To the Editor,
Re: Salaries comparable to other B.C. regional districts, says RDN, Aug. 5.
When I read the salaries of some of those working for the Regional District of Nanaimo it is shocking. Some of these salaries are comparable to senior federal ministers with billions of dollars to manage. If one looks at cities in California that have gone into bankruptcy and receivership because of the same over generosity of the taxpayers’ purse, we should all be concerned.
To even compare this city – lotus land – with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and arrive at the conclusion that our salaries should be higher is a laugh. The weather alone should favour less salary. The thing that is most distressing is the contracts that heavily favour the employee with generous payouts and pensions.
The stipend paid to the directors who are also on city council is another questionable expense – $11,230 dollars a year plus expenses to attend four meetings a month besides their council salary.
The board deciding on these salaries should be made up of independent professionas who have the business acumen to decide what is fair compensation.
Before the next election, the people of this city must get involved and demand more accounting of our taxpayer dollars.
We can no longer allow professionals to put a price on their employment based on comparison of other regions, but determine a fair compensation and stick to it.
Gardo D. GurrNanaimo
