Letters

Bring salary ordinance to vote

With the economy in horrible shape, are you getting a pay raise? Not if you are on Social Security. Mayor Pederson, the deputy mayor and City Council members are giving themselves huge raises.

The mayor’s salary increases from $500 to $2,000 per month ($24,000 yearly increase); deputy mayor from $300 to $750 per month; council members from $300 to $500 per month.

The mayor, deputy mayor and all council members have other daytime jobs or other income.

Who are they kidding! These are part-time positions that do not require more than 10 hours a month. They have to attend two council meetings per month (2 ½ hours each) and two committee meetings per month (an hour each). That is only seven hours per month.The mayor of Airway Heights has no more authority than a council member but his pay will increase 400 percent – this is insane. These raises come out of the general fund, which is out of the pockets of every citizen of Airway Heights.

Patrick Rushing is the only council member who voted against these outrageous pay raises. The only way to rescind this ordinance is to have a member of the approving vote bring the ordinance back to the table. Patrick Rushing is not eligible to rescind because he voted against it.

I feel this salary increase ordinance should be up to a vote by the citizens of Airway Heights as the mayor and council work for us. I feel Patrick Rushing would be more responsible for saving the citizens of Airway Heights money which is desperately needed in this time of recession.

Sandy Holland

Airway Heights