KAMLOOPS HAS A NEW TOP COP X PAGE A19
DE K A M L O O P S
Kamloops, B.C., Canada X 30 cents at Newsstands
Thursday, June 13, 2013 X Volume 26 No. 47
THURSDAY
Live music, poolside, is coming to Kamloops Page B1
THIS WEEK
New hockey school opening doors this summer Page A23 Thompson River Publications Partnership Ltd.
CROSSWALK CARAVAN
Aberdeen elementary phys-ed students from Pam Doherty and Jen Elliott’s grades 4 and 5 classes head back after an active outing to McGowan Water Park. From front left: Mike Hoffmann, Kimberly Davidson and Rayhan Mohammad lead the charge as the young cyclists cross Highway 5A to head back to school. Dave Eagles/KTW
‘YOU KNEW THE PAY GOING IN’ By Andrea Klassen STAFF REPORTER andrea@kamloopsthisweek.com
Kamloops city council’s decision to give itself a raise next year “breaks the faith of taxpayers,” according to the B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. After marathon rounds of voting Tuesday, councillors voted five to four to give themselves a small pay hike starting Jan. 1, 2014. Instead of making about 33.3 per cent of the mayor’s salary, they’ll make 35 per cent. That’s a little more than $1,000 extra — though it’s a sharp comedown from a plan from Coun.
‘‘
In my opinion, the gap between ourselves and the average of $38,000 per year is really, really huge, and leaving it for another year-and-a-half is irresponsible and it reflects badly on our community.
cy Bepple that would have Nancy ed council’s salary from about moved 000 to $31,000 a year and the $25,000 or’s from $74,000 to $95,000 mayor’s ally. annually. Jordan Bateman, who served as a Langley councillor for six years before joining the taxpayers
OAKLEY
PRESCRIPTION FRAMES AND LENSES
”
— Coun. Donovan Cavers
federation, said he’s h hap ppy to see happy councillors reject rejecct the larger laarger paycheque. t timi ing of the But, he said the timing approvve is trouraise council didd approve bling. “Most councils set salaries for the next council, so they never vote
on their own raises,” he said. “That’s just become the political norm in most municipalities. This council, though, decided to give themselves a raise, which is very odd.” Had council gone with Bepple’ Bepple’s motion, the pay raise would have kicked in when a new council takes over city hall. But Coun. Donovan Cavers, who put forward the motion for the smaller raise, said the pay gap between Kamloops councillors an and those in other communities is so bad it needs to be dealt with now. A report prepared for council showed h d that h the h average councilil lor in a similar-sized B.C. city makes about $38,000 a year.
FIVES
CRANKCASE
Rootbeer
Steel Grey
PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES
See the complete collection of Oakley Glasses at www.oakley.ca
EYES
331 Victoria St.• 25O-851-8992
Licensed Optician
X See MILOBAR A20
OAKLEY
NEW FOR 2013!
INTERNATIONAL
In Kamloops, they make about $25,000. “In my opinion, the gap between ourselves and the average of $38,000 per year is really, really huge,” Cavers told council, “and leaving it for another year and a half is irresponsible and it reflects badly on our community.” Bateman disagrees. “You knew the pay going in — you ran for this job based on that salary,” he said. “Why should we give you a raise during this term?” Council had initially shied away from the early raise, which Cavers first proposed as an amendment to Bepple’s $31,000 pay package.
Kamloops’ Best Optical Store
SIGHT TESTING! Free with purchase. Call For Details
from m
$
97
229
*Includes selected Oakley frames and RX Sun Lenses. Some RX restrictions apply. See instore for details. HURRY! Expires May 31st, 2013