Other views

By Staff
State retirees deserve their share
Editor:
After reading about and listening to our governor down-play the insurance being paid for teachers and state employees, I'd like to respond. Since we had our insurance paid in lieu of raises, I'd like to keep mine since it is part of our retirement "package."
Our salaries in the 26 years with the State Employment Service were paid, not by the state, but by the Department of Labor, Washington, D.C.
If Governor Riley wants to deplete the state of people who can make each department better, he should take a look around – like Georgia who will hire any teacher Alabama doesn't want, and pay them much more.
If I were a young person in college, preparing for the teaching profession, I'd certainly take a look at a state other than Alabama; because after 36 years of life, you may be "zapped" when you get ready to retire.
Why did I notice that nothing had been said about the outrageous retirement that some of the judges are receiving?
Some judges who paid a small amount into the retirement are drawing more money than some of the poor peons like me could dream about.
Henry Burcham
Somerville