Editor:
It is not my intent to ruffle feathers, but I read recent articles on this subject with considerable interest, relating it to my personal experience.
No, it is not right that Sweet Home taxpayers pay the cost of training only to have police officers leave soon after and go to work in another city.
I realize that other cities may pay a little more, and my comments are not addressing that issue. We only do what we can.
Education has always been a personal responsibility, and based on my personal experiences many years ago, I would think it would be the police officers’ responsibility to repay the costs to the city of Sweet Home.
After graduating from dental school at my personal expense, I accepted a career internship offered by the Veterans Hospital in Portland. In addition to my full-time work, it did offer considerable educational opportunities for which the VA felt there was a cost and benefit.
I signed a contract, prepared by the VA, that required me to work for the VA for a designated period of time after the completion of my internship. If I did not, I would be required to repay half of my first year’s salary. Simply stated, the VA wanted to get its investment back for my educational opportunities.
In 1967, I was introduced to Sweet Home, and after my internship at the hospital, my wife and I made the decision to come to Sweet Home. I knew the educational benefits that I had received and I knew the contract that I had signed.
I submitted my resignation to the VA and received a bill to repay half of my first year’s salary. I repaid my obligation to the VA, and we moved to Sweet Home, where we have raised our family and lived happily for many years.
I don’t know of any other profession where individuals can receive an education at taxpayer expense and not have any obligation to those who paid for it.
Congratulations to City Manager Craig Martin for trying to recover some of these costs from the city of Lebanon; but what we really need to do is prepare in the beginning a contract that is fair to all concerned.
Dr. Henry B. Wolthuis
Sweet Home