Public officials deserve a good living

8/17/2002

I have to take exception to the recent bad press on the double-dip issue.

Give these elected officials a break. The bottom line is, taking the retirement that's due them is legal and happens all the time. Consider career military personnel, or autoworkers who retire after their time has been served. One way or another, through taxes or automobiles that cost twice as much as they did 10 years ago, we all pay.

As far as Judge Puffenberger is concerned, he could make far more in private practice, but he chose to serve the public. Good for Jack. This is the kind of fair and hard-working guy we want in public office, not lose to private practice.

There seems to be a general opinion that public officials don't deserve to make a good living because it's taxpayer money. In the meantime tens of thousands of military personnel retire annually and go on to second careers without any controversy. Russ Lemmon's column - “It's OK for someone in the military to retire, then get a job at the post office because they `sever their ties with employers and start anew elsewhere'” just makes no sense at all. What difference does that make, Russ?

Let's direct our rage at the robber barons of Enron, WorldCom, Global Crossing, etc., who devastate retirement accounts and truly ruin lives - not those elected officials who are dedicated to serving us, the public.

DAN FRENCH

Canterbury Court

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This letter is in regard to the current road construction on the Anthony Wayne Trail. Each morning, driving from Maumee to downtown Toledo, I have been amazed at the smooth transition with no delay in getting to my destination. It's been magical to see the transformation.

Recently, I had an emergency that took me on the Trail again, but this time it was in the wee morning hours. It's one thing driving during the morning work hours, but what a sight it was to see the convoy of trucks and workers in the middle of the night strutting their stuff. I was so impressed at the enormous number of trucks lined up and the organization and efficiency of this huge project.

Kudos to all involved. You are doing a great job! I now have a true appreciation of what it takes to accomplish such a task.

D. HARMON

Maumee

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Isn't it amazing that a new stadium such as Fifth Third Field can be constructed and the surrounding buildings in the warehouse district renovated to blend in except for the eyesore on the corner of Monroe and Huron?

Come on, city of Toledo and Lucas County, either demolish or renovate Brenda's. Maybe the 2003 baseball season will begin with this situation resolved - or maybe not.

BILL THARPE

Southdale Road