Link: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100127/NEWS16/1270316

"Felicia "Lesa" James, who was paid $45,289 as an administrative assistant under Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, is now paid $58,331 as administrative assistant for Steve Herwat, deputy mayor of operations. Carmen Watkins, who had worked in the mayor's office, had her pay increased from $45,289 to $58,331 when she became the administrative assistant to Mayor Mike Bell.

Mr. Herwat said the pay raises were justified.

In Ms. Watkins' case, her job classification was altered and the higher salary is part of the change, he said."

Pay raises of of nearly 13k for two salaried people at a time of budgetary crisis? 13k in raises in warranted because.........people can? A person who was passed over now gets the extra pay while the city is in financial straights.

And people in this city and burbs, belly ache and whine, follow the Charter, follow what the words say. Well, here ya go, it is permitted, but, the Administration was not obligated to raise the salaries. The salaried workers have no contract in place, but don't let that stop us, the language of the Municipal Code allows this, and the administration is following the code.

Or, just because you can, does not mean you should, but heck what's 26k +/- when the city is swimming in red ink.

Oh, but wait for it......the shock and amazement from Council members....wait for it.

"A pay cut would have to be negotiated and at the same time will we propose a 10 percent reduction in pay for all general fund employees, it would impact [Ms. James and Ms. Watkins] as well," Mr. Herwat countered. "We honored the code, just like we honored the contract we have with the police union to pick up their pension payments at the beginning of the year, per their contract."

Ah, there it is, the pension pick up. Honored because the city is obligated to honor and has no choice, because administration after administration and council after council, did not have the clarity of vision to plan for the future.

Shocking? Nope, business as usual.