I was very surprised at the commissioners work session Tuesday Aug 8th. On the agenda                              for discussion was the possibility of hiring a 3/4 TIME employee to work at the dog control building, which is located adjacent to the Humane Society facility. The position was included in the county's annual budget, passed by the budget committee and adopted by the County Commissioners.

Representatives from dog control made a very good case to justify the (need) hiring of the 3/4-time employee. Information presented to the two present commissioners Joe Corsiglia and Rita Bernhard, absent and out of the county as usual was Commissioner Tony Hyde. (I was told he was in Chicago)

Dog Control personal through hard work and dedication has made great strides in making the once failing facility a self sustaining dept. Representatives ask the board of commissioners to give the ok to hire a 3/4 time employee, stating that the position is classified as ¾ time employment, and right now the position is part time and on a scale for base pay and no benefits, causing a constant turnover of employees. The employee is responsible for duties far beyond kennel cleaning, duties include all around care plus acute care for animals, plus what ever comes about. Adding that people start there with the intention of gaining some experience and than move on to veterinary offices where they receive better pay and benefits.

The representative explained that he spends a great deal of time training these new employees where as his time should be out in the field doing his job. Again explaining that a 3/4 time person would be well worth the cost, freeing him up and only requiring the time to train one person, in other words creating an efficient working facility.

Here comes the surprise! Commissioner Rita Bernhard adamantly argued against the ¾ time position. Her argument was that the county could hire two part time people, get twice the amount of work out of the employees, while not having to pay benefits. She felt that it would save the county money.

I was really surprised with her position, Commissioner Bernhard always boasts about supporting unions, and family wage jobs. Her argument about trying to save the county money in this instance I felt was incorrect. Given the information from the dog control people for the need of a 3/4-time employee, the fact that it would not only maintain but also increase productivity for the facility in general.

Commissioner Joe stated that he was in favor of the 3/4-time position. That the county is always stating that they support family wage pay/jobs, and that it would be hypocritical of the county to shoot down the opportunity to provide a 3/4 time position and benefits to a local citizen. Agreeing to the idea that it would create an efficient dept. and save money in the long run. I happen to agree with Joe on this.

I can not understand why a Commissioner who makes nearly $107,000.00 per year, or approximately  ($52 per hour) receives full benefits, would begrudge a person at a low wage of $7.25-$7.50 per hour the advantage of receiving some benefits. Commissioner Bernhard must realize that there are folks in this community that depend on such a job to live. This job could keep an individual off the public system. I believe that is what the majority of the citizens of the county would want.

It is a shame that Commissioner Bernhard could not understand the economics of this issue and vote for the 3/4-time position. Instead the proposal had to be tabled until Commissioner Hyde comes back into town where he will have to cast the deciding vote. Hopefully Commissioner Hyde will see the advantage of the request and vote with commissioner Corsiglia

How odd is it, that Columbia County Commissioners have to have a heated debate over providing a 3/4 time job with benefits to a local taxpaying citizen, where there is usually no debate between the commissioners to give tremendous tax breaks to multi billion dollar companies, which cost the Columbia County taxpayers millions each year, Or the county incentives to the corporations if you come to Columbia County you wont have to pay full wages all you will have to pay is a percentage of the county average wage.  We all know that Columbia County is listed as a low wage-earning county.

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