Jury Still Out on Reiter, First in a Series

Janet should return pay raise and prosecute Gustafson

Editorial and Political Commentary by Jonathan P. Glassel

Many of our friends and neighbors, myself included supported Janet Reiter in her bid to replace the outgoing County Attorney, Katherine Johnson. We supported Janet based on her personal assurances of impartiality and her purported independence from the "Ruling Elitists."

We viewed this promised independence as a crucial first step toward rooting out the cronyism that is so prevalent in our County Government.

These are tough times for a lot of the folks in South County that supported Janet. Her salary as County Attorney is a great deal higher than her former position as assistant county attorney in Stillwater. That would be a sufficient pay raise for most of us.

I, for one was disappointed that Janet accepted the increase. I was sickened by the events leading up to her salary increase. Following is extracted from the Minutes of the Board Meeting.

"Discussion took place on the salaries for the elected officials, offering comment at this time were County Treasurer Lee Olson, County Sheriff Todd Rivard and County Attorney-elect Janet Reiter.
Commissioner Robinson stepping down from the chair and relinquishing the gavel to the vice chair offered a motion to set the 2007 salaries for the elected positions as follows: County Treasurer at $73,000; County Attorney at $88,000; County Auditor at $89,000, County Sheriff at $100,000.

Commissioner Gustafson seconded and offered a friendly amendment to change the County Attorney 2007 salary to $90,000. The friendly amendment was accepted by the motion maker.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chisago County Board of Commissioners hereby establishes and sets the salaries for the county=s elected officials in the following amounts effective January 1, 2007; County Auditor $89,000; County Treasurer $73,000; County Sheriff $100,000; and County Attorney $90,000.
Commissioner Gustafson seconded the resolution and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted:

IN FAVOR THEREOF: Schultz, Robinson, Gustafson
OPPOSED: Montzka, Olseen, Whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted"

(End of Quote)

Is it strange that Reiter refuses to prosecute Gustafson for his campaign law violations and other gross misdeamors surrounding the SoftBallGate affair? I guess Janet has learned very quickly who butters her bread. After her second pay increase from Gustafson, Reiter now earns an extra $6,597 annually.

Elect and hold accountable was my promise to the good folks of South County. The people of South County provided the winning votes for Reiter. Now it is time to hold her accountable for her actions, or lack thereof. (First in a Series)