Is anyone paying attention?

Last week the (unelected) Citizens Salary Commission (CSC) granted County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord a raise to $148,832. This represents a nearly 50 percent increase since 2007!

How many of you have gotten a 50 percent raise since 2007? In light of the fact that important local programs such as Orcas Island Recreation Program was recently dismantled by the county for lack of $16,000 in funding this $48,000 increase that Mr. Gaylord insisted on is excessive at best and greedy at its worst. According to their website, the top salary for the King County senior prosecutor is $145,143. Does Mr. Gaylord have more responsibility than the top prosecutor in King County? Considering Mr. Gaylord’s age is there any doubt that he is setting himself up for a very lucrative retirement at our expense?

Mr. Gaylord was questioned as to where the money would come from since every other county agency is being cut back. Some community-minded county employees even volunteered to waive their cost of living raise to help alleviate the budget woes. Others have taken voluntary furlough days. Not Mr. Gaylord. When Mr. Gaylord was asked which programs should be cut to fund his raise he stated that “There is money in the reserve fund to pay for this.” Mr. Gaylord was unmoved when the county auditor bravely stood up to denounce raiding the county reserve fund to pay for his salary increase.

I recall a similar situation a few years ago when the Orcas Fire Department considered offering Assistant Chief William “Buddy” Wright an outrageous salary increase. The “Wright” story made headlines in the Sounder for weeks. The fire commissioners wised up due to the public outrage. The County Council and the CSC need to revisit that history and the public needs to speak up.

Fifty percent salary increase since 2007? Really, Randy?

Richard Alpert

Orcas Island