The Mayor of New Britain alleges that the city has a $30 million budget deficit and is considering laying off 130 employess, yet Mayor Tim O'Brien has the audacity to give a $15,000 raise to Phil Sherwood, his part-time communications director. Sherwood, a political appointee was earning $45,000 annually; he is now slated to make $60,000. Instead, the mayor should be using this money to save the job of an employee who will be terminated.