Collecting on a per-kilometre basis would be a complicated procedure for councillors who make numerous trips a day, said Regional Councillor Jim Schell.
"The concern was that, from a council perspective, it's extremely onerous to keep track of mileage for individual trips," said Coun. Schell, noting he makes five to six trips of various distances a day on council business.
"What would happen," surmised the councillor, "is that councillors would say, 'You know what? I won't worry about those (shorter trips). I'll only pick up the trips of any significance."
Well gosh, would that be so bad? How many of us get paid to drive to work? Or to anywhere relating to work? So instead of councillors maybe not being paid for a few shorter trips, they are paid for perhaps trips they don't even make (because of the flat rate per month). Hmmm. Cushy job if you can get it!
Isn't this one of the reasons our taxes are going up, up, up? All these little things put together. And there are other voters who certainly feel the same about this, and hopefully have not forgotten and won't forget before the November election rolls around. We're here to remind you.
Council mileage increases were enough to make at least one taxpayer 'sick'. Really, the cost of gas is just part of the job, isn't it? Like it is for so many of us who aren't able to vote ourselves a raise to cover the increases.
Now, if it's too difficult for our politicians to keep track of mileage (and these are the people who are running our municipality???), then why not simply use a trip odometer? It's pretty simple and takes a couple of seconds. But our lofty councillors are always full of excuses and are of course defensive about voting themselves the increase. Not the right attitude to take if it's something they aren't embarrassed about and do truly believe is right.
This is an obscene amount for a mileage rate. What it really is is a "company car". For $1,293 a month, not only can the mayor lease a brand new top of the line car, but he can get insurance, fill it with gas, and lease a car for his wife too. There is no excuse for this extreme flat-rate amount. He should use a trip odometer as should the councilors and they all should get a reduced amount. When our tax rate keeps increasing and they keep increasing their salaries and perks, it's really unfair to the average taxpayer in Clarington. Somehow they just don't seem to get it. We're getting angry and they're not seeing that either.
ReplyDeleteThank you for starting this blog. It's about time someone spoke up because a lot of us are thinking what you are writing. You will probably get the same treatment those people got who said things the mayor didn't like. But please don't stop reminding us of why we should be more vigilant and know who we are (or are NOT) voting for come November.
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