In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Don Horsley - just sworn in as president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors this past week - has issued a statement indicating he has decided to forego a salary after all.
Previously, after indicating he would forego the $120,000-per-year supervisor salary during his campaign for election, and then going without pay for two years, Horsley announced recently that his family's financial situation had changed and he would begin collecting the salary this year, on top of the $215,000-per-year pension he receives as the county's former sheriff.
The decision met with a bit of an outcry from county voters, some of whom said they felt cheated since his decision to forego the salary was part of the reason they voted for him. Some even suggested he should be recalled for going back on his campaign promise.
The San Jose Mercury News quoted parts of Horsley's statement Saturday.
"I made a commitment to forgo the salary, and I will keep that commitment," the statement said.
The Mercury said Horsley was refusing interviews, and would not comment on what made him change his mind about taking the salary.
What do you think of Horsley's change of heart? Tell us in the comments.
