Who's the state's highest-paid?
Coaches, doctors, college leaders bring home bacon
By Tony Bartelme
College football coaches, noted doctors and world-class researchers top a new Post and Courier Watchdog roster of the highest-paid state government employees.
Searchable database
Check out The Post and Courier's online searchable database of state salaries.
Quite a few lesser-known state workers also take home good wages. Nearly 2,300 make $100,000-plus, an analysis of state wage records shows.
Yet, a closer look at the state's payroll reveals a pyramid, with a small group at the pinnacle and tens of thousands at the base making much less.
It's difficult to identify those who sit at the very tip of this pyramid.
More than 1,900 state employees earn more than Gov. Mark Sanford.
That's because coaches, college presidents and scientists often receive money from foundations, nonprofits and private sources as part of their overall compensation packages. Some of this salary information is public, some isn't. For a few top wage earners, these privately funded supplements far exceed their taxpayer-generated base salaries.
What's clear, however, is that the state's top elected leader, Gov. Mark Sanford, is quite a few steps down from these rarefied salary airs. Using the state Freedom of Information Act, The Post and Courier compiled a database of state employees who make at least $50,000. Among the findings:
-- More than 1,900 state employees make more than Sanford, though he and his family do get free digs (the South Carolina Governor's Mansion in Columbia).
-- With his $1.83 million guaranteed compensation package, Clemson football coach Tommy Bowden is ahead in the state Salary Bowl, edging University of South Carolina's $1.75 million package for coach Steve Spurrier. Taxpayers foot $295,000 of Bowden's salary, but TV, shoe contracts, summer camps and other privately funded incentives make up the rest of his pay package. Spurrier's state-funded base salary is slightly less at $257,500. Both also get bonuses for national championships and other team achievements that easily could change the result of this particular contest.
-- Academia also has its stars, such as Martin Morad, an internationally recognized scientist USC recently recruited. Morad is working on what could become the first biological pacemaker derived from genetically engineered cells. His salary: $404,000-plus, including money from the state's endowed chair program.
-- In fact, at USC, 506 professors, administrators and researchers have base salaries greater than $100,000. At Clemson, 387 make six figures, and 370 at the Medical University of South Carolina earn more than $100,000. All told, 421 professors at public universities make more than the governor.
-- Quasi-public state agencies, including the State Ports Authority, which operates the state's public shipping terminals, and Santee Cooper, the state-owned electric utility, tend to have large numbers of well-paid employees. In fact, more than half of Santee Cooper's 1,800 employees make more than $50,000, and 124 make six figures.
-- Lonnie Carter, chief executive officer of Santee Cooper, has the second-highest base salary in the state, $404,756, and his second-in-command, Bill McCall, chief operating officer, makes $366,166.
-- Both have significantly higher base salaries than Bernard S. Groseclose Jr., chief executive officer of the State Ports Authority. Groseclose's salary is $264,000, (just ahead of Clemson football defensive coordinator Victor Koenning's $260,000 state salary).
-- Wages for most state workers are much less than these high-profile South Carolinians. While The Post and Courier identified about 19,200 employees who earn at least $50,000, two-thirds, or about 13,000 of these workers, make less than $75,000. Overall, the average salary of a state employee is about $44,500, according to the state Budget and Control Board.
Hot recruits
Unlike most state workers, football coaches, college presidents, physicians and medical researchers often have complex compensation arrangements involving honorariums, money from foundations, nonprofits and other sources.
For example, The Citadel's president, Lt. Gen. John Rosa, makes $140,000 from the state and gets an additional $185,000 from The Citadel Trust and The Citadel Foundation.
Across town, College of Charleston president George Benson gets $166,202 from the state and an additional $200,000 from the College of Charleston Foundation.
Demand for top physicians and hospital administrators is particularly keen, and their compensation packages reflect that competition. Wages from physicians' private clinical work, however, often far exceed their state salaries. For instance, in addition to their professors' salaries, MUSC doctors also belong to University Medical Associates. University Medical Associates is the university's nonprofit physician group and gets its income from patients, not taxpayers.
