Could money go to hire more deputies?

Your Aug. 13 story about the proposed pay raise that our dauntless leaders deserve really got me going. By that I mean that I started using all my fingers and toes to figure out just how much money we taxpayers are going to be giving the fat cats if this recommendation is accepted. (I wonder how the Snohomish County Council is going to vote on this recommendation and what the outcome will be?) Well, if all my fingers and toes are right, rounding off the hundreds, I came out with approximately $122,000. We aren’t even talking about cost of living increases, which would add who knows how much more to their salaries. Oh, I know that we are only talking about tens of thousands, a pittance when it comes to taxpayer money, but what could you do with that money, guys, instead of putting it in your pocket?

Here is a thought: I don’t know what the average wage of a deputy is, but my guess is that at least two deputies could be added to the sheriff’s department. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to see our leaders forgo their juicy raises in exchange for the public safety that they spend so much time talking about. I think that this is their moment to shine or show their true colors.

It used to be that if you worked hard in business you could make something of yourself, you know, the good old-fashioned way of getting rich. It’s beginning to look to me like there is another way to the big bucks, it’s called the public trough.

RON JINKENS

Marysville