Friday, August 30, 2002

Residents say no to council raise proposal

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

A proposal to raise the retirement rate for Fairburn City Councilmen met with harsh resistance from an angry crowd at Monday's City Council meeting.

The proposal, first proposed by Councilmen Glenn Higgins at last month's meeting, would raise the rate from $13 a month for each year of service to the city to $25 a month.

City clerk Nancy Faulkner sent a memo to the City Council and Mayor that the increase would cost the city an additional $49,500 per year.

"Shame on you. You're only motivated by what you can get," said resident Lawson Sayer.

Sayer accused the City Council of being greedy and several people stood up to show their support of Sayer's stand.

During last month's meeting, Councilman Harvey Melear expressed his disgust over the proposal and said it was not warranted.

Higgins asked the issue be tabled until the next meeting, so the Council could study the figures and make a decision.