LEDGER COLUMNIST

Besides, the $9,000 the mayor currently receives and the $6,000 council members get isn't chump change. Add the other benefits (insurance and retirement) and you've got a nice little package for a few hours 'work' each week. One thing about Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly: he's not afraid to say what he thinks.

During his time as the city's top elected official some of those words have alienated a lot of voters and during the last election there were many who did not give the mayor very good odds on being re-elected.

But he was and he has not shied away from making candid comments on a variety of issues that have come up since then.

I admire him for being so forthright, but must say I have disagreed with him as much or more than I have agreed.

His stance on pay raises for himself and council is probably the issue I most disagree with.

Just in case you aren't up to date on what's taking place down at City Hall, allow me to enlighten you.

At a workshop last year, council approved a 50 percent pay increase for themselves ($6,484 per year to $9,578 annually) and a 33 percent increase for the mayor to $11,765. By law, those raises could not go into effect until the following year, after elections are held this August.

During budget discussions recently, the subject came up when council was told the city is facing a $380,000 deficit in the preliminary budget, which does not include raises for city employees.

The raises for the mayor and council, about $21,000 total, are included.

Councilman Wayne Ramsey, who is not up for re-election, has taken the high road in this dilemma.

"I don't think we should get raises," he said. "If we are not going to give employees a raise, why should we get a raise?"

Indeed.

The mayor, on the other hand, apparently (or should that be 'arrogantly'?) thinks he isn't paid enough.

"I certainly think in my case with all the verbal and written abuse that I've had to take, that I and council are worth more than the anticipated raises."

It should be pointed out that council can decide to give city employees a raise, but that will only add to the deficit they are currently facing.

One solution would be to simply raise taxes.

But as sure as a tax increase is proposed, the residents will begin howling that the construction of the new city hall is the reason No amount of explaining or number crunching will dissuade the masses - the new city hall will be the reason for a tax increase, whether it is or it isn't.

However, that is something those who pushed for it (primarily the mayor) promised would not occur.

This isn't about the new city hall, however. It is a grand building and one in which ALL of the residents of Cherokee County can take pride.

This is about public service and all that it entails.

Mayor Jolly said, "I'm certainly not running for office for the money."

If that is so, why be so adamant about a pay raise for himself and council when increases for city employees are questionable?

Raises for them should be considered first.

Besides, the $9,000 the mayor currently receives and the $6,000 council members get isn't chump change. Add the other benefits (insurance and retirement) and you've got a nice little package for a few hours 'work' each week.

Part of the rationale behind the raises is to put the city on equal footing with Board of Public Works commissioners and county councilmen. Using that same logic, city employees should have the same benefits and pay as those of the Board.

City taxpayers shouldered a 7.4 percent tax increase last year and we all know the cost of doing business (the city is in effect a business) rises each year.

Private sector businesses cannot magically cover shortfalls by raising prices. Too much, too often will shrink the customer base and send them elsewhere.

Private enterprise has to cut costs wherever possible when revenue does not keep up with expenses.

Now, I'm no financial expert, but I do know a thing or two about cutting costs.

Does anyone want to venture a guess as to what my first cut to the city's preliminary budget would be?

Councilman Wayne Ramsey knows what should be done and I know of at least one other who agrees with him. What about the others, three of whom are up for re-election?

Time will tell.

(Cody Sossamon is publisher of The Gaffney Ledger. You can contact him via e-mail at cody@gaffneyledger.com)