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Police deserve a raise, city council should review pay scale

Published/Last Modified on Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:57 AM EST

The Roanoke Rapids City Council's heart was in the right place Tuesday night when it approved a pay fraise for the city’s police officers.

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These individuals are true heroes. They go to work each morning and put their lives on the line to protect our lives and property.

Although in reality, no salary is ever enough for the risk and danger they face daily, we believe they deserve to be compensated at a rate comparable to others who share the same dangers — at the least.

We applaud City Councilman Jon Baker’s motion and the three other council members who supported his idea.

We understand Councilman Carl Ferebee’s dissent. He was raising a question of fairness. He was seeking an overall review of the city employees’ pay scale before any decisions were made.

The idea of a full review of what we pay the men and women who keep our city running and provide key services is long overdue.

This shouldn’t require a big consultant contract or a lot of time.

Let’s follow City Manager Paul Sabistan’s approach to the police department pay — and canvass similar cities and see what they are paying to start.

Then we will have an idea of what we are facing and what we need to do. We suggest this should be near the top of the new mayor and council’s agenda.

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Comments

Eric wrote on Nov 13, 2009 3:04 PM:

" Well, I see you didn't print my previous opinion. Of course, you never print any comments when people actually disagree with yours. Keep disagreeing opinions silent. And don't bother printing one of those crazy Editor's Note which says something like: "We didn't print it because we didn't like it; we didn't print it because it was decided not to." "

Eric wrote on Nov 12, 2009 2:23 PM:

" So the Herald agrees with those who voted yes and the one who voted no? As the good book says, a double minded man is unstable in all ways, such as is the Herald's opinions. To be fair, this should be posted also. "

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