This weeks report on the big-dollar pay boosts to Westchester County government staff will not surprise taxpayers who are mindful of the real world: the political spoils system lives on, notwithstanding the recession and sky-high property taxes. Who gets what, and how much, though, might stick in the craw of taxpayers who have been rooting for Rob Astorino, who was elected on a platform of thrift and frugality, and continues to sound those themes. He hasnt exactly slain the political-payout monster either, despite making significant gains in downsizing the government.

While times are tough all over, it still pays to have a political pedigree; that is one of the takeaways from staff writer Gerald McKinstrys article this week (find it at www.lohud.com) on pay and promotions in county government.

The article examines some 220 promotions last year, one shy of the 2009 figure.

Among the notables: Nancy Meehan, wife of County Attorney Robert Meehan and chairwoman of the Mount Pleasant Republican Party, who went from program specialist to Republican deputy commissioner of the Board of Elections, boosting her pay from $51,230 to $118,965; and Westchester GOP Chairman Doug Colety, promoted from deputy to Republican elections commissioner, upping his pay by $36,280,to $155,245.

Republican Philippe Gille, a voting machine technician who used to work for former GOP County Executive Andrew ORourke and former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer, also a Republican, saw his salary more than double, moving from $62,700 to $127,125, for becoming deputy commissioner of social services. Astorino also made two longtime legislators members of his administration: Republican George Oros is his $155,245-a-year chief of staff; Democrat Vito Pinto receives $92,470 for running an anti-DWI program and veterans affairs. Democrats knew how to be generous, too: Ken Jenkins, chairman of the Democratic-controlled Board of Legislators, authorized nearly $75,000 in retroactive raises for top staffers, including his chief of staff, finance director, director of communications, and several aides. Broadened responsibilities saw Board Clerk Tina Seckerson boost her salary $20,338, to $135,000. Hers was the biggest increase going to board officials.

County officials had plenty of justifications for the moves: some vacancies had to be filled at the same pay scale, meaning big raises for some earning considerably less; in many cases, the politically connected had the most experience, making them the naturals for promotion; and county government is shrinking, even if some paychecks arent. Indeed, the county workforce of 5,701 was trimmed by 588 in 2010, McKinstry reported. Last year, 132 workers took a money-saving county buyout; another 354 left under a state incentive program; and 102 were laid off. Additionally, the 220 promotions last year are far fewer than the 410 in 2006; the 400 in 2007; or the 329 in 2008.

But the increases, some doled out retroactively, dont sit well with everyone, including Karen Pecora, president of the Civil Service Employees Association, which, like the rest of us, has been treated to a steady stream of dire warnings from Astorino about projected budget deficits in the hundreds of millions of dollars — unless union workers make big sacrifices on wages and benefits, and the downsizing continues.

Its a little hypocritical , said Pecora. Little by little, hes starting to fill those offices again and not with little salaries.

In any case, the marriage of politics and pay, however shaken, lives on in county government.

A Journal News editorial