..the flag, the cross, the hockey stick, etc. etc.
Show us the money!
Sure it's symbolic, but a pay freeze for our city politicians would be a good resolution
In his first act of defiance -- or shall we say chutzpah -- would-be mayor Joe Pantalone is adamant he won't be freezing his salary this year.
In fact, council's tree emperor and deputy mayor -- who says his plans to run for mayor are "really, really solid" -- told me late last week the question of whether or not to take the cost-of-living increase due councillors this month is not a "real issue" in this year's municipal election campaign.
"I think we should address real issues rather than symbolic ones," he says. "The question of salaries is not relevant ... it makes a good sound bite but doesn't solve anything."
He believes the "real issue" is the city's revenue sources and what the next mayor has to do to make the city work.
Now don't get me started on what Panta-looney and the rest of the Millerites have "really, really" done with the ever-increasing flow of tax money into Socialist Silly Hall. For this bunch, all the revenue sources in the world would never be enough.
Of course the move to take a salary freeze is symbolic. I said so last year while pushing for councillors not to take their 2.4% pay hike on the eve of their negotiations with CUPE 416 and 79.
Mayor David Miller showed no leadership on the issue and we all know that the recalcitrance of Pantalone and Co. (they refused to give up their pay hike) didn't exactly contribute to goodwill during the 39-day strike.
If inflation is running at around 1%, as it was in November, the most councillors could expect to add to their $99,153.60 salaries is about $1,000 this year -- which would see them top out at just slightly more than $100,000. They'd save about $50,000 at most with such a move, which is mere pennies in the grand scheme of a $9.2-billion operating budget.
That said, I would hope that with an election and a $500-million-plus shortfall looming they'd have the gumption not to take their pay hike this year.
Councillors can call it their New Year's resolution -- one that will show they're at least prepared to take the lead and do their part to cut a little fat.
That's why mayoralty candidate Rocco Rossi has already pledged to cut his salary by 10% and freeze it for the full term should he be successful in his bid.
"Forgoing the increase won't solve the fiscal crisis on its own ... but the example is critical," he says, noting he feels councillors should follow suit by not taking their pay hike this year.
JUST A SYMBOL
(For the record, Rossi's opponent George Smitherman told me when asked recently about whether he'd consider lowering his salary by 10% that "people need more than symbols." In other words, no.)
But Coun. Adam Giambrone, who is "very seriously considering" a mayoralty run as well (he'll decide by month's end), said he won't be taking any salary increase this year and thinks all of council should do the same.
"The increase will be basically negligible," he reasons.
Coun. Case Ootes, head of council's Responsible Government Group, says he won't be leading the charge for a pay freeze as he did last year. But he expects not to take his wage hike.
"I think it's appropriate that we do freeze our salaries in recognition of the fact that there are people who have lost their jobs and their pensions," he says.
Councillors Doug Holyday and Frances Nunziata agree.
"It doesn't matter how much it is ... we should be setting an example," says Nunziata. "But some councillors are greedy ... they think they're worth $1 million and feel they can go to the doors and justify it."
SUE-ANN.LEVY@SUNMEDIA.CA
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