Morris sheriff hopefuls differ on pensions, endorsements

James Gannon, a GOP candidate for Morris County sheriff, says he would freeze his $78,000 annual pension if elected but Republican challenger John Sierchio, who collects an $82,200 pension, called Gannon's promise "smoke and mirrors" that wouldn't save taxpayers money.

Gannon this past week issued a release that says his campaign for the three-year sheriff's position has gained momentum with the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, R-11, on top of 88 other mayors, freeholders, municipal officials and political leaders. Sierchio, who has declined to say whether he has garnered any endorsements, said he puts little stock in endorsements as indicators of the best candidate.

Gannon and Sierchio have both filed nominating petitions to seek the Republican nomination for sheriff in the June 7 primary election.  The filing deadline to run in the primary is April 4. Sheriff Edward V. Rochford, who has been in office since 1993, elected not to seek a ninth term and is publicly backing Sierchio, a retired Bloomfield police officer.

The two candidates haven't exactly clashed but they disagree on the value of endorsements and whether it's appropriate to collect both a law enforcement pension and the sheriff's salary, which ranges from $113,000 to about $160,000.  Rochford, who collects a $61,545 annual pension from his 25 years of service with the Morris Township Police Department, voluntarily takes a lower salary -- $139,294 -- than he is entitled to as sheriff.

Gannon says he would voluntarily freeze his state pension and take only the sheriff's salary if he wins in June and then the general election in November.  He has said he would accept a sheriff's salary that the Morris County freeholders deem appropriate, within the established parameters.

Sierchio, who has four children, said he would collect his pension but, if elected, take only the minimum sheriff's salary of $113,000.  He predicted that the freeholders, most of whom have publicly endorsed Gannon, would pay Gannon well over the minimum salary if he won the sheriff's race.

"Jim Gannon's PR about freezing his pension is clearly smoke and mirrors.  I spent 12 years on the pension board and freezing does nothing for taxpayers.  If Jim Gannon really wants to save the taxpayers money, he would commit to taking the minimum salary," said Sierchio, who served 12 years as a trustee of the Police and Fireman's Retirement System and five years as its chairman.

"If he was to freeze his pension, it looks good for him but I'll be saving the taxpayers $50,000 by taking the minimum salary," Sierchio said.

    SEE ALSO: James Gannon makes race for Morris County sheriff official http://dailyre.co/1STsUPp
 

Fred Beaver, a past director of the state Division of Pension and Benefits, agreed with Sierchio that a candidate's freezing of a pension would result in no savings to taxpayers because his pension already has been funded, with contributions no longer being given by the governmental employer.

   SEE ALSO:  Retired Bloomfield officer announces run for Morris sheriff http://dailyre.co/1XgP65e

Gannon noted that pension reform is a major public concern and taxpayers view people who receive two government checks as double-dippers.

"Unfortunately, this is John Sierchio trying to distract attention away from a very simple issue," Gannon said. "I pledge not to collect two taxpayer-funded paychecks for one job. If elected, John Sierchio will 'double dip' on the taxpayers dime to a tune of nearly $200,000 annually for one job." He was referring to the combination of sheriff's salary and pension.

While Gannon has issued releases identifying the political leaders who have endorsed him, Sierchio said he is buoyed by Rochford's support and that of others, and makes the rounds of GOP clubs with Rochford.

"I'm out with him every night. People love him," Sierchio said.  He said he also is heartened by the unexpected victory in the June 2011 GOP primary by William "Hank" Lyon, who defeated popular incumbent Freeholder Margaret Nordstrom, who received numerous endorsements while Lyon was an unknown.

"I believe Jimmy's a good guy but in the end, he's the establishment guy," Sierchio said.

Gannon, a retired deputy chief of investigations for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and former global head of security risk for the pharmaceutical giant Novartis, said he is proud of the endorsements he has received.

"Obviously, John Sierchio does not value the support of Republican and Conservative leaders in Morris County. I do," said Gannon. "I am honored to have their endorsement.  In the weeks to come, I believe there will be even more support for me throughout Morris County.  I personally thank each and every one of them."

   Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.