_ Opinion TheReview Wednesday, December 2, 1992 — AT Over-worked and under-paid Victoria — One of the more conspicuous examples of the cynicism that has permeated society is the low esteem in which it holds politicians. Despite the fact that politicians work harder than most of us and get paid less than many of us, - they are more despised than all of us. Politicians consistently end up at the bottom of popularity polls, trailing even car dealers and joumalists. Considering the abuse a jaded’ public heaps on politicians, I often wonder why anyone would want to run for public office. It is when politicians talk about raising their salaries that the public mood tums really ugly. Wage earners who expect their remuneration to increase as a matter of course, business people who will raise the price of their goods and services without batting an eye lid, suddenly become mean and miserly. For that reasons, the provincial government asked CJ. Connaghan & Associates, a Vancouver firm of consultants, to review the salaries of our MLAs. When-Chuck Connaghan began his task, he invited the public to participate in the review. Several hundred British Columbians responded with written submissions and telephone calls. The final report, expected by mid-December, will have a detailed job profile, a review of current salary levels for MILAs and recommendations of how to set and adjust future compensation. The government wants to get away from the system by which the MLAs have to vote on their own salanies. Connaghan, who has long-standing credentials as a labor negotiator on the management side, has some interesting observations about the scope of an MILA’s duties, which back up my contention that few jobs require more time and effort. “The job of a Member of the Legislative Assembly in British Columbia today requires a year-round, seven-days-a-week commitment and a typical work week of 50 to 65 hours, depending on whether the legislature is in session and upon the rural or urban nature of the member’s constituency,” he says. “Filling constituency, legislative and party duties requires a commitment of virtually 365 days a year, often keeping a member absent from home and family whether the House is sitting or not. The necessity to schedule personal and family time around the job demands often places a heavy toll on family life.” Does it ever. It’s been my observation that the divorce rate among politicians is quite a bit higher than the norm. At one time, about 15 years ago, half the cabinet ministers had either been recently divorced or were in the midst of divorce procee- dings. Connaghan also pointed out that many mem- bers carry an additional work load, among them members of cabinet, the speaker, the deputy speaker, the leader of the opposition, House leaders and party whips. But even a backbencher’s or opposition mem- ber’s work load is heavy. While the House is Sitting, they attend the daily caucus meetings, prepare speeches for delivery in the legislature, oversee the work of their constituency associa- tion, and field phone calls from constituents. Aside from their legislative duties, MLAs are called on to hold speeches, cut ribbons, solve problems for constituents and attend functions in their riding. The latter can range from riding a bull at a rodeo to pouring tea at a fund-raising event a = Add to that the ttme each member invests in party work such as attending conventions, consti- tuency association meetings and policy seminars, and you find that 65 hours a week is often not enough. When Grace McCarthy was in cabinet, she often worked 80 hours a week. And I have no doubt that during the months leading up to the constitutional referendum, Moe Sihota did the same. And for all this, the public rewards politicians with inadequate pay and lots of abuse. To someone who is unemployed, an MLAs salary of $49,000 a year may sound like a lot, but it’s inadequate compensation for what we expect of them. ; We over-work and under-pay our politicians, and we abuse and insult them. I’ve been cruising on the fringes of politics for longer than I care to remember, and I can tell you with the utmost sincerity, I wouldnt touch the job with a we pole. STRAIGHT TALK | i ABOUT ue YOUR MONEY. ee (Rates Subject to Change without Notice) RON GURNEY FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD. FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS - LIFE UNDERWRITERS SUITE 19A — 9843 2nd St., SIDNEY (In Marina Court) 656-9393 Santa Claus comes to Brentwood ONCE AGAIN the jolly white-haired fellow from the North will arrive in Brentwood Bay by boat with a bag full of goodies. Scheduled to dock at the Brentwood Inn Marina at 9:30 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 5), Santa Claus is expected to be met by a crowd of children and a fire tuck from the Central Saanich volunteer fire department. From 10 a.m. until 12 noon he will be in the basement of the Brentwood United Church in - the 7100-block West Saanich Road to pose for pictures. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served to the children. * KOK IT’S THE TIME OF year when Christmas trees are an essential part of many families’ festive season. This year consider helping the Scouting movement when you buy a natural B.C. grown tree. The 10th Tsartlip Boy Scouts are selling fresh cut trees at the Peninsula Co-Op Mall on Keating Crossroad. The trees will be available starting Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and then during regular business hours. “Buy a Christmas tree from the Boy Scouts and thank you for supporting scouting in Central Saanich, a Boy Scouts spokesman said. * * * SMILE AS YOU PASS the intersection of Hillside Avenue and Blanschard Street in Victor- ia, especially if youre proceeding through a red light. At 10 a.m. yesterday the Victoria police installed a camera that will take a picture of vehicles that proceed over an in-pavement activat- or after the light has changed. Those recorded will receive a $125 fine in the mail, just in time for Christmas. “Vehicles running red lights are a leading cause of traffic crashes at intersections, where almost 50 per cent of all crashes occur, Inspector Bryan Bailey said. Kok OX kK * THE EXTENSIVE RENOVATIONS are done and to celebrate the reopened Special Care Nursery at Victoria General Hospital a ceremo- ny will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. The Greater Victoria Hospital Society and the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation acknowledged $360,000 -from the Ministry of Health and the Capital Regional District. About 600 babies spend time in the special care unit each year, including many from the Peninsula. Patients range from 23 weeks to full term (40 weeks) and the facility is the second largest in the province. The Vandekerk- hove Foundation contributed $30,000, Santa’s Anonymous contributed $25,000 and the Associ- ation of Commercial Travelers Variety Club pledged $10,000 to purchase two new cardio- respiratory monitors for the nursery. The new facilities provide patients, their families and staff with increased comfort regarding the treatment of babies. Call Teresa at 389-6339 if you wish to _ attend. x * * Whether for afternoon or evening... 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