A request has been made for top administrators to get a pay raise, including a 22% salary hike for Mayor Tony Mack.
Despite an ongoing budget crisis that forced the layoff of a third of the city's police force last year, information leaked from a closed-door meeting of city council this week shows Mayor Tony Mack is seeking raises for himself and all cabinet level positions in his administration.
In the mayor's case, that would boost his salary from $126,000 a year up to $154,000; a 22% increase.
"I don't think he deserves it," said Andrea Wright. "We don't have enough police on the streets, people are getting killed; people are losing their lives."
"Everyone deserves a raise right now, I would say, but the only thing is the way the economy is right now, it's tough," said Miguel Bonilla.
The pay issue stems from a 2010 judge's ruling that pay raises awarded during the previous Palmer administration were improper.
That forced then incoming Mayor Mack and his top directors to cut back and freeze salaries at 2005 levels.
The Mayor wouldn't talk to us about the pay raises, but it i widely known that there are several positions in the city that pay more than his job does, and lower-level workers making more than their bosses.
In part, because of the pay issue, many top department positions are still unfilled; police and public works, for instance, and some argue that higher salaries would help attract and retain talent.
But with the current economy, some residents are saying now is not the time.
"They just laid off 100 cops in September? People are getting killed in Trenton. It's crazy. How could they ask for more money?" said Paul Rutzler.
"They deserve it, but the situation that we're in right now, they have to be leaders and say 'listen we're not going to take a raise because the city's condition can't afford it,'" said Prince Smith.
"They get paid a lot already compared to everyone that's out there trying to struggle and do what they need to do to survive," says shop owner Pierre Bonilla.
"Lots of people are losing their jobs. A lot of people don't have the finances they need to survive day by day, and they're worrying about raises? It's not a comfortable time," said Crystal Brown.
