| Unlike his opponent in the State Senate race, Clarkstown Town Clerk David Carlucci announced that he will forego his annual pay increase as stated in a letter sent today to the Town Comptroller. Carlucci, citing the tough economic times in his town, did not think that a 2.5 percent raise was appropriate.
By contrast Carlucci's opponent, Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef has, in the past, whined and moaned when the County legislature had denied his pay raises; they had stated that his lackluster performance as Executive was not deserving of a salary increase. He later snuck through a 12.5 percent raise for himself this past winter although it was not approved in the Rockland County budget. At least one legislator told Left of the Hudson that they were tricked into giving him the raise. |
| Carlucci has shown himself to be statesman-like. He's indicated that he believes that the burden of a poor economy and strained municipal budgets must be shared between the civil servants and the taxpayers.
Carlucci's position, like many elected positions, typically receives an annual pay increase inline with what other municipal workers get. But while Carlucci is refusing the additional pay, the position itself will be listed with the new salary. Any future Town Clerks would automatically be paid a salary with the increase included.
In a campaign statement, Carlucci said:
In this economic crisis, I cannot in good conscience accept even a 2.5 percent increase while asking staff and constituents to tighten their belts. Thousands of Rockland County residents are losing their jobs, losing their benefits, starting over mid-career, or leaving all together. During these dire fiscal times, every dollar must be justified so that public funds truly benefit constituents.
Vanderhoef, the 17-year County Executive is known to personally lobby for his pay increases and bitterly complains when he doesn't get them. Just after his reelection last year, he finally did receive a $17,000 salary increase, but many County Legislators were counting on him to roll up his sleeves and finally begin the hard job of advocating for the County. Instead, Vanderhoef stated his interest in running for Comptroller on the first full day of his new term, has used the past year mostly to look for other jobs.
In ten short months, Vanderhoef has looked into runs for State Comptroller, Senator, and finally State Senate. It appears that Vanderhoef not only doesn't understand shared sacrifice, he doesn't, it seems, understand the value of working hard for his constituents. Vanderhoef has become nothing but a perennial candidate constantly looking for a better job, having also run for Congress and Lieutenant Governor during his tenure, and publicly seeking other public and private sector jobs.
Carlucci continues:
Shared sacrifice means just that. We in government cannot justify asking seniors and hard-working families to do more with less, while other elected officials continue to reward themselves at the taxpayer's expense. |
