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Writer: Schaffer's criticism of Islip is hypocritical Dear Editor, A recent news story (Newsday, April 23), entitled, "Plumbing a $7G debt," raises some very interesting questions about honesty and integrity in government. Having lived in the Babylon- Islip community for more than years, it has been my privilege to have known some local leaders who governed with ethics and forthrightness. These leaders placed service above self. Now we have a former Town of Babylon Supervisor and current head of the Suffolk County Democratic Party criticizing the Town of Islip's policy for paying part-time benefits while he collects the same. How hypocritical! Prior to Mr Schaffer's hire as attorney for the Town of Babylon Plumbing Board, an Assistant Town Attorney was assigned to serve the Plumbing Board with no extra pay. It was part of his or her job description and was covered in the salary. The reason Mr. Schaffer was hired is to remain eligible in the State pension system. Why has this not been made public? Why is not a current Assistant Town Attorney, already being paid, performing this task? To what degree is this - Mr. Schaffer's hire - a benefit to the taxpayers? Furthermore, the Plumbing Board meets once a month for a maximum of three hours, and it usually meets for ten, not twelve, months. In other words, Mr. Schaffer is being paid approximately $292 an hour. A bargain? As for rewriting the plumbing code, that is done on a regular basis by the plumbers serving on the board. The attorney serving on the board merely addresses matters of legal import. Such rewrites were done before Schaffer was hired and will continue to be done after he leaves. Perhaps it is time to address this issue now, not later. Charles F. Howlett West Islip
The writer is teaches at Molloy College and serves as a United States Air Force Academy Admissions Liaison Officer, Additional Duty.
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