Cronyism in the Village of Walden continues unabated.  At first, I was perturbed that Elizabeth Skinner had been appointed Village treasurer as a formality, like the decision to hire her was made by one influential individual.  Then I read her salary was to be raised to over $72,000, comparable to the income of her predecessor, Kelly A. Kelly. 

Therefore, it is with total disgust that I read Kelly A. Kelly has been re “hired” as village treasure after Ms. Skinner felt she had been forced to resign. Yes.  Ms. Kelly is very well qualified for the job.  There are no doubts about her qualifications and experience. 

Yet, in a village where 37% of residents earn less than $50,000 a year, her obscenely large salary increase to $92,500 from $71,500 set by the village board in December is questionable. For example, the Village of Montgomery’s treasurer will be paid $48,895 this year.  Why the outrageous salary for Kelly A. Kelly? At first, I thought Ms. Skinner was the beneficiary of connections, but now, someone with more influence has deemed Ms. Kelly as the rightful treasurer.  I firmly believe that Ms. Skinner is now a victim of the cronyism that remains unchecked in village government.