Public employee took LESS money

When Jen Winkelman (right, in picture) decided she wanted to move back home to Madeira from Washington, D.C., she brought $150,000 in student loan debt with her.

Then why did she reject the $42,000 per year salary Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper offered her -- and instead accept an annual salary for $2,000 less?

To save money.

Really.

Winkelman, a 1998 graduate of Madeira High and 2001 University of Cincinnati graduate, left Cincinnati with an undergrad degree -- and no debt -- when she moved to the nation's capitol.

But after her 2005 graduation from American University's Washington School of Law she'd amassed $150,000 in student loan debt -- costing her about $1,000 per month.

"That's a mortgage," Winkelman said.

She returned home recently and Pepper hired her as one of his two employees. Bridget Doherty, (at left in picture above) his campaign spokeswoman, took a job as administrative aide and its $49,500 annual salary.

Pepper admits he offered Winkelman $42,000 per year.

But Winkelman, 27, said it would help her more if she made just $40,000.

Her law school has a loan forgiveness policy for graduates who go on to work in "public interest service." That essentially means those who work for non-profits or governments.

By accepting $2,000 less per year, Winkelman will save about $6,000 annually in the loan forgiveness program, she said.