More Grist For The Mill

Somewhere out there is a pair of gimlet eyes keeping track and forwarding information which I am glad to pass on.

I don't know why the Provincial government passed legislation to require public service salaries over a hundred thousand dollars to be published  annually. It was probably another example of  handwashing.
Like the legislation  to hold local elected officials responsible for water quality in the Province. After they got rid of the O.W.R.C., the provincial agency which kept our water safe for decades.

One party got rid of it. The second party did not restore it. Just made local politicians criminally liable
for failure to keep the water safe.


That ought to fix it. Right.

If  publishing salaries over a $100Ks  was intended  to control them. Well, that really worked  out didn't it. Last year,  I received information about the previous  top honcho at South Lake Health Centre having a salary of $450Ks and expenses of $250Ks.

The retiring Chief of Police had a salary of $400Ks.

In comparison  municipal  top honchos probably feel ill served.

Still,  information sent to me this morning shows they are doing better.

In 2006   Town solicitor earned $105.512. In 2010, the same post paid $154.224

                Chief Financial Officer earned $120,983. In 2010 .it was $147,084

                Director of Public Works earned $126,302.  2010. it was $147,084.

                Chief Administrative Officer earned $153,799. 2010 it was $174,737.

                Leisure Services Director  earned    $117,112.    2010 it was $136,865.

                Director of Planning  earned $117,112.     2010 it was $136,865.

                Director of Building earned $103,913.        2010 it was $136,865

We had the re-organisation. Some people with skills and experience  had responsibilities  taken away with no loss in pay.  Others, without skills and experience, received new  responsibilities and a commensurate increase in pay.

To my unskilled eye, the results were, a drop in efficiency  an increase in cost and the whole derived from advice obtained  from consultants at a substantial  additional cost to the public purse.

I only mention it because despite an election and the public's judgment passed,  we continue to:

Row  Row Row the boat

Gently down the stream

Merrily, Merrily, Merrily. Merrily

Blithely as a dream.