Should local politicians be compensated for their work?

Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla is proposing to do away with the Mayor's salary in the village.

The proposal will be discussed at tonight's agenda.

Pilla actually tried to do the same in 2007, but the salary, which comes to about $12,500 a year, was later restored for procedural reasons. This time, Pilla is running for re-election against Village Trustee Bart Didden on March 15.

He says it will be interesting to see  if the idea flies this time around, "All along since I've been mayor I feel that public service is for serving the public and I certainly don't do this for money,but service for my community. I am amenable to work for no salary." 
Pilla says he donates his salary to local charities and that as a goodwill gesture, lawmakers should take either a pay cut or do away with salary altogether as residents in the community do in the difficult economy. He cited State Assemblyman George Latimer's recent decision to forego a pay raise and instead take a 3% pay cut to show constituents he sympathizes with their plight.

Port Chester Village trustees have said they disagree with the concept that serving in local government is a public service. They feel instead, that they should be compensated the roughly $5,000 a year for their time.

If the salary adjustment is approved by the Board of Trustees in Port Chester, it would apply to the candidate who wins a two year term in the March 15 election.