
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 9, 1994                    TAG: 9406090514 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: D3    EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA  
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: 940609                                 LENGTH: ELIZABETH CITY

COUNCIL VOTES TO END HOLIDAY BONUS AND HAMS

{LEAD} Only four City Council members voted Wednesday to cut what's left of the body's perks for the 1994-95 budget, but that was all that was needed.

The other four weren't there for the vote.

{REST} At the evening work session, Councilman David Bosomworth recommended cutting the $125 Christmas bonus and $20 hams from department expenditures. Lloyd Griffin and Anita Hummer quickly seconded, and Dorothy Stallings agreed.

Mayor H. ``Rick'' Gardner also supported the measure.

The vote eliminates the council bonuses for what City Clerk Dianne Pierce said is the first time.

Council members A.C. Robinson Jr. and Myrtle Rivers arrived too late for the vote, and W.L. ``Pete'' Hooker and Jimi Sutton were not present at the meeting.

Bosomworth said he was making good on a pledge to cut the bonuses if council raises taxes this year. Current plans are for a 2 1/2- or 3-cent tax hike on each $100 of property.

Council perks have been a matter of heated debate for years, and a long list of benefits had been whittled down to the bonuses and hams. Last fall, the council voted to end health benefits for new members. Earlier, complimentary green jackets were tossed.

Robinson, who had been a benefits supporter, said the vote would not have changed had he been present.

``I got no problem with it,'' said Robinson when he learned of the cut.

Council members don't expect to discuss the proposed budget again until a public hearing June 20.

by CNB