Councillor’s salary

I am writing in regard to the distribution of late Councillor Herlihy’s salary.

It would appear that councillors, with the exception of Cr Corban, have agreed to share this money.

Councillor Corban is the only one with a conscience. In SWN, November 7, there was an article headed ‘‘Vacancy to stay empty until next election’’. No mention was made then as to what was to happen with the rest of Cr Herlihy’s salary.

As the salaries for councillors are set by the Remuneration Authority, it appears to me that the approval by Mr Errington, to divvy up the surplus between current councillors will be rubber stamped.

Wouldn’t it have been better to offer this money to Cr Herlihy’s family as it had been allocated to him, to ease their financial strain?

If the family refused this money, Cr Herlihy’s wages should have been put into the equivalent of a consolidated fund to be used for the ratepayers’ needs.

I am sure that a lot of readers of News are of the same opinion as I am, that what the council has done appears to be nothing more than theft by giving themselves a pay increase.

The council is going to wait to appoint someone to fill this seat, (which) means they will have to find another salary for the new incumbent. When this happens, does this mean that the councillors who have taken a pay rise will then take a pay reduction? If not, then surely the ratepayers are paying twice.

This council tells us it is fiscally responsible with our money. I doubt it.

The way the council has handled this matter is a shameful disgrace. D Jennings

Tokoroa