Latest news with #Dossey
Los Angeles Times
30-05-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
With resignation, Mission Viejo approves state fire map that shows hazard zones
After residents expressed concerns about the potential impact on fire insurance rates, a resigned Mission Viejo City Council moved forward with the adoption of an updated state map that identifies homes in 'very high' or 'high' wildfire hazard zones. Mission Viejo received the map from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, on March 24 and posted it on its website so residents could review the risk designations. The city hosted a workshop and a property insurance town hall in the lead-up to Tuesday's meeting. Residents frustrated by skyrocketing fire insurance rates — when not losing coverage altogether — viewed the map with skepticism, especially a very high wildfire hazard area around Wilderness Glen, unofficially dubbed the 'volcano' or the 'bullseye.' 'I'm a retired firefighter and I looked at this plan when they started implementing it a couple years ago and that 'volcano' was not there,' said Kenny Dossey, who lives in the very high hazard zone. 'All of a sudden, now it appears. For those of us that understand fire, we know that's bogus.' Dossey's comments echoed the frustrations of residents who found the map a top-down gift to insurance companies in the wake of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Councilmembers acknowledged frustrations expressed by residents while at the same time relaying information provided by representatives during the May 19 property insurance town hall. 'The maps that the insurance companies use are not those [Cal Fire] maps,' said Councilmember Wendy Bucknam. 'They actually utilize other maps. Will these [Cal Fire] maps have an effect on that? I don't know. I can just share with you what was stated by the experts at the town hall.' Bucknam also noted that fire insurance rates increased before formal adoption of the map. Located in the Saddleback Valley, Mission Viejo is one of 16 Orange County cities with very high wildfire hazard areas. Adoption of the Cal Fire map is mandatory and cities do not have the authority to change the risk designations, though they can offer feedback to scale an area's hazards upward. 'The Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps are vital for wildfire resistance in California and Mission Viejo,' said Cliff Jones, the city's planning manager. 'They support local and state fire planning and response and help protect lives, property and infrastructure.' Councilmember Trish Kelley, who noted that her own fire insurance doubled, wanted to know if mitigation efforts in Wilderness Glen — part of a $2 million Cal Fire grant awarded to Mission Viejo — could change the area's risk designation before maps are updated again in five years. 'No,' Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Cheyne Maule said. 'The work that's being done mitigates the risk … but the maps are to be adopted as they are today until the next time they draw them up.' Kelley asked why the Wilderness Glen area evolved into a very high fire hazard zone from the previous map. 'The science and the modeling has changed, and that's what, essentially, produced the maps,' Maule said. Mayor Bob Ruesch said the California Department of Insurance is willing to look at residents who 'harden' their homes through brush and vegetation removal and sealing their attics. 'That alone is probably the most significant thing that you can do to save your home, to lower the rates,' he said. 'I want, in the event that we do have a fire, your home [to be] the one you come back to. That's not to mitigate what we need to do as a city. We need to do a better job.' Last summer, city officials observed brush-clearing goats at work at a Rancho Santa Margarita Water District site. San Clemente and Laguna Beach deploy goats to their dried out hillsides too. 'Goats are coming to Mission Viejo,' said Jerry Hill, assistant city manager, to applause from the chamber. Before welcoming a herd, councilmembers voted 5-0 to give initial approval of the Cal Fire map with decidedly less enthusiasm. 'That passes, unfortunately, unanimously,' Ruesch said.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pekin's highest-paid employees: 13 who make $125,000 or more annually
Illinois statute requires municipalities that participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund to publicly post a list of all employees making more than $75,000 in total compensation. The Journal Star is reviewing those public documents and sharing contents of the reports with readers for transparency. Pekin's compensation report includes annual salary; education and other premiums; holiday payouts; allowances for equipment and uniforms; and stipends. Here are the 13 highest salaries for Pekin employees for 2025-26, according to the city's annual compensation report. The report has not been posted on the City of Pekin website, but copies are available for public viewing at Pekin City Hall at 11 S. Capitol St. or by emailing Pekin city clerk Nicole Stewart at nlstewart@ Dossey is the city's highest-paid employee, earning an annual salary of $184,862, according to Pekin's compensation report. As Pekin's city manager, he is the administrative head of the municipality and responsible for its day-to-day operations, implementing city policies, preparing and submitting budgets to the City Council, personnel management and delivering city services. Pekin's police chief, Ranney collects an annual salary of $146,404, and an annual $1,100 equipment and uniform allowance for a total compensation of $147,504. As Pekin's fire chief, Reeise oversees the fire department's administrative, fiscal, and operational aspects. He collects $147,154 annually in total compensation, including his $146,404 salary and a $750 equipment and uniform allowance. Hutchinson is one of Pekin's two deputy police chiefs. Hutchinson earns an annual salary of $135,795 and a $1,100 uniform allowance for a total compensation package of $136,895. Rendleman collects a $135,795 annual salary and a $750 equipment and uniform allowance, adding up to $136,545 in total compensation. A deputy police chief, Willmert's total compensation package consists of his $135,795 annual salary. Dubrowski serves as the city's finance director and earns an annual salary of $133,900, which is his total compensation. Grimm's annual salary and his total compensation as Pekin's public works director is $130,000. Top salaries: See which 11 city of Washington employees earn the most in 2025 A lieutenant with the Pekin Police Department, Jones collects a $125,768 total compensation package. That includes a $124,668 salary and an $1,100 uniform and equipment allowance. Kirk's annual salary as a police lieutenant is $124,668. He also collects an $1,100 uniform and equipment allowance to boost his total compensation to $125,768. As a police lieutenant, Rabe collects a $124,668 annual salary and an $1,100 uniform and equipment allowance for a total compensation of $125,768. Damron is a lieutenant with the Pekin Police Department. His $125,768 in total compensation consists of a $124,668 annual salary and an $1,100 uniform and equipment allowance. Top salaries: These city of Peoria employees have the highest compensation for 2025 Pekin police lieutenant Bush's annual salary is list as $124,668. He also collects an $1,100 uniform and equipment allowance for a $125,768 total compensation package. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pekin highest-paid employees: these 13 make $125,000 or more annually
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dave Ramsey or Robert Kiyosaki: When It Comes To Debt, Who Do Experts Say Is Right?
