The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
State Del. Paula Miller will join the communications department at the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office on Monday. Miller, a Norfolk Democrat, leaves a similar job at the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office that she has held for almost 10 years.
Miller said the impending retirement of Virginia Beach Sheriff Paul Lanteigne, as well as other, personal reasons, prompted her to make the move. It means she will no longer have to commute to the Beach from her Ocean View home, she said. And her daughter is now old enough to drive herself to her Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School in Virginia Beach, Miller said.
Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe said Miller would become his office’s primary media contact, joining Bonita Harris, who will be promoted to communications manager.
McCabe said he had not advertised the position but had talked in the past with Miller about the post, which has been open for at least a year.
“How do you not pick up somebody like Paula Miller?” McCabe asked.
State law requires constitutional officers such as the sheriff to advertise for job openings unless the position falls under a number of exceptions, including for personnel who fill policy-making roles or handle confidential information. McCabe said Miller’s position fits both those criteria and said he has not advertised similar communications positions in the past.
Miller’s salary will be about $68,000 a year, but she will be paid less than that because she will take unpaid leaves of absence from 45 to 60 days each year to serve in the General Assembly during the legislative session.
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Avoiding the Appearance of a Conflict of Interest
It seems to me that elected officials should not be candidates for other public sector positions which are paid for by the citizes who elected them. There just seems to be a "circular" conflict there somewhere.
Let's talk truth........
The position Paula Miller was given was not an open position. It was occupied by Bonita Harris, who is still employed but given a different title to open this space up for Miller. The lowest paid deputies in the state with the largest jail, but somehow there is room in the budget to pay Miller 68,000.00 for a job that is unnecessary? With the governor talking budget cuts and possible layoffs, how is this employment of Miller conscionable? Perhaps someone needs to take a look at the budget of this department and see how it is utilized. It is certainly not being spent on the persons that make this department what it is, the deputies themselves. Really, how is Marquis being let go and Miller being hired? Budget was cited as the reason for Marquis being told her job is no longer available....how is the money there to hire Miller? Many questions that should be answered by this city department...will they be?
doesn't the city have a pr dept?
How many other depts have their own PR staff? And not one but two people, one of which is a manager probably pulling down $100k. If this postion remained unfilled for a year, it can't be necessary.
No way this passes the smell test.
The sheriff may be doing
The sheriff may be doing this for legitimate reasons. But to hire a politician for a fairly high paying job that has been vacant for over a year, which in this economy tells me it is not an essential position, and never have posted it or given anyone else the opportunity to apply is probably not the best move.
Again maybe it is legit but it seems to smack of cronyism to me.
that's why they call them
democRATS
How do you say "no"
“How do you not pick up somebody like Paula Miller?” McCabe asked.
Say "NO".
Blatant, in your face case of "networking".
She will give it her best effort though. Bring on the lipstick and hairspray!
My question though is why is everybody going to Sheriff McCabe for jobs.
The city police chief and now the state delegate lands one.
People are saying they left Norfolk because of this. Is it really too late?
Paula Miller
I think its good that Sheriff McCabe continues to use what is in the best interest for the citizens and the city of Norfolk. She has the Knowledge, Expierence, and will work for less........That's saving me money.......thanks Sheriff McCabe...... Keep up the good work...... you have my vote on November 3, 2009
Typical...
Well, the paper shows the usual means to skirt rules and laws when it comes to govt positions and the patronage system in place for mamy of them. From the article...
"McCabe said he had not advertised the position but had talked in the past with Miller about the post, which has been open for at least a year.
State law requires constitutional officers such as the sheriff to advertise for job openings unless the position falls under a number of exceptions, including for personnel who fill policy-making roles or handle confidential information. McCabe said Miller’s position fits both those criteria and said he has not advertised similar communications positions in the past."
So nobody else in this area could fill this kind of position, and it's been 'open' for a year? Or is it more acurrate to state that it was reserved for her? All the people who are out of work, and we get this, and a fluff piece from the Pilot to boot (she's one of theirs, after all, a fellow Dem)? If anyone doubts that, they should research the role the Pilot's owner(s) had in her being elected to the Delegate's seat in the first place!
Still Has a Funny Ring To It
I don't agree that The Pilot is just trying to gin up a story. This has all the markings of cronyism. Even if it's perfectly legal and ethical (by Virginia standards), it just doesn't look right to the average citizen.
Another Money Pitt in Norfolk
Just another good old boy in the house. What the article forgot to note was that Del Miller's Husband is George Shafer, your Clerk of Court and former Republican Campaign Manager for the High Sheriff of Norfolk. Please demand from the sheriff an accounting for why he has a need for a Public Affairs / Communication Section with his limited needs for such in his constitutional responsible jobs; only requirements are Court Security, Civil Process and the jail facility. How many official statements can come from there office. There public paid servants to the High Sheriff's on going Democratic Powerhouse. They will be used to ensure his re-election for his self and his political cronies, including Del Miller and her Clerk of Court husband. Watch out Norfolk Residents-do as I did after 50 years in Norfolk.... demand accountability of your public officers and move to Chesapeake....? I will not pay taxes where they are wasted on Pork.