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Thread: All the downsizing talk got me thinking. Why not cut the lifetime benefits instead?

  1. #1
    Member sharky's Avatar
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    All the downsizing talk got me thinking. Why not cut the lifetime benefits instead?

    They were talking the other week about how if Lackawanna cut two legislature positions it would save something like 70,000 a year but that they still would be paying millions in pension and other lifetime benefits

    why the hell is a part time town councilman position paying lifetime benefits to people after they're off the council? they should get some kind of limited salary for the job while they're doing it and nothing else
    Vote for freedom, not political parties.
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    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    Because they were able to vote that in for themselves. Just like other levels of governments vote their own raises...

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    Quote Originally Posted by sharky View Post
    They were talking the other week about how if Lackawanna cut two legislature positions it would save something like 70,000 a year but that they still would be paying millions in pension and other lifetime benefits

    why the hell is a part time town councilman position paying lifetime benefits to people after they're off the council? they should get some kind of limited salary for the job while they're doing it and nothing else
    Of course you are correct. But, Gaughan is milking the anti-government mentality in WNY for all its worth, pretending that eliminating two council people actually makes a substantial difference.

    And, the voters have proven themselves to be remarkably dumb so far.

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    Unregistered Enough's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by therising View Post
    Of course you are correct. But, Gaughan is milking the anti-government mentality in WNY for all its worth, pretending that eliminating two council people actually makes a substantial difference.

    And, the voters have proven themselves to be remarkably dumb so far.
    The voters aren't proving to be dumb. They're just sick of it and making a statement.

    Politicians should take notice (I hope) that they aren't as beloved as they think they are. Some people really do hate them! Have you read the blog on WGRZ's website from the Lenihan has By-Pass story?

    http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story...70597&catid=13

    It sounds like some people really wish he would die!

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    Member steven's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by therising View Post
    Of course you are correct. But, Gaughan is milking the anti-government mentality in WNY for all its worth, pretending that eliminating two council people actually makes a substantial difference.

    The Journey of a thousands miles starts with one single step.
    People who wonder if the glass is half empty or full miss the point. The glass is refillable.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Enough View Post
    The voters aren't proving to be dumb. They're just sick of it and making a statement.
    Statements are nice and all, but I guess I'm more about outcomes.

    The outcome of downsizing to Boards of three, is that they're giving even more power to people whom they supposedly don't trust.

    Sorry, but I disagree and still maintain that they're dumb. And, anyone who actually thinks out this process, and still decides that "making a statement" is more important than he negative result it produces is dumb, as well.
    Last edited by therising; September 27th, 2009 at 10:53 PM.

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    Member steven's Avatar
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    what would you have them do? Maintain status quo and bitch?
    People who wonder if the glass is half empty or full miss the point. The glass is refillable.

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    Member dtwarren's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by steven View Post
    what would you have them do? Maintain status quo and bitch?
    There are more substantive ways to address the issue. For example through a very similar process they can petition to have a referendum on consolidating or annexing two or more bordering municipalities in which you eliminate one or more legislative bodies as well as other departments which would lead to more substantive savings than the elimination of just two positions.
    “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” ― Thomas Jefferson

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    Quote Originally Posted by dtwarren View Post
    There are more substantive ways to address the issue. For example through a very similar process they can petition to have a referendum on consolidating or annexing two or more bordering municipalities in which you eliminate one or more legislative bodies as well as other departments which would lead to more substantive savings than the elimination of just two positions.
    What he said.

    But, in the meantime, we'll just give the politicians (whom we don't trust to begin with) even more power.

    Heck, at least we're "making a statement," and not maintaining the status quo, right?

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    Member zanna vaida's Avatar
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    Thumbs up

    Playing politics? What side do you take?

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    Member sharky's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by steven View Post
    The Journey of a thousands miles starts with one single step.
    let's hope this journey actually goes somewhere then
    Vote for freedom, not political parties.
    Politicians need to cut spending

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    Member zanna vaida's Avatar
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    Thumbs up

    Where are you going? to communism?

  13. #13
    Member steven's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dtwarren View Post
    There are more substantive ways to address the issue. For example through a very similar process they can petition to have a referendum on consolidating or annexing two or more bordering municipalities in which you eliminate one or more legislative bodies as well as other departments which would lead to more substantive savings than the elimination of just two positions.
    Quote Originally Posted by therising View Post
    What he said.

    "They" seem to be going this route because it works. The people are with them or at least the voting people.

    Are the "theys" that are complaining about it doing the petitions you speak of to consolidate or annex boardering municipalities? or are those "theys" just bitching?
    People who wonder if the glass is half empty or full miss the point. The glass is refillable.

  14. #14
    Member dtwarren's Avatar
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    The jury is out on the "it works", although they had success in getting the measure approved.

    It does not matter that people did not pursue a better alternative then their action because doing nothing is better than doing something that does not substantively furthers the journey to the goal.
    “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” ― Thomas Jefferson

  15. #15
    Member dtwarren's Avatar
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    However, we got off topic from the OP. The terms and conditions of employment cannot be changed by citizen initiative (particularly the extremely limited version that we have in this State). Such changes can only be changed through the CBAs and/or amendments to the Civil Service Law.
    “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” ― Thomas Jefferson

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