Attaboy, Mr. Park

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EDITOR:

Scott Neuffer reported on Aug. 7 that the Gardnerville Town Manager, Jim Park, has refused repeated offers of a pay raise on the grounds that "the economic climate is not appropriate." In today's world, this disregard for personal gain in favor of what's best for the community is both astonishing and refreshing. I also know from local contacts that he is a fellow of goodwill and doing a really good job. I don't live in Gardnerville town, but I can't resist offering Mr. Park a big public attaboy.

It's not that I think public officials should forego pay raises. In fact, I wrote a letter to the editor about a year ago suggesting that our county politicians should get a huge pay raise. Not because they are doing a good job, but because the job responsibilities deserve commensurate compensation as a matter of fairness and to attract the necessary talent.

So I say to all our local government folks, elected, appointed, and hired, consider Mr. Park as inspiration. Not in terms of refusing a salary increase, but in terms of the extent of his passionate and honorable service to his community and his overwhelming sense of duty to respond to its needs.

Attaboy, Mr. Park!