City paying too much

Thursday, May 1 2008, 2:36 pm

It is shocking, that a fresh college graduate, with no experience and a non-technical degree, is being paid $8,000 yearly above the prevailing salary for similar non-technical positions.

Paying $38,550 yearly, plus benefits, for an inexperienced non-technical degreed candidate, to fill the Corning community recreation position, sets an overpayment precedence for other similar public employee positions. Too many public employees are provided pay and benefit packages well above those for civilian positions, driving California towards bankruptcy.

Sincerely,

Joseph J. Neff, Corning

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Reader's comments

40thousand dollars for recreation position? how is this justifiable? isnt it the parents job to recreate their children? what exactly is this person doing to earn a wage predominately higher than the families in the community she works in? dang,send the kids to my house 5 days a week and pay me 40grand. i will keep the brats busy.
REAMED - Jul 04, 2008 03:15:54 PM	Remove Comment


I think we would all love to see our streets cleaned up. I think at least everyone here can agree this city has a serious drug problem. But I think that has a lot to do with the fact that their really isnt much for teenagers to do. It wasnt long ago that I was in highschool. And yes, I went to every game, but that really turned out to be worse. I mean, its just putting a bunch of bored kids together to watch something they dont particularly care about neccesarily and I think in the long run contributes to the drug problem we all are forced to witness everyday. Maybe if the community instituted some kind of mentoring program for older teens to meet interesting adults or seniors, which would also unite our community a little more, and instill some history in our teens or they had some kind of City Theatre Society, that in turn could donate proceeds to the Rogers Theatre Rebuilding. They could possibly have one day a month where one of the city parks can be used as a dog park for all of Corning's pet owners to meet and socialize our pets with other nice animals. Theirs so much more that could be done that would cost little to nothing, just a few volunteers and a few bored kids. We have enough abandoned buildings and parking lots, why not show classic movies, you know the ones that instill values instead of promescuity and indecisivness, on the side of one of those buildings or even host educational videos like the planet earth series from Discovery, to be shown at the library. I think more could be done than whats been proposed to help turn corning around and bring some life back to her. I mean, I'm only 21 and I find it difficult to find entertainment in our city. Which saddens me because it doesnt have to be. If I knew who to talk to, to get things moving and happening, or could at least give me the answers as to why they dont, I'd love to talk to them.
AKS - Jun 04, 2008 10:16:25 AM	Remove Comment


The only "social stimulization" that this town needs is what the police can give the cranksters and drunks with a tazer. Spend the money on law enforcement and infrastructure. Maybe some social sterilzation would be good too who knows.
citizen for enforcement - Jun 02, 2008 10:10:09 PM	Remove Comment


In response to some here, I never said I needed a handout. I do happen to make much more than $8000 a year, about twice that honestly, which is pretty good around here especially at my age, and who ever said I didnt already go to college? No one, who ever said I would even need to attend a junior college to go to a University, which I don't. I happen to be a half way intellegent human being. I see how some on here assume that I must need a hand out because I dislike and do not support what corning does or pays. Sorry, but I'm not lobbing for free babysitting while I sit on my rump and watch Dr. Phil. I happen to make just fine money, I dont happen to live in an apartment low income or otherwise, and I dont have any children. but I realize that most citizens of corning are impoverished and struggling to make it by no matter their educational level. I dont disagree that the new recreational supervisor doesnt deserve a fighting chance at making a living at something she's obviously dedicated too, but with what I've seen proposed so far, she isnt worth the pay, and I could think of a whole list of things that could be done instead with that money to help and improve the economy and life of corning. Which I must agree, is practically a ghost town, dont think more businesses arent going to be closing and I wont expect much more than little league for the upcoming recreational activities. I'd just like to see someone being paid so much to have more open mind and broader activity arrangement than the last person in this position, and so far we have not been rewarded with this. It truly saddens me that some people are satisfied with our very lacking social stimulus.
Amber - Jun 02, 2008 10:46:14 AM	Remove Comment


The Corning Police Department has a paid position that is supposed to be an enforcement officer/animal control, however this person hangs out at starbucks more than out on the streets. City staff is resposible for code violations. This staff includes, the fire cheif as mentioned by John Q, but also the building inspector the new guy replacing the retiring inspector will hopfully do a better job, but I have heard that he is telling people around town the code enforcement isnt his job, news flash, building in Corning has slowed so he needs to earn his money doing all he can.
Involved - Jun 02, 2008 07:37:17 AM	Remove Comment


