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Only Asking for What was Earned
(Reprinted at the request of the author)
To The Putnam County Legislature:
In June of 2005 I retired from the Putnam County Sheriff's Department after over twentyfour years of dedicated service to the County of Putnam. During 2003, 2004 and half of 2005 I worked without a contract as negotiations with the county went slowly, as they normally did.
During those years I still got up when that bedroom phone rang at two o'clock in the morning, calling me out to another crime committed upon a Putnam County resident. During those years I still missed family functions and worked weekends. During those years as the cost of living went up my pay didn't. Most of all, during those years I got up, strapped a gun to my side and went out to serve and protect the citizens of Putnam County. During those years while dealing with the element in Putnam County that most people would never want to I never dreamed that down the road Putnam County would forget and throw me aside.
How can anyone think that I and my fellow retirees do not deserve the benefits of a settlement of the years we worked? I am not asking for anything I haven't earned, I worked for it. Not only does Putnam County not want to pay my retroactive pay increase but they are taking away from my pension benefits. But they have no problem increasing my health benefit cost. Before I retired I spent my entire life in Putnam County and served it well not only in the Sheriff's Department but in other avenues.
It saddens me to think that I might have to be part of yet another lawsuit against Putnam County which the taxpayers always pay for one way or another, a county where I lived most of my life. I hope the residents of Putnam County let you know that they appreciated my service to this county and that you to make this right before it goes further.
Gary Watkins (Retired
PCSD)
Palm Coast, Florida
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