Public employee wages and benefits far exceed residents annual income.

By David L. Margrave

The last time I asked a public employee where they lived they told me out of town because they could not afford to live here. I've discovered the real reason they do not choose to live in South Pasadena, it's because they make so much money they don't want us to know how well they are doing. Every City employee makes more than do private workers and most police and firemen make 2 or 3 times the medium income of South Pasaadena residents.

I do not judge these people for what they are paid, but I am for the first time letting you know that they make 3 or 4 times more that the medium household income of our residents. A battalon Chief makes 277,000.00 and will retire with an income in access of 150,000. How much do you make each year? If its more than this, you are doing ok. Let me give you a short comparison list of our public employees as compared to a private worker whom is employed at my office.

A Plumber working 40 hours each week is paid 26 dollars per hour, he recieved $58,000. dollars for his efforts last year. He receives three weeks paid vacation each year and gets 7 paid hoildays. We do pay for his uniforms and medical insurance. We pay into the Social Security system as does he and we do pay time and ahalf for over time. Thats it, I can not pay for his retirement.

Now lets compare a Policemans wages who has worked for the city 15 years. He recieves $105,000 for his yearly income. He gets 6 weeks paid vacation , at least. He is paid for his uniforms, training, dental work, eye care, 16 days holiday and 5 days personal time off. This policeman gets time and ahalf for watching movies being made and is also paid to attend funerals and other important events. The job of a policeman is difficult but very safe here in South Pasadena as compared to a policeman in downtown Los Angeles. Very little crime and a great community which respects officers, makes police work here safer.The total wage and benefit package a policeman makes is around $175,000. dollars.

The pay doesn't stop there as it does for the private worker. No, the pay continues to escalate. The City also pays all of the Police Officers retirement costs which will be paid to the policeman for life when he retires or if he is injured on the job and the Policeman is not responsible for any Social Security nor Medicare taxes which the plumber must pay.

The next time you feel sorry for a Public employee compare your income to what is listed here. If you want all of the wages and benefits of all of the city employees call me and I will provide you a copy provided to me by the finance department. A Fire Battalion Chiefs recieves around $275,000, a police captains is paid $226,000. per year . Gee Wiz, the medium income of a two person household here in little old South Pasadena is only $78,000. per year. Every single policeman and woman make over a $125,000. dollars per year and recieve retirement pay when they leave the service. Very few non governmental workers can even dream of such high wages and wonderful retirement packages.

One of the main reasons the citizens are again being asked to extend the Utility Tax is to fund these outrageous pay and benefit packages demanded by our City employees. Their argument of course is the same, all other Cities pay high wages and more. It is my belief that we can do much better for a lot less if we try. Regardless of the outcome of this City Council race or the UT vote, there will come a time when the City can no longer continue as it has been operating. Our Assistant City Manager makes $234,000, a little less than some of the policemen in town.

Transportation manager $166,000, Public works superintendent $132,000, City Clerk $193,000, Director of public Works $170,000, Director of Planning $178,000, Firefighter $168,000, Police Sergeant $198,000,

These figures include wages and benefits. The medium house hold income of South Pasadena Citizens is only $79,000. This $78,000. dollars is the combined income of the people living in a home here in South Pasadena.