Less than six months into the city council term and the grumbling has started. Once again they are dangling the “employee question.”
Candidates know the commitment required for their elected positions; 40 to 50 hours indicates inefficiency.
Every year before council’s annual raise, we hear how it will attract quality people and keep them on par with other councils. I have yet to see the lineup of skilled candidates with fresh ideas.
Council members get paid a salary plus payment for each committee they are on. A large and skilled city staff handles all the groundwork.
What’s the problem? Why did not one candidate bring up the hot topic of employees during their election campaigns? Members who complain post-election would appear to have been disingenuous during their campaigning.
You could save time by cutting out the repetitive studies, time aiding special interest groups, and inane bylaws (30-second idling/harassing homeless panhandlers).
I assumed that Hilary Penko coming so very close to becoming mayor would have been a wake-up call that public was getting tired of the same small town politics. Oh well, another council — the same old thing.
Lloyd Johnson
Red Deer