September 30, 2010
Thursday AM

I agree with Ken Holmes 100%. Let's do some quick math. 40 hrs a week for 50 weeks = 2000 hours a year divided by $170,000 year salary = $85 an hour not including all the other benefits = Outrageous. You have got to be kidding me with all of the city's and borough's budget problems and increasing taxes we give someone a raise of this magnitude when other city employee's wages are frozen. Things that make you go Hmmm. Just one of many examples of items that should be brought to a vote by city residents before approved.

Don't tell me my taxes haven't gone up either. The only ones that will agree with you on that one are the people that don't own property. The mill rate might not have gone up but look at your property value assortments and ask yourself how in this declining economy where property values have fallen drastically all over the United States for past several years that the property values in Ketchikan go up every year which equates to higher taxes paid every year.

I think the elected officials need some financial planning training. Just because you have checks in the check book doesn't mean you can write a check, you need to have money in the bank to make sure the check clears. If you don't have the money, don't spend it. I am available to give the city and borough mayors, counsel, and assembly members some financial training on how to live within their budget and I wont charge $85 an hour for my services. LOL

Good God, let's show some financial responsibility with the tax payer's money. Remember City Council members and Mayor, it's our money not yours that you are spending.

Art Bailly
Ketchikan, AK

About: "Retired Coast Guard (21 years) Alaskan residetn since 1993 and ketchikan resident since 1999"

Received September 28, 2010 - Published September 30, 2010

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