It’s the perks, stupid!

[WNYresident]

While well-meaning activist Kevin Gaughan runs around advocating downsizing municipal governments to save taxpayers money, he fails to mention the savings that can be had by doing away with the generous health insurance premiums and/or buyouts part-time elected officials receive.

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[gorja]

Surely, Stempniak and Ruffino will try to take the credit if they do eliminate the health care perks. But if the issue wasn't raised by Amatura, they would have been satisfied with the status quo.

While they are cutting extras, why doesn't the Geezer cut out his budget officer stipend as Supervisor Holtz of Cheektowaga has indicated she is willing to do?

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregio...ry/490207.html

At the last two board meetings, residents have said they cannot afford more tax increases. Town Supervisor Mary Holtz has said she is open to having her $7,000 budget officer stipend cut as Rogowski suggested at last week’s meeting.

[mesue]

Right now, Amatura is the only board member to use the town plan. Ron Ruffino, Donna Stempniak, and John Abraham, Jr. take the buyback.

Isn't one of the fore mentioned a teacher at the high school? If so, doesn't he already get health insurance at taxpayer expense? So, then we're not only paying his health insurance, we're paying him not to take health insurance? Then they have the best of both worlds.
Unless, and I hope this is the case, the teacher is exempt from this buy-out because they are already receiving health care at taxpayer expense. Then, as Emily Litella would say "Never mind".