For instance, MUSC's president, Dr. Raymond Greenberg, receives $683,000, including a base salary of $232,290 from the state and $451,006 from University Medical Associates. Under Greenberg's tenure, MUSC emerged as one of the nation's leading medical centers, with several departments ranked in the top 20 in the nation, accord- ing to U.S. News & World Report.
Fred A. Crawford, chairman of MUSC's Department of Surgery and head of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Division, is a respected heart surgeon who is on many national medical recruiter lists. His base salary is $210,000, and in 2006 was augmented by $729,000 from University Medical Associates, IRS records show. Another noted MUSC physician, Pearon Lang Jr., had a base salary of $80,712 and earned $746,289 from University Medical Services in 2006.
"We wouldn't have all these doctors here if they only got straight (base) salaries," said Sarah King, MUSC director of public relations.
MUSC College of Medicine Dean Jerry Reves added that academic doctors as a general rule make much less than their non-academic peers. He said that MUSC tracks compensation rates and that Crawford's was between the 50th and 75th percentiles nationally for his position. "In other words, Dr. Crawford, who is one of most prominent academic surgeons in the country, was only compensated slightly above the average of his peers," Reves said.
Paying for talent
The state's endowed chair program also boosts salaries, enabling state leaders to recruit world-class scientists.
Money for this program comes from the state lottery but requires dollar-for-dollar matches from the federal government, corporations and other non-state sources.
Using the endowed chair program, state leaders lured people like Morad, the scientist at USC working on biological pacemakers, and Brian Benicewicz, a leading fuel-cell researcher. Benicewicz's compensation package is $216,000, including $35,000 through an endowed chair at USC.
"We're bidding against Stanford, UCLA, Michigan and others nationally for these superstars, so it's a very competitive process," said Gail Morrison, deputy director of the state's Centers of Economic Excellence, which manages the program. If the state doesn't compete for top researchers, "we'll be standing still."
What they make
Notable state employees and their salaries:
-- Tommy Bowden, Clemson football coach, $1.83 million (state salary and other sources)
-- Steve Spurrier, USC football coach, $1.75 million (state salary and other sources)
-- Lonnie Carter, chief executive officer of Santee Cooper, $404,756
-- Martin Morad, noted USC researcher, $404,000.
-- Lt. Gen John Rosa, Citadel president, $325,000 ($185,000 from foundation)
-- George Benson, College of Charleston president, $366,202 ($200 from foundation)
-- Mark Sanford, governor of South Carolina $106,078 (plus mansion)
Santee Cooper salaries:
-- Lonnie Carter, president and CEO, $404,756
-- Bill McCall, chief operating officer, $366,166
-- Elaine Peterson, chief financial officer, $268,020
-- James Brogdon, general counsel, $242,266
-- Rennie Singletary, vice president, $239,203
State Ports Authority:
-- Bernard Groseclose Jr., president and CEO, $264,000
-- Joe Bryant, vice president of terminal development, $166,500
-- William McLean, vice president operations, $151,100
-- Peter Hughes, chief financial officer, $149,000
-- Philip Lawrence, chief legal counsel, $149,000
MUSC and affiliated agencies:
-- Dr. Raymond Greenberg, president, $683,000
-- Stuart W. Smith, medical center CEO, $431,571
-- Lisa Montgomery, vice president for finance and administration, $363,647
-- Durwood Bach, department chair, $327,590
-- Stephen Lanier, assistant professor, $277,500
College of Charleston:
-- George Benson, president, $366,202 (base and foundation money)
-- Bobby Cremins, basketball coach, $231,750 (base salary)
-- Robert Pitts, dean, $198,600
-- Elise Jorgens, senior vice president, $190,466
-- Thomas Trimboli, senior vice president, $185,000
The Citadel:
-- John Rosa, president, $325,000 (base salary and foundation money)
-- Ronald Green, dean, $160,000
-- Curtice Holland, vice president finance, $144,369
-- Alfred Finch, dean, $142,786
-- Samuel Hines, provost, $140,000
Trident Tech
-- Mary Thornley, president, $186,074 (including $55,665 in foundation money)
-- Kaye Koonce, senior vice president, $142,589
-- Patricia Robertson, vice president academic affairs, $129,776
-- Carolyn Hopkins, vice president business and finance, $127,000
-- John Snowden, vice president, $120,417
Department of Natural Resources
-- John Frampton, agency head, $121,380
-- Buford Mabry, attorney, $105,710
-- Carole Collins, division director, $98,753
-- Robert Van Dolah, senior scientist, $96,973
-- Alvin Taylor, division director, $94,077
Reach Tony Bartelme at 937-5554 or tbartelme@postandcourier.com.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that Bobby Cremins received money from foundations to supplement his salary. The Post and Courier regrets the error.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly versionComments
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Interesting: 1.83 mil for a lackluster football coach, who, more often than not, provides disappointing results VS 186k for a lady who leads a program that produces many success stories.
