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Del. Paula Miller’s new job — in communications at the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office — will shorten her commute. It also ensures her employment after her current boss, the Virginia Beach sheriff, retires this fall.
She’ll stay busy answering questions from reporters and the public. The first needs to be why Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe needs two people in communications when he can no longer afford a staff attorney.
Norfolk City Manager Regina Williams said that was the reason she was told a lawyer was leaving McCabe’s employ; the sheriff said there wasn’t enough work.
It’s hard to believe there’s plenty of work for two spokeswomen but not for one attorney, especially at a time when every agency must watch every penny.
According to Virginian-Pilot writer Michelle Washington, who reported the story recently , the Norfolk sheriff’s communications department crafts a newsletter, produces inspirational videos for inmates, works in community outreach and makes TV appearances.
For that, Miller will be paid $68,000, minus 45 to 60 days’ salary for the time she spends at the General Assembly.
The problem, for both McCabe and Miller, is the appearance of political back-scratching. Both are Democrats. The job had been open for a year, and McCabe hadn’t interviewed anyone for it, though he says he had been looking.
During that time there had been plenty of justifiable complaining from overworked and underpaid deputies about their workload. It’s hard to argue that anyone outside the sheriff’s office noticed a lack of communication.
Miller has been doing communications work for Virginia Beach Sheriff Paul Lanteigne for a decade, starting before she was in the House of Delegates. Lanteigne, a Republican, is due to retire this fall, which likely would have put her out of work.
But rather than using that as an opportunity to find a job that wouldn’t have her taking home a second government check, Miller will instead trade one sheriff’s office for a politically friendlier one closer to home.
It’s inevitable in a part-time legislature that some members will earn their living working for the government. And it’s not entirely clear that banning legislators from also being teachers, or spokeswomen, is necessarily a good idea.
But it does make it absolutely critical that all such arrangements are as transparent as they can be.
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This may be legal but it isn't right
This is mild compared to the mishaps of Holley and Hamilton. However, it amazes me that Sheriff McCabe or Del Miller didn't think that this would raise some eyebrows. I first thought that sure, the fact that she is experienced and qualified was the reason she got the job but the more the Pilot uncovers about this the worst it looks. I guess that there will always be a certain amount of spoils in the political system but when it appears so obvious it is hard to ignore. I voted for her at the last election but I will consider this situation next time.
I give kudos to the Pilot...
for this editorial. This stinks of the usual political patronizing.
Talk about back scratching!
" ... a lawyer was leaving McCabe’s employ... " And who is that lawyer? Traci Marquis, wife of Norfolk Police Chief Bruce Marquis. So ... off the payroll goes the police chief's wife and on comes the local delegate. In terms of nepotism, it looks like a wash to me.