01-17-2014, 12:50 PM
If paying the additional 5% healthcare fee to the county upsets you, look no further than the PBA for an answer. In the summer of 2012, the PBA had a chance to back one of our own cops, Manny Machado, as commissioner to replace outgoing Commissioner Joe Martinez. Instead, it supported Juan Zapata, an individual known to be hostile to law enforcement and someone who does not have the best interest for our cause. Machado, a former Hammocks District detective, gained 46% of the vote with little help and a mere $500 check from the PBA. Juan Zapata on the other hand was given a check worth $1000.00 by the PBA and political backing that got him to the top. The damage done by the PBA did not end there. While it's leader screamed at the top of his lungs his full support of Joe Martinez, it is now known that he and the rest of the leadership at the PBA, were supporting Carlos Gimenez behind the scenes. With few exceptions, our PBA representatives were instructed to sit tight and support Carlos Gimenez. The majority of those representatives did just that and failed to rally the troops against Gimenez. Today, we continue to pay the 5%, our benefits have not been restored and payouts and layoffs may be waiting for us in the future. Furthermore, with an MDPD administration formed of Gimenez's lackeys and toadies, it is highly probable that the department will once again support Gimenez in his reelection. Had Manny Machado won and being commissioner now, he would have been the 9th vote on the commission that would have overridden the mayor's veto and our 5% would have been restored. This brings to mind the questions: Who is the PBA working for? Is this just a country club for "connected" individuals? As long as these back room shenanigans continue you can forget any honest service by those put in place to represent our will.