Money talks, officials walk
It appears over the last several years certain town officials have been doling out merit pay, cost-of-living increases and raises like candy during Halloween. This practice has always been questionable, but now that this knowledge has come on the heels of property tax increases and also water and sewer rate hikes, it seems all the more outrageous.
Now please don’t tell me that the extra money for these raises is small compared to the extra money these new hikes will generate. I’m sure that’s true, but it’s not the point. It’s a matter of principle, a concept that appears to be lost everywhere you look.
I’m all for good salaries and raises based on a job well done. But to have the doubling and tripling of wages over a short period of time is absurd. This brazen policy smacks of arrogance as well as total disrespect toward the city of Salisbury. It’s not surprising that Mr. “Rising Star” saw this as an appropriate time to move on. Perhaps it should have happened sooner.
I wouldn’t worry about Mr. Paris, though. He’s probably a perfect candidate for a job as an administrator for the VA somewhere.
— Allan Gilmour
Salisbury
Getting off track
Here are some comments concerning our local and federal governments. Salisbury and Rowan County are public institutions and should not operate like private enterprises. They should not engage in businesses like Fibrant and West End Plaza (the Salisbury Mall). These would be better served in the private sector.
Our local governments should disclose all public information as in the reasons for recent terminations at the City of Salisbury. Employment contracts are not bad, but our elected officials should read them and realize that a contract is a document that may have to be honored at a later date (to determine a course of action or solve a disagreement). Be careful with the terms of that contract because you may have to honor those terms. The amounts of the severances were unreasonable given the experience and tenure of the individuals.
Our federal government should not get involved in Syria or Iraq. We have not been attacked, so this is not an act of war. We must be careful not to aid the wrong side or group. Our so-called allies or freedom fighters could eventually become our enemies like Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein (who at one time were aided by the U.S.).
Our involvement in conflicts and nation building in that region has never been successful and has caused the death and injury of many innocents and U.S. troops. It is also an expense our nation can no longer afford.
For example, Iraq is not better off today because of our war efforts in that country. They should be allowed to settle their conflicts on their own.
— Brad Farrah
Salisbury