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DEAR EDITOR:
Over the past several weeks, former Councilman Ken MacPherson has made the Warren City Council pay raise his rallying cry. He's made bold claims, collected signatures and positioned himself as a watchdog of taxpayer dollars. But let's be clear -- this isn't about fiscal responsibility. It's political theater.
The council pay raise -- raising compensation from around $11,000 to $20,974 -- is the smallest financial adjustment made in the city's 2023 comprehensive compensation overhaul. For the first time in 15 years, Warren restructured pay to reflect the responsibilities and time commitment of city leadership. The mayor, auditor, law director, safety-service director, and even the part-time treasurer all received substantial increases -- many of them totaling tens of thousands of dollars.
Yet MacPherson is laser-focused only on the council raise -- the smallest one. Why? Because it's politically convenient.
If the goal is truly fiscal sustainability, you don't go after the smallest line item -- you look at the full picture. Council represents the voice of the people and works long hours behind the scenes. If your council person doesn't work past the few hours a month attending council sessions, then they shouldn't be voted into office.
This increase brings their pay closer to what other cities offer, and finally provides access to benefits that support a more diverse, working-class body of public servants.
With all due respect, Mr. MacPherson isn't highlighting the six-figure salaries for top Warren government heads. He's picking the lowest-paid group in this group and turning them into a political punching bag.
But this isn't the first time his political tactics have raised eyebrows.
Back in 2020, MacPherson led a failed referendum campaign that was riddled with issues. He submitted over 1,700 signatures, but more than 800 were deemed invalid. Two of his paid signature collectors were later indicted for election falsification, and later found guilty of these crimes. Mr. MacPherson apparently tried to distance himself, saying that he gave clear instructions. But when it comes to referendums, the buck stops with the person leading the charge.
If you can't properly manage one petition drive, how can voters trust you with another? And, if Mr. MacPherson apparently is rooted in selective outrage, then can the voters trust such a person's judgment?
This election is about trust. It's about the real issues of our citizens -- not just making noise.
Let's move forward. Not backward.
GREG THUMM
Warren