As a taxpayer who sees property taxes go up every year, it is very disheartening to hear of so many city employees making such high salaries. It is unlikely that these are the people doing the actual work such as road and sewer repair, grass cutting, building inspection, etc. The city employs about 760 people – why are 28 per cent of them paid more than $75,000? We are confronted by an ever-increasing body of upper and middle managers, who argue that if they are not paid so highly they will move to other employers. Well, let them go – likely we can find some great people willing to work for $100,000 to replace those making more than $150,000.

Just what additional benefit did taxpayers get for the extra $27,000 raise and promotion for Katie Josephson to director of communications? As her prior position of manager of corporate communications no longer exists, could it be that Ms. Josephson is doing the same work but with an unjustified new title and higher salary?

Mayor Fortin thinks to save money by capping expenses for councillors. Fine, but this is a drop in the bucket as the total of such expenses is less than $50,000. Better to save on such projects as “customer service improvements and inquiry centre: $2.5 million.” “new full-time energy co-ordinator position: $127,000,” sewage treatment, or the new bridge. Another obvious savings would be through amalgamation.

Roel Hurkens

Victoria