Gallaher: Pay inequality did not come into play in Mount Pleasant

Recently, The Journal Times reported on a harassment suit filed by Mount Pleasant Village Clerk Stephanie Kohlhagen. She claimed she did not receive a raise because she is a woman. Pay inequality is a real issue for many women in the workplace, but it is not an issue for Stephanie Kohlhagen.

Kohlhagen did get a raise. She got a 2 percent raise with the rest of village staff, many of whom are women. She wanted a 5.5 percent raise, which had not been put in the budget and had not been recommended by the personnel committee.

Sonny Havn, John Hewitt and David DeGroot put this random salary increase on the village agenda in which Jerry Garski, Jon Hansen, Gary Feest and Ken Otwaska rightly voted no.

There is a procedure for pay increases and Havn, Hewitt and DeGroot did not follow it.

Stephanie Kohlhagen’s salary has increased 17 percent in less than 4 years. Receiving nearly 24 percent is extraordinary especially for a public employee. Kohlhagen is paid $70k per year, she gets four weeks vacation and generous benefits. She is not a victim of discrimination and it does a disservice to those who are to portray her as one.

Since Jerry Garski is not allowed to comment on this village matter, it is crucial that voters know the truth and see this for the election stunt that it is.

Garski is moving our village forward and establishing accountability for all residents. He deserves your vote on April 4th.
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Kelly Gallaher
Mount Pleasant