Comments on: Should Councillors be able to vote themselves a pay increase? http://miltonsearch.com/blog/2007/07/06/should-councillors-be-able-to-vote-themselves-a-pay-increase/ Speak Up: Have your say on a variety of topics relating to life in Milton Ontario. We want your 2 cents! Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:52:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Paul M http://miltonsearch.com/blog/2007/07/06/should-councillors-be-able-to-vote-themselves-a-pay-increase/#comment-119 Paul M Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:43:48 +0000 http://miltonsearch.com/blog/2007/07/06/should-councillors-be-able-to-vote-themselves-a-pay-increase/#comment-119 Mike's right on the money! Vote for it right before an election and let the voters decide it as one of the issues. Why is it I wonder, that politicians always seem to vote themselves pay raises shortly AFTER elections? Mike’s right on the money! Vote for it right before an election and let the voters decide it as one of the issues.

Why is it I wonder, that politicians always seem to vote themselves pay raises shortly AFTER elections?

]]> By: admin http://miltonsearch.com/blog/2007/07/06/should-councillors-be-able-to-vote-themselves-a-pay-increase/#comment-120 admin Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:45:23 +0000 http://miltonsearch.com/blog/2007/07/06/should-councillors-be-able-to-vote-themselves-a-pay-increase/#comment-120 Bang on, Mike. I don't blame them for voting themselves a raise - honestly, who wouldn't given the opportunity? Let's not kid ourselves. But, there's just no way to put a positive spin on it. This isn't to say that local politicians don't work hard or deserve the money, but to the general public it never looks good. John Q. Public always has some sort of beef with politicians at every level - each person has their own opinion on several things that can be improved, or a way that tax dollars could be better spent - I know every Miltonian reading this right now more than likely feels this way. So, when you combine that with an article coming out in the paper about how Town Council just voted themselves all a decent raise - probably a much higher % increase than what the average person receives as well, it never comes across in a positive light. If they just vote on a raise effective the date the next council is elected (which they will do, because they have to believe they will be re-elected), it comes across with a bit more of a positive spin. Yes, there's a chance each Councillor will personally benefit, but it also shows that they're 'looking out for their own' as well. Yes, John Q. Public will still grumble, but probably not as loudly. Same result, better PR. Any politician should understand the benefits of that equation. Bang on, Mike. I don’t blame them for voting themselves a raise - honestly, who wouldn’t given the opportunity? Let’s not kid ourselves. But, there’s just no way to put a positive spin on it. This isn’t to say that local politicians don’t work hard or deserve the money, but to the general public it never looks good.

John Q. Public always has some sort of beef with politicians at every level - each person has their own opinion on several things that can be improved, or a way that tax dollars could be better spent - I know every Miltonian reading this right now more than likely feels this way. So, when you combine that with an article coming out in the paper about how Town Council just voted themselves all a decent raise - probably a much higher % increase than what the average person receives as well, it never comes across in a positive light.

If they just vote on a raise effective the date the next council is elected (which they will do, because they have to believe they will be re-elected), it comes across with a bit more of a positive spin. Yes, there’s a chance each Councillor will personally benefit, but it also shows that they’re ‘looking out for their own’ as well. Yes, John Q. Public will still grumble, but probably not as loudly.

Same result, better PR.

Any politician should understand the benefits of that equation.

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