This site was created as a way for Cobb Police Officers to stay informed about what is going on in their department and speak their mind without fear of reprisal
Thursday, October 26, 2017
October open comments
34 comments:
Anonymous
said...
This is how you run a county and take care of your employees.
In a late addition to their agenda Tuesday, Gwinnett County commissioners voted to give 4 percent raises to sworn police officers, sheriff’s deputies, corrections officers and E-911 communications officers. That is on top of a 3 percent market adjustment for eligible employees that was approved by commissioners.
Compensation for law enforcement officers has been an issue in budget discussions for last year and this year. Commissioners previously voted to raise the county’s millage rate, in part to help address employee retention issues. County officials have said retention issues exist in departments across Gwinnett government.
“County employees went without a pay raise for four years during the recession,” County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said in a statement after the meeting. “While this board was able to reinstate increases starting in 2014 with a market adjustment and each year thereafter with annual raises tied to performance, a further adjustment is needed to address hiring and retention issues.
“Our competitors are granting pay increases, too, and frankly we have to keep up or risk losing talented employees to other agencies.”
County leaders have made attempts over the past year to address the retention issues, particularly with law enforcement officers. About a year ago, they announced the creation of a new master officer rank for deputies and police and corrections officers as well as a pay bump for members of specialized police units.
Since then, county officers have teased that more efforts may be coming, but they remained tight-lipped about what they might be.
“I’m thrilled that we’re increasing the salaries of all our employees,” Commissioner Lynette Howard said in a statement. “These men and women work hard every day to provide a level of service our residents deserve and have come to expect.”
Gwinnett will retain and recruit quality officers, Cobb not so much.
In the Gwinnett Daily Post 10-24-17: Gwinnett County commissioners voted to give 4% raises to sworn police officers, deputies, corrections and 911. That's on top of a 3% market adjustment for eligible employees that was approved by commissioners, as well as an earlier increase in the county millage rate to help address employee retention issues.
The Commissioners were quoted as saying: "My objective is to make Gwinnett County the best place to do business in the nation, and to do that we have to be able to attract, recruit and retain the best employees." - Comm. John Heard
"The Gwinnett standard of excellence has been set and we want to keep it high. One way is to make sure that our employees are adequately and fairly compensated." - Comm. Jace Brooks
"I feel good about the increases we approved tonight. We based the market adjustment on an evaluation of the county pay schedule compared to the pay schedules of our peer organizations, and I believe it will help us remain competitive." - Comm. Tommy Hunter
"I'm thrilled that we're increasing the salaries of all our employees. These men and women work hard every day to provide a level of service our residents deserve and have come to expect." - Comm. Lynette Howard
Apparently Gwinnett County gets it. And guess what... they didn't pay an outside group $325,000 to tell them that veteran cops didn't need raises.
Is it just me or do anyone else feel like FOP should be hammering this department on the news? Document all the mismanagement, inequities, and all around bullshit going on and take it to the press since we can't. Hold the department accountable instead of worrying about outings and luncheons. FOP is great but it could be greater, and I know I'm not the only one that is only a member because of the legal coverage in case I have to shoot somebody. How about we all be member because they fight for us? Just saying
FOP won't do anything on this. They drink the cool aid that the Chairman hands out and don't want to rock the boat. The FOP's silence on this speaks volumes.
They are to worried about making sure the supervisors are getting raises to worry about the rank and file. That is going on they are just keeping it quiet.
The County needs to implement a pay scale that tops out at ten yrs for officers to retain any more decent officers from leaving. The County leaders are scrambling around when in reality they are hurting the future of the county and the next persons in office with the lawsuits that are to come from retaining toxic and discipline prone personnel.
If the FOP sits this one out....like most issues, I for one am out. I have grown weary of our FOP and its lack of leadership. I am not paying dues for members to go play golf and party in Florida! If the FOP can not see fit to passing on a few trips and golf outings and put OUR membership dues to work for its members for a change then I will make it my mission to urge ALL active members I know to let this be their last year in this organization. Perhaps the FOP has forgotten was this organization's mission is...or should be! Meeting once a month for someone to come tell us how important Public Safety and then vote time and time again against us is sickening. Due the right and responsible thing FOP or watch your membership decline as rapidly as the morale in the department. Director Heaton is falling on his sword in this fight, how about the FOP step up and stand with him. It's tiresome to keep hearing the FOP leadership say "I'm working with the Chairman or the Board on something." And what a shocker, nothing happens...
