I'm giving my opinion on this subject matter. The US Census median household income in Hennepin County I found is $54,019. That's for 2000. Hennepin County has been outpacing the nation in terms of income gains over the decade between 1990 and 2000. That means half the households make more than $54 thousand and half make less.
There is considerable discussion about the professional requirements needed to work in various city jobs, the low ceiling imposed by the Governor's salary rule, the loss of talent, and the inability to compete with other cities of comparable size and wealth. At some point the practice of getting waivers for the salary ceiling will have to be addressed by the state legislature.
We can't ask highly trained professionals to work for an artificially low salary structure and not expect them to go elsewhere for better opportunities. To point to job performance and then speculate on whether the CPED office is effective is another matter. Those are the details I was asking for, but to just list salaries and then make a statement that half the money should be given to police and the fire department leaves a gap in the discussion because the two are not connected.
What's in the middle?
Best wishes,
Laura
On Friday, April 29, 2005, at 09:45 AM, Chris Johnson wrote:
They are not high salaries? Maybe in the stratospheric realm of over-compensated CEOs and perhaps Wittstock's own current job they're not.
Several of the top dogs there make just slightly less than governor Pawlenty. The median household income in Minneapolis in 2003 was $42,010. I most certainly do believe those are high salaries.
More importantly, are they justified?
The city has received poor, corrupt service from the CPED nee MCDA for over 20 years. What do we have to show for 20-plus years of their work?
I clearly will not be voting for Laura Waterman Wittstock for Library Board. Until her posting above, I was ambivalent. Why would I want a spendthrift managing my tax dollars at the Library?
I am not a believer in extravagance in government. If one wants a life in a teak and rosewood board room, stick to private enterprise. Such a person does not have the proper characteristics for public service, where utilitarian should be good enough.
Laura Waterman Wittstock Minneapolis, MN 612-387-4915 www.laurawatermanwittstock.com http://laurawatermanwittstock.blogspot.com/ REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
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