The recent reporting of both the mayor and the councillors’ justification for a pay increase is quite interesting.
Adam Fras has suggested that he is encouraging a living wage but at no time are we ever informed of the number of hours he spends per week or even per month and what his hourly pay is presently and what the wage increase will mean for his hourly pay.
His next idea is that all municipalities are “looking at and realizing they’re not afforded the ability to do the job to the level that they would like to”. From this are we to understand that the councillors are not performing to their best ability because they aren’t paid enough? He seems to think that this pay increase will be a great incentive, so I hope he is prepared to defend his job next election.
Al Greir on the other hand thinks that “the best people” will come forward when the pay is sufficient. Is he saying that Parksville missed the boat last election and those on council are not the best and we can look forward to much better representation next time? How does this justify paying the present council more?
The mayor, however, has told us this is the best council Parksville has ever had and is the best on the Island. Needless to say this is extremely rude and an affront to past members of the public who have done the hard work of keeping a city’s infrastructure and future planning in the best shape possible.
As for the idea that young people are part of the reason for a pay increase that is a stretch.
Mr. Chandler on the other hand seems to not be stressed by overwork nor is he underpaid; perhaps it would be better to find more of this type of citizen for the next ballot.
Pauline Liste
Parksville