| On Friday, the Ocean County Observer reported on the possible costs associated with approving pension benefits for domestic partners in Ocean County. Lt Laurel Hester, a 24 year veteran of the prosecutor's office, is dying of lung cancer and has asked the freeholders to let her pass her pension benefits to her partner, who otherwise will not be able to keep their home.
Their excuses have ranged from immoral smoke screens about the "sanctity of marriage" to vague complaints about costs to taxpayers. Six months after Laurel Hester made her request, they've finally decided to actually work out some numbers and guessed that it could cost between $114,000 and $220,000 to fund pension benefits for domestic partners - or 23 to 45 cents per resident in Ocean County. Freeholder Kelly calls these added pension benefits a "tremendous cost."
Kelly, who fears that his marriage would be ruined by granting Hester the same pension benefits that he's double-dipping into, tried to take credit for the help that Laurel is getting (from The Big Gay Picture): Freeholder Kelly pointed out what the county has so generously done for Ms. Hester. Her salary continues to be paid in full as other employees have donated sick leave since Ms. Hester has used up hers fighting cancer. Note that this is not something extra done at the behest of the freeholders. It is what would be granted to any employee. It's nice that Freeholder Kelly tries to take credit for it though.
The freeholder also notes that the county provides life insurance for Ms. Hester and that along with the money Ms. Hester put into the pension system herself, she will be able to leave $450,000 to her partner. But wait--there's a catch. To get the life inusrance, Ms. Hester must die within the next nineteen days. After that her sick time runs out and she will have to retire. You see, the life insurance benefit only applies to active employees. Odd that Freeholder Kelly failed to mention that. Kelly comforts himself by adding that his "personal prayers have been for the lieutenant." He can pray all he wants, but his actions tell us everything we need to know about his values. While his wife will benefit from taxpayer-funded pension plans, he washes his hands clean of another couples' misfortune by citing a possible added tax burden of 45 cents.
To solve this dilema, I would like to offer to pay for Mr. Kelly's 45 cents, as well as the 45 cents of the other freeholders (I doubt anyone else in the county would complain about 45 cents). Although I am putting my financial health and the future of my marriage at great risk, a check for $2.25 will be in the mail soon. Don't spend it all at once, guys. |
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