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Show 6 THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, May - 15, 1986 City Issue Magna CofC Told Retirees Desire To Work We all age from birth to is inevitable, but I am in a position to provide things to do for retired people who still want to work in a meaningful MAGNA. death, a process that job. The comment was made here Thursday by Donald Cooke, Salt Lake County RSVP director. Speaking to the members of the Magna Chamber of Commerce, Cooke said one of the interesting things happening today is that people reaching age 60 are rapidly increasing in number. A few years ago .there were 60,000 people age 60 or and older. Now there are 85,000-pluevery day in Salt Lake there are eight people per day who are able to retire. He went on to say that nationally 28 million who eached age 60 in 1900. Today that figure has tripled and most people can look forward to a life expectancy of 70.47 years, with many living 27 years longer than their counterparts did at the turn of the century. Cooke said that along with living longer, stress is changing and people are also retiring younger. Many companies are offering additional benefits for early retirement, and although it looks good on paper, some people find it hard to adjust to the reality. I cant count how many phone calls I get from retirees who find that too much togetherness can there were become oppressive. They may like to fish, but they cant do it every day, so they need something else to do, he said. If there were no volunteers, the country would be In trouble, Cooke said, because volunteers are the backbone of the nation. Utah leads the nation both in younger and older volunteers who are able to bring about great changes in their communities. I get numerous comments from people outside of the state noting that Utah seems to have a very strong commitment to working for a common goal, he said, "and it is my job to provide people an opportunity to go into the community with their skills. He added that some retired people may want to try new skills that are challenging and meaningful to them and provide an opportunity for them to become a meaningful part of the community. However, he counseled, there needs to be a balanced life with some work and some play in order for people to be healthy and happy. He said there seems to be more corporate agencies involved in their retirees to volunteer and 65 agencies in Salt Lake involved in the program. There are 1,000 service volunteers providing a vast amount Cooke said. of volunteer hours, The average age nationally is age and over, but we have a situation here where 75 is the average and people are involved from age 60 to their late 90s. Cooke also said that this year they are trying something different by encouraging patients in nursing homes to volunteer and create a new interest in life. The enthusiasm we see in those places in tremendous, Cooke said. There are benefits from the program such as insurance coverage for each volunteer and we reimburse them for any out of pocket expenses. Cooke stressed that agencies using volunteers must be organizations and the volunteers do not replace or take over the duties of paid personnel. 60 non-prof- it Continued from page 5. would dwindle to as few as two men with PSOs responding (hopefully) to assist first due fire companies. Presently the West Valley Fire Dpet. is responding to over 3,000 emergency calls per year. The West Valley Police Dept, responded to over 30,000 calls in 1985. What if, because of overlapping calls, we were unable to respond with a full compliment of firefighters to a fire involving a rescue situation? As professional firefighters we care about the What ifs. It is a chance we do not want to take. Under the proposed PSO plan we have the opportunity to make more money, but if dollars and cents were our concern, Im sure many of us would still be involved in our previous occupations. We have seen the statistics and looked at the facts. For the record, Cadettes Earn Silver Award GRANGER. Seven members of 120 have earned the prestigious Silver Award, the second highest award available in the Girl Scout program. Requirements for the award include 25 hours of leadership experience, earning the challenge of being a scout and dreams to reality patches; earning three interest project patches and performing service projects. The girls served as tour guides for the Utah Girl Scout Council for two years. Receiving recognition for their Girl Scout Cadette troop achievement are Michelle Masten, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Masten; Corrie Dutcher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Dutcher; Krystal Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Walker III; Jonette Dazley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dazley. Also, Tricia Brinkerhoff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Brinkerhoff; Jennifer Morley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Morley; Cathy Fleckenstein, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Fleckenstein. Leaders are Wendy Masten and Sharon Dutcher. The Insurance Assn, of Utah would consider such a plan, if adopted, to be detrimental to the fire protection and safety of the citizens and property subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Safety Department... Our companies underwriters would consider properties in West Valley City to be at greater risk... This will cause an underwriter to be much more restrictive with rate credits or discounts... As firefighters we cannot accept the risks involved in such a plan. The Professional Firefighters of Utah and many other organizations have also voiced strong opposition to such a plan. If costs are a driving force in implementing PSOs, why not form a fire district in the Salt Lake Valley? Studies have show what savings can be accomplished with this type of consolidation. Fire districts are the way to go and are gradually becoming the norm across the United States. They have proven success and proven savings to the taxpayer by limiting duplication of services and equipment. Anyone can blow out a match, but it takes a professional firefighter to effectively handle a fire emergency. James V. Hill President Local 2970 (IAFF) Whether youre buying, selling, lookrenting, trading, ing for help, finding a lost item or conveying a personal message, classifieds can do your job. Different View Continued from page 5. ty needs of security and safety, at minimum cost to the taxpayer. Mr. Bensch writes as a representative of the firefighters union, and perhaps his comments are valid. I suggest that before we even consider any of his comments or opinions, we should determine just what his union stands to gain or lose as a result of implementation of the PSO concept. Could it be that Mr. Bensch feels his comfortable little union boat being rocked by change, and doesnt like it? In his role as president of the firefighters union, could his view be a bit too narrow, and not reflect the general interests of the taxpayers of West Valley City? I am thankful that West Vallery City has a group of very professional police and firefighters to serve the citizens. But let us keep the main objective in mind, safety and security at minimum cost to taxpayers. Each individual group of city employees will have its own interests in mind. We as taxapyers must insure that the most efficient system possible fo public service is implemented, not the system advocated by the most noisy employee group. The reason West Valley City police and firefighters exist is to serve the taxpayers. Be suspicious of any group of employees (union or not) advocating a position. What does that group stand to gain or lose with change? Then back the plan that benefits the taxpayers and citizens. Remember, their salaries come from our pocketbooks. William Bradford |