‘super' system

Voters in Butler County will make their choices for governor, county sheriff, county probate judge and state senator on Tuesday. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. at locations throughout Butler County.

While also making their choice for candidate, voters will also have the opportunity vote to pass an amendment to the state constitution phasing out supernumerary status in Butler County for elected officials - namely the sheriff, tax assessor and tax collector.

Current sheriff Diane Harris, tax assessor Carolyn Middleton, and tax collector Belle Peavy will be unaffected by this legislation. However, those who occupy these positions in the future will fall under the state of Alabama's retirement system.

Consider: At the end of her term, the county will pay Harris $39,557 annually for life; pay Middleton $42,429.86 annually for life; and Peavy $36,772.54 per year for life. That's a total of nearly $120,000 a year subtracted from the county's general fund budget. For their years of service to the people of Butler County, these three individuals should be adequately compensated when they retire. However, it makes more sense that all future persons elected to these positions fall under the state's retirement.

In an age when county governments are dealing with unheard of financial limitations, we encourage all voters to vote yes for this local legislation on Tuesday, Nov. 7.