NEWS
September 3, 2014
I read William Smith's letter again and again ( "Who needs lazy retirees?" Aug. 19). It was an incredibly good piece of satire. For those that didn't get it, the retirees who are leaving Maryland are not the lazy welfare addicts - those people stay here. Instead, the ones who are leaving are those of us who worked long and hard our entire lives, lived within our means and paid off our mortgages instead of continually refinancing to buy yet a nicer car or a bigger TV. We are the ones who saved enough money to retire without counting on Social Security.
NEWS
August 27, 2014
I was totally shocked by William Smith's letter concerning "lazy retirees" ( "Who needs those lazy retirees?" Aug. 19). The letter lacked cohesion, and it was difficult to discern if he was ranting about retirees leaving Maryland, welfare addicts or undocumented immigrants. As one of the many Marylanders planning to leave the state, I earned that right, and as an American citizen I am free to move to any state or country I please - especially to those that don't tax the rain.
NEWS
August 25, 2014
As a retiree, I read William Smith's recent letter to the editor with equal parts amazement and sadness ( "Who needs those lazy retirees?" Aug. 19). Amazement at the level of vitriol displayed, and sadness because it appears that Mr. Smith's education did not include a rigorous course in English usage, during which he would have become familiar with the definitions of the words "handout" and "welfare. " Let me attempt to fill this lamentable gap. According to Oxforddictionaries.com, a handout is "something given free to a needy person," and welfare is "financial support given to people in need.
NEWS
August 19, 2014
In response to the letter writer who was leaving Maryland as soon as he retires with all those other retirees who are "leaving Maryland in droves," I can only say good riddance and don't let the door hit you on the way out ( "Retirees are leaving Maryland in droves and I'm next," Aug. 15). We all know that retired people are takers, not makers. They're all suckling at the government teat and whining about "taxes" while waiting for their next handout. Who needs 'em? I say let's encourage more of these lazy welfare addicts to take their mooching to some other state and encourage more young, industrious Central Americans to make Maryland their home.
NEWS
By Pamela Wood, The Baltimore Sun | August 17, 2014
The city of Annapolis has named dozens of retired police officers and firefighters in a federal lawsuit, the latest tactic in a decade-long legal battle over changes to retiree pensions. In court filings last week, the city asked a judge to rule that a recent switch to an annual 2 percent cost-of-living increase for retirees — instead of a previous sliding scale tied to city employee raises — is legal. Attorney Eric Paltell, who represents the city in the case, said a ruling is needed because, "the retirees have made it crystal clear that they do not believe this is legal.
NEWS
August 15, 2014
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's actions regarding city pensions show why Baltimore City will never be able to obtain and keep qualified police and fire personnel ("Federal court upholds mayor's pension overhaul," Aug. 6). When people come on a job they sign a contract that outlines what they will receive for their services when they retire. Throughout their careers contracts are renegotiated and each party expects the other to abide by the terms agreed on. However, this mayor has ignored what was promised to retirees.