Marilla Board runs from Fire Fighters and voter/tax payers repercussions

Bufnews article:

Marilla Board delays vote on raising firefighter pensions


"The Marilla Town Board will vote Aug. 21 on proposed increases in the firefighters pension fund to meet the county deadline for a November ballot referendum.

The board had intended to vote on the issue at its meeting Thursday but, with two absences and the recusal of Supervisor George Gertz, who is a volunteer firefighter, there weren't enough votes"


"Gertz issued an apology Thursday for the delay in the vote to Bill Blarr, president of the fire company, which is seeking a yearly pension increase from the current $480 to the state maximum of $700"

"No one is going to get rich on it and no one is going to be able to retire on it, but we need to attract younger members." Gertz said:rolleyes:.

Also on the referendum is a measure reducing the age at which firefighters qualify for the benefits, from 65 to 60"

My post:"With all due respect to the "Volunteers" - this is another hidden cost to home owning tax payers. Those who volunteer and receive no benefits from other jobs are deserving of consideration.

Too many times those pushing for accelerated access and increased payments already have either employment in the public or private sector. This double dipping at the hidden expense to the tax paying home owners needs to end.

Politics has turned most Volunteer Companies into nothing more than a tax funded voter base loyal to the Controlling Party People.

Finally: It seems painfully obvious theres vague intention being expressed, how does lowering the age when one can collect or increasing the amount someone collects "Encourage the enrollment and retention of younger members" - sounds like your local politicians are ducking this because they too smell some fish in the mix.:eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 4248

Bufnews article:

Marilla Board delays vote on raising firefighter pensions


"The Marilla Town Board will vote Aug. 21 on proposed increases in the firefighters pension fund to meet the county deadline for a November ballot referendum.

The board had intended to vote on the issue at its meeting Thursday but, with two absences and the recusal of Supervisor George Gertz, who is a volunteer firefighter, there weren't enough votes"


"Gertz issued an apology Thursday for the delay in the vote to Bill Blarr, president of the fire company, which is seeking a yearly pension increase from the current $480 to the state maximum of $700"

"No one is going to get rich on it and no one is going to be able to retire on it, but we need to attract younger members." Gertz said:rolleyes:.

Also on the referendum is a measure reducing the age at which firefighters qualify for the benefits, from 65 to 60"

My post:"With all due respect to the "Volunteers" - this is another hidden cost to home owning tax payers. Those who volunteer and receive no benefits from other jobs are deserving of consideration.

Too many times those pushing for accelerated access and increased payments already have either employment in the public or private sector. This double dipping at the hidden expense to the tax paying home owners needs to end.

Politics has turned most Volunteer Companies into nothing more than a tax funded voter base loyal to the Controlling Party People.

Finally: It seems painfully obvious theres vague intention being expressed, how does lowering the age when one can collect or increasing the amount someone collects "Encourage the enrollment and retention of younger members" - sounds like your local politicians are ducking this because they too smell some fish in the mix.:eek:

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You obviously are not a volunteer firefighter or understand how a LOSAP program works. This is setup with guidelines from the state and is not a giveaway. Members must work towards their credits. The little bit that these volunteers will receive when they turn 62 is a small price for what they give back. They put their lives on the line to save lives and property in your community. They give up time with their families to rush to someones aid, or get out of bed at 2am to provide assistance. So do a little research and give some respect to your volunteer firefighters. Also FYI FEMA has targeted starting LOSAP programs in volunteer fire departments for funding in their grants. They see this as a great recruitment tool to recruit new young members.

Sorry, maybe you misread this:

My post:"With all due respect to the "Volunteers" - this is another hidden cost to home owning tax payers. Those who volunteer and receive no benefits from other jobs are deserving of consideration.

So maybe you mis understood what you read. Volunteers used to be guys who left the field and some from other jobs to voluntarily help fight fires in their home towns and the like.

Now, are the Politicians who are advocating these changes looking out for their neighbors, the volunteers or are they themselves getting ready to retire or are contemplating retirement. Will lowering the age at which one can start collecting - will this help the new guys in any way - or just making sure those who are eligible now or soon will be eligible get theirs.

How does an increase truly relate to recruiting new "Volunteers" - are you saying they wont "Volunteer" if theres no cash incentive at the end? Or again are those who will soon collect want the increase to assure they get theirs way before the new guys ever even think about retiring?

Are you saying it doesn't matter that some people can get more than one tax funded pensions - for volunteering!

Yes there are rules - yes there is a major push by many people to encourage "Volunteerism" - but are the motives of those in this case true of heart or just another way to collect a tax funded check?

Did you know most local officials elected or appointed can also collect tax funded pensions for those seemingly "Public Service" positions? Did you know they only have to clock 19 hours a week to collect tax funded pay checks - tax funded benefits - and tax funded retirements after putting in as little as five years of such "Service"?

So in closing read what was written - before you decide my opinions are uneducated - educate yourself and then educate others. Don't just repeat what some one else told you or respond to what you think someone said - no harm no foul.

Be Safe!