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International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 623
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Atlanta council passes public safety sales tax plan |
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Written by Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Thursday, 04 February 2010 08:22 |
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 By Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An Atlanta city councilman's effort to find a new way to pay for new police cars, firetrucks and other public safety needs passed one hurdle Monday, but the biggest test is yet to come.
The City Council voted 13-0 in favor of a plan drafted by Councilman Michael Julian Bond to create a penny-per-dollar sales tax to fund public safety improvements, which are estimated at $287.5 million. But the Republican-controlled state Legislature, which is often allergic to new taxes, must allow the bill to come before Atlanta voters in a referendum. It's estimated the tax would collect about $100 million a year.
One leading Republican, state Rep. Ed Lindsey of Atlanta, said in an interview that he has several concerns about the idea. Lindsey's primary concern is he doesn't believe the legislation is specific enough. He fears some of the money will be used for other purposes.
"That's how government works," said Lindsey, the House majority whip.
Bond said the legislation outlines that the funds would be specifically used for vehicles and equipment. The councilman said he would meet with Lindsey and anyone else necessary to get the legislation passed at the Capitol.
"We have an obligation to provide safety and make sure our citizens are safe," Bond said.
State Rep. Roger Bruce (D-Atlanta), chairman of the Fulton County delegation to the Legislature, said Monday that he is willing to help the city as long as the council's idea is thoroughly researched.
Another state lawmaker, Rep. Wendell Willard, a Republican from Sandy Springs, said he is worried about the impact an increase in the city's sales tax rate would have on low-income families. The city's sales tax rate is currently 8 percent. State lawmakers are considering an idea that could allow local governments to impose a penny-per-dollar sales tax to pay for transportation improvements.
"This would be a tough burden put on people who are probably the poorest," Willard said of the city's proposal.
State Rep. Rashad Taylor (D-Atlanta) said he also plans to meet with Lindsey, agreeing his support is critical to getting the bill passed. Taylor, who was deputy campaign manager to Mayor Kasim Reed, said he is "intrigued" by the idea because it may be a revenue source that could free up other city funds to pay for more police officers.
"The city doesn't have many options to raise revenue," Taylor said.
Reed must sign the legislation before it goes to the state Capitol. Mayoral spokesman Reese McCranie said the mayor wants to study the measure before deciding whether he'll sign or veto it.
Bond hopes the tax could go into effect in 2012, when a 1 percent sales tax that currently goes to Atlanta Public Schools ends. Keith Bromery, a spokesman for the city school district, said the district hasn't decided whether it has an interest in continuing the tax.
Staff Writer Aaron Gould Sheinin contributed to this article.
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Atlanta council mulls public safety fund |
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Written by Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Thursday, 21 January 2010 11:16 |
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By Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta city council members on Tuesday discussed legislation to create a penny-per-dollar sales tax to pay for new police cars, fire trucks and other public safety facilities.
Councilman Michael Julian Bond is pushing the idea, saying the city has $287.5 million in needed improvements and new vehicles.
The idea would require several steps. First, it must be approved by the council and Mayor Kasim Reed. Then, it must be passed by state lawmakers. Finally, voters must approve the tax in a referendum, which would take place in 2011. If approved, the legislation would take effect in 2012, when Bond said a 1-cent sales tax that goes to the Atlanta school system expires.
The council referred the legislation its finance committee, which will likely take up the matter next week. |
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Written by Lieutenant M. Scott Kreher
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Thursday, 21 January 2010 11:08 |
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2009 Pension Report |
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Brock Built are the builders of our new union hall. |
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Written by Webmaster
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Saturday, 16 January 2010 17:16 |
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 I am pleased to let you know that I spoke with Steve Brock, and we are able to offer police officers $5000 towards the purchase of a new Brock Built Home! Please let me know if you have any questions. I would love to send an email out to all officers with this announcement if it’s a possibility. It would also be great if I could get some fliers into your break rooms.
Thanks again for all of your help,
Tessa Jones
Sales and Marketing Coordinator
1429 Fairmont Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30318
404.214.2744 | f 404.214.2921
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Referral Program
Earn some extra Holiday money!
Refer a friend, family member, or co worker to a Brock Built Neighborhood and receive $500.00!
Click HERE for the referral form.
Brock Built has been building 25 years, was the 2008 recipient of Homebuilder of the Year by the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association and received 17 Obie awards for outstanding building and architectural design in 2008 and 2009.
*The $500.00 is only payable at CLOSING of the referral, not when the contract is written. The referral form must be presented to the sales representative at the time of the first visit. Brock Built will pay a $500.00 Gift Check within 30 days after closing of your friend’s new Brock Built Home. This offer is not valid for previously registered customers, homes already sold or under contract. Please see a Brock Built Sales agent for a referral form if needed. |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 21 January 2010 11:05 |
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ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL AND THE EAGLE RAID LAWSUIT |
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Written by Stephanie Ramage, The Sunday Paper
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Monday, 11 January 2010 05:27 |
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 “What’s the dumbest thing a city council could do?”
