By John Lineweaver

June 28, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

As a concerned citizen of Palm Beach County – Town of Lake Park I urge you to carefully consider any proposed cuts to the Public Safety Departments specifically the Sheriffs office and Fire Department. Each day we see the evidence of negative impact due to cuts in education gangs, drugs, violent crime and property crime. Grand Juries are now in place to deal with the gangs in our towns.

Our Sheriffs Deputies are proactive vs. reactive. I have lived in Lake Park bordering on Riviera Beach for the past two and a half years. I have seen first hand how the Sheriffs department fosters long term relations with the youth in our town. These relationships are the key to our future.

Starting salaries are already lower than many municipalities in South Florida making recruitment and retention difficult to say the least.

In business we often have to make tough choices during lean times. Budgets cuts should not be based on dollar figures alone (that is the easy way). I urge you to look at ways to increase revenues other than tax related and co-share responsibilities – diversify.

The Sheriffs office and Fire Department have the largest budget by dollar figure alone however, consider their responsibilities. Ask these questions:

If I dial 911 who will come? How long will it take? What if it’s my family? What if it’s me?

Mayors office 133% - $723,671 City admin 60.7% - $473,178 Community events 39.9% - $513.861 TV station 484.4 % - $394,941 Youth and Family 155.9% - $306,119 Finance 43.3% - 1,457,492 HR 34.9% - $711,788 City Atty. 37.2% - $786,227 Planning 52.7% - $893.313

By Vicki

June 28, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

As a long time resident of Palm Beach county and now Port Saint Lucie, I would like to share my feelings on the topic. I have been quite offended by what officials are touting in the media as to why the tax failed. This is a private hospital that generates a substantial profit. I never heard why they weren’t able to fund this on their own or why the citizens should subsidize this. I believe it was under reported as to specifics leaving most of us without all the facts. I for one believe that we need the trauma center. We need to understand why such a profitable private company needs our tax dollars before we provide that to them. Last time I checked salaries are standard overhead which gets paid for by the services rendered. But again, we don’t have all the facts.

By CHARGE PSL

June 28, 2007 3:18 AM | Link to this

Palm Beach County must figure out a way to recoup all trauma expenses from out of county taxpayers. Why should Palm Beach taxpayers support PSL cheapskate deadbeats! PSL is stealing from the taxpayers of Palm Beach!

By West Palm resident

June 27, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

Bradshaw and his PBA pals ran up the costs in West Palm Beach and abused overtime to give his cronies huge pensions. Now they are all running PBSO and taking the same route. 16%! Bradshaw should be run out of office. He makes Bieluch look fiscally conservative. Has he hired more deputies? No! He has swelled the top ranks with his cronies and let PBA negotiate high salaries so he will have support of the deputies for the next election. I say, Bradshaw must go!

By Everyman

June 27, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this

PB Cop, you might be well-served to rethink your position. Police and fire, in fact, all public employees, serve at the will of the public. If the taxpayers decide they cannot afford to pay for the current level of services they have every right to communicate this to their elected representatives (which is what is going on right now). They can expose themselves to the consequences of fewer police and fire - that is also their inarguable right, as well. Such a decision has the potential of being a mistake, fewer public safety personnel may have negative consequences, but you, and other public safety people have no right to demand your contracts be paid as negotiated. If the people wish not to honor them they won’t be honored. In the real world one of two things are going to occur, and possibly both - 1)pay and benefits will be reduced, 2)there will be reductions-in-force (lay-offs). There is nothing personal in any of this, and it is not, an ‘us versus them’ issue, as you have indicated with your statement that “sometimes the employees win and the government loses.” The public owes you nothing -they are not required to provide you with a job you like, a salary to your preference, a take-home car, or anything else. You seem to have lost sight of the fact that you have chosen a profession where you serve the public, not vice versa. That is the harsh reality, and if anyone along the line told you life was going to be fair - they lied!

By Too bad

June 27, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

Stop poor mouthing. There are people who can not afford the taxes. Re-negotiate the contract.

Look at the airlines. Pilots, stewards had to re-negotiate their contracts AND their pensions.

You took the money when the coffers were full. Now stand up and re-negotiate.

Isn’t there a decline in the population in Palm Beach County. Likewise, there should be a decrease in the need for new schools, teachers, police, fire.

By Dory Kilburn

June 27, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

THE 200,OOO NON-HOMESTEADED PROPERTIES OF PALM BEACH COUNTY HAVE BORNE A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF PBC’S EXORBITANT BUDGET INCREASES OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS.

MOST NON-HOMESTEADERS ARE RETIRED PENSIONERS ON FIXED INCOMES.OUR PENSIONS INCREASE WITH THE COST OF LIVING, APPROX. 2 OR 3%, NOT 16% AS SHERIFF DEPUTIES WILL RECEIVE.

