Editor,
It seems Mr. Demers and Mr. Smith took umbrage at letters written re: salary increases for mayor and council ["Council pay is a barrier," "In support of a salary Raise(r)," The Chief,April 9].
Yes, perhaps we were terse, but I and others could feel the frustration of my co-letter writer.
Asking for a 31 per cent salary increase for the mayor, which then is formulated also for council, was for myself and many of my friends and neighbours an unrealistic and large increase.
As I stated in my previous letter, I am not adverse to an increase for council, but it seems whenever council tries to tackle the issue and vote upon said issue, the issue is voted down. Why is that? Perhaps because the increase is over inflated and most on council realize it.
You say you are behind Mr. Raiser, well then may I suggest you and Mr. Smith draft a policy whereas a committee be structured to create a salary graph for the mayor and council which would be used for a realistic pay increase while in office. A fair and set salary point could be established to begin with.
You could table the committee's duties, bring it to the clerk's office, ask that it be entered on the next council meeting agenda and get the ball rolling.
All businesses have a salary grid for their employees, why not do the same for our council? Why not be proactive even if other municipalities do not have such a pay scale? This would eliminate council having to debate the monetary issue every time a new council is elected.
This would be the accepted salary grid and anyone running for office would be aware of the set policy. Also, it would help council to remain a neutral party regarding their salaries.
No one wants to see our council be short-changed but we also don't want overly inflated salaries, because once down that road, where does it stop?
Sandra Toppazzini
Squamish