BTW I am a CU grad.
August 4, 2008 at 6:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Man our priorities are messed up!
August 4, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JourneyOn (anonymous) says...
And just where do they think all this money is coming from? Straight out of our pockets. This is ridiculous. They are no more "talented" than anyone else. None of them can do their job without a host of other employees who probably make no more than minimum wage. For those salaries why not let the coach take care of and maintain the field? Let the doctors keep up with medical records and handle insurance billing. Let the professors clean their own rooms and register the students whose tuition will pay their salary. Let the executives of the Ports Authority handle the lines and of Santee Cooper make the rounds. How many of their employees are barely making it while they are rolling in the profits? How "productive" would they be without the rest of the staff or crew? We are a mess. God, please forgive us.
August 4, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Journey
While I don't think the coach should mow the grass or swish toilets, I think he/she should run an effective program that does not have so many ups and downs and the compensation should not exceed that of an academic head of a department, where students are preparing for their future.
August 4, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
Now being that today is "Civic Holiday" celebrated nationally I might add, [in canada] the only state civic minded employee I can think of is that is worth a hundred grand is this cute little nurse with the cutest little gadget at MUSC.
August 4, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Why are the Santee Cooper salaries so high accross the board? This organization needs to be sold off to the private sector asap! What a drain on the State budget. they should be paying State taxes instead of spending them. Anyone other than one of the overpaid employees of the utility want to talk on the virtues of State utility ownership? I thought not!
August 4, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Commonman (anonymous) says...
Interesting that no salaries of the staff of the General Assembly were mentioned.
August 4, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Magpie (anonymous) says...
Cranky - Concerning Santee Cooper - Although Santee Cooper does not pay taxes, they do contribute large sums of money to the state. Santee Cooper is not part of the state budget and no Santee Cooper salaries are paid with state funds. Santee Cooper salaries are paid through revenue collected from its customers.
August 4, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
Would you pay anyone at the C of C named "PITTS" 200 grand? Good grief!
August 4, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chancellor (anonymous) says...
Sounds to me like a bunch of under achievers posting this morning. Always remember: You are worth whatever somebody is willing to pay you.
August 4, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonpride (anonymous) says...
Evil, you didn't mention that Obama isn't even doing his "Senator" job and is still being paid to NOT do it.
August 4, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MsPiggy (anonymous) says...
Pitts!! hahah!!
Harry Pitts
Smell E. Pitts
Meet the Pitts
The Pitt Family
These are the Pitts!
Oh my gosh! haha! I had to....
August 4, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FF (anonymous) says...
Will P&C post a database that can be searched by curious readers and taxpayers?
August 4, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sethook (anonymous) says...
Ya gotta remember the ol" addage.... You gots to pay lots of cash to attract and keep good people. With all the negative comments about some of the leaders, looks like someone isn't paying enough to suit you folks.
August 4, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
I sure find the fact that athletic coaches are our highest paid employees disgusting. Only slightly behind that on the disgust scale is people like JourneyOn, and there are a lot of them. This schmuck really believes that someone who can perform heart surgery or design a computer or understand the complexities of chemistry, physics and biology is worth no more than a high school dropout who cleans toilets to pay for his malt liquor fix, or the girl in the front office who files paperwork. An Obama supporter no doubt.
August 4, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
Dear Mspiggy~
How rude of you to leave out "armpitts".
August 4, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vofr (anonymous) says...
