Letters to the editor: 07/04/02

Longevity should not go to elected officials

To the Editor:

It is my understanding the reason longevity bonuses are paid is to keep qualified employees on the job so new employees don't have to be trained to do their jobs. When Conrad Burrell decided not to run again as register of deeds, I believe he gave up his right to 24 years of longevity pay since Joe Hamilton had to be trained as the new register of deeds. Also, Commissioner Burrell said longevity should not start until after five or 10 years, making him no longer qualified in his capacity as a commissioner.

Also, Commissioner Buchanan has been receiving longevity pay as a teacher at the high school, and it would be double dipping for him to receive longevity pay from Jackson County should he ever qualify.

I think it is highly unethical for our county commissioners to vote themselves what would essentially be a life-long pay raise. If they truly feel that our elected county officials need this raise, they should put it on the ballot for Jackson County voters to vote on. If they decide to push it through by board vote, they should remember that we, the voters of Jackson County, can vote them out of office.

I wasn't at this meeting of the county commission, but after reading The Sylva Herald it seemed to me that Commissioners Burrell, Buchanan and Crawford acted like the boy or girl with the baseball who wants everyone to play the game their way or they will take the ball and go home.

I and everyone I've talked to believe that longevity pay should be for hired employees only. It should also start on the employee's first-year anniversary, as those employees at the bottom of the pay scale are the most likely to leave for better pay, and whenever you have to train an employee to replace someone who leaves it costs the county time and money.

I think the commissioners who voted for longevity pay for elected officials should revisit this issue and change things so it is only for hired employees who can be fired for non-performance of their job. If you insist that longevity pay should also cover elected officials, then it should start on the one-year anniversary of your passage of longevity pay and not be made retroactive to cover previous years of service or jobs where you served in a different capacity.

Herb Zachmann

Sylva

From 'Rocky Branch' to longevity pay

To the Editor:

By some marvel of engineering the road faithfully follows the branch, side by side all the way to the high country. With ever increasing regulations, the bulldozers and backhoes are hauled up the branch. Then comes the culverts and the blocks and loads of building materials. Another house is going up somewhere on Rocky Branch.

Next, a hard, summer downpour and tons of soil comes riding down. The clear water turns red and yellows. But somehow Rocky Branch survives and after a time runs clear again. It's a nice, warm feeling to know that sediment control is working in Jackson County, provided it doesn't rain.

And speaking of silt, what if the dam is taken out at Dillsboro? What about the endangered mussels that caused such a furor that the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority had to go to such great expense to hang its pipes from the bridge spanning the river?

Not to worry! Rocky Branch and Scotts Creek will furnish fresh water at Dillsboro. If you're wondering where Rocky Branch is located, it used to be a creek and went by the name Buff Creek.

Cheers! I agree with your editorial from last week. The gentleman (Conrad Burrell) should have avoided all this by simply recusing himself from voting. Please remember the other two who voted for this and vote them out at the first opportunity.

The other two, Whitmire and Denton, should be forced to serve at least two more terms as their punishment for running the first time. It's not everyday you run across a pair of politicians with consciences.

Allen Fisher

Sylva

Recycling coordinator is a good idea

To the Editor:

The budget for solid waste in this county is almost the size of the school systems, by proportion. Having been a solid waste and recycling hauler for more than five years, I have seen many places improvements are needed in our system. At the top of the list is a county recycling coordinator who would be responsible for following trends within the system. A coordinator must keep up with governmental regulations and general working of a solid waste system. One way that they do this is by being linked within a system of county coordinators around the state and region who share ideas. They stress success rates more than profits.

I have harped about a county system for a few years, and I agree that a technician cannot share duties and job hats without authority and get much accomplished. This is not to put down our current technician. She is knowledgeable and strives to learn and improve where she can, and she really cares. Maybe the county could spare a few dollars and sign her up with the National Recycling Coalition or the Carolina Recycling Association. They have regular meetings, and its members are usually coordinators and business folks who exchange ideas and information. There is no competition here.

Tom Vokes

Sylva

Church plans expansion

To the Editor:

The first activity in Hastings House will be the St. John's Attic Sale July 25, 26 and 27, sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women.

After the attic sale, we plan to move the church offices to Hastings House and open up several small meeting rooms. These meeting rooms will be available to civic and non-profit groups at no charge.

Currently meeting at St. John's are groups from REACH, Smart Start, AA, the Tuckaseigee Consortium, Mountain Strings, Head Start and the Pick and Play Dulcimer Group.

We invite other organizations who need a central meeting place to contact the church office at 586-8358.

Patrick Montague

Senior Warden

St. John's Episcopal Church

Back to Archive: 07/04/02.