Noted where "Fish"; Abe Vigoda has went to his final Reward. Many are too young to remember "Barney Miller", a 30 minute police comedy. But Mr. Vigoda made droll a NOUN. He was great. May the Good Lord Bless him.
Have been thinking on this for several days and feel it would be only proper to give a belated but much deserved Atta boy to Mr. Mitchell as the Vienna "Firefighter of the Year". Even with my issues with the City Administration, those who as I put it have "dirt under their nails" should not be forgotten or ignored in their efforts to excel. Again, Mr. Mitchell, a job well done.
Catching up on the latest Op-Ed in the 24 January 16 paper. It was from one Ms. Barnette; who just happened to be the President of the Jackson County Educational Association. Smell like a Teacher's Union to me?
In any case it was so full of self serving reasons why the people earning so little with few if any benefits should bail out the PEIA deficit. And all she proposed was higher taxes; rainy day funds payments and no reductions in benefits via higher deductibles, co-pays and premiums which many in the real world are dealing with AlL the time. Do the Government Employees in this State at whatever deserve a fair Compensation Package? In a word- YES. In Truth, anyone in Public or Private employment deserve a fair package.
But why not call a spade a spade and note the very, very poor decisions passed by our Elected Officials over the past few years. And many, that's right, many of those Elected folks are retired Teachers/ Administration types. In there, taking care of their Constituents and to hell with the rest of the people in the State. Well that swooshing sound we hear are the chickens coming home to roost. I am truly sympathetic but cannot see why those with so little need bail out those in many cases with so much? In this State sharing the pain stops at the Elected/ Appointed level. Those above are very well represented. Those below are meant to stay there.
What is continually ignored is that while "beginning salaries" may be low compared to other types of work in the real world, the increases come quickly and the benefits are far richer than most others. Her comment that there has only been one pay raise in a decade of a $1000. is pure- simple B.S. They have received 18% in raises over that decade. Starting Salary is alleged at $32,533 and an average of $45,453/ year. 18% of $32, 500 is $5000 over the decade. Now for what I like to call "Truth in Advertising" I admit the numbers are skewed some by me using the CURRENT starting salary versus a decade ago and not going up step by step and year by year. In any case still a lot more than the $1000. she is alleging? This with a Teacher/ Student Ratio of about 14 kids per class. And that sounds right based on the Teacher who won the Teacher of the Month here recently, who commented on having 14 in his class.
I understand more money in other States. But what is their Teacher/ Student Ratio. Many have 20- 25 Students in a class (was for sure when I went to School). And if one really wants to see dedication; go the Philippines. There and I know this for a fact, there are 50- 70 per a class room. Even while the National Government has mandated should not be that many. This with 2 or 3 sharing a decades old book. and in some places the class room is under a huge over shadowing tree (usually a Banyon Tree). So I would think based on the above info which I found in the " Teacher Portal" and referencing "West Virginia Teacher Salary". This was apparently out of the "National Education Association (nea.org), National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov), 2012-13"; that Ms. Barnette is full of woof woof and rah rah? I have to question but what she totally misled the readers? And of course the paper bought in to it. Shame on both.
Now, I will agree with the Lady that there is a dire need for our so called Elected People in the House and Senate to get off their collective a**es and earn their money by doing things to help the State as a WHOLE. Mr. Kelly and his unbelievable pandering of $1500/ year for four years for the Teachers is a good reason as I noted before to send him back to P'burg and protect the rest of the State.
I got a call from somebody about an hour ago (3:45 28th), who volunteered to connect me to him at someplace or another. As politely as I could, I passed that chance to self inflict pain on myself. He and Mr. Deem are for damn sure our weak willies in the House. Each time I read that they are for/ about something I begin automatically to start for the NO, but Hell NO button. And that is not to say I still do not have doubts on Mr. Azinger the younger? A product of Nepotism and Cronyism?
Merit raises; well monitored Charter School and processes to clean up the bad apples will go a long way to fix the issues for the front line teachers. Do proper maintenance on the Schools so the Teachers can do their thing in safe, comfortable environments both for themselves and the Students.
Teaching, Police, Fire Fighters, Military as a few used to be Vocations. Done from the Heart and for the Service to the Communities/ Nation. Well known for not so good pay but good benefits. Now, the Pay is to match the real World wages but still the good benefits. Maybe nowadays asking a bit too much?
There are going to be NO easy answers for what the Legislative and Executive branches have signed off on over the past few years. Incompetence and an inept approach that only they can possibly know what is best for the State in the interests of the Special Interests groups have put the State Finances in dire jeopardy. We are going to have to ALL share the pain that is coming.
And having NO increases in Social Security or Federal Pension for 3 of last 7 years, I would say that I and all Elderly/ Retired are for sure sharing. And when one happened: 2009-0%, 2010- 0%, 2011- 3.6%, 2012- 1.7%, 2013- 1.5%, 2014- 1.7% and 2015- 0%. 'nuff said.
(Paid for by the Candidate- Lawrence Wilson for Mayor of Vienna).
System had some problems but hopefully site has worked them out now.