Dave Ramsey and Robert Kiyosaki are both personal finance gurus with millions of fans. They have written bestselling books that educate readers on financial concepts. While they respect each other, their views on debt are radically different. Check Out: For You: Ramsey believes that all debt is bad. While this approach helps with credit card debt, it can scare people away from making good investments. However, Kiyosaki is the complete opposite, as he proudly declares that he has $1.2 billion in debt. So, how should you approach debt? Two well-respected financial gurus each have a different opinion, but we sought out experts to shed some light on this matter. Ryan Dossey is the co-founder of SoldFast, a company that presents fair cash offers to homeowners who want to sell quickly. Dossey explained that leverage can provide benefits, but it is extremely risky. 'The Dave Ramsey versus Robert Kiyosaki debate is a classic argument around leverage,' Dossey said. 'While I think that there can be a place for leveraging debt to buy assets, it's something that needs to be approached with extreme caution.' Read Next: Having caution isn't just about avoiding too much debt. Dossey also mentioned the importance of keeping your mental health in mind as you accumulate debt responsibly. 'Personally, I'm not a fan of having absolutely no debt, but I do believe in having margin on anything that has leverage on it,' he added. 'You should be able to sell your home, investment property(s) or even your cars at any time and walk away with additional cash in hand. I believe in protecting my peace above all else and will gladly balance maintaining some equity versus being leveraged to high heaven.' Dossey doesn't favor Ramsey or Kiyosaki. Some people should pay off their debt, especially if it's a credit card balance. However, neglecting the benefits of leverage also has its downsides, as Dossey explained. 'I'm not a devout follower but a blend of both,' he said. 'I've watched leverage bankrupt people and I've also watched people waste away at a job they hated because they refused to leverage what they had.' Melanie Musson is a finance expert with who leans on Ramsey's side when it comes to paying off bad debt. 'The majority of Americans have the kind of debt that both Dave Ramsey and Robert Kiyosaki would agree is bad debt,' she said. 'That debt keeps people from being able to reach their goals. It adds stress to their lives.' Ramsey regularly encourages people to cut up their credit cards and focus on paying off debt. Credit cards can be useful for building credit, which can result in lower rates. However, Ramsey believes it's better to make purchases with cash and debit cards. Musson doesn't agree with everything either guru says, but she mentioned why Ramsey's advice is better for most people. 'For the average person, Dave Ramsey's advice is best,' she explained. 'You can accomplish the same end goal of wealth-building if you follow Ramsey, but you'll avoid the risk.' Some people can reach their financial goals sooner if they get into debt. Musson shared how getting into debt for an asset like real estate can be beneficial. 'If your debt helps you grow your wealth, it's better to accumulate debt,' she said. 'It's especially beneficial when your debt can be paid for by others while your wealth grows. For example, if you take out a loan to buy real estate, then your tenants pay your loan while you build equity and your debt builds your wealth.' Although this sounds good in practice, Musson warned that someone's financial situation can change in a hurry if leveraged assets move against them. 'Kiyosaki's advice is risky. When you use debt to build wealth, things could change in a hurry. If your portfolio is well-diversified, you may be okay,' she added. 'However, the average American could potentially use debt to fuel one source of wealth building. If that strategy fails, they'll end up even further in debt with no wealth building realized.' More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban: Trump's Tariffs Will Affect This Class of People the Most4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025How To Get the Most Value From Your Costco Membership in 20255 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on Dave Ramsey or Robert Kiyosaki: When It Comes To Debt, Who Do Experts Say Is Right? Sign in to access your portfolio
