In light of shooting of Anniston Police Officer Justin Sollohub, I am reminded that our uniformed public servants put their lives on the line daily to keep us safe. Hoping to bring something positive out of this horrible tragedy, I propose that we correct a situation involving our dedicated police and firefighters.
There is a terrible problem with the Police and Fireman Pension Fund. Money that has been invested has dwindled due to the declining stock market and because funds have been used as discretionary money. Every year, the fund is reduced by $1.3 million. Because more money is taken out than is taken in, the fund will be broke by 2024.
Because of current low investment yields, 85 percent to 90 percent of the police and fire department would like to put the funds they have on hand, $20 million, into the Retirement Systems of Alabama, and that is sufficient endorsement and investment for RSA approval. Regardless, there will be a financial burden for the city to put $2 million into the retirement fund each year. The only way the city can handle its financial burden is to either make cuts or generate revenue.
Given present circumstances and a bare-bones coffer, generating more revenue appears to be essential. For consideration is passage of a 1-cent sales tax, which could generate up to $4 million per year. By earmarking a percentage for the pension fund, the city could take care of its $2 million financial obligation and leave $2 million for other areas. The City Council needs to pass a resolution before the spring legislative session. The longer the city waits, the more it will cost.
Please give consideration to supporting these actions. Please share this message with everyone you know and contact your councilmen to take immediate action.
Joanne Pope
Anniston
Police are not the problem
Re “Can Anniston stop the violence?” (News article, Aug. 25):
The Star’s story said Anniston City Councilman Ben Little has “said there is distrust between the Police Department and the community, which he blames squarely on the police.
Please vote him out of his elected seat. He and people with his attitude are part of the problems that Anniston face. You cannot blame the police for the actions of criminals and the decline of the city of Anniston.
Amanda Eaton
Anniston
Show respect for policemen
The Star’s coverage of the policeman’s shooting was OK. However, I resent the use of the terminology “cop” in your headline.
Would it have been too much to give the policeman the respect he rightly deserved and print “police officer” instead of “cop”?
My father was a police officer for 25 years and a deputy sheriff for six years, so I have heard people laugh at me and say, “She is just a cop’s daughter.”
I’m sure there are a lot of wives, mothers, daughters, sons and others who feel the same way as I do regarding your headline.
So, let’s give policemen the respect they most definitely deserve.
Bobbie (Gregg) Sherwood
Alexandria
Little should act like a leader
It is sad that Anniston City Councilman Ben Little chose to hitchhike on the tragic shooting of a police officer to publicly criticize the police department and the “city” for distrust and inequities in the area of violence.
Rather than verbal nonsense, I would challenge him to exercise his “city” leadership position to step forward and be a leader for harmony, justice and equity.
Lee London
Anniston