I would like some opinions on what we need to do about the supervisors pay situation. I'm ok with giving them the "retreat" time to figure somethings out. It appears to me that a lot of these leaders are in way over their heads with managing this county. Also, it is pretty obvious none of them read the letter from Mr. Forsyth. He told them we were headed down a bad road.
The only way that we can accomplish anything is to attack this situation together and not as individuals. Some of you might have already talked about this and have some type of plan. If so I would like to be involved with the process. From what I have heard the FOP is not going to stand up and fight for us. I really wish that they would and we could have a united front. I don't know how to fight this but I do know we need to. We all know what is happening is not right and it shocks me that these county leaders can look at themselves in the mirror. When they talk or send letters they ask for "time" to fix this. We gave them plenty of time to get the pay study done and now those guidelines can't even be followed.
I am on board with whatever we need to do to get this handled the correct way and not just keep kicking problems down the road and deal with it later. Folks, later has arrived and the county is not ready.
FOP President Steven Gaynor As I read all these anonymous posts, I see a lot of folks complaining about how the FOP is managed. The FOP is a member driven organization and we hold meeting every month and welcome members to bring issues up to the Board and other members attending the meeting. The Board moves at the direction of the membership and if the folks who posted above are so upset with how we (FOP Board) are addressing issues then why have I not heard your concerns at a meeting. If you attended a meeting you would hear how we are addressing issues and working to correct issues. The next meeting is Wednesday night at 1630 if you want to come voice your concerns and actually learn what the FOP is doing for it's members.
This whole panic over what to do about the supervisors pay after the new Sgt promotion... SMH really? I was not aware of a sgt retention crisis in this department. Was it wrong? Yup. Does it need to be fixed? Hell yes. Is it way far down the list of shit we need to be concerned about? You damn right. Where was the concern when the Archer study came back and had 5-10 year officers, many of whom had been furloughed, getting big fat $0.00 raises? They are the ones leaving this department, not supervisors. Or at least they were before they all left and the county started hiring scrubs by the mandate full. And typical FOP response- give us time, we're working with so and so, come to the meeting and be heard by the deaf ears we invited to take the stage and tell more lies, etc. Enough talk, it's action time. Do something real, accomplish a win, put pressure on the county. Anything less is just more GTAC and ducimus
With your response that the FOP is "not" going to do anything about this, as the former President of the lodge and having been involved in taking legal action against the county. I would like to remind those, that the FOP does take a stand and speak up for county officers, and others that are lodge members too, but, we do not have bargaining rights, as Georgia is right to work state, but the FOP cannot "sue" on behalf of officers. If their is a strong position to take legal action against the county, each officer has to sign their name on the action. (You would be surprised, at that point, no one wants to step up and put their name on a document). IF, their is a strong legal standing to take action and membership votes to go forward, the FOP will do everything possible. Pay compression has been an ongoing issue with the Cobb County Police for as long as I can remember. In the 70's a lawsuit, which the county lost and "promised" not return to the practice, lasted until the 80's. They the legal opinion that was obtained, indicated that as long as everyone was affected, it was legal, ( I am paraphasing the legal language), but the bottom line, pay compression could not be fought in court and won. Again, the FOP has not indicated, in any meeting that I have attended, nothing would be done. But, if you want to fight, show up and stand up. Don't blame others if they don't fight your battle, if you are not willing stand up and fight too.
PS, pardon any typo's, Sometimes I think faster than I type. Written English is not my strong suit, just fighting for what is right.
Dear Anonymous(s): The FOP "IS" here for you. You are mistaken if you think otherwise. I urge you to attend the meetings. If you feel insecure by speaking out at the meeting, call one of the Board Members! You know that Steven T. Gaynor will take your calls or meet with 24-7. (By the way - he doesn't even like Kool-Aid.) Just like anything you face as Officer's - the FOP can't do it alone. I can attest to Steven T. Gaynor receiving numerous phone calls from Officers, Chief Register, Commissioners, the Chairman and Retirees regarding concerns. I can attest to heated phone discussions of which I witnessed him standing up for his fellow Officers. FYI - the FOP doesn't pay for it's members to play golf or party in Florida. Each member who attended the Florida trip paid for their room with their own money. There is a FOP Cops & Kids Golf Tournament hosted by the Lodge and hopefully you know what those funds go toward. There was a golf tournament hosted by the American Legion Post 29. The lodge sponsored 2 teams for this tournament at $300.00 each. Then the American Legion uses this tournament as a fundraiser for charities and has always donates $3,000 back to the COPS and Kids program.
