2544 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

I can never tell what's a joke anymore.

Almost every announcement that originates from Victoria council chambers is a kind of sick joke these days.

[RFS]

Yes, we'd still be subject to the whims of the electorate. But as the wage is right now it's genuinely a paycut for anyone who earns a bit more than minimum wage. That's not good when it comes to getting either working or professional class candidates. Without passive income or a political/self interested agenda it's a significant sacrifice to serve council before you factor in the actual job.

Again, its not meant to replace your job. Its meant to be a part time thing in addition to your day job.

[Rob Randall]

^In Metchosin, yes. Not in Victoria. 

[RFS]

^In Metchosin, yes. Not in Victoria.

Why not in Victoria? That's how it's designed to work. Councillors in Kelowna make $36,543. I assume they have other jobs/businesses. Population 130k

[Rob Randall]

I love you guys that think council is an easy side gig but get upset when they don't give instant and detailed responses to your emails.

[RFS]

I think they are adequately compensated for what is essentially a board member position at $43k. I think we've brought enough shame on our city without giving issit the $70k

[Tom Braybrook]

I can never tell what's a joke anymore.

...hint...if "edamame" appears in the text it is a joke ;-) ...

[Nparker]

It's been said numerous times before, but if the CoV council wasn't constantly trying to solve all the ills of the world, they'd have much more time to deal with their legitimate mandated responsibilities.

[Rob Randall]

Councillors with part-time jobs usually do consulting or gigs like that you can do in a spare hour. The two most recent councillors with real part-time jobs (hotel and restaurant management) couldn't do a second term.

[Mike K.]

The chose not to, not that they couldn’t. And that’s how it should be. Being a municipal politician should not be a career.

[Casual Kev]

Again, its not meant to replace your job. Its meant to be a part time thing in addition to your day job.

 

As the city and the CRD grows in population as well as in economic activity, that becomes less and less an option. The number of things happening in and around the CoV simply accumulate, such that you need more time. And as seen in this thread, those who don't live in the municipality also have a strong voice in media and shaping priorities - because what happens in Victoria's city hall often affects everyone else in the CRD. There are tons of portfolios to take a lead on, lots of whining and crying to listen to, and a $300+ million dollar budget to oversee. I'd rather that these things be done by people who can dedicate time to it and are at least compensated enough to make a passable living. 

 

If the expectation is that councilors remain underpaid relative to their workload and responsibilities, then well - not only we get the virtue-signalling darlings like Ben (I do agree he'll get voted in no matter the competition due to our city's political leanings) but also the political careerists like the Together slate who see our city hall as just resume-padding for greater ambitions. People who are smart, pragmatic and hard-working we expect to work for us will surely get paid a lot more doing just about anything else. They should at least not be terribly set back while taking up a city hall posting. 

[RFS]

^theres like 7 of them. All they have to do is show up to a few meetings and vote. The mayor handles the rest and the staff do that actual difficult work requiring know how.

[Mike K.]

If the expectation is that councilors remain underpaid relative to their workload and responsibilities ...People who are smart, pragmatic and hard-working we expect to work for us will surely get paid a lot more doing just about anything else. They should at least not be terribly set back while taking up a city hall posting.

We have several hundred of these individuals working for us as City Hall employees, and they are very well compensated.

Councillors are liaisons between the public and staff. They direct staff based on public expectations, and staff respond with the required output or present options for council to consider, which they rely on the public to help them consider (in theory). That’s their role, as basically an intermediary.

[Mike K.]

The key to success is delineating work to those who can do it best, aka professionals, aka City staff. That's what CEOs do. If our councillors were running a billion dollar international conglomerate they would need 60-days (or 90?) to do a month's worth of work if they approached their duties how they approach their roles as councillors.

 

Ease off the pedal a little bit. Nobody needs councillors to attend every meeting that falls within the realm of their special interest, nor do they need to have coffee or meet in person with constituents as much as they do. It's simply not necessary, and it puts those councillors who do have a full-time or part-time job outside of City Hall at a huge disadvantage because they're filling a dual role expected of a part-time councillor/intermediary.

[spanky123]

The problem we have with the current crop of politicians, and one that I don't think a salary adjustment will fix, is that they view municipal politics as a stepping stone to greater things. They engage in micro-management and self-promotion as a means to boosting their social capital. In a normal City you would have experienced City staff who would push back and keep the Mayor and council in their lane. That doesn't happen in Victoria as many of the senior staff were chosen without any competitive process or external review and (in my opinion) feel as though they have a loyalty to the Mayor and those who promoted them. They just keep their mouths shut and do as they are told.

 

The other issue is that in the west we are living in a "free to me" world where politicians promise whatever they think they need to promise to get elected. We then keep picking local Councillors and mayor who tell us what we want to hear instead of what needs to be said. Try getting elected by telling folks that they have to live within their means, that they have precarious employment because they spent 10 years at UVIC pursuing a worthless degree, or that getting a roommate would help make their $1,300 a month apartment affordable!

[Nparker]

Well said spanky.

[Victoria Watcher]

Calling all candidates seeking Together Victoria’s endorsement for the upcoming municipal by-election! We are pleased to officially announce the opening of Together Victoria’s nomination period for our membership to select the next Together Victoria candidate for Victoria City Council!

If you are interested in seeking nomination, here are the next steps:

1. In order to put your name forward for nomination, please fill out the Candidate Nomination Form and email it to campaign@togethervictoria.ca by the end of the nomination period on December 26, 2019.
2. Once you have submitted the Candidate Nomination Form, the vetting process will begin and you will be contacted by the Together Victoria vetting committee.
3. If you successfully pass the vetting process, you will be invited to submit a 1-2 page biography, which will be distributed to the membership. You will then be invited to attend and deliver a short speech at athe Membership Event on January 3, 2020 (details to come).
4. The Nomination Meeting will then be held on January 5, 2020 (details to come), at which active members will be able to select the candidate Together Victoria will endorse in the by-election. Watch our events page for more details as they become available.

Please see the Candidate Nomination Form for an overview of important dates and deadlines. You can also read through the full Nomination Process for more information.

All members of Together Victoria who have been a member for 30 days will be able to vote at the Nomination meeting. Sign up to become a member here!

If you have any questions or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Campaign@togethervictoria.ca. We’d be happy to meet with you and answer any questions!

 

 

 

https://www.together...a.ca/nomination

[Nparker]

 

If you successfully pass the vetting process...

It can't be a very rigorous vetting process based on the quality of candidates they put forward for the last civic election.

[Mattjvd]

It can't be a very rigorous vetting process based on the quality of candidates they put forward for the last civic election.

The vetting process is to weed out anyone who proposes market solutions to housing shortages and wants to govern within the local governance act.

[shoeflack]

Anyone here want to apply for this, totally BS their way through the process and make it seem like they'd be the ideal TV candidate, win the by-election, and then do a 180 and actually be a coherent Councillor?

 

Would be an amazing stunt.