It was surprising to see Mayor Dodic respond to my original letter on the topic of city council pay increases by questioning the Lethbridge Herald's judgment for publishing my letter. He further insinuated that I had insulted the integrity of the entire city council.
My original letter was written based on the premise that good people make mistakes. Better people recognize their mistakes and correct them.
Our mayor and the other members of city council are our elected representatives. As such, they are public figures. When they make a decision that citizens believe is not in the public interest, any citizen in a democracy is entitled to express their opinion and freedom of the press gives The Herald the right to publish it.
Mayor Dodic then proceeded to justify the council pay hike based on a legal entitlement in the Municipal Government Act.
I would simply respond that many citizens find the act of our elected city council approving their own pay increases to be unacceptable and not consistent with community standards.
Accordingly, our elected representatives should rescind their pay increase and make any adjustments to compensation effective with the next city council.
It is also our city council's responsibility to amend the remuneration policy so that future city councils can not adjust their own remuneration within their term.
Chris Spearman
Lethbridge