Huron Expositor, 2006-12-17, Page 6Page 6 December 27, 2006 • The Huron Expositor
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News
Huron -.Bruce MPP says 25
per cent raise 'long overdue'
Troy Patterson
Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell supports
the 25 per cent wage increase received by her
and every other elected official in
the Ontario legislature.
She says it's long overdue and.
vital to attracting fresh blood to
the political landscape.
"We needed a significant
change in order to ensure we're
attracting well -skilled people (as
candidates)," said Mitchell.
If made law in the House of
Commons this week, the raise
would see the base rate for an
MPP jump from just under
$89,000 to $110,000.
A recommendation from the
Ontario Integrity Commissioner
Coulter Osborne called for the
raise.
Osborne saidif the wage was
not raised, it would seemingly
make the provincial .representatives
"farm team" in Ontario politics, with fear of
losing candidates to municipal politics, with
Toronto councillors earning about $95,000
and federal politics, where MPs earn close to
$148,000.
"It hasn't been addressed in 10 years and in
the last five years we've only seen one
increase for cost of living and one decrease,"
said Mitchell. "We've fallen- further
behind."
Mitchell said provincial politi-
cians handle education, health-
care and other vital public ser-
vices so she said the raise makes
the position more attractive to
professionals and academics
looking to go into public service.
"We felt it was important to
address," she said. "It should
keep pay at an appropriate
level...probably for a number of
years."
The change in wage will come
into play after the 2007 provin-
cial election if it is passed.
Discussion was tabled and is
not expected to be resolved any.
time soon, with. some of the oppo-
sition threatening to use` it as an election
issue.
Some MPPs have said they would donate
the portion of their pay raise to charitable
groups.
We needed a
significant
change in
order to ensure
we're attract-
ing well -skilled
people (as can-
didates),'. --
Huron -Bruce MPP
C
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Seili celebrates freeze of
provincial funding levels
A provincial announcement that
municipal funding will remain at
current levels for another year is a
cause for celebration for Huron
East, says Mayor Joe Seili.
The announcement means that an
anticipated loss of $93,000 in
provincial funding will not be expe-
rienced in Huron East in 2007.
"I have •criticized (Huron -Bruce
MPP) Carol (Mitchell) a lot over
that and I will send her a thank you
note," Seili told council at its Dec.
19 meeting.
Seili pointed out that $93,000 is
about three per cent of the munici-
pality's total budget. He added he
didn't know why the province decid-
ed to maintain current funding lev-
els. i
"If they're maintaining funding at
last year's level, you don't question
it," he said.
However, Seili was not as compli-
mentary about the province's deci-
sion to raise the pay for MPPs.
He said that while the province
used the high rate of pay of Toronto
city councillors to justify the raise,
it did not look at the wages of rural
municipal councillors.
"They're not comparing apples
and apples," he said.
Council endorses proposed
arena fundraiser
A proposed fundraiser for all
three Huron East recreation facili-
ties bringing a Johnny Cash imper-
sonator .to Seaforth was endorsed by
Huron East council at its Dec. 19
meeting.
Called Legends in Black, the show
is proposed to be held April 14 from
8-10 p.m. at the Seaforth arena at
$20 a ticket.
Clerk -Administrator Jack
McLachlan said the show sold out in
Port Elgin, Walkerton and Mildmay
and $5,500 would be needed initial-
ly to fund it, with 275 tickets need-
ed to break even.
"They have to book it quickly," he
said.
While Seaforth Coun. Bob Fisher
questioned if people would spend
20 each to see an impersonator,
Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffler said he
thought the price was reasonable
for "a night out on the town."
"I spend $20 a year on Harley
(Davidson motorcycle draw) tickets
and get squat out of it. At least this
way, I'll get two hours entertain-
ment out of it," agreed Deputy -
Mayor Bernie MacLellan.
By Susan Hundertmark