Dear Editor:
My disappointment at reading Trevor Lautens’ column (July 15) Tracking the $100K Club at WV Town Hall is profound. These numbers are presented with no context whatsoever.
Someone who retired 20 years ago may think these salaries sound inflated, but in researching current standards, it is clear that this is not the case; the fact is that staff salaries in West Vancouver are in the 60th percentile of the other municipalities of the Lower Mainland (in other words, 40 per cent of municipalities pay more). In fact, both our North Shore neighbours to the east, the District and the City of North Vancouver, pay more (but they don’t have a columnist who feels it is his “unpopular duty” to report it).
More importantly, these salaries are still well below the need for someone who wants to live in West Vancouver these days. In fact, two salaries over $150,000 are not even enough to buy a house here anymore. As a result, 90 per cent of our municipal workforce do not live in West Van.
That means police, firefighters, engineers, planners, bus drivers, parks and recreation and executive staff are almost all commuting here from elsewhere. This is a huge problem; when the Big One arrives, who will be here to help us 44,000 residents?
We have the most energetic, highly qualified, and dedicated municipal staff anywhere. And no one who already owns their $3-million house in West Van should be complaining.
Nora Gambioli
Councillor, District of West Vancouver
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.