Can't we all just get along? But seriously, this is exactly what the county wants. They want us all mad at and bickering with each other and forgetting who the real causes of the problems are. Because don't forget, the FOP IS us. It's our brothers and sisters in blue. And yes there is room for improvement with the FOP, but there is room for improvement in each of us as well, and we make up the FOP. Don't forget who put the department in this hole, because it wasn't the FOP and it wasn't the officers.
Evidently, you have not attended a meeting in awhile, if ever. Please attend on Wednesday, November 1st starting at 4:30pm to to be the one as you say to "rock the boat". Jimmy Stephens, Secretary Lodge 13
As with several members who post as "anonymous" on this site evidently you (oct 29 7:44pm posting) have not been to a meeting lately, if ever. Your blanket statements about the FOP is at times laughable.
So you know where I am coming from I was fortunate after almost 30 years to retire from Cobb PD. I have been a member of Lodge 13 for almost 30 yrs and have served on the executive board for the past 7+ years all to benefit our members. No one on the executive board of Lodge 13 are compensated for the time they spend on the members behalf. Cobb PD was both mine and President Gaynor's life for all of those years and being part of Lodge 13 is how we both feel is the best way to help those that are still active.
This post reeks of someone who is at worst oblivious to what is going on or at its best only reads posts from other people about what is occurring. So let me provide this. President Gaynor has been working non stop to address issues that have been occurring at Cobb Co. He spends at times 40+ hours each week trying to correct and protect our members, especially Cobb PD members, and the inequities that exist. He does all of this as a volunteer as do all of us on the executive board. To question that the leadership of the lodge is not doing anything is the part that is laughable.
Lodge 13 is a member driven organization. Everything we do as a lodge is voted on and approved by members at our monthly meetings. So the activities that this post refers to was approved by the membership not the board. During 2017 Lodge 13 sponsored two golf teams at two events for a total of $700. The first was for a golf tournament in DeKalb Co. that was a benefit to support member officers in that particular lodge. The second was the American Legion Golf Tournament in September to raise funds to support the organizations they donate to. During the past years the American Legion Post has donated $3,000+ to our Cops & Kids Shopping program in December to help disadvantaged kids in our county. As a side note every department in Cobb Co. sends officers to shop with kids during the Christmas season. Not a bad return from a lodge that according to you is only going on golf outings and parties.
Our organization has always been true to our members through the years. There has and still is excellent volunteer leadership that has led the organization for many years. A fellow board member, John McCraw stated it perfectly in response to another post. If you want to sue Cobb Co. for all of the inequities and it has been determined you have a good case then your name needs to be at the top of the list. The lodge cannot be the name on the suit, it needs to be you and other active officers that have suffered. Please find me at the meeting this Wednesday or any of the future meetings to make me aware of who you are (I can keep your name confidential)so I can make sure you are the first name on the suit to show how strong you feel about this issue.
Finally since this has become long winded let me end with this about your comment to make it your mission to urge ALL active members to be their last year in the organization unless the lodge meets your, what appears to be your non participating expectations. Your dues are $78 per year. This works out to $3 biweekly. There are 8 weeks left in 2017 so please feel free to stop being a member (assuming you are) now. As the secretary of the lodge I have the access to end your membership in a matter of seconds. I will gladly refund your remaining $12 now to save you the pain of being part of our organization that is "lacking leadership."
For all others I encourage all who read this to attend the meeting Wednesday or any other meeting to help be part of the solution. Don't just sit back and bitch. Step up to the podium.
I've had a few comments vetted also. I'm guessing what I had to say was a little over the top. I was mad a first... so now I've toned my @#$% down and it gets posted.
There are issues that desperately need to be addressed within the county. I have never seen things get turned around backward as badly as they are now. The county says they are out of money, yet they continue to find funds for things that are not the most important to most of us. As John McCraw said, these fights have been made before, some successful and some not. I have requested that research be done to see what legal grounds we have with the way the pay study was conducted, the way it was implemented, and the impact it has on the recent and future promotions. That is going to require a membership vote to proceed on Wednesday. What I believe is that there is a problem significant enough that a change has to be made. I don't think a day goes by that Steve Gaynor isn't talking to the Chief, the commissioners, the attorney, or somebody about the current issues. We know there is pay compression, we know that cars are an issue, we know that retention is an issue, we know that the hiring standards have fallen through the floor. The meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month at 1630, and dinner is even provided. At least one commissioner will be there that night. If you have ideas we have not thought of, bring them to us. I am still an active officer in this department and the issues that affect you apply to me as well. Although not as often, I too have had conversations with commissioners. The one I had with a commissioner after the supervisor meeting last week lasted almost an hour. A collective voice is much louder than a few voices, so please come to the meetings, go to the commissioner meetings, write letters to the chief, send communications to the FOP board, call me, whatever you need to do. If you have a better plan, let's hear it so we can put it to work. There is no question that things have gone terribly wrong. We are doing the best we can to come up with the answers we all seek.
