Car Allowance for Supervisors

Re “Supervisors Upset by Cut in Car Allowance,” June 3.

In this article about the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and their proposed raise, Frank Schillo, for one, was very upset that a committee recommended that the supervisor’s get “only” a $375 car allowance and that they not continue getting an additional 31 cents per mile.

Supervisor Schillo whined that he had to drive 25 miles to Ventura several times a week, and by rescinding the 31 cents per mile, he would have to pay $275 for gas out of his own pocket.

Doing the math, I figured that if he drove 50 miles round-trip five days a week (he said several times weekly) for 52 weeks, he would drive 1,083 miles per month. If you take an average of $1.40 per gallon for the cost of gas, $275 would result in 196 gallons purchased per month. That then, would result in an average of 5.53 miles per gallon (1,083 miles divided by 196 gallons). At $1.50 per gallon it is 5.92 mpg. What in the world is he driving?

Mr. Schillo was complaining that if the supervisors get a $3,276 raise to $75,173 per year, he would be out some money for gas. I have no idea what he thinks the $375 car allowance is for. Mr. Schillo, that is supposed to cover your additional expenses! It amounts to $4,500 per year. Do you spend that much on repairs and insurance only?

There are hundreds of county employees who drive more than 50 miles to work every day, and they are making a heck of a lot less than $75,173 per year, plus they work full-time. They must not only take care of their family on small wages, but they also must keep their car gassed, maintained and insured out of their own pocket. I am sure they would be glad to get a $4,500 per year check for their car expenses.

TOM GIBBONS, Port Hueneme

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It is hard to believe that Supervisor John Flynn believes that the common car allowance as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service is treating the supervisors like they are some subculture, as he was quoted as saying. Being given a $375 per month car allowance plus 31 cents a mile is clearly double dipping.

I am sure Supervisors Flynn and Frank Schillo cannot find a company in the public sector that will provide the type of benefits they are currently receiving.

I strongly agree with Mike Saliba of the Ventura County Taxpayers Assn. that it is time to relieve the taxpayers of the burden of paying twice for the supervisors’ automobiles. Mr Flynn’s comments are clearly “insulting and demeaning” to those who are paying for him to drive in high society.

TONY BROGNA, Ventura