DROP Councilwoman Miller Will Retire

Donna Reed Miller, one of six current Philadelphia city council members in the controversial DROP program, will not stand for re-election.

"It is time to give another person the opportunity to represent this wonderful district," Miller said in a statement. "I never believed this position to be a lifetime job."

The DROP program allows certain Philadelphia city workers to collect a salary and have money put into a retirement account after retirement age.

Miller joins Jack Kelly in deciding to leave office but not running for election, and collect their Deferred Retirement Option Plan payments.

Kelly is widely expected to not seek another term.

Miller will collect $195,782 from the DROP program, while Kelly will get $299,163.

Other members still in the program are Anna Verna, $584,777, Marian Tasco $478,057; Frank DiCicco, $424,646; and Frank Rizzo, $194,517.

Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski took a DROP payment of $274,587 in 2008, retired for a day, and returned to work at a salary of $117,990.

Krajewski also will not run again for office.

Philadelphia's controversial retirement option program has cost the city an estimated $250 million, but council has ordered a second study about the program before taking action.

In October, the  City Solicitor gave city council the green light to get rid of the program, but City Council President Anna Verna said she had  no intention of considering the move under second study was done.

Mayor Michael Nutter wants the DROP progam killed.

The second study is looking at the first Boston College study, brought forth by Mayor Nutter.