"This site was created as a way for Cobb Police Officers to stay informed about what is going on in their department and speak their mind without fear of reprisal" I'm guessing the FOP Board might need a refresher.
I agree with some of what is being said by the FOP Board members here ,but... these long rants sound a lot like the whining from the Chief and Director. "This is what we are doing and why...." posting things "anonymously" is a cowards way of dealing with things". Granted the FOP can't fire you ,but you can still be black balled, by other members. To the FOP Board....some of you were targeted by the director in reference to this site as it being the National Enquirer... don't turn on frustrated members. A simple... we understand your frustration we are trying to work on this, come to a meeting and you may understand better... this type of simple statement would come across much better than throwing a temper tantrum as shown above.
You'd think the articles were talking about two different Cobb County's Amazing: MDJ Online Cobb County Could See Nearly a $30 Million Shortfall By 2019 http://www.mdjonline.com/news/cobb-county-could-see-nearly-million-budget-shortfall-in/article_d137aa40-bddd-11e7-8f28-6b8790fda935.html GeorgiaTrend Cobb County:A Bright Tomorrow http://www.georgiatrend.com/January-2017/Cobb-County-A-Bright-Tomorrow/ The boc is untrustworthy and has been playing the dedicated and hard working men and women in the PD the last eight years. The boc needs to make the PD a priority as much as they did the braves. Enough is enough. Finish the take-home car program to include EVERY officer and fix the pay issue with a 10 year salary step plan. If not we will continue to lose good officers, they will be replaced with officers that just meet the county's standards, and we will be DeCobb County!
The business outsiders definitely have a different perspective of the county from what the county leaders portray to its enployees. So where is the money and why do we operate like we're broke?
I'm thinking the GeorgiaTrend article is the one accurately depicting the real cobb county considering the Nasdaq, S&P500, and the Dow all closed at record highs as of this past Friday. Locally all you have to do is look at all the building going on throughout the county with apartments, commercial development, and housing subdivisions. Which begs this question going around the county for awhile now. The boc didn't raise the millage rate, but because cobb's economy is doing so well property values are going up and cobb is expected to collect an additional $52 MILLION in property taxes for an expected total of $730 MILLION (See the CBS46 link). http://www.cbs46.com/story/36146669/many-cobb-county-homeowners-to-receive-higher-tax-bills Maybe the chairman and the boc can explain what is being done with the expected additional $52 MILLION? Really, no raises for the next few years, no new vehicles county wide let alone the PD. It all comes down to the same thing, Priorities! Libraries were a priority over police/fire being furloughed years ago, the PD suffered for it losing over 200 officers the four years following, and is still recovering. The braves were a priority and the county came up with $300 MILLION. It just leaves me wondering, we lost over 200 officers when the PD was healthy. So what happens when we lose only 100 officers, with an unhealthy PD, as a result of the boc failing to keep the PD competitive with industry standards such as take-home cars and the pay issues? Does cobb end up like Atlanta or DeKalb? I truly hope Not! I don't, as does any other officer, want to see high priority calls being held, proactive specialized units shut down, violent crime sky rocket, or the morale getting any worse. Time and time again the boc has shown us that the PD is NOT a PRIORITY and continues to "take a knee".
For those of you who bash the anonymous post on here, STFU! This site was created for just this purpose. If your tiny heart syndrome self cannot handle the truth, close the damn page from your end.
FOO, Yes you! I have been to the meetings and still go. I was there when the Chairman told puppet Sam that he should have fallen on his sword for the en and women in public safety.
Now the Chairman has drank the county koo-aid, hell has created his own recipe, and has snatched the sword out of the coward puppets hand. They are all cowards and care nothing about the officer.
So FOP you should stop saying they are with us and call them a f...... liar when they show that that's what they do.
BOC is voting on $1.3 MILLION for parks but can't give us raises, cars or pay our retirement? Plz someone who is already retired, plz go to the media about this!!!
Isn't it interesting that the Upper Brass and BOC (Chairman) feel they have to continuously have videos and mandatory meetings, to explain their actions. If they just did the right thing, there would be no need to defend themselves after every action they take.
34 comments:
This is how you run a county and take care of your employees.
