The county's spending priorities are mixed up

Dear Editor,

You have read the articles, seen the news stories, heard the complaints; they're nothing new. Teachers' pay is too low, teacher turnover is a problem. Police receive training in Chesterfield and then move on to other law enforcement organizations for better pay. Firefighters don't have enough handheld radios for on-sight use fighting fires, etc.

Pick a topic that requires government expenditure in the county and think of how many times we have been told, "The county just doesn't have that in the budget." And yet, a recent Chesterfield Observer article [Nov.7] tells us there are over 400 county employees making over $75,000 per year. Were this in the private sector, where the voluntary exchange of cash for goods or services is the determining factor, I would have no qualms, but this is not the case. When it comes to government expenditures, the level of salary should be in keeping with the importance of the job to the taxpayers. Priorities must be set and adhered to.

Let us start by looking at the school system. After 30 years of service, a teacher in Chesterfield could hope to reach a total compensation package of $83,000. This includes health care and retirement benefits. Yet the lowest paid of the four assistant superintendents to Dr. Newsome receives $128,000 per year, plus a $9,000 car allowance. The superintendent himself receives $199,680, plus a $12,500 car allowance, plus $40,000 in deferred salary. Now let me ask you: who is more important to the education of your child? The teacher in the classroom or someone with multiple degrees who sits behind a desk?

We must start looking at these things and determine where our tax dollars can be better spent. The same applies to the police and fire departments. If you spend thousands of dollars training someone, only to have them move to another agency for better pay, then how much could be saved in the long-term by simply paying them better and not having to train new people every few months?

We simply must insist that our elected representatives begin to use our money more wisely and frugally. We seem to be able to pay all these bureaucrats quite well, but we can't build a new school without overcoming all sorts of obstacles. Roads remain in poor condition because "we just don't have the money in the budget." We can't retain teachers, policemen or firefighters because we just don't have the money. But we sure seem to have enough for all the bureaucrats to be well compensated.

It is time for a realignment of priorities in this county. The money is there for the proper priorities, and we must insist that it is spent accordingly. With the recent elections bringing four new faces to the board of supervisors, we can hope that some changes will be made.

Floyd Bayne

Brandermill