What do Senator Diane Feinstein, Congresswoman Karen Bass and Senator Barbara Boxer have in common?

Many of us could talk for quite some time about bills they've sponsored or supported and what they've done for California and Culver City. How many of us know that all elected members of Congress receive an annual salary of $174,000 for doing the people's work?

I hope you are sitting down because we presently have (and there will be many more in the years to come) two retirees getting big time money. Mr. Cerris Black is getting over $180,000 and Mr. Jeffrey Eastman over $183,000. Now, I didn't go to Culver City schools but my subtraction skills indicate Jeffrey pulls in over $9,000 more and Cerris over $6,000 more than these ladies. Isn't that ridiculous?

I am speechless when I see the taxpayers getting hosed, when I see a reduction in city employees, when I see city services reduced and taxes going up to finance fat cat pensions and benefits.

Don't be misled. The city sent CalPERS $9,565,323 in 2009, $8,605,499 in 2010 and $9,944,655 in 2011 to fund pensions, while retirees' medical was $3,126,461 in 2009, $3,675,133 in 2010 and $4,153,634 in 2011 and active employees' medical was $5,684,178 in 2009, $5.829,372 in 2010 and $6,259,362 in 2011.

Hopefully sooner than later the Council will get serious with pension reform. If not, they will be back for another increase to the sales tax and the fees we are charged. I cannot believe city staff feels they will get an additional $8 million from the 1/2 cent increase to the sales tax.

I realize the five members of the City Council are doing the very best they can, but let me suggest once again that we offer new employees a 401K plan, eliminate "spiking" and increase retirement age to 62. An independent consultant can be hired to advise us.

The time will come when Sacramento will mandate these and other changes. Our voices will be heard because time is on our side.

Neil Rubenstein

Culver City