The Editor,
Re. “ Benefits boost possible for PoCo council, mgmt.” (The Tri-City News, Nov. 15).
Eleven thousand dollars for additional benefits for Port Coquitlam councillors and managers is a lot of money — just ask someone in the real world trying to scratch out a living. At minimum wage, you would have to work six months full-time to earn that much (and probably with no health benefits).
Good on councillors Brad West and Mike Forrest for standing up for Port Coquitlam taxpayers.
One of the problems with ongoing incumbency is that politicians start to believe that they are entitled — “I am entitled to my entitlements,” as one politician once put it. Apart from sitting on their backsides every two weeks at council meetings, what do they do? What is it that Coun. Laura Dupont does that make this more than a part-time job?
And the suggestion that we should pay more for benefits for excluded staff when at least one of them is making more money than the premier and 47 of them are earning more than a $100,000 a year just shows you how out of touch with real life these people are.
Surely, PoCo councillors and management are paid enough to cover their own health care benefits. Seniors on fixed incomes have to pay for them, why shouldn’t they?
Peter Manning,
Port Coquitlam
‘SLAP IN THE FACE’
The Editor,
Wow, some city councillors think Port Coquitlam residents should pay more tax so members of council and city managers can have more massages and benefits. They are completely out of touch with reality for most of their citizens. I haven’t had a raise in three years, let alone a perk like massages.
City managers make between $150,000 and $200,000 a year and someone like me who makes $45,000 has to pay more tax for their extra benefits. Talk about a slap in the face.
Kudos to councillors Brad West and Mike Forrest for opposing this outrageous move. Apparently, they are the only two who understand what life is like for most people. I know how I will be voting next year.
Linda Fry, Port Coquitlam
