Two sheriff’s investigators demand raises

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Two sheriff’s investigators demand raises

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in Public Safety Archives

Wednesday, August 5. 2009

Comments (11)

Two investigators with the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office have enlisted the legal services of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association Inc. in order to get large raises they say they were promised.

In a July 17 demand letter to county chairman Danny Yearwood, an association lawyer claims Human Resources Director Norma Jean Brown promised both employees “midpoint” raises to the middle of their pay scales, but the county “is refusing to honor the commitments it extended to these officers upon hiring.”

But Brown says she never promised anyone a midpoint raise after the successful completion of probation. She said she told employees they would be “eligible” for the raises depending on the amount of funding approved by the Barrow County Board of Commissioners.

And she said their salary histories show that both Robert A. Wheeler and D.L. Mathis did receive midpoint raises while working as deputies and Wheeler received midpoint raises two more times when he was promoted to corporal and then investigator.

Even with a 4-percent pay reduction imposed in a countywide action in January, Wheeler makes above the middle of the pay scale for an investigator, Brown said.

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#1 Anonymous on 08/05/09 at 03:36 PM [Reply]

Okay -- I support the sheriff's office and officers, but I have a real issue with this.

Yes, Good ole Norma Jean probably did tell them they would get a midpoint raise.

BUT, and this is a BIG BUT -- there is no money. I'd like to have a raise as well, but when times are tough and people are making cuts, don't whine -- at least you have a job.

I know the county has lost most if not all of it's lawsuits lately, so if you sue you have a pretty good chance of winning but at what cost?

#1.1 Deacon on 08/06/09 at 12:13 PM [Reply]

While I fully support good pay for our teachers, police, & firefighters, paramedics, I must say this is not the time to be asking for raises. Our country is facing tough times not seen since the great depression. So I would have to say that these people should be a team player & understand that those who ride out these rough times will be rewarded when things improve.

#1.2 Teacher in Barrow on 08/19/09 at 04:47 AM [Reply]

Hoping that the Investigators with pending lawsuits are reading the comments!!! Look within yourselves and ask yourself two questions: 1) Do I think that I am above the other employees and citizens in my community? 2) Do I want to portray to my children and those that look up to me that 'me' comes before 'we'? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, then I know why it is so difficult to teach the youth in my charge the values that our country was founded upon!!! If you answered "no" then why are you wasting additional funds with such wasteful uses of community dollars.

As a teacher - not making the midpoint - I've been with Barrow County for 7 years, taking furloughs (very willing to cooperate in budgeting), purchasing items for the students in my classrooms (out of my personal funds) because I am fortunate enough to have a job and many of them have families that are barely getting by. I don't live in Barrow County, I actually live in another county - my children attend school in the other county - but yet I offer my assistance to Barrow County because I want to demonstrate to the youth of Barrow County that we must all pull together in times of difficulty!!!

I am very disappointed that a fellow "helping field" employee believes that they are more deserving than those around them. If you believe that you are such a precious commodity worthy of more than a struggling budget is paying, then why not move to a location where they will pay you what you are worth - without giving a struggling community even more waste to attempt to overcome.

With selfish people like the two of you holding a position of respect and authority in this county - it makes me seriously reconsider my devotion to YOUR COMMUNITY'S YOUTH, when you do not even hold the same devotion.

#2 Shurf Deadeye on 08/05/09 at 07:47 PM [Reply]

These 2 "investigators" should be summarily discharged and the goonion should told to drop dead.

#3 for the record on 08/06/09 at 12:28 AM [Reply]

If people in this state would realize that unions only add stability this would be alot better place to work

#3.1 Tony Tiger on 08/06/09 at 10:44 AM [Reply]

Yeah, the goonions sure improved the American automobile industry, didn't they?
Let's see: Everybody buys Toyotas & Hondas -- and GM & Chrysler are bankrupt.
Yeah, goonions are greeeeat!

#3.2 Anonymous on 08/06/09 at 02:09 PM [Reply]

Unions are only in it for the money -- Your money - they don't care about the members:

An example from my own experience -

a manufacturing company was being "merged" with another. There were two plants in GA. 1 union 1 non union. The Union shop's contract was up for renewal. They were given the option -- get the raises, increase in benefits, etc... and the plant would close within 1 year of the merger. Accept concessions so salaries and benefits were in line with the non union and stay open -- care to guess which one the union demanded?

Damn I miss working there.

#4 Anonymous on 08/06/09 at 08:52 AM [Reply]

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO HAVE A JOB!!!

#5 ANONYMOUS on 08/08/09 at 07:58 PM [Reply]

MAYBE IF BARROW CO S.O. KNEW HOW TO INVESTIGATE THEY WOULD GET RAISES. THEY NEED TO GO AND SEE HOW A REAL POLICE DEPARTMENT WORKS. THEY ARE THE BIGGEST JOKE IVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!!!!!

#6 Anonymous on 08/20/09 at 11:13 PM [Reply]

You've got to be kidding. I'm with Anonymous # 4. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A JOB. Seems that selfishness is taking over and these deputies are not accepting that there just isn't any money!!! If Barrow bankrupts, then no one has a job.

#6.1 Anonymous on 08/21/09 at 08:00 AM [Reply]

Thank you:)

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