If elected to represent the region’s urban core as county supervisor, Stephen Whitburn has promised to donate part of his salary to workforce development programs based on the local unemployment rate.
If unemployment stays around 10 percent next year, he would cut 10 percent of his salary — and end up donating about $15,000. Whitburn said he would gather feedback from residents to determine which local programs receive the money.
Both Whitburn and Ron Roberts, the incumbent supervisor, have made improving the local job market among their top campaign priorities. Whitburn’s announcement marked the latest effort to connect with voters reeling from high unemployment. He called the pledge a pay cut and urged the current supervisors to follow.
Whitburn emphasizes how the county didn’t apply for federal stimulus money to help the unemployed earlier this year. Roberts boasts how other grants administered by the county have aimed to improve the job market.
Please contact Keegan Kyle directly at keegan.kyle@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.550.5668 and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/keegankyle.