PLEASE REMEMBER, WHEN YOU REQUEST THESE ASTOUNDING INCREASES, NON-HOMESTEADED PBC PENSIONERS MUST DRAIN THEIR LIFE’S SAVINGS TO SUPPORT THEM.

WE ARE TRAPPED INO ‘TAX-BANKRUPTCY’ IN PBC. NO ONE WILL BUY OUR CONDOS WITH THEIR SHOCKING TAX BILLS.

By PB Cop

June 27, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

This is response to “Robbin the Poor.” The PBSO Deputies are supposed to re-negotiate their contract? If that’s the case I would ask you to think how you would feel if your boss came to you this afternoon and said that because he had overspent he was going to cut your salary to make up for his incompetence. Would you gladly re-negotiate? I think not. That contract was made in good faith and the county is going to have to pay the money. In the world of Collective Bargaining there are times where the employees win and the government looses. This is one of those cases and the salaries have to be paid. The contract only goes for a few years and the county can negotiate a smaller increase next time the contract is up for negotiation. I also think the Police Officers in the country are underpaid for the type of job they do and the fact that they put their lives on the line every time they walk out the front door. What price do you put on safety “Robbin the Poor?” I think you need to put on a badge and hump a beat and I think you would change your tune after one shift on the streets of WPB on Tamarind Ave.

By Robbin the poor

June 27, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

PB County negotiated with the sheriff’s office the salary and benefits when there was money to give to them.

Now, there is NO money to give. The public is being taxed to death.

The sheriff’s office will need to re-negotiate the contract.

When there was money the sheriff got it. Now, that there is no money and people want tax breaks…guess Greedy Bradshaw wants MORE.

Well, there is NO more. The taxpayer’s pockets are empty and this man is asking for more.

RENEGOTIATE. We gave when we had money, now we do not have the money. The contract will need to be re-negotiated.

The contract CAN NOT be honored.

By Common Sense

June 27, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

The Police Unions play games!

An article in yesterday’s Post stated that the same union that represents Palm Beach Co. also is representing Martin Co. in a puch for merit increases. They say that Martin isn’t keeping up with PBC, so an increase beyond 5% in needed to stay competitive.

If approved, guess what will happen next? That smae union will then point to the almost equal pay that Martin deputies are getting to justify another increase for PBC deputies, because there is more crime here.

We need to recognize the games played by unions, especially Police and Fire, who was to instill fear to take care of Me Me Me!

By Kenny G

June 27, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

16% increase in salary for putting on a police uniform, badge, gun and bullet proof vest to be a target for any nut out there so people like you can complain about the raise..PBSO keep up the wonderful work you are doing and bless your familites for supporting your work

By BBQ

June 27, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

Well, you said it, the cops are doing their job, no the S.A. has to follow through. If this was to happen then the police will not be arresting the same people over and over again. The entire county is top heavy.

By anthoney

June 27, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

tax and spend is the city & counties middle name. enough is enough. who can afford to live here anymore? have you seen the housing market lately? people are moving out of the area by the hundreds and hundreds. again look at some of the schools with fewer kids. now more $ for the sheriffs? for what, so they can arrest the same people over and over and over. let’s try something different than $$.

By Jane

June 27, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

I was just thinking how nice it would be to have a 16% increase on my own wage. Isn’t the national average 3%?

By Chris

June 27, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

Sheriff Bradshaw is amazing. Keep up the good work. This county needs a police force with the resources of the Sheriff. People don’t realize the gang unit is in the cities as well helping out. I live in Boytnon City limis and I see Sheriff’s Deputies more than city police. They have helped me numerous times. Thank you and you deserve the best. You have my support Sheriff Bradshaw

By NO DEFINED PENSION PLAN

June 27, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

ELIMINATE DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS. ALIGN THEIR BENEFITS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS ARE WHAT DROVE ALMOST EVERY AIRLINE INTO BANKRUPTCY, AND ARE CAUSING THE DEMISE OF THE AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY.

I’M ALL FOR UNIONS, BUT ONLY WHEN THE UNION MAKES REASONABLE DEMANDS.

It is unreasonable to allow those with defined benefit pension plans to work the maximum amount of overtime just because they want to get a higher pension!

FIRE MOST OF THE COMMISSIONERS, AND CUT THE SALARIES, BENEFITS, PERKS, STAFF, ETC OF THE REMAINING COMMISSIONERS.

ALL COMMISSIONS MUST RETURN THEIR SLUSH FUNDS.

Fire all the high priced useless employees too, like school board members. In fact, why not centralize the entire education department under the State. That would quickly eliminate tons of high priced useless do nothings.

If you cut these high priced useless pencil pushers, you can increase the number of street cops, teachers, etc.

