HawthorneVillager.com

The vote for the approval of the report less the amendment was not a recorded vote...oversight on my part not to request one. The only councillors not to raise their hands were myself and Rick Malboeuf. Clr Sharon Barkley was not in attendance at the meeting last night. Everyone else around the table voted in support of the pay increase.

_________________
Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

Zeeshan and Tony What I can't understand is if you do not plan to take the raise why didn't you support the amendment ???

As for not accepting or taking it and giving to a charity I plan to take it and give it back to the community via the charities and organizations I support or believe need it, as I have been doing for years. I prefer that option than Tony's of leaving it with the town. There is no way I would forego that salary increase and leave it to be taken and spent by this council. I could see them using it to buy another Steinway piano, or maybe try to us it for a major project like piano stairs, or maybe put it towards buying another bus, or use it to pay for another tax payer funded junket. No I will take it and give it back to those I believe that need it.

Rick Malboeuf
Councillor Ward 4

On the budget angle...
- Was the increase for mayor and councillors included in the 2012 budget? If so, why wasn't that an issue at the time? If not, why is it being implemented in 2012, retroactive, with no budget ?
- If the reason for not supporting the Mike/Rick M. proposal was that the next council would have to deal with it again at budget time, it means the increase is also fair game for debate by this council for the 2013 budget.

No, I don't think so. Zeeshan's explained his position and why he voted for the increase even though his personal choice is to donate his to a charity of his choice for the benefit of the community in the same way Rick M is doing with his. It's not an easy position to take but I can understand his argument (it's a 3rd party recommendation, not staff, not council even though council must actually vote on it, an attempt to make it non-political as possible, maybe attract better candidates). Even if I don't agree with it and I respect a councillor who can argue his or her point on here and at council even if in the end I still I don't agree with them.

Show me an honest politician and I'll show you a hooker that blushes.

_________________
Some people are like slinkies. They're really good for nothing but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

Adults are talking...Keep your generic jokes for the Greek thread please.

Is it true this is the 2nd such increase in the councillors wages in the past 18 months? Like seriously wtf.

The first increase was effective July of last year. It was the 2% increase to all non union Town of Milton staff...approved in the budget ... that applies to council This is seen as a "COLA" or cost of living adjustment. It happens every year and the amount is reviewed by staff and approved by council.

_________________
Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

See, I don't view most of these folks as politicians. Mike's a salesman for a local company, Zeeshan's a microsoft programmer guy, Colin's a property appraiser (not to mention a veritable walking encyclopedia of Milton info), Rick's a software developer, Sharon's a print business owner. Rick M is more of a career politician but he's also got a good record of community service outside that. They're not your Queens Park/House of Commons career politicians (which some may argue is good or bad).

I argue its good.

And I would disagree (sorry, misread the answer initially).

Tony, are you going to now refuse the 3.2% salary increase that was effective January 1 on your 45K Regional Council level salary too? (Regional councillors collect the ~30K municipal council salary AND regional level salary of ~45K).

http://www.insidehalton.com/news/articl ... cent-raise

Absolutely unbelievable. I thought we'd seen everything with the velodrome and the buses and the weed-ridden parks. But this shows a completely new level of cluelessness that's truly shocking. A bunch of Marie Antoinettes up there in town hall ... let us eat cake. Sigh. I give up.

Who's your councillor frankp?

Hi Mike & freemantrailfamily,

Last night I made the decision to not accept the pay raise for the next 3 years. Please Mike do not take credit for my personal decision, which this was and is my own. Last night I voted in favor of the independent compensation committee's analysis and recommendation to increase councillor's salaries, due to Milton's being on average lower than 6 sample municipalities. As I mentioned I will not take any increase but rather will leave it with the town of Milton.

Thanks,
Tony

Tony Lambert
Local & Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 and 8
tony.lambert@milton.ca
Cell: 647 220 9728

Yes, on your small 27K LOCAL portion of your salary paid by the town of Milton. But you voted for an took at 3.2% increase on your 45K REGIONAL salary in December, 2011 (December 14th Regional Council meeting). We all pay Regional taxes as well as local town taxes. Are you going to leave that with the Region too? That's actually a larger portion overall of your take-home municipal pay and would be more significant gesture.