It’s a lot more fun to be on the same side with Deb Butler. Here’s her letter in yesterday’s Arlington Advocate
Donnelly for Senate
I support Ken Donnelly for the State Senate in this (Fourth Middlesex) district. I had been “leaning Donnelly” before the forum hosted at the Robbins Library last Wednesday by the Town Democratic Committee, of which I am a member. After the forum, I was solidly for Donnelly, enough that I will now be a volunteer in his campaign.
Donnelly’s willingness to tackle the tough issue of tax reform really impresses me, as does his experience on Beacon Hill actually fighting for pension reform. Donnelly will get things done because he already knows how Beacon Hill functions, and won’t need on the job training in the legislative process. Donnelly has also made himself available to answer my questions. I am convinced that I want Ken Donnelly to represent me in the State Senate. — Deborah Sirotkin Butler, Overlook Road
By all accounts Ken seems like an up standing guy, but it appears that he’s reaping some of the benifits of a broken pension system himself and I have to wonder what kind of “reforms” he’s in favor of.
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p>Now I’m not advocating for active fire fighters to be working into their sixties and rushing into burning buildings, but there are plenty of jobs (training, inspections, ect) that they can be doing until 62 or 65. In fact, it appears that Ken had such a position during the last 14 years as a fire fighter in his role as working for the FF union (yet every year working for the union counted as a year as if he was rushing into burning buildings). Now, at 58 and receiving a full pension he wants to continue public service in the State Senate and receive an additional $70,000 pay (or so, assuming a chairmanship).
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p>Again, this is not a reflection of Ken Donnelly–he’s doing nothing wrong and I have no doubt he’ll be a good state senator.
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p>But his experience is a good example of what is wrong with the state pension system. I have no problem with public safety people ending their “active” duties in their late 50’s or even before if health needs require it. And for their years of service, they deserve a secure pension to enjoy retirement. But we’re all living longer and we can’t afford to give people full pensions starting at 56. Nor can we afford to lose the wisdom and experience of these people when they can serve as union officals, trainers, policy developemnt professionals, commanders and many other roles well into their 60’s and beyond.
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p>Nor can we afford to let individuals “double dip”. It is conceivable that Donnelly could be State Senator for 16 years…is it “right” for the state to pay him both a good pension and a good salary of that period of time?
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p>Again, this is not about Ken Donnelly. I don’t know him and if I did, I probably would like him very much. The only thing he’s done is to attain the just and normal benifits the system has allowed him. What I’m questioning is the system and if it is fair to all and whether it should be changed to reflex the reality of out times (the fact we’re all living longer)? And given that Amber’s letter highlights pension reform as one of her reasons to support him…I wonder what Ken will do about himself?
Arlington selectmen get pension credits for serving on their board, along with $3000 per year salary and health insurance benefits. Kind of a sweet deal for a legacy hire on the board, as the Hurd family has owned a seat on the board for generations.
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p>Consider the pension implications for Senator Hurd. Take his 12 years on the selectmen, add at least three high years as a senator, and Jack is on the gravy end of the biggest loophole in the pension system. He gets paid based on his average in the last three years of employment, despite his anemic contributions from his $3000 selectman’s salary.
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p>That’s worth more than a plain glass of 2% milk in my book.
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…Hurd is doing nothing wrong and doesn’t deserve a personal attack. In general your point is very valid and should be part of an overall reform pension package.
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p>I’ve got no dog in this hunt, but apparently both candidates illustrate some of the problems we have with the current system.
I don’t mind “Pablo” posting my Advocate letter – I wrote it to share my position.
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p>But I agree with you that a personal attack making fun of Mr. Hurd is not warranted. I don’t dislike Mr. Hurd, but I do prefer Ken Donnelly – Arlington is fortunate that despite the personal implosion of its senator, there are two strong candidates in the Democratic primary with personal records of public service.
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p>I happen to consider that Ken Donnelly is the better of the two but am not interested in satirizing or making fun of Hurd.
You are not listening to the “ugly chatter” in my part of the district. Some of the good old boys are chatting up Donnelly as a union guy who is out to help his pension (or his friends) through the pension system. They say Hurd is a good guy from the private sector, not like that union guy who is getting a fat pension and running for senate. They don’t tell the full story.
I suspect the “good old boys” don’t chat me up in that way, you know?
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p>Besides, State Senate doesn’t pay all that well – about $58k – so to make ends meet pretty much all legislators either work a second job [the lovely sight of one’s legislator selling insurance or being counsel of record comes to mind, and there have been, can be problems with both], have a working spouse, or be young enough not to have a mortgage or old enough to have a pension.
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p>But you are absolutely correct in that becoming the State Senator for the 4th Middlesex would help either Mr. Hurd or Mr. Donnelly collect better pensions – and it is Mr. Hurd who would stand to gain the most at the pension game -no question.
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p>Good Journalism, Mr. Maul on your part. Why not write a letter to the Editor with regard to this as it is a fact based, interesting bit of thought provoking news? You would be published, I am certain.
Letter to the editor? Nobody reads the Burlington Onion Union anyway. Blogs are the new media.
…so due to your excellent research and being an actual resident, I think it would be beneficial for you to write. Besides, folk in MY age group DO still read newspapers. Remember, I did just turn 60!
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p>With most of Donnelly’s donations coming from outside the district 94% I’m worried we’re looking at a special interest candidate. I am amazed and very pleased with the firefighters ability to rally around their candidate, but with large donations from unions all over the country I don’t believe Donnelly could reform the pension to the benefit of the communities and taxpayers over the special interests who support him. His money comes from unions and lobbyists who work on behalf of the groups most affected by pension reform. We will not see the State and taxpayers save money with pension reform from this candidate and I think anyone who believes this is kidding themselves.
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p>http://www.mass.gov/ocpf/defau…
Look here to see the info on the donations the candidates have received.