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Good pay
for a good
day’s work
Commentary by Jeff Burgar
for South Peace News
Last week we passed on a comment received
about local councillors from many people. The
comment applies equally, whether you are a Big
Lakes, High Prairie, East Prairie, Gift Lake,
Peavine or First Nations politician.
Surprisingly, no matter how we love to hate our
local politicians, John Q. Public is actually quite
generous with his comments. Last week, we told
you how many people think local councillors are
underpaid and how many think we could attract
more people to run for office if the pay was better.
“If you want good people, you have to pay for
them” is often heard.
In a round-about way, this implies many existing
elected people aren’t very good. Of course, some
do rate high, but “there just aren’t enough of them.
We have to pay more to get more good ones.”
What is good pay isn’t voiced. Councillors make
anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 per year or more,
including mileage.
So, how much do you want to pay?
Keep in mind, if there is evidence at all that high
pay produces better work when it comes to politics,
you would think politicians would be the first
to produce that evidence. We’re still waiting.
While the pay issue is a common theme, a second
theme is how the public thinks councillors
work hard. Having been around elected officials for
almost 40 years, we can tell you for a fact, some
councillors work very hard indeed.
And some just show up for the paycheck!
It would be nice to know all councillors pick up
their meeting packages three or four days early.
Then they carefully read the package, perhaps two
or three times in especially complicated matters.
Perhaps some dedicated councillors phone the office
for more backup information, and maybe even
contact some of the people involved in a particular
issue. Nice.
Out of town conferences and seminars? Up at
the crack of 7 a.m., catching the early bird sessions.
Talking over issues with fellow attendees.
Asking questions, Being involved. Then coming
home with a complete report for their fellow councillors.
That would also be nice indeed.
Too often some councillors rush into a meeting,
opening their meeting packages on the fly, as they
sit down to judge the issues. For some, hard work
is spinning their necks, trying to see how other
councillors are voting so they can get onside.
Out of town trips? A good excuse to go shopping
and dining, travel, meals and accommodation paid
by the taxpayers.
That said, many councillors do work hard. They
do take their position seriously. And they are quite
happy with their pay. They see the job, not as an
easy paycheck, but as another volunteer position
where they can build a better community. They
don’t look for raises.
Yet so many of the public think so many councillors
deserve still more. It’s really quite generous,
indeed.
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