MY TWO CENTS

A recent comment noted the Mayor is taking off three more weeks in September. After two months of summer recess. Summer is when nothing much gets done. 

I thought for a bit before clicking to publish the comment.  I wrote a follow-up post. Then I lost it and wasn't inclined to re-write. 

After two months of  summer hiatus, Tuesday's agenda was apparently light, most items were approved without debate and one decision was deferred because of the Mayor's absence. 

Councillor Mrakas notes on Facebook the deferred recommendation had unanimous support Council support. He didn't understand why it should be deferred.

The CA said deferment is a regular courtesy at the region. 

Council agendas are put together by staff with the Mayor's oversight. 

The post I wrote and lost referenced the Mayor's job as full-time and remuneration commensurate  with employee status 

The job has a combined salary package of  about a hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Benefits 

 are provided at the regional level but for some reason  paid for at the local level. 

A severance package is paid after two or three terms served. Life insurance and pension benefits are also entitlements enjoyed by regional Councillors. Mayor Dawe also collects an extra $10,000. a year for serving as chair of the Conservation Authority. 

As we see, he can also take  three week vacations  whenever he pleases and manage the agenda to suit his timetable. 

Councillors are nowhere nearly so generously compensated. 

The Agenda with Steve Paikin is a must watch this week. Title is The Failure Of The Fourth Estate. 

After It ended, I felt compelled to do what I do on the internet. However small the contribution.