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Chandler Reach, Monte Regalo 2006
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2008
Kirkland, Columbia Valley Merlot 2008
D'Aragon, Old Vine Garnacha 2008
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2005
Pavin & Riley, Merlot 2006
David Hill, Estate Pinot Noir, Barrel Select 2006
Castle Rock, Paso Robles Cabernet 2006
Magnificent, Cabernet, Steak House 2008
Conundrum 2008
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1998
Saint Cosme, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
La Granja, Tempranillo 360, 2008
Santa Rita, Mendalla Real Cabernet 2006
Columbia Crest, Grand Estates Merlot 2006
Andezon, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
Collegiata, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Troon, Druid's Fluid 2008
La Granja, Tempranillo 2008
Monte Antico, Toscana 2006
Vieux Papes, Blanc de Blancs
Beaulieu, Georges De Latour Cabernet 1995
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, La Paulée, 2006
Woodbridge, Chardonnay
Paranga, Kir-Yianni 2005
L. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone Rose 2007
Newman's Own, Cabernet 2007
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley Merlot 2005
Monte Antico, Toscana Red 2006
Saint Cosme, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
Vins Auvigne, Macon-Fuisse 2007
Vina Gormaz, Tempranillo 2007
Chandon, Brut Classic
Dom Martinho, Tinto 2005
Chateau St. Jean, Cabernet, California 2007
Kirkland, Napa Cabernet 2007
Revelry, The Reveler, 2007
Joseph Drouhin, Chablis 2006
Altos Las Hormigas, Mendoza Malbec 2008
Alodio, Ribeira Sacra Mencia 2007
Charles Smith, Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2008
Kiona, Lemberger 2006
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley Merlot 2005
Gloria Ferrer, Sonoma Brut
Kirkland, Napa Valley Meritage 2006
Abacela, Tempranillo 2006
Woodward Canyon, Columbia Valley Red
Santa Margherita, Pinot Grigio 2007
Mas Donis Barrica, Celler de Capcanes Red, 2005
Three Rivers, Merlot 2006
Raptor Ridge, Pinot Gris 2008
Lezaun, Rosado, Navarra
Lezaun, Red, Navarra
Hedges, Three Vineyards, Red Mountain 2005
Raptor Ridge, Pinot Gris 2008
Vega Sindoa, Cabernet-Tempranillo 2006
Inama, Soave Classico 2007
Alois Lageder, Lagrein Rosato 2008
Broglia, Gavi 2007
Marqués de Cáceres, Rioja Rose 2008
Spaltagna, Riserva Pinot Noir 2008
Portuga, Rose 2008
Warre's Warrior Port
Lange, Pinot Noir 2007
Chateau Guiraud, Le G, 2007
Falset, Garnacha Rose, Montsant 2006
Castello di Bossi, Chianti Classico 2004
Domaine Chandon, Pinot Noir, La Riviere Sonoma 2006
Brazin, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi 2006
B.R. Cohn, Silver Label Cabernet 2006
Casillero del Diablo, Cabernet 2007
Gentil Hugel, Alsace 2006
Mesoneros de Castilla, Ribero del Duero, Rosado 2008
Cor, Momentum 2007
Santa Margherita, Pinot Grigio 2006
Rubico, Lacrima di Morro d'Alba 2007
Gilstrap Brothers, Reserve Merlot 2003
Conundrum 2007
Chandler Reach, 36 Red
Santa Rita, Reserve Cabernet 2005
Marietta, Old Vine Red Lot 47
L'Ecole No. 41, Recess Red 2006
Dom Martinho, Red 2004
Beaulieu, Georges Latour 1994
Caymus, Cabernet 1995
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2005
Bergevin Lane, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2005
Savigny-les-Beaune, Les Lavieres 2003
David Hill, Reserve Merlot, Rogue Valley 2006
Educated Guess, Cabernet 2006
Maquis Lien, Red 2005
Charles Smith, Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2007
David Hill, Farmhouse White
Robert Mondavi Solaire, Cabernet 2005
Castello Monaci, Liante, Salice Salentino 2006
Ricardo Santos, Malbec 2006
Quinta da Espiga, Tinto 2006
Charles Smith, Holy Cow Merlot 2006
Charles Smith, Boom Boom Syrah 2006
Charles Smith, The Honorable Pinot Gris 2007
Santa Rita, Cabernet Reserva 2005
King Estate, Pinot Gris 2007
Gloria, Douro, Tinto 2002
Bogle, Petite Sirah Port, Clarksburg 2005
Cardwell Hill, Pinot Noir 2004
Silkwood, Red Duet Cabernet-Syrah 2004
Portuga, Vinho Branco 2006, 2007
Osborne, Solaz 2004
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Reserva 2005
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill, Shiraz Cabernet 2006
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2004
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills 2004
Hannah Nicole, Red 2004
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2005
Protocolo, Red 2005
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2006
Portuga, Vinho Branco 2006
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1998
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1996
Kirkland, Roogle Shiraz 2004
Garda, Classico Chiaretto
A to Z, Oregon Pinot Gris 2005
I Giusti & Zanza, Nemorino 2006
Treana, Marsanne-Viognier, Central Coast 2005
Fife, Syrah, "Stanford" 2000
B.R. Cohn, Silver Label Cabernet 2005
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Miles run year to date: 0
At this date last year: 0
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In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
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Comments (19)
"Vallejo spends 74 percent of its $80 million general fund budget on public safety salaries, significantly higher than the state average. The generous contracts are the result of deals struck in the 1970s, following a police strike that left the city in turmoil."
