Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre's retirement has informed the public about the Deferred Retirement Option Plan and the nest egg he accumulated by his participation over the past eight years ("State retirement plan leads chief to exit now; Officer able to optimize his pension," Sept. 16).
Complete and balanced information when reporting on this program is rarely offered. DROP is designed to be cost neutral to the police and fire pension program. There are no additional or increased costs to the taxpayers because of DROP. Contributions to the plan are the pension that he earned and would have received anyway when he retired.
The upside to the public is that DROP keeps experienced police officers and firefighters on the job a little bit longer.
Toledo and Ohio are not unique in having DROP. Other states such as Florida and Texas offer DROP. Your news story only addressed part of this issue.
Howard Williamson III
Oregon
Catholic Church must be accountable
Once again, the world is treated to a round of apologies to victims followed by promises from Pope Benedict XVI to enact effective measures to protect children from sexual abuse in the Catholic Church ("Benedict pledges to protect children from sexual abuse," Sept. 24).
Until the Pope and bishops who have covered up the sexual abuse of children, protected sexual predators, or lobbied against the enactment of laws to protect children, experience the full consequences of their actions, nothing is going to change.
Mike Drabik
Bronson Avenue
Use driver's license to spur graduation
Why doesn't the state government come up with incentives to help teachers to inspire students to do well and graduate?
One idea might be to link temporary and then full-time driver's licenses to grades and high school graduation.
Ernest Barnhart
Springfield Township
Hair-care samples in bad taste at race
It was a beautiful day in Toledo for the annual Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure on Sept. 25, but my enthusiasm was dampened when I saw a local hair academy give out promotional hair product samples.
Cancer patients often lose their hair during chemotherapy. Those cancer patients likely would have been saddened by this thoughtless marketing attempt.
This company should re-evaluate its marketing efforts. It should promote walkers instead of disrespecting our family members.
Angel McGee
Rossford
Honor Flight draws a salute
On behalf of Honor Flight Northwest Ohio, I thank the community, the volunteers and my fellow board members for their support on completing another successful season ("Honor Flight veterans hailed as heroes," Oct. 5).
We have flown more than 859 veterans to Washington to see the memorials that were built in their honor. The outpouring of support for this effort in time and money is heart-warming, especially in these tough times.
Lee Armstrong
U.S. Navy, retired President Honor Flight Northwest Ohio
Kids Unlimited doffs hat to event
During the 2011 U.S. Senior Open golf tournament at the Inverness Club, staff and adults from Kids Unlimited had the privilege of volunteering in the S. P. Jermain Pavilion. Our hats are off to Inverness and the tournament committee for bringing this event to Toledo.
We appreciated the opportunity to give back to a community that has supported our children and our program for the past five years.
Ernest Martin, Sr.
Director of Operations Kids Unlimited Whitehouse
Garbage pickups efficient, cheery
After years of watching three or four Toledo city-employed garbage men pick up my trash, I'm amazed that the work is now being done by only one person. How does he do it?
He also stepped out of his cab, said hello, and asked if I needed help -- all before 8 a.m.
Beth Garzony
Drummond Road