Against their will, election judges receive a raise

Talk about it

They’re getting salary raises even though they didn’t ask for them.

Head Election Judge Carol Shetka and three other Grey Cloud Island Township judges will be paid $13 an hour in this year’s general election, a $3 raise over what they are currently being paid.

The law requires four judges, even though Grey Cloud, the smallest township in the state, has about 225 residents, according to Rich Mullen, township clerk.

Town Board Chair Dick Adams and Board Member Paul Schoeneker voted in favor of the raise with board member Pam Dupre voting against.

Adams, at the March meeting, said judges were asked and told him they are “happy” with the current salary and are not asking for a raise.

“That’s more than we pay the guy to mow the cemetery,” said Tom Bell, retired town board member and current Planning Commission member, referring to Mullen.

Bell, who is known as fiscally frugal and has a good sense of humor, urged the town board not to raise salaries.

Even though there hasn’t been a contested town board election in 10 years, Bell said he would campaign against board members if they voted for the raise.

“Did you raise it when you were on the town board?” Dupre asked Bell.

“No,” Bell said.

“I thought so,” Dupre said.

As clerk, Mullen said he will attend election training from the Washington County assessment election and taxpayer services department to keep current on election rule changes.

“I’m the guy they put in jail if something goes wrong,” Mullen said after the meeting.

Election judges also receive township-paid meals.

“I buy them the biggest steak they have at McDonald’s,” Mullen said.

Judy Spooner can be reached at editor@swcbulletin.com.

Tags: news, grey_cloud_island, election, judges