You get paid based on how many people are willing to do your job and how many people are qualified to do your job. If the combo is low for those then you get paid a lot. If your profession happens to make a lot of money then you get that too. Football coaches are in an organization that makes millions and like it or not are extremely qualified in ways that the armchair quarterback is not. Those of you that are whining about this probably make about $30k and are just bitter.
August 4, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I will be happy for some of my tax dollars going to pay for higher salaried medical professionals.We all have access to MUSC and I am greatful.But I have always thought in society our priorities are screwed up.College coachs and atheletes making millions- while police,fire and EMS don't make crap.Yet we can't live without these services and benefit from them every single day.Coaches are wealthy and a lot of public safety workers don't even make enough to buy a decent home for their family.I find it repulsive.
August 4, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vofr (anonymous) says...
Cool-you here that argument all the time "firefighters, cops, etc. are heroes and need more money, but coaches/athletes get paid too much". While these people are heroes, they don't deserve more money. Everyone knows someone who is a cop or firefighter because just about anyone can do that job. Hardly anyone knows a pro athlete because no one can do their job. If we gave every cop $200k you people would just complain about your increased taxes anyways.
August 4, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chancellor (anonymous) says...
I for one refuse to buy into the "underpaid" argument. There is nobody in this country that is unknowingly underpaid. As far as I know, 99.9% of employees know what they are going to be paid when they accept the job. If that is not enough pay for them, then they are free to go and find a different job where somebody might be willing to pay them more money based on their "worth" to that organization. Unfortunately for police, fire, etc their "worth" to their individual organizations is very low as they don't necessarilly contribute any financial gains to the organization and there are 1000 people behind them that are willing to do their job for that pay. On the other hand, a successful college football coach contributes multiples of his salary back to the college. Also, there isn't the same supply of coaches as there is police, fire, etc. This doesn't mean for a second that I think it is right. But, it is what it is.....
August 4, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nativecharlestongirl (anonymous) says...
Sad that an admin person for the Dept. of Natural Resources makes almost $ 100,000.00 and they pay their Law Enforcement (when hired) about $ 25,000.00 SAD!
August 4, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chancellor (anonymous) says...
Native...where do you see a DNR admin person that makes almost $100K??
August 4, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
How in the world can some of these salaries be justified? It's the rank and file state employees who get the jobs done and yet they get paid nothing and are always being left out of pay increases in the state budget. While college coaches make more than the school presidents by holding camps where they use state facilities to generate personal income!
August 4, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dude (anonymous) says...
It's interesting that some of you who had the "every man/woman for him/herself" attitude last week when it came to health care are now whining about the salaries that other people make.
August 4, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
vofr no offense but you are very ignorant when it comes to public safety careers.Not everyone can do these jobs.Do you think you could make it through the fire academy?(most people don't realize the physical training as well as schooling they go through)Do you think EMTs and Paramedics are people off of the street with no education who just hop in the truck and mysteriously know how to save your life?People pick these careers not to get rich but to help people.I'm not saying they should make millions.But it's pitiful that most live paycheck to paycheck and are obviously not appreciated for what they do by ignorant people like you.
August 4, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
I wonder how much of the college sports money goes to other school programs, and how much of the other school income goes to the sports program. Also what would this do to the tuition if no money from the sport programs go to other school programs. In other words does the foot ball program pay for itself all the salaries etc or does tax payers money pay this and if so where is all the revenue going that is generated from all ticket, tv airtime, hats, shirts etc sold throughout the nation.
August 4, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Good question drp7773.I'd like to know the answer to that as well.
August 4, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dogwoodroad (anonymous) says...
frankly, I'd rather us pay Obama to avoid doing his job...when he does it, the country becomes a little closer to communist with each act...
August 4, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Marianne0558 (anonymous) says...
woo hoo! I work for the state and I just got a 1% pay increase! Wow, I hope I won't blow it all in one place!
That will sure make up for the hike in work and gas prices. Now I can get my daughter the 4pc chicken nugget happy meal instead of the 2!
*sarcasm*
August 4, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cid95 (anonymous) says...
You get paid what you are willing to work for, and that then becomes what you deserve. It would be pretty to think otherwise, but reality doesn't support that.
There are many people who are qualified to become cops, teachers and firefighters. So, the pay is comparatively low. There are few people qualified to be CEO's and senators and brain surgeons. They get paid more.
