Employees should pay toward health benefits
Ifind it hard to believe that Christopher Mickkelson, president of Transport Workers Local 225, only makes $13,000 a year, all without benefits. He must be on welfare or other handouts.

My advice, if he will listen to it, would be to seek another position that pays better. One cannot live on $13,000 and take care of one's selfinterests yet alone fight for one's fellow union members with zeal or fervor. Mr. Mickkelson needs to join a union, a union that will champion his cause and right to "quality of life. " The shameful thing about this is that many seniors living here in Brick are struggling to make ends meet living on $13,000 or less, but I don't hear them complaining. They are the silent minority and maybe, just maybe, they should be heard. I, who know many of them, affirm that they do not want to ruffle the feathers of those who are complaining about layoffs. They, too, went through hard times during the Great Depression and know of what is spoken at this time.

New Jersey has a governor who was the CEO of a big Wall Street brokerage. Now this person has taken control of our lives and is going to bankrupt us all before he gets the nod to become secretary of the treasury. Is this fair? Gov. Corzine has run New Jersey into the ground and is the cause of Brick and all other communities feeling the pinch in our wallets — all without the use of seat belts.

It makes me sad to see and hear of township layoffs. I suffered this as a firefighter years ago and I sympathizewith those whose name is on the list for termination. My department was depleted by 10 men and one piece of firefighting apparatus was taken out of service, but we kept fighting fires as before, losing only one civilian during the shortage—a miracle to say the least.

The point I'm trying to convey is that the union representative, Christopher Mickkelson, sounds like he is trying to save his face by not being the first labor representative to give into health care paid premiums here in Brick. This, to my way of thinking, is a selfish stand on his part and should be dealt with by the rank and file, not him.

As I said before, "the goose that laid the golden egg has flown the pond," and nobody is left around to pay the piper. Seniors, and others still making a salary, are feeling the pinch caused by Gov. Corzine. It makes sense to retreat a step or two and pay a portion of your health benefits before you are out in the street, something I would not enjoy hearing of. Think about it because I am with you and know what you are going through. Nobody wants to see this happen — not here in Brick.

Finally I am a retired union member, and I truthfully think that your union representative is not giving you the proper guidance in your negotiations. Maybe if he made a decent salary the members would get better representation. He is not doing his job, as he should. Think hard. You will prevail or at least I hope so if you are smart.

Art Sholty

Brick