Pay raises aren't warranted for City Council, 2 letter writers say

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

Pay raises sound like greed, not courage

Dear Editor:

My late grandfather used to tell me, "Timing is everything." So let's look at the big picture:

1. Inflation has increased the highest in 40 years.

2. Gas prices increased over $1 in six weeks.

3. Our City Council has approved a trash contract increase of 47%.

4. Our City Council has not shown the most pristine record of leadership over the past years: Mayor resigned; city manager did the same; council member resigned after being accused of shoplifting at Walmart; council members display personal taunts and attacks during public meetings; council members have been in conflict with city employees.

5. And now, our newly elected mayor is proposing a huge raise in pay stating they are grossly underpaid?

As a proud 21-year resident of Palm Coast, I'm having a real problem trying to reconcile how anyone can justify this kind of pay increase without merit particularly in these economic times. In the corporate world, raises are earned due to meeting performance and profit goals. Even pro athletes are paid bonuses on contractual accomplishments.

As a community, we look to our elected officials to be empathetic servants of the people. Underpaid? Okay, let's tackle this issue by looking at incremental 3%-5% raises over a period of years based on accomplishments, not popular votes.

Councilman Ed Danko thanked Mayor David Alfin for the raise proposal, calling it courageous! To many of our citizens, it sounds like greed. How did we get so lost?

Phil Youtz

Palm Coast

How much ‘work’ do council members do?

Dear Editor:

Here's why the City Council salary should not be raised. In the four letters to the editor, the word “work" is used four times. The definition of work is “exertion or effort to produce or accomplish something.” Putting in time isn't work. Sitting on your rear end, pretending to listen to people berate you isn't work.

The amount of time they spend on the "job" isn't 20 hours per week. They go to a four-hour meeting; the other 16 hours are spent campaigning for re-election at club meetings and fundraisers. By my calculations, they are being paid $46 per hour.

One letter writer mentioned that she didn't run for the City Council because it didn't pay enough; good, we have enough Nancy Pelosis who are just in politics for the money.

Another letter mentions that a lawyer quit the council because he was losing money; good, cut the salaries so we'll never have another lawyer on it.

I'm retired, and in the grand scheme of things, the City Council looks upon me as a piggy bank. Vote them all out.

Douglas R. Glover

Palm Coast