Local: Bye bye benefits

I remember in my younger and more naive days, which really wasn’t all that long ago, I believed people only volunteered to serve for their elected capacities. In my mind they received no compensation whatsoever.
Yeah, go ahead and laugh at my childish notions all you want to. I just thought all local politicians were always doing their duty out of the goodness of their hearts from the city officials to the county officials.
Since adulthood, I have come to realize that most elected officials whether in our city, in the state or in Washington D.C., receive some sort of compensation, whether great or small. At the last Stockton Board of Aldermen meeting, I found out that sometimes, the local politicians get benefits too.
Regardless of this fact, which did surprised me, what surprised me even further was how the Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to say goodbye to their benefits to save the city some money.
Note again, that it was unanimous. I would be lying, if I said there wasn’t any discussion over the idea of keeping the benefits or at least keeping them longer to continue to benefit those currently in office, but regardless it was a unanimous vote. 
After starting my job as a full-time journalist about three years ago, I have heard countless comments about how corrupt city, county, state and federal government is and how all they do is spend our hard-earned money. That may be true for some politicians, but I think all in all it's a stereotype we get from movies and television. Of course, I could be wrong when it comes to the big leagues, but I like to believe  it's not true.
I think this move by the Board of Aldermen was a statement that counteracts that stereotype. Would I give up my health care benefits so that my neighbor wouldn't have to pay as many taxes? Honestly, I don't know the answer, but I am glad I don't have to consider it. Health care is already considered something that's important to have, but not as easy or as affordable to get.
I don't know how good the health insurance benefits were for the city officials, or where they each stand financially, but either way, giving up benefits is a move for all the city residents of Stockton.
This is the first time I've felt the need to thank specifically city officials in a column, but here it is: Thanks city officials for proving the stereotype wrong.
It's like we learned as kids, a penny saved is a penny earned.