The extraordinary annual salaries of certain
The portion of the budget that is beneath the surface
includes excessive retirement pensions and benefits. This has been brought to the attention of the
city council many times over the past few years by various messengers who
certain councilmen prefer to denounce as agitators, rather than listening to
the content of the messages. These
council members, who, along with members of previous councils, are actually the
ones who are responsible for concealing the invisible portion of the budget
iceberg from the public through the practice of holding salary and benefit
negotiations with employee unions in “Closed Session”. Most council members have the distinction of
having accepted large contributions
from the very employee organizations for which they have been so generous with
Despite four budget study (???) sessions, the council
has refused to consider reducing the excessive retirement pensions and benefits
that make it possible for certain employees to retire at age 50 at 90% or more
of their last year salary, including other retirement benefits that the great
majority of the public would not even dream of achieving. Such ridiculous union contracts signed by
high paid corporate executives have brought our American auto companies to
their knees. And Glendale’s budget
problems are likewise the result of unwise, if not down right stupid, decisions
by this and past city council members in closed contract negotiations.
At the May 21st
budget study session, Herbert Molano clearly pointed out to the council that
foregoing scheduled Firefighter and Police pay raises, cutting services to the
public, and laying off employees, will not solve the budget crises. But his message
fell on deaf city council ears.
As long as
Where are John & Ken when we really need them?