I am a true Orange native, 3rd generation, and a mother to a new generation. I feel that it is time to stop the "good ol boys" club downtown, and get back to serving our city. Comments are very welcome, and appreciated. It's our time, it's our city. and it's time we take it back from these charlatans!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Orange's mayor cuts her pay $34.50; council to follow


ORANGE – When city workers lost five percent of their salaries to furloughs, Mayor Carolyn Cavecche quietly asked for 5 percent to be cut from her $690 monthly stipend.
Cavecche was the lone member of the City Council to have five percent, or $34.50, taken out, beginning July 1; other council members said they did not know they could take such a cut.
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Members of the Orange City Council have pledged to follow the lead of Mayor Carolyn Cavecche to have 5 percent of their $690 monthly stipends deducted.
"When the City Council put city personnel on furlough (in June), I felt I had to do something to show my support for them," Cavecche said.
City Attorney David DeBerry said that state law prohibits City Council members as a group from adjusting their stipends for a current term. But, DeBerry said, council members can individually ask for their stipends to be cut, as Cavecche did.
Cavecche said she didn't tell any other City Council member, because the decision was a "personal one."
Other council members learned of her pay cut during Cavecche's recent campaign, when she talked about it.
Councilman Mark Murphy, termed out of office in December, pledged to have his last stipend cut.
"I wasn't aware from an individual standpoint that we could do this," Murphy said. "I think it's appropriate that we all consider this."
Councilman Denis Bilodeau said he would have his stipend cut, but he pointed out that the City Council needs to look at serious ways to bridge an expected deficit of more than $10 million next fiscal year.
"Giving yourself a $34 pay cut isn't going to solve a $10-million budget deficit," Bilodeau said. "I think everything should be on the table."
Councilman Jon Dumitru said the City Council needed to set an example for city workers, even if the pay cut was symbolic.
"I think we should step forward as the leaders of the city," Dumitru said.
Cavecche praised her fellow council members for following her lead.
"I think it's wonderful," she said.
Councilwomen Tita Smith, the fifth member of the City Council, did not return telephone calls.

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