Cooper City Commissioners have agreed to move forward with a plan for a salary increase for the mayor and commissioners despite substantial protests at a recent public workshop.

Some residents at the meeting called the proposed raise "beyond excessive" and "tacky." "The citizens and residents should decide your salary," said Pete Daversa.

Commissioners rejected the idea of a voter referendum since it's too late to add to the November ballot and a special election would cost up to $200,000, said City Manager Bruce Loucks. (they just now thought about it?)

Resident Vince Gordon said commissioners should give residents a chance to vote on the issue even if it means waiting until the 2016 election. (the City charter says pay raises are to be implemented after the election only for those elected. City attorney on the payroll of the city says it means  immediately upon passage of the ordinance.) "If you said you didn't run for the money, why are you up here asking for more?" he asked.

Commissioners currently earn $6,000 a year in salary not adding in all of the benefits, with the mayor earning 20 percent more. Those amounts are the lowest of all city commissions in Broward County, according to data compiled by Loucks and City Clerk Susan Poling. ( It is noteworthy that only 2/3 of the cities were listed . I wonder what the others are.)

Do other cities in the county let the people vote on pay increases or just take it upon themselves? Greed is the root of all evil.

Commissioner John Sims has consistently opposed this increase and was the sole vote against bringing an ordinance to an October commission meeting. At that time a specific dollar amount will be determined. "I have a problem giving ourselves a pay raise," Sims said. "This is public service, not a full-time job."

At a July meeting, commissioners discussed increasing their pay to somewhere between $12,000 and $20,000 . Commissioner Jeff Green said the raise was about "principle" and what the commission has done to help Cooper City have A rated schools, a low crime rate and increasing property values. Cooper City schools were A rated long before any of them became elected officials. "We're one of the few communities doing very well," he said. "I don't believe that happens by accident." This is because only people that have a true interest in the community run for office (in theory).

Commissioner James Curran supports a pay increase because of the additional time he puts into the position. (Mr. Curran is the head janitor of CCHS and is able to take time off when ever he wants to. I wonder if Runcie is aware of that liberal policy? Of course, Wendy Doll, principal of CCHS will not object. Budget 2014-2015 gives $100,000 to the Public schools, Hummm.)

Mr. Curran apparently needs the money now that the white envelopes filled with cash with no receipts, have been discontinued by the benevolent CC Optimist club. (If you doubt that call the SAO of Broward and ask for Jamie Curran’s sworn testimony regarding the allegation made by Gary Laufenberg & Robert Fiske. "I do beyond my civic duties. I'm not an eight-hour-per-month commissioner," he said. "I spend eight hours a week just in the city manager's office." That is a personal choice. What happened to the choice of the people?

Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi DOURVETAKIS and Mayor Greg Ross agreed. Take the “a” off of that last word and you will get what Lisa Mallozzi DOURVETAKIS and Greg Ross are really saying. (Rumor has it that Mayor Ross is pushing to change the current government type from city manager to strong mayor type. He probably will want another raise. His law practice seems to crumbling.)

"When you want to do something right, this becomes a nearly full-time job," Ross said. "We all have worked hard for the city. We've done real well by the people." Slap in the face of all volunteers in the community, specifically the optimist!

The first public hearing on the pay increase ordinance is scheduled for the Oct. 14 commission meeting.

Object Now! This is a sharp stick in the eye to the residents as later will do no good.

Cooper City Commission Set To Give Themselves a 100%-233% Raise

We are asking all of our Cooper City residents to come out to the special Commission meeting on September 11th at City Hall beginning at 6:30 PM. The Commission is discussing giving themselves a minimum of a 100% to a maximum of 233% pay raise! While the charter gives them the power to do it, it doesn't state the amounts. I can't imagine themselves giving THEMSELVES that kind of an increase. As Taxpayers this will mean a minimum of $30,000.00 per year up to $70,000.00 total per year, each. It is important to remember that it is an elected position and a part-time one at that, but of course Comm. Curran will attack me on that premise. We pay a city manager over $150K to run our city.

You can view the entire discussion at the Commission Meeting at http://cooper.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2... . If you would like to see the Commissioners discuss the topic of their raises click on http://cooper.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2... and go to 1:58. We went three times around before the vote. Listen to the rationale of some of the city commission members as to why they are voting for a pay raise...ridiculous, and absurd in my humble opinion as to why the commission deserves a raise! This is all about public service, not about making money on your dime!

Apparently some on the Commission have publicly stated that I voted NO at the above referenced meeting (and I quote) 'because it is an election year'. Let me set the record straight with truth and facts...I voted NO for the reasons explained on record in the above referenced video. In addition, I have voted NO for commission pay raises at least twice in the past, since I have been so fortunate to represent your best interests, for the same reasons. Don't be fooled...I think it is absurd for the commission to ask for a pay raise when there are families in Cooper City who are still struggling to make ends meet...

Hope to see you on September 11th at 6:30 PM at City Hall.

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