Pay Raise For Brian Stratton

Maybe Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton needs a pay raise; maybe he doesn't. My problem with the proposed pay raise is the justification for it. The city council wants to bring Stratton's pay in line with other mayors, particularly the mayor of Troy. But Schenectady and Troy are two different cities, with different problems and needs. Furthermore, if we looked at every city the size of Schenectady in the country, or even just in New York State, we would find a wide range of salaries. Currently, Stratton gets $60,500. Many families in Schenectady don't make that kind of money with both parents working.