Does Portland spend close to this share of the total City budget on P&F?
Posted by PMG | May 7, 2008 12:52 PM
Sorry, I meant general fund budget...
Posted by PMG | May 7, 2008 12:53 PM
The City of Portland police and fire pension and disability system currently has a $2.025 billion unfunded liability. That means that if you wanted to put aside enough money now to pay all the benefits in the future, you'd have to pay up that amount.
You wonder what happens to police and fire pensions when a city declares bankruptcy. Is it like the airline pilots, who thought they had a cushy retirement but learned otherwise when their airlines went banko?
If so, you would think the unions would be supporting fiscally responsible candidates for city offices. But it doesn't like that to me.
Posted by Jack Bog | May 7, 2008 12:56 PM
The City of Portland police and fire pension and disability system currently has a $2.025 billion unfunded liability.
Not to nipick the HUGE size of the FPDR costs, but isn't unfunded liability the cost over time, and the PV of that liability a smaller number?
Posted by PMG | May 7, 2008 1:04 PM
I don't think so. Check out this article.
Posted by Jack Bog | May 7, 2008 1:10 PM
I'm gettin' a "You are not authorized to view this article" message."
Posted by PMG | May 7, 2008 1:17 PM
Huh. That's too bad. Guess I'm "authorized"! But don't ask me why.
8c)
Posted by Jack Bog | May 7, 2008 1:19 PM
"You wonder what happens to police and fire pensions when a city declares bankruptcy."
That's top line debt that gets paid BEFORE schools, road repairs, etc. I assume that's why they segregate PFDR on your property tax bill to make sure there is NO chance the funds would get commmingled.
Posted by Steve | May 7, 2008 2:11 PM
Is it just me, or does Sam Adams remind you of Mike Royko's comment about Bob Dole: "He has the unfortunate habit of smiling as if he just evicted a widow"?
Posted by Sid | May 7, 2008 2:17 PM
Does Portland spend close to this share of the total City budget on P&F?
According to the budget in brief, the City spends 48.2% of its general fund budget on public safety, which includes Police, Fire, the 911 system, and emergency management.
Posted by Miles | May 7, 2008 2:23 PM
Actually, I am able to see the first page (only) of the article, and you are correct about the PV reference to unfunded liability.
I'm also getting a message about refusing to accept their cookie ($%#* Vista operating system!). BTW, did you go for a PC or Apple? There's an interesting comparison here, with some Microsoft applications running better on the Apple:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/reviews/4258725.html
Posted by PMG | May 7, 2008 2:23 PM
At least Sam truly has first hand experience in this field. That has to count for something.
Posted by Gil Slater | May 7, 2008 4:11 PM
Man does that guy look creepy...
Posted by Joey Link | May 7, 2008 4:57 PM
The FPD&R charge on your property tax bill goes into a segregated fund dedicated for pension payments only. The tax rate is capped, but I wonder whether or not the general fund is on the hook if the payouts exceed the amount collected under the cap? Anyone know the answer? I know Randy Leonard does - he's the one who dreamed up this scheme.
Posted by Frank | May 7, 2008 6:37 PM
By the time Portland is ready to file Chapter 9, Tram Boy will be sitting at Earl's old desk in the Rayburn Building.
We'll see how many Federal Fairy Tax dollars are left when the CSO hits the fan. I'm guessing we'll be asked to take a number, and stand in line.
The unfunded retirees have as much skin in the game as the taxpayer: but wouldn't they have perfected rights over the active Fire and Police employees.
Translation: they might be able to force massive layoffs and benefit cuts to active city workers in order to fund the already vested/retired.
Portland: the City that Retired.
Posted by Mister Tee | May 7, 2008 8:06 PM
You may be able to access the article titled "A Contingent Claims Model for Pension Costs" if you have a Multnomah County library card. Go to http://ipac.multcolib.org/
Jstor is one of the searchable databases.
Posted by John | May 7, 2008 9:26 PM
If you get the "An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie" message click on "http://www.jstor.org/?cookieSet=1" then click: "http://www.jstor.org/pss/2490923"
Posted by dman | May 7, 2008 10:05 PM
Ahhh...I see "tranparency" is once again running rampant at city hall. NOT!
One could work one's fingers to the bone typing all those internet addresses.
At least if 'Tram Boy goes to Washington' he won't be here!
Posted by portland native | May 7, 2008 11:31 PM
I looked up then answer to my question above. If the FPD&R payouts exceed the tax revenues collected, the general fund has to pick up the rest of the tab. Portland - we are screwed!
Posted by Frank | May 8, 2008 6:37 PM