In a late addition to their agenda Tuesday, Gwinnett County commissioners voted to give 4 percent raises to sworn police officers, sheriff’s deputies, corrections officers and E-911 communications officers. That is on top of a 3 percent market adjustment for eligible employees that was approved by commissioners.
Compensation for law enforcement officers has been an issue in budget discussions for last year and this year. Commissioners previously voted to raise the county’s millage rate, in part to help address employee retention issues. County officials have said retention issues exist in departments across Gwinnett government.
“County employees went without a pay raise for four years during the recession,” County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said in a statement after the meeting. “While this board was able to reinstate increases starting in 2014 with a market adjustment and each year thereafter with annual raises tied to performance, a further adjustment is needed to address hiring and retention issues.
“Our competitors are granting pay increases, too, and frankly we have to keep up or risk losing talented employees to other agencies.”
County leaders have made attempts over the past year to address the retention issues, particularly with law enforcement officers. About a year ago, they announced the creation of a new master officer rank for deputies and police and corrections officers as well as a pay bump for members of specialized police units.
Since then, county officers have teased that more efforts may be coming, but they remained tight-lipped about what they might be.
“I’m thrilled that we’re increasing the salaries of all our employees,” Commissioner Lynette Howard said in a statement. “These men and women work hard every day to provide a level of service our residents deserve and have come to expect.”
Gwinnett will retain and recruit quality officers, Cobb not so much.
In the Gwinnett Daily Post 10-24-17: Gwinnett County commissioners voted to give 4% raises to sworn police officers, deputies, corrections and 911. That's on top of a 3% market adjustment for eligible employees that was approved by commissioners, as well as an earlier increase in the county millage rate to help address employee retention issues.
The Commissioners were quoted as saying: "My objective is to make Gwinnett County the best place to do business in the nation, and to do that we have to be able to attract, recruit and retain the best employees." - Comm. John Heard
"The Gwinnett standard of excellence has been set and we want to keep it high. One way is to make sure that our employees are adequately and fairly compensated." - Comm. Jace Brooks
"I feel good about the increases we approved tonight. We based the market adjustment on an evaluation of the county pay schedule compared to the pay schedules of our peer organizations, and I believe it will help us remain competitive." - Comm. Tommy Hunter
"I'm thrilled that we're increasing the salaries of all our employees. These men and women work hard every day to provide a level of service our residents deserve and have come to expect." - Comm. Lynette Howard
Apparently Gwinnett County gets it. And guess what... they didn't pay an outside group $325,000 to tell them that veteran cops didn't need raises.
Is it just me or do anyone else feel like FOP should be hammering this department on the news? Document all the mismanagement, inequities, and all around bullshit going on and take it to the press since we can't. Hold the department accountable instead of worrying about outings and luncheons. FOP is great but it could be greater, and I know I'm not the only one that is only a member because of the legal coverage in case I have to shoot somebody. How about we all be member because they fight for us? Just saying
FOP won't do anything on this. They drink the cool aid that the Chairman hands out and don't want to rock the boat. The FOP's silence on this speaks volumes.
why do my comments never make it on here?
They are to worried about making sure the supervisors are getting raises to worry about the rank and file. That is going on they are just keeping it quiet.
The County needs to implement a pay scale that tops out at ten yrs for officers to retain any more decent officers from leaving. The County leaders are scrambling around when in reality they are hurting the future of the county and the next persons in office with the lawsuits that are to come from retaining toxic and discipline prone personnel.
If the FOP sits this one out....like most issues, I for one am out. I have grown weary of our FOP and its lack of leadership. I am not paying dues for members to go play golf and party in Florida! If the FOP can not see fit to passing on a few trips and golf outings and put OUR membership dues to work for its members for a change then I will make it my mission to urge ALL active members I know to let this be their last year in this organization. Perhaps the FOP has forgotten was this organization's mission is...or should be! Meeting once a month for someone to come tell us how important Public Safety and then vote time and time again against us is sickening. Due the right and responsible thing FOP or watch your membership decline as rapidly as the morale in the department. Director Heaton is falling on his sword in this fight, how about the FOP step up and stand with him. It's tiresome to keep hearing the FOP leadership say "I'm working with the Chairman or the Board on something." And what a shocker, nothing happens...
I would like some opinions on what we need to do about the supervisors pay situation. I'm ok with giving them the "retreat" time to figure somethings out. It appears to me that a lot of these leaders are in way over their heads with managing this county. Also, it is pretty obvious none of them read the letter from Mr. Forsyth. He told them we were headed down a bad road.
