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by Chip from Phillipston, Mass

Last Post 1 day, 13 hours Ago


Pumping Iron, Pushing Pencils and the Retirement Board
Jul 15, 2008 | 7:49 AM
Category: News
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As a retired Fire Chief, I'd like to weigh in on the recent reports coming out of the Boston Fire Department, regarding the fact that Firefighter Arroyo was granted a full disability retirement on the eve of his bodybuilding competition.

Listen, folks, I agree with the Mayor, the commissioner, and the vast majority of the general public that this is a flagrant abuse of the retirement system.  No doubt about it.  I, like VB Goudie, think Ed Kelly, President of the Boston Firefighters Local, should have stepped forward already and distanced his rank and file from actions like this.  In fact, I am even more upset than the Morning News crew was.  This is not the retirement of a firefighter from Boston Rescue 1, nor is it from Engine 33 or Ladder 15.  This is not a man required to throw ladders or "hump hose", run into burning buildings at mortal risk and save innocent citizens.  This guy was retired from being an Inspector.  The heaviest thing he lifted (other than his musclebound ass out of the car) is a freakin' pencil!!!  Curl that, Barbell-boi!!!

But I want to go beyond the rhetoric being spewed by the Menino Administration.  Ya see, they are using this as a bargaining tool against the union who has been working without contract for two years.  And, they are using this in a duplicitous way.  My question: Is this the simple egregious abuse of one firefighter, or is it the failing of the City's Retirement Board?  Does responsibility fall on the Mayor for not reforming his retirement board, or on the firefighters for one of their member's actions?  Isn't the answer to that obvious?

Although I feel it is the absolute responsibility of every firefighter, individually, to work as long and as hard as he/she can, I am more offended by the policy set by the City that would allow this to occur.  Why isn't the Mayor calling for the firing of the whole Retirement Board?  Precedent has been set, and practice is in place that would allow this man to be retired LOD...Sad, Sad Sad.  And...there are light duty jobs available for the injured to do, in Inspectional Services.  A little training...voila...enthusiastic Inspector.  For the love of God, a person in a wheelchair could do that job, if the City purchased one wheel chair vehicle for the Inspector to drive, with all the handicapped accessible buildings that need routine fire insptection.

So...Let's take umbrage at this, but let's make sure our "aim" is deadly.  Sure..."shoot" Arroyo...I'm good with that.  But don't stop there.  It's the Retirement Board, stoopid!!!

18 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 18
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herbdaniels read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 9:25 AM

The funny part is the severe punishment.

Get this!!!!!......They are going to begin to withhold taxes on his full pay!!!!

With punishment like that, they will surely discourage others. Only in Massachusetts!
JuneInMA read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 10:02 AM

Oh no! Not TAXES!!! Oh my GOD!!!

Anyway, Chip, you are absolutely right. Menino should be looking internally at his own folks in regards to this.
nomorehacks read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 10:18 AM

Chip, the unions have ruined this state. As I have said before, "Unions were designed to protect workers from corporations". " Not to make government employees rich." There is no reason for government unions, other than to keep the "CULT" in power. Only a gov. union would come up with disability pay that is tax free. There are towns on the verge of receivership, like Randolph, that has to pay $250k per year total in pensions for the recently retired chiefs of police and fire. The randolph firemen refused to work overtime on the 4th, and the fireworks were cancelled. THe Union strong armed the citizens that pay their salaries. The fire and police chiefs in my town makes Over $120k ea. as well as all the dept. heads. So ten years as a gov. employee make you a millionare, and then 85% of THe 3 highest paid years in a pension to boot. The unions need a boot rightin the @ss !
Chip read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 11:17 AM

nomorehacks,

Actually it's not a "union contract issue" that makes disability payment non-taxable. It is State Retirement regulations. It is actually law passed by the legislature. AND, firefighters retirements are not 85% f the last three years (I think that's only the State Police). Firefighters (Group 4) get 85% of their base pay.

And let me share this with you. Although I am no lover of unions in general, I am a fan of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM), the firefighter's union. (I am not, nor was ever, a member.) There existence has improved fire safety for citizens of the Commonwealth, and has not been about "protecting the bad guys" by any means. In the eyes of the PFFM, the "bad guys" are a bigger threat to firefighters than citizens, and I agree. Their real purpose is to protect hard working employees from unscrupulous City and Town officials. There are a buttload MORE of them than unscrupulous firefighters.

But this is a retirement given by a civilian board...THE RETIREMENT BOARD. This is not a retirement given by the union. The Union has no involvement in this at all. Betcha 100 bucks Ed Kelly would pay for a bat and 15 minutes in a room with Arroyo...assuming impunity.

(And show me proof the Stoughton Fire Chief makes 120 large...I doubt it. The guy there when I was Chief sure didn't.))
tom1964
Jul 15, 2008 | 11:43 AM

Politics is politics, darn right the mayor is going to use this in his favor if he can.

To the general public this is just another black eye for fire fighters and is not helping their cause no matter if it's the retirement board or the unions fault.

