It is unfortunate that the taxpayers are represented by such reprehensible politicians who had the audacity last Friday to fire the City Manager, Michael Mahaney. Mr. Mahaney was the victim of the Noland political machine because [he] would not cave in to the constant requests by the firefighters’ union for more pay, benefits and anything else they can get their hands on. Everyone knows that the Noland family is well-represented in the firefighter’s organization. Yet, at least two more of Deerfield Beach’s commissioners, Bill Ganz and Marty Popelsky, joined Noland in her “witch hunt” despite the huge conflict of interest in this action. Beware of the city caving in to the firefighters’ union demands post-Mahaney. Wasn’t it Mr. Mahaney who gave Deerfield Beach a balanced budget with no layoffs and a minimal tax rate increase? Let’s see how well Noland and Company can do now that the feeding trough is once again open for the firefighters’ union (did I mention the CONFLICT OF INTEREST issue?) There is a phrase used many times over when politicians abuse the power given to them by the electorate, including taking actions against the will of the people. It goes THROW THE BUMS OUT! Unfortunately, a trusting electorate such as us just voted some of them in.They think we will forget about this abuse of power. I guess we’ll have to prove them wrong. Unfortunately, by that time, the firefighter’s union will once again have had its way and our taxes will be higher. Is that what you want? Then forget about the actions of your elected politicians.If that is not what you want, remember what they did to you last Friday when you next go to the polls, THROW THE BUMS OUT!
David Nace
Deerfield Beach
Dear Editor:
I want to thank Commissioner Ganz for tackling the difficult task of moving the city forward with a new city manager. The city of Deerfield Beach has the same problem General Motors had before the government bailed them out. Our retired firefighters cost the city more than the working firefighters. The costs of our retired workforce will escalate at a faster rate than that of General Motors because GM workers needed 30 years of service to retire, our firefighters only need 20 years. [Firefighters pay for this with “175 money.”]
The City Commission (except Major Noland, of course) should instruct the new city manager to change the firefighters pension plans to 401K or similar plans that will not bankrupt the city. If the city cannot solve this problem in the worst economic collapse since the great depression, Deerfield Beach will turn into Gary, Indiana or Detroit, where a house sells for $25,000.
Note: New hires have the option of participating in the city’s 401(K) or firefighters’ defined-benefit program.
Robert Lloyd
Deerfield Beach
Dear Editor:
Many of Deerfield Beach residents certainly agree with the Observer [Publisher’s] letter last week, that we should indeed give our City Manager a chance to meet reasonable expectation by the commission. But, I must bring attention to the costs of his firing that were left out of the letter. Certainly, we will incur the costs of severance, new-hire search, headhunter fees and an increased compensation package by the newly hired City Manager…
It doesn’t stop there. When have we ever had a City Manager who stands up to the Firefighter Union like this one did, and what new City Manager would do it again after seeing where that got this one? So, certainly, we can expect revisiting of COLA’s, DROP, Merit increases, new top salary ranges, better benefits, shorter hours, better health insurance, manpower increases, new Ops center, redesigned new state-of-the art fire stations, and on and on … And I can see it coming, shouldn’t Deerfield Beach consider a Strong Mayor charter instead of a Strong City Manager? Oh God, I can’t believe I even thought it. Let’s stick together, Deerfield Residents, we can fix all of this at the next round of elections.
