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SDCERS Does Mea Culpa Over 14 IRS Violations, but DROP and Purchase of Service Credits Still Not Before the Agency
First, I find it very telling that no fines were levied and no new criminal charges filed. The IRS is not shy at all about doing either. But the absence of fines etc may be an indicator about proving a case, beyond a reasonable doubt, against an individual. Regarding the Presidential Retirement Benefits. I've never understood why the City pays these salaries. They should take a leave-of-absence, salaries paid by the unions with a separate 401K plan. I don't agree with the so called cashless leave conversion. Why? Because this conversion only applied to those represented by one group and not all city employees. No that doesn't mean if all groups received it I would change my mind. You have two choices for your accrued annual leave; cash it out or go on terminal leave before ending your city career. Regarding PCS and DROP I would encourage the City and SDCERS to ask for a private letter ruling. The resistance is most likely a fear of the result. I suspect, depending on the ruling, it will open a Pandora’s Box and that's why everyone resists asking for it. Imagine if the DROP problem is ruled unlawful from the beginning. This will not only effect over a thousand current DROP participants but potentially hundreds of thousands nationwide who participate in similar programs. How many of these people chose to enter the program in good faith, planning for their retirement in 5 years? If there was no DROP program how many would have continued to work for 5 or 10 more years. For those who have left the City, and the program is ruled illegal, what happens? Would the courts attempt to restore them to their previous positions at the City? Do we really want 55-60 year old "frontline" firefighters or police officers? In some cases required certifications would have expired then what happens? What about the funds already removed from SDCERS? Does the City have sue to recover them? I equate this as an attempt to get toothpaste back into tube. It's not impossible, just incredibly messy with very little reward. It's my understanding the DROP program has ended for new hires. PSC should have ended too as it was and is a bad idea from the beginning. If not it should be modified by two caveats; One, it cannot be used to meet the vesting standard of 10 years of City services and two, purchases can only be made in the first 5 years of city service thus allowing the magic of compounding to work. Allowing employees to buy up to five years of service right before they leave makes no actuarial sense at all. Finally I have read Mr. Aguirre’s Report #24 to the people of San Diego. It contains errors and omissions. Plain and simple it is political statement and I wonder how much taxpayer funded attorney and staff time was spent preparing it. I thought political activities by City employee were prohibited during work time. Where is the Office of Ethics and Integrity?— December 23, 2007 8:37 a.m.
Bathroom Attendants
never give a guy in a bathroom money unless you use the cologne or take some gum or mints LOL otherwise shouldn't he be paying you?— December 23, 2007 4:28 a.m.
SDCERS Does Mea Culpa Over 14 IRS Violations, but DROP and Purchase of Service Credits Still Not Before the Agency
Don, your verbage is a little confusing. If I'm interpreting this correctly, Saathoff will still receive credit for all of his years as a firefighter, including his time as union president. What's been disallowed is the addition of his union president salary to his Fire Captain salary, for purposes of calculating retirement benefits. I can't speak to Judi's situation. Frankly, though you and I have disagreed over the DROP and other pay and retirement benefits, I agree with the basic concepts of the settlement of Dec. 21 with the exception of the "Cashless Leave Conversion Program". Prior to 2003, I could simply cash out annual leave and then buy service credit if I so desired. What's the difference if it's converted directly? I didn't do it, so I don't know the details. Perhaps they didn't take taxes out. I was under the understanding that there was a private letter ruling about the conversion. Remember, cashing out annual leave is a bonus to the city, as they then don't have to pay OT to replace me. I wonder what you make of Failure #14 "the Plan Sponsor has made payments to the Plan that exceeded that was called for under terms of the Plan." So how is the city going to comply with the Gleason settlement now?— December 22, 2007 9:19 p.m.
Is Bell Retiring from U-T? Rumor Makes Sense
Mr. Bauder: Don't know how to reach you directly by E-mail so I'll use this becaue it's focus is on the demise of the UT. During this past hour I took a TV Break and saw HBO Preview is upcoming renewal of its series "The Wire" It was fascubatubgm as ut dealt with how the Baltimore Newspaper (where "The Wire" is situated) has declined for all of the woes that apparently inflict most daily newspapers, especially how management cutbacks strip a newspaper of talented journalists and continue to shrink in readership and meaningfulness and the pursuit of survival - or not. It's so reminiscent of what you have been observing in the demise of the UT - I do hope youwill get a chance to watch it and please do comment on it if you can. If you can't, the new season of "The Wire" starts I believe on 06 January. Thanks. -30- Best— December 21, 2007 9:10 p.m.
Drunk Man Shoots, Kills Girlfriend's Sister
She was a great person at the times I remembered her.— December 21, 2007 4:12 p.m.
Is Bell Retiring from U-T? Rumor Makes Sense
Speaking of Bells at the U-T, what about Diane? If they're looking to cut those who don't offer substantive news that would be a good place to look.— December 21, 2007 2:22 p.m.
Attorney General Says No Criminal Charges Should Be Filed in Long-Running Billing Practices
Fear and Greed.... Merry Christmas to all— December 21, 2007 1:04 p.m.
Is Bell Retiring from U-T? Rumor Makes Sense
Mr Bauder : A Question regarding you N0 2 entry. What are the "more reliable online sources" (besides The Reader) which in your view give good unslanted local San Diego coverage? Thanks.— December 21, 2007 12:43 p.m.
My Thursday
....zzzzzz......— December 21, 2007 8:32 a.m.
Does U-T Know $128,000 from $20 Million? Obviously Not
There is a letter to the editor from Steve Gabrielson, the CPA and expert witness Aguirre hired, in the SDUT today.— December 21, 2007 8:10 a.m.