Retirees given promises

Retirees given promises

EDITOR:

As an attendee of the Democratic fundraiser at Fellows Riverside Garden last Thursday, my hat is off to Atty. David Betras, Mahoning County Party chair, for providing a forum for the Delphi salaried and hourly retirees to present their concerns over loss of pension, health care and life insurance benefits. The fact that Mr. Betras was able to bring our top Ohio Democratic representatives, including Governor Strickland, to the Valley in one setting, and a lovely one at that, is an accomplishment worthy of notice.

Four Delphi retiree representatives, two salary and two hourly, were able to speak directly with our representatives during the function while approximately 300 retirees held an informational rally outside. They are to be commended for the type of rally they held. It was respectful and orderly while still getting their message across.

Most of the elected officials came out to talk to the crowd. They heard about the loss of pension income to this Valley, which will well exceed $100 million a year. This number does not even include the cost for health care and life insurance loss. When all the numbers are in, the statistics should make any business person, home owner, charity organization, school board, hospital, taxpayer and state and local official shudder.

We received a commitment that night that our governor would contact the president and many of our representatives have pledged to do all they can to do, including a congressional investigative hearing to shine the spot light on this injustice.

MARY ANN HUDZIK

Vice Chair, Delphi Salaried Retiree Legislative Group

Warren