Attack letters sent by Mike

Wheat's campaign ­ O.

Attack letters sent by his

opponent's campaign ­ 3.

This week's issue is the automatic

pay raise system in place for the Fayette County commissioners. Mike's

position is clear. He supports Lynn Westmoreland's efforts and pledges,

as your county commissioner, to work with Lynn to eliminate this automatic

pay raise system.

Now some background. Most all

of us get pay raises based on our performance, hard work and increased

job responsibility. But, back in 1993, the Fayette County Commission created

a system in which they each receive pay raises automatically whenever

the state gives superior court judges a raise. This automatic pay raise

system was enacted despite the fact that the commission seat is a part-time,

policy-making job.

Under this automatic pay raise

system, the Fayette County commissioner's pay has risen by 20 percent,

just in the last three years. The chairman is paid even more. Currently,

the chairman of the commission, for a part-time, policy-making job requiring

three or four public meetings a month, is paid about $23,000.

If this system is in effect

for another five years, the part-time chairman's pay will be over $40,000

per year. And these raises will be given with absolutely no public input

or knowledge of the raises.

Most of us receive pay raises

as a result of a recommendation made by a supervisor. But elected officials

are different. In almost all political bodies like city councils and county

commissions, a pay increase must be placed on a public meeting agenda.

The elected officials must justify pay increases to their constituents

and public input is heard. Then a vote is taken and the public knows who

voted for the raise. If pay increases are approved then the increases

become effective after the next election cycle.

This allows voters a say in

the process and an opportunity to reelect (or not) those officials who

voted for the raise. Mike Wheat believes the voters should not be taken

out of this process. What does Mike's opponent think?

Please visit our web site at

www.mikewheat.org for more facts and, while you're there, let us know

your questions and concerns.

Meredith Wynn

Communications Director

Mike Wheat Campaign Committee