Most striking at yesterday’s board hearing were the words and terms used by those who support the immediate rescission of the retroactive portion of deputy pensions. Supporters of the rescission called upon the Board to “undo the harm,” “right an unfortunate wrong,” and follow the “rule of law” -- a “rule” that will most likely take many lawyers, judges, courts and many years to clarify.
The current pension, as agreed upon by the supervisors and AOCDS in 2001, was formed during collective bargaining and good faith negotiations. Listening to some supporters of the rescission, however, would lead one to believe that Sheriff’s deputies defrauded the county and taxpayers and stole the money under cover of darkness.
In reality, however, discussions and negotiations regarding 3% @ 50 involved attorneys from County Counsel, OCERS, AOCDS, and outside law firms. Also involved in the crafting of 3% @ 50 were the County Auditor-Controller, county budget office, then-County Treasurer John Moorlach, actuaries, financial experts as well as department heads such as Sheriff Carona.
Since the hearing, a few individuals have commented on AOCDS President Wayne Quint’s presentation. Wayne’s presentation focused on the men and women killed or injured in the line of duty. Wayne reminded the Board members and the public that many families would be impacted by any immediate action taken against the pension they receive – any immediate action would have been impulsive and destructive, cutting these pensions by up to 35%.
Wayne has been accused of using “dead deputies” in a “widows and orphans approach.” Let’s be clear, however, there were two speakers from AOCDS: President Wayne Quint and Interim General Manager Mike Carre. Each focused on different aspects – Carre on the financial and technical details and Wayne on the personal/human impact – to ensure the Board and public were aware of the “global picture” in any decision they would render.
This wasn’t the worst description of Wayne, however.
Such foulness was left to the professional, Steven Greenhut, who labeled Wayne Quint’s presentation “shamelessness,” writing, “Wayne used the same shtick in Sacramento when he opposed a law that would have required public openness with regard to abusive police officers and Sheriff’s deputies.”
Shtick, of course, can be defined as an entertainment routine or gimmick. For many years, Greenhut has spilt much ink attacking law enforcement and the men and women who choose this profession. Yesterday in a blog post Greenhut noted the courage and guts of the Board of Supervisors and “the constant whining and demands from the coddled public-employee unions.”
Greenhut, had the opportunity yesterday to stand up and express his opinion to the Board and the public, but he chose instead to save it for the safe confines of his office.
Such courage from a man who has to struggle daily with workplace dangers such as paper cuts, ink poisoning and accidental stabbings from the contents of one’s pocket protector.
UPDATE: Greenhut responds -Here's his response
to my post below, including this point: I’m not sure how much danger Ryan faces on a day-to-day basis, but his post does seem typical of the responses I receive from law enforcement.
Actually, I've joked many times around our office that I face similar dangers to Greenhut: paper cuts, ink poisoning, etc. So this was not so much a cut directed solely at Steven Greenhut. While I support and defend this department, I don't do the hard work of our sworn men and women.
However, I have made it very clear that if anything should happen to me, I expect an Orange County Speech Writers’ Memorial. Or perhaps a PR Flak memorial...