Response to Firefighters

At my most recent town hall meeting, a number of city firefighters showed up holding signs of protest in response to what I said in my State of the City Address about the city's pension systems. I respect their right to demonstrate. However, I would like to respond.

Many of the firefighters' signs said, in essence, "Don't raid the pension fund." I'm not proposing to raid the pension fund. In fact, I've fought for the city to fully fund its pensions. In recent years, city leaders have not fully funded the pension system. This was the case in this year's submitted budget, and I pushed to change that.

Also, I believe that if you were hired under a certain pension system, you ought to keep that system. the city should not break promises or agreements. But going forward, with regards to the new employees, I want to discuss different options, ones that are more in line with standard business practices.

- Mayor Funkhouser