More on firefighters
“I want to talk on the Red Phone about the firefighter retirement. I want some clarification. Everyone makes it sound like the firefighter can retire at 50 years old and receive 90 percent of their salary. The truth of the matter is they would have to work 30 years before they could get 90 percent of their salary. They would have to start at 20 years old to retire at 50 with 90 percent of their salary. The Dispatch keeps making it sound like you just have to make it to 50, and you can retire and get your 90 percent. That’s not true. Thank you.”
– “I’m calling in regards to the firefighters. I think (the caller in the previous column who said firefighters are overpaid) is wrong. He got me fired up. My brother is a fireman, he works for the CDF and that’s the hardest working man I know. He puts his life on the line everyday. I know he’s not a Gilroy firefighter, but let me tell you, those firefighters in Gilroy do an awesome job. I work at the high school and when we call, they’re there – whether it’s an injury, there might be a fire, these guys work hard and they’re professional and they’re compassionate young men. Does that man want to privatize it? Then when he calls for the firemen and it’s private, they’re going to charge or it’ll be, ‘Sorry, we don’t have anyone right now, can you please wait and get your neighbors to put the fire out for you?’ He should think twice before opening his mouth.”
Red Phone:
Thanks for the calls and opinions. Here’s some clarification on the retirement program:
It’s called 3 at 50 because it allows firefighters to retire – at the earliest – at age 50 with 3 percent of their highest pay for every year worked, up to 30 years. Fire union officials point out that in practice, few firefighters begin their careers that young, but rather join departments in their early to mid-20s.
The 3 at 50 program would allow firefighters to retire at age 50 after, say, 20 years of employment, and earn 60 percent of their highest year’s pay. Under the current system, which only allows them 2 percent pay for each year worked, they’d have to work an additional 10 years before they reached that amount.
Under either rate, firefighters could eventually retire with 90 percent of their highest year’s pay. The 3 at 50 program simply allows them to do it a lot earlier or, if they choose to end their career’s before putting in 30 years, to earn a heck of a lot more in retirement than they would have otherwise.
Barking dogs, barking people
“In response to the caller about the barking dog situation. Last September, I called the Red Phone about barking dogs. With the response from the Red Phone and animal control, I was able to solve our problem. It’s great to be able to have a peaceful night’s sleep. So there is a barkless night at the end of the tunnel. Good job Red Phone and animal control. Thank you.”
– “Hi, I’m calling about the lady who made the complaint about the dogs who bark. I guess she doesn’t understand that that is what dogs do – they bark. So I’d like to make a complaint about the people who complain about barking dogs. Thanks.”
Red Phone:
Well, there you go, good readers. Two different takes on the same situation. Your Red Phone is absolutely a dog lover and a dog owner, but indeed believes that dogs barking throughout the night is unacceptable and owners need to take responsibility for keeping their pets quiet at the appropriate times. Thanks for letting the Red Phone know of your success.
Questionable placement
“Good morning! I don’t know if this is a Red Phone thing, but I’m reading Thursday’s paper and when you look on the page with Gilroy’s Most Wanted, the obituaries are right underneath with the pictures on them. If it was someone in my family, I’m not sure I’d want their pictures right under the pictures of the most wanted. Thank you.”
Red Phone:
You’re not the only one who’s questioned the chosen spot for Gilroy’s Most Wanted. The editors are currently taking into consideration the feature’s placement.
