Cobb public safety employees warn of staffing “crisis” (homes, allergies)

[LynnHarris1]

Dozens of Cobb public safety employees and their supporters packed the board of commissioners meeting Tuesday night to advocate for better pay and benefits amid what they described as a staffing crisis.

Matt Babcock, a former Cobb firefighter, told the board that he felt forced to leave the job he loved for the private sector in order to support his family. He called Cobb’s retirement program “the worst” in the metro area, and warned of a “known and escalating crisis” due to high turnover..."

FULL STORY: https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt-...UivZjm4l5GsnM/

SOURCE: AJC

[DreamerD]

Thanks for posting this. Firstly, I didn't know that there is a shortage. Secondly, I figured a county like Cobb wouldn't have this kind of problem versus a county that's more rural and has a higher poverty rate. Cobb found the money (used taxpayer money) to fund a new stadium but can't find the money to fund firefighters?!?!


Just to let you all know, don't for a second think that this won't affect you (those in Cobb and in other counties that are in a similar situation). Remember that to stay alive, the city will find ways, i.e., the police to make up for what they need. Lately I've been seeing the police on the highways more often than I used to. Tickets are revenue for the city, which helps them to stay alive. Because our police are given so much freedom, this means, let's say you're black and get pulled over, you better not have allergies because if they see your eyes are red and swollen, they can say you are DUI.



If you don't have a lawyer, that's a record right there. They will get their money and after picking on blacks and Hispanics, they'll come after you too because they gotta eat, don't they?


If and when this recession arrives later this year or next year, this kind of behavior from the police will only increase.


And as for our firefighters, when they don't have staff to come to people's homes/businesses in their time of need...

[primaltech]

To me it seems like the extreme anti-tax mindset in parts of Cobb is like a poison, ultimately causing all this. I've seen no real evidence of government waste going on. Just looks to me like there's simply not enough funds in the county's budget to provide quality services, let alone any extra things like nice parks or libraries. For no good reason, since Cobb is so wealthy.

I don't want unnecessary taxes, but am more than willing to be taxed enough to cover for high quality public services and general high quality of life. I don't understand why we can't seem to figure all this out, in a county that is so thriving in so many ways compared to almost every other county in GA.

[DreamerD]

Originally Posted by primaltech

To me it seems like the extreme anti-tax mindset in parts of Cobb is like a poison, ultimately causing all this. I've seen no real evidence of government waste going on. Just looks to me like there's simply not enough funds in the county's budget to provide quality services, let alone any extra things like nice parks or libraries. For no good reason, since Cobb is so wealthy.

I don't want unnecessary taxes, but am more than willing to be taxed enough to cover for high quality public services and general high quality of life. I don't understand why we can't seem to figure all this out, in a county that is so thriving in so many ways compared to almost every other county in GA.

The thought needs to be that the extremely wealthy are taxed more. The wealth is this country hasn't "trickled down" for how many decades. It is nice, however, that you'd be willing to pay more in taxes to support public safety employees.

[whodean]

https://www.cobbcounty.org/public-sa...d-compensation