I would like to comment on Itzi Meztli’s letter to the editor of Jan. 29, “Don’t hide salary facts.” I commend Meztli for his extensive research and agree with him that the Butler County commissioners are overpaid. Previous boards of commissioners voted themselves a 4 percent cost-of-living pay increase for 25 years in a row. I decided that this increase was completely unjustified, before I chose to run for office. That is why I made the following pledges to county taxpayers for my four-year term of office: • To donate $12,500 of my pay to Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center every year (after the taxed portion is paid). • To not take a county elected official’s pension but instead use the county’s 401(k) savings plan for my retirement. That will save county taxpayers approximately $8,000 each year. • To not enroll in the county’s health care plan. I’ve opted to stay in my wife’s plan (as long as this option is available), which will cost my family more but will save the county more than $15,000 each year. These three voluntary reductions will save county residents and taxpayers approximately $32,000 each year, for a total of $128,000 over my four-year term. My wife and I feel privileged to be able to give back to the people of Butler County. As for the county commissioners’ job being a part-time position, I respectfully disagree with Meztli. Meztli is an English professor at Slippery Rock University. He should know that some people think his job is part time. I do not. We both know that, when a dedicated educator carries out his or her responsibilities to the university, students and community, it is not a part-time position. I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of Butler County, and I can assure everyone that this is not a part-time job for me.
