Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/110922
Sarasota News Leader February 22, 2013 Today four of the five city commissioners are retired. Should city commissioners be paid a living wage? If not how will the city attract commissioners who are not retired people? Lumpkin: A living wage as in more than what they are currently making? I wrestle with that. Part of me says commissioners should be paid more because that is not a part-time job, no matter what anybody tells you. And if you���re not retired, or, like me, have the flexibility of being [an executive] pastor, where I have a great assistant ... and make my own schedule, then how can someone like me run? I think that���s why Kelly [Kirschner, former city commissioner and mayor] left. I think the only thing that would make me caution against that is the city���s financial problems. But then again, if we had a living wage, you might be able to attract some of the talent that could actually pay off in the long run. I think I would lean toward a living wage because [the current salary] eliminates so many qualified people from the board who could bring so much. Page 13 City Commission Election March 12: Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting begins March 2 and runs through March 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Supervisor of Elections Office, The Terrace Building, 101 S. Washington Blvd. (U.S. 301), Sarasota. Runoff, if necessary: May 14 For more information visit www.sarasotavotes.com. Today four of the five city commissioners are retired. Should city commissioners be paid a living wage? Theisen: The city can���t afford another cent. We���re $459 million behind on pensions [SNL There is no other way. You eliminate a whole fact check: not true] depending on who is segment of our community who have great ideas and great perspective. I think we need di- counting. versity on the commission. I don���t mean racial If not, how will the city attract commisdiversity. I mean age diversity. I don���t mean to sion candidates who are not retired? get super-deep or spiritual, but the Bible says, ���He calls the old because they know the way. Theisen: I think they���ll attract people with He calls the young because they are strong.��� good incomes from businesses who want to You need both those who have been there in have an influence in their business environlife ��� the wisdom of their hindsight becomes ment. our foresight. But you need the energy [of younger people]. It���s a full-time job. It may have Can you give an example? been a part-time job, but those days are long Theisen: [City Commissioner] Paul Caragigone and probably never coming back. ulo. He���s the one guy who���s not retired. He���s ��������� got an ax to grind. It���s not a bad ax. I wouldn���t