The only way that we can accomplish anything is to attack this situation together and not as individuals. Some of you might have already talked about this and have some type of plan. If so I would like to be involved with the process. From what I have heard the FOP is not going to stand up and fight for us. I really wish that they would and we could have a united front. I don't know how to fight this but I do know we need to. We all know what is happening is not right and it shocks me that these county leaders can look at themselves in the mirror. When they talk or send letters they ask for "time" to fix this. We gave them plenty of time to get the pay study done and now those guidelines can't even be followed.
I am on board with whatever we need to do to get this handled the correct way and not just keep kicking problems down the road and deal with it later. Folks, later has arrived and the county is not ready.
FOP President Steven Gaynor
As I read all these anonymous posts, I see a lot of folks complaining about how the FOP is managed. The FOP is a member driven organization and we hold meeting every month and welcome members to bring issues up to the Board and other members attending the meeting. The Board moves at the direction of the membership and if the folks who posted above are so upset with how we (FOP Board) are addressing issues then why have I not heard your concerns at a meeting. If you attended a meeting you would hear how we are addressing issues and working to correct issues. The next meeting is Wednesday night at 1630 if you want to come voice your concerns and actually learn what the FOP is doing for it's members.
This whole panic over what to do about the supervisors pay after the new Sgt promotion... SMH really? I was not aware of a sgt retention crisis in this department. Was it wrong? Yup. Does it need to be fixed? Hell yes. Is it way far down the list of shit we need to be concerned about? You damn right. Where was the concern when the Archer study came back and had 5-10 year officers, many of whom had been furloughed, getting big fat $0.00 raises? They are the ones leaving this department, not supervisors. Or at least they were before they all left and the county started hiring scrubs by the mandate full. And typical FOP response- give us time, we're working with so and so, come to the meeting and be heard by the deaf ears we invited to take the stage and tell more lies, etc. Enough talk, it's action time. Do something real, accomplish a win, put pressure on the county. Anything less is just more GTAC and ducimus
With your response that the FOP is "not" going to do anything about this, as the former President of the lodge and having been involved in taking legal action against the county. I would like to remind those, that the FOP does take a stand and speak up for county officers, and others that are lodge members too, but, we do not have bargaining rights, as Georgia is right to work state, but the FOP cannot "sue" on behalf of officers. If their is a strong position to take legal action against the county, each officer has to sign their name on the action. (You would be surprised, at that point, no one wants to step up and put their name on a document). IF, their is a strong legal standing to take action and membership votes to go forward, the FOP will do everything possible. Pay compression has been an ongoing issue with the Cobb County Police for as long as I can remember. In the 70's a lawsuit, which the county lost and "promised" not return to the practice, lasted until the 80's. They the legal opinion that was obtained, indicated that as long as everyone was affected, it was legal, ( I am paraphasing the legal language), but the bottom line, pay compression could not be fought in court and won. Again, the FOP has not indicated, in any meeting that I have attended, nothing would be done. But, if you want to fight, show up and stand up. Don't blame others if they don't fight your battle, if you are not willing stand up and fight too.
PS, pardon any typo's, Sometimes I think faster than I type. Written English is not my strong suit, just fighting for what is right.
Dear Anonymous(s):
The FOP "IS" here for you. You are mistaken if you think otherwise. I urge you to attend the meetings.
If you feel insecure by speaking out at the meeting, call one of the Board Members!
You know that Steven T. Gaynor will take your calls or meet with 24-7. (By the way - he doesn't even like Kool-Aid.)
Just like anything you face as Officer's - the FOP can't do it alone.
I can attest to Steven T. Gaynor receiving numerous phone calls from Officers, Chief Register, Commissioners, the Chairman and Retirees regarding concerns. I can attest to heated phone discussions of which I witnessed him standing up for his fellow Officers.
FYI - the FOP doesn't pay for it's members to play golf or party in Florida. Each member who attended the Florida trip paid for their room with their own money.
There is a FOP Cops & Kids Golf Tournament hosted by the Lodge and hopefully you know what those funds go toward.
There was a golf tournament hosted by the American Legion Post 29. The lodge sponsored 2 teams for this tournament at $300.00 each. Then the American Legion uses this tournament as a fundraiser for charities and has always donates $3,000 back to the COPS and Kids program.
I refer you to John McCraw's post above.
See you Wednesday?
Can't we all just get along? But seriously, this is exactly what the county wants. They want us all mad at and bickering with each other and forgetting who the real causes of the problems are. Because don't forget, the FOP IS us. It's our brothers and sisters in blue. And yes there is room for improvement with the FOP, but there is room for improvement in each of us as well, and we make up the FOP. Don't forget who put the department in this hole, because it wasn't the FOP and it wasn't the officers.
