Deb/David,
Check out www.bmrb.org for 2006 salaries for BFD between $92k and $120k . Those
numbers don't include benefits and pensions and it's not a fringe site and
frequently is quoted by the Boston Globe when discussing Police and Fire
contracts. The last contract expired in July 2006 and they are working off of
that. Boston in 2006 was either the top or very close of all FD's in the Country
in pay. http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/the_firebrand/page2.

What does it have to do with Belmont? David you suggest raising the Income tax.
Belmont gets a lousy return on the income tax compared to cities like Boston,
Lawrence and even Arlington... State Rep Brownsberger has said that the local
aid distribution formula is lousy for Belmont and you want to increase the pie
even though we get the smallest piece. So when you say increase the income tax
it means paying excessive salaries to Boston FF's. Excessive? The Median
Household Income in Boston in 2006 was just under $50k so FF's are making twice
the median houshold income there. That would be like paying Belmont FF's $200k a
year. They make nowhere near that and they make less than Boston. I'm not saying
Belmont is underpaid but rather Boston is overpaid and our tax dollars
contribute to it.

As for corrupt politicians David? Name the last 3 Speakers of the House in Ma.
before Deleo (a more powerful position than Governor)
Flaherty - Resigned pleaded guilty to tax evasion
Finneran - Resigned pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice
DiMasi - Resigned charged with rigging of State contracts

How about the Senate and Diane with the stuffed bra... or Chuck Turner or
Arlington's Marzilli arrested for crimes of a sexual nature.

Hmnn? Makes you wonder if Government knows how to better spend your money. So
what will Deb and David do for the Private sector workers being forced into
10-20% pay cuts and losing 401k matches? Why raise their taxes of
course... that's the outrage.
PJ




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