While these are serious concerns that merit attention, it's important to keep a broad perspective in mind before urging the county to open its checkbook. Whether you work in the public sector or the private one, those conditions are simply a fact of life for many employees today. The salary complaint is perhaps the easiest one to solve, but also one where direct comparisons with other regions may make the least sense. It's true that jobs around here don't pay as well as those in larger cities. However, we also enjoy a lower cost of living.
Few people are eager to take jobs with high levels of stress.
Nursing and social work aren't easy and never will be. Recruiting may well be a major problem for Otsego County. And it would be wonderful if the county could find a magical solution that would make qualified people eager to move to our area. But it's just not that simple. And the current strong economy is doing nothing to make the problem any easier.