The state of Mississippi made a promise by contract with present retirees and employees. This contract included a certain amount deducted from each employee’s check for retirement.

Further, after a certain number of years of satisfactory service the employee would receive a retirement amount determined by salary plus a cost-of-living increase each year, which is known as COLA or the 13th check. For this salary and contract/promises, I and all other employees performed the following duties to satisfaction.

On Jan. 15, 1956, I was employed by the Natchez-Adams County fire department at a salary of $190 per month. Our duty hours were 24 hours on and 24 hours off.

Armstrong Tire Plant and Red Ball Freight Lines were paying $6 per hour. This was more income in one week than I made in one month. I supplemented my income by working two jobs during my 24 hours off duty.

There are two reasons why I continued my career as fireman. One was the desire to serve my community. Second, this contract/promise offered a 20-year half pay retirement with a cost-of-living increase each year.

As a fireman, I witnessed families lose their homes and all their possessions in fires. I have seen and handled injuries and burned bodies, resulting from fires. There is no odor compared to the odor of a burned body.

After completing 20 years of satisfactory service with NFD, I retired as chief of The Fire Prevention Bureau.

Two weeks later I was employed with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, where I served 23 years, retiring as chief deputy sheriff. I, as well as other lawmen, faced guns, knives and other weapons. I have seen horrible injuries and death in all forms.

Again, I, as well as all other state employees, were promised by contract, at the end of satisfactory years of service,, we would be granted a percentage of our salaries plus a cost-of-living increase each year. I served a total of 43 years, serving my community.

I am 74 years of age, in my latter years, with health issues, and a part of my retirement is in jeopardy. This so-called commission has stated on several occasions they can only make recommendations.

This deems our state officials as the deciding parties. I, along with many other retirees and employees, have contacted our officials. Several have answered that they will not support any change in our retirement.

My suggestion is to stop attacking the present retirees and employees and cease some of the million of dollars spent last year by state officials for dining out purposes and other perks.

Changing the rules for new hires is understandable. This gives prospective employees an opportunity to accept or reject employment with the state of Mississippi.

I have paid my dues. I have fulfilled my contract as many other employees have done. Now, the State of Mississippi must fulfill their part of the contract.

If our retirement is reduced, I believe there will be many lawsuits, mine being the first.

 

Jerry McDaniel

Natchez resident