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Camden NJ
First I want to say I have the greatest regard for public service workers and being in the fire service some 40 years I have seen a lot of changes.
Do you all realize that Camden is broke, and has been broke and living off the state of NU for years which means other peoples tax dollars. The governor said enough, but that's not the real issue, Camden needs to live within its means from the Mayor on down. Maybe the 50% of the population on welfare should be put to work for the city, since the city is paying their bills and it would help the city get work done.
Also did you know the rank and file firefighters with benefits are making about $140000. Per year, this is more or a lot more than larger cities and cities who have been able to meet their budget.
Do you all realize that Camden is broke, and has been broke and living off the state of NU for years which means other peoples tax dollars. The governor said enough, but that's not the real issue, Camden needs to live within its means from the Mayor on down. Maybe the 50% of the population on welfare should be put to work for the city, since the city is paying their bills and it would help the city get work done.
Also did you know the rank and file firefighters with benefits are making about $140000. Per year, this is more or a lot more than larger cities and cities who have been able to meet their budget.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cole on
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First let me say this about the salaries: It's funny how government and the media only tells half the story. Leaving speculation instead of telling the whole truth is what generates controversy, and that generates more news, or discussion. Why are those salaries so high? Over-time. Instead of hiring to fill vacant positions, they plug the holes with over-time. Understand that working in Camden is no life of luxury. You compare this with 'bigger cities".
There are less companies in Camden to spread around the work load. If you DO know Camden you know there is NO shortage of fire 'work'. So working over-time shifts is not a treat. If you can physically take the work, then you're gonna make some money. If you look around the Country when comparing salaries, you'll see a variety of differences. Do you think they are over paid?
It's funny but in neighboring Philadelphia for instance, nobody bats an eye about paying somebody who throws a ball for a living more money than the entire budgetary shortfall of one of the most dangerous cities in the Country. We have no problem spending a hundred plus dollars taking our kids to see these over-paid PLAYERS yet the average person now bemoans the salaries of those who do NOT play a game for a living, who's job consequences have real meaning. The big story is a multi-million dollar contract and we laugh about it. But those damn over-paid civil servents...who do they think they are?
So they need to hire 50% of the residents to do the work needed to make the city run. With a high school diploma hard to find, addiction, crime, gang life, yes they should be the ones working to serve the populace. I am not really going to say anything about the Gov'nor. He's made his mark, set his targets. Yet refuses to pay back the pension money STOLEN from the police and fire. But hey the media loves him too! He's a real story maker.
Finally the Police Union rep made a statement that I have said for a few years now. The FIRST job of government, Federal and State, and Local is to protect the public. We can bail-out banks, and the auto industry, but to hell with public safety...it's a "local problem".
I have been in this business for along time too. And what I have found is that those who are removed from the problem: those who have million-dollar fire stations, apparatus that get's used once a year, and every gadget in the trade magazines could give a rats ass about the Jakes in Detroit, or Philly, or East Saint Louis, or any place that is struggling to get through the day. Nope, if your sitting pretty, hell it aint your problem.
You can bet those city "leaders" won't give up THEIR benifits, their cars, or anything else. If ANYTHING should be a voluntary position, it should be politics.
Camden WILL now live within it's means. I would wager you won't be walking those streets anytime soon. How funny that when these things happen, layoffs, company closings, that the politicians all say it won't have any effect on public safety? Those union folks are all resorting to hysterics! First off, it's the cops and firefighters who are in the biggest danger. And secondly, if it isn't going to impact safety, why the hell have they been paying for those employees and the stations and apparatus all this time if we don't need them? If they don't make a difference, why were they there in the first place?
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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$140,000 a year with benefits sounds extremely excessive. Can you show your evidence?
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Permalink Reply by Kim Stellhorn on
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We donot need to bailout banks or anyone else, this country is broke and operating in debt just like. Camden NJ ,
No sports figures should not be paid the kind of money they get either. But you cannot compare pay rate of government pay again private industry either, private industry can or cannot pay based on their profit . First Camden needs to get tax paying businesses and property owners in their instead of freeloaders.
Also Camden hiring more firefighters and police does not fix the budget.
Like I have said it is the the FF and polices total fault, 3 out of 7 mayors in prison and a continues belief the city can live on state bailout each year.
But would it not be better as a ff or po to have a job with concessions instead of no job at all? Not unless welfare and unemployment benefits are really good in NJ
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