Legal Motion On Prichard Bankruptcy Expected

Alabama Mobile Workers wonder if there is money in the city's reserve fund.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Wed, October 28, 2009 - 9:56 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, October 28, 2009 - 10:25 pm CST

PRICHARD, Alabama - An attorney who represents a group of retired Prichard city workers said he plans on filing a court motion Thursday to get some answers about Prichard's financial situation.
The city filed for bankruptcy earlier this week, but attorney Robert Hedge thinks Prichard city officials may have money to pay retired workers who didn't get their pension checks this month.
He said a copy of the city budget shows a budget reserve of almost $700,000.
Hedge asked, "Where is the money? Where is that $700,000? If its not there, the question becomes 'Where did it go, and who authorized it to be spent?' "
Some retired city employees are going back to work.
C.W. Currie is mopping floors and doing construction work at a Mobile shopping center.
Currie said, "My heart doctor is throwing a fit because I'm doing construction work."
And Currie is 71 years old.
When asked if he ever imagined at 71 doing what he's doing now, Currie said, "No sir, never dreamed of it. I thought I was fixed to have a comfortable living."
Currie said he's already lost more than $1400.
That's how much pension money he gets every month.
He didn't get his check for October, doesn't expect one for November, and wonders if he'll get any money after that.
Currie said, "If my health doesn't hold up for four years, then I'm going to have to downsize my home."
And he may be one of the lucky ones.
Hedge represents 55 retirees who are no longer getting their pensions.
He said, "There are folks that literally are shut-in. They have to have this money for the very basic necessities: food, power."
Prichard Mayor Ron Davis didn't talk on camera Wednesday, but issued a statement saying after reviewing all options, bankruptcy seems to be the only solution for now.
He also said that this is a long term problem his administration inherited.
Currie didn't think he was inheriting this problem, either.
Currie said, "I just got to work. I don't have any problems as long as I'm able. I'm not going to be a freeloader, but I still would like to have my pension back."

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cmb1 Says:

Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 9:50 am

The question where did all the money go? Mayor? The city is still getting revenue so are the employees now getting paid? Retirees don’t give up and let Prichard win! Keep fighting!!!!!!!!!!!!