Health & Fitness
Union Workers for Pleasanton Council Candidate Erlene DeMarcus are Ringing Door Bells.
We know Pleasanton's unfunded pension liability is nearly 140 million dollars. I wander just how cozy is Erlene DeMarcus with the City's Employee Unions?
It was 6 p.m. I had just set down for dinner, had just poured a small glass of Berringer Chenin Blanc 2010, to go with my roast chicken, baked potato, salad and fresh baked biscuit.
The door bell rang. I pushed back from the table and went out to answer the door. The young man ringing my door bell said, "I represent Pleasanton firefighters".
He asked. "Do you know who Erlene DeMarcus is", I said yes, I am aware of who she is. He said, "She brought BART to Pleasanton". I said "whoop-dee-do."
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I asked the young man, do you read Pleasanton Patch? He said no. I asked the young man, do you know what Pleasanton Patch is? He said no. I asked the young man, does Erlene DeMarcus read Pleasanton Patch? He said, I don't know.
I asked the young man, how can you be working for Erlene DeMarcus when you do not know what is going on in Pleasanton. He said, "I do not work for Erlene, I am a volunteer."
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I said, "If there is any candidate running for city office in Pleasanton that does not read Pleasanton Patch or does not know Pleasanton Patch, they will not get elected."
I asked the young man, "Are you a firefighter just for the city of Pleasanton"? He did not answer the question.
He asked if he could leave Erlene DeMarcus web site information with me. I said yes, you may. He then went to my neighbor's home across the street.
Erlene DeMarcus has stated, "Pension reform is moving in the right direction." She would "continue the dialogue with unions in an effort to move toward reducing the city's unfunded liability."
We know Pleasanton's unfunded pension liability is nearly $140 million. We know it will take more than dialogue to resolve this major issue. I wonder just how cozy is Erlene DeMarcus with the city's employee unions.
The unions are out ringing door bells for Erlene. The unions, no doubt, are going to expect something in the form of consideration at a minimum for their efforts to help get her elected.
The $140 million unfunded pension liabilty the city of Pleasanton has should be the highest priority. The city employees are going to need to provide a much greater contribution than it has to date in order for this issue to get moving.
