Franklin City Neighbors

The Sheriff Retires

Jul 23, 2002

The Morning Mail
From Journal Sentinel readers
Last Updated: Feb. 10, 2002

RETIRED?
Baldwin's job hunt seems suspicious

Well, you certainly have to feel sorry for former Milwaukee County Sheriff Lev Baldwin. Poor guy - he's barely retired, and already he needs to find another job ("Baldwin ponders job in airport security," Feb. 5). I guess he must have lost all of his $300,000 lump-sum retirement payment; maybe he invested it in Enron.

What a slap in the face to all the Milwaukee County taxpayers, from a man who was the county's top cop. What happened to "I want to spend time with the family," and the "time was right to retire"? It was all right to jump off the sinking ship with all the other rats before the retirement plan was changed and he wouldn't get his windfall.

Lev, that was taking a big chance waiting for the recapture of that escaped murderer. County officials might have changed the pension before he was caught. Whew, that was close. Why not follow the lead of your ex-boss and give back the lump-sum payment? It would be the honorable thing to do for the overburdened taxpayers of Milwaukee County.

Besides, if you get the airport job, maybe you can get another pension payment out of the federal government. And, Lev, if you don't hate me enough already, I've got to tell you: I'm one of those nasty truck drivers you made efforts to crack down on.

Enjoy your retirement.

Pete Gitzel
Wind Lake

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Former sheriff failed county residents
Former Milwaukee County Sheriff Lev Baldwin walked out on the citizens of this county halfway through his term. He failed to deliver as promised to the people who voted for him. He claims he was going to leave all along at the halfway point of his term, and the pension windfall had little or nothing to do with his decision.

Why didn't he tell the voters when he ran that he was only going to serve half a term? Who would have voted for him? His apparent greed is overwhelming. Now he wants to be the airport security director for another cool $100,000-plus per year, in addition to his huge county payout and pension. Give me a break!

Stacey J. Black
Wauwatosa