I do think we should raise the qualifications for cops and teachers, in particular, thus reducing the pool of qualified candidates so that the pay would then become higher.
Supply and demand.
August 4, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
adylaw (anonymous) says...
the article missed the 16 Public Defenders, who all make $100,000+ per year. 99% of that is taxpayers money.
August 4, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...
Cranky, Santee Cooper does not get any money from the State budget.
August 4, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
I don't like the $1.8 million figure either, but at least the majority of it isn't coming from taxpayers. Personally I couldn't care less about football. Many people do however. I'm sure that there are people who don't care about surfing, but at the same time we use taxpayer money to renourish beaches. So if they want to use $250k of our tax dollars to go towards the football coach..fine. You could look at it this way. If it weren't for the universities having football teams, or baseball, or basketball for that matter; there are quite a few students who would not be able to get an education due to lack of money. Maybe their grades aren't high enough for the Life scholarship (which doesn't pay much btw) but still high enough to get their education.
August 4, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Cid95 I see your points.I dont think a cops pay should be the equal to a brain surgeon.But my point to the other poster was not EVERYONE can be a cop,paramedic or firefighter.For that poster to say that was ignorant and insulting to those who keep us safe and alive.Because then you'd be saying everyone is capable of obtaining a college degree.Raising qualifications to become a teacher is interesting.My sister in law lives in Ohio.They require their teachers to have their masters degree like within a year or something.Guess what?Teaching jobs in Ohio are almost impossible to get.It's weird.I told her to apply here with her masters and they'd probably roll out the red carpet.
August 4, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
In my line of work (GIS), the public sector is usually just a stepping stone for the private sector. Because of the pay, there is little incentive to stay in public sector, which indirectly can be problematic to the public sector when you have a high turnover rate. When the employer has to hire new people; they have to pay to for the training, the staff lacks the experience to be productive, and then there is the cost it takes to find replacement. This can wind up costing more money than just paying people a more competitive wage. When you don't have competitive wages, there is still a cost implied when you have to find other workers.
August 4, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kerwin1959 (anonymous) says...
Unless I overlooked a post, I didn't see anyone mention compensation being based upon a person's performance, rather than some across the board formula.. That's the way it USED to be. You performed well, you got a raise; if you didn't perform....no raise.
As for these absolutely exorbitant salaries paid, our priorities are WAY out of line. If you really want to get peeved, go to the web sites of some of the banks and see what these people are getting paid.........
An off base question......where's ColdBeer?
August 4, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
kerwin1959
That is part of the problem, while it does vary, many government positions are given across the board raises and they are rarely based on merit. Many of the upper level positions have contracts, where in the contract it is stated how much the person will make and how much of a raise will be given ahead of time.
As for ColdBeer, apparently he has taken a leave of absence, as far as his absence being temporary; your guess is as good as mine. Maybe he is incognito somewhere on these very post?
August 4, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
coldbeer!!!!!!
come back man! come back!
There is absolute anarchy, chaos and just some plain old fashioned stupidity being splashed on this board.
(i'm sure i'm guilty)
August 4, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
*sniff* Oh how I love the smell of wealth envy in the morning!
"Sounds to me like a bunch of under achievers posting this morning. Always remember: You are worth whatever somebody is willing to pay you."
"I for one refuse to buy into the "underpaid" argument. There is nobody in this country that is unknowingly underpaid. As far as I know, 99.9% of employees know what they are going to be paid when they accept the job. If that is not enough pay for them, then they are free to go and find a different job where somebody might be willing to pay them more money based on their "worth" to that organization."
"It's interesting that some of you who had the "every man/woman for him/herself" attitude last week when it came to health care are now whining about the salaries that other people make."
"You get paid what you are willing to work for, and that then becomes what you deserve. It would be pretty to think otherwise, but reality doesn't support that... There are few people qualified to be CEO's and senators and brain surgeons. They get paid more. I do think we should raise the qualifications for cops and teachers, in particular, thus reducing the pool of qualified candidates so that the pay would then become higher. Supply and demand."
"When you don't have competitive wages, there is still a cost implied when you have to find other workers."
EXCELLENT POSTS!
