THE ALTOONA MIRROR REPORTS THAT BLAIR COUNTY SHERIFF JIM OTT WENT BEFORE THE COUNTY SALARY BOARD YESTERDAY ASKING FOR HIGHER WAGES TO TRY AND COMBAT THE LOW NUMBER OF CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR THAT POSITION, AND TO STOP THE CONSTANT TURNOVER IN THE OFFICE. THE WAGES ARE PART OF NEGOTIATIONS THAT ARE ONGOING WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA. OTT SAYS THAT THE CURRENT STARTING WAGE OF $15.38/HOUR FOR FULL TIME AND $13.54/HOUR FOR PARTTIME DEPUTIES IS SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH FOR ALL OF THE DUTIES THEY HAVE TO PERFORM. COUNTY EMPLOYEES COVERED UNDER THIS CONTRACT REJECTED AN EARLIER OFFER OF PROPOSED PAY INCREASES. BARGAINING IS SET TO RESUME MARCH 1st.
