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Protecting
Salaries
February 23, 2004
Dear Editor:
I just read your article "City
Unions Take On Charter Amendment" (Feb 23) and I was deeply
disappointed to read that Detective Shane Talbot, president of the
Police Officers Association, is mounting an attack on the school district.
With Santa Monica police already benefiting from "what is likely
one of the most lucrative contracts in the region, if not the nation"
it is unseemly for them to use their muscle to bully the schools.
Especially when no one from Community for Excellent Public Schools
(the sponsors of the school funding charter amendment) has ever suggested
that the schools be helped at the expense of police or firemen.
The police are City employees and, while I certainly respect their
right to negotiate a fair and just wage for their services, I take
offense at their attempt to manipulate our political process as a
way of protecting their own salaries.
The stronger our schools are, the stronger and safer our community
is.
With this in mind I would suggest that Mr. Talbot and the police union
use their influence to actively support school funding. To do so will
ultimately benefit all of us. While following the path of confrontation
runs the risk of polarizing the community, and turning good citizens
against the police.
John Petz
Santa Monica |
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