WALT SPECHT: First responders deserve better pay
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Give public safety personnel significant raises
By Walt Specht
Congratulations, Valdosta. You have chosen to back your first responders in a most appropriate manner. Not with yard signs and bumper stickers, but with cold hard cash.
First responders need to make not just a living, but a good living. Many state they wouldn’t do that job for that pay when addressing the situations many respondents find themselves in.
So, let’s do something for them that is significant. Come on, Lee County, Dougherty County and the included and surrounding municipalities. Do what Valdosta had the courage to do. Make the first responder’s life a little easier. No more need for a second job just to be middle class. Raise the taxes, if need be.
I don’t like paying taxes any more than anyone else, but it is only fair for these folks to make a good wage. Plus, it won’t be much when considered in the whole, but their taxes will also go up. Time to sacrifice a little to get quality, sustainable public servants.
WALT SPECHT
Leesburg