The Resignation of 3 Overpaid Government Officials

Have you ever wondered how big the salary of every politician is? Is it big enough to make every one of them live a very luxurious life? Believe it or not, politicians and government officials receive above average compensation but not big enough to make them instant millionaires or billionaires. Well I am discounting the possibility of corruption or immoral acts of course.

Just recently, three city administrators vacated their positions in the city council because they were alleged to have received salaries that were so high it even dwarfed the salary of the president of the United States of America. Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo, Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia and Police Chief Randy Adams all passed their resignation letters as wide spread outrage erupted against the three of them.

Rizzo, was tagged as the highest paid among the three. He reportedly received $787,637 a year just for overseeing and managing one of the poorest towns in Los Angeles County. Spaccia who serves as an assistant city manager, received $376,288 a year. Adams, on the other hand, earns about $457,000 a year. How could a very poor town afford to pay such lucrative and unnatural salaries to their public officials?

Hundreds of residents of one of the poorest municipalities in Los Angeles County staged a massive protest against these corrupt officials. A council meeting was immediately organized in order to resolve the issue. Luckily, the three accused officials decided to send their resignation letters and eventually the council obliged. It was a very big controversy especially for a municipality who lives lower than the ideal standard of living. It is quite disappointing to note that the taxpayer’s money are not properly utilized and instead went to the hands of those who abuse government positions.

Some citizens were satisfied with the way the city was being run but still hoped that high-paying politicians should get a pay-cut. Well at least the taxpayer’s money would put to good use such as for social and livelihood projects. In a town where 17% is reportedly living in poverty, every part of the city budget is crucial in bringing back the productivity that the city has lost.

What I think is lacking there is transparency and accountability on the use of government funds. There must be proper audit in order to determine areas where there is over spending. The problem here isn’t only directed to these government officials but instead to the people who continuously elect such corrupt and irresponsible council employees. With the resignation of the three, it gives a big sigh of relief to the people of Bell.