Wellsville council voted last night to increase the salary of part-time police officers by $1 an hour. That now makes it a whopping $9 an hour a part-time officer makes while patrolling our streets. I don't know specific numbers but I think proportionately we have a big number of part-timers. How many full time cops do we have? How many part-time? Speaking of numbers - no one has been quoted in the papers how much this is going to cost in total dollars for one year. So, hypothetically speaking say we have six part-timers working 20 hours a week for 52 weeks that works out to $6,240 for the increase. That ain't much for asking a person to put their self at risk for the safety of our village.
Councilwoman Diane Dinch cast the lone dissenting vote on the pay increase. This was after the fact that she voted to bring in the legislation. She was quoted as saying maybe 50 cents an hour might be better. Well, Charley Brown it's too late for that. I don't know what your reasoning was last night. Obviously you had second thoughts. Maybe you thought it to be politically advantageous to save the village with $3,120. Where were you when they were voting on the two previous readings? You could have brought up your concerns on those occasions. You could have maybe suggested at looking at something like a graduated pay scale.
Personally I think $9 is a paltry sum to pay our officers for what we ask them to do. We should be thankful that they are willing to do the job for for near poverty wages. Sure you're going to have do some work on the budget to come up with the extra expenditure but it shouldn't be too difficult for six grand. Speaking for myself I'm willing to live with a pot hole or two to be able to afford the increase. I would be more than willing to give up the dusty rock throwing chip & seal program.
So Diane, I say shame on you. I never before considered you being "wishy washy" but that was the distinct impression I got on your vote last night.
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15 comments:
nib:
I don't relish the thought of disagreeing with you, however, I have to support Diane on this issue. Of course, not knowing the full story I may be well off the mark. If I am I am sure someone will bring it to my attention.
I understand Diane did initate the issue with the thought of maybe $.50 as appropiate. I took this action, on her part, to start a discussion, nothing more. Based on the first two (2) and the final readings somewhere the figure of $1.00 came into play and ultimately passed.
What I missed was any discussion as to what amount the Ville could afford and what if any other project(s) would have to be moved to the back burner. Maybe, and I believe this just might be the reason for Diane's opposition.
The aforementioned opinion is not new thinking on my part regarding what and how the Ville comes up with what they want to do. What amazes me is how they get away with not letting the citizens have a voice in their thinking(decision making process) on projects and the associated costs they expect to incur and of course how they intend to pay the bill.
I totally agree with you the amount, even with the $1.00 increase is a pittance to pay with the responsibilities the police carry.
Just my opinion, as always!
Speaking as the mom-in-law of a Wellsville, part-time officer, I too think it is paltry for putting their lives out there.
My son-in-law is very dedicated to the WPD and genuinly cares about Wellsville and the citizens.
Knowing that he could go to a home where domestic violence is present or a drug house with a deal gone bad putting his life out EVERY time he walks onto the steps of a home is quite frightening to our family.
These men and Marcia do not know what awaits them on the other side of the door.
I don't know too many people who would place themselves in these kinds of situations let alone for $9 bucks an hour.
What a shame that council cannot come up with a reasonable wage for these officers.
Look hard enough and you will find monies to compesate.
Ask the voters how and on what they want their tax dollars spent. I'm sure they would prioritize as needed.
Be safe.
I am not sure of the current policy at the WPD. However, I do know that the part time officers were required to "volunteer" two shifts (16 hrs) a month in the mid 90's.
Is that policy still in effect?
There is not enough money in the world to pay a "GOOD" police officer. $9 an hour seems pretty paltry, considering the crap these cops find themselves in.
As for letting the citizens have a voice: where the hell are they? They have EVERY RIGHT to attend EVERY committee meeting, EVERY council meeting and, for the most part, the meetings go unattended and have for decades.
People are more apt to get on these blog sites (formerly moreso on Matt's) and bitch and moan because council did this or that yet not ONE of them had the guts to go to a council meeting and complain on the record.
People get the government they deserve when they keep their mouths shut.
And, it's funny Mom-in-law the way you said "these men and Marsha" because I don't think anyone differentiates between Marsha and "the men." She is just a cop (and a good one). LOL
Welcome to the new world. Blogs and other electronic media are the voice of the modern citizen. Political leaders would be stupid not to read these postings. It’s where their constituency goes to voice their unbiased opinion.
As for not going to council meetings...why stand up to voice your opposition and put yourself at risk of castigation for not following the flock? The hell with lemmings!
In a village like Wellsville the fear of reprisal is real. I lived there long enough to know. I'd hypothesize it's one of the reasons why positive changes to the community rarely happen.
I say viva the blog. Maybe send the postings to the council to see what their constituents are thinking.
5:31 AND Spoon:
Maybe, just maybe people would attend if they knew what was going to be addressed. In my opinion there would be very little impact for the Ville to post their meeting agenda. Not only would it give the people a shot at their concerns but would also keep the meetings on target. It would also afford someone the opportunity to voice their concern about something that may need to be addressed (at least a shot at being on the agenda). The above is what I would consider open government commonly referred to as "sunshine".
Wiz - When legislation is ordered in for an ordinance the language has to be specific. The language, in this case the amount, can not be changed going through the voting process. If there are changes to be made new legislation has to be ordered in to reflect the changes. Once it's ordered in and the Village Solicitor writes it up council can only vote for it or vote agin it. No one can make arbitrary changes after it's ordered in.
nib:
So are you saying that Diane submitted the issue with the figure of $1.00 per hour?
Just curious!
To 5:31 a.m.
I do not know why people do not get out and vote, everyone who is able should vote as it is very important and pretty much the only say-so you have.
I am a resident of East Liverpool and I was merely pointing out that city council does not take a poll or ask for our input before they spend our monies. Usually the only time we hear from them is at election time. I never miss an election, they are important to me.
Please do not misunderstand what I said about "the guys and Marcia" nothing was meant by it, just respect for her as a woman and the guys as men.
All of the officers face the same dangers, it's just a shame that they make such lousy wages.
Wiz - That is exactly what I am saying. When the legislation was ordered in it had to be for $1/hour. I don't know if Diane made the proposal but she voted in favor of voting it to be put into an ordinance.
Diane the Grinch !!!!!
i wouldn't want their job for $9.00 an hour. the cops risk their life every day. we have a pretty good bunch up there right now. if we don't pay them, they will end up going elsewhere.
how can they justify a double of the mayor's salary and not give the cops a little raise. Thats why we can't get reliable cops down here.
another example of "family business" in village hall.
Alls well that ends well, the officers recieved their much deserved raises, and the mayors raise was voted in favor of. In fairness he won't benefit from the increase unless he is re-elected as it begins Jan 2008. Watching it looked like Diane had a lot of anger going on and that it was personal towards 4 people. They ought to be able to vote on the issues and not who they have it in for.
Just another example of Diane and her wishy washy-ness... sounded like a good idea sitting on her porch solving all the world's problems until time to pony up. All you low life's singing her praises on other blog sites will see- she's nothing but a damn politician.
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