City Council’s Sixfold Pay Raise Rescinded

A sixfold pay increase from $500 to $2,950 monthly that the Pasadena City Council gave itself a week ago was rescinded Tuesday after Mayor Jess Hughston switched his vote.

Hughston’s vote had been crucial to the 4-3 approval last week. But he said Tuesday that he changed his mind after realizing that city residents and the council would continue to be divided and bitter about the raise. Obscene phone calls to his home also prompted him to switch, he said.

The vote to rescind was 5 to 0, and included Councilman William Paparian, who previously had voted for the raise. Councilman Rick Cole, who also had voted for it, abstained on Tuesday. Councilman Issac Richard, who had previously supported it, was absent.