**CONTRACT SETTLED**

ACPD & ACFD RECEIVES THERE LONG AWAITED RETRO PAY

Last Updated - 12/23/06 10:30 pm

ATLANTIC CITY - Christmas comes early for members of the Atlantic City Police and Fire Departments. Today, the city delivered the final installment of retro pay owed to the members since finally obtaining a contract, but some firefighters say the city isn't doing them any favors.

Members of Atlantic City Mayor's Administration come bearing gifts for members of the city's police and fire departments. "I feel like Santa Claus today," said the city Administrator, Dominick Cappella, "these guys have been waiting, 5, 4 years."

Today, the final installment of retro pay totaling $11,550,000 that was owed to members of the department was hand delivered. "The calculations were not simple," said Jack Potts, Director of Revenue and Finance for the city, "they were very time consuming, very complex and my promise to the police and firemen is that they would get the checks when they were correct. They're correct and we got 'em out."

"We're very grateful," said Chief John Mooney with the Atlantic City Police Department, "timing in life is everything. To have this come out just before Christmas, I think it's really going to brighten the spirits of the people who work so hard each and everyday to keep the streets of Atlantic City safe."

Today's payment was a long time coming, after both departments were without contracts for four years. But, through arbitration an agreement was finally reached in October, which included a first installment of about $8 million in retro pay.

Many police and firemen we spoke to today were not optimistic about seeing the rest of the money owed before the holidays. "Beautiful timing," said Acting Fire Chief, Victor Francesco, "thanks to our members, both police and fire, who've been so patient throughout this."

While both chief say they're thrilled to be able to hand over the checks to awaiting members, they say they're also relieved this whole ordeal is finally over.

Some of the members of the city's police and fire departments aren't completely satisfied. The president of the A.C. Firefighters Union says it's about time about they got the money they were owed and questions what happened to the interest this money gained, while it sat untouched for four years.