19 JAN 09: A Gift of Any Size

Alabama schools are in the middle of proration. Unemployment is at its highest rate in years. And yet there's a move to give Phenix City's elected officials a pay raise. You've noticed how well the new city council has done over the last two months, haven't you?

We finally were able to get a Phenix City official to comment Sunday on an e-mail we received several days ago. We wanted to make sure it was accurate, before posting it:

How about the new mayor of Phenix City who believes his job should be full-time and the pay increased substantially. He's wanting that done now. Didn't he just run for the office a few months ago? Why did he run for mayor if he didn't like the pay? It's hard for anyone to believe he didn't know much about the job since he has served as mayor for three full terms previously. Didn't the people of Phenix City vote "No" to raising the salary of mayor recently? And doesn't the city of Phenix City have a very well paid City Manager to take care of running the city on a daily basis?

But it's not just the mayor -- the city councilors want their pay raised substantially also. Three of the 4 new councilors were just elected at the end of 2008 and the 4th just reelected.

And all of this when many residents are losing their jobs and small businesses in Phenix City are closing on an almost daily basis. Many folks would consider their present salaries very lucrative for these part-time jobs. Greed - that's one of the reasons this country is in the "mess" it's in now.

And voters thought they were getting a "change" when they got rid of the former mayor and 3 council members. Guess they need to be careful about what change they wish for.

This is NOT exactly the way Councilor Jimmy Wetzel explained it to us. For instance, he says State Representative Lesley Vance suggested starting the pay-raise process. And unlike the guys who suggest you play the lottery, he probably doesn't want a cut of the winnings.

Jimmy Wetzel provided a little history of the pay structure in Phenix City government. He noted the mayor and council have had NO raises since 2001. About the only other people who could make that statement are retired pro athletes.

The mayor of Phenix City is paid $1,000 a month, while council members earn $800. This admittedly was one detail which was very difficult to ask Jimmy Wetzel about - since my mother taught me long ago you DON'T ask other people about their salaries.

But anyway: Jimmy Wetzel says a Phenix City "Charter Review Committee" recommended raises for the last Phenix City Mayor. Remember the proposal to pay Jeff Hardin $50,000 a year? [6 Dec 06] I don't know if Hardin is earning that now by making motivational speeches or not....

Jimmy Wetzel says the Alabama Legislature has to approve a change in the Phenix City charter, so elected officials can receive a raise. But he claims local lawmakers never introduced the proposal during the last local administration. History can repeat itself, you know - if enough e-mailers complain to the right people.

So Rep. Lesley Vance plans to offer a bill in the Alabama Legislature next month, to change the Phenix City charter and allow raises. We checked the state web site Sunday night, and the bill has NOT been filed yet. So we don't know if Vance will propose a fourfold raise for Mayor Sonny Coulter, in honor of his fourth time in office.

Jimmy Wetzel noted the Phenix City Council did NOT recommend how much to raise their pay, when it approved a charter review. Don't you like that sort of attitude? We don't care how big a gift you give us - it's the thought that counts.

I read Jimmy Wetzel the section of our e-mail complaining about this proposal. Wetzel thought for a moment, then said he didn't consider $800 a month a "lucrative" part-time salary. But he added the critic "might be making only five dollars an hour." We know it's only enough to offer us story tips - not the financial kind.

As for the Phenix City Manager: Jimmy Wetzel said the last Charter Review Committee proposed moving part of his duties to the mayor - the part dealing with economic development. The new city manager might be skilled in bringing a fire extinguisher company to town.

-> Our other blog has found a way to combine thoughts on poker with today's holiday. Read what we mean at "On the Flop!" <--

E-MAIL UPDATE: This is either a late submission for our last set of Burkard Awards, or a very early submission for the next one. For "Joke of the Year"....

Mark Lajoye

The e-mailer did NOT sign a name. But this is about the number of words former Sheriff Ralph Johnson might have used.

Now let's check other Sunday discoveries:

+ The "Morning of Praise" telecast on WRBL found Fourth Street Baptist Church Pastor J.H. Flakes preaching against stealing. He revealed his church has security cameras everywhere - and as detailed as his sermon was, someone needs to return a hymnal to a third-row pew very quickly.

+ The Auburn women's basketball team remained unbeaten, by assailing Arkansas 70-61. The Tigers are now 18-0 - but I still don't think Coach Nell Fortner will be asked to help with the football team next fall.

+ Kentucky clobbered Georgia in men's basketball 68-45. You know things are bad when the Bulldog radio announcers celebrate topping the 40 points scored against Vanderbilt.

+ Several local football players reached the Super Bowl, when Arizona felled Philadelphia 32-25. Defensive back Rod Hood went to Carver High School. Tight end Leonard Pope is from Americus. And former Auburn University linebacker Karlos Dansby may be pressured to find a spare ticket for Tommy Tuberville.

+ Instant Message to everyone in Alabama: What am I supposed to wish you today? A happy Martin Luther King Day? A happy Robert E. Lee Day? Both, since the state marks both? Or should I appeal to a higher authority, and wish a happy Inauguration Eve?

SCHEDULED TUESDAY: Inauguration thoughts which may not have crossed your mind.... such as bathrooms....

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