How many paychecks does a connected politician, city employee need?
Well a local home grown landlord, real estate sales person, Hammond city fire inspector, city council person and god only knows what other jobs, commissions Mike Opinker holds, earns $125,000 off the teat of the Hammond City Tax Payer, along with another $30,000 as a sitting city council member, plus rental and real estate income, pegging that annual pay check near $225,000 plus? Almost the same money Bobbie Cantrell was earning before he went to jail.
The law passed by the Indiana Senate & House, signed into effect by the governor confirmed a conflict of interest exist if a municipal/city employee is elected to the city/municipal government and gets to vote on their own salary. Sounds reasonable, right?
But, Mike Opinker found fault with the argument, relying on a city councilman's salary alone would limit his ability to support himself, so the argument presented my Opinker's lawyer.
Well, few know, Michael Opinker, had difficulty support himself and in 2009 filed for bankruptcy in the Federal Bankruptcy court, not being able to meet their fiscal obligations, but yet competent to vote on a Hammond City Budget. (Somewhere on this site there is more detailed information on his bankruptcy proceedings).
Quote:
Bankrupt Report
Michael Opinker Case: 09-25015-jpk CH: 7
Filed: November 20, 2009
Discharged: February 24, 2010
Address: 32XX 173rd St Hammond, IN 46323
So, Opinker, and a few other greedy city employees/politicians appealed the law, and a federal judge in Hammond's 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law, but yet Opinker and the Deuces didn't like the federal judges decision and are appealing the appeal.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has said the law ensures local government can't be corrupted by public employees with the power to give themselves raises at the public's expense.
Zoeller said earlier, "We respect the plaintiffs' service in their municipal governments; but the Legislature has firmly drawn the line at serving in no more than one position in a municipality at a time, and the court has upheld that statute. Serving in municipal government is a privilege and should not be primarily about the financial reward."
Whats wrong with this? Opinker is earing $125,000 a year, salary increases he's voted on himself.... in a community where the average income for a family of 4 is $38,000.
Opinker's view point on this is he can't support himself on the Councilman's salary. THEN OPINKER GIVE UP THE COUNCILMAN POSITION AS VOTING ON YOUR OWN SALARY SMELLS LIKE 5 DAY OLD FISH.
Opinker and the law suit challenging the law stinks!
650
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/how-many-paychecks-can-local-officials-draw/article_cbed350c-1c4e-58aa-81cb-e475101eb592.html