It is a shame that an elected leader fails to tell the complete truth on retirement benefits for Baltimore County employees ("Balto. Co. is seeking to make retirement benefits sustainable," Sept. 30).
True, there is a health care review committee. False, the committee doesn't set the cost of health care. The county does and then sends it to the committee for approval.
Since at least four of bargaining groups have a proven record of not challenging the county, the committee is a rubber stamp.
True, the police union challenged the increase and lost it for the active members but won for the retired members because of other contractual obligations the county agreed to. This is all spelled out in the arbitration decision, the Baltimore County Circuit Court decision and the Maryland Court of Appeals ruling.
However, it appears that County Executive Kevin Kamenetz has chosen to ignore the many court rulings against the county and is trying to drag this matter out, which is costing the taxpayers thousands if not millions of dollars. Is this prudent financial management?
I think not. The bottom line is the county is wrong here and the courts have said so.
Tom Scally, Baltimore