A MAJORITY of people responding to a Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce opinion poll favoured the city having a full time mayor.
In light of a forecast increase in regional economic activity, the chamber collected opinions about whether or not a full-time mayor would benefit Terrace, intending to research the idea more and then make a recommendation to council with its findings.
Out of 668 responses to the question, close to 70 per cent voted in favour of the chamber developing a case for a full-time mayor and 102 comments were collected.
“There were also a lot of fallouts,” said Fielding about the comments from those who opposed any suggestion of a full-time mayor.
She said it would be impossible to summarize the comments because every opinion was so different.
Fielding explained that although the question stated a “full-time mayor,” a better term for it is a “fully compensated mayor.”
She said the difference is that the mayor is paid for part time hours although the position involves a full-time commitment. This means whoever takes on the position would more than likely have another job.
A full-time mayor would be paid differently, and the expectation is to be in office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in addition to other events and responsibilities relating to the position.
Currently, Mayor Dave Pernarowski said he works about 20 to 35 hours a week for the city.
In 2010, he was paid $27,670.
With the survey results collected, the chamber will meet to plan the next phase of bringing a report to council.
