Time to Reform County Government

[frankcor]

Larry, is that petition on line yet?

[Swimmy]

Larry,

Those are great reforms. The sad part is that it took this long to implement and was not something originally thought of or implemented when the county government formed.

It appears that I am the only naysayer here with respect to the Sheriff's raise. Respectfully, I an against a petition in this instance. I understand and respect your stance that the current board should not be responsible for the previous boards' mistakes. However, as in the asbestos cases, the current board inherits those mistakes and problems. Many of the new members were elected to remedy the errs of their predecessors. I'm not in your district, but I would have voted for you. I'm in district 14, i think and voted for the non-incumbent, who lost anyway.

Back to my point. The board of legislators has had 12 years to address this very real concern of giving a raise to the Sheriff's salary. Had they acted 12 years ago and provided incremental adjustments, even if mere COLAs, the current board membership would not be in the position it is in. Under normal circumstances, I would agree that the raise should not take effect until the next term, and support your petition efforts. However, this is one situation where I take exception. This is a textbook example of a current board trying to remedy the wrongs of previous boards for the betterment of the good.

That said, I am glad you were able to accomplish the reforms you have made and support many of the ones you wish to still make. I especially support the notion of term limits. I was just thinking about this last night. Part of our problem with government is that many officials are life-long politicians who have either never held a private job, e.g. Griffo, or have been a public official for so long they have lost touch with the average working man's perspective, e.g 90% of Congress. Term limits would force society to pick candidates with clean slates and give the public a fresh start with new ideas. They also would help get rid of some of the "special favors" we all know many government officials provide for their friends and business investments (at the local level and the loyalties to lobbyists at the federal level). It might not eliminate it totally, but it's a start in the right direction.

In closing, I appreciate your courage in posting on these public forums at the risk of extreme criticism. It is one of the reasons I support you: you're not afraid to address your constituents. I wish dave townsend was the same, but every time I ask him why he changed his original support for the Oneidas to such vehement hatred for them he gets rather defensive and starts throwing personal insults.

Whatever happens, I thank you for your willingness to speak with us joes. Keep up the good work. I look forward to hearing more about your reform successes.

[frankcor]

Larry has said he agrees the salary needs to be increased. I'm not sure I've heard a good rationale for why it shouldn't be increased.

But why in the middle of a term? I believe the people do not want to give the raise mid-term. Why not give the people a chance to voice their position? It's built into the law. What harm is there in using it? I will ask people to sign the petition regardless of how they may feel about the issue. Just sign it to let the people speak.

[Swimmy]

I'm aware that Larry is in favor of a raise, but not mid-term. In this one instance, I have to disagree with him. I would also disagree with you because the people have had 12 years, and from the comments I've seen on the od articles, the majority of people don't feel the Sheriff should receive any raise regardless of when it takes effect.

[frankcor]

Insolent knave! Who are you to disagree with me?

Oh wait, I'm supposed to promote disagreement. Never mind.

[Swimmy]

frankcor, don't you know?! I'm too stupid to understand big words. Knave. Right over my head. I'm too lazy to look it up on dictionary.com. lol!

Have a good one.