FACTS vs. RHETORIC
The firefighter’s explanation
BY DAVID GORMAN
Coventry, RI - I feel compelled to respond to all of the BLATANT LIES and consistent misinformation that is circulated relating to CCFD Firefighters Union and the “contract”. As I have always done and will continue to do, I will tell you the FACTS and the TRUTHS. I will continue to tell it like it is with no sugar coating whether or not it is popular or accepted. Whether the public chooses to believe and accept my facts or whether you choose to believe and accept the rhetoric, misinterpretations, mischaracterizations, misinformation, deliberate and outrageous lies, and the politically driven agendas is your decision. But here are the undeniable FACTS!
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FACT
Nearly 15 weeks have passed since the current CCFD Board has been elected.
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The Majority of the members comprising CCFD Board was and/or is members of the “Taskforce” created by Politician Patricia Morgan.
CCFD Board had to be ordered by a Judge to meet with the union. However the union made several offers to “extend the olive branch” and sit down prior to that court order.
Until that point there had been no discussions relating to negotiations or concessions, only meet and greet meetings between different board members and the union which focused on the union leadership educating and helping the board “understand the budget”.
Simply, they hadn’t a clue.
FACT
Prior to the current Board being elected, the firefighters union had negotiated for months with the special master and a team of State negotiators, Ms. Rosemary Booth-Gallogly the Director of Revenue for the State of R.I. and Governor Chaffee and his staff. The concessions were a piece of the big puzzle of formulating a long-term plan to move forward.
The negotiations and the concession package that was reached with special master were on the low end of nearly $1.3 million dollars to upwards of $1.8 million dollars.
Once this agreement was vetted and “blessed” by all parties the Court would not authorize its execution unless there was an approved budget.
Why? Because the court did not want to “lock” it’s self in to an agreement if there was not funding” to do so. (i.e. an approved budget).
FACT
Unfortunately, politicians and special interests such as John Assalone, Senator Nicholas Kettle, at that time Senator Raptakis, as well as the Patricia Morgan/Coventry Citizens Task force worked very hard at “minimizing” the concession package reached.
WHY??
OPINON: in an effort to push their interest, political beliefs, desires, and aspirations. In Assalone’s case to put more $$ in to his pocket.
FACT
Their collective assault lambasting & bashing the Central Coventry Fire District, the firefighters, the union leadership, the fire chief, the special master, the Judge etc… effectively “poisoned” any chance of passing a budget which would have “righted the ship” and laid a solid footing to begin the rebuilding process.
FACT
The most current conditional tentative concession agreement that the Board failed to accept was negotiated between CCFD Board members-Vice President Marie Baker, Cynthia-Fagan Perry & Legal Counsel to the Board, Gorham & Gorham’s Mr. Dave D’Agastino.
FACT
All of the numbers utilized to reach the agreement were verified and confirmed by the Boards appointed CPA, Mr. David Krekorian.
The Boards CPA testified, verified, and confirmed the concession numbers to the court this past Tuesday, October 15th.
FACT
The concessions that were worked out totaled in the neighborhood of $1.1 million of REAL MONEY. Additional savings and management rights would be achieved as they became payable or utilized.
FACT
This agreement was for THIS BUDGET YEAR ONLY! That means it wasn’t stretched over time, the savings were realized immediately.
FACT
I had offered, urged, and explained the need for a long-term agreement which went beyond this particular fiscal year because a long-term agreement will allow this board, the court, and most importantly the taxpayers to develop the necessary long range plan needed to rebuild the fire district.
I was told the board had absolutely no appetite to do so. Now I know why!
FACT
Highlights of the concessions:
Reduction of five positions, reduction of shift staffing to only 8 FF’s on duty at any time to cover the 24 square miles of CCFD, increase employee health insurance co-share and a plan change, reduction of Family Medical Leave days, restriction of usage and access to sick or vacation leave time, elimination of wage increases, as well as numerous other items.
The concessions would have also settled many legal disputes and challenges that the firefighters needed to file to preserve their legal rights.
FACT
Regardless of what was negotiated the numbers DON’T LIE!
The Board’s CPA confirmed that fact to the Judge.
