5915 replies to this topic

[rjag]

Yup fair enough. Looks like you’re gonna get your time in the sun in Saanich.

Should be interesting with another incumbent stepping down....change is afoot whether for good or worse...

[Stephen James]

First, I don't agree a politician's wage should equal something in the private sector. There should always be an element of sacrifice to serving, it's a way for citizens to give back. The recent increases mean it is still a good job for someone supporting a family.

 

As for the full-time aspect of serving. It's been discussed here before but to recap, it can be a full-time job. The ambitious politicians make it full time plus. Some have second jobs but there are very few jobs compatible with being a councillor as your day can begin at dawn or last past midnight with many weekend and evening obligations.

 

Regarding pay increases I don't know if it's a written rule but councillors have not been voting themselves increases, they approve increases that go into effect in the following term. Obviously if you win re-election you will benefit but the raises are approved by an outside party.

Sure - that would make sense to me IF there were term limits.

[Stephen James]

I agree Rob. It becomes a full time job because politicians cannot go anywhere, day or night, without someone trying to talk with them about their job. If your phone number leaks out then you can expect calls at home or on your cell 24x7 as well. 

still service - thats the point - it's either service or it's not

[Stephen James]

I grew up in the interior, we were taught how to cross the street all by ourselves.

my mom taught me when i was small but we had volunteers too

[John M.]

I was initially one of the people that thought Stephen Andrew should run for council this year. At this rate, he might as well run for mayor. If he ends up being Lisa's only competitor, he might actually beat her. 

[Rob Randall]

^Andrew vehemently denies he is running for mayor but it sounds like he might possibly run for council. 

[Cassidy]

^Andrew vehemently denies he is running for mayor but it sounds like he might possibly run for council. 

It's the same question every aspiring municipal politician has to ask themselves ... "do I run for Mayor and have it a one shot winner-take-all affair, or do I run for Council where I have roughly a one in eight chance of getting elected".

 

Stephen would make a better Mayor than he would a Councillor ... but those one in eight odds can be very tempting (especially if you've already done the winner-take-all thing once ... and been on the losing end).

[Rob Randall]

Andrew insists he is not running, nor is he working for a candidate at this time. In fact, he seemed quite indignant about being queried, even though he created a sponsored poll on his Facebook page which piqued the interest of some who assumed this was a precursor to a campaign announcement.

[Bob Fugger]

Keep your ears cocked for an announcement today.  I assume Victoria, but it's all a bit vague.  Source: UVic Public Admin prof's Twitter feed.

 

[spanky123]

Keep your ears cocked for an announcement today.  I assume Victoria, but it's all a bit vague.  Source: UVic Public Admin prof's Twitter feed.

 

 

Michael Prince?

[AndrewReeve]

I agree that the salary isn't meaningful. Even $100K won't do it though. Most successful businesspeople or professionals won't touch the job for any amount of money because it will divide their client base and have far longer and lasting impact to their income and profile.

 

I know of several high-profile business people in town that are incredibly passionate about the future of Victoria and would certainly run for Council if it was the same part-time position it was decades ago. They have said as much. Unfortunately, it has been turned into a full-time position without equivalent pay. 

 

This presents a significant barrier on two fronts. First, successful business people can't take on a second full-time position if they still want to be involved in their business. Right there you lose a great deal of quality individuals who would make a big difference on Council.

 

Second, it prevents younger people from stepping up to take on the job, because someone in their 20s or 30s just "starting out" in the real world and trying to accrue wealth, save for a home*, and build a stable life is not likely to put their name forward for a $40K (before taxes) position. And we wonder why there's a real lack of younger leadership in this city.

 

*Just kidding, my generation doesn't get to own homes in Victoria. Not unless we spend the next decade or two seriously increasing supply and density. 

[lanforod]

I'm happy to pay Councillors 80k and the Mayor 120k if they represented 200k people...

[Bob Fugger]

*Just kidding, my generation doesn't get to own homes in Victoria. Not unless we spend the next decade or two seriously increasing supply and density. 

