Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006 | Dear Ms. Parham, I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “If you got it, flaunt it,” but usually it doesn’t refer to ignorance. First of all, I’m on the MEA Executive Committee, but I am not the spokesperson for the union, what I’m about to say is my own opinion. If it were up to me, I would happily refund all your past union dues and stop your future payments. The only condition would be that you agree to give up all the benefits negotiated for you by MEA, Judie Italiano, Ann Smith and many other dedicated union people over the last twenty or more years. Deal? You’d probably have to live in Tijuana but at least you wouldn’t be “Forced to Pay MEA Fees.” I just want you to be happy.
Furthermore, Judie Italiano has never blamed Mike Aguirre for the pension mess, but I’m sure that she would agree that he is prolonging it and making more of it than it actually is. Like Arthur Levitt said, “San Diego’s problems are not financial, they’re political.”
Another thing that you obviously are not aware of is that Judie has been MEA’s general manager and president for twenty years. The well deserved salary that she is paid is for general manager. All the MEA officers’ positions, including president, are volunteer unpaid positions and always have been.
In the future I’d appreciate it if you would make an effort to check your “facts” before you make a public fool of yourself and trash someone who you should be thanking. If you would like to have a serious discussion about your concerns I think you can figure out how to contact me. I’ll be nice.