Well-earned Wages

To the Editor:

I am writing in response to “The City Payroll”, published on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. This article raised some important questions regarding public sector employee wages, and although I fully agree that our dwindling budget could be put towards the community itself rather than increasing salaries, I am inclined to oppose the opinion that private businesses have had to face difficult economic times while the public sector is living on easy street.

Undoubtedly small businesses have suffered because of the financial downfall, however I attest that notion that public sector employees have seen steady increases in pay, even when the rest of the private sector wages have remained stagnant. It is public record that some of these employees on your “Top 100 Salaries” list have also been City workers for their entire professional careers. One would assume that thirty years of service is justification for reaching the $100,000 range in terms of pay scale.

These are the men and women who teach our children, protect us from harm, and run into burning buildings when everyone else is running out. I cannot speak for other Revere residents, but I strongly believe that $100,000 is a well-earned wage for someone who is wiling to risk their lives to save mine.

I look forward to reading more of your insight on this topic.

Sincerely,

J.N.