Dear Editor,

When will our elected officials give realistic recognition to our current difficult economic times [Township looks at another pay raise, Nov. 29, Langley Advance]?

Salaries and benefits to our elected officials have been increasing at a dramatic rate over the past years, without any consultation or accountability to the people that they serve.

The formulas used in 2011 and proposed in 2012 are inherently unsuitable. In spite of a public outcry in 2011, our local government in the Township of Langley made no changes to the hefty raises that they granted to themselves.

The council considered giving itself another pay increase in December, this time based on public sector wages. The group used for comparison includes a Federal Member of Parliament, a provincial judge, an RCMP Superintendent and an MLA.

Mayor Froese suggested that municipal politicians have roughly the same workload and responsibilities as those previously mentioned.

They do?

The qualifications and duties of the professions used in the comparison far exceed those required of our local elected officials. There is a lack of reality here. The role of a local elected official is primarily that of public service.

How many on our current council have no other jobs, no other sources of income? What did they sign up for when they placed their name before the electorate?

I do appreciate those willing to stand for office, but would ask that they not forget those who elected them.

Bob Meighen, Langley