No mercy for pension
I got an early Christmas present from Mayor Michael Nutter this year. My city-retiree health care coverage will cost me over $17,000 for 2015, and that’s for one person. I asked for a cheaper plan and was told it was “take it or leave it.” Obviously, I’m being forced into Obamacare, though I don’t know why.
Beware of this, city retirees — when your five years of health coverage runs out. When I retired, I was told at a city retirement seminar I would be able to buy affordable health care, as the city would use its mass purchasing power to keep costs below market. That was part of my retirement decision.
I should have known better. The city breaks its own rules whenever it wants to. Mayor Nutter recently broke the DROP retirement rules for managers he wanted to keep. Many DROP retirees with connections are being paid by the city on a contract basis, despite a strict rule against reemployment.
Well, I don’t have “connections” for a cushy contract, and I get a ridiculous $17K health care bill. I gave the city 36 years for this? To the mayor and City Council — have you no shame?
Richard Iaconelli
Rhawnhurst
Hope for the holidays
Holidays are a time for happiness and celebration. But for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, this season can be a time of intense sadness. Seeing others celebrating can trigger a myriad of overwhelming feelings, emotions, and memories.
If you are grieving: Understand that coping with loss during the holidays can be especially stressful. Physical symptoms may manifest or be exacerbated. Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to “not” do something. Concentrate on yourself and what you need.
If you know someone who is grieving: The bereaved may not want to do the “normal” activities of the holidays. They may isolate themselves. They may not wish to decorate or exchange gifts. Allow them to make decisions based on what they feel they need, not what they “should” do. Be available to just listen.
Know that anticipation of the holiday or event is often worse than the event itself. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Call 215–856–1215 or 215–856–1306.
Joseph Immordino and Maria Entenman
Holy Redeemer Hospice Bereavement Counselors
A state of racial unrest
Once again the TV and print media have stirred up a nationwide furor with charges of racism (“White policeman kills an unarmed black teenager”) in the police killings of three unarmed black males.
Eric Garner, feeling harassed, resisted arrest and as a result died. Michael Brown, according to several witnesses, repeatedly struck an officer who asked him to walk on the pavement. Twelve-year-old Tamir Rice was waving a pellet gun that had the orange tip removed, causing it to appear to be a real gun. Bad decisions without which they could be spending Christmas this year with their families.
Many police are injured or killed every year performing their duties. Nevertheless, a reevaluation of police procedures that led to these tragedies is also needed. While racism in both directions exists in America it cannot be blamed in every confrontation that goes badly. Split-second decisions must be made by police for them to be safe. Persons who come in to inflame and agitate, burn and destroy without a clear understanding of the circumstances must also be held accountable.
Mel Flitter
Fox Chase
Healthcare for teachers
The Philadelphia teachers are being asked to pay a portion of their health care because almost in every school district in Pennsylvania teachers pay something.
It is really unjust to attack one facet of their compensation package. Philadelphia teachers have among the lowest salaries in the state. That results in lesser amounts that the school district as their employer pays into Social Security and pension plan.
In turn, that then results in lower amounts of Social Security and state pensions when they retire. They also perform their work in a tougher workplace.
I am sure that Philadelphia teachers would love to pay a portion of their healthcare if they were paid according to other Pennsylvania teachers.
Mayer Krain
Modena Park
