Dear Editor,

Perhaps councils should start looking at "cost-of-living" increases, like the rest of us taxpayers, rather than trying to keep up with the Joneses - if they get any pay increases at all [Citizens to unsnarl knotty pay problem, June 28, Langley Advance].

The people on the council opted to run for office. If they ran for election because of the salary, then say, "Thanks for the opportunity," and leave. We don't need them.

If they opted to run so that they could represent those of us who pay their salaries, then say, "Thanks, I'm really looking forward to working to make your life better in our community, and the salary is a bonus to working with/for you."

Just because your neighbour can afford a Cadillac doesn't mean that you have to go out and buy one for yourself.

The current process is just too convenient. Langley tells Abbotsford it is are getting eight per cent, so Abbotsford raises its salaries by eight per cent. Then Langley says, "Hey! Abbotsford got eight per cent, and so should we."

What kind of system is this? You can go on and on and on. No one is getting high increases like that anymore, except those who make the decision for themselves, and the only ones who can do that are top officials in government and big business.

Take at look at the world economy. We are in this position primarily due to greed: have to have more and more and more.

The money is not there, and we don't need government officials sucking us dry.

Take a look at the salary cuts to executive pay cheques at BC Ferries for 2013. It wouldn't hurt if Township council took a page out of that book and reverted its current salaries back to what it was when they first took office.

D. Atkinson, Langley