Wilkes gets large raise (nearly 11 1/2% with the bonus)- Copied from Olathe News

Friday, May. 09, 2008

Olathe City Manager Wilkes gets raise

Jack Weinstein

jweinstein@theolathenews.com

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Olathe city councilmembers thought well enough of City Manager Michael Wilkes’ performance last year to give him a raise.

Wilkes, who runs the daily operations of the city, was given a 5 percent raise after a review of his performance.

Councilmember Jim Randall, who spoke on behalf of the council Tuesday after executive session, said that Wilkes had been an excellent leader, and that they expect that to continue through difficult financial times and a challenging budget year.

Randall also cited Wilkes’ leadership when describing how the city has produced the highest resident satisfaction of any city in the Kansas City metropolitan area in its annual DirectionFinder survey.

“I’m humbled by their confidence in me, and I’m honored to be able to serve in this community and serve with this council,” Wilkes said Friday.

Wilkes said his inspiration comes from working as a member of a team to make Olathe a better place to live, not only for his family, but the entire community.

He said one of the things he’s most proud of was being a part of the creation of a partnership with Kansas State University and the Kansas Bioscience Authority.

“The long-term implications of that deal are of incredible value to our community,” Wilkes said of the economic development and education opportunities the K-State bioscience park would provide.

Wilkes was hired in 1999. For the previous six years, he was city administrator of Alpharetta, Ga., an Atlanta suburb. Before that, Wilkes worked for Gwinnett County, Ga., for seven years, the last two as assistant county manager.

The raised bumped Wilkes’ annual salary from $159,000 to $167,000. He also was awarded a $10,000 bonus.

He’s still not the highest-paid city manager in the area. That distinction belongs to Overland Park City Manager John Nachbar, who earns $196,725 annually. Lenexa City Administrator Eric Wade makes $153,931 a year, and Shawnee City Manager Carol Gonzales receives an annual total compensation package of $156,800.

2008 Heart of America Police and Fire Games

http://kpfaa.net/

Train like a freak competition

Looking for that Police, Fire or emergency worker that wants to transform themselves from what they have become to what they what to look like in a year. E-mail a pdf file picture of yourself by March 1st and...

Welcome to the Kansas Police and Fire Athletic Association's official website. The Kansas Police and Fire Athletic Association (KPFAA) would like to extend our invitation for you to participate in our inaugural event "Heart of America Police and Fire Games" scheduled for Sept. 18-21 2008.

We will be hosting 13 events of both team and individual sports, for the purpose of fun, camaraderie and the thrill of competition. We at the KPFAA are an organization that is in the business of promoting lifestyles of health and fitness for our emergency service personnel.

Not only are we looking for the athletically inclined, but also police and firefighters that want to start living a healthier lifestyle. The games will take some training and preparation, but our age categories and our variety of events will allow the team member or individual the opportunity to compete against competitors of their own age and abilities.

The Games will be a big, community-wide sponsored event, with the community planning something special for those that choose to participate. So get a friend and start training. You have more than enough time to prepare and make a lifestyle change of a healthier you.

Keep checking the website for further information as the countdown to September is moving our way.

IAFF Email regarding Collective Bargaining

Dear IAFF Member:

We need your IMMEDIATE assistance! Call your U.S. senators NOW or the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act giving collective bargaining rights for all fire fighters throughout the nation could fail to pass the Senate.

The National Right to Work Committee and League of Cities are using unfair and deceitful methods and attacking YOU and the work you do in their efforts to derail our legislation and prevent it from passing the Senate.

In every office, senators are receiving dozens of calls -- from CONSTITUENTS in their states who support Right to Work and the League of Cities -- urging them to vote against the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act.

The message is simple: Tell your senators to co-sponsor and support Senator Judd Gregg's (R-NH) Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act to help fire fighters and police officers. Click here to look up your senators or call (202) 224-3121 TODAY!

YOU need to tell your senators that the National Right to Work and League of Cities are just wrong!

The IAFF has worked long and hard to ensure collective bargaining rights for all fire fighters and public safety employees. We won passage of the bill in the U.S. House in July with more than 300 votes. But the lying, scare tactics and pressure from these anti-labor groups is threatening this national collective bargaining law. You can make a difference!

Help us win!!!!!! We have come too far to lose.

Click here for more information on the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act.

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Houston Mayday and Rescue video released. Copied from Firehouse.com

DVD Recounts Houston Mayday and Rescue

............

Courtesy of TheBravestOnline.com

SUSAN NICOL KYLE
Firehouse.Com News

While battling a high-rise fire in Houston in March, a firefighter was suddenly smack in the middle of a situation no one in the business ever wants to experience.

Capt. Joel Eric Abbt, assigned to Station 8, was on the fifth floor of the building searching for victims when he ran into trouble.

His first mayday call was all but drowned out by the chatter of other firefighters engaged in rescues.

A DVD of the 27-minute search and the captain's frantic calls for help is now available though a website, The Bravest Online.

The Houston Fire Department is currently conducting a review of the incident.

"Anytime we have a fire that results in a fatality, we do a review. It would be premature for us to make a comment until it is completed," said Assistant Chief Jack Williams.

Capt. Abbt is not allowed to speak to the media at this time.

Three civilians died in the fire that officials determined was deliberately set.

"This is all about saving our own. It's about maydays, and RIT. We want to get the word out," said Chris David, creator of the website The Bravest Online.

Proceeds from the sale of the DVDs are going to the Last Alarm Club of the Houston Fire Department. The organization assists families of firefighters who give the ultimate sacrifice.

David said since he released the video this week, he's received calls from around the world. "It's a rude awakening about what can happen. You have to know what to do."

Instructors have told him they want to incorporate it into their RIT classes.

"We're not here to compete," he said. "We're here share. And, hopefully save lives."

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