CITY OF BRENHAM DISCUSSING RETIREMENT OPTIONS WITH FIRE CHIEF RICKY BOEKER
The City of Brenham is in talks with Fire Chief Ricky Boeker about his possible retirement.
(courtesy City of Brenham)
City Manager James Fisher has confirmed to KWHI that the city is in discussions with Boeker regarding early retirement options that allow him eligibility for the city’s health insurance and separation pay.
When asked if any official decision had been made yet, or if this would be considered a termination, Fisher said “we are in discussions.”
Boeker, a lifelong Brenham resident, joined the fire department in 1988 as a volunteer firefighter, later becoming the volunteer fire chief in 2005. He became the first paid fire chief for the department and the city in 2008, as well as the emergency management coordinator.
Boeker’s annual salary, according to Fisher, is approximately $103,000.
City Commissioners, y’all better listen to the community on this one or you can guarantee that you will not be re-elected for your next term. Do right by this community, Chief Boeker and the firefighters who put everything on the line for us every day. Instead, negotiate ending Fisher’s contact and pay him to leave this town. It’s past time and enough is enough.
Having worked with him briefly, I think Ricky is an outstanding Chief and a real asset to the City of Brenham. He has worked tirelessly for nothing more than the safety of the community. I, as well as a lot of people on this board, have questions about the City Manager. Disagree with him and see yourself to the door. I know Milton Tate can do better!!! Ricky is a fine Chief and the only way he is in negotiations if it is being forced upon him. Shame on you City Leaders!!!
I don’t think the “City of Brenham” is in talk with Fire Chief Ricky Boeker about his possible retirement.. Sounds more like James Fisher is the one who is doing the talking. I hope Fisher realizes how much the people who are actually from and live in the City of Brenham has Ricky’s back. Fisher needs to skip town and find a new lake to mess around in.
It looks to me like there is a LOT more to this story.
Why doesn’t this website report the underlying story?
Why is it that we never hear the back story of things from the press in this town?
All we ever get is the sanitized and slanted press release from the city or county government and school district.
The citizens need to know what is really going on. We have elections and are making our voting decision in the dark. Unless we are politically connected and spend all our time trying to uncover the real stories we don’t know what is going on.
This is obviously not Chief Boeker’s choice, otherwise the City would not be negotiating “separation pay”. Because it is a personnel matter…and the two parties are in negotiations…neither one is able to discuss it publicly yet. KWHI hopes to have more details by Monday.
Chief
City managers have a short term in each city they get the opportunity to serve in.
In most cases it is just a stepping stone to the next city that will dislike them just as much.
On the other hand Chief Boeker as with many dedicated City employees live here, love our town. Chief Boeker has done his time and proved his commitment to our city, citizens, and his staff.
I would think Mayor Tate and council should make a tough decision and go with proven leadership rather than a whim from a person that will have the City of Brenham on a resume in the near future.
If not, I would expect Chief Boeker’s replacement will be a person that comes highly recommended by City Manager James Fisher.
We got your back, Ricky.
You’ve been there for us. Willing to put your life on the line.
I don’t see that from those trying to push you out.
The man raised me. It literally brings tears to my eyes to see him dismissed in such a way. As a boy I watched this man devote his life to a dept. that he loved and cared for. Putting everyone before his own needs. Never. Never! Compromising honesty and hard work for the easy road. A man I could only wish to be half of.
… Why not just fire Fisher and Dane then let Mr. Ricky fill those two positions because after his long time commitment he knows this city’s needs and would do a great job getting the community involved for the better of our future and is well liked unlike the city management in charge!
Thank you for your service and don’t let them run you out early please retire on your own terms! Or hire a out of town layer to help get rid of the city’s wasted spaces!
#keeprickyb
Great idea!!!! I have never met a person so involved in his profession and totally dedicated to those he serves.
If this ain’t Ricky’s idea something is FISHY here!!
I heard that there are more forced retirements to be forced on long term older employees. The goal is purely financial to lower retirement values in an effort to raise retirement percentages for the high paid managers and directors that are running the city. This city council has failed to catch on to this scheme. That is why they ran me off a few years ago.
Pushing out the one community leader who actually interacts and bridges the gap between the city leadership and the people of Brenham and Washington County is not a smart idea! It looks like the City Manager should re-evaluate his plan!
Well put. Totally Agree!!!
It is my understanding that our city Manager wants to do away with our Volunteer Fire. Where is the money coming from?? If we do not have enough volunteers to handle a fire how many full time people will be hired and at what cost to the tax payers. I would like a response from our elected officials on this change. Are they aware?
For anyone to expose a early retirement for a lifelong fire fighter it’s pretty sorry. Definitely sounds like the city is forcing him out. We have a town that’s growing but the city is too cheap to expand the fire department. This county has a lack of leader ship when it comes to first responders. We have the fire department that runs zero medical calls while Kevin Doremus is running EMS ragged. When those guys are making 70 to 80 calls per shift with four ambulances, and Some of those are transfers to Beaumont for Covid. Outrageous what does town and county is allowing to happen to not only To the citizens but those who travel through. Somebody needs to stand up and put the concerns of the citizens first and not suck up to higher ups just to make someone happy or to make the town look good. EMS and the fire department are going to crumble if they don’t start making smart financial decisions.
He started in 1988- yes as a volunteer, but he still put in time enough time that the department thought he should be the volunteer chief and help the fire departments with major decisions on purchases, trainings and transition from volunteer to a city department. 33 years of putting in time whether paid or not is a long time. Kudos for being there for the City of Brenham and surrounding area for so many years.
Sounds like there is more to this story
Yeah there is.
Looks like they are trying to yet force another fine city employee that has put in many years in for the community. Seems like Mr. Fisher and other corrupt city council members have an underlying agenda that they are hiding from the community. When is the mayor going to put a stop to this dictatorship?
Oh hell yes! On point honey!
If Fischer is involved smells fishy to me.
Well I know he doesn’t have the 20 years required for TMRS retirement. So anyone else that has left early, or that was terminated , should have had the same option. Another city corruption or not being honest with the people of the city.
Discussing retirement? In Corporate America the CEO makes a decision and then an announcement.
Fisher seems like a weak leader ……….
Just saying ……..