(Thumbnail Image: Los Angeles Times)

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“Let me set the outrageous scene once again. Bell, one of Los Angeles county’s poorest places. Median income, about $40,000. A place where the city manager was making nearly $800,000 a year. Yea, that’s more than President Obama...”

Residents in the town of Bell, California are outraged with not only the city manager’s salary, but also his assistant and the chief of police. All three were asked to resign Friday. But the protests haven’t stopped there.

We’re analyzing coverage from CNN, Fox News, KABC-TV, the Los Angeles Times and Redding.com.

Fox News reports these high salaries snuck under the radar because the city of Bell is not protected by the state because of its charter status.

“...Bell is a charter city because a couple year ago they voted. Less than 400 people, by the way, showed up to the vote. They voted to become a charter city, which means they no longer fall under state guidelines. They can create and make their own salaries, which is another reason why Attorney General Jerry Brown, whose also running for governor of California, is a Democrat, is now saying that he will also investigate the salaries in Bell, California.”

The Los Angeles Times says that California Attorney General Jerry Brown issued subpoenas for these documents and is outraged with what has happened in Bell. He said,

"These outrageous pay practices are an insult to the hard-working people of Bell and have provoked righteous indignation in California and even across the country... I'm determined to get to the bottom of these exorbitant payouts."

KABC spoke to a member of the Bell Association to Stop the Abuse, who says protesters now want City Council members' resignations. 

“Tonight we want the resignation of the core council members who are earning over $100,000. We want public documents proving that the three individuals that resigned last week are definitely not getting their severance package...”

And an editorial on Redding.com says it’s the residents job to protect their city or politicians will take advantage.

“If voters don’t look out for their own interests, politicians will look after their own. Little Bell should sound a wake-up call for everyone.”

So what do you think should be done to restore Bell, California? Are resignations enough?

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WRITER: Jenn Ballard
PRODUCER: Newsy Staff