Comments on: Budget Hawks Seek Review of County Raises

By: Sam Simmons

Sam Simmons — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 04:38:13 +0000

I believe she might have just exterminated herself.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 13:04:18 +0000

Although I’ve followed the well-documented COT corruption over my 10 years here, (and I’m SO glad the FBI has also followed it), I was not as aware of Leon County corruption, but as this salary debacle has unfolded, seems the County is as corrupt as the City.

And tying to my comment on the “Consolidation Study” – What makes anyone with half a brain think that combining two corrupt-governments-with-corrupt-officials will miraculously produce some “New” and “Ethical” government? Does combining two rotten foods produce something appetizing and healthy?

By: Diana Steinberg

Diana Steinberg — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 15:23:53 +0000

You mean it doesn’t make sense that our County Atty., supervising FIVE attorneys earns the same as the Miami-Dade one who supervises SEVENTY-ONE?!? Ha!! They think we are all so dumb.

By: JJ

JJ — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 02:40:44 +0000

So this is what they did with the increase in our property taxes this year. Just wait until the City and County consolidate and we will have 2 senior staff level attorneys and 2 county managers to pay plus a full time mayor and 12 commissioners. We know neither Long nor Fernandez will give up their positions. Their friends on the commission will simply give both of them a job making gobs of money plus another hefty pay raise for being over so many more people. When I grow up I want to be a corrupt “leader” in this City/County. It pays better than a regular criminal and has benefits.

By: News_Maven

News_Maven — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 01:57:39 +0000

In reply to Anhaica.

Actually, we pay Gov. Scott $1/month.
(For accounting purposes.)
I think once he’s term-limited he should run for our Mayor. We could even offer to triple his salary to $3/month.

By: WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot

WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 22:47:37 +0000

Don’t lose focus, none of the raises are possible without the approval of the elected county commissioners. Everyone reading this who believes it’s appropriate for a county employee to make $440,000 a year should vote to re elect their county commissioner.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 21:54:43 +0000

These salaries are absurd considering the size of this county. These two people are expendable. I’m sure we could find two better, more proficient people on a national search for a lot less of tax payer money. I’m disappointed in the county commission to vote for pay raises. I will be voting for new elected.

By: Anhaica

Anhaica — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 03:36:40 +0000

The Governor of the third most populous state doesn’t even make that much. Herb and Vince do not need to make that kind of money in a county where nothing is going on. I doubt that those two would be hired away from Leon County anytime soon. At the salaries that they make, they do not need a raise!

By: J Danger

J Danger — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 01:55:01 +0000

Anyone remember the small city of Bell, California? The straw that broke the camel’s back & sent the City Manager & 5 council members to prison for 4-12 years was the outrageous salaries the city manager & 5 council members gave themselves through a series of raises. They too used city workers & materials for their own property repairs & maintenance, enjoyed pretty good lifestyles at the taxpayers expense. Quiet the little club they had going on until the taxpayers finally said “enough”.
Investigations ensued and were they surprised they were charged and tried and sentenced to prison! Sounds familiar.
After the City Manager was sentenced to 12 years in prison, LA County DA Jackie Lacey had this to say, “His greed and total disregard for the hard-working people of Bell have lasting consequences. Stealing public funds is a serious crime that destroys the public trust. We are sending a clear message that we are doing our part to restore confidence in government by vigorously prosecuting any public official who misuses his or her authority to steal from their constituents.”
By the way, the council members were sentenced to 4 years in prison. Seems in the end they were able to effectively argue they were not aware of everything the City Manager was up to so their culpability was less. Hmmmmm….

By: Grady underwood

Grady underwood — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 01:40:09 +0000

These two referenced pay packages are only the tip of the iceberg. Look at other county pay packages that are totally ridiculous. I worked for the county for 30+ years and watched this situation go out of control during the last 15 years.