Re: 67 per cent pay hike is ludicrous, letter to the editor, March 5.

Cheers to Ms. Gerenzie on her letter regarding the proposed pay hike by council.  I can’t believe what I have been reading over the past year concerning what has and hasn’t been accomplished by our current council and it is ridiculous.

First of all, we hear of downsizing and terminations within the town offices, all in the name of providing a more efficiently run organization, with various departments picking up the now-vacant tasks.  

Sounds fine so far, but I’m sure we will never know the real reasons that seem to be creeping out about some of those vacancies. Was this really done to become more well-ordered or just to free up salary dollars for whopping hikes to council? Smells very bad to me.  

Anyone who ran for office knew the pay expectations for the job when they decided to add their names to the list of available candidates, and since most also have full-time jobs elsewhere, it was then (and is still now), enough.  At no point should their salaries be increased by any more than the basic annual cost of living received by employees in other companies.

We seem to be becoming the laughing stock of Muskoka with our inability to announce and follow through with proposed enhancements to our community.

Gravenhurst announced the plans for their new wharf, outlined the designs and total costs involved, and guess what? It is now up and running!  Bigwin Inn did the same thing with the same results: up and running as planned.  Huntsville announces the beautification of King William St. and the new River Mill Park construction, lists start dates, proposed completion dates, costs, and surprise, surprise, once again we are bogged down in additional consultant, architectural, planning or environmental fees that always appear at the 11th hour and seem to come from the same ‘old boys’ group of companies.

The costs spiral over the top and we look like fools for not having realized these items prior to the announcements.  For this kind of reasoning (or lack thereof) you expect the taxpayers to approve your raise?  I think not! Salary increases are usually given when earned, or when tasks are completed and completed well, and our council is not first in line for that award.  

Maybe council could take a closer look at what really needs to be done in Huntsville (e.g. road resurfacing) before committing taxpayers’ money to the frills. If you are looking for a place to put some of the dollars that have been freed up by now-vacant positions, look toward your employees who have kept our roads so well plowed, sanded, and safe during this heavily snowed winter. They deserve it far more than the proposed and avaricious places you would like to install it.

Dianne Adams,
Huntsville