Lez Keep It Real

I have to hand it to The Buffalo News on this one, they’ve done a great job of following this heart-wrenching story and making sure that people pay attention to it by pasting it right on the front page. I’m impressed. Pleasantly surprised and impressed.

Unfortunately, the news in this tragic story isn’t as comforting this time around because it seems that Parete, the wounded Buffalo police officer, and her partner won’t be receiving benefits any time soon.

Buffalo, NY ~ Any move to provide domestic partner benefits for wounded Police Officer Patricia A. Parete and other city employees probably will have to be reached at the negotiating table, several experts said Tuesday.

But the head of the city’s police union suggested that the issue is far from his bargaining team’s top priority as it continues to battle city officials in court.

“I have a much bigger problem here, attempting to get the negotiated benefits and pay packages that the city has refused to pay Buffalo police officers,” Police Benevolent Association President Robert P. Meegan Jr. said. “I can’t see [the city] agreeing to any additional benefits, even if they may well be morally appropriate.”

City Hall’s position on the issue is unclear. Mayor Byron W. Brown did not respond to repeated inquiries from The Buffalo News but did tell WBEN he is willing to look at the issue if the union brings it to the table. Common Council President David A. Franczyk said that he hasn’t heard from any other Council members on the issue and that it’s not an issue that potential voters have raised with him.

“Until I look at all the facts and figures, I don’t have an opinion on it,” Franczyk said. “But I would be open to studying and looking at it.”

Maryellen Opalinski, Parete’s life partner, has been at her bedside nearly every day for the past 8 1/2 months, since Parete was paralyzed in a shooting. Opalinski is on extended personal leave from her nursing job. As a domestic partner not entitled to Parete’s health benefits, Opalinski has had to pay for her health benefits out of her own pocket. READ MORE

I think Mayor Byron Brown needs to do more than “look at the issues if they are brought to the table.” He needs to start paying attention because, as I have said before, these situations are not unique. They happen time and time again. It’s not about political spin or agenda anymore … it’s about doing the right thing.

the buffalo news, patricia parete, wounded buffalo police officer, maryellen opalinski, life partner benefits