How gilded are the ‘golden parachutes’?

Re: “Saanich taxpayers benefit from chief’s contract,” comment, Oct. 10. By no means will Saanich taxpayers benefit overall by the generous treatment in the police chief’s contract.

Mayor Richard Atwell indicates $126,781 was paid to the chief in “retirement allowance” for 35 years service and that it is not a severance. Further, that this pro-rated payment is paid to any long serving public-service employee and accumulates with years of service.

While flabbergasted Saanich councillors and residents are directing concerns to Atwell, it’s important to keep in mind that he’s only the chairman and one voice on the seven-member Saanich Police Board. The Police Act allows for up to five provincial appointees — Saanich typically has three — and one appointment is also made by Saanich council.

So what exactly is a “retirement allowance” (that sounds very much like a “golden parachute”)? How is it different from an actual pension (which the chief also receives while he continues to work)? Are retirement allowances paid to both union and non-union staff?

Was the “retirement allowance” paid out of this year’s budget or was money set aside for these accumulated benefits? Does this include a payout for unused sick leave? As a percentage of salary, what do the undisclosed benefits amount to?

Taxpayers in Saanich — who can only dream of these payouts that seem to have become the norm — want more answers to their questions.

Given the province’s finance minister, Carole James, has commissioned what she’s calling a “fiscal sustainability review,” municipal golden parachutes are also a worthy focus. Stan Bartlett, chair Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria