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Rockville City Council has voted a 3.2 percent wage increase amounting to $1.7 million for city employees ("Rockville narrowly adopts budget," May 20 article). While I understand these are hardworking folks, I would suggest that in light of these economic times — in light of the amount of job losses, business failures, home foreclosures — the council's decision is both irresponsible and out of touch with the citizenry they are charged to serve.

The council was afraid their employees would leave if they did not grant the pay raises. I would suggest their employees are smart enough to know they have nowhere to go, that there is a long line of out-of-work people anxious for their jobs.

Perhaps the failure of government to protect all its citizens and serve the greater good, not just their employees, is part of the same selfish attitude that brought us failure on Wall Street and in Detroit. Does the council have an economic forecast that is different from the forecasts we read about — that low growth, reduced prosperity, lower tax revenues will be with us for years to come?

The council, in a 3 to 2 vote (Councilwomen Anne M. Robbins and Phyllis Marcuccio against) acted with complete disregard and disrespect for the residents who elected them. The $1.7 million cost-of-living and merit increases could go a long way toward retraining the unemployed and providing a safety net for those in dire need. It did not need to go for pay increases for those with secure employment.

It's been said a public gets the government it deserves. Do we deserve this?

Ellen Exelbert, Rockville