This is a fact of Kansas City life that needs to be repeated so that people don't forget and mistakenly believe that we're living in some kind of Democracy:
Local 42 Runs Kansas City Local Government.
I just noticed a TV editorial noting as much and realized that this REALITY seems to be an ongoing theme over the past few months on this blog. While we're on the subject, we should probably note that KCFD's Michael Cambiano seems to be the front runner to take over for Prez Louie Wright. Control of the most powerful union in Kansas City's modern history seems to be shifting smoothly and under the radar of most local news watchers.
Right now, there's a bit of disparity when it comes to public understanding of Local 42's power because coverage of their influence is light as far as City Hall is concerned. Kansas City Star columnist Yael Abouhalkah is happy to rant and rave about Local 42 influence at Jackson County but has heretofore stayed remained QUIET WHEN SIGNS OF THE VERY SAME INFLUENCE ARE APPARENT AT CITY HALL!!!
We've already noted that Local 42 has put thousands in the campaign coffers of Mayor Sly James. However, there's an even more obvious Union agent at work that has escaped much public scrutiny.
KANSAS CITY MAYOR PRO TEM CINDY CIRCO EPITOMIZES LOCAL 42 CONTROL OF CITY HALL!!!
I have examples . . .
MAYOR PRO TEM CINDY CIRCO VOTED ON A KANSAS CITY FIREFIGHTER PAY RAISE AND THAT CASH IS GOING TO DIRECTLY BENEFIT HER HOUSEHOLD INCOME GIVEN THAT HER HUSBAND IS A FIREFIGHTER!!!
Just about every politico in Kansas City is surprised by her brazen move and the fact that she didn't recuse herself.
And . . .
THE FACT THAT MAYOR PRO TEM CIRCO HOLDS HER CURRENT POWERFUL POSITION IS A TESTAMENT TO LOCAL 42 INFLUENCE GIVEN THAT SHE'S BETTER TRAINED TO BE A NAIL TECH!!!
Again, it's not worth debating the power of Local 42 because it's just a fact of life. But denying the influence of Kansas City's most powerful union at City Hall is foolhardy and that's exactly what The Star has done so far.
Jackson County and City Hall . . . Local 42 runs both sides of the street. The consequence of this circumstance is that there have been horribly timed pay raises for firefighters, a nail tech as KC's second in command of City government and now a PENDING LAWSUIT WORTH MILLIONS facing Kansas City thanks to the Local 42 endorsed scheme to take over this town's ambulance service.
So, while Kansas City isn't likely to change or even challenge Local 42 control of local government it's at least worth understanding that this state of affairs exists in both Jackson County AND KCMO City Hall . . . Selectively ignoring this fact only serves to deny the political reality of this town and let Mayor Sly James, Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo and the City Council avoid responsibility for their decisions.
And all of this has inspired tonight's playlist . . .
As always, thank you for reading and have a safe and fun weekend!!!
No Sir, I don't like it.
ReplyDeleteYael can't get stories and keep his job by attacking City Hall.So he goes blind on 42 moves their.
ReplyDeleteCambiano?? Are you an idiot Tony? This is what happens when you get bs information from so called tipsters. Cambiano is not running. As for Marissa's law suit. It will be a lot like her career as a medic. A failure and total waste of time. She definitely should have ended up splattered on her mama's ass.
ReplyDeletelocal 42's is the poison that the city of KC drank,and now its time to die! and the people that are dying are the tax payers (when you need a ambulance)...sad but true!!
ReplyDeleteBitch did not vote to give her husband a raise. Has someone called the ethics commission?
ReplyDelete@ 11:45, the City Council votes on their OWN raises also. Is that unethical?
ReplyDelete12:33 - YES!!!
ReplyDeleteTony I can't believe your inside source at local 42 told you it was Michael Cambiano, it is Jeff Johnson is the front runner or the next pres. our voice, our union.
ReplyDeletePolice can't get raises, are soon to be forced under shitty city healthcare, and are also about to be forced under the control of the same city government that ruined MAST and the KCMSD. Yet firefighters always come out smelling like roses? Everyone would be quick to cry afoul if the PD strong armed the the city council into pay raises, etc. Weird...