So where is code enforcement anyway? Last time I heard, code enforcement was the job of the Fire Chief, who if I remeber right recently got a huge raise? I remeber when I was a kid the fire chief would drive around and look for code enforcement violations, like tall grass and other fire codes. Where have they gone? If code enforcement is not being done, why the raise? Maybe the new Fire Chief will do something about this? Hopefully hes a go getter not just another guy ready to retire.
John Q. Citizen - Jun 01, 2008 11:02:33 PM	Remove Comment


As someone who is involved with the city and I am not employed by them I have to say everyone makes vaild points. Here is what you have to look at though. It is great you are voicing your opinions here, but chances are they just stay here. If you really want to try to make changes in this town you need to attend the councel meetings and voice your concerns and observations there. Make it public record. Use the system, thats what it is there for. It is very easy to sit behind your computer and complain! Corning is and will continue to grow. There are systems in place to aide in this growth. Unfortunatley it isnt something we see right away. I can tell you for fact, change is coming to this town. Business will come. Heres the thing though. Its all gonna start with housing. Big business will not come here unless there is housing for their employees and right now with the economy the way it is, good luck. It is going to take time. As far as down town goes, I would like to see all the business on Solano St. be made into loft apartments and have everything move out to 99. The little mexico stores would go away because they couldnt afford the nice new builds aka Heritage Square. It would be nice to see the city make solano a historic district where they have final say what goes in, what color the building can be ect. Sorry that I am rambling. Is anyone else tired of the RV's, Big Rigs and broken down cars on the streets? Where is the code enforcement? At Starbucks I guess! If the city were to cut any salary that should be the one. Waste of funds!
Involved in Corning - May 27, 2008 09:36:12 PM	Remove Comment


Amber, Instead of trying to make it on $8000 a year, take some Shasta College classes. Earn your AA and then move onto a four-year college. You're 21. Do something productive with your life. Prepare for your future. Don't begrudge Corning's new Rec. Director her opportunity to earn a living and work in her chosen profession.
Former Corning Resident - May 23, 2008 05:48:44 AM	Remove Comment


In response to Amber's letter, Come on! You have got to be kidding me. I kept reading for the punch line but then realized you were serious. How about this, take some initiative, get off your behind, and go into some type of profession. Stop waiting for a handout. That is the problem with a lot of people, they sit around and complain about what the country is not doing for them and how they would be so much better off if the country just helped them out. Get out there and do it yourself! Heres a new term, Motivation. Maybe the rest of the world is not happy with just getting by. We don't want to live the rest of our life at Spring Moutain. Then, on one hand you are saying the kids need more to do and then in the very next sentence, youre saying you dont want someone to coordinate activities for them. Youre just a person who would complain no matter what anyone did for you. How about this. Spend time with your kids and not send them off to a free program to give you a free babysitter. Take your kids places and show them drugs are not the way, but then again, kids learn by example. So I guess they will turn out like you. Looking for a handout, blaming thier problems on other people. Have a good Day.
John Q. Citizen - May 19, 2008 08:30:19 PM	Remove Comment


see below comment, sorry it was long. Rent an apartment like the rest of us, at least you can feed your family. All I'm saying, is that I'd like to see city officials pay go down, and what goes into the actual town go up, as in way up. Obviously not enough goes in, hence why 22 buildings are empty, more than half the cities roads need repaved, we have to fire teachers from our schools that educate our future, and we cant even pay our PGE in this town anymore. I mean, really, what ARE you people being paid for? I'd just like to see the evidence that you do anything at all, besides the templated activities I've been forced to endure my entire life. Can we reach outside the realms of Little League and Olive Festival, the rest of us nonathletic, poor people who cant even afford to go to your festivals, are bored out of our minds. Until then, I'll be purchasing my groceries and most houshold items in chico as well, not because I'm not a minority their, but because, Butte counties economy, actually benefits my life. Any other taxes this city gets from me, is theft in my mind.
Amber - May 19, 2008 09:46:43 AM	Remove Comment


I have to say I agree we are overpaying our city officials. Which I know are really being paid by my hard earned tax dollars. I dont make $38,000 a year or anything close to that and I'm not very happy that everytime I pay taxes in this city, every item I buy that adds to our so called economic growth in tehama county is giving me basically nothing in return. I have lived in Corning 21 years, my entire life, which isnt long, but it does give me a lot of background on the city. We're paying nearly $40,000 a year to a person who is creating recreational activities for Corning Youth. As a prior Corning youth, and not long ago, I have to say, you arent worth $40,000 tax dollars from our pockets! And yes, I do blame Corning for the over abundance of drug addicts in the city. If their was more recreation for our youth, outside the realms of sports, which, news flash, not all of us are in to doing, maybe we wouldnt be sitting around in our recreation using drugs, and maybe if their were more places to work, instead of 22 empty buildings for us vandalize Corning's finest wouldnt be tromping around so much in Mendocino National Forest for our livelihoods. In case the city has forgotten, the rest of us are still making a whopping $8,000 a year. At least the majority of us, and we dont care that YOUR family cant buy a freaking house AND the brand new car you have to drive to your brand new job to make you look good.
Amber - May 19, 2008 09:43:32 AM	Remove Comment


