en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/257333 Comments by sirhcdeer http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cash-strapped-city-could-face--162145755.html#IDComment400160236 Nice try troll. It is widely known that Normandy Park is somewhat of an enclave of Republicans. Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:33:05 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cash-strapped-city-could-face--162145755.html#IDComment400160236 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cash-strapped-city-could-face--162145755.html#IDComment400159870 Burien already extends pretty far south and is immediately adjacent to Normandy Park, so joining Burien wouldn't be a far stretch at all. Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:32:15 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cash-strapped-city-could-face--162145755.html#IDComment400159870 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cash-strapped-city-could-face--162145755.html#IDComment400158778 No, but remember, the extra money they'll levy from the lid lift vote will only buy them some time. They really need to do more to close the gap. In WA State, the maximum a city can levy is $1.60 per thousand of AV for the regular CITY tax rate. Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:29:29 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cash-strapped-city-could-face--162145755.html#IDComment400158778 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cash-strapped-city-could-face--162145755.html#IDComment400158197 Yep. They need to realize the economies of scale contracting for police services with an agency like King County Sheriff's Office. Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:28:01 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cash-strapped-city-could-face--162145755.html#IDComment400158197 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cash-strapped-city-could-face--162145755.html#IDComment400157757 What? I know for a fact that Normandy Park has almost no union employees. The ones that are union are their police officers. Nice try. Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:26:53 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cash-strapped-city-could-face--162145755.html#IDComment400157757 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-firefighter-caught-with-meth-still-being-paid-faces-new-charge-152449785.html?clmob=y#IDComment365199074 Not likely dude. I'm quite certain the union is monitoring the situation and ensuring the labor agreement is being followed and that the firefighter in question is getting due process. AND, if the deparment has properly done it's job, and determines that he will be terminated, I'm confident the union (IAFF Local 27) will back the decision of the department. Remember, it's not like the people running the union are a bunch of goons that are somehow not connected with the department. ALL executive board members and officers of the firefighters union ARE current firefighters or company officers in the Seattle Fire Department. So do you think they want to ensure that a seemingly POS shift is amidst their ranks? Me thinks not. Tue, 22 May 2012 20:00:43 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-firefighter-caught-with-meth-still-being-paid-faces-new-charge-152449785.html?clmob=y#IDComment365199074 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-firefighter-caught-with-meth-still-being-paid-faces-new-charge-152449785.html?clmob=y#IDComment365196489 Hmm, I'd like to see your data to support the claim that Seattle Firefighters make $100,000. Yeah, perhaps a long-time vet. working massive amounts of overtime would make that much, but not the average firefighter on the street. Tue, 22 May 2012 19:56:09 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-firefighter-caught-with-meth-still-being-paid-faces-new-charge-152449785.html?clmob=y#IDComment365196489 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-firefighter-caught-with-meth-still-being-paid-faces-new-charge-152449785.html?clmob=y#IDComment365195228 What on earth are you talking about?!?! It's the department who has elected to reduce him to a support position UNTIL they FINISH investigating. The union exists to ensure the department is following the labor agreement and to ensure ALL employees are afforeded proper due process. I believe that is happening now. I'm quite certain that once they finish their investigation, he (most likely with the unions backing) will be FIRED! Remember my friend, the union doesn't administer the fire department, they are responsible for hours, wages and work conditions of the employees they represent. Tue, 22 May 2012 19:53:54 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Seattle-firefighter-caught-with-meth-still-being-paid-faces-new-charge-152449785.html?clmob=y#IDComment365195228 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Gay-marriage-gaining-momentum-in-state-Legislature--137819318.html#IDComment270650108 Yes, please legalize it!!! In fact, legalzie all forms of mariages. I'd like to marry two or more wives. Why not? It's discrimination if I'm not allowed to do that. I say open the flood gates and allow EVERYTHING! If you want to marry your dog or cat--go for it. Let's not limit ourselves to just same-sex marriages. Allow all forms of marriage! Why not people! Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:29:39 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Gay-marriage-gaining-momentum-in-state-Legislature--137819318.html#IDComment270650108 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Public-retirement-ages-come-under-greater-scrutiny-135405573.html#IDComment236046477 Pension spiking IS a problem, however I would say it's the exception--not the norm. I'm a firefighter, and I and many, many others will simply retire at a "normal" pension rate (based on last five years of service), and get an calculated defined benefit. The vast majority of workers DO NOT get the huge bloated pensions as reported. I wouldn't mind bumping the minimum retirement up a couple of years. WA state's is 53 for police officers and firefighters, but I would say most don't retire at that age. Oh, and to all the haters who keep arguing that we shouldn't be getting post retirement medical. Guess what? We don't. LEOFF Plan 2 (for officers and firefighters) has NO provisions for post retirement healthcare. And another thing. Guess who pays the majority of the contributions into the pensions? Me--and the rest of the plan members. I work hard in my profession, and I feel a defined benefit is fair given what we do. I don't make TONS of money as a firefighter, but my wages and benefits provide my family and and I a comfortable living. Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:51:47 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Public-retirement-ages-come-under-greater-scrutiny-135405573.html#IDComment236046477 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Public-retirement-ages-come-under-greater-scrutiny-135405573.html#IDComment236043106 Huh? Hey smart guy, once teachers become administrators--like principals, etc.--they are NO LONGER in the union. In fact, once they get into the higher positions, they often times end up actually negotiating AGAINST the respective labor groups within a school district. Get your facts straight. Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:39:33 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Public-retirement-ages-come-under-greater-scrutiny-135405573.html#IDComment236043106 http://burien.komonews.com/news/911/woman-found-shot-chest-gas-station/644615#IDComment158394673 SOME parts are gritty. Especially areas along the Ambaum BVLD corridor and north of SW 136th. That particular intersection is the north entrance to The Heights at Burien apartment complex. This place is one of the worst complexes in the puget sound area, and has had lots of violence over the years. It has gotten WAY better, but still can produce the violence we saw today. Burien in general is actually a great place to live though. Thu, 2 Jun 2011 02:47:42 +0000 http://burien.komonews.com/news/911/woman-found-shot-chest-gas-station/644615#IDComment158394673 http://www.onlinesocialmedia.net/20110330/verizon-release-rumor-for-droid-bionic-incredible-2-many-more/#IDComment138652577 I'm def going bionic. Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:35:33 +0000 http://www.onlinesocialmedia.net/20110330/verizon-release-rumor-for-droid-bionic-incredible-2-many-more/#IDComment138652577 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/116984888.html#IDComment130972761 All of this banter is nothing more than group polarization in action. Both sides are absolutists in their positions, and this simply becomes an "Us vs. Them" act. There really is no logical and resspectful discussion about what the real issues are, just vitriol and a whole bunch of stone casting. I'm a professional UNION firefighter, and my wages place me smack dab in the upper middle class. I receive a fair wage and a generous benefits package, that helps me take care of my family. My state pension is ok, but when my career is over, my plan will only be a fraction of what I make. Many anti-union people errantly contend that every union worker lives a lavish lifestyle and will receive extremely generous benefits after they retire. You are wrong, as this is simply not the case. Like many non-union workers, I too will be planning for the day when I have to pay for health insurance entirely out of pocket. Sun, 27 Feb 2011 05:54:30 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/116984888.html#IDComment130972761 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/116901203.html#IDComment130572646 In WA State, collective bargaining doesn't take any power away from local, county or state governments. Why you ask? Because both parties (union and government) have the ability to negotiate in good faith and in the event of impasse, go to mediation or arbitration. This is especially true in the case of public safety employees, since they cannot strike. In their case, and because they cannot strike, an arbitrator can set the conditions of a labor agreement should both parties reach impasse. One of the factors an arbitrator uses to determine wages, is the employers funding ability (essentially their ability to pay). In my experience, I have NEVER seen an arbitrator set a wage that was beyond a CPI-based increment. All this dialogue (if not vitriol) is nothing more than good ol' union busting. in the Wisonsin case, the state labor groups have conceded to almost everything with regards to pay and healthcare, yet want to ensure that their CB rights are maintained. The states GOP party doesn't want to play fair and just wants to stick it to the state employees--using them as scapegoats for their financial woes. It's all utter BS. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:32:03 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/national/116901203.html#IDComment130572646 http://burien.komonews.com/news/business/three-years-later-downtown-burien-still-waits-its-transformation/622719#IDComment129674040 Ah, DMMD and 177th was the vicinity you lived in? Nuff said on that one, because I bet you lived at Wellington Place Apartments, which has never been a "great" place to live. That type of apartment complex is exactly what I'm talking about. It was built when King County ran the area, and before Burien was a "city." Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:13:25 +0000 http://burien.komonews.com/news/business/three-years-later-downtown-burien-still-waits-its-transformation/622719#IDComment129674040 http://burien.komonews.com/news/business/three-years-later-downtown-burien-still-waits-its-transformation/622719#IDComment129663613 Fail. Again, some of you haters haven't spent much time in Burien lately. Most still refer to what Burien once "was," a depressed unincorporated wasteland for King County to dump a multitude of multi-family apartment buildings. And why would you want to change the name? It has historic value that goes way back. Second, it is NOTHING like Des Moines. Talk about doing absolutely NO developement, Des Moines has this GREAT city with a marina, and hasn't done crap. At least Burien as an assortment of boutique shops and restaraunts that locals and visitors alike can go to. Again, I get the feeling that most people dogging on Burien haven't actually explored all that this city has to offer. Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:13:10 +0000 http://burien.komonews.com/news/business/three-years-later-downtown-burien-still-waits-its-transformation/622719#IDComment129663613 http://burien.komonews.com/news/business/three-years-later-downtown-burien-still-waits-its-transformation/622719#IDComment129662672 You're so far off base. How can you honestly say that Burien and White Center are the same??? Burien isn't even in the same league as WC, as Burien has thriving businesses and such. No wonder you have a terrible rating. Me thinks you're just a troll.... Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:07:30 +0000 http://burien.komonews.com/news/business/three-years-later-downtown-burien-still-waits-its-transformation/622719#IDComment129662672 http://burien.komonews.com/news/business/three-years-later-downtown-burien-still-waits-its-transformation/622719#IDComment129662379 Explain in detail how it's a "pit?" You''re way off base.... Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:05:43 +0000 http://burien.komonews.com/news/business/three-years-later-downtown-burien-still-waits-its-transformation/622719#IDComment129662379 http://burien.komonews.com/news/business/three-years-later-downtown-burien-still-waits-its-transformation/622719#IDComment129662180 A "ghetto?" Not sure which part you lived in, but I would venture to say that most reasonable people would say it is far from a "ghetto" or even a depressed area. You are aware that Burien is on Puget sound, right? Those neighborhoods like Shorewood, Seahurst, Gregory Heights, Three Tree Point, Seola Beach, etc might take offense to your incorrect statement. Oh, I can also see why you "hate" going back. All those boutique businesses along 152nd, and elsewhere, drawing all sorts of unsavory people like families et al. Yeah, why on earth would you ever want to come back. In fact, don't.... Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:04:34 +0000 http://burien.komonews.com/news/business/three-years-later-downtown-burien-still-waits-its-transformation/622719#IDComment129662180