Council should rescind decision

Editor, The Record: 

How many readers would like to grant themselves a retro-active pay raise to Jan. 1, 2008, a car allowance to offset some of the exorbitant gas increases, and get two weeks pay (up to 12 weeks) for each year of service?

If not re-elected or leaving office this is what the mayor can get. And guess who pays? That’s right, the already over-taxed taxpayer pays the cost for these unwarranted increases.

Why would anyone believe they can do this? Does the word “entitlement” or possibly, “We can do what we want because we can” come to your mind? I protest these unwise and unwarranted changes and ask council to rescind this decision. If this was establishing the compensation package for the next council, I could agree with salary changes.

It goes to my points about perception and mind-set that feels this entitlement. Another example, can be gleaned from Councillor Scott Etches’ letter to the editor July 2, 2008 (Council has a vision of sustainability) that conveys an impression largely not shared by the public.

Coun. Etches thanked “all the people who attended the June 7 presentation at the Leisure Centre.” But when you hear politicians make explanations, claims or give thanks, do readers ever wonder how many people care? The presentation was very important for Mission’s future, but only 35 people attended the first segment, decreasing to nine by the last.

On June 25, 2008 an extremely important Official Community Plan was presented to the public, but hey, the second night was cancelled, as only 60 people came out.

A town hall meeting in Hatzic had more staff attending than public. 

Even the crucial 2008 property tax budget planning meeting was scarcely attended, but some 300-plus at least signed a petition, to protest the originally planned 7.2 per cent property tax increases.

So, with an eligible voter list boasting 21,960 voters, we find a council elected by a mere 28.3 per cent, a mayor by an outrageous 18.9 per cent (81.1 per cent didn’t vote for him).

Something is sadly lacking with council leadership and its ability to motivate and involve the public, that witnesses essentially no public interest from election day to now, reminiscent of perpetuating apathy.

We have a mayor claiming “the community is my priority,” but fails to declare intentions a mere four months before election day. Coun. Etches says “we have planted seeds, now it is time to water,” but the public seems to be saying it is time to weed.

George Evens

Mission