The Board’s legal council also represented the same numbers to the court.
Fred Gralinski, a former tire salesman and now the new CCFD President of the Board say’s he doesn’t think the numbers work and dismisses the testimony by his own accountant and lawyer.
O.K. Fred, well that begs more questions then. Why was it that the President of the Board was not present for a single negotiation?
Opinion: I presume that he knew from the onset, his plan is not to help the district succeed, but rather help the district fail!
It makes sense that Fred Gralinski would not “waste his time” over a long holiday weekend when he already knew the final outcome.
FACT
When CCFD Board members Bob Hadley and Dan Lantz were asked why they voted to reject the concession agreement and to then recommend liquidation, the answer was
…“I was told to vote that way”. By whom is the question??
Opinion: More than likely by the Politician Patricia Morgan who is rumored to be eying a run against Rep.James Langevin. Remember Morgan helped these people get elected. If Politician Morgan can make a name for herself, even if it’s destroying the community, she will do it.
FACT
This Board is in way over their heads and have postured because they are been directed by an outside political influence.
This Board has deliberately and blatantly misrepresented the facts and distorted the truths.
FACT
The writing is clearly on the wall; this Board is not here to help rebuild, but rather help to destroy.
FACT
The District is operating on a SURPLUS.
The CCFD budget year goes from September 1 to August 31.
The district has $500,000 dollars in the bank today and that money is being utilized to pay weekly expenses such as fuel, payroll, and all other “costs of doing business”.
This money is “left over” from last year’s budget, which closed out back in August. (That is called a surplus)
The District also has $700,000 in outstanding tax bills from last year.
Add $500K plus $700K it sums to $1.2 Million which was not spent last budget.
FACT
We are 7 weeks into this current budget which began September 1.
All expenses have been paid during this 7 week time period utilizing last year’s money (SURPLUS).
The Court does not allow the special master to continue to accrue additional debt.
That means that all expenses since last October 16, 2012 (when the court took over) have to be paid per order of the court and per the Law.
The cost to operate is $120K per week or $840K total for the last 7 weeks. This means you need to add or credit $840,000.00 back to last year’s budget. Which in turn means the district closed last fiscal year with a 2 Million Dollar surplus.
FACT
In March of 2013 the fire District had NO cash on hand and was not able to operate much longer. Chief Andrew Baynes and the Special Master implemented an Executive Order which closed three fire stations and immediately reduced the staffing levels per shift.
Special Master Richard Land implemented several additional “unilateral changes” and partially implemented the conditional concession agreement that was talked about earlier.
These “unilateral changes” have allowed the CCFD to continue to provide Fire and EMS service and to close last budget with a SURPLUS.
The surplus is what has allowed CCFD to operate into the now 8 weeks of a new budget and pay all bills or expenses as they accrue.
FACT
Politician Morgan was asked about the surplus just this past Friday. She ended the conversation and walked away from the question without a response. I have it on video!
FACT
The Debt:
The total debt is estimated to be at 2 million dollars if we continue to operate the district. This was money that was not paid under the previous administration and PRIOR to the appointment of the Special Master. 300K is owed to the Town
Mr. Land is authorized to negotiate with all of the creditors and to set up re-payments. The constant budget number that I have seen earmarked for this is $300K per year for the next 6-7 years.
There will always be some debt. In order to continue to purchase new equipment and to keep up with maintenance of facilities etc… there is a cost incurred for that. Just like you and I that have car payments or home loans, you don’t or can’t write a check for such a big expense; therefore you finance it or lease it. As we need new equipment we will need to do that.
FACT
Liquidation – It will not get rid of the debt
Judge Stern has repeatedly said that the cost of liquidation could exceed $21-28 Million dollars. The taxpayers will ultimately be responsible to pay that cost.
Why???
If you close out, everything has to be paid sold off to pay out what is owed.
Every obligation and debt that would normally be paid out on regular basis or budgeted for over a long-term, now instantly becomes a current liability which MUST be settled. Including the full cost of pension obligations, salaries, unemployment, COBRA Health Insurance, outstanding loans and leases, etc…
If everything is sold, then there is no fire and rescue equipment and No fire stations to operate from.