By Dr. Marion D. Thorpe, Jr.

June 27, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

In the true spirit of Florida’s sunshine laws, it is imperative that voters are provided accurate information about the discretionary spending habits of our County Commissioners. Taxpayers have the right to know how, when and where our hard-earned dollars are being allocated (and for what purposes). It is inherently unfair for incumbent elected officials to use taxpayer dollars to fund “Campaign-like” events in order to gain a competitive electoral edge. Resolution of the West Gate flooding problem, cultivation of youth outreach programs in western Palm Beach County, and provision of Preventive Health services for county residents are examples of appropriate Commissioner discretionary spending. Inappropriate discretionary spending includes Commissioner sponsorship of community fish-fry gatherings during the home-stretch of the Commissioners election race. Categorically, this practice has much less to do with feeding the community, and greatly more to do with buying votes and good-favor from the voting public.

As voter trust continues to wane throughout this Nation and the State of Florida, I am hopeful that the Palm Beach County Commission will do the right thing and “show us the money.”

Sincerely,

Marion D. Thorpe, Jr., M.D., M.P.H.

www.marionthorpe.com

By WPB

June 27, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

I agree JP, but that’s not the world we live in. Without union representation the county would never treat them fairly. The County is greedy (more for themselves and less for everyone else).

Defined pension benefits:

I don’t benefit from it, but neither do I from education, I have no children in school. But I make the sacrifice and understand why it’s needed. It must be difficult for a teacher to make ends meet, due to not making a good annual wage; the least I can do is help with their retirement. This is just one example of a county employee participating in the defined benefits program (or a garbage man, a police officer, fire fighter, utilities, maintenance worker, ECT).

By FIRE COMMISSIONERS

June 27, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

We do not need so many commissioners. Three is more than enough, and they should be elected annually. Why should we be stuck with them for years & years. Get rid of most of them…along with their high salaries, benefits, perks, slush funds, staffs, etc.

Taxpayer money should be spent on PUBLIC SAFETY ONLY, not on their pet projects!

Eliminate government employee defined pension benefits. Why should they have better benefits than the taxpayers that support them. I don’t know anyone in the private sector who has a defined pension plan. Why should I have to pay for someone else’s pension when I don’t have one?

Also, all COMMISSIONS MUST RETURN THEIR SLUSH FUNDS NOW!!!

By jp

June 27, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

Keep in mind that the Unions killed the steel industry and auto industry in the United States. PBC needs to eliminate the police Union before they get too powerful and greedy.Pay the officers fairly and you would not have to have a Union.

By WPB

June 27, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this

Outrageous,

Are you aware that the staring salary a deputy made before Bradshaw was in office was 36,000 a year? That is pathetic! You know you can’t survive on that in Palm Beach County. Thanks to Bradshaw he was able to get that starting salary up to 40,000, hoping he can actually fill the empty slots. Oh yeah, I forgot this is to be a POLICE OFFICER, you know to carry a badge, wear body armor, come running when your in need of help, keep the streets safe at night while your home sleeping. Cut their budget and watch what happens. Didn’t you see there is a huge gang problem in out county? You’re the arrogant one for taking their occupation for granted.

By J. Rodriguez

June 27, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

For the individuals, that allow Mr. Bradshaw to slip thru the cracks and give him the position of reponsability to PBC with out seeing his lack of supervision, his greed! For my tax dollar, it’s outrageous!!! He has a disgusting arrogance with the tax payers money… He needs to go really go. Wake up commissioners you been robe of my money… I really give him credit for his innovation and respond “you approved” One can see the lack of responsability.

By LarryLunchbox

June 27, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this

‘Outrageous’ cut to the heart of the matter! The arrogance is appalling. The citizens of this county are tired of being bled dry by taxes, insurance and high prices. It is time to cut back government fat and one place to start is to re-negotiate the contracts and DECREASE the exorbitant benefits received by county employees. This is especially true of the upper echelon who make considerably more than they are worth to the community.

By Outrageous

June 27, 2007 6:22 AM | Link to this

CUTS have got to be made. The public WANTS cuts. The elected officials need to make the CUTS.

It is disturbing to read that Bradshaw wants a 16% INCREASE in salaries and benefits. Does the man not know the residents are taxed too much?

How Greedy. No to 16 PERCENT INCREASE in SALARY or BENEFITS. NO, NO, NO!

Shame on BRADSHAW for even asking. Vote this guy out. No group deserves that kind of INCREASE during these difficult times.

This is insensitive, ill-advised, and casts a “ME-ME” attitude. Bradshaw needs to stop asking for the moon.

Re-negotiate the contract and DECREASE the benefits.

The ARROGANCE of this sheriff is disgusting.

The PUBLIC wants cuts.