Marin Firefighter News

Former Assemblyman Keith Richman -- a termed-out politician and failed statewide candidate -- has introduced a new and even more mean-spirited version of the pension destruction plan that tanked in 2005. Richman who put forth the idea of privatizing the entire retirement  system for new employees, threatening to eliminate death and disability benefits for  firefighters and law enforcement. Unlike the previous proposal, Richman's proposed initiative doesn't couch its plan in a desire to "help" new employees. It just punishes them ... and punishes them  ... and punishes them some more.

Giving all federal firefighters and their families the respect they deserve is at the heart of legislation that has been signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The California Fallen Firefighter Survivor Assistance Act of 2007 -- Assembly Bill 384 -- guarantees that survivors of California's fallen federal firefighters have access to the same survivor health benefits program available to survivors of state and local firefighters. The measure, sponsored by California Professional Firefighters, was approved unanimously by both houses of the Legislature, with more than 40 members signing on as co-authors.

After an outpouring of anger from firefighters and the citizens they serve, Palo Alto city officials have apologized for the insult leveled at the memories of two fallen Contra Costa County firefighters. In a letter to California Professional Firefighters President Lou Paulson, Palo Alto Fire Chief Nicolas Marinaro offered personal apologies for "the controversy and consternation" surrounding City Manager Frank Benest's refusal to honor the sacrifices of firefighters Matt Burton and Scott Desmond. Benest refused to permit Palo Alto fire station flags to be lowered for the two because, in his words, "you can't lower the flags willy-nilly." Benest -- while saying he "doesn't recall" making the widely-quoted statement, has also offered an apology.

More than two years after the defeat of statewide efforts to take away the retirement security of public workers, San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre has continued a rogue legal assault against public employee retirement. This week, more than 100 firefighters, city employees, teachers and other public workers gathered Tuesday at the state building to urge the San Diego County Democratic Party to withhold their endorsement for Aguirre.