Hayward does control what
pensions employees receive
The recent article, “Report: 147 Hayward retirees paid $100,000-plus,” quoted Hayward city spokesman Chuck Finnie as saying, “It would be wrong and misleading to suggest annual pension payment by CalPERS to former city of Hayward employees are controlled by or paid by Hayward city government.” This is inaccurate.
Decisions about pension benefits are made by city officials when they determine the pay and the benefits that are offered to their employees. The salaries paid to the city workers in turn helps determine the pension benefit that is ultimately paid to city retirees.
CalPERS is the administrator of the retirement plans. We don’t determine the benefits the city of Hayward offers its employees.
Overall, only about 3 percent of CalPERS service retirees receive pensions of $100,000 per year or more and, typically, were executives who held seats in either city or county offices, or were physicians or senior managers for police and fire departments.
Brad Pacheco,
Deputy executive officer, CalPERS
Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Sacramento
Stories of two university
leaders detail difference
On Aug. 22, I read the East Bay Times’ editorial on the ex-governor of Arizona and watched the PBS Newshour featuring the ex-governor of Indiana.
One is president of the UC system, failed two audits, concealed a $175 million slush fund while requesting tuition increases in a system that offers preferential treatment to out-of-state students over California residents. This same president has two failed chancellors remaining in the system, collecting a full year pay for transitioning, not to mention the legal costs each of those chancellors incurred.
The other is president of the Purdue University system, implemented an interest free loan program for students that is paid back from a percentage of future earnings. Loan repayment is based on forecasted earning potential for the major: higher pay, higher payments for shorter term; lower pay, lower payments, longer term.
Which type of leadership do we want for our UC system? Give me Mitch Daniels’ Purdue creative leadership and replace Janet Napolitano tomorrow. Any politicians and UC regents out there willing to stand up for us?
Pete Coenen
Lafayette
Preparation for protest rallies
silly and entirely overblown
I found the article about police plans for the rallies/protests (“It’s All Hands on Deck for Cops,” ) somewhat ridiculous and definitely overblown.
There are three very simple and inexpensive ways to ensure that people will behave themselves:
1. Allow these right-wing (whatever that means) groups to exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully gather and espouse their views. That most people and elected officials may vehemently disagree with their message is utterly irrelevant.
2. Immediately take into custody anyone wearing a mask. Wearing a mask in public at demonstrations is illegal in most states. They’re called Anti-Klan Laws and have been found to be legally enforceable.
3. Arrest and charge anyone breaking the law. Whether it’s wearing a mask or committing violent acts on either side. No more catch and release.
Of course, none of the above will be done. The reason is simple: If violence ensues, the media will be able to blame it all on the right-wing groups and President Donald Trump, regardless of who’s actually at fault.
Dean Lekas
Oakland
Writer was wrong about
blame for Chalottesville
A recent letter writer agrees with President Donald Trump that there were people on both sides of the Charlottesville events responsible for violence. He, like the president, is wrong.
These far-right groups seek out liberal hot spots to incite violence. Why go to Berkeley for an event and not a little further inland? It’s easier to incite violence in more liberal Berkeley. Conversely, who are the people counter-protesting these outsiders? They are mostly people of the community. They are people who reject these carpetbaggers coming into town to espouse views that share nothing with them. Most aren’t there for any kind of violence. However, this is part of the alt-right’s playbook. They goad the counter protesters into a fight. And for this, the counter protesters should be blamed?
The letter writer’s view is let the carpetbaggers say and do what they want, and the good people of the community just stay home. He seems to imply the community should squelch their First Amendment rights so the alt-right can have theirs.
Don Morgan
Concord
Right about the need
for a Bailey memorial
Count me in for a contribution for a memorial to Chauncey Bailey. (“A decade later, it’s time to create a memorial to slain Oakland journalist Chauncey Bailey,” Aug. 2)
Also, please note: Thomas Peele is the kind of journalist our democracy needs more of. He does the East Bay Times proud. I always read every word he writes.
Jaqi A. Thompson
Richmond
