Local politicians do all right when they get paid for their municpal work
By Bill Rea

The job requires a lot of hours and energy, and she probably has to put up with more than her fair share of criticism and abuse, but Mayor Margaret Black does make a fairly decent salary for her municipal work.

Both King Township and York Region have issued their annual reports on council remuneration for 2006. Counting various benefits and expenses, Black received $97,620.50 last year.

About half of that came from King Township, which paid her a base salary of $32,032.91. In addition to that, the report from the Township's finance department (which was received by council in February) stated she also got $4,359.24 in payroll benefits, $3,800.97 in health benefits, $5,275.45 to cover her mileage, $900 for her cell phone and $1,834.93 for education, memberships and conferences.

But Black also sits on Regional council, so she received a stipend of $43,141 from York, along with $5,511 in benefits and $765 to cover expenses.

Councillor Linda Pabst was the highest paid of the councillors. Her salary of $18,825.04 was somewhat higher than that of her colleagues because of her service last year as deputy mayor. In addition, she received $1,504.03 in payroll benefits, $3,800.97 in health benefits, $350 for her cell phone and $1,377.58 for education, memberships and conferences. As well, Pabst was one of the Region's representatives on the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, and she received $1,003.68 for the 12 meetings she attended, along with $589.16 to cover mileage.

Councillor Jack Rupke represented the Region on the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, and he was paid $678.70 plus $147.60 for mileage. That was on top of the $17,641.52 he received in salary, $990.41 in payroll benefits, $3,800.97 in health benefits, $350 for his cell phone and $2,233.19 for education, memberships and conferences. Rupke claimed no mileage expenses from the Township.

Councillor Bill Cober was paid $17,641.52 in salary, $1,348.60 in payroll benefits, $3,800.97 in health benefits, $761.24 in mileage, $350 for his cell phone and $979.38 for education, memberships and conferences.

Councillor Jane Underhill was paid $17,641.52 in salary, $229.06 in payroll benefits, $3,800.97 in health benefits, $350 for her cell phone and $1,687.58 for education, memberships and conferences. Underhill claim no mileage expenses.

Former councillor Steve Pellegrini was not in office at the end of the year because of his unsuccessful bid to run for mayor, so he was paid a little less than his fellows. He received $17,030.85 in salary, $1,348.60 in payroll benefits, $3,800.97 in health benefits, $321 for his cell phone and $1,377.58 for for education, memberships and conferences. Pellegrini also claimed nothing for mileage.

Former councillor Peter Grandilli also only served part of the year because of his unsuccessful re-election bid. His salary was $17,030.85, and he received $1,348.60, $3,800.97 in health benefits, $584.36 in mileage, $321 for his cell phone and $137.58 for education, memberships and conferences.

Councillors Cleve Mortelliti and Jeff Laidlaw were only in office for about the last month of the year.

They each received $610.67 in salary, $75.16 in payroll benefits and $29 for cell phones.