To the editor:
In the last two issues of the Aroostook Republican Councilor Theriault and Mayor Aiken addressed my request for councilors to forego compensation for the remainder of our term. These articles have accused me of being rude, unprofessional, harassing and “being on a soapbox.”
All of these accusations stem from the fact that I made my request in a public forum and refused to accept the rather disingenuous reasons why my request was rebuffed. I readily admit that council and management’s refusal to even want to discuss the idea was more than a little frustrating. I would like to take some time to address these articles as well as lay out some initial thoughts on next year’s budget.
Councilor Theriault indicated that she did not run for council to express her personal opinions and took offense to my publicly calling for council and the city manager to take pay cuts. I question how the public can make an informed decision on whether to elect this councilor if she is unable or unwilling to express her opinion on matters that affect the city. I also question her unwillingness to dicuss leadership pay, which could amount to real cost savings, while simultaneously arguing the need to keep tax rates low.
She indicated that management earned every cent of their paycheck. I would argue that all city employees earn every cent of their paychecks, but as council has pointed out sometimes hard decisions have to be made. My asking the City Manager to take a reduction in pay is not a reflection on his work ethic. It is just one of those tough decisions that need to be made during tough economic times. Fundamentally, it bothers me that the City Manager should be somehow off limits but the everyday city employee is ripe for public discussion.
Mayor Aiken boldly states that in his opinion people should do as they please with their money and it is their business alone. Curiously enough, Mayor Aiken during the public council meeting was quick to indicate he donates his salary (he repeats this in his article) so it appears his only real concern is being asked to give his salary back to the city. Further, this statement shows a lack of understanding of what it means to be a city employee.
Council salary (as well as the City Manager’s) is paid for out of taxpayer money. City revenue comes from taxpayer funds. City expenses include salaries paid. Therefore, to argue that they can do as they please with their money is ignoring the simple fact that it is taxpayer money.
The Mayor now blames the Charter for his inability to honor my request. This fabrication has been echoed by other councilors as well because the Charter indicates we can either accept all of our pay or none of it. This clearly and conveniently ignores the fact that councilors can absolutely accept their pay and then give it back to the city.
I did not make my request in public to embarrass anyone. I made the request in public because the citizens deserve to know where their money is being spent and how the councilors feel about making cuts to the city budget. Any embarrassment that was felt by council or management can only be the result of their realization that their stance was not in the best interest of the public. I chose to sit on council because I wanted to see what I could do to help the city. I was tired of increasing mil rates, out-migration of youth, and decreasing services.
Mayor Aiken is sadly mistaken when he argues services in Caribou haven’t been cut. Ask any parent if the services offered by the recreation department have been cut or had access restricted. Ask any city employee that has paid work expenses out of pocket if their budgets haven’t been cut. Ask any citizen who has had their street lights disappear in an attempt to reduce costs. Ask any taxpayer if their mil rate has gone up despite these cuts. Do not be fooled by the tale Mayor Aiken is weaving — the city of Caribou has experienced decreases in services and has seen their tax rate go up at the same time.
I propose that city council take no pay for the upcoming year (last year this was budgeted at $12,000). I would also ask that the City Manager take a reduction in pay. A 5 percent pay cut would leave the Manager making a very respectful $76,000 a year and would save the city an additional $4,000. I would ask that we take a hard look at the newly created (or more accurately recently revised after several decades) Assistant City Manager position. Mayor Aiken claims $17,000 in savings from this position. However, I would like to see a detailed breakdown of this analysis so that the citizens can properly make a determination as to the necessity of this full-time position.
I understand cuts will be inevitable because revenue isn’t there. In order for revenue to be there the city needs to attract new citizens that would want to live in our city. This cannot be accomplished while cutting services and it certainly cannot be accomplished when the upper echelon of city management will not accept discussion about their expenses.
In closing Mayor Aiken has indicated “hundreds of people state they don’t want their taxes to go up.” He has presided over a council that has done just that. I have had citizens indicate their disappointment in the council’s stance on pay. They have also told me they want their street lights back, that they want the recreation department they were promised when it was built, and a variety of other services back.
Perhaps if the Mayor is serious about his stance on transparency he will be willing to discuss cuts that offer a true compromise, cuts from general government spending that will not affect services and will help keep expenses down.
To be continued.
Aaron Kouhoupt
Caribou city councilor