The recreation director is earning just a little over 18 dollars per hour. This is a fair wage for someone with experience and who will soon get her BA in Recreation from a university. This is not unreasonable. I am pleased that the City of Corning is being proactive in hiring a rec director who will plan some activities for the youth of Corning.
former Corning resident - May 16, 2008 09:25:31 PM	Remove Comment


Art, I have to admit you have some good points. I like your thinking. Rogers is a joke, everyone knows that. Corning does need help. Not a suprise. Yeah I'm sure they could do something to attract business. I did not mean to offend you in any way. All I was origionally saying was in order to keep good employess, you have to pay them. The Cm likes to give himself raises but when it come to his employess, the ones that make it happen, he says the city has no money. You talk about having a good police presence, I agree. But how do you draw a good pool of canadates to Corning when you don't pay them as much as other agencies in the area. All you draw are young officers who come here, learn as much as they can and then move on when they get the trainig. Why don't we pay them a little more and keep them here? The city would rather pay to hire rookies than pay good officers a little more to keep them here. That's all I'm saying. I know you can appreciate that.
John Q. Citizen - May 16, 2008 05:05:21 PM	Remove Comment


one answer john q, look at rogers theater, corning owns it, got 50000dollars and the property, how long ago did they get it? now they are asking for donations to fix it up,this is how they manage the city, i wish i could run for mayor, if i didnt have cancer i would, fire all of them start over, crack freaks are everywhere, but if you had a stronger police presence, you could slow it down, go back to the old days, if you get my drift, slow down, smell the coffee, why do they pay so much for a city mgr in a small town? offer something to have business move into corning, lower ataxes, at least do something, instead of sitting on your and drawing close to 100thousand dollars a year for nothing
a langley - May 16, 2008 04:28:09 AM	Remove Comment


What is the answer Art? How would you turn Corning around? Why dont you run for Mayor and keep the CM on his toes? I just need to know why 22 buildings are vacant because of the city? As far as the crack freaks, I guess that is the citys fault as well? It couldnt be thier own? I am well aware of the problems associated with Corning. You have the same problems everywhere? Crank wasnt invented in Corning, nor was unemployment. You have delt with these people. Its just thier way of life. Theyre Everywhere!
John Q. Citizen - May 14, 2008 08:37:26 PM	Remove Comment


your missing the point john q, corning is the armpist of no. cal, there are more crack freaks, and section 8 houseing there than in reichmond calif, smell the coffee, count the 22 buildings on solano street, then tell me the city mgr and staff are doing a good job, wake up.
a langley - May 14, 2008 07:03:29 AM	Remove Comment


UM YEAH. we really want corning to grow? its already little mexico now. i think it needs to stop growing. im sick of the dirty looks i get from invasion of illegal border crossing criminals. i never ever feel safe anymore in this town. thats why i go to chico to shop. im not in the minority there. i feel safer in chico. i own a house here in corning or i would up and move to chico.
CLOSE THE BORDERS - May 12, 2008 06:44:36 PM	Remove Comment


Come on Art, If Corning wants to get any bigger than what is is now and have good employees, you know you have to pay the employees better. I know you have seen it. If you pay sub-par wages, you get sub-par employees. If you pay good wages, you will draw from a better pool of applicants. Things are different now. A family can't live on 38,000 a year. Corning is a training ground for our professionals. Once they get trained, they move on. Pay them more and they will stay here. Don't get me wrong. I don't know if we NEED a recreation coordinator, but if the people want one, so be it.
J. Citizen - May 11, 2008 07:22:35 PM	Remove Comment


the city is paying a whopper flopper way to much money to manage the city, whats the difference? get qualified people for what, to run a ghoast town? get real, you still have 22 buildings empty on solano ave, what ever happened to the tea house? hm,
a langley - May 11, 2008 05:05:15 AM	Remove Comment


I would like to know where this guy gets his information that public employees are paid too much? Have you tried to buy a house lately? Do you think you could live on 38,000 a year? This is a profession that you need a degree for, right? Not a whopper flopper? I could see the point if the city was paying a lifeguard that much, but if this is suposed to be a profession, lets pay our people so they can survive. Tehama County needs to realize they need to pay more to attract and retain qualified employees.
John Q. Citizen - May 10, 2008 11:26:34 PM	Remove Comment

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