When people complain about making minimum or low wage, my response to them "keep doing what got you where you are today, you will still be there tomorrow".
It amazes me when people complain about what others are making especially high profile individuals. You didn't further your education, you didn't enter into a career field where demand outstrips supply, you didn't learn a trade, you don't dress, groom or speak well, I could go on and on.
Case in point, nurses didn't always make a lot of money, demand outpaced supply and many nurses, especially those with masters can command top $ salaries.
Let me tell you, I'd rather that doctor/researcher who is trying to develop a biological pacemaker do his research at USC as opposed to Duke, Johns Hopkins or elsewhere.
August 4, 2008 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
In regards to Coldbeer I think his poem is most fitting. As he said he is still here and he did not abandon us. I will let his poem speak to the rest.
I was walking in the dirt along the side of Hwy 78. I take this walk frequently... unwinding, thinking about the days events. Often during these walks, my god joins me. We discuss politics, fishing, sports and such. Our footprints run side by side in the Carolina dust. One day, I realized that when ever I have a bad day, my god does not join me. My footsteps stood lonely in the setting afternoon sun. I asked my god, one day, "Why is it that when I have a particularly bad day, you abandoned me, leaving me to languish on my own?" He replied, "My son, on the days that cause you to struggle, I do not abandon you. I simply cross the street so that I can buy a cold 18 pack on Bud Light. Nothing helps end a rough day like a nice cold beer..."
August 4, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodkarmasc (anonymous) says...
Top salary limited to 5 times the lowest salary. Worked for Ben & Jerry's for many years.
August 4, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jsks (anonymous) says...
eyefigeroa,
I understand your underlying message that if an individual works hard to better himself, he or she will likely earn more money because of their increased schooling, etc...but when you take a cheap shot at those making min wage, it doesnt make a whole lot of sense. First of all, the playing field isn't equal when it comes to educational opportunities and if you think they are, I suggest you spend some time in a large urban area where the schools don't quite resemble those in Mount Pleasant.
Secondly, most folks that would like min wage increased are not asking to do so because min wage isn't enough to purchase a home, buy a new car or put their children through college. Min wage was designed for (and I think you will agree) a stepping stone for another position. It wasn't designed to be a permanent career choice for people. The inconsistency with your argument is that you fail to realize that current min wage isn't enough to even purchase the basic necessities of life let alone give an individual a foundation to work from. Gosh, I guess its easy to dismiss all those folks you see working for minimum wage as cry babies and lazy good for nothins' but when you talk to some people and get the real story, your limited government, trickle down, economic theories are just that. Theories.
August 4, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
poor_paul (anonymous) says...
Cid95, I agree with your posting. I especially agree with eyf...
So these people are making good salaries - so what? They are (for the most part) very effective and established in their particular fields, and are far more qualified than 99% of the population to do their jobs effectively. They are, for the most part, worth every penny they are paid.
I went to CU as well, and happen to think Bowden has done a good job with the program. You may agree or disagree, that's your business. Should we drop the salary to $100k and hire Sparky Woods?? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!! I might become a Carolina fan, God forbid, in that case. They pay someone what they need to attract that quality of leader.
As for how extremely high-paid some of these people are, let's add the NFL pay scales in here and see how they (a bunch of pseudo-educated 20-something individuals who can run fast) shake out against a bunch of over-educated 40-50+ year-old overachievers. I think the top brass in the state would be close to the minimum pay grade in the NFL... and in major league baseball as well...
I'm all in favor of raising the teachers' salaries by 50%, but can you imagine all the screaming from the taxpayers??
Coldbeer, please come back, bring some brutal honesty back to posting...
August 4, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
jeff: I've never seen that poem, but by God exchange the Bud Light for Heineken and it's a wrap!
Earlier this year I took a month-long hiatus just to keep me from saying some God-awful things to people on this board. Though there are days that I could use an extra teaspoon of patience, I try not to lose my cool.
Perhaps Coldbeer just needed a breather.
