Cumming, Ga - Patrick Bell, candidate for county commission district 4, today called on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners to end the pay plan that permits sitting commissioners to deliver campaign speeches at taxpayer expense.

Forsyth's commissioners earn a salary of $4,924 each and the chairman is paid $7,663 plus a $125 stipend for each meeting attended up to a maximum of 20 per month.

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution article last week raised questions about the pay plan. The article pointed out that commissioners can attend a political party meeting, deliver a campaign speech and be paid $125. Commissioners are not obligated to identify the meetings they attended.

"The current system doesn't pass the smell test," Bell said. "The fact that taxpayers have to pay a commissioner to deliver a campaign speech in an election year is wrong. Even more troubling is the fact that they can raise their own pay by simply voting to increase the number of meetings they can be paid for. If placed on the Consent Agenda, taxpayers would never even know about it."

Bill Bozarth, executive director of Common Cause Georgia, agreed with Bell. He was quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution article: "If they need money, they should do it through the front door and not the side door. Just be up front with it."

Bell's opponent, District 4 Commissioner David Richard, said he plans to move for a change in the system.

"He's about 3 1/2 years too late in realizing that his pay plan smells bad," Bell said. "Now, 100 days before the election, he finally gets it. It would be interesting to know how many campaign speeches he's delivered at taxpayer expense."

About Patrick Bell

Patrick Bell, 41, announced his candidacy for Forsyth County Commission, District 4 on March 23, 2008.  Bell will push for professionalism and teamwork throughout his campaign.  More can be found at the campaign website, www.TeamBell.org