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SMITH: Okay, then that changes the meaning as well. <br /> CUSHNIE: Uh-huh. ' <br /> SMITH: And it is unusual. <br /> CUSHNIE: Because if we are. . .such a small population? <br /> SMITH: It ' s unusual no matter how you look at it. <br /> There are counties that are far larger than this and have <br /> similar population. . .similar populations where the mayors <br /> may (inaudible) . <br /> CUSHNIE: Okay. So your reference there was to the <br /> powers and the salary? <br /> DUNCAN: Mr . Chairman? <br /> BETHEA: Yes . <br /> DUNCAN: Dr. Smith, it appears that you don' t, you <br /> know, you 're not very fond of political backscratching and <br /> you would favor the system of people serve for the love of <br /> civic service and civic duty versus for political gain or <br /> for politics . . . the love of politics. You also mentioned <br /> that this may be... . this is very progressive and this time <br /> around may be a little early for something this progressive. <br /> What is it that needs to be. . .must occur within our local <br /> and statewide community, you know, that is very much <br /> politically driven, where our department heads and various <br /> people from the County actually go to the Legislature to <br /> compete for money... .or ask for money to run our County, <br /> what do you see needs to be done overall statewide in. . . in <br /> order for your ideal system to work effectively? <br /> SMITH: Let me first comment on the first part of <br /> your statement and (inaudible) question. I don' t argue in <br /> here against having a professional, i . e.: paid and fulltime. <br /> Mayors or Council people. I don' t argue against. the. . .but I <br /> merely point that out in here so that you can see there ' s a <br /> difference. There are advantages and disadvantages . One <br /> of the disadvantages to some people is that it means that <br /> wehave as similarjurisdictions would have, fulltime well- <br /> paid mayors and council people. It means that we have <br /> professional politicians , i .e. people who make a living <br /> running for office. Now is there anything wrong with that? <br /> It ' s not for me to decide. But that is . . . that ' s an off- <br /> shoot of the system. But I didn' t argue for or against <br /> paying salaries for elected officials . In fact, my <br /> personal opinion is contrary to how it was characteris . . . <br /> how you characterize it. I think they should be paid <br /> salaries good enough so that they take their work seriously . <br /> 174 <br />