Well, Pittsburgh police Chief Larry Scirotto, or should I say former chief as of Nov. 1, has taken his ball and gone home (“Pittsburgh police Chief Scirotto to step down amid refereeing controversy,” Oct. 25, TribLive). While he has gotten good reviews as chief, I guess he became greedy and wanted to be a part-time employee elsewhere.
Let’s look at the facts. He said he would give up $20,000 of his salary so he could referee 60-plus games. A referee of his experience makes between $2,000 and $3,000 per game, plus expenses. Sixty-plus games would leave him traveling close to 120 days. Wow, that’s a lot of time off since he claimed he was doing this on his own time. Let’s just put it simply: He must be a lot smarter than Mayor Ed Gainey, who bought into this deal.
So let’s say he makes $120,000 (at minimum); he’s still $100,000 ahead. And the mayor bought this. I have some land to sell the mayor.
Pittsburgh City Council needs some answers. Why did Gainey even consider this? Did someone hide the audit from them that details problems with him refereeing at his chief’s job in Florida?
This man obviously likes making big money. But don’t cry for him. He still has a retired Pittsburgh police officer pension for 28 years of service.
So I guess can say Scirotto has fouled out of the game. And Gainey should be in foul trouble, too. The city needs a full-time chief, not a referee who obviously has more of a passion about a basketball court than a criminal court.
Wayne Herrod
Upper St. Clair