Pocono News Section

Pay Raises for City Leaders Scrapped After Taxpayer Protest

Pay Raises for City Leaders Scrapped After Taxpayer Protest - Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 12:00PM EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- A proposed pay raise for Scranton leaders was quickly shot down at a city council meeting Tuesday night.

Angry taxpayers took to city hall to protest before the council ultimately rejected the raises. It would have meant a bigger salary the mayor, the controller and council members.

Scranton police officers and firefighters joined the protest. Their unions said the raises wouldn't be fair when their departments haven't seen pay increases in years.

Council members said the proposal stemmed from a study that found Mayor Chris Doherty was underpaid. Members say they all agree he deserves a pay raise - but this is the wrong time to do it.