Cop Chop

In response to Nick Welsh’s story last week, “Police Brace for $3-Million Cut” [3/11/10]: It’s his job! Jim Armstrong, the city administrator, is doing exactly what he is supposed to do, scrutinize the activities of the departments of the city, and anyone who wants to hide from his oversight now should watch out. Santa Barbara County is hovering at more than 10 percent unemployment, which forces us to ask why employees of the city should walk unscathed at this sad but critical time. Public safety is no exception. Government salaries and retirement benefits have reached the level of the obscene and extend to every single employee who has been at the public trough enjoying the good life. Ask the average man or woman on the street who may be having trouble paying his or her mortgage and house payments. We are living in a new age of reckoning and we must realize we all must bite the bullet if there is to be harmony, and the unions who have enjoyed monopoly standing are not exempt. — Bonnie Raisin