LETTER: Pay cut in the town of Dumfries
Published: October 17, 2009
As Mayor of Dumfries, I want to announce how much of my current town salary I will forgo starting in Nov. 2009 and continuing through June 2010. A reduction in town council salaries was the subject of
your Oct. 11 editorial. In that regard, I will take a $300 monthly reduction from my current monthly gross salary of $673. This reduced salary will mean that the average of 35 hours I work most weeks will
continue, but my hourly salary will drop from $4.80 to $2.66 per hour.
Since taking office in July 2006, I have worked five days a week, including some holidays for at least 6 hours and as many as 15 hours per weekday. During this time, I often meet with business people
and citizens who come by Town Hall to discuss matters important to them. In addition, I am an officer in both the Historic Dumfries, Inc. board of directors as well as the Dumfries Business Association. I
have also worked with the General Heiser Boys and Girls Club and Salvation Army.
As a representative of the town government, I attend meetings/events that take place on weekdays, weeknights, and weekends. I never have requested reimbursement for mileage when using my own
vehicle on town business nor ever used a town vehicle for any reason. I also turned in my town cell phone shortly after taking office as mayor because I believed it was not cost-effective.
In recent weeks, Councilman Cliff Brewer has stated repeatedly in televised council meetings that he will forgo any salary for the remainder of his council tenure. Many town business people and citizens
believe that he is only doing this in preparation to run for mayor in next May’s town election. In fact, Mr. Brewer has already told many persons in town that he does intend to run for mayor, but has made
no formal announcement. Based on his poor attitude and failure to make any budget changing recommendations during the Town Council’s October 6 and 9 budget meetings, perhaps he is right and
should take no future salary.
FRED E. YOHEY, Jr.
Mayor of Dumfries
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Reader Reactions
To the Good Mayor Fred Yohey, Jr., I note, be careful about what you ask for, even if you did not explicitly say that you woud do this.
You can, as a citizen, petition to government with your own proposed budget, one that would avoid a tax increase by cutting services. Thus, even if you do not have the support of your council, if you enlist the support of your constituents they can get a responsible budget on a referendum. You can allow the people of Dumfries to have a direct, democratic say in this.
Noting that I do not live in Dumfries, I really don’t have a dog in your fight, but if you want to do this, reply in kind and I will give you a call and assist with the leg work.
I am all for responsible spending.
I attended my first Dumfries Town Council meeting recently. I have never seen such arrogance from an elected official as I witnessed that night from Mr. Brewer. After a citizen suggested that the town cede back into the county, Mr. Brewer stated that he liked living in a town and if others didn’t, there is always the county. In other words, get out. Rather than looking within and recognize that the town council should accept responsibility for the tax debacle they have caused, his solution to those that oppose a 231% increase in real estate taxes is to get out. Well, Mr. Brewer and other council members, if it were fiscally possible, believe me, myself and many other businesses would get out. And probably will as soon as the market comes around. Especially if Mr. Brewer’s attitude is indicative of the town’s elected officials.
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