August 4, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
jsks: Speaking as a divorced single mother who left the Army wondering what I was going to do next, to living in a single-wide trailer working for minimum wage, realizing that it wasn't going to be enough and did what I needed to do in order to better provide for my children to putting myself thru undergrad & grad school buying a home and now sending a child to college w/o federal financial aid, I feel comfortable and qualified to stand by my earlier comment. I not only understand but I can still vividly remember what is was like trying to do the best I could with the little I had. I'm not infallible so I'm not inclined to behave as if anyone is 'beneath' me. When I was broke and drinking that liberal Kool-Aid I thought that there was something wrong with a society that allowed others to make more than me and live a better life than me. When I became more successful, I realized that it was through my own hard work & initiative that afforded me the 'opportunities' that you claim are denied others.
Also your statement, "First of all, the playing field isn't equal when it comes to educational opportunities" is true but there are many individuals that have come from extremely humble, abusive, neglectful beginnings go on and be productive, successful members of society.
My main problem with many of the posters today who bash those who they deem undeserving of high wages, is that their arguments smacks of wealth envy. They didn't go to medical school so they feel that the researcher who may very well find a cure for cancer is making too much. They haven't coached nationally recognized sports teams however these coaches shouldn't make that much. Though they don't develop or maintain protocols in order to keep our ports going the people that did should make no more than the secretary who answers the phone.
These very same people wave the flag of conservatism at every opportunity yet they will whine about what others have on "their so-called dime". Interesting, many successful plumbing contractors earn well into six-figures, as do electrical and building contractors. No one complains about them.
Oh yeah, it's "our tax dollars" so the heck with wanting the best, let's just pay for mediocre so those of us who can only make 50k will feel better about ourselves.
August 4, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
ey..
Excellence does not always follow large pay packages - take a look at the former CEO of Wachovia, whose leadership cost the stock holders a lot of money. There are many examples of CEO's getting large bonus's/stock options while the company is loosing money and/or workers are being laid off.
August 4, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowcountrydawg (anonymous) says...
Over 3 and a half mil going to two FB coaches who cannot when ACC/SEC championships and the presidents of Charleston's two colleges (Gen. Rosa and Mr. Benson) don't even make half that...combined!!
That's just craptacular...
August 4, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...
I agree with you EYFIG. Speaking from a personal knowledge of one of the guys listed in the article. He once worked side by side with my father at the Dye Plant in Moncks Corner. In fact, used to hitch a ride with my father and my uncle. He decided that he wanted to make a change and went back to school. Often hitched a ride back and forth to USC. My father stayed at the dye plant and continued to work blue collar jobs the rest of his life. I don't think any less of him for that, but he chose a different path. Everyone has opportunities, but many are not willing to make the sacrifices.
August 4, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Bull
Yes, there are opportunities for folks willing to take risk and work hard, but the playing field is not always level - take a look at the former chief of CFD. Lots of folks get good paying jobs because of who they know or who their daddy is.
August 4, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Moon
True, foot ball brings in lots of cash and they share "some" of it with the other sports that can't support themselves. I suspect the lion's share stays with the foot ball program and other sports are treated like orphan children. With all of this money, at least they could hire some good FB players.
The president does bring in some bacon - take a look around any campus and see all the names on the buildings - the names are there because of private donation by individuals and corporations.. Also there are the endowments.
August 4, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
neponset: no, excellence doesn't always follow the salary. Just like you have bad cops making $35K a year you will have CEOs who will bilk a company out of $millions yet get fired with a severance package worth millions.
Look, my only problem is with people "hating" on those who have more, get more and do more.
I am no longer envious or jealous of those who have more than me. First of all you never know how that person got what they have. Second, I take a long hard look at my life and the choices I've made and I see why I'm not a millionaire. Fortunately for me, I realized the error of my ways and yes in my forties I'm working towards goals that I've should have had in my twenties. But I truly believe it's never too late. I've doubled my salary in five years. Not by luck but by hard work. I don't lament what I don't have, I think of ways of to get it.
So when I read or listen to people who complain of how hard it is to live well and criticize those who made the right decisions and are successful, it just ticks me off.
for the record I'm not referring to the stay at home mom whose spouse died or left her (even in that case she should get off the self-pity and work hard).
