I'm a big supporter of the idea of ensuring that our elected representatives having fair compensation -- it ensures that the positions can be held by individuals without an independent source of wealth, and reduces financial motivation for corruption. One of the things that irritates me most about this is that the process used to reach this decision could discourage effective compensation in the future. Would have been a lot better if they had made the decision apply only to future councils (avoid the conflict of interest), and to do it before the election (so voters can weigh in)
I had the same thought that they could have avoided some of this by making this something that would be implemented after many on the current council stepped down. And I think that's a good point that this process may cast a shadow over future discussions on the issue, unfortunately.
I'm a big supporter of the idea of ensuring that our elected representatives having fair compensation -- it ensures that the positions can be held by individuals without an independent source of wealth, and reduces financial motivation for corruption. One of the things that irritates me most about this is that the process used to reach this decision could discourage effective compensation in the future. Would have been a lot better if they had made the decision apply only to future councils (avoid the conflict of interest), and to do it before the election (so voters can weigh in)
I had the same thought that they could have avoided some of this by making this something that would be implemented after many on the current council stepped down. And I think that's a good point that this process may cast a shadow over future discussions on the issue, unfortunately.
Thanks for all of this!
So much anger out there.