Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 12/05) - The proposed salary increase for city councillors isn't ruffling the feathers of many Yellowknifers.

Polled randomly on the street and by telephone, residents were asked whether city councillors should have a recommended an increase that brings their salaries to $20,000 per annum.

The majority questioned on the street declined comment. One said city council could "make her life miserable" if she spoke up on the subject.

Elvis Brown said there isn't a simple answer to the salary question. "Some of the councillors are worth it, some of them are not," Brown said.

"You have to look at the hours they are putting in. Even if they are putting ten hours a week in, it's not unreasonable at all," Brown said.

He suggested a cap on council salaries and that the public should have a say on future increases.

Marino Casebeer, executive director of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, said there is some support for the raise.

"On our board, there is general support but that doesn't represent our membership because they've been fairly silent," he said.

Audrey Zoe, executive director of the Native Women's Association, agreed with the salary hike.

Wayne Lewis also agreed with the raise, but thought council should wait until after the next civic election to implement the new salary scale.

Karin Clegg thought the raise is too large.

"The money could be spent better elsewhere on community issues," Clegg said.

Guy Henry and Justine Foote rejected the raise.

"I think it is excessive," Henry said.

"There are better things our money could be going towards like places for kids to go instead of on the streets," Foote said.

The rationale for the increase was that the demand's on a councillor are equal to one-third of a $60,000-a-year job.

The current base salary for a councillor is $9,828.92 plus a municipal officers allowance of $4,914.46, for a total of $14,743.38.