Hey Everybody-
Guess what? Our coaches positions have been eliminated by the City of Walnut Creek. This is not a joke. Of the Aquatics programs in the city, ours is the only one that operates in the black, and yet they are going to cut it.
If you could, would you shoot a brief e-mail, to the city council and let them know what a successful program this is across the country and in the world. All few hundred of us are doing what we can, but I think it's time to bring in the big guns- you.
Kerry has spent 30 years of his life building this program into what it is today, and helping many of you in the process, please help him and the program that he lives for.
The address is: mayor@walnut-creek.org
and ask them to respond to your e-mail.
Thanks,
Karen Duggan
I understand your plight, but don't see the problem.
Let's assume, times being what they are, that the city does cut the coaching salaries completely. Why wouldn't the club simply raise monthly dues, rent space back from the city (eliminating the per swim fee), and pay the coaches through the club? With WCM over 400 swimmers it should be a slam dunk to operate in the black.
Of course, that's how the Aquabears do it. Yes, it's true that the cheapest annual dues for the WCAB program are $1195 per year as a entry level swimmer. National Level Swimmers pay up to $2700 per year. I'm not saying that WCM swimmers should pay that much, but why should the city subsidize an adult program if they are not doing the same for every other community aquatics program? Where are the city paid coaches for age group swimming, water polo, diving, synchronized swimming, etc.?
The city is on the verge of spending $20 million to update our pools to meet modern standards. The city hopes to move their aquatics programs into the future with amazing modern facilities, more "family" aquatic facilities, and hopefully a new entrepreneurial management spirit. ( www.walnut-creek.org/.../WCAquaticsDraftNeedsReport.pdf )
WCM should embrace what the city is trying to do and take this opportunity to take back control of the program. If it's a good business (and I believe it is), then there should be no problem turning a profit. If not, then why should the taxpayers make up the difference?
Mandrake- We are not getting new pools. That went out the window last month.
I will ask him, but I don't think he gets to keep his medical.
The City of WC has never treated their employees well in terms of benefits, and in fact contract negotiations are always ugly as they try to take more and more away each time. They are not even good at compromise.
Kerry will only get 3 years of medical if he retires now at $9K/year.
Yep, that's WC, looking out for their own after 30 years of service. Not to mention he has built the most successful program that the city has ever had.
:bump:
If you are interested in writing a letter to sing the praises of Kerry O'Brien and the program he has built, please e-mail: mayor@walnut-creek.org
We still need your help to keep Kerry as a City employee so he can keep his medical benefits.
Thanks!
Mrs. Duggan,
That is a travesty.
Remember Kerry when a fat, balding, drug addled radio talk show host blathers about those "horrible, greedy, public employees."
No kidding. Could not agree more.
Kerry will only get 3 years of medical if he retires now at $9K/year.
Mrs. Duggan,
That is a travesty.
Remember Kerry when a fat, balding, drug addled radio talk show host blathers about those "horrible, greedy, public employees."
Mrs. Duggan,
I am curious about Kerry's city retirement plan. Specifically medical benefits.
My understanding is that Kerry has well over 20 years of service, making him a vested city employee. Many cities allow vested employees to retire at age 50. (yes I know, at a reduced income, but medical is usually 100% after 20 years) It seems that Kerry could retire and collect his monthly check, including medical coverage. Not an ideal or fair solution, but not the grim picture you paint.
Normally when restructuring in government occurs, long term employees in good standing, are shifted to another position, allowing good employees to maintain employment and keep the medical till retirement age.
Of course the City of Walnut Creek may not have the same retirement package as many of the cities I have delt with, but I find it hard to believe that an employee with that many years of service wouldn't have a pension with benefits comming his way. I hope that is not the case with Kerry.
I sympathize with your fight. Good luck.
Please write letters to our city council, as they are the only ones (being the city manager's boss) that can save Kerry.
mayor@walnut-creek.org
I've already written two, my hubby has written one and posted on Claycord.com, and I will write another one today (it will NOT be pretty, I assure you).
If you are confident writing a nasty letter will help your cause, all the power to you.:confused:
I didn't say it would be nasty, but it will state the facts as they are, again. I guess what is so frustrating, is that it is starting to look like no matter what, Kerry is screwed. And that is not right. People who have no idea about this situation are ignoring the facts and making life altering decisions that don't need to be made.
Mrs. Duggan,
It is very strange that Kerry's salary is paid half by the city and half by the WCM, yet the city picks up all of his health insurance, and retirement. I wonder about his vacation, sick leave, industrial disability and other benefits afforded to most permanent city employees.
That is a huge red flag that should have been dealt with long ago. I don't expect a young man (as Kerry was when he started the program) to think 30 years into the future. It is a shame that this issue wasn't addressed 20 years ago.
It seems that Kerry has been getting screwed by the city and the people who he has helped for 30 years. How much are your dues?
I hope that the city will find other employment for a higly skilled and dedicated public servant.
