01/02/03  DPD Officer responds to Debbie

City workers DO realize that many people are taking cuts in today's economy. Guess what?  We've been dealing with that for years!

While you "Dot.comers" were rolling in the money, getting raises and bennies when the economy was good, city employees were dealing with bad economic times every year.  That's because in every year of good economic times for you guys, city employees were on the side burner and didn't even raises to keep up with inflation during even the best of times because the politicians put their pet projects  ahead of us. 

Not only are we left behind in bad times, we were also left behind in the best of times while you guys rolled in the money  and bonuses in the "dot.com" era.  I understand that times are bad for you guys now, but all I can say is "welcome to the club"!

While you guys were rolling, we dealt with repossessed cars and houses due to injuries sustained on the job while trying to do the right thing fighting the criminals you guys want so desperately to get away from.  Yes,it's a tough world out there,but please don't  try to tell us "welcome to the club"!

"Mayor Miller is doing the best that she can with what was handed to her?"  Really?!?!  Is she going after wasted money?  Perhaps so on some accounts, but she is also going after basic services she promised to uphold and is reeking havoc on the rank and file she promised to help.  I seriously doubt that we little peons are the source of wasted money that is causing the budget shortfall.  More likely it is out of control spending on pet projects by the politicians causing the current budget crises!

You say that "we cannot spend what we do not have", and that is true.  But I say, your Mayor and city council are spending the money we do have inappropriately, and therein lies the problem.  Misappropriation of funds! 

Let me make this clear, some of us no longer want raises in these "bad economic times", we just want the Mayor to stop trying to take away basic benefits  that we had when we agreed to work for this God forsaken city.  Sure, we can tighten our belts, but we can't take your Mayor hanging us by the neck with that very belt!!!

You say you would love to have a job with health insurance, holidays, a steady pay check, and anything beats unemployment.  I say, come on over to the other side, and see if you think it is better.  Deal with the people we encounter.  Deal with the politicians who say "we love you" and cut your benefits and pay behind closed doors.  Deal with the second guessing from people who aren't willing to do what you do and be willing to take criticism from people who always know how to do your job better than you do. 

All the city requires is 45 hours of college, no felonies, and that you be able bodied.  So come on over!  It's better than unemployment, right?   Or would you take a job where you are being treated like your Mayor is treating us?

If you are willing, we need the help.  We really don't like answering your call for police assistance hours after you called, so we need many more bodies to help out.  This great city is hiring, so please do your part and  become part of the solution.  

Also, if you have information on a officer "sitting under the shade tree in a parking lot for hours", we would really appreciate it if you would report it and get it resolved. We need all the help we can get.

Please visit the city of Dallas website and apply, or would you be willing to work for these wages, conditions under the current Chief and Mayor???

Another "our Mayor loves the police and firemen" casualty.