Sheriff's salary makes the job a tough sell
Erie County Democrats are searching for a candidate for sheriff this year, and by all accounts, it's a tough sell.
That's because the $79,000 salary for the post has not been raised in 20 years, and by law, cannot be raised in a year when taxes are hiked. And in 2009, county taxes increased.
For most people, a $79,000 salary looks like a pretty good deal. But many senior police officers make that or more with overtime, and are not very excited about assuming the headaches of running a major sheriff's office for that kind of money.
As a result, many potential candidates for sheriff cannot afford to consider the race, and most applicants are those who are in a position to retire. Then they can collect a pension on top of the sheriff salary.
"The major problem is what it pays," Erie County Conservative Chairman Ralph C. Lorigo said. "By law, you can't get a raise in any year that taxes go up."
Do you think that after 20 years, it's time for the salary for such a major position to be upgraded?
Do you believe the low salary in relation to other posts (the undersheriff makes $105,000 per year) discourages qualified candidates?
Or do you think it's fine just the way it is?
-- Robert J. McCarthy
