Wednesday, July 10, 2002

Each week through the primary election on Aug. 20, the Mike Wheat campaign will be sending "an issue of the week" to the press and stating our position on that issue. We want to inform the voters on our positions, and to motivate our opponent to shift his efforts away from simply attacking Mike to actually stating his positions on these important issues. To that end, we will publish an "attack-o-meter" count each week of letters by his opponent that attack Mike rather than address issues.

Attack letters sent by Mike Wheat's campaign ­ O.

Attack letters sent by his opponent's campaign ­ 3.

This week's issue is the automatic pay raise system in place for the Fayette County commissioners. Mike's position is clear. He supports Lynn Westmoreland's efforts and pledges, as your county commissioner, to work with Lynn to eliminate this automatic pay raise system.

Now some background. Most all of us get pay raises based on our performance, hard work and increased job responsibility. But, back in 1993, the Fayette County Commission created a system in which they each receive pay raises automatically whenever the state gives superior court judges a raise. This automatic pay raise system was enacted despite the fact that the commission seat is a part-time, policy-making job.

Under this automatic pay raise system, the Fayette County commissioner's pay has risen by 20 percent, just in the last three years. The chairman is paid even more. Currently, the chairman of the commission, for a part-time, policy-making job requiring three or four public meetings a month, is paid about $23,000.

If this system is in effect for another five years, the part-time chairman's pay will be over $40,000 per year. And these raises will be given with absolutely no public input or knowledge of the raises.

Most of us receive pay raises as a result of a recommendation made by a supervisor. But elected officials are different. In almost all political bodies like city councils and county commissions, a pay increase must be placed on a public meeting agenda. The elected officials must justify pay increases to their constituents and public input is heard. Then a vote is taken and the public knows who voted for the raise. If pay increases are approved then the increases become effective after the next election cycle.

This allows voters a say in the process and an opportunity to reelect (or not) those officials who voted for the raise. Mike Wheat believes the voters should not be taken out of this process. What does Mike's opponent think?

Please visit our web site at www.mikewheat.org for more facts and, while you're there, let us know your questions and concerns.

Meredith Wynn

Communications Director

Mike Wheat Campaign Committee

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