That question unlocks a whole universe of possibilities, but certainly one possibility would have to be this: To pass a resolution that essentially admits to the allegations in a lawsuit against the city.
That almost happened Monday thanks to newly elected Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond, who previously served on the council during the 1990s. Bond introduced a resolution requiring that the council apologize to those arrested in the raid of the Atlanta Eagle bar last September for the actions of officers of the Atlanta Police Department. The resolution also states “no criminal activity” happened at the bar.
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Atlanta police reorganization highlights Reed's first full day as mayor |
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Written by Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Wednesday, 06 January 2010 06:55 |
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By Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In his first full day on the job, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed unveiled a reorganization of the police department's command staff and announced other plans including one to hire an economic development czar.
Acting Police Chief George Turner promoted several longtime leaders to new positions to boost morale among officers. The moves included promoting Peter Andresen from deputy of field operations to assistant chief, Ernest Finley from Zone 3 Commander to deputy of field operations, Calvin Moss from the special operation center to deputy chief of criminal investigations and Shawn Jones from the airport to deputy chief of the support services division.
"We think it rewards folks who've done the job well," Turner told reporters.
Some of the people who held those positions left the department with former Chief Richard Pennington. Other changes were described as lateral moves.
Lt. Scott Kreher, head of the city's largest police union, said the changes are well-received because the new hierarchy is composed of experienced officers who will "get back to crime fighting." He said the most significant change may be Finley, whom he described as a "hard-charging" officer who could put in place several initiatives to combat the rise in property crimes.
Kreher said the moves may determine whether Turner gets the chief job permanently. Reed is conducting a search for chief and wants to hire someone within 120 days.
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APD officers remember colleague killed in Afghanistan |
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Written by Christian Boone, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tuesday, 05 January 2010 05:33 |
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By Christian Boone, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Scott Roberson was working for the CIA when he was killed in Afghanistan last week. But to former colleagues at the Atlanta Police Department, Roberson was all cop.
"I'm sad Scott's gone, but I know he was where he wanted to be, " said Sgt. Mike O'Connor, who joined the APD shortly after Roberson in the mid-1990s. "He was real police," O'Connor said. "He knew that sometimes [expletive] happens in this job.
Next month Roberson, 39, and his wife of two years, Molly, were expecting their first child, a girl they planned to name Piper.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 January 2010 05:38 |
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Reed creates panel to reform pensions |
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Written by Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Wednesday, 23 December 2009 12:32 |
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By Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Mayor-elect Kasim Reed announced Tuesday he's forming a panel to tackle Atlanta's costly pension system, which he described as "the toughest challenge the city faces right now."
The city is expected to spend more than $100 million -- about one-fifth of its general fund budget -- on pensions in the fiscal year that ends June 30. In 2002, Atlanta spent just $36 million on pensions.
"It's crippling our city," Reed told reporters.
Reed said he hopes to act on some reforms within his first 60 days in office. He said the problem could prevent him from enacting some of his plans, such as hiring more police officers. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlighted the city's pension challenges in its Atlanta Project series in September.
The nine- to 11-member panel will be led by John C. Mellott, the former publisher of the AJC. Mellott, who retired from the newspaper early this year, is a certified public accountant who held several senior financial roles within Cox Enterprises, the company that owns the AJC.
Reed said during the campaign he'd consider changing the time employees could become vested from 10 years to 15. The mayor-elect has also said he'd look into whether the city could enter Social Security to reduce pension costs. Reed said Tuesday he will look seriously at those options.
Reed talked about the city's pension problems early and often during the campaign. He pinned much of the blame for the rising pension costs on the City Council, which approved changes to the pension system in 2001 and 2005 to help Atlanta catch up after years of underfunding its pension plans. Mellott said the panel will offer solutions, not look at the past.
"It will be forward-looking," he said.
In June, the council approved changes proposed by outgoing Mayor Shirley Franklin that reduced how much the city spent on pensions this budget year by about $15 million.
Reed said he hopes to announce the members of the entire panel shortly after Christmas. The mayor-elect said he is working through whether members of the city's unions and employee organizations will serve on the panel. |
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Anything you post will be used either in court or administratively against you |
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Written by Webmaster
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Wednesday, 09 December 2009 05:34 |
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 Recent news about officers being fired over post on facebook and myspace should warn you that anything you post will be used either in court or administratively against you. Anything you post on these social networks should be as if you are speaking in public.
Sgt. Scott Kreher
PDF Link
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 December 2009 05:40 |
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Atlanta police officers from Haiti trying to return to homeland |
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Written by Bill Rankin, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Saturday, 16 January 2010 17:27 |
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By Bill Rankin, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nineteen Atlanta police officers who are from earthquake-ravaged Haiti are trying to find flights to return to their homeland.
