Pension probably not a factor for Coody
During a recent discussion about Dan Coody’s change of heart on his seeking re-electing for mayor, there were a few remarks concerning the possible pension that Mayor Coody could receive if he does complete a third mayoral term. We’ve even heard a few folks say that it might be his motivation for running again.
If you asked me, I’d have to say I doubt it.
According to an article in Saturday’s NWAT, the pension would only be half of his roughly $107,000 annual salary. In other words, about $53,000. It’s a nice retirement package for 12 years of city service but it’s hardly luxurious.
It should also be noted that if Mr. Coody took the pension, he’d lose all funds that he’s already contributing to his city employee retirement plan which is similar to a 401K.
“Frankly, I’m not doing this job for the pay or the benefits,” Coody said. “If I were doing this for the retirement, I wouldn’t have thought about walking away from it seven months ago.”
Sounds honest enough to me. What do you think?
[Via: NWAnews]
Discussion
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By Totalbastard on July 21st, 2008
I think I wonder if that ribbon they’re cutting is made of recycled paper. Coody cuts more ribbons than anybody outside of a gift wrapping operation.
But seriously, folks, I don’t know if this is a valid criticism of Coody. I tend to agree that he wouldn’t have considered quitting if the retirement package was what he was aiming for.
By Angel Lust on July 21st, 2008
The taxpayers are going to have to poney up $50,000/year for life for 12 years work as a “public servant”? Yeah, I have a problem with that. Its enough to sway my vote regardless his motive.
By fact checker on July 22nd, 2008
You may get just what you are willing to pay for angel lust. The previous mayor cost us millions in lost opportunity. Good leadership is harder to come by than most people realize and bad leadership can turn us around so fast we won’t know what hit us. You can always pray that he doesn’t live long after getting out of office if you are that kind of person. He may end up with the retirement he already has and has been paying into for years so his wife can have it when he’s gone. The pension doesn’t allow for that.
By Totalbastard on July 22nd, 2008
I’d imagine Coody’s saved us something close to ten times that much per year just by focusing on efficiency and sustainability in public works.
In my personal experience, I’m finding that the primary people opposed to Coody are the people who don’t really care about Fayetteville as much as lining their own pockets.
I’m sure Jim Lindsey would, for example, prefer a more “business-friendly” mayor who would give him carte blanche to turn Fayetteville into Springdale South with cookie cutter apartment complexes.
Coody has helped set out guidelines for our growth that will make growth a positive for Fayetteville. He has also gotten the ball rolling on making Fayetteville into Green Valley.
50k per year in a pension seems a small price to pay for all that, compared to our last mayor’s brother-in-law deals, etc.
Example: Mayor Hannah spent tax dollars courting a fricking call center with McJobs paying $8.00 per hr.
Seriously.
Can you imagine Coody doing something like that?
By Angel Lust on July 22nd, 2008
Ok. Point conceded. But I am still going to figure it into my voting decision. All things being even close to equal, I’ll vote for the one who isn’t assured of pulling tax money for doing nothing.
In fact, if I follow your logic, we should give Coody his pension because he HASN’T cost Fayetteville money? Maybe it would be just less expense to leave the position unfilled?
By Totalbastard on July 22nd, 2008
Anarchy? I’m for it. Give me another week’s paycheck to get down to the Wal-Marks and stock up on ammo and pork and beans…
I agree with you that all things being equal, the least expensive option is the best. I’m frugal.
I don’t think all things are equal in this election.
Coody is smarter and more forward thinking than all the other candidates combined. Seriously, I am not banging the guy. I have never even met him. I just like what I see happening in Fayetteville, and I remember how bad Hanna was.
Adam Fire Cat lights my fire in a Ron Paul revolution kind of way, but not really.
The rest are either Coody-lite, or too tied in with business/political interests.
By yrfuneralmytrial on July 23rd, 2008
the naysaying dirt repeated to me was that a once offered awesome job with a local developer is now uh…not available. Plan B…run for mayor! I’m not knocking him nor do I know if it holds water…just some **** I heard.