Editor, The News:
Re: Deputy mayor position cancelled (The News, July 8).
Congratulations to Maple Ridge council for its attempt to eliminate the deputy mayor’s job and re-instate the previous policy, by which each council member would take a turn at this function on a rotating basis for a brief period each year.
The recent permanent job of deputy mayor has been funded partially through a significant salary reductions for the other council members, and while Mayor Nicole Read thinks this system is better because, it keeps one particular person in the know and on top of things at all times.
Not only do I believe that they are all be on top of things at all times, I also think that they should be given equal representation for their voices to be heard by the public.
All are capable of doing this job on a rotating schedule, all are equally familiar with council issues.
Also, it is a good way for the public to meet and associate with each of its elected officials at different functions.
I see no need for the others to pay out of their own pockets for a permanent deputy mayor to represent them and to receive all of the public exposure, while propounding a single point of view.
It must be galling for them to have to pay out of their own pockets for the one who is the least experienced of any of them to have this honour, and particularly the one who tends to merely parrot the mayor’s viewpoint most of the time.
Good job, Coun. Bob Masse, for finally bringing this matter up, and attempting to get the old and much more equitable system re-instated.
Pat Carlson
Maple Ridge