City Council Votes to Keep Health Benefits for Police & Fire Retirees
By: Kristin Mazur
Updated: August 12, 2009
Health benefits for public safety employees: a privilege or something earned? That was the main discussion at tonights city council meeting.
“They put their lives on the line for us and I think deserve a certain amount of special consideration” says City Councilwoman Karen Goldner.
The Council voted 8-to-1 against an ordinance that would take away free health benefits for police officers and fire fighters following retirement.
“It was something expected because I didnt think the ordinance was well thought out” says James Ridley, President of The International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 124.
The ordinance proposed by Councilwoman Liz Brown was aimed at saving the city an estimated 300-thousand dollars.
“I didnt have a lot of confidence that number was even correct” remarks Goldner.
Goldner voted no to the ordinance, yet agrees with Brown that costs will eventually need to be addressed.
Ridley adds that he thinks “the council realizes how important it is for fire fighters, police officers…to get that benefit in lieu of compensation.”
