Erie readers, it seems, love stories that reveal salaries paid to public officials. The top story on page 1 of today's Erie Times-News shouts the news that Erie schools Superintendent Jim Barker is on the verge of signing a 5-year contract extension that, when it's complete, will boost his annual salary to $247,805. Barker's current salary is $193,000.

The story unleashed calls from outraged readers, practically all of whom said, "Nobody's worth that kind of money."

Several callers I spoke to argued that Barker's compensation is "way out of line" compared with what they earn. But each one admitted their positions do not require the advanced academic degrees that Barker's does.

Also, it's curious that none debated how successfully Barker is performing as Erie superintendent. The fact that he's in his 14th year on the job would seem to indicate that his immediate boss -- the school directors -- are more than satisfied with his performance.

But, in Erie, an annual salary of $250,000 for a public official is a lot of money -- especially when you compare it to what the mayor and Erie County Executive are making. Their salaries, as well as those of some area college presidents, are listed alongside Barker's.

I'm reminded of Babe Ruth's comment after he signed a contract in 1930 that paid him $80,000 a year. "Babe," said John Kieran, of the New York Times, "Do you realize you'll me making more than President Hoover?"

"Yes," Ruth replied. "But I had a better year."

What the Barker story goes to, I think, is that a lot of people in this region are feeling the pinch financially. One caller, a retiree, said he doesn't even have a cost-of-living increase built into his pension, and he said he felt bitter about Barker's salary.

A teacher, who said she was angry about Barker's pay, complimented the newspaper for listing the salaries of the superintendent and his top assistants. But when I pointed out that Millcreek school teachers were livid when the Times-News recently printed the name of a Web site that listed salaries for all the teachers, she replied, "Yes, well, those salaries aren't nearly as high."

There's a lot at work here, and I suspect Barker's compensation will be debated at length for several days until the public moves on to the next hot topic. For today, though, people are really buzzing.

Wonder if Barker would have the nerve to say he's having a better year than President Bush?

-- Kevin Cuneo

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