Changes

I am no longer a FDOC wife.  Yes, I am very sad about this.  Not only to be losing my  husband, but to be losing a part of my life that I've become used to over the years.  I am looking for someone to take my place in keeping this blog going.  I haven't done that great of a job of it, but I was trying to be a support somehow.  So, if you are a Correctional Officer's wife and are interested in keeping this blog going, please either respond below or email me at FDOCwife@gmail.com. 

Thanks!!!

3% Income Tax

Well, this is the month we've all been waiting for.  The so called "3% deduction for FRS" is now in the Supreme Court.  This 3% isn't going into FRS, it's going to the general  budget to cover shortfalls.  Hmmm, how is that going to help his pension?  The consistence from the private sector employees of Florida is that THEY are the taxpayers and all of the government peons are exempt from paying taxes.  Now, let's get into that for a minute, shall we!  On the paystub, the same taxes are taken out of my husband's check as they are mine.  I am a private sector employee.  We don't get an exemption card for sales tax, he has to pay everything that everyone else does.  So, how is he NOT a taxpayer?  I don't hear anyone griping about military pension or pay.  Just people that work for the state.  This 3% was not a "do you want in? If so pay this."  NO, it was "we are going to take this weather you like it or not.  And we are going to tell everyone that we are making you pay your way like everyone else."  Actually, the state peons were imposed with a 3% state income tax.  For anyone wanting to know was a CO in Florida makes, go to this website Florida has a right to know and under agency select DC.  There is a list of what anyone working in the Department of Corrections makes yearly.  The highest paid employees are the doctors, with a big margin, DC teacher, THEN Corrections Officers!!!  What a shame!!!!!  For getting physically attacked; getting urine, feces, blood and other bodily fluids thrown at them; the risk of getting something that Comet won't wash off; no support from the higher ups; death threats to themselves and/or family (and ability to do so); and if an inmate gets mad because their property was searched or they were told to do something they didn't want to, they get written up, sued and threat/actual job loss.  Yep, this is how we treat the men and women that go through that gate day in and day out without fail and without weapons or proper protection.  Seems right to me (sarcasm)!

I'll give a little personal side story.  Last year after this tax was imposed, Hubby needed to redo his financial paperwork for Child Support.  He already pays a crazy amount, but that's besides the point.  We get to the Child Support Enforcement office, go through all the normal identification process and all.  When they went over his financials, they said if it was pressed, he could pay MORE!  I'm the financial person in our family.  When I was filling out the paperwork, Hubby didn't believe what all we paid in bills and gas.  Now, we live way beneath our means (well, we do have a date night every once in a while).  If it wasn't for help from our family, we would be living in our car.  I'm not saying that for sympathy or pity, just letting it all out there.  I'm just aggravated how this state treats these brave men and women.  Pay them peanuts and take away everything that was promised, then charge them an income tax.

Lockup: Extended Stay

Yesterday was the last episode of Lockup: Santa Rosa.  I am glad that after all that has gone on with the state this past year that the CO's were shown in the light they actually deserve.  Hard working men and women that put their life on the line everyday.  Hubby didn't want to watch it with me.  He said he got enough of the inside at work.  BTW, he doesn't work at Santa Rosa.  I told him that that is the closest I really get to going to work with him or seeing what he does at work.  Yes, they have shown different state prisons, but this was the first time they've shown a FLORIDA prison.  I saw HIS uniform in there.  It was a whole different prospective than watching from somewhere else.  I could actually picture some of those officers as my husband.


So, to the crew from MSNBC that went behind the fence, thank you for not criminalizing the CO's as everyone else in the state has done here recently.

To all the Correctional Officers at Santa Rosa CI: Thank you for all you did for showing the world the CO's here are the finest!!

To all the Correctional Officers in the State of Florida and the rest of the country:  Thank you for all you do every day to keep us safe and thank you for putting your lives on the line to do so!!!

Let's talk about Safety--Wishing I Could be a "Proud Wife"

I was on my way to work the other day and saw on the back window a "Proud Army Wife" decal.  My mind went into automatic safety mode.  How dangerous would that be for a CO's wife to have one on their car?  Or for that matter any LEO's wife or family member?  That's a big walking target.  "Hey everyone who hates CO's, here's a chance to hurt one!!" 

Hubby doesn't even wear his uniform out in public if I'm with him.  Years ago, we worked the same shift.  On our way to work, we stopped by the gas station to get gas and a few drinks for the night.  I think I was at the door when he came out of the bathroom there (good distance to work) and someone in the store noticed his uniform.  They started cussing him.  I was afraid that there was going to be a fight right there in the store.  The guy was REALLY getting aggressive.  My husband didn't know who he was, but since he was a CO, he was the "bad guy."  So, now no uniform anywhere other than straight to and from work.  If he was a doctor's appointment or if we decide to meet for a date, he changes his clothes before he gets to far outside the gate.

It's rather disheartening that the general public of "Our Great State" don't realize what precautions we take for our safety.  And many trolls that come across this blog will probably say "if it's that dangerous, make him quit."  Well, it's not that easy.  It's a lifetime of looking over your shoulder.  I was at work one day and saw someone in a safety vest that (hopefully as a joke) put on the back FDOC INMATE # -----.  My heart was in my throat.  I was scared!!

Oh well, just another Day In the life of a FDOC Wife!

In Memory of Sgt Ruben Thomas

 

Our first blog post is in memory of Sgt. Ruben Thomas.  Actually, I'm dedicating this to his fiance' and children.  I am sending hugs from my family to yours at this time.