As deserving as state workers may be, there is no money. The state work force must be trimmed along with the entitlement programs. Perhaps the time has come for those lacking adequate state seniority to seek employment in the private sector. Those who seek raises or higher pay might consider furthering their educations or applying elsewhere as we in America are free to choose our employment. Others may choose to take no action and simply bemoan their current circumstances. It is in these instances, in individual American homes, that today's children are observing and learning self-reliance or dependence on the state. All but the poor and union-minded hope the parents are teaching the right lesson.

does the wife work? Maybe she could help. I know, that's asking too much.

Maybe he does but most folks that work if your unhappy with your pay you are welcome to look for a higher paying job. oood luck

Regrettably, many in the private sector are not keeping up with the cost of living either. In fact, many are earning much less. As heartless as the above posters come across, it is symptomatic of where we have gone. Many are not working in the fields they trained & studied for. Many college graduates are working jobs that require no degree. There is an assumption by those still comfortable, that those who have become vicitmized by the economy are some how at fault. That slowly changes, one by one, as the "trickle up effect" gets more and more of our workforce. For most, it is not if you will suffer the fate, it is when. And, "when" is coming. Expect the economy to continue to struggle (or get worse) for some time. Until manufacturing jobs (the staple of the middle class) return, more and more Americans will feel the trend that has been setting in for more than 4 decades.......a reduction in the American dream, a reduction in our earning power, the goods and servics we actually buy with our wages. Yes, our wants, our needs, and our newest technology changes, but this is also part of the recipe for the shrinking middle class. Oh, there will be those that deny and attack this, until they themselves fall victim...! And, it doesn't matter if you are Democrat or Republican.

She is bad wrong about teacher's. Most have at least 6 years of college and some have 10 years are longer. As far a working from 8Am till 3Pm she should go to school most afternoons at 5PM and count cars, on sports nights go at 9:30 and she how many are still there working, AND they still have papers to grade when they get home. It's best to says nothing unless you know the facts.

Compare your husband to his state senator or representative if you want, they work 4 months and make more than teachers working 9 1/2 months!!!!!

A tip of the hat to Otis. Great opine!

This lady is definatly bad wrong to try to say teachers have it made. Teachers do work 9 months and a majority get paid for 12 months. However, that is a teachers choice when he/she signs a contract. Its the same amount of money spread out over 12 months instead of 9. To say teachers only work til 3:30 is complete and utterly disrespectful to the duties that a teacher has to fulfill. Teachers on average have to arrive 30 minutes before the bell to prepare for the day and to also perform their before school duties(bus duty, hall monitor, etc. ) Teachers stay well after school planning lessons, grading tests, reviewing exams and grading general assisgnments. Not to mention, teachers have to complete state and school system required administrative paperwork on a weekly/daily basis. Teachers have to meet many criteria within their daily teachings such as AYP, etc. Teachers have to attend mandatory after school committee/faculty meetings. A great number of teachers have other duties that include coaching, team builiding that requires their time on a weekly basis after school. Not to mention, the state cuts have forced school systems to reduce the number of teachers within each school system. Therfore, the teacher to student ratio has went from something like 1 teacher/12-15 students to more like 1 teacher/20-25 students. This might not register for some people in todays society, but that means that teachers dont get to have more interactions with each student in teaching them because there are too many kids within each class. Teachers mold/teach kids for future generations both school related and life lessons. Teachers dont get paid nearly enough money and continue to get their fundings cut.Teachers do all this through sickness and in health to shape our future generations. Also, teachers work late into the night at home and sometimes miss out on quality time with their families. So until you have the facts straight about your idea of getting merit raises, dont bring teachers' jobs into the conversation.

Your husband that works for the state is much appreciated for the job he does in keeping the roads and other areas clean and in operable condition. I understand his job is dangerous. However, there are far more dangerous jobs within every plant within the Decatur area. Not to take light of the job the man does, but he knew the risks of the job when he applied/accepted the position some 12 years ago.

i would just be grateful to even have such a job. what would they do if he was to get laid off? those regular 'cost of living raises' that very few jobs get anyway , wont seem so important any more. i wish for everyone to get regular 'cost of living raises' but as everyone knows, thats not sensable right now.alot of workers are doing 'risky' jobs & dont get paid near what a state worker makes at entry level.

Most ALDOT workers only work four days a week. Check out the road construction every friday, no one home!

Your point could have well been made without mentioning teachers. Because you chose to make an unfair comparison using erroneous information, the credibility of everything you said is in question and the impact of your point is diminished. In any job, the level of risk is relative. ALDOT workers certainly do have risks, but they are not necessarily greater than risks in other State positions. These workers are no more deserving of a pay increase than other State employees simply because they exist. However, pay increases based on exemplory performance should be reinstated as soon as funds are available. These merit increases help with worker retention and encourage all workers to strive for similar marks.

Transportation workers for ALDOT must have completed only the eighth grade, according to the personnel.alabama.gov web site maintained for Alabama jobs. The fact is that more education usually results in more pay. Advanced certified auto mechanics, robotics maintenance mechanics, teachers, dentists, and nurses, all must complete high school or a GED and then college training. Perhaps instead of envying the conditions of employment others enjoy, Mrs. Gobbell might consider putting herself through some rigorous college or vocational training and lifting the family's income. This would take the pressure off of her hard-working husband, and then maybe when she is employed, he would feel freer to get himself a career boost through certificates or college.

I never cease to be amazed by the callous attitude of some people. I don't know who this lady is and I do disagree with her statement about teachers but she is echoing the opinion of thousands of Americans today. Some of the self-rightous opinions expressed in response to her letter reflect the selfish attitudes of ignorance and fear regularily expressed on these pages.One in particular, who by the way is suffering from a disability himself, spews a daily diatribe of hate and ignorance but will someday be forced to dine on a bitter diet of unplucked raven and putrid chunks of his own words. Compassion is not a sign of weakness; it is the expression of a mature, well adjusted individual, who is cognizant of the troubles that exist outside his own little world. Lectures from a miserable man condeming those who suffer fall on deaf ears ,for who in this world wishes to follow a philosophy which obviously has ruined the life of the speaker!

To this lady I say, although I am blessed in every aspect of my own life I know that you suffer. You should know you and your husband are to be commended for the hard work you both are performing. Your perseverance under these difficult conditions shall be rewarded materially and spiritually. Do not be disuaded by the jaded attitude of a few individuals; they are in the minority in our community. Keep your head held high with the knowledge that you are doing the right thing and that you are not alone!

While I disagree with some of what Rena said, ALDOT workers DO NOT work 4 days a week, as a whole. Yes, I think there are some personnel that do, but not the entire force. Not even all of the road workers. Please don't assume, just because you don't see them out there, that they are not working on Fridays. There is a ton of paperwork to fill out, for the Federal Highway. Not something we enjoy doing, but something that is required, if we want to continue to receive federal funding. Also, thought I would point out that some of those chastising Rena for comparing road workers to teachers are doing the same thing. They have lumped ALL DOT employees into one category. I have 5 years of college, a degree, and a professional license...as does my spouse. We are not highschool dropouts, nor do we have a GED. Please do not assume that all workers are the same.

I will say that most road workers are not on call 24/7. Some occassionally have to go out, after hours, but it is not a regular occurance. Yes, those guys have put in a lot of hard hours, due to ice, snow, the tornadoes, etc., but that is not the average day.

If Charles Kirby spent as much time working for Decatur as he does posting on his beloved Decatur Daily website just think what he could get done.