I'm also not referring to:
* the person struck down with a catastrophic illness or injury and must deplete life savings and start all over
*the person who must give up a good paying job to care for disabled children/spouse/parent
*those who are born with SEVERE physical or mental disabilities (though I see mentally retarded people serve food to sailors at the Weapons Station and I want to just smack the fools who live on the govt. dole)
August 4, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dianed43 (anonymous) says...
i would be interested in knowing what jon ozmint, head of SCDC makes and any of the wardens...i have my personal reasons for wanting to know. can anyone out there help me?
August 4, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
ey..
Reminds me of the punch line of a joke that my father use to tell - it was in broken English, but won't attempt that - "too soon old too late smart".
I think what some of us are trying to say is that some pay packages are out of line. In some cases pay packages can be manipulated.
August 4, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
NSPS? lololol
there were many civil servants who decried the implementation of this system. Frankly I think it's the way to go. Pay based on performance! Sure there will some abuse, there isn't a foolproof system available. But for now I think NSPS is the way to go.
August 4, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCSIGirl2 (anonymous) says...
The saddest part of this article is the pyramid effect, a lot of employees with little pay, little employees with big pay. It is disgusting to think of how much some of these people are being subsidized by private firms just to do a job the state pays them to do. The priorities are, pardon my language, jacked up.
As for the gov't dole, when will people realize how many jobs are created just to administer the welfare programs, it would be easier just to give them the money straight from the Feds, than to trickle down to that the state, and then the county, possibly even the city. Read about THAT big fat mess and think twice before you critize a helping hand, NOT a handout. Don't offer the progams and see how much money is lost in government employee wages!
August 4, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
expat (anonymous) says...
And the prez of CofC also gets a historic 3-story house on campus, a staff, and entertaining account! Plus they are redoing his house from the inside out. That's quite a perk! How much does it cost a nurse, cop or fireman to send their kid to CofC?
August 4, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JourneyOn (anonymous) says...
It's been a long day. The intent of my early morning post was to simply indicate the importance of all employees to any organization and our inability to appropriately compensate. We have a tendancy to over compensate the ones in the footlights failing to compensate the stage hands for the lights being on in the first place (for example). And for the record, I am a successful person living quite comfortably but in every position and in every organization I have been a part of I recognized the contributions of all to the overall productivity of the unit. Share the wealth and share the profits just as you share the work. The heart surgeon cannot perform the surgery unless someone pays the utility bill to light the room, someone has to keep the operating room sterilized clean, someone calibrates the instruments, someone maintains the HVAC and air flow, etc., etc., etc. Let us not get too full of ourselves and our sense of self value or worth. None of us can make it truly on our own. It takes all of us.
August 4, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sc4peace (anonymous) says...
I am not even going to lie- I'm a little bitter- I would love to make that kind of money!!!!and for those who are angry about it- I'm sure they worked hard to get to the position they are in now- head of MUSC??? That's years of school and huge responsibilities...the coaches I am on the fence about- I mean they do have great talent, but millions? Not so sure about that
August 5, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fred_durst (anonymous) says...
Why is this a "WatchDog" story. People get paid what they get paid. If you're qualified to do one of the jobs listed then apply. Sounds like a lot of sour grapes. I wish I was paid more but who doesn't. I won't take it out on someone just because they are fortunate and/or more qualified.
August 5, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
Okay TP, I will write to your obvious reading & comprehension skills.
See Spot Run.
Is that better?
August 5, 2008 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nanaboo (anonymous) says...
Yup, us little people who work for the state make some whopping big salaries, alright. I bet I could afford to live in a nice little tent iffin I had to live on my own. Don't like my salary I should look for another? Would if I could, but this is all I could find - with my $28,000 college education that I still owe for and will for the rest of my life, I bet. Let's see, car, gas, insurance, rent, leaves nothing for food. Guess I better find a soup kitchen somewhere.
August 11, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Thank you for your interest in this story. The comment thread for this article has been closed.
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- S.C. losing port traffic to other states
- Out with old ...
- Water — 'The smell is gone'
- Cart gives Buddy new lease on life
- Schools plan to update visitor-security system
- Man, 17, killed in motorcycle wreck
- GenPhar site 'red-tagged'
- Off campus
- Historic manor house used by Girl Scouts is among buildings that might be torn down to make way for future
- New drug may hold promise for lupus sufferers
