Re: “Raises for RDCK directors being considered” (March 4)
As the director that was interviewed for this article I must correct statements that were taken out of context.
Yes, Director Wall and I initiated a discussion to review the stipends we receive as elected officials.
The conversation was instigated at conferences. The question was asked: how can we get the younger generation to be engaged and effective in politics? Our response was that a button to honour our efforts will not do it. A livable wage is what gives the capacity to be effective in any job.
My T4, as a full-time employee (as full time is what is demanded of me) is $25,000. I raise a child and run a household on this. To run the office as an elected official, I have an additional $7,000 a year.
Yes, the position is supposed to be part time. Some directors have a pension to supplement, but that is not the issue. The job demands more than full time and to be clear, this is not the fault of the people I work for, the residents. I never intended for an increase to my stipend to be generated from local taxation.
In fact, the discussion was that as local governments pick up more of the responsibility, the funds to both provide the services and to assist residents navigate the increasingly onerous regulations needs to accompany each issue delegated to us.
A few examples of what I am asked to work on that are not technically local government jurisdiction:
Jewett School Meadow Creek: supporting the community and writing a proposal for saving the school. Provincial responsibility.
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program: engage the board to enable community consultation. Provincial.
Broadband in rural areas: Provincial regulations double the costs of burying fibre. Feds deem high speed an essential service. Provincial and federal.
Water Systems: navigating the Drinking Water Protection Act and now the Water Sustainability Act. Provincial.
Health Care: how much time do you have? Provincial.
Forestry: again, endless issues. Provincial.
Medical Marijuana facility: no enforcement, safety concerns. Federal.
The list continues. I do redirect constituents, but the results are less then acceptable and they come back to me. I respond.
I do not agree with billing the local residents for issues being imposed upon them. If other orders of government insist on increasing regulations designed for urban centres that erode our rural communities, they should pay for that impact.
Aimee Watson
Director, Area D
Regional District Central Kootenay