This week, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed smiled like the Cheshire Cat when announcing that Yes! he had won the long and nasty pension fight against firefighters and cops.

A state Supreme Court decision left the mayor talking about how the city's future financial fortunes will be rosy and had public safety officials grumbling about a downward slide to their careers, at least on the financial side.

Pensions have long been something that governments blithely ignored and the rank and file expected, albeit warily. So where does this "historic" decision (the mayor's word) leave the city and its workers?

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez