In regards to the recent resignation/ retirement and the appointment of Ken Johnson to Cleveland City Council

REF:

• Cleveland City Council stands up for double dipper Ken Johnson while losing sight of its mission, by Mark Naymik, The Plain Dealer, 1.8.2013
• Cleveland City Council allows retired colleague Ken Johnson to double dip in re-appointment, by Leila Atassi, The Plain Dealer, 1.7.2013

It may be legal but it is not what the majority of the public expect.  It is an act of self-enrichment that should not be allowed.

Public pensions should be intended to provide retirement security, not pre-retirement wealth - double pay.

Because it is legal doesn't make it ethical.  Because Council had the votes to make this happen doesn't make it right.

Public officials should be held by the people, to the highest level of ethical behavior and this does not pass what should be a high standard.

See the link below for some links to the Ohio Revised Code...which made this possible and a good government piece as well.

Some relevant links:

• Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 145  (see 145.38), the archaic law that allows this.
• Ohio Public Employees Retirement System information regarding Elected Officials
• Double-dipping’ debate resumes, by David Eggert, The Columbus Dispatch, 1.3.2012
• Looking Twice at Pension Double-Dipping, by Girard Miller, governing.com, 12.17.2009
• There is a Huge Debate Raging in Ohio Regarding Retirement, Pensions, and Re-elections-dipping’ debate resumes, by Michael MrTechnical Hewitt, Yahoo! Contributor Network, 10.19.2010
• Ohio lawmaker proposes ban on 'double dipping, The Highland County Press, 12.5.2011
• Rules of Order Governing the Council of the City of Cleveland 2010-2013. Note the "Unit Rule" applies to votes pledged in the Democratic Caucus of Council, which is an unofficial body and therefore this practice or protocol is not found in the actual Rules of Council.