Is It All About Money?

      Mayoral candidate Brian Tobin handily won the Democratic primary. How will he reward his political handlers--veteran party hacks Ron Walsh and William Wood? Will they both regain a foothold in city government? Will Ron Walsh resume as corporation council, and William Wood resume as city clerk?
      Is that what voters want or expect?
      A farmer in Cortlandville suggested that appointing Wood and Walsh to positions in city government may be similar to a sheep rancher putting wolves in his sheep meadow.
      How did these veteran party leaders convince Alderman Tobin to run against Mayor Feiszli in the primary? Did they appeal to him on the singular issue of the landlord-city code dispute? Or was it a more primitive, selfish appeal for pecuniary reward?
      Without public salaries and benefits for part-time work, the number of enthusiastic candidates for public office would decline sharply. The health insurance benefit alone is a capital draw, worth up to $15,000 per year. And part-time public employees are eligible for state pensions.
     The office of mayor pays $25,000 per year, the corporation council position pays $40,000 per year, and the city clerk position pays $3,500 per year for four hours work each week. All these positions are part-time with full benefits, if chosen.
      Is it all about money?
      You bet it is!