Readers comment on council pay hikes

Economic conditions worldwide are in turmoil, Canada struggles to retain business, industry and the jobs upon which so many rely. This event was precipitated by a greedy few who put together a program to reap huge profits at the risk of destroying the lives of so many.

Many retirees and working people have watched their life savings disappear overnight along with their hope for a reasonably secure retirement. Where has all this money gone? It has gone into the bottomless pit known as "The System"

Despite these difficult and worrisome times Orangeville's self-appointed "elite" town Council, have voted themselves a pay increase of an outrageous size, for the mayor, a 61.3% increase! It is possible that this could be justified, but the method used was sneaky and, I suppose, typical.

In my experience it was the employer, the boss who made pay increases. Usually performance and knowledge was the criteria. In this case it is the taxpayer who is the "boss" and it is he (they) who should evaluate performance and approve pay increases. This then is an election issue which comes before the electorate and they approve or disapprove.

These municipal politicians accepted the job at a given pay scale and they should be honourable enough to appeal to those who cough up the money these important individuals feel they merit.

How was this increase decided? Council approved hiring a consultant, at taxpayer's expense, of course, to evaluate the need and formulate a recommendation. Of course, the outcome was a fore-gone conclusion: Who would bite the hand of the one who feeds him?

Then, behind closed doors, in a secret meeting, the lads and lasses reached the inevitable conclusion - they were worth more than they had signed up for and the public must pay to keep "good people."

The report was not to be released for public scrutiny and the timing of the meeting was a tactical masterpiece. The time chosen was just before the beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday giving the readers of this devious scheme time to squeal and later, after turkey and beer, cool off and lower their collective blood pressures. Additionally, most people now are focused on the federal election and the election in the U.S.A.

This money grab is likely to backfire come the next municipal election and the cushy jobs these politicians claw at each other to secure will probably be denied them.

Even the previous occupant of the mayor's chair, in an egodriven decision, constructed the concrete monstrosity that now serves as a traffic hazard and a serious impediment to EMS and fire services. Because the once wide road is now single lane both ways. How many tourists has it attracted?

We concern ourselves with the quality of our municipal officials, and we should, but so frequently it becomes a smaller version of the troubles that are facing the world.
Ken Hayward
Mono

—o—

In great disappointment, I was appalled to learn that mayor Adams and members of council gave themselves, a huge wage increase of 61.3% for the Mayor, 41.(% for the Deputy Mayor and 36.4% for council. This is outrageous!

In a time of economic turmoil and instability, and continued tax increases, the citizens of this town must continue to suffer financially because of Town Council's financial greed.

The Town of Orangeville, along with the County of Dufferin, faced a tax increase in the past two years of 20%, and a huge financial debt as well as an expected tax increase in the year to come because of the high market value of property assessments in this town.

Is this an insult to the hardworking citizens of Orangeville? Absolutely! Interestingly, the Mayor believes this preposterous increase is to be more competitive and to attract good people.

These comments are insulting. My recollection of any town election is that it always attracted good people! It is these good people, when asked why they wanted to work for this town, would answer to be here for the people, not to make an extra buck. Perhaps this comment just goes to show what is most important in the mindset of our current council?

In my campaign as mayoral candidate, I fought for the people of this town. Understanding the job description and knowing the salary, I advocated on a 10% decrease of the mayor's salary to assist taxpayers with some tax relief not an increase of 61.3% as Mayor Adam's just did.

I believed in keeping taxes low and affordable so that the citizens of the this town can enjoy a decent quality of life. Instead, I am saddened to see that people now need to work harder just to make ends meet, and many stand to lose their life savings in order to pay higher taxes.
Nick Garisto
Orangeville