ReplyDeleteThis is a crime.
ReplyDeleteEverybody seems to forget that firefighters are the "warrior class" heroes and better than all of us in really every way.
ReplyDeleteThat's how come they deserve massive raises and steaks every night.
Well technically to be considered a "warrior" you have to have fought in battle and carry a weapon. But the police will always go onscene first to make it safe so firefighters can enter! Wouldn't want them guys going anywhere dangerous. They've got Xbox to get back to at the firehouse.
ReplyDeleteCindy Circo violated State Ethics it just a matter of time before that complaint gets filed.She is power drunk right now making plenty of mistakes including a Late nite date with someone other than her husband .Cindy enjoy it will over soon
ReplyDeleteJeff Johnson vs. Tim (Little Louie) Dupin. Can't wait to see the results! The only thing better would be in Influenza ran against Jeff. Then, instead of winning 2 to 1, Jeff would win 3 to 1!
ReplyDeleteSo unethical.
ReplyDeleteJeff wins hands down, then he will make the big union bucks, ($150,000 over three years) instead of being a chief, cuz local 3808 the union for the Kansas City fire department chiefs are not getting anything, so why would he take the promotion? The members of local 42 can and will not see this, they are to busy cleaning their big trucks and northland homes.
ReplyDeleteKMBCTV's GM just did an interesting editorial saying KCMO government is in the firefighter's union pocket... and that's the fault of the mayor and the city council.
ReplyDeleteTrue dat, it seems. And its not chicago here, but the firemen are a little too big for their overalls!
Do city officials really owe their victories to those union people? is this city run by city employees?
or the residents of the city?
Maybe Theresa Garza should file the ethics complaint against Cindy Circo, since Steve Nixon saved Garza from doing the same thing.
ReplyDeleteGiven all of this it would seem Circo should move on to Jeff City and who know? Perhaps, DC? She seems to be the epitome of a politician.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Cindy will be God someday.
ReplyDeleteShe has a idiot for husband , she is cheating dummy wake up.
ReplyDeletewhere in the hell is the city auditor and attorneys someone needs to kick the shit out of them for letting cindy vote or even getting in that position.
ReplyDeleteCindy is much to strong for you to take down Tony. Go and eat a burrito.
ReplyDelete11:23 Battalion chiefs make a minimum of 96k a year and then bonuses. Why would someone who could qualify turn that down except to try to help the brothers and sisters that have been fucked for so long. Being a battalion chief also makes you a part of the establishment that is helping to screw so many. All three of my votes go to Jeff Johnson! Oh, wait, that was in Louie's days, never mind.
ReplyDeleteIf Cindy is bonking someone besides Dan, it is only because paybacks are hell. Or his wiener has fallen off from some STD he got at a station.
ReplyDeleteTony, you need to quit making the Ambulance personnel out as the bad guys in this fight. We still show up everyday and work our asses off for the citizens of KC. Its not our fault the people running the City, the Fire dept and The union all have personal agendas that don't have the citizens best interests at heart.
ReplyDeleteThe pension is not our fight either. That was brought forth by the union as a "carrot", so to speak, to entice employees to jump on the bandwagon that allowed the Fire dept to destroy one of the nations best ambulance services. The citizens of KC are the ones caught in that crossfire. And its a damn shame.
HEY 7:57PM check your facts you fucktard click on this link , search field battilion chiefs see what low paid was last year, they are frozen again with no make whole provision, so GET THE OFF FUCK OFF JEFF JOHNSON'S NUTS... you wanna be business agent. http://www.kansascity.com/2008/04/09/568285/search-the-kansas-city-salary.html
ReplyDeleteTOP PAY Fire Captain
ReplyDeleteJohnson Jeffrey
FIRE CAPTAIN
Fire Department
$74,151.86
LOW PAID CHEIF
Garrett James
BATTALION CHIEF-FIELD
Fire Department
$82,932.81
11:23 Battalion chiefs make a minimum of 96k a year and then bonuses. Why would someone who could qualify turn that down TO BE A GREEDY UNION PRESIDENT MAKING BIG UNION BUCKS, ENHANCING HIS RESUME; SO I GUESS YOU ARE A FUCKTARD and an idiot wanna be business agent... and that is facts not some rumor. I wished you would use your name I would just call you or look up your salary. Oh yeah bonus pay what year are you in they got rid of pay for performance years ago, same time they agreed to pay freezes like you. You got to alot to learn take it from this old timer with 20+ years in a this UNION.
