A big thank-you to the Times Union for highlighting a longtime, ongoing abuse of taxpayers in Albany County and many municipal governments throughout New York.
While the initial legislation allowing pension waivers appears to have been intended to prohibit abuse, it is clear that the system suffers from loopholes and indifference by those who grant these waivers.
Does anyone believe that no other qualified individual was available to fill the position that Albany County Sheriff's Inspector John Burke, a retired Albany police officer, occupied for over 20 years?
There are two issues here. First, by allowing Burke to fill this position, it kept a qualified employee from advancing, and one from being hired to replace the advancing employee.
Second, and in my opinion, most importantly, I believe it would be beneficial to taxpayers to know just who requested and who approved this waiver for the past 20-plus years.
It is these individuals, who are in authority, that the taxpayers need to hold accountable.
Once this level of accountability has been established, there may be hope that the abuse can be eliminated.
BILL GLOCK
Ballston Lake
