Glendale Weighs Paying Workers Called to War

Glendale city employees serving as reservists iS. military conflicts such as the Persian Gulf War will be paid their full city salaries during their tours of duty under a proposal outlined this week by Mayor Larry Zarian.

The proposal, which will be introduced formally next week, would apply immediately to an employee of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department who is stationed in the Gulf, Zarian told the council Tuesday.

Eighteen other city workers who are reservists could also be affected if they are sent to the Middle East, Zarian said.

City employees normally are paid full salaries for up to 30 days after they begin their military tours. Under the proposed revision, workers would continue to receive their salaries throughout their service, Zarian said.

“I think we as a nation have asked our young people for an extraordinary thing, and in some cases have not compensated them,” Councilman Carl Raggio said Tuesday in support of Zarian’s suggestion.

Raggio’s 35-year-old son, Army Major Paul A. Raggio, has been in the Gulf since Aug. 7. He is an operations officer for the 16th Military Police Brigade, a paratroopers unit attached to the 82nd Airborne Division, said Lynne Raggio, the councilman’s wife.