Qualicum Beach mayoral candidate Denyse Widdifield’s recent ad in The NEWS states the following:
1. Qualicum Beach (population 8,687) mayor’s compensation is $31,300.
It doesn’t indicate exactly how many hours the mayor has to put in on the job, but my guess is that it is far more than any other supposed “part-time” position, and probably closer to full time hours. But, let’s give it the benefit of the doubt and call it a 30-hour week. That works out to approximately $20/hour — less than what it costs to get your lawn mowed around here.
You get what you pay for and I say that Qualicum Beach has been getting good dollar value. Those who compare our village to places like Port Alberni or Parksville need to take a good look around.
You are not comparing apples to apples. Anyone with eyes in their head can see that our picturesque little town has its own special charm and it didn’t get that way by accident. Careful and thoughtful management has prevented it from turning into the unappealing mishmash prevalent in most smaller towns.
2. QB mayor’s compensation in 1999 was $16,000, and asks the question “Has your income increased by 100 per cent in 14 years?”
Well, no. But that’s because many of us were making a decent living wage to begin with. Perhaps it is only here in B.C. where people are expected to make poverty-level wages, regardless of their skills and qualifications.
So my question is, if Widdifield thinks the mayor’s position is overpaid, is she prepared to work for less, regardless of how many hours she puts in?
Lesley WinterQualicum Beach