 

Keep telling yourself that, if it makes you feel better about your specific plight.  Sure, we have supply, density and affordability issues.  But I know plenty of your cohort who are homeowners.  It's all about priorities, though, right?  Some people choose to commit to the hustle while others expend their energies on things what won't lead to homeownership - like playing politician.  Which, given your recent post from VV hibernation, means that you're going to continue expending resources in that direction come November.  To each their own, though.  Good luck to you.

[nagel]

I bought too much avocado toast and now I'm stuck in some guys basement in deep Langford for the rest of my life.

 

Ok just kidding, I just beat the housing wave and now my house is randomly worth 3 times what I bought it for.  #iguessthisdisqualifiesmefrombeingamillenial

[AndrewReeve]

I'm happy to pay Councillors 80k and the Mayor 120k if they represented 200k people...

 

No arguments from me re: amalgamation.

Victoria: 236,000 people
- Victoria (86)
- Saanich (114)
- Oak Bay (18)
- Esquimalt (18)

Westshore: 64,000 people
- Langford (35)
- Colwood (17)
- Highlands (2)
- View Royal (10)

Penninsula: 40,000 people
- Sidney (12)
- North Saanich (11)
- Central Saanich (17)

Sooke: 23,000
- Sooke (13)
- Metchosin (5)
- JdF Electoral Area (5)

[VicHockeyFan]

I'm happy to pay Councillors 80k and the Mayor 120k if they represented 200k people...

 

I'll go $80 and $150 when Saanich and Vic merge.

[AndrewReeve]

Keep telling yourself that, if it makes you feel better about your specific plight.  Sure, we have supply, density and affordability issues.  But I know plenty of your cohort who are homeowners.  It's all about priorities, though, right?  Some people choose to commit to the hustle while others expend their energies on things what won't lead to homeownership - like playing politician.  Which, given your recent post from VV hibernation, means that you're going to continue expending resources in that direction come November.  To each their own, though.  Good luck to you.

 

That's exactly how to get young leadership in Victoria... accuse anyone under 30 interested in politics and the future of the city as "playing politician"

 

I've worked full-time as a Communications professional in both the public and private sectors, but sure, I'm not committing to "the hustle" as you say. 

 

I actually don't know a single person around my age that owns property in the City of Victoria. Langford, Sooke, sure. Not Victoria. That's just your anecdote versus mine I suppose. Glad you agree that we have supply, density, and affordability issues. Maybe we can discuss the real issues then?

[Bob Fugger]

That's exactly how to get young leadership in Victoria... accuse anyone under 30 interested in politics and the future of the city as "playing politician"

 

I've worked full-time as a Communications professional in both the public and private sectors, but sure, I'm not committing to "the hustle" as you say. 

 

I actually don't know a single person around my age that owns property in the City of Victoria. Langford, Sooke, sure. Not Victoria. That's just your anecdote versus mine I suppose. Glad you agree that we have supply, density, and affordability issues. Maybe we can discuss the real issues then?

 

Ah well, a communications professional: the world should have been your oyster. The system must indeed be broken.

[spanky123]

I know of several high-profile business people in town that are incredibly passionate about the future of Victoria and would certainly run for Council if it was the same part-time position it was decades ago. They have said as much. Unfortunately, it has been turned into a full-time position without equivalent pay. 

 

This presents a significant barrier on two fronts. First, successful business people can't take on a second full-time position if they still want to be involved in their business. Right there you lose a great deal of quality individuals who would make a big difference on Council.

 

Second, it prevents younger people from stepping up to take on the job, because someone in their 20s or 30s just "starting out" in the real world and trying to accrue wealth, save for a home*, and build a stable life is not likely to put their name forward for a $40K (before taxes) position. And we wonder why there's a real lack of younger leadership in this city.

 

*Just kidding, my generation doesn't get to own homes in Victoria. Not unless we spend the next decade or two seriously increasing supply and density. 

 

Add in the 21st century problems like trolls bashing your business online and/or trying to get you fired at work by making baseless accusations or targeting your clients and your $40K a year full time council position even makes less sense.

[John M.]

https://www.theglobe...a-new-victoria/ I just found this article.