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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