Shelby Township Police Officers Association Responds to Statements Made by Supervisor

August 1, 2012

To the Residents of Shelby Township,

An open letter from your Shelby Township Police Officers Association (STPOA):

Recently the Shelby Township Supervisor has made false/incorrect statements in a Township Board meeting and in literature he mailed to your residence.  These false/incorrect statements, by the Supervisor, are regarding our Association’s unwillingness to negotiate a new contract.

The STPOA would like to clear up these false statements and give the residents what they’ve deserved more than anything these past four years.....the truth.

The Shelby Township Supervisor states in literature: “One of our police unions is waiting until after the election to resume pension negotiations.”

FACT: The STPOA is currently under contract with the Township until 12/31/2012. The Township asked to open up the contract in March for an extension of the current contract. A contract was offered to the STPOA by the current Supervisor.  The proposal failed to address the pension deficit or offer any solutions to the current deficit.  The union counter offered the proposal within a few weeks of the original offer.  Our counter offer had solutions for the current deficit.

As of August 1, 2012, the Patrol union has not received a response from the Supervisor.

FACT:  Only one current female Township Board member has met with the current Shelby Township Fire & Police Pension Board to discuss future funding & benefits.  ONLY ONE MEMBER IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THE PENSION DEFEICT.

The Supervisor also claimed police employees contribute only $30,000 into the pension system.

FACT: Contributions from a police officer are more than $100,000.00 before earning any interest on their investment.  This far exceeds what your Shelby Township Supervisor wants you to believe.

Now is not the time to make false statements about important issues that Shelby Township faces.  We only ask the truth be told.  Honesty should be expected from the office of the Supervisor.

The Shelby Township Police Officers Association proudly serves the citizens and businesses of Shelby Township.  We are proud to serve and will continue to do so with Honesty and Integrity.

Sincerely, 

The Shelby Township Police Officers Association