Reducing one salary to boost another is wrong

John Maras’ letter (June 24, Daily Bee) suggesting that our county treasurer Cheryl Piehl have a reduction in salary of $12,000 and that money be used to increase the sheriff’s salary.

There is so much wrong with his statement that I had to respond.

First, you need to remember that he ran against Cheryl in the primary and lost by a wide margin. Maybe sour grapes?

Secondly, I know our sheriff and I know him to be a man who would never consider taking from someone else to give to him.

Third, John never said in the campaign that he thought the treasurer should take a cut to fund another elected official’s salary or even to take a cut at all Only after he lost the election, has he talked about cutting the salary for the treasurer.

And lastly, Cheryl Piehl is one of the most dedicated, knowledgeable and hard-working employees in the county and earns every dime she is paid and I know that to be a fact since I have worked with her for almost 7 1/2 years.

I am no commending on whether or not the sheriff should be paid more than other elected officials since that is strictly the commissioners’ decision. I am just saying in no uncertain terms that reducing one person’s salary to pay someone else more is not the way to fund anything.

JERRY CLEMONS

East Hope