The Collin County Observer™

Even after watching him for years, I'm still sometimes surprised at the meanness, vindictiveness, and anger that seems to be Jerry Hoagland's political style.

At the commissioners court meeting last week, Jerry made a motion to kill the re-election bonus (longevity pay) for elected officials. After years of fighting to keep his cherished bonus, Jerry's campaign supporters forced him to throw in the towel. He wasn't happy about it.

He was so unhappy, that immediately after the motion was approved, Jerry asked that the next commissioners agenda include a proposal to kill the longevity pay for ALL county employees. His logic being, if he couldn't get a bonus on top of his $87,000/yr salary, then neither would the clerks who make $23,691/yr.

For the record, I believe that keeping experienced county employees is crucial to maintaining efficiency in county government. Longevity pay serves a good purpose when applied to staff positions. As in businesses, employees are the greatest asset the county has. They should NEVER be held hostage by vindictive politicians. Most of the other commissioners seem to agree with me.

Shame on you, Jerry! Shame on you!

And if his stand on longevity pay wasn't mean enough - Jerry, after voting against grants to charitable healthcare clinics, spent some time complaining that some of those clinics are actually giving food to poor people.

Food? Jerry, when was the last time you missed a meal?

Last weeks shenanigans only served to convince me more that Jerry Hoagland needs to retire.