|
Growing up in Sunnyvale during the 1950s and '60s, I had the advantage of parents who were incredible role models for public service. My parents felt so fortunate to have been able to find a town of such high quality to raise their family and they felt compelled to give back to the community and foster the city's continued growth and success. Thus community service became a way of life for our family.
The Sun's Oct. 26 article, "Council members can receive lifetime benefits" identified that some Sunnyvale city council members enjoy lifetime health benefits, similar to those given to city employees, even though city council members are not employees of the city.
The article noted that Councilman John Howe and Housing and Human Services Commissioner Nancy Smith, who are running against one another for city council Seat 3, have both said that these benefits should not be offered until the city is back in better economic waters.
But this issue goes beyond difficult economic times. It goes to the heart of our democracy. The Founding Fathers established a representative form of government that relied on the citizenry giving of their time and talents. There were no provisions for "career politicians." Men served their government for a protracted period of time and then returned home to continue their "true" professions.
Councilman Howe further notes that he would like to see the city continue to offer benefits to council members while they serve because it can make the position more attractive to Sunnyvale residents. Do we want citizens to serve on the council who must be attracted to the position or do we want our representatives to have a calling to serve the public good?
Councilman Howe further points out that the council can, at times, make working a full-time job difficult.
Serving on the city council was never intended to be a full- time job. It's an oversight and policy setting body, not the people who do the real work of running the city.
The city manager and her more than 900 city employees are the full-time city employees, not the council. It's these employees that have earned the right to receive health and welfare benefits for themselves and their families.
As a public school employee, I know too well the extreme financial burdens that all public service organizations, school districts, cities and counties continue to face, particularly in Silicon Valley.
I understand the need for increasing the business license tax and the transient occupancy tax to support basic city services and supported Measures D and E on Nov. 8th.
However, I do not believe that health benefits for sitting city council members or lifetime health benefits for former council members are basic city services.
Patricia Allen Blanar is a Sunnyvale resident.
|
