In the City of Vancouver, Washington State – the part time mayor and council attempted to give themselves a 117% pay raise ( for the mayor, and over 50% for the rest). They had appointed friends to an independant Salary Review Commission to justify this increase. Mayor Tim Leavitt defended the huge pay raise in the face of strong citizen anger.
Local residents – of all partisan flavors – including two former mayors – led a citizen petition drive to demand a vote on this proposed pay raise. They collected over 4000 signatures – more than enough to place it on the ballot.
In the face of such strong opposition, the City Council and Mayor was forced to reject the pay raise and have the salary review commission try again.
Another good demonstration of engaged citizens confronting government and making a difference. For more background on this story:
City can’t patch potholes, but doubles Mayor’s salary
Former Vancouver mayors start drive to overturn big pay raises
Facebook site for citizens who led the petition drive in the City of Vancouver
