Fantasy Island???

Mar 26, 2010 2 min read

To the editor:

NBC-2 covered a story this last week about the council health care coverage opt-out annuity program, passed via resolution in 2004, in case you have not seen it. While it can be argued that this is a fair arrangement for those on council not choosing the health care insurance program, to dismiss the participation, as certain council members have, by not taking the same responsibility toward budget balancing that they are asking of the administration and staff is disingenuous. The arguments provided by those interviewed for not volunteering to eliminate, or even reduce, their $600-plus/month/person participation in the program were specious, at best. The reference by the newly selected council person to Fantasy Island in the interview is truly telling, unfortunately. However, the mayor seems to favor this participation by council, even if he did not intend it, through his recent statement – “Everybody’s going to have to cooperate,” Sullivan said. “I’m not about to stand still while residents eat Puss ‘n Boots (cat food) and employees eat filet mignon.”

So, apparently, it is “do as I say, not as I do.” I trust no one expected anything different. While this might seem a nitpicking argument by some, it is about leadership and setting the example, after all.

Steve Riggs

Cape Coral