8 MAR 05: THE AMAZING RAISE

Before we get to our topic, an apology is in order. We've corrected the dates of our last two entries, because they were one day off. I actually could keep ALL the entries dateless - but that would remind me too much of my love life.

But anyway: the latest e-mail from "Is Our City Safe" has the title, "Congratulations!" When I saw it in my InBox Monday, I thought he was honoring me for finally figuring out his real identity....

I expected "Is Our City Safe" would have something to say about the proposed raise for City Manager Isaiah Hugley - and sure enough, that's what "Congratulations!" was about:

You may ask what a slap to the face of Public Safety sounds like.

Here is your answer...

At this point, the e-mail has Sunday's Ledger-Enquirer article detailing the proposed raise for the City Manager to $110,000 a year. I suppose the city could save money by freezing everyone's salaries - but if energy prices keep climbing, that could mean a lot more people will be walking to work.

After the newspaper article about the proposed raise, "Is Our City Safe" comments much more. We've made some slight editing for you visiting college students, who are searching for clean jokes:

As one of our wise Councilors once put it...you knew what the job payed before you took it. if you dont like the pay, then leave.

I find it amazing that our city can find money for anything and everything except for Public Safety.

I also find it amazing that a 10-15yr veteran with the Police Department can leave, take all of his training and experience to another city and nobody bats an eye, but when a REPLACEABLE City manager researches leaving for more money, all of the sudden, the city is going to close unless we pay him more to stay.

This, in my opinion, is a crock of c**p. I wonder how many times our city manager has had less than a second to decide whether or not to take another human beings life. Has had to witness people die in car crashes. Has had to walk into the most horrible crime scenes imaginable and go home and suffer through the nightmares. His raise alone is almost what some officers make in a year. I am not saying that the Police should make 90k a year each, but I think a more fair salary and at least a cost of living raise every year would be an excellent start. I sure hope that Mr. Hugley and our city government are able to sleep at night knowing that they are screwing over Public Safety.

Be sure and call Mr. Hugley at 653-4029 or write him at ihugley@columbusga.org and congratulate him on his big raise. I am sure he would love to hear from you and hear what you have to say.

Thank you for your time,

Wade Sheridan

I don't know who that "wise Councilor" was - but I wonder if he's now the agent for pitcher Tim Hudson.

There seems to be an assumption right off the bat with this message - that City Manager Hugley demanded a raise. I haven't heard anyone in the Government Center say that. It appears Columbus Council will talk today about GIVING him a raise - and Miss Manners would tell you turning down a big gift simply isn't proper etiquette.

Mayor Bob Poydasheff says the extra money for the City Manager will be "found" by eliminating Isaiah Hugley's old job as Deputy City Manager. If he gets about $5,000 more, that should leave about $85,000 - and let's see, will that pay for eight new officers or nine?

But the Fraternal Order of Police isn't thrilled by the talk of a raise for the City Manager. F.O.P. President Randy Robertson wondered aloud on WRBL Monday why the Columbus Council is "rushing" to approve it. My theory is that the Council is clearing as much time as possible to debate the Wal-Mart SuperCenter.

Randy Robertson suggests Columbus Council shouldn't give a pay raise to a new City Manager who's "unproven." I never imagined he'd be on the side of Republicans in Congress -- you know, the ones who support a new "training wage" of $4.25 an hour for 90 days....

But seriously: Randy Robertson says Isaiah Hugley should start as City Manager with the same salary Carmen Cavezza had when he began in 1997. If we take that approach, I'd like to take it one step further. Let's force every convenience store in Columbus to roll back its gas price to 1997 levels.

When Randy Robertson voiced his objection to a raise during Sunday night's 6:00 p.m. news, several people around me said: "He sounds jealous." So? Have you checked the dictionary definitions of jealous? They include, "vigilant.... protective...." [True/American Heritage] If police officers aren't that way, we all have problems....

Mayor Poydasheff responds by saying City Managers in cities the size of Columbus tend to earn $135,000 or more. So take that, you critics! The pay in this town is low for everybody....

One overlooked issue in this debate is that Isaiah Hugley had years of experience as Deputy City Manager, before taking the top job last month. Carmen Cavezza really didn't have any of that -- and the Commanding General at Fort Benning doesn't have to figure out how much to pay MP's.

Oh yes, back to the e-mail: "Is Our City Safe" (or may we call you Wade?) claims "nobody bats an eye" when veteran police officers leave Columbus. Is that really true?! Doesn't somebody on the force organize a farewell breakfast at Golden Donuts or something?

(I hope he realizes there are other professions where no one cares about experienced veterans leaving town. Just ask the top officials at Auburn University about the last 18 months.)

But what's this - Wade is NOT "saying that the Police should make 90k a year each"?! He'd better be careful. I know from experience Randy Robertson responds to online comments like this - and sometimes it can sting.

By the way, WRBL reported Monday about 60 people have applied to be Columbus police officers since last Wednesday. That compares to a typical month, when only ten apply. So is it because the hiring standards have changed? Or has Char-Broil started the first round of job cuts?

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: We'll post a new Big Blog Question on the City Manager's pay during the day Tuesday.)

BLOG UPDATE: A letter from Coca-Cola arrived in my mailbox Monday - and inside was the promised coupon to make up for the missing one-liter bottle. I can redeem it for a free six-pack of soda anytime before the end of 2006. Of course, I've learned my lesson from last week [4 Mar] - and I'll be sure to use it months sooner.

So what else of note happened around here Monday?

+ Taylor County students went to the Georgia state capitol, to show off their computer skills. How many Atlanta reporters walked up to them and said, "You do things other than arguing about proms?!"

+ The Columbus chapter of "Fellowship of Christian Athletes" held its annual awards banquet. If an athlete or coach doesn't attend this event, what does it say about them? Can we ask them to show their American Civil Liberties Union membership cards?

+ One-time Columbus preacher Tony Leyva died in a Virginia prison from skin cancer, as he served time for child molestation. Some would argue this isn't fair - as Leyva endured only the first "bowl of wrath" mentioned in Revelation, and not the other six.

+ Instant Message to Ron Henderson of Columbus Habitat for Humanity: Has anyone ever mentioned you look like George Del Gobbo? Well, except he wears Dr. Seuss hats on his head while you wear a scarf....

Your donations can keep this blog ad-free and independent-minded. To make a donation, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post a reply.

If you quote from this in public somewhere, please be polite enough to let me know.

© 2003-05 Richard Burkard, All Rights Reserved.