In these tough economic times, most communities are looking for every possible way to cut down on expenses. Unecessary expenses place an undo burden on the taxpayers. One of the areas most government entities are looking at is health benefits. These expenses continue to be one of the costs that carry the highest percentage increases each year. Health benefits in the private sector are generally only given to full time employees. In the government sector, even part time employees, elected officials, and professional representatives have been receiving benefits at the taxpayers expense. The move has been on over the last few years to eliminate benefits from all part time goverment employees. Town after town, county after county, state after state, have been passing legislation eliminating this burden from the taxpayer.
Recently the Atlantic County Freeholder board voted to take the same action, however, the Board Chairman, Jim Curcio, did not like it. Apparently he feels he is entitled to these benefits even though his position is part time.
Curcio, the freeholder chairman, said "it is not that easy for me to vote for this.""I don't think health benefits are an undeserved benefit," he said.
Of the nine freeholders, only James Curcio, Frank Giordano and Frank Sutton take county health care benefits. The annual cost of the package - which includes state medical and prescription plans, and county dental and vision plans - totals $19,174 for Curcio, $19,880 for Giordano and $17,980 for Sutton, county records show.
Curcio was re-elected this year to the Freeholder board. One can only wonder if the results would have been the same if the taxpayers knew how he felt about his right to take from their pockets.
The buzz in Hammonton is that Mr. Curcio is going to run for surrogate this year. The freeholders voted for healthcare to end in 2011. So if Jim wins, he will be sworn into his new job as freeholder healthcare ends.
Not a bad deal, Jim Curio never loses his health insurance and ends up with a new full-time job and a nice pay bump.
I am glad our politicians are sacrificing so much in the lean years.
They really need to cut the high salaries of all the bloated departments in the county. This is a nice gesture but saves very little , cut the high salaries of the bloated departments.
They really need to cut the high salaries of all the bloated departments in the county. This is a nice gesture but saves very little , cut the high salaries of the bloated departments.
I agree with you! These people are making these huge salaries for doing nothing. Plus they are getting free health care and huge pensions. I don't think any politician should receive a salary or health benefits they should volunteer their time like they ask everyone else to do. They volunteered to run for these positions so why do we have to pay them? I also think that our mayor and council should give up their salaries since they are receiving so many other fringe benefits at our expense.
This is what's wrong with New Jersey. We need to get rid of politicians like Curcio who lead us to believe he's on our side and that he's looking out for us when in reality he's only looking out for himself.
This is what's wrong with New Jersey. We need to get rid of politicians like Curcio who lead us to believe he's on our side and that he's looking out for us when in reality he's only looking out for himself.
There is only one problem with that...most voters are really stupid especially the seniors they will believe anything you tell them. Show a senior a penny and they will do anything you ask of them.
