Ann Arbor mayor embracing culture of cutting public services, while dumping on employees

I was disappointed to read this week that City Council voted to slash 20 positions from the police and fire departments. Although the goal of efficient government is commendable, the degradation of public safety that comes from continued reductions in city staffing is reaching a critical point.

But what really drew my ire was when Mayor John Hieftje commented that he hoped the state House of Representatives would pass a bill requiring public employees to pay 20 percent of their health care premiums. It seems that instead of negotiating with the police and firefighters unions, the mayor merely wishes to dictate terms to them. That’s not how negotiations work -- one side doesn’t simply enforce its will on the other.

The firefighters already took a pay cut when they signed a short-term contract last year, and though the city has real needs to reduce its health care burden, the high-deductible plan it has forced on its non-unionized employees seems quite insufficient.

Finally, as a resident of the city, I’m disappointed that Hieftje seems to be embracing the culture of cutting public services and dumping on public employees that has become all too popular in Lansing this year. I want my mayor to be leading the charge fighting back against state cuts and looking to balance service cuts with revenue increases at both the state and local levels.

Instead, he has chosen to encourage the state as it tries to tilt the playing field still more against workers.

Mr. Mayor, I’ve happily voted for you three times. After your actions on June 2, you’ve got a long way to go to earn my support again.

Patrick O’Mahen
Ann Arbor