Comments on: BOCC Releases Legal Opinion That 401(a) Annuity Plan Is In Fact Legal

By: Patriot.win

Patriot.win — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 13:39:20 +0000

This is nothing. Behind the scenes the county is pushing to be able to rehire retired employees with no grace period as it now stands at 1 year before you can be rehired.
Nice gig,retire and come back the next day,stay for 8 years and get another pension.
There needs to be a state AG audit of every department.

By: Oh, Pam

Oh, Pam — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 22:32:44 +0000

So when confronted with facts and left holding emails to herself Pam Childers goes mushroom.

Lol, she stuck that neck out based on fabrications and now she’s exposed as a political hit woman for Janice Gilley and Doug Underwood.

Good times in Escambia County just keep on rolling…

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 13:09:15 +0000

I agree with waste on this one.

In 21 years of living at the same address, I’ve seen little done to improve the community north of Nine Mile Rd. We’re told there’s “long range” planning, yet residential lots get rezoned to commercial in odd places, run down buildings sit idle while new ones are built, high density neighborhoods get developed right next to higher priced homes and on and on.

What ever happened to trying to lure employers to the industrial park off of US 29? It seems everyone is content with Navy Federal being THE employer of North Escambia County. Don’t we want high paying jobs for as many of these residents as possible?

Please quit the political sqabbling and SERVE!

By: waste

waste — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 01:09:53 +0000

Every time I read an article about our EC commission, it never seems to be about fixing issues in our county. Just working on issues within the commission itself. I understand sunshine laws require that we get to hear all the dirty laundry, but geez get something done for those who voted for you, or get out the way.

By: Dewayne

Dewayne — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 00:55:51 +0000

Escambia county needs an audit..if you know Escambia Counties history with the BOCC ,let’s just say money hides a lots of things.
And I might add, not an audit by the BOCC like this “legal opinion” with legal ramifications coming shortly. But. The whole world is corrupt..we are out of luck

By: William 2

William 2 — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 22:36:53 +0000

I’m not going to pretend to understand this but something sounds fishy. The part I’m having trouble with, is the part concerning elected officials. How long does an elected official have to serve in order to benefit from this retirement plan, is it a single term, 20 years? I have always had a problem with elected officials setting their pay schedule and deciding on their pay raises, we the people should have a say in the matter. Not all elected officials deserve such compensation!!!!

By: CJ Lewis

CJ Lewis — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 22:13:08 +0000

“Once we share (the legal opinion), I want to share everything,” Barry said in response to releasing the legal opinion.” Above is a link to a legal opinion dated July 21. The first sentence mentions a legal opinion dated July 2. The BOCC needs to release the July 2 legal opinion too. Chapter 121 Florida Retirement System, Florida Statues, mentions the words “annuity” and “annuities” 166 times. However, if you “read” the July 21 legal opinion, you find that the author never exactly explains which provision in state law authorizes what has been done and how it has been done. The legal opinion does assert that Section 121.182 “explicitly” authorizes what has been done but if you actually read that specific law, it does not explicitly authorize what has been done. At best, reading the entire July 21 legal opinion in its entirely, absent having a full copy of the July 2 legal opinion to review, the best you can say is that the lawyer who drafted the legal opinion asserts that nothing expressly prohibits what has been done and once even uses the phrase “and not otherwise prohibited.” The law firm Allen Norton & Blue works for Escambia County so it’s legal opinions are hardly independent. Someone should find out if the law firm has expertise in the Florida Retirement System in general and annuities in particular. I would have thought that to be a very arcane area of state law. The person who signed the legal opinion, and someone else might have written it for his signature, is experienced in negotiating collective bargaining agreements. How that expertise translates to this issue is not explained. The best thing to get this over with is for the BOCC to vote to direct the County Attorney to request an Advisory Legal Opinion from the Florida Attorney General. Attorney General Moody’s opinion is just that her opinion but it would be the best thing we have seen to date independently describing the state government’s position on this issue. What has been done may be legal even if the BOCC has not done a good job explaining it. Or it may not be legal perhaps because county staff gave them bad advice. Or the Attorney General may advise that the issue is murky and write something like, “I am of the opinion that, until this matter is legislatively or judicially clarified, it is reasonable to conclude….” Then, maybe, the BOCC will ask the Court to weigh-in. Or maybe the Florida Legislature needs to amend Chapter 121 to clarify what is authorized to include retroactively.

By: Well

Well — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 21:39:51 +0000

So this has been in place and being paid for the last 23 or 24 years.
So Ms. Childers and previous Clerks of the Court have been illegally paying this?
Where is the outrage for that if she was the oversight person.

Ethical ? Legal….. Probably

By: MR REALITY

MR REALITY — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 21:15:12 +0000

I agree, they didnt invest in a plan that would of reward with more risk, NOW they want to get that plan…..THESE PEOPLE ARE WORKING FOR THEMSELVES ON OUR DIME…..If this isnt criminal then it certainly warrents not reelecting them. Too bad people dont realize that worthless May is hanging on until the last second until he runs ofr Mayor of pcola so he can keep voting with Barry and Bergosh to keep our county where THEY want it.

By: MR REALITY

MR REALITY — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 21:12:17 +0000

So who paid for this legal opinion? Are these people discussing public affairs, in private….WHY dont they get to work for THE PEOPLE, instead of for themselves over a PARTIME JOB…..