Question to the Mayor of Seattle at a neighborhood meeting on 10 March 2012. 
A citizen asked why the Mayor makes $170,000.00 a year when many in Seattle are hard pressed to make ends meet-

See the video. Questioning the Mayor.

The Mayor responded that his salary is not under his control but decided by the City Council.

Mayor McGinn volunteered that he and his wife give $10,000.00 a year to various non profits that he, his wife and his three kids choose after a lengthy review process. He also shared that this pay is the highest he has ever received in his career. His background includes community organizing, time as a practicing attorney and serving on a number of committees and boards around town before becoming the Mayor. 

Considering the job, responsibilities, the demands, the hours – his pay seems to be in line with other executives managing sprawling entities….