East Cleveland residents on mayor's side, fighting to get his slashed salary back

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio - People living in one northeast Ohio city are fighting a move by council to slash the mayor's salary in half.
 
"Certainly the mayor of East Cleveland, the safety director of East Cleveland, is not a job one takes for money," said East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton.

But when Norton took office in 2010, it was under the agreement he'd be paid for both positions. Then in December, council voted to cut his $37,000 safety director salary.

So, beginning this year Norton's salary dropped to $40,000.

"While there was hardly anyone in the room when city council did this, word got out and people were upset," said Norton.

More than 1,000 people signed a petition to proceed with a referendum on council's decision.

"A referendum essentially means that the legislation, the thing that city council did does not take effect," explained Norton.

Council can now rescind its decision, put the issue on the ballot or do nothing at all.

"It was a vindictive move. It was to single out one person in the city," said Norton.

One council member said the media has been biased about "this whole thing" and would not go on camera to comment further.

Council members have said in the past it was a move to save money, but Norton pointed out, that of the 230 East Cleveland employees, only his salary was slashed.

East Cleveland City Council has 30 days to hold a public hearing and reconsider its decision.

If council doesn't take any action, another petition can be filed forcing them to put the issue on the ballot.