Imagine a county somewhere far away that a few days before an election received a $100,000 state grant to create an economic development office. Now imagine that same county using the money to hire a person to oversee that office with a salary of $55,000. Finally, imagine that person leaving the job after a year because the grant money ran out and the county didn't provide for the funds to keep him in place.

Pork-barrel, election-year spending at its worst?

You bet, but there's no need to imagine it happening. It's exactly what has transpired in Cayuga County since October 2004, when state Assemblyman Gary Finch, R-Springport, announced the grant he secured with state Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, a few days before the general election in which Finch had a formidable opponent, Auburn lawyer Bob Bergan.

The state grant, which is still taxpayer money, was eventually used to hire Jon Christopher as the county's senior economic development director. By all accounts, Christopher showed up to work and tried to preserve and add jobs, but he failed to deliver any major economic development project. A few months ago, he promised that some positive announcements were in the works, but he had to remain low-key at that point because that's the successful approach any economic developer should take.

Then he was gone, without a peep from county lawmakers. The explanation was that there was no money in the budget to keep him around, but lawmakers hoped to re-establish the position in the future.

The whole scenario should enrage taxpayers for two reasons.

First, it's a classic example of what's wrong with the member-item system in Albany. This was money that helped an incumbent keep his job, but failed to produce tangible results for his constituents.

Second, and more importantly, it further damages Cayuga County's already beleaguered economic development program. How can any prospective employer feel good about a county that puts someone in charge of economic development for a year and then dumps the position? What message does it send about the county's commitment to the business community?

And if Christopher had any solid leads with employers looking to bring jobs, what kind of reaction did they have upon learning he was gone - with no replacement?

County leaders insist the work Christopher had started is being handled by the planning office, but that's hardly reassuring. The main reason an economic developer was hired was to allow planning to focus on planning.

We had hoped Christopher would development into the key person for economic development in Auburn and Cayuga County, something this area badly needs.

Instead, we move on with the same unfocused collection of city, county and private agencies that make doing business here confusing at best and not worthwhile at worst.