I think that Terry Smith's editorial comments about recent pay raises for the mayor and town council members were right on target.

For the most part, our town leaders do an outstanding job and they should be commended for the sound judgment that they usually demonstrate.

Also, no one should begrudge them adequate compensation for their services.

However, 43, 42 and 33 percent increases all at one time do seem a bit much in today's overall economic environment.

Supposedly, the difference between the 5 percent pay increases proposed by the city manager and the increases approved by Council will be added to the $683,523 deficit in the Town's proposed operating budget. The town manager is quite right when he points out that "we can't take it out of there forever" with respect to funding the deficit from the Town's reserve fund.

Although we have not had a tax increase, per se, in several years, don't be surprised if your tax bill increases next year when the recent countywide revaluation comes into play. The budget deficit already proposed combined with Council's recent action on their pay increases would seem to make that a reasonable possibility.

JOHN CHARLES JOHNSON

Tarboro