Liquidation will mean there is no fire or rescue equipment or service but you will still get a tax bill to settle the liabilities.
The cost to rebuild a single new fire station is estimated at 6-10 million. Then add all of the new equipment.
Fred Gralinski did not tell you that on Thursday when he was asked that question. He danced around that answer.
FACT
The Taskforce and Politician Morgan are DEAD WRONG!
Liquidation is not reorganization. Bankruptcy is not Liquidation. Each is totally different. CCFD cannot reorganize or File Bankruptcy as can a private corporation.
FACT
CCFD Board and their legal counsel has consistently represented to the public last that they had no plan for public safety protection other than continue to operate the district.
Vice President Marie Bake, who chairs the “Alternative Planning Committee”, stated …the only alternative plan is to pass a budget.
Literally ten minutes later the Board failed to accept the $1.1 million in concessions from the union and voted to recommend Liquidation of the Fire District.
FACT
Tax Rate
The current tax rate is $2.87
The “Guthrie Budget” as it has been referred to will lower your taxes by .17 and provide for adequate essential safety services.
The Board’s budget and plan of action is unknown and uncertain and has a haphazard lowball rate which will cost much, much more in the end.
FACT
Gralinski, just by his actions on the stage at each meeting, takes nothing seriously and makes jokes about everything.
He is the President of a Public Safety Board which provides vital emergency services for over 18,000 plus residents and stated …I will not lose any sleep over this…
WOW is all I can say to that!
FACT
The taskforce and Gralinski claim it will take $7 million to balance a budget for this year. THAT IS A LIE AND A SCARE TACTIC!
Testimony provided by the Special Master and the Boards CPA and the Fire Chief’s proposed budget do not add up to $7million.
FACT
The Board’s budget shows absolutely no revenue or income other than TAX Levy.
There is plenty of other income that needs to be figured into a budget outside of taxes.
There is a potential for $2.2 million in revenue to offset the taxes or debt, but this Board does not have the palate to hear that or the intelligence to figure it out.
FACT
INSURANCE or ISO
Judge Stern ordered the State of R.I. Department of Business Regulation to research the effects of liquidation and station closures on the ISO rating.
This rating system, although complicated, essentially determines the cost of your property insurance.
In short, the report finds that insurance premiums will be affected and costs could rise significantly if there was a liquidation or ISO rate change.
Gralinski says …”no big deal”… Assalone says it’s a scare tactic. Call it what you will. I call it an undisputable FACT!!!
Go to www.isomitigation.com
FACT
The firefighters or the UNION did not create this mess.
The prior administration, tax collector, and treasurer caused the problems that we are stuck with today.
FACT
The average Central Coventry Firefighters does not make anything even close $125K per year as Assalone, Morgan, and the Taskforce have stated.
Their manipulated and deceptive number is the average COST of an employee with all salary, taxes, health care, insurances, etc… It is not a FF’s pay or salary.
FACT
The firefighters together with the community are left picking up the pieces.
FACT
The Firefighters have not once “drawn a line in the sand” with any administration or Board and have always made themselves available and offered to work together.
This has been proven by years’ worth of concession agreements dating back to 2009.
FACT
MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT.
It’s never been about what is right or wrong, if the numbers work or don’t work.
It’s never been about the truth.
It’s been about breaking a small firefighters union because of political driven agenda and ego’s. I can’t be any clearer.
It’s been about dividing the community and pitting friends, family, and neighbors against each.
It’s been about creating a jealous hatred towards your firefighters and politicizing everything and anything that will help that cause.
In closing, please understand that the firefighters of Central Coventry will continue to respond to the emergent needs of our friends, neighbors, and family until ordered by a Judge otherwise. We are committed to serving each and every person in this community and that has been proven over and over again.
I urge you to have an open mind and to get the facts, not the lies. Please do not let political driven agendas ruin our fire department or our community any more than it has.
For the FACTS and TRUTH, follow me on twitter “@gorman3372” or feel free to e-mail me at President@local3372.org.
Sincerely,
David Gorman
President
Coventry Professional Firefighters