They want to find their relatives and help in the relief effort, acting Chief George Turner said. "We're doing everything we can to work things out so they can go," the acting chief said. "It's a very difficult time for them."
Some of the 19 officers, as well as one civilian employee at headquarters, have heard from their relatives in Haiti and some have not, Officer James Polite, an APD chaplain, said.
"All are highly affected by it," Polite said. "They're more than ready to go."
Polite said the Atlanta police force will ask all metro-area law enforcement officials to come to APD headquarters next Tuesday to donate supplies, such as water, diapers and canned goods, to be sent to Haiti to help in the relief effort. |
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Atlanta's interim police chief says 100 new cops is goal |
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Written by Christian Boone, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tuesday, 12 January 2010 06:14 |
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By Christian Boone, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Interim Atlanta Police Chief George Turner told the AJC on Monday that the department's goal is for 100 new officers by year's end.
Turner said the city has budgeted an additional $16 million that will go toward hiring the new officers and retention, which he plans to address through reinstating "increments," or annual step-pay increases. The loss of those increments has been crippling for morale, Turner said.
The department will soon hire another 50 new officers through funds made available by the federal stimulus package. New mayor Kasim Reed has vowed to hire 750 new officers by the end of his first term.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 06:19 |
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New City Council member Michael Julian Bond introduced at his first council meeting |
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Written by Lt. Scott Kreher
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Friday, 08 January 2010 08:33 |
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 I wanted our officers to see what our new City Council member Michael Julian Bond introduced at his first council meeting January 4th. We find it hard to understand in his resolution some of his statements listed below:
“no criminal activity was found on the premises or persons therein”
He stated this and then a few lines down he says:
“the City Council requests also that as the Court reviews the facts of this case that it contemplates dropping charges brought against eight employees”
WOW….Is Mr. Bond so mad at the IBPO that represents over 1,110 APD officers for NOT endorsing him this past election that he uses his position as a council member to attack our officers? Take a look at the entire resolution and it is clear that he does not believe in the Criminal Justice System and will pass judgment on our officers before the case is disposed of in a court of law. He would rather intimidate the court to rule in favor of his political motivations. His actions are exactly why the IBPO did not endorse him for public office and will put our full resources in the next election to ensure he is not reelected.
Lt. Scott Kreher
National Vice President, IBPO
President, IBPO Local 623
PDF Link
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Last Updated on Monday, 11 January 2010 05:35 |
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Reed to create job of ‘economic development czar' |
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Written by Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Wednesday, 06 January 2010 06:49 |
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By Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, in his first full day on the job, said Tuesday he would work to improve business opportunities in the city, including creating a position of "economic development czar."
Reed made the comments at a Kiwanis Club luncheon, his first public event Tuesday.
Reed said he wants to be able to help businesses solve their problems more quickly, noting that New York City has an official who specializes in attracting and keeping businesses.
The mayor also said he wants to improve the permitting department in his first year.
Reed is scheduled to announce organizational changes in the police department Tuesday afternoon.
Reed made the issue of crime a major topic of his inaugural address Monday.
"When women cannot walk to their cars at night without feeling safe, when students don’t feel safe walking to class, when convention attendees don’t want to stay downtown, we have failed to take responsibility for the most sacred obligation of our present – the safety of our citizens." he said.
"We must undertake this effort with seriousness and severity. We must prevent crime, we must eliminate violence fueled by gang activity and we must reduce the types of activities like aggressive panhandling that frighten our citizens. We must treat our officers better by paying them a wage that allows them to support their families and to afford to live in the city they have sworn to protect.
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Mayor-elect Reed: ‘You will see action’ |
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Written by Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Monday, 04 January 2010 06:11 |
He promises more hires, including police chief, within 120 days
By Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Monday, Kasim Reed will become Atlanta’s 59th mayor. Last week, Reed sat down for an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in his transition offices at City Hall that overlook the mayor’s office. Here are excerpts.
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Turner named interim APD chief |
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Written by Bill Rankin, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Thursday, 10 December 2009 06:22 |
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By Bill Rankin, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
George Turner on Wednesday called it an "amazing time" for him to serve as Atlanta's acting police chief and made it clear he wants to keep the job on a full-time basis.
Turner is a Grady baby who was raised in Perry Homes, one of Atlanta's first housing projects. Now deputy chief, Turner joined the force in 1981 and previously commanded the Zone 1 precinct in northwest Atlanta.
Mayor-elect Kasim Reed said he picked Turner to serve as his interim chief because he will fight gang violence, help recruit new police officers and work hard to improve morale.
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in Local 623 Questions and Discussions by rjstack, 17-02-09 09:13
