Sunshine List is a ‘public service’ : Caledon Citizen : https://caledoncitizen.com

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Sunshine List is a ‘public service’

The Ontario NDP government in the 1990s came up with the idea of publishing a list of those earning $100,000 or more in the public sector.
Why? To bring increased accountability and transparency to public service. Mike Harris liked the idea and he implemented it when he came to power in 1995.
In my view, it is still a good idea.
Caledon's CAO Doug Barnes (with a salary of more than $219,000, plus benefits) was cited in your editorial as saying things aren't as alarming as they might seem.
And the mayor and Regional councillors also earn more than $100,000. And Regional Chair Emil Kolb earned more than $181,000. Marty Hall of planning earned more than $144,000 plus benefits. Craig Campbell of public works picked up $136,000 plus benefits. Monty Laskin (not a Caledon employee, but with Caledon Community Services) picked up a paltry $133,000 plus benefits. Whew!
The other newspaper in town recently carried an important article about poverty in Peel. Certainly, the folks noted here and elsewhere don't have to worry about poverty. However, what about public services and possible decisions paid out of Town tax revenues (residents pay approximately 81 per cent, while commercial and industrial business interests only pay about 19 per cent)? Are we getting a return that benefits the community?
Well, let's see now.
What about the potholes and cracked pavement in Bolton subdivisions, plus broken curbs that remain to be addressed? And what about council's apparent support for the proposed Canadian Tire depot in south Bolton, that some argue would decrease our quality of life and put many families at risk due to the possible increase of diesel fumes from the 750 to 800 trucks daily going to and from the proposed facility?
But wait. What about all the jobs that might be created there? “What jobs?” some would like to argue, since the jobs in a high-tech facility will be minimal, likely part-time with no benefits and (egad!) no union to represent the workers.
But the new full-time young workers trying to pay off their student loans — wouldn't they benefit from such a Town-inspired project? No way.
So I think publishing the Sunshine List is a needed public service.
And those high-paid bureaucrats in the education system should contribute some of their excessive salaries (say 10 per cent) to local charities, such as the food bank, Meals on Wheels, etc. Meanwhile, some of our kids and grandkids are attending many classes in leaky, dangerous portables.
As for the current members of council, we need to continue asking them what they do to serve the community's best interests.
Joe Grogan,
Bolton

Post date: 2013-04-11 16:23:30
Post date GMT: 2013-04-11 20:23:30
Post modified date: 2013-04-11 16:23:30
Post modified date GMT: 2013-04-11 20:23:30