Re “No Doubt About Malsin’s View of Council/Benefits Debate: ‘It’s All Political’”
Does anyone else find the irony in reading that Scott Malsin thought last Monday’s City Council discussion of retiree medical benefits for Council members was somehow politically motivated and directed at him? It seems an odd twist that someone whose recent actions and decision have caused some of us to become cynical about local politicians, is now questioning the motives of a fiscally responsible act by the current City Council.
Monday night's Council discussion had nothing to do with Scott Malsin. Scott seemingly made his decision in the summer of 2011, and announced it publicly last December, when he resigned to save his free LIFETIME retiree medical benefits.
As of Jan. 1, 2012, the benefit he resigned to protect was no longer available to current employees, including sitting Council members who, instead, are entitled to a much smaller benefit.
Monday night's discussion was about controlling costs (better late than never) by acting to reduce the potential retiree medical benefit that the currently sitting City Council and only the currently sitting City Council could receive.
Andy Weissman's recommendation that this practice end was unanimously agreed to by the Council. As a result, this current Council and all future eligible Council retirees will be entitled to receive only the retiree medical benefit provided for under the California Government Code, which, at present, amounts to $112/mo. to age 65.
Instead of disparaging the discussion, we should thank Mr. Weissman for leading the discussion that resulted in this City Council placing its city’s residents before their personal self interests.
Mr. Tangalakis may be contacted at pltlaw@sbcglobal.net
