City's Luchi retires

Joe Luchi is the third department head to retire this year along with Folsom Fire Chief Dan Haverty and Folsom Police Chief Sam Spiegel.Luchi, director of intergovernmental affairs and economic development, receives a base salary of $140,466."Because they have all worked at other public entities with different retirement formulas, we do not know what their individual pensions will be. (Public Employees Retirement Service) calculates pension benefits," said Sue Ryan, public information officer for city of Folsom.Luchi has worked with the city of Folsom since 1992 and has been a Folsom resident since 2000."My position is being eliminated, so I have an opportunity to retire," he said. "I've had a wonderful run here in the city. I love Folsom and intend to stay here."He said after retiring he plans to work again. He said he does not have any planned prospects."I'm keeping my options open," he said. "I don't know what my plans are after retiring."Luchi said there is no connection between the current announcements of three department heads retiring this year."We are all about that age where we can take the time to stop and think about where the next stages of life are taking us," Luchi said. He said he is proud of the work he provided the city in the past 18 years."There are a lot of things I've been involved in, the biggest thing for me was establishing the relationships … in the regional community," Luchi said.He lists other accomplishments as the construction of Lake Natoma Crossing and the return and construction of the Folsom Historic Truss Bridge."Being involved in the (Folsom Historic Truss Bridge), seeing the use and being able to preserve that brings a lot of satisfaction to me," he said. He also said he was involved in the retention of key employers here in Folsom including 800 employees at Verizon and 400 employees at Micron."Over the course of 10 to 13 years, I was involved in securing over $90 million worth of projects ranging from the Lake Natoma Crossing to funding for the Rail Road Block to the interchanging of Highway 50," Luchi said. "Folsom has been a great employer and organization to work for with a high level of professionalism." * * *RETIREES BY THE NUMBERSJoe LuchiDirector of intergovernmental affairs and economic developmentPublic service: 29 yearsBase salary: $140,466Dan HavertyFolsom fire chiefPublic service: 31 yearsBase salary: $184,033Sam SpiegelFolsom police chiefPublic service: 39 yearsBase salary: $210,381