Comments on: GJCP’s O’Neill talks about $380K salary controversy

By: Tom McIntosh

Tom McIntosh — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:47:50 +0000

O’Neil’s salary is among the highest in the country, Taggart is blowing smoke. There is no need to defend O;Neil people. No one is attackng him or the \good\ job he does. It’s the exorbitant salary!

By: Clay Hays, MD

Clay Hays, MD — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:43:48 +0000

I’ve known Duane for years. He has done a terrific job bringing all parts of the Metro together. He has been a tireless advocate in the push for economic development in this area. Numerous other cities would love to have him. As current Chairman of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, I know our compensation committee did due diligence when setting his salary. It is performance based and compares favorably to cities our size. He is now setting the course for future economic development in the area of healthcare. As a practicing physician I understand how new medical research and development would be a tremendous boost to our economy. It takes leaders like Duane to set the course. People want value for their money and we are certainly getting it from Duane.

By: Charles Quitman

Charles Quitman — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:54:36 +0000

There is an old adage, “You get what you pay for.” This is a critical organization for business development and job creation. So many people complain when the Jackson area doesn’t utilize its resources to improve these things. But this organization is paying a top grade professional the compensation package required. I think that is a positive thing. What we don’t need to do is try to grow the Jackson Metro area on the cheap, especially when it is businesses voluntarily contributing to the efforts like they do for the Chamber.

By: Noel Daniels

Noel Daniels — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:08:35 +0000

As with any business or organization, you always try to attract the brightest people to not only lead, but to be the “face” of the organization. Duane O’Neill has been a tremendous asset and driving force to the Greater Jackson area for over 20 years and has helped make the Metro Area a better place for all of us to live, work, and play. This is evidenced by several accolades given Jackson and the Metro Area recently.

Regardless of the type of work or place of employment, a person’s salary should be based on what others in similar positions make and what they offer an organization in both the tangible and intangible ways. Duane is an important cog in driving the Greater Jackson area and we are fortunate to have his leadership.

By: Randy James

Randy James — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:09:55 +0000

I am in total agreement with Andy Taggart’s comments. I have known Duane for many years, served on his board, and at one time served as his Board Chairman. I have seen first hand the quality of his leadership and the influence he has involving economic development, not only in the Metro Jackson Area, but also in our state. There are economic development organizations and chambers across the country who would hire him today and if that were to happen it would be a huge loss for our community and state. I consider Duane to be one of the true leaders who is moving us forward in a very positive way.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:35:57 +0000

even if his job is so important does he really deserve a pay check that big? doesn’t seem right. especially with so many people out of work and having a hard time making it.

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By: JDCarter

JDCarter — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:48:31 +0000

If there are in our nation similarly situated cities to Jackson and the metro with populations of only 537,000 and they are paying what GJCP is paying O’Neill then they too are being taken for a ride. I don’t believe that Andy Taggart has any studies at all that objectively justify a salary of $380,000.

By: bob mc alister

bob mc alister — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:08:49 +0000

uh oh ….looks like JJ let one of the sacred cats out of the bag. I dont know the people involved, but I do know that any business survives on the products/services that are delivered, profitably. Being a NON profit doesnt mean that the organization is without cash flow.

For me, the salary of all these administration level folks are highly inflated . Matter of fact, I believe that, by the time you reach the CEO level, the job should be one of delegation to the proper people in the organization , and that shouldnt be too time consuming.

Thinking that people are upset about this is similar to the Tiger effect…folks are presented one model and real life is the opposite.