The Advocate has used an opinion poll question to deliver its editorial position.
This was accomplished two ways:
1. By introducing the survey question with a loaded phrase: "In these economic realities..."
2. By offering a loaded choice of responses" Yes", "No", and "Are you crazy?"

Too cute by half, Advocate. Next time run this poll:

What kind of job do you think we are doing?
1. Good
2. Needs improvement
3. You guys suck so bad we can't believe it
.

With the exception of this guy, all other city employees are only eligible for a 1-5% pay raise. All be it better than nothing, even the 5% is nothing to get excited about. Is it fair? No. I wonder how the street worker who makes $9 an hour feels. Or the cop who works 12 hours, all night, and away from his family on Christmas. I could go on and on. Any of us who have ever been a supervisor know you lead by example. What kind of message does this send to the other employees? Either raise the bar for everyone or drop him down to the 1-5%.

One question I have is: I thought I read property appraisals only went up 3-5% from last year? Mine are up over 8%!

A raise should not be determined by the national economic situation but it also should not ignore the local situation.

Unemployment is up almost 70% over the same period last year. Sales tax receipts (what the city receives) is down almost 3% from where it was YTD last year. The city manager does not deserve any larger raise then what the lowest guy on the pay scale receives. It is not fair for the hourly guy to not get nothing and the salaried guy get something.

CPI-W is a good measure of the economy and it is down for the year. I don't think any raise in the current climate is justified.

Guess that will be the tax hike we saw on properties?

I understand the nation economic crisis, but what exactly is the financial picture in Victoria? We have not had massive layoffs, city wide forclosurers or other things we have seen some places around the country.

To link a person's raise to a national problem that may or may not affect Victoria is crazy. To suggest a 22% raise for a person is crazier. 3-5% like everyone else...

If the man is doing a good job and the funds are available, give the man a raise. If none of the above are true, don't.