Tony, you need to quit making the Ambulance personnel out as the bad guys in this fight.
ReplyDelete--------
You must be new around here. TKC has been the only media outlet in KC that was openly against the mast takeover.
fuckin noob.
I believe you are wrong, Anonymous, a fuckturd who won't use YOUR name...Top pay for a captain is 71,328 or 5944 per month. Battalion chief-field is 6196 to 7704 per month so there IS incentive for chiefs. So, oldtimer, how much did YOU make last year? Getting paid to work for another firefighter, without going through payroll is a great way to make a lot more money than your W2 shows but after all, a member of the IAFF and a Louie cocksucker is above the laws, right?
ReplyDeletehttp://cityclerk.kcmo.org/liveweb/Documents/DocumentText.aspx?q=fwtcc6boUgcnIZVZ58HzsVLpCMaT6itSs4v2IwSlsk3qTdhZvSXXtETtdwMcXX6h
ReplyDeleteand how does one get on someone's nuts? Wouldn't that cause a lot of pain? I guess after sucking Louie's dick so long has made the nuts the only thing you could think of.
ReplyDelete9:03 You forgot this disclaimer:
ReplyDeleteKansas City provided total compensation for 2009. While a random sampling of the information was verified, the accuracy or completeness of each entry cannot be guaranteed.
Perhaps Jeff worked Overtime or fire guard to make the difference.
How do you account for the disparity in Bat Chiefs salaries? From 82k to 109k? 15 Batt chiefs and a majority of them make over 100k a year. Now, lets air the deputy chiefs...poor Montleone. No wonder he is such a prick. He is the lowest paid deputy at 106k. Then we have one at 110k and 5 more at almost 112k. How many fucking firefighters were there in 2009? 900? So, there were 22 chiefs paid a shitload of money, with Smokey making 146k. MAST had ONE director who made 140k a year and the other few managers made less than 90k, with many making perhaps 75k. Wow, this is a fucked up city to have not known these numbers before. Mast had 300 people working varied shifts and was able to get by with fewer than 15 managers. If I get to be a business agent, you can bet your sweet ass I will show up to stand up for my EMS brother and sisters unlike the douche bags we have there now, who never show up because you fire douche bags think it is YOUR union and we shouldn't even have a voice.
ReplyDeleteYou ambulance crybabies should quit and go work for AMR!
ReplyDelete$6420 is the new top paid capt, 77040 a year plus 100 hours of holiday pay, which is about 3000 so that is around $80000 plus the salary of president of around 40000, plus expenses account, think I would turn down low paid frozen chief. Jeff I been told is going to lower salary for BAs, and have more so they can work at the station, so good luck champ. Lets go play some sports next spring.
ReplyDeleteHigher pay for fire fighters so they can buy new "fire" shirts.
ReplyDeleteThere will be a reaping of what you sow, for sure! And, I can hardly believe that Cindy Circo voted FOR firemen's pay hike and not recuse herself. Shame, shame!
ReplyDelete12:33, the council does not vote on their own pay raises. They vote for the incoming council's raises.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes 11:21, Circo voted to give her husband a pay raise. Check the minutes and watch the video. Her husband made $87k before the raise. Now add 4% to that. Circo should have recused herself from all discussion and voting on the subject. She didn't. Everyone can form their own opinion.
Wow......this just proves there is nothing factual posted on this site.
ReplyDeleteCC in the photo pounding someone's pud. Yowsah!
ReplyDeleteI guess you were right about Cambiano Tony. Good job
ReplyDelete