| I bet the last time the Yankees came through, | | | | women, we would soon not have much of a city |
| citizens of Atlanta wished their firefighters | | | | to stand on. These folks risk their lives on |
| received the same pay as their soldiers. I | | | | a daily basis to keep us safe, and if anyone |
| have no qualms against police officers and | | | | should be put at the forefront of a swift pay |
| feel that a 3.5% raise for them is more than | | | | increase, it should be our firefighters and |
| fair, particularly at their current salary. | | | | our police officers.The idea that increasing |
| But to imply that firefighters do not deserve | | | | pay will help stop the turnover in the police |
| equal treatment is ludicrous. Police officers | | | | department is not necessarily a bad one. It |
| risk their lives daily to keep us safe. Not a | | | | should be noted, however, that the September |
| day goes by that we don't see the police in | | | | 2005 issue of The Police Chief noted that |
| action in some form or the other But the | | | | police departments across the country are |
| firefighters frequently headline the metro | | | | experiencing an increased rate of turnover. |
| section as they battle a variety of blazes.As | | | | One of several reasons given was due to |
| a citizen, I feel it ludicrous that both are | | | | salary. |
| police and fire deparments are paid | | | | |
| signficantly less than similar cities, or | | | | The bigger issue, I think, has to do with |
| even cities in the surrounding area. I | | | | respect. If we allow members of Congress to |
| applaud Franklin for keeping our budget | | | | strike our police officers and get away with |
| opporating in the black and recognize how | | | | it when said officers are simply trying to |
| difficult that can be. I also applaud her for | | | | protect the same people attacking them, who |
| her success with creating a reserve. Most | | | | is going to want to work for our police |
| Americans can't seem to manage that on a | | | | force? If we continue to tell our |
| smaller budget, with less public pressure to | | | | firefighters that they are not risking their |
| spend, spend, spend, and Franklin's ability | | | | lives enough, who is going to want to be part |
| to change these things speaks volumes for her | | | | of that group?People don't want to work for a |
| character and her determination. However, a | | | | boss or an organization that continually |
| review of her 2005 budget veto letter reveals | | | | disrespects them. This applies to small |
| the goal of "Making the salaries for over 60% | | | | businesses as well as large organizations. |
| of City of Atlanta full-time government | | | | According to a 2005 Sirota study, the biggest |
| employees comparable to similar municipal | | | | reason people voluntarily quit their jobs |
| employees in other jurisdictions". My | | | | depends on the overall satisfaction with |
| question is, which 60% deserve to receive | | | | their employment. Pay comes in last on the |
| equal pay MORE than our firefighters and | | | | list (number five). |
| police officers? Without these brave men and | | | | |