[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Byte1

A couple of thoughts:
Are the present firefighters paid by the county? If so, then what happens to their retirement funding, if any? Do they still get county benefits if they are "Independent?"
Not to get political and trying to merely make a point, I received an email from a "D" organization telling me to vote "NO." That tends to make it easier for some to vote "YES." I really wish they would not make it a politically partisan issue.
I have read some very good answers on here, both "yay" and "nay." I am going to leave myself open to plausible views before I vote this week or next. So far, both views seem to make sense.
I will continue to look forward to sensible suggestions, or I will just leave it blank. I prefer not to leave it blank but rather than make the wrong decision and regret it, I figure I might end up letting others regret their choice.

Firefighter union seems to be FOR the IFD. Can’t imagine the union risking salaries or benefits.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Byte1

A couple of thoughts:
Are the present firefighters paid by the county? If so, then what happens to their retirement funding, if any? Do they still get county benefits if they are "Independent?"
Not to get political and trying to merely make a point, I received an email from a "D" organization telling me to vote "NO." That tends to make it easier for some to vote "YES." I really wish they would not make it a politically partisan issue.
I have read some very good answers on here, both "yay" and "nay." I am going to leave myself open to plausible views before I vote this week or next. So far, both views seem to make sense.
I will continue to look forward to sensible suggestions, or I will just leave it blank. I prefer not to leave it blank but rather than make the wrong decision and regret it, I figure I might end up letting others regret their choice.

Thank you, that definitely solidifies my decision. If the organization that sent you an e-mail wants a "NO" vote, then there is no better reason on this planet to vote "YES"

[Mrs.Guy]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

Firefighter salaries and pensions are paid by the state

There should be a law against giving out misinformation.

Village Fire Fighters are District employees and are NOT in the State Retirement System. If you don't know that why would you state differently...... to lie? Would you please answer that..... I'm very confused.

[Mrs.Guy]

I'm thinking some of you have never heard the saying “It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk/post and remove all doubt.”

If you are going to post, you may want to know something about the subject..... and then again, maybe not!

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Guy

There should be a law against giving out misinformation.

Village Fire Fighters are District employees and are NOT in the State Retirement System. If you don't know that why would you state differently...... to lie? Would you please answer that..... I'm very confused.

Isn't that what this says:
Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

[Mrs.Guy]

Originally Posted by Advogado

Whether one intends to vote yes or no, residents should be outraged that the proponents of the new fire district are spending our tax dollars on color brochures and what appears to be a professionally made video that are nothing more than propaganda promoting the fire district. The brochures and video are just decoration on the poke in which the pig of the fire district is being hidden.

Originally Posted by ScottFenstermaker

You are exactly right. We are being sold a pig in a poke by the proponents of the new fire district. The present system works, and there is no need to dismantle it and set up a Fire District with a whole lot of unknowns. Voters should keep in mind the adage: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The fact that the enabling legislation was quickly put together and pushed through the legislature by the notorious million-dollar-Developer-employee Representative Brett Hage should raise red flags about what is going on.

So.... it's safe to say you are against this under both of your user names?

Is there any possibility that you are slightly blinded by your dislike or as some would say hatred? Asking for a friend. A friend who moved to the Villages because he liked the way things are done and hasn't changed since moving here 18 years ago.

[Mrs.Guy]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

Isn't that what this says:
Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

I didn't see VPSD in that link any place. You stated "Firefighter salaries and pensions are paid by the state" that is copy and paste from your post. IT'S NOT CORRECT ABOUT OUR FIRE DEPT.

[Dotneko]

Originally Posted by ScottFenstermaker

You are exactly right. We are being sold a pig in a poke by the proponents of the new fire district. The present system works, and there is no need to dismantle it and set up a Fire District with a whole lot of unknowns. Voters should keep in mind the adage: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The fact that the enabling legislation was quickly put together and pushed through the legislature by the notorious million-dollar-Developer-employee Representative Brett Hage should raise red flags about what is going on.

Agreed. If its a good idea, there is nothing stopping it from being put forth again later when the numbers are more concrete. Somebody is getting something out of this and it isnt us imo.

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Guy

I didn't see VPSD in that link any place. You stated "Firefighter salaries and pensions are paid by the state" that is copy and paste from your post. IT'S NOT CORRECT ABOUT OUR FIRE DEPT.

Not salaries, I was wrong about that but it is my understanding that all pensions for fire and police are handled by the state. Where is it stated otherwise?

If this is misinformation it is unintentional.

[Byte1]

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Guy

I didn't see VPSD in that link any place. You stated "Firefighter salaries and pensions are paid by the state" that is copy and paste from your post. IT'S NOT CORRECT ABOUT OUR FIRE DEPT.

Wasn’t “VPSD” right next to “Orlando,” “Tampa,” and “Sumter County?”

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Dotneko

Agreed. If its a good idea, there is nothing stopping it from being put forth again later when the numbers are more concrete. Somebody is getting something out of this and it isnt us imo.

The authorization from the Legislature expires this year. We cannot “put it forth later” without the Staye Legislature passing it again.

[Mrs.Guy]

[QUOTE=oldtimes;2150929]Not salaries, I was wrong about that but it is my understanding that all pensions for fire and police are handled by the state. Where is it stated otherwise?

Answer:
NOT all Government workers are in the State Retirement System. Just one more thing some don't understand..... and probably shouldn't discuss til they do.

If this is misinformation it is unintentional.

OK. You are unintentionally giving out false information..... Makes me feel better - NOT!

Originally Posted by Byte1

Would that still be true if the Villages FD became independent?

Please consider asking the experts your questions. As I have said before "This is your Fire Dept. and your Government Officials ..... ask them ...... they work for us.

[oldtimes]

If this is misinformation it is unintentional.

OK. You are unintentionally giving out false information..... Makes me feel better - NOT!


Isn't that the purpose of a forum to have misunderstandings corrected. This is what I believed to be true. You don't have to be so snippy.

[Mrs.Guy]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Wasn’t “VPSD” right next to “Orlando,” “Tampa,” and “Sumter County?”

Still not seeing it..... could you please quote the section number? Thanks. I was personally told by members of the fire service here a couple of years ago when I asked, that they were not in the State Retirement System.