This is a gross injustice. Boca Raton is one of the best-run cities in Florida and yet our mayor and council members are the lowest-paid in the region. We should put this issue on the ballot because this is the right thing to do.

Some cities and counties have included language that if you exceed expectations for an entire year, then another year is added to the contract.

In cities, you get attention if some injustice takes place, or violence against women happens. But in the rural areas no one cares, yet there are all kinds of problems, particularly for women. In our country, in our philosophy, we have always been a male-dominated society. Everyone presumes that the father, brother or husband knows what is best for his daughter, sister or wife.

They're relatively new to the market, and that's why you're seeing cities go through and do this.

Every toll facility in the country is looking at this. Cities and states are strapped for funds, and the anti- tax sentiment is increasing almost daily, particularly with the motor-fuel price run up last year.

Are the cities that have these restrictive laws ...also cities where you have fewer people able to protect themselves from crime?