Days after the Nov. 4 General Election and safely ensconced in their voter-proof bomb shelter for another four years, Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell and several members of city council decided they need a pay raise. Newell and Councilman Mike Reynolds say a raise is overdue for reasons we all have heard before: it’s been several years since the last raise; salaries are not in line with other West Virginia cities; higher pay will attract good candidates for office, etc, etc. Ordinances to increase pay for the elected officials will be introduced during Tuesday’s council meeting. Sponsors are Reynolds, Sharyn Tallman, Brad Kimes, Tom Joyce and outgoing members Jim Knapp and Don Godfrey. Is it time for a raise for council and the mayor? The last raise for council was in 2001 when the salary was raised to the present $4,000 a year, $4,600 for president. Under the proposal to be introduced Tuesday, the pay would raise to $6,000 for council members and $6,600 for president.