Dear Editor:
Recently, Brian Stack wrote a letter to the editor attacking my pay and benefits. To attack my pay and benefits is strange to say the least. Was it not Brian Stack who freely agreed and approved of each of my contracts? Was it not Brian Stack who agreed to the buyout package which I received? If Brian was so troubled by my pay and benefits why did he not attempt to negotiate changes?
From the time Brian took office till the day I retired, Brian negotiated three contracts which affected me and each time increased my pay and benefits. Brian had 10 years to negotiate change and did nothing. When Stack took office I was making $70,000 per year, under the 24/7 mayor my salary tripled. Now Stack wants to complain about what he gave me. There is an old saying do not hate the player, hate the game. I was only a player in a game Brian Stack created. Brian made the rules and now he blames others for the outcome.
I am honored that Brian would like to name a bill after me. But before he jumps the gun he might want to wait to see how much he will owe former Chief Everett. Once Everett is officially off the books and is paid what he is owed (and what Brian P. Stack agreed to contractually) he might want to name the bill after Charles Everett.
I was also quite amused about Stack’s comment that I should take up golf and sailing to occupy my time. Actually, I did take up golf in retirement as well as mixed martial arts, travel, and ice hockey. In addition to my business, I have been quite active and happy in retirement.
Since I hold no animus towards Brian, he is more then free to join me in any of my retirement activities. Just this week I left a voice message asking Brian if he would like to join me for a round of golf, the fresh air might do him good.
I do not mine Brian defending himself and he can personally attack me all he wants. However, it is time he comes up with some new material. Sour grapes and my pay and benefits are getting old. Brian, you need to come up with some new material. But then again; if one can serve 23 years with the Union City Police Department and all others can say is I made too much money and I have sour grapes, then I guess I had a good career.
To quote Michael Corleone from Godfather I: “It’s not personal, Sonny, It’s strictly business.” Brian you can make this as personal as you like. Your personal attacks only encourage me to continue my efforts.
P.S. You make reference to me not being relevant. If I am not relevant why are you wasting your time responding to my letters?
Joe Blaettler
Deputy Chief Ret.
Union City PD