Letter: Elected officials’ pay should be merit-based

Friday, Feb. 9, 2007 | 7:09 a.m.

In response to the Feb. 4 Where I Stand column - "Brian Greenspun on growing up and paying our public servants":

We employ public servants and they have knowledge of what they are getting into with the promises made to be elected. As taxpayers, we do not know what benefits are now being paid or how much time is spent in an official capacity. Perhaps the old "Time and Motion studies" should be performed before taxpayers commit to a full-time employment.

I've watched part-time salaries become full time with leased cars, cell phones, retirement, junkets, guaranteed salary increases, vacation pay, sick pay, per diem expenses, entertainment expenses, etc. The "fiefdoms" created by virtue of the "old boy" vote and a stroke of the pen soon become ridiculous and out of control. We have no say after our vote is cast as to what our tax liabilities will become. Take a look at the federal system where the politician's retirement is altogether another fiasco and not the same as the ordinary citizen.

A full-time position will only give way to a part-time activity. Before we let the horse out of the barn, let's do some desk audits and time and motion studies, quantify the benefits and then become the kind of grown-up community we really want to be.

There will always be conflicts of interests, ineptness, borderline activity and disregard for the laws, rules and regulations. However, ignorance of the law is no excuse. In addition, promises made to get into office should be signed as a contractual obligation and measured. Salaries should be paid based on performance, not because of title.

Ralph McNeal, Henderson