Put blame where it belongs

[wcup102]

I am ver close friends with Sheriff "Dan" Middaugh so thake this post for what it's worth.

The freight train that has been started about his raise is bullshit! I know for a fact that he has gone to the Board of Legislators for the last 12 years on numerous occasions and asked for a raise, only to have it shelved by the Board. If they wanted to give him a raise they had several opportunities. Matter of fact, they knew they needed to, or should, give him one that they put the money in a contingency account where it has sat. Now when it's getting to push and shove, the politicians are making Dan out to be a monger for asking. Picente postured by vetoing the legislation as a good faith gesture in the eyes of the taxpayers. I was standing with Dan at another politicians fundraiser several years ago, maybe six years ago,(election year for the Dan as well) and were talking with the lead legislator. I heard him tell Dan "we are going to take care of you this year".

Now, they have known about his wishes to get a raise, put money in a contingency account for when the day did come, and now they want to crucify him for asking. If it was done back when he first asked and they acknowledged the disparity with his salary compared to the undersheriff's as well as comparisons done with other counties and departments of similar size, they could have incrementally raised his salary with everyone elses.

As I said I am personal friends with him, but that aside, what's right is right, but then again this is politics. The public only believes what they read in the rag sheets and on the news and of course we can't expect the media to do any background work to research these facts, so hence the freight train. Yes Dan knows and knew then what the pay was, it needed help. So he started asking after his first term when he realized the disparities. He is very dedicated to the department and has done alot with the department. It is a shame that he has to be made out to look like a greedy elected official that deserves the raise, by politicians and their games. Just had to vent, thanks for listening.

[thelma]

I think most of realize that the Sheriff has gone TOO MANY years without a raise which is definiety wrong. He has been a good Sheriff and not many people would have wanted the job of Sheriff with all the headaches and responsibilities for the same amount of money that was alloted for this position 12 YEARS AGO!

If it means anything, wcup - the majority of us here are in favor of the Sheriff getting his much overdue raise.

[wcup102]

I know Thelma and I thank you for your support. I just had to vent after reading the editorial in todays rag sheet. But then again I guess I can't expect anything less from them.

[Clipper]

Thanks for the input and info Wcup. I also have a lot of respect for Dan, and have friends on the force such as you and my ex brother in law. You ALL deserve a raise. It is interesting to know that the money was put in a contingency account and never used for the purpose of raising Dan's salary.

I hope for the good of the citizens of Oneida County, the situation is rectified soon. You are all valuable and dedicated law enforcement officers, including Dan Middaugh, and it is time to quit the political bullshit and do what is right.

Hang in there buddy! Your day in the sun is coming. You have MY support and I am sure I am not alone in feeling that you guys have been screwed around long enough!

[WestmoGuy]

Aren't there a number of guys working for the sheriff's dept that make more than him? I thought I remember reading the Undersherriff does, but I may be wrong.

Sounds like when I worked for my parents. "you make enough" "I raised 5 kids on only 1 salary..." blah blah blah.

[wcup102]

Thanks Clip. BTW, who is your ex-brother in law?

Westmo, yes that is correct a few do make more than him including the undersheriff but his pay is automatically stepped up each year I believe. I know he has built in raises and I don't know if it is just the COLA raise. I make more than the sheriff with my overtime. Bas pay to base pay he makes only 20K more than me with 22 going on 23 years on to his 36(I think that is the number maybe 38). Pretty pathetic. I just hate seeing Dan dragged through the mud like this unfairly when others are to blame and won't take the responsibility for it.

[tanouryjr]

For my part, I will say that I don't think it has anything to do with Dan Middaugh personally (at least not on my part). My position is that no "elected" official should get a pay raise mid-term. I would vote for the increase if it were to take effect after the next election. It is a matter of perception. When the county is facing such difficult financial times, and the rank and file deputies are not getting their fair share, I refuse to vote for a pay raise for an elected official. It is sending the wrong message to the taxpayers. The contingency account was only created last year and was in a budget that I didn't have a vote on. This IS a probelm that should have been addressed years ago and, for whatever political reasons, wasn't.

However, when I represent a district with a median household income of only $16,000, I can't justify voting for a $20,000 raise mid-term in order to correct a problem that I didn't create.

[frankcor]

You're right, Larry. It's not uncommon in business for specialists in a field to earn more than their managers because they bring more value to company than their managers. I don't know Middaugh but I don't recall hearing any justification for his raise other than some other people make more than him. Where I come from, that don't feed the bulldog.

I say give the position a raise at the end of a term. If Middaugh wins, he'll get the raise.

[Disgusted-Daily]

This has to be a personal issue with Dan. How else do you explain the total lack of disregard. If you compare his salary and duties to other Sheriff's, he is way under paid and the County is getting a steal.

I agree with wcup102 than Dan has been asking for a raise for years. When something has been addressed for so many years and the County knows it is a problem then I think what makes the difference when you pay him. The raise is long over due and the County needs to stop jerking him around and give him what is owed.

How is the County budget passed when everyone knew their was a conflict with the pay? It shouldn't matter who created the problem, but the fact that we know it to be a problem and have done nothing to resolve it. He should not only get the raise but should get back pay for the County's open end promises and dragging their feet.

I think the whole Sheriffs Department's pay needs to be revamp. Compare Oneida County sheriffs vs Madison County Sheriffs, last I heard it was like double but I may be off on that figure.

Oneida County Sheriffs are a blessing for this area with the continued support they give to all Police agency's and to the public. Let's wake up Oneida County, we have a bunch of highly trained Deputies that are not getting the pay they deserve, and we wonder why they have a large turnover rate or lack of people that take interest in employment.

I have only one question to whom ever, Is the Jail and the Deputies accredited? If not why?

[wcup102]

Larry,

I am not trying to single you out or any other legislator, This was a problem before you took office. They had three chances to institute the raise at the beginning of his terms and they did not. Now the it has come time to make good, whether it be in the middle of the term or not(because again they dragged their feet), and no one likes it. I understand the district you represent, but if a legislator representing N.H. where the median income is well, you get the picture, had that philospohy, he probably would get the raise with sympathy and they might say ".....that's all he wants?" Like I said I know this was an issue before you came in and they had their chances to correct it and now they are trying to deflect the blame, timing, cost and everything else onto Dan and I think these political games are ridiculous. I don't think that there is one leg. that can say I'm wrong or off base when they know they had the chance and failed to take care of it.

[smiley]

Todd:" I have only one question to whom ever, Is the Jail and the Deputies accredited? If not why? "
Yes they are

[Disgusted-Daily]

smiley,

Thanks. Do you know when this took place. I thought when Dan LaBella was running that was part of his campaign.

[smiley]

Todd,
Dan LaBella wanted to get the department acredidated (sp?) but Dan Midaugh was already in process and it happened right before the election. I'm not positive on the date but I believe it was right around election time. Wcup would probably have the specifics.

[Disgusted-Daily]

Thanks, and one more reason for a pay raise. This reflects a huge savings to the County and tax payers. It takes allot of effort from all staff and administration to achieve this goal every three years.

Great news Oneida County. How much more can you expect to extract out of a man. If he did nothing else that in it's self is a great accomplishment.

[Swimmy]

Interesting. There was an article on the disgrace site about the board of legislators dealing with Sheriff Middaugh's raise with about 7 comments balsting the Sheriff. I left one comment, borrowin facts from wcup102 and my own knowledge of the incident and the entire article disappeared. Sorry. I didn't realize I had that kind of power.