A couple of immediate and predictable responses received....one calling me a hypocrite ....the other that I'm ready to fight against every expense except Councillor salaries.
There hasn't been a fight and there isn't one now.
These days, there's very little that can't be talked about
Why can't we talk about what a Councillor should be paid without getting twisted out of shape?
Who should talk about it if not someone who's had the experience?
Who should talk about it if not someone who's had the experience?
Why should a committee of residents , needing support from staff be superior.
Council still has to make the decision.
Council still has to make the decision.
Why do we go through the ridiculous rig-a-ma-role of make the decision before an election so that we can pretend to be deciding for somebody else.
What's that about?
What's that about?
A candidate once made council pay a campaign issue. He said they shouldn't get any.
People scoffed.
He didn't get elected.
In another election, a candidates said he was running for the money .
He didn't get elected.
When I brought up the issue last week the Mayor said he agreed.
He discussed it with someone who had done a study, which concluded since the job was part-time , a similar position should be selected and if the salary was $100,000. a Councillor should receive half of that.
He discussed it with someone who had done a study, which concluded since the job was part-time , a similar position should be selected and if the salary was $100,000. a Councillor should receive half of that.
The Mayor said he would support that "for the next council"
Yeah right...I thought... you didn't suggest the Mayor's increase should be deferred to the next term.
Someone said Markham Ward Councillors are paid $65,000.
I noted Markham Councillors also receive funds to rent an office and two Councillors share an administrative assistant. Calls are taken and problems attended on behalf of the Councillor.
I noted Markham Councillors also receive funds to rent an office and two Councillors share an administrative assistant. Calls are taken and problems attended on behalf of the Councillor.
An Aurora Councillor's salary is around $25,000. A flat mileage payment brings it to $27,000.
No office, no administrative assistant ,no benefits , no life insurance or severance on retirement or defeat.
No office, no administrative assistant ,no benefits , no life insurance or severance on retirement or defeat.
What is the job about ?
Meetings you know about.... like in a fish bowl. Some function better in that venue than others.
Members serve on advisory committees and attend more meetings.
Responding to calls from constituents and following up with whatever assistance is required.
Attendance at community events. People like to see an interest from Council.
I respond to e-mails, phone calls and write a blog post every day...sometimes more than one.
Criticism goes with the job. A necessary occupational hazard. Nobody enjoys it. Neither are they compelled to be in office.
Despite a variety of opinion about how this or that Councillor performs, it must be said,
Aurora Councillors. the only ones I know, are a conscientious group.
They attend meetings....come prepared....read the reports .. and participate.
They do what they committed to do , were elected to do ...they should be paid accordingly.
Meetings you know about.... like in a fish bowl. Some function better in that venue than others.
Members serve on advisory committees and attend more meetings.
Responding to calls from constituents and following up with whatever assistance is required.
Attendance at community events. People like to see an interest from Council.
I respond to e-mails, phone calls and write a blog post every day...sometimes more than one.
Criticism goes with the job. A necessary occupational hazard. Nobody enjoys it. Neither are they compelled to be in office.
Despite a variety of opinion about how this or that Councillor performs, it must be said,
Aurora Councillors. the only ones I know, are a conscientious group.
They attend meetings....come prepared....read the reports .. and participate.
They do what they committed to do , were elected to do ...they should be paid accordingly.
Posts
22 comments:
You have the one constant critic. It reminds me of that Sher. She used to label people & call them all sorts of names in the hope that something would stick. Never got elected to anything. Let it roll off your back.
for the responsibility and the criticism - the pay is pathetic.
in your next life, please become a full time writer- it is your gift and you would be rich.
(just invest in a good "spell-checker") lol
I would feel better if the mayor had put that in writing. It does seem a bit presumptuous of him. I do not believe that past mayors are asked for their suggestions. Is he so sure ? Just a bedtime thought . Take care.
21:13 – Ya just had to bring her name up! It’s been a while since that character has been talked about. Thanks a lot! lol
21:13
Richmond Hill has one just like her.
She's decided to run for council this term.
The agenda is a real piece of work. I wonder how long is going to be wasted on nattering about clear garbage bags when everyone in Aurora knows all the garbage goes into the same sections of the trucks.
22:34
When we lived in Richmond Hill, there was a Mayor who got himself involved with a development project. Things got so ugly that the TO press sent reporters out. Now, what was that guy's name ? I truly can't remember.
@ 12:25
Would that have been Al Duffy ?
22:34
There's some coverage of this in Wayne Lilley's 2006 book, which is available atthe APL
http://aurora.bibliocommons.com/item/show/77398085_magna_cum_laude
You can also skip that and just read it through this free link on GoogleBooks here, Al Duffy is highlighted:
http://books.google.ca/books?id=1a4zxcJS1FoC&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=al+duffy,+richmond+hill&source=bl&ots=ZbvvL1hOew&sig=bQX9_CsqcB1BLFsoz847MFxtaTI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=jNHeUqPNF6m52QXXyIDYAw&ved=0CFIQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=al%20duffy%2C%20richmond%20hill&f=false
If his name were to appear in my book it would be "low-lighted."
If each councillor were paid twice as much could the additional amount reduce equivalent staff cost?
13:48
Sounds right. He took quite a pasting as did a couple of our neighbours who were also involved. Although their hit was financial. I think Betty/ Bette - Stephenson a former health minister was also in the mix ?
Is Mayor Dawe still planning on providing a written outline of his function and responsibilities?
@16:20
The Auroran reported that he said he would do that ' in time '. I thought then he meant that year. Time's come & gone
If I detect a cautionary note here aimed at a certain individual, it's a waste of time. There is absolutely no interest there is reading Blogs. Good effort though
13:48 - It was Al Duffy. He now works for a developer! LOL
I found Mr Duffy. In 2012 he was spokesman for a developer in Simcoe.
It is almost 8:30. We have endured an advocate of clear garbage bags who loves the word ' Absolutely ' and are now into the thorny bus problem.
The evidence is clear. Councillors are not paid enough,
It is a good thing I didn't pay attention to Rogers. They list a Newmarket Council meeting for tonight.
Le Renard encore
I would like to add the name of another councillor who might have been reading you Blog, Evelyn. On the matter of the huge service centre, Cllr Pirri would appear to be paying attention. He might be a keeper.
It must give residents a warm & fuzzy feeling when, after an acrimonious debate & vote, at least 2 councillors [ fill in the blanks ] admit they had no idea what they had just voted on.
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