This is an attempt to answer some questions, clear the air etc.
In order to bring this union into place with this office it took many years and many hours of Mikes own time and many of his own dollars. Remember how many months it took to negotiate the first contract? Those involved in that process used there own time (holiday, vacation, etc) and money to get this done. There was no PBA leave bank and there was no PBA stipend. Mike and others did this because we were told that the Deputies wanted a union. No one was complaining about Mikes use of time and his use of money then. No one came forward to donate time or money to help with the cause, at least no one that I heard from or heard of. Mike, by contract can be on PBA leave 50% of the time. Mike had both knees operated on last year and was out and on light duty for sometime. Mike also has vacation and other time off. Mike was on light duty for the first time in his 23 years with this department. Not many can say this.
I have not been concerned. I have not looked at the entire WCFPBA credit card bills, I have no reason to doubt Mike. Are there greens fees on the bill? I do not know, but if there are so what? Politics are a huge part of the union world. A lot of business is conducted on the golf course, Right wrong or indifferent, that is the way it is. I am sure that Mike is not playing golf and drinking with his buddies on the PBA. I have been to many functions and have seen the way Mike and most of the BOCC interact, Mike has spent a lot of time building trust and possible allegiances. Again if the credit card is a big issue why not come to the office and check, come to a meeting and ask to see the books.
Now things are getting tuff, the contract talks have stopped, no one has gotten a pay raise. Moral is different, things are not what they have always been, people are out of there comfort zone. There has been some in fighting, stones are being thrown. That is fine this is part of the process of new unions. No, it is not fun. No it is not ideal. There have been some bad things said about some good people. I, along with Mike signed up for the long haul, and besides no one else wanted this job. Now a few have said "Mike step down someone will come forward", no one has, no one threw their name into the hat and Mike and I were elected again. Stepping aside now with no one stepping up would be suicide for the PBA.
Everyone reacts to pressure differently, some fight harder, some run, some slow down and regroup. There has been a lot of pressure put on some board members and many PBA members, so yes the membership numbers have gone down in the last two months, not to surprising given the overall tone.
Mike will answer any question put to him on the phone, face to face, in a meeting or on the WCFPBA.ORG web page. He will not respond to issues on LEOAFFAIRS.COM site , his decision. Mike stepped up many years ago, now when things seem to be a little ruff some are willing to give up and leave Mike holding their bag's.
Steve Dickey
WCFPBA Detention Chapter President
