This letter is in regard to the page 1 article about the Simi Valley Police Officers Association and its new contract with the city of Simi Valley (Acorn , Jan. 1), especially the supposed “vendetta” being carried out by Mayor Paul Miller against the POA.

We have known Paul Miller for most of the nearly 28 years our family has lived in Simi Valley and find it hard to believe Mr. Miller has patiently waited, like a mean old alligator in the bayou, for 15 long years, since 1994, for just the right opportunity to carry out a grudge against the poor and downtrodden members of the POA.

It’s also difficult to believe Miller could convince his fellow City Council members to go along with a personal vendetta at a time when our city is facing the worst economic climate since the Great Depression, a climate that has resulted in reduced sales and property tax revenues coupled with increased unfunded mandates by the state and federal governments.

However, it is most troubling to have the POA play the victim card by creating a supposed vendetta when all other city employees, both union and nonunion, have agreed to pay cuts to help our city through this tough economy.

POA members should count themselves lucky to have good jobs with excellent benefits at a time when their neighbors are experiencing 11 percent unemployment, along with an additional 8 percent underemployment, and with untold thousands losing their retirement savings, health insurance and even their homes.

POA members need to realize times are tough all over and that they are not indentured servants: They are free to find work somewhere else if they do not like working in Simi Valley.
Carol and Hal Reniger
Simi Valley