Police, Firefighters Angered By Pension Changes

Arizona Tax Revolt commentary:

Yet another news story from Indiana where the news media still practices journalism rather than censorship of ideas that would dare to challenge big government. Perhaps I am getting cynical in my old age… could it be that perks and pension programs between the different fire departments could be escalating beyond our ability to fund them? And it just might be more insidious than that.

Suppose fire department A were to sweeten the pot for its staff, fire department B would have to do the same. Then A would have to repeat the process. A vicious cycle where the only loser is the taxpayer is the inevitable conclusion.

In this case the Danville City Council wisely recognized that a Tax Revolt was brewing and they deserve to be commended for standing up and doing what was right. How would our representatives in Arizona react under similar circumstances? Oh never mind... our media would never give air time to the problem in the first place and the escalation of pension benefits would continue unabated while taxpayers that couldn’t keep up with increases to their property tax bills would lose their homes.

Marc Goldstone, Chair.
Arizona Tax Revolt

Published: January 25, 2008
TV News 6

DANVILLE, Ind. -- Danville police officers and firefighters who were looking forward to a better retirement and benefits package are now wondering if it is worth it to continue working there.

The town's council decided to repeal an earlier passage of a pension plan. Officers said the move will make it harder to hire new people and keep the people they already have, 6NEWS Rick Hightower reported.

Officer Greg Brown moved to Danville from California because he likes the Hendricks County town. But Brown is now questioning that decision.

"You have to protect yourself, not only for retirement but also for the other unforeseen hazards," Brown said.

The pension plan would have meant that taxpayers with a $100,000 home would have seen $36 tax increases, and a majority of the council felt that in a day of property tax revolt, this wasn't the time for an increase.

No one is more concerned about how the department could be affected than the chief, Hightower reported.

"We don't compete with salary and now we don't compete with pension either," said Danville Police Chief Keith Gill. "I'm afraid we'll become a training ground."

Firefighters also see grim career opportunities because the current civilian pension plan offers little in case of a catastrophic event.

The department made 1,500 runs last year with only three full-time firefighters. Chief Mark Morgan said he understands the taxpayer issue, but that the community needs to determine what is more important.

"I have a fire department to run, and unfortunately the cost of protection isn't always cheap," Morgan said.

A firefighter told 6 News that the city lost nine firefighters to other departments in the last several years because of benefits issues.