Dear Editor,
In the some 48 years I have lived in Clarksdale, I have never seen a more shameful act of thievery in city government that the Board of Mayor and Commissioners giving themselves a pay raise.
Let's put that raise into perspective:
• The city is losing population and thus its tax base.
• More homes are being torn down in a year than new homes built.
• Many citizens struggle to pay their utility bills.
• The delinquent tax rolls published in the paper lists hundreds of citizens who apparently cannot afford to pay their taxes.
• The commissioners who work part time will make more than a teacher with a Master's degree and experience.
• If the Clarksdale Press Register is correct and a policeman/woman with up to three years experience is paid $15 an hour, the mayor's raise is more than what a cop makes in a year.
This raise is shameful, extravagant, an affront to the citizens of this city and legalized robbing of the city's coffers.
The combined raise the city board selfishly gave itself could have given every police officer a $4,000 raise or the city could have hired four more police officers.
It's too bad Mississippi does not have a process for recalling elected officials.
It's time the citizens of this city look at a city/manager form of government where the mayor is part time and a professional, educationally certified person manages the city.
John Mayo,
Clarksdale, Miss.