Evidently, you have not attended a meeting in awhile, if ever. Please attend on Wednesday, November 1st starting at 4:30pm to to be the one as you say to "rock the boat".
Jimmy Stephens, Secretary Lodge 13
As with several members who post as "anonymous" on this site evidently you (oct 29 7:44pm posting) have not been to a meeting lately, if ever. Your blanket statements about the FOP is at times laughable.
So you know where I am coming from I was fortunate after almost 30 years to retire from Cobb PD. I have been a member of Lodge 13 for almost 30 yrs and have served on the executive board for the past 7+ years all to benefit our members. No one on the executive board of Lodge 13 are compensated for the time they spend on the members behalf. Cobb PD was both mine and President Gaynor's life for all of those years and being part of Lodge 13 is how we both feel is the best way to help those that are still active.
This post reeks of someone who is at worst oblivious to what is going on or at its best only reads posts from other people about what is occurring. So let me provide this. President Gaynor has been working non stop to address issues that have been occurring at Cobb Co. He spends at times 40+ hours each week trying to correct and protect our members, especially Cobb PD members, and the inequities that exist. He does all of this as a volunteer as do all of us on the executive board. To question that the leadership of the lodge is not doing anything is the part that is laughable.
Lodge 13 is a member driven organization. Everything we do as a lodge is voted on and approved by members at our monthly meetings. So the activities that this post refers to was approved by the membership not the board. During 2017 Lodge 13 sponsored two golf teams at two events for a total of $700. The first was for a golf tournament in DeKalb Co. that was a benefit to support member officers in that particular lodge. The second was the American Legion Golf Tournament in September to raise funds to support the organizations they donate to. During the past years the American Legion Post has donated $3,000+ to our Cops & Kids Shopping program in December to help disadvantaged kids in our county. As a side note every department in Cobb Co. sends officers to shop with kids during the Christmas season. Not a bad return from a lodge that according to you is only going on golf outings and parties.
Our organization has always been true to our members through the years. There has and still is excellent volunteer leadership that has led the organization for many years. A fellow board member, John McCraw stated it perfectly in response to another post. If you want to sue Cobb Co. for all of the inequities and it has been determined you have a good case then your name needs to be at the top of the list. The lodge cannot be the name on the suit, it needs to be you and other active officers that have suffered. Please find me at the meeting this Wednesday or any of the future meetings to make me aware of who you are (I can keep your name confidential)so I can make sure you are the first name on the suit to show how strong you feel about this issue.
Finally since this has become long winded let me end with this about your comment to make it your mission to urge ALL active members to be their last year in the organization unless the lodge meets your, what appears to be your non participating expectations. Your dues are $78 per year. This works out to $3 biweekly. There are 8 weeks left in 2017 so please feel free to stop being a member (assuming you are) now. As the secretary of the lodge I have the access to end your membership in a matter of seconds. I will gladly refund your remaining $12 now to save you the pain of being part of our organization that is "lacking leadership."
For all others I encourage all who read this to attend the meeting Wednesday or any other meeting to help be part of the solution. Don't just sit back and bitch. Step up to the podium.
Jimmy Stephens
Secretary, Lodge 13
WRONG and a COWARD
It amazes me that the unanimous poster is probably the one that NEVER attends meetings.
You go girl
I've had a few comments vetted also. I'm guessing what I had to say was a little over the top. I was mad a first... so now I've toned my @#$% down and it gets posted.
United We Stand, Divided We Fall.
There are issues that desperately need to be addressed within the county. I have never seen things get turned around backward as badly as they are now. The county says they are out of money, yet they continue to find funds for things that are not the most important to most of us. As John McCraw said, these fights have been made before, some successful and some not. I have requested that research be done to see what legal grounds we have with the way the pay study was conducted, the way it was implemented, and the impact it has on the recent and future promotions. That is going to require a membership vote to proceed on Wednesday. What I believe is that there is a problem significant enough that a change has to be made. I don't think a day goes by that Steve Gaynor isn't talking to the Chief, the commissioners, the attorney, or somebody about the current issues. We know there is pay compression, we know that cars are an issue, we know that retention is an issue, we know that the hiring standards have fallen through the floor. The meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month at 1630, and dinner is even provided. At least one commissioner will be there that night. If you have ideas we have not thought of, bring them to us. I am still an active officer in this department and the issues that affect you apply to me as well. Although not as often, I too have had conversations with commissioners. The one I had with a commissioner after the supervisor meeting last week lasted almost an hour. A collective voice is much louder than a few voices, so please come to the meetings, go to the commissioner meetings, write letters to the chief, send communications to the FOP board, call me, whatever you need to do. If you have a better plan, let's hear it so we can put it to work. There is no question that things have gone terribly wrong. We are doing the best we can to come up with the answers we all seek.
