Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson raised the idea last week. And, while he didn't say salaries should definitely go up, the fact that he broached the subject, inappropriately, behind closed doors before the regular meeting, and that he noted councillors in other municipalities make more, speaks volumes to us. It tells us, first, that he hoped the matter could have been discussed privately because he knew the public would be outraged (no dice, as clerk Debbie Bentley said the matter was not in-camera meeting material). And, second, that he's suggesting Pickering councillors aren't getting their fair share and should get a raise.

His colleague, Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean, took the words out of our mouth: the timing to bring up the issue couldn't have been worse.

"People are losing their jobs, people are losing their houses; there's so much uncertainty," he said in an interview. "The last thing people want to see is (councillors) getting more money."
Coun. Johnson at the meeting responded he wasn't surprised his colleague disagreed with him, since Coun. McLean is in the real estate business and, as a former Toronto police officer, collects a pension. True, not everybody makes the same amount of money but it is wrong for Coun. Johnson to suggest the salary of a councillor should somehow take into account other revenue?

Talk about a slippery slope. Besides, Regional councillors earn more than their City council counterparts.

To be fair, there is some context here. City staff is reviewing salaries in other departments. And, compared to many municipalities, councillors in Pickering do make less. But each and every councillor knew the rate when they ran for office.

If Pickering plans on taking a serious look at the matter, perhaps following Ajax council's lead is a good approach. Last year, Ajax council approved an increase that sees councillors in the town by the lake earn about $29,000. It had appointed a four-member citizens' committee to review council remuneration.

But this step should not be taken until our economy has made an about face and layoffs and plant closures are not filling the daily news pages.

At the first council meeting in January, Mayor Dave Ryan should stand up and make it clear to the taxpayers the salary review is not on the horizon. A clear statement must be made to residents who are counting every penny they have that Coun. Johnson does not speak for the majority of council.

Besides the dire economic times we're in, ministry of municipal affairs and housing staff, at the request of some Pickering residents, is preparing a report for Minister Jim Bradley on council's salaries, expenses and allowances between 2003 and 2008. The process is underway because the residents questioned the amount of expenses claimed by some councillors.

That process must also be completed before there is any talk of a council raise.

As resident Bruno Mannella states in his letter on this page, "I often wonder if politicians like Rick Johnson live in a fantasy world."