COMMISSIONER: A FULL-TIME JOB?
We asked. The Cameron County Commissioner candidates answered

MIKE SONGER

How much time should a Cameron County Commissioner spend on the job?

An Endeavor News interview series has revealed that the five individuals seeking seats on the board- a job that will pay a $34,795 salary in '08- each have a different perspective on the issue.

Running for four-year terms on that three-member board are: Phil Jones and Tom Callahan, Democrats; incumbent Glen Fiebig and Jo Ann Smith, Republicans; and Mike Songer, Independent.

As part of our mission to inform our readers of the candidates' positions on critical issues, we have posed several questions to the commissioner hopefuls. They all agreed to participate in our interview series that continues this week.

Would you appproach the position of Cameron County Commissioner as a full-time occupation, or do you intend to be otherwise employed? How many hours per week do you envision devoting to the job?

GLEN FIEBIG

Songer: I would not stop running my business if I were elected. However, being self-employed would allow me to dedicate the time that is needed to do the job the voters expect and deserve from me.

Fiebig: As far as I am concerned, I am a county commissioner 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I have never shirked my duties or failed to respond, answer or help anyone when contacted. Emergencies have occurred, sometimes in the middle of the night.

I am at the courthouse, in and out, ev- ery day and I attend meetings day and night.

Callahan: Some may view the job of commissioner as being 40 hours a week in the courthouse. I don't think that any of the candidates think that is correct.

I intend to continue to run my business if I am elected. I will, however, be shifting a large part of the duties of that business to my family so I can devote more daytime hours to the job. The fact that I am always accessible at my business means that I will sometimes be working for the county while at my shop.

Some past, and I suspect some future, commissioners have worked full-time jobs, making them inaccessible from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.This is not an acceptable situation.

PHIL JONES

I have already learned from being a candidate that I am going to be a commissioner at the grocery store, the ballfield, at my business, and any other time that I am in public as well as near a telephone. As far as the number of hours I intend to devote? The answer is as many as it takes, even if it requires more than 40 a week.

Jones: I'd be willing to do the job for half the salary -- Anson Mason and Mary Donovan did it. Don't be fooled by state mandate. I will still work my full-time job, where I report on an all-day basis, and go to the courthouse every day after work.

As I see it, Cameron County has no need for three full-time, full-salaried commissioners. The county and its employees need one full-time commissioner available to them and the other two successful candidates, who have alternate incomes, should be paid half-salary. We could save a salary in the prothonotary's office and a salary in the commissioners' office. Sacrifice should start with us.

TOM CALLAHAN

Although fixing toilets and water lines is admirable, it's not part of the commissioners' job description. I will be a constant, full-time thinker to better Cameron County in any way possible.

Smith: My ONLY job would be as a full-time county commissioner. It is difficult to place an exact number of hours per week that I would devote to the position. I believe it would be between 40 and 60 hours.

From what I have learned so far, a commissioner could work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

My only campaign promise is this: if elected, I will provide the most professional, ethical and informed service to the residents of Cameron County is as humanly possible.

Consolidation of local governments in Cameron County to create a single organization, replacing the county, township and other units, has been a controversial issue that remains unresolved. How do you view the consolidation issue and do you believe it should be put to the voters in the form of a ballot referendum?

JOANN SMITH

Jones: All I know is what we have been told: "The county is going broke." It's difficult to make a premature decision of this magnitude if you're going to be entrusted to run the county without knowing all the facts.

I would need to see the budget, accounts receivable, and accounts payable in order to make an educated and informed decision.

What doesn't make sense to me is why one commissioner said he was in favor of consolidation as long as we kept the Board of Commissioners intact. Where's the savings in that?

Songer: With the county's population dropping, I believe that every option for strengthening our political and financial well-being should be looked at.

I would be willing to look at partial county consolidation or even a full consolidation if I felt it would benefit a majority of the population of the county.

If elected, I will be looking at this issue. If this is ever brought up, I believe it's an issue on which every registered voter needs to voice his or her opinion.

Fiebig: Because we're following an antiquated County Code that dates back to 1940, something has to be changed. It just doesn't fit any more in small counties.

I have high praise for the township supervisor and borough council members for maintaining their status quo relative to income and expenses.

Drastic measures that are not thought out or carefully planned tend to come back and hurt -- and possibly cost more.

I think local government consolidation done slowly to help smaller governments, which in turn will help everyone, is a possibility. I plan to explore the issue further if reelected.

Smith: At some future date, all of the townships and boroughs should discuss what they want and what they need.

I think they should develop a five-year plan, in conjunction with the county commissioners. We all must work together in order to move forward.

Callahan: Voters should have the opportunity to decide. However, we have not yet been educated enough to make an intelligent decision.

It would be a tragedy not to ratify something that could save our county from bankruptcy. It would be just as tragic to make a hasty decision about an irreversible plan that may put us in a worse position than we are in now. An uneducated, forced vote might also close this issue, even if it is the answer.

If it is a good idea now, it will still be a good idea later. Cameron County is thirsty, but I do not believe we are dying of thirst. We need to test the water and decide if it is the fountain of youth or a swamp before we drink from it.

Consolidation has had 15 years of preparation. Now it seems to be an emergency. will peruse this matter as commissioner and try to educate and bring an intelligent referendum to the voters. I will also pursue other options to improve our county.