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314 City Retirees Getting $1 Million or More
The AVERAGE city worker isn't getting anything near $1Mpv in retirement. Only the top 314 retirees out of 4000 have $1Mpv retirement packages. Therefore, the valid question is whether 7.5% of private sector retirees in San Diego have retirement packages >1$Mpv? I wouldn't want the top 1% of city employees to match the top 1% of private employees in salary or retirement, and probably not the top 2% or 5% either. But at 7-10% you're dealing with some pretty competent technical and middle- & upper- management folks in both the city & private sector, at salaries that wouldn't pay an honest (recent) mortgage in most of San Diego as a single income, and I think that parity is about right. Don, rather than just arguments about the average city salary v. the average private sector salary in San Diego, I'd like to see the distributions of salaries, even as histograms. _Why_ is the city average higher? If its because the lowest-paid city workers get a living wage that the lowest-paid private employees don't, that's one thing. If its the top 2% political appointees getting much more than private sector, that's another. And if the salaries are shifted higher across the entire distribution, I'd be very surprised, and would be more convinced by your complaints about salaries and retirements in general. As for retirement ages, personally, I would be much happier if the garbage collectors (from before the mechanical trucks) got to retire after 20 years of the beatings their bodies took and the administrators had to work until 65, but that's not going to happen in San Diego. Look on the bright side: at least y'all don't have Jeb Bush & his buddies investing your retirement funds for you back in San Diego.— December 14, 2007 10:01 a.m.
SDCERS' Independent Fiduciary Counsel Resigns
I thought the City has asked for declaratory relief action from the Superior Court on the issue? Guess it hasn't ruled yet? Geez, how long should this take? As for me, it seems the past practices show City Ordinances are the controlling "document" or vehicle. Since Mr. Aquirre chose to ignore the Council's will and NOT amend the proper Ordinance(s) promptly the benefits should be granted and it suggests ReedSmith correctly intrepreted the law. I can see how this would not make Mr. Aquirre happy. Wonder if he threatened that firm too? I have carefully observed and listened to Mr. Leiderman at SDCERS board meetings. He speaks in concise, clear, and calm plain english terms. It's disappointing to learn we will no longer hear him, and the voice of reason.— December 14, 2007 8:50 a.m.
Former Charger Pleads Guilty To Making False Loan Applications, Evading Taxes
I agree, in a more diplomatic way, with Fumbler. This really wouldn't be news if it weren't a former Charger player involved. There may be a lot of reasons not to like the Spanos Goofs (as the LA Times calls the family) and the effort to garner public money for a new stadium. But this legal case has nothing to do with any of that.— December 13, 2007 9:10 p.m.
Port, Chula Vista Can't Afford Gaylord Giveaway
Not only does Gaylord want heavy subsidies, but they also want to cut local workers out of the deal. No labor agreements with local labor were made. Where does a company get off asking for handouts from the taxpayers and not even promising good jobs to us? Why are we acting so desperate for Gaylord to set up shop here? This is Southern California baby! We pay our taxes, we call the shots!— December 13, 2007 3:54 p.m.
Charges Against Moores Dismissed in Civil Suit
Sorry to repeat myself Don, but is there anyone who HASN'T been bought by Moores or his allies? (I see Greg Vega, who somehow determined that Moores was blameless in the bribery of Stallings, is now with Seltzer Caplan...another tool.) Look at the damage these people have done to the city...and yet, it's Charles La Bella, Moores' legal beagle himself, who the Mayor appoints to the ethics commision. WTF? Thanks for continuing to stoke the flames, Don.— December 13, 2007 9:12 a.m.
314 City Retirees Getting $1 Million or More
Just a question. Are retirement "systems" legal ponzi schemes? Not just San Diego's but all systems. Seems to me early investors/pensioners pay for later ones. I also read somewhere, I believe it was the Pension Reform Committee, that SDCERS has enough assests pay all its obligations for the next 50 years. That is without another dollar deposited for the existing retirees. So if the fund has enough money to pay existing pensioners for the 50 years what is the problem?— December 13, 2007 7:03 a.m.
Copley's Pulitzer Winner Leaving, Say Reliable Sources
Watch out for that scam artist David Bendah, HEEEEE's BAAAAACK!!!!! The only way to get rich quick is to win the lottery or from having a rich person give it to you. Hey people also watch out for the TOGO BANK SCAM over the internet by email, it is from West Africa. It is a trip, the email will say URGENT and CONFIDENTIAL. Hard work is the only way for regular people like us so get to it!— December 12, 2007 11:50 p.m.
314 City Retirees Getting $1 Million or More
What's a "significant number of retirees"? Current employees retire with a MAXIMUM 90% of their highest salary, and that is only if they work for 30 years (I think - don't have the papers here to verify that, but it's a substantial number of years). Also, please don't forget that city employees are required to contribute to their retirement plans with every paycheck, so a chunk of the money in their retirement accounts came out of their paychecks (someone making around 65,000/year pays over $9000/year to retirement).— December 12, 2007 10:21 p.m.
U-T's Bungled Buyout Will Probably Lead to Best People Leaving
Everyone seems to be talking about the buyout package that is being offer to the writers, etc. Does anyone know about the 15 or so pressroom employees who will be losing their jobs come Jan. 8th '08. To the best of my knowledge they haven't been offered a package. There is to be a layoff there and its been said that these layoffs will not be by senority but by pick and choose of the management's choice. There is also to be 17 or so who are to become part-time employees and work on an as needed bases 3-4 days a week.Can you say lose of benefits?? Try living in S.D. on a 3 day a week paycheck. The co. is juat running these people out of town. But this is not just happening here, it has just happened in Denver and is also starting in the Bay area. A super plant is being erected there to print both of the papers ( San Jose and San Francisco). This facility is being built by a Canadian co. and is to be staffed by all nonunion help when it goes into production. All papers are in some trouble its just this one is going about their efforts to stop the blood flow in their usual coldhearted way. I know since I was employed there for over 10 years and saw much of their management skills or lack thereof.— December 12, 2007 9:23 p.m.
Ronne Froman Now Senior VP at General Atomics
Perhaps Linden saw Ronne with star struck eye, I hope it would not turnout to be a stirrer eye. She was a piece of work, egotistical but sometime she can be very charming person, belay that, make that a snake charmer. Certainly she did not earn her two stars on her shoulder for being clueless. She was in Navy right time and took full advantages for being female and had keen senses of future wind direction. Yes I did not like her and still don’t like her, being said that most likely I will receive some nasty comments but needed to say. If Linden thinks he can use her for DON contacts point, he will be in rude awakening soon. I will give GA two years or less….— December 12, 2007 7:47 p.m.