I'm not going to quote numbers but it sure seems like unions help bozo's like this more often than not. I've been a member of unions at places I've worked and that's only because you have to join if you want a job.
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 12:13 PM

Please Tom, Larry Harmon (Bozo) just died this week. Let's not show disrespect to Bozo's good name.
And what I want to know, is what role the Doctor plays in this and how many other's are pumping iron when they can't even hold a #2 pencil?
tom1964
Jul 15, 2008 | 1:35 PM

LOL..
no disrespect intended.
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 1:43 PM

OK
nomorehacks read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 3:04 PM

Chip, I was trying to prove it to ya and, after All that time I spent two finger typing and I got rejected ! Trust me the fire chief in my town makes $120k. All the dept. heads make $120k plus. If your town is union ask to see the budget, and you will see what I am talking about. These municiple salaries are what is driving property taxes through the roof.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 4:19 PM

nomorehacks,

I'm not saying I'm a big unin guy. I'm not. I've just had alot of experience "across the table" from PFFM. I actually was involved intimately in "pension reform" statewide, back in the late '90's (that's right, Booston is 10 years behind) as was Bob McCarthy of PFFM. Rather than experiencing a union that was tryingto thwart "pension reform" they were tweaking it to ensure the safety of it's members, and by extension, the general public. I grew to respect Mr. MCCarthy immensely, and his union.

Just my experience.
lovelypatsfan
Jul 16, 2008 | 11:19 AM

to nomorehacks most cheifs have to leave the union and negotiate their own contracts so as far as them making $120k that is what they negoiated with the town manager or mayor just like you would when you were offered a job in the private sector.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Jul 16, 2008 | 4:39 PM

Some chiefs have the provision that they get paid 150% of the average pay of firefighters...either way, whatever the negotiated rate is I guess someone thinks is fare.

Here's what I know...the damned Retirement Board in any community needs to take an active role in accountability....PERIOD.
nomorehacks read my blog view my photos
Jul 17, 2008 | 9:10 AM

Lovelypatsfan, The problem is communities can't afford these outrageous salaries and pension and benifits. At the rate we are going property taxes will be over $10k per year soon. I don't know about you,but I plan on retiring some day, and at these rates,people will have to work until they take their last breath!
Xantun read my blog view my photos
Jul 17, 2008 | 1:49 PM

Chip, the mayor should not only be firing the retirement board, let's not forget the firefighter himself. And while we're at it, the doctor who signed off on the disability, plus the one (if it's a different doctor) who told this guy that bodybuilding was good for his back, should be banned from practicing medicine in the US permanently!
kevalyn read my blog
Jul 17, 2008 | 11:54 PM

Firefighters are all over paid!! Join Guiliani in exploiting 911. My father is 73 and I am 39. I know many firefighters. Most have been drunks,pill poppers and cocaine sniffers.
Chip you are a government handout! You have not worked hard in life , you recieved a free ride like most political hacks who have enjoyed do nothing jobs like yours was!
How many fires did you fight in an average year?? 2???? What did you do for the other 350 days(which includes the overtime you milked from the tax payers????)
Chip read my blog view my photos
Jul 18, 2008 | 8:54 AM

Hey kevalyn, thanks for the feedback. Now here are the FACTS:

1. I was a "call" Chief. In my last year, I was paid $6,000 by my community. during the last 5 years, I brought in over a million dollars in gratns, including the ONLY grant ever to build a fire station. I built a water system for the community with grant monies as well. I brought in amounts in excess of my departments budget every year I was at the helm.

2. I "removed" from active duty 4 people of a 25 man department who had drug or alcohol problems. Of those 4 2 sought and received treatment, and remain friendly with me.

3. During my tenure as Fire chief, I maintained a full time job in another career that supported my family, as well as taught at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. I never worked a week that was less than 75 hours.

Question for YOU: where did you learn to be such an uninformed, insultiong jerk? You've mastered THAT ONE at least.
Zigulis101803 read my blog view my photos
Jul 21, 2008 | 10:04 PM

Dear Chip,

What is wrong with the firefighter who did not report to work this morning and Dr. John Mahoney who have realize that he was a firefighter and should have reported to work and maybe he should be transfer to ladder 15, Chip What do you really think they should do with albert arroyo, "shame on him" jerk!!!!

Thanks,

Casimir T.Zigulis
Chip read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 6:31 AM

I think he should be sent back to work. I think he should pay back his time off in sick time. I think he should be moved from Inspectional Services so that that "light duty" job can be saved for someone who has earned it.

I think Dr. Mahoney shoul dhave his medical license reviewed carefully based on his professional opinions regarding disability.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I think the Retirement Board should be immediately replaced and new procedures put in place. The Arroyo situation is an insult to every working Jake on the planet.
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Chip

Just your average guy, married to a woman who is incredibly smart and possibly more conservative than I am. Father of three and grandfather of one. Devoted Patriots fan and season ticket holder, snowmobile enthusiast and lifelong public servant.

Member Since: 9/26/2006


 

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