Dear Editor:How can our City Council justify paying someone $160,000 for a part-time position (not to exceed 960 hours) to head the city's emergency preparedness functions? That's a minimum of $166 per hour. It's also another $160,000 out of the city's reserve fund. Just last spring the City Council decided it could eliminate the position. What's changed? Just what responsibilities does this position have to justify this outrageous compensation? Planning the July 4 fireworks show? Coordinating the water barrel giveaways? Writing an article in the Patriot on tips to prepare homeowners for an emergency? I don't think any of these things can justify that rate of pay. -- Ron Meyer, Downey

********** Published: December 2, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 33