With the Sukh Gill spending scandal looming large over the debate, the TNRD Board of Directors has voted in favor of giving itself a pay raise.
The hike sees each Director go from earning 160 dollars per meeting to 170 — essentially to cover inflation.
However, it didn’t come easy.
Former Kamloops Mayor and current Area P Director Mel Rothenburger attempted to quash the raise through an amendment.
“I think we’re in a time where we have to understand that we’re continuing to work on regaining public trust and confidence in how this board conducts itself. And part of that, I think, is showing some leadership to demonstrate that we are not an entitled board, and that we are willing to hold the line on what we are compensated with.”
However, some, including Director for the Tobiano area, Ronaye Elliott, argued the Sukh Gill scandal shouldn’t be a factor.
“It kind of seems to me that we are trying to make up for something we didn’t do. I can tell you that there’s a lot of people out there that are happy with what we’ve done over the last year. I can tell you there’s a lot of people saying ‘there’s no way I’d run for Regional District, they don’t pay me anything. I’d be better off running for council.'”
Others, including Kamloops Councilor, TNRD Director and mayoral candidate Arjun Singh — who did vote to reject the raise — also defend the TNRD Board’s work.
“I don’t agree with Director Rothenburger that we’re wearing it. I think the board has actually done incredible work righting the ship, so I think we should be proud of that.”
However, his colleague on Kamloops Council and the TNRD Board, Dale Bass, took issue with that.
“I would note that I wish I lived in lived in Director Singh’s world, because I still hear about this constantly from people, and not just the echo-chamber that hates everyone, I hear this from friends as well who are still wondering.”
In the end, 8 different Directors voted against the pay hike, with the rest voting in favor.
This same vote did also eliminate the per-meeting travel stipend for those who attend the meetings virtually.