Who are you?
"This site was created as a way for Cobb Police Officers to stay informed about what is going on in their department and speak their mind without fear of reprisal" I'm guessing the FOP Board might need a refresher.
I agree with some of what is being said by the FOP Board members here ,but... these long rants sound a lot like the whining from the Chief and Director. "This is what we are doing and why...." posting things "anonymously" is a cowards way of dealing with things". Granted the FOP can't fire you ,but you can still be black balled, by other members. To the FOP Board....some of you were targeted by the director in reference to this site as it being the National Enquirer... don't turn on frustrated members. A simple... we understand your frustration we are trying to work on this, come to a meeting and you may understand better... this type of simple statement would come across much better than throwing a temper tantrum as shown above.
You'd think the articles were talking about two different Cobb County's Amazing:
MDJ Online
Cobb County Could See Nearly a $30 Million Shortfall By 2019
http://www.mdjonline.com/news/cobb-county-could-see-nearly-million-budget-shortfall-in/article_d137aa40-bddd-11e7-8f28-6b8790fda935.html
GeorgiaTrend
Cobb County:A Bright Tomorrow
http://www.georgiatrend.com/January-2017/Cobb-County-A-Bright-Tomorrow/
The boc is untrustworthy and has been playing the dedicated and hard working men and women in the PD the last eight years.
The boc needs to make the PD a priority as much as they did the braves. Enough is enough. Finish the take-home car program to include EVERY officer and fix the pay issue with a 10 year salary step plan.
If not we will continue to lose good officers, they will be replaced with officers that just meet the county's standards, and we will be DeCobb County!
The business outsiders definitely have a different perspective of the county from what the county leaders portray to its enployees. So where is the money and why do we operate like we're broke?
I'm thinking the GeorgiaTrend article is the one accurately depicting the real cobb county considering the Nasdaq, S&P500, and the Dow all closed at record highs as of this past Friday.
Locally all you have to do is look at all the building going on throughout the county with apartments, commercial development, and housing subdivisions.
Which begs this question going around the county for awhile now. The boc didn't raise the millage rate, but because cobb's economy is doing so well property values are going up and cobb is expected to collect an additional $52 MILLION in property taxes for an expected total of $730 MILLION (See the CBS46 link).
http://www.cbs46.com/story/36146669/many-cobb-county-homeowners-to-receive-higher-tax-bills
Maybe the chairman and the boc can explain what is being done with the expected additional $52 MILLION?
Really, no raises for the next few years, no new vehicles county wide let alone the PD.
It all comes down to the same thing, Priorities! Libraries were a priority over police/fire being furloughed years ago, the PD suffered for it losing over 200 officers the four years following, and is still recovering. The braves were a priority and the county came up with $300 MILLION.
It just leaves me wondering, we lost over 200 officers when the PD was healthy. So what happens when we lose only 100 officers, with an unhealthy PD, as a result of the boc failing to keep the PD competitive with industry standards such as take-home cars and the pay issues?
Does cobb end up like Atlanta or DeKalb?
I truly hope Not! I don't, as does any other officer, want to see high priority calls being held, proactive specialized units shut down, violent crime sky rocket, or the morale getting any worse.
Time and time again the boc has shown us that the PD is NOT a PRIORITY and continues to "take a knee".
You are my HERO!! Well said...
Where there's smoke there's fire. Wether the FOP likes it or not the perception of the lodge is nothing more than lip service and golf tournaments.
For those of you who bash the anonymous post on here, STFU! This site was created for just this purpose. If your tiny heart syndrome self cannot handle the truth, close the damn page from your end.
FOO, Yes you! I have been to the meetings and still go. I was there when the Chairman told puppet Sam that he should have fallen on his sword for the en and women in public safety.
Now the Chairman has drank the county koo-aid, hell has created his own recipe, and has snatched the sword out of the coward puppets hand. They are all cowards and care nothing about the officer.
So FOP you should stop saying they are with us and call them a f...... liar when they show that that's what they do.
BOC is voting on $1.3 MILLION for parks but can't give us raises, cars or pay our retirement? Plz someone who is already retired, plz go to the media about this!!!
Isn't it interesting that the Upper Brass and BOC (Chairman) feel they have to continuously have videos and mandatory meetings, to explain their actions. If they just did the right thing, there would be no need to defend themselves after every action they take.
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