Give cops retirement they’ve earned

It disturbs me greatly that the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, made up of individuals who generally earn more than the majority of people they serve, are calling for police officers and firefighters to take a hit in their pensions.

Standards for these professions have risen. A college degree has become the norm. In addition, physical fitness throughout one’s career is necessary. Neither of these requirements are necessary to become mayor, by the way, just a lot of money and the right political backing.

When our homes burn, when we become victims of crime, when we or a loved one suffer a heart attack or other life-threatening illness, we are not looking for shake-your-hand, kiss-the-baby mayor to show up. We are looking for those highly-trained men and women who are willing to come to work day after day and face the stresses, the bad weather, the dangerous criminals, the buildings that might collapse on them and their co-workers and closest friends.

We owe it to those people to give them the retirement that we promised them when they took their jobs. After all, the people at the top, managers and their friends at school districts, park districts, the county and the state, are going to be very comfortable.

Suzanne G. Hlotke

Carol Stream