According to recent newspaper ads, the City
of Greater Sudbury is looking for a community relations and
policy adviser in the office of the mayor.
The job, described as an exciting three-year
contract position, pays up to $72,000 a year, a not
insignificant sum in times of budget restraint.
The ad states that this individual will,
under the direction of the mayor, research, analyze and
recommend in a variety of areas, and will work closely with the
administration, other organizations and provide community
relations support.
It is interesting to note that nowhere does
it mention that this special person would be involved with
other members of city council.
There are a number of concerns. Is our
mayor's job so big that he needs this high paid, personal
assistant? Is this position a buffer between council and the
mayor? Is there not enough advisory talent already on staff in
the municipal bureaucracy to perform these duties?
Residents of Sudbury are currently being
called upon to comment on our city's budget. I hope that there
will be some responsible citizens who will question this
planned expenditure.
Perhaps the mayor could set an example of
fiscal prudence by declaring this position unnecessary, and
direct others in the administration to look for similar savings
in all departments.
John Lindsay
, Sudbury
Editor's note: John Lindsay is co-chair of the Minnow Lake
Community Action Network.