My thoughts about pay raises for part-time elected officials

Friends and neighbors,

Below is a press release/statement that I released last night in regards to the passage of ordinance 47-13 which increases the pay of our part time elected officials by up to 50% at a time when the city is in fiscal disarray.  The passage of this ordinance was done by “emergency” measure which dictates that it is for “the preservation of health, safety and peace of the City of North Canton,” these changes take effect December 1, 2013.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

"The passage of Ordinance 47-13 is an unfortunate move by our elected Council members, and seems to be nothing more than self-serving legislation as council member’s salaries will, as of December 1st, conveniently line up with new OPERS pension requirements that go into effect next year.  I certainly don’t begrudge anyone the pay that they truly deserve, but call into question the timing of this, especially after the city laid off a full time employee due to budgetary reasons only three months ago.  The City of North Canton is moving full steam ahead into a financial brick wall and the notion that our city leaders think that now is the perfect time for a raise is frustrating, and the fact that this ordinance was passed by “emergency” measure, for “the preservation of health, safety and peace of the City of North Canton,” is quite frankly rather disturbing.

 I’m not in this for personal gain or a pension later in life.  I’m running for City Council because I believe in this city, and I want to ensure that this city remains a great place to live as my wife and I raise our children here and call North Canton home.  As an At-Large Candidate for North Canton City Council, I want to send a clear message to my fellow residents and the current members of Council just whose interests I will be serving, and what I’ll be working to do once elected.  Therefore after I’m elected, given the current financial crisis this city is now facing, I will work with the City’s Director of Finance and Law Director to, in a manner that is both legal and in compliance with all applicable laws, return all but $1 per meeting of my Council salary to the city until North Canton returns to a sound financial state.  I firmly believe that with hard work and determination the City of North Canton can overcome this hurdle and continue to be a great place to live and raise a family!"

Most respectfully submitted,

Robert J “Jamie” McCleaster

North Canton resident