McCleary's 12.6% Raise Would Be Highest In Area

If Warsaw Parks Department Activities Director Andy McCleary gets the 12.6 percent raise proposed Wednesday by Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins, McCleary will be one of the highest paid parks activities directors in the area.

The increase was part of the parks department's proposed 2001 budget, which the Warsaw city council reviewed Wednesday.

McCleary makes $26,650 per year now. With the 12.6 percent increase, his salary would be $30,000.

Michael Hixenbaugh is both parks director and activities director in Syracuse. He makes $28,000 and will receive a 4 percent raise.

Plymouth's parks superintendent and activities director, Paula Garis, said her salary is $25,000, and she expects to receive a 4 percent raise for 2001.

In Columbia City, the park clerk/service event coordinator makes between $21,000 and $29,600, according to Sally Pettigrew, an assistant clerk.

Curt Cooley, director of the Huntington Parks and Recreation Department, said he doesn't have an activities director yet but will hire one next year. The salary for the activities director will be $25,000.

Wabash has a parks foreman who does approximately what McCleary does. The foreman, Dale Samburg, makes $24,640.

And the recreation coordinator in Goshen, Andrea Thompson, will make $29,524 when she starts in the position in September.

McCleary, who is going into his fourth year as activities director, asked for the raise, which he said superintendent Jon Garber was planning on giving him anyway. McCleary said the salary increase will bring him up to the average salary given to parks supervisors in Indiana.

Warsaw council member Trish Brown asked Wednesday if McCleary's job is important enough for such a high raise. She praised McCleary's work and agreed that park activities add to Warsaw's style of living. However, she said, she doesn't believe it is necessary to the day-to-day life of the city and doesn't understand what would justify such a high raise for McCleary.

"I would be comfortable with a 10 percent raise," said Brown.

The proposed increase for other city employees is 3 percent.

Along with the 12.6 percent raise, McCleary also asked for permission to hire an assistant.

Council member Jeff Grose said he agrees with Wiggins' recommendation of 12.6 percent but doesn't see why McCleary needs an assistant.

McCleary said his duties are such that he needs a part-time assistant to help, especially during spring and summer.

McCleary's duties include overseeing all recreation in Warsaw's 17 parks, overseeing the lifeguard program, operating a skateboard and in-line skate facility and overseeing more than 15 special events in the parks during the year.

McCleary said today he would need an assistant from May to October. In June, July and August, the assistant, who would be paid $6.50 per hour, would work 40 hours a week. The rest of the time they would work 20 hours per week.

The city council approved the first reading of the salary ordinance, which requires two readings. Brown was the only opposing vote.

The salary ordinance may be discussed at 7 p.m. Monday at the council's special meeting to discuss the annexation of property on U.S. 30. If the ordinance is not discussed Monday, the council will set a special time and date for the second reading.