Dear Editor:
Given the recent health crisis, economic conditions within Jersey City are less than favorable. Without doubt, many are struggling to make ends meet. Given this austere fiscal environment, the Jersey City Council egregiously, arrogantly, and pretentiously decided to vote themselves a hefty 29 percent pay raise.
This greedy act by the council clearly demonstrates how out of touch that elected body is with the constituents that they were elected to serve. It is abundantly clear to this writer that the council places public good as a very low priority. Instead, given the favorable 6 – 3 vote in the council chamber, members of the council are interested only in taking care of themselves, by lining their own pockets at the peoples’ expense.
Members of the council have attempted to justify the pay increase by claiming that they work all hours of the day and night. Frankly speaking, that argument holds no water. Members of the council knew the workload demands of the position. Consequently, if any member of the council feels that he / she is overwhelmed by the amount of effort required to perform the duties of the elected position, than that member of the council never should have run for public office or, at this point, should tender a resignation immediately.
The people of Jersey City need – and deserve – council members who understand the meaning of dedication, service to others, and selfless service for the public good. First and foremost; above all else, the council’s duty is to take care of their constituents, and not themselves.
In the interest of decency and doing right by – and for – the people, members of the council should opt out of this ill-timed pay increase. If, however, the council decides to allow the plumb pay raises to happen, then it is up to the people of Jersey City to remove these greedy political hacks from elected office.
John Di Genio
