose? Don't know.
I think you misunderstand the reasoning as to why cops can't show up at town council meetings in a group with a hired representative. The respect due is for the law and order of it---not the mayor and council, by name---any mayor and council. Just as military types salute the uniform, not the man in it, the council deserves better.
There are of course outlets for such a group as the police to have their grievances addressed.
If there are vacancies on the police force, as some are saying, and there are no good applicants due to pay, etc., the questions are: are the quantity of vacancies normal since people move around all of the time, and what is being done by management to solve the problem.
I know the Chief of Police has complained that the problem is strictly pay and benefits, but have other methods been tried to obtain qualified people? Check what the army does to get volunteers. Maybe give them the motel/ hotel tax instead of to the tennis center. Maybe the force is top-heavy: buy them out, as industry is doing? Anybody ever see an organization chart for the whole police force? A cop every so many citizens doesn't prove much to me. Maybe let retailers and banks furnish their own doorknob twisters? Maybe cops on foot as in Europe would help.
Frankly, I wouldn't have the job as a cop or a manager of cops. For the same reasons that I served my four years in the military and got out. If you want lots of money and respect, don't carry a club, spray, tazer, and a gun. Join the army.

What is your proof that "Colin does nothing" and the city manager is "ineffective"?

Please elaborate...

I would love to follow bernie and his goof around for a day and see how my tax dollar is being spent. But ....I warn you I hate y-not so they have to give it up for one day......seriously too much smoke.

We really don't need to pay a city manager.....this city pretty much runs itself, because of the good dept. chiefs we have.

The fiscally responsible thing to do would be to turn the running of our city over to an MBA program for the final internship of their top graduate. They would get the benefit of good experience on their resume, and we would get good help that was current, innovative and educated....and best of all free, or close to it.

Proof...........we have absolutely no proof that he does anything at all .......as far as I can tell......you tell me what this lowlife has done............except drag the cities name through the mud with the DUI????

Now we find out he received a huge bonus.....for what? He's a disgrace, but so is our mayor....

Very well said Mr. Russell. I agree with you 100%. By the way, The police did ask to speak to City Hall before they went union about a number of issues. But for some reason no one would meet with them. Go figure.