Sheriff Koutoujian makes no promises!

There’s a new Middlesex County Sheriff in town, but not for long according to the morning news. The freshly elected, Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, was sworn in less than four months ago to fill the balance of the six year term. Apparently, he's changed his mind. 

Now, Koutoujian has officially withdrawn his recent commitment as Sheriff of Middlesex County to run for Congress 

 Is it possible that Koutoujian drank the political kool-aid? I think it's the blue flavor that causes politicians to vacillate, and become unstable! If I remember correctly, the tainted brew intoxicated a few Massachusetts' Speakers  over the last few years ----- that's some mean stuff!

 It was only five short months ago when Koutoujian took his oath of office. He promised to restore integrity into troubled public office of the Middlesex Sheriff office.

Let's not forget the incarceration of Sheriff McGonigle, or the untimely, tragic, death of Sheriff DiPaola, on November 26, 2010. The DiPaola vacancy was temporarily filled by Governor Duval Patrick, who appointed Koutoujian, on January 15, 2011 to stabilize the office.
According to a Globe reporter, Stephanie Ebbert, at the swearing in ceremony Koutoujian stated, ” My entire professional life and career have prepared me for this job, and I’m ready to do it now,” Which job was he speaking about?

However, in less than a few short months after his successful re-election bid last November, Koutoujian has suddenly decided to abandon the ship. The move leaves the taxpayers of Middlesex County with the potential of another empty spot requiring another ‘special election’.

Like many other citizens, I valued the Governors choice to appoint this position. Like many other citizens, I reaffirmed Koutoujian with my vote of confidence last November. Now, like many other citizens, I am disappointed!

We feel duped!

Our disappointment stems not from the fact that Koutoujian wants to move up in the political trough, but because he failed to think the commitment through.

 Instead of being part of the solution Koutoujian appears to have made the old problem of instability reappear. What happened?
Was the salary is not enough?

The annual salary for this position is over $ 130,000, including a plethora of health benefits, and a great pension. Possibly the state legislature could tack on a small $ 30,000 salary increase like the one they gifted to Commonwealths' judges a couple of months ago?

Another silent issue involving politicians is that they continue to receive full time paycheck while they campaign for a new elected post. Like Sheriff Koutoujian for example, he will continue to collect a weekly paycheck of over $ 3,000.00, plus benefits for the entire campaign season lasting at least five months. 

Where I come from, we called that---- a no show job.

Occasionally, we all make a bad call, or two, in our careers. Therefore, I shall dare to suggest the following solution to the problem that may re-build some credibility. Koutoujian would be smart to fully resign from his position as Middlesex County Sheriff forfeiting the salary that he is receiving, but not working for while he campaigns. Following this, the vacated position can appear on the same ballot for the Congressional district special election.   Nearly all of the Congressional districts' twenty four cities, and towns, are already within the Middlesex County. This approach would save the taxpayers a bundle!

You know the, two birds with one stone theory, or in this case, electing two ‘politicians” with a single election ballot.   

Here’s the long shot option ----stay in the job we elected you to! Finish the term, then run for Congress later. Oh gosh, that won’t work, the Congressional elections cycle on even years, so do the county elections……you can’t do both, or can you?  

As a footnote, Sheriff Koutoujian, appears to be a genuine person. On the surface, a poor judgement error is not a mistake until the person who makes it refuses to recognize it as such, yet refuses to fix it.

I hope Koutoujian recognizes how this decision looks to the disheartened voters, who have been failed by a selfish group of Massachusetts politicians, once too many times!