Support your police and give a "secure retirement for all city employees," say signs on Kirkwood lawns urging a "yes" vote to change the city's retirement system.
Support your firefighters and vote "no," say competing signs describing the proposal as unnecessary, permanent and coming at a higher cost.
Proposition R — a measure that would switch the city-operated retirement plan to the statewide Local Area Government Employee Retirement System — is what's pitting police against firefighters in the April 3 election. In an electoral version of "guns and hoses," Kirkwood voters are being asked to decide which emergency responders will get their support at the ballot box.
Since 1987, Kirkwood has provided a defined-contribution plan for uniformed police officers, firefighters and other city employees that's similar to a 401(k) — the city contributes an amount based on a percentage of an employee's pay, according to the city.