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◗70 EARN OVER $100,000 PER YEAR
Who makes the big bucks in city hall?
Set to retire: Longtime city councillor Betty McIntosh has decided not to seek re-election to city council in November’s civic election. McIntosh poses in her garden which is filled with her collection of teapots.
BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
The number of City of New Westminster employees earning $100,000 has more than tripled in the past decade. The city has released its annual statement of financial information, which shows 79 employees were in the $100,000 club in 2013, an increase from 70 in 2012 and 66 in 2011. All totalled, 22 city employees were paid $75,000 to $79,999; 62 received $80,000 to $89,999; 31 got $90,000 to $99,999 and 79 topped the $100,000 mark. In 2003, 25 city employees earned $100,000 or more – including nine police officers. Since that time, the province asked that names of sworn officers in the New Westminster Police Department not be included in the report of financial information. With her $183,031, Lisa Spitale becomes the first female to be the top income earner at city hall. Spitale was named the city’s chief administrative officer in April 2013. In addition to reports about council remuneration and expenses, severance agreements and supplier of goods and services of $25,000 or more, the report includes information about employees earning $75,000 or more. Spitale was one of seven city employees who earned more than $150,000 last year: Dean Gibson, director of parks, culture and recreation – $174,092; Tim Armstrong, fire chief – $173,961; Gary Holowatiuk, director of finance and information services – $167,899; Rod Carle, general manager of the electrical utility – $168,279; Jim Lowrie, director of engineering – $164,836; Rick Page, director of legislative services – $151,318; and Pierre Gaudreault of the electrical utility – $150,349. According to the report, the city paid $19.5 million to the employees earning $75,000 or more and an additional $24.9 million for all other city employees (excluding sworn police officers.) In addition to the remuneration, the city also paid $477,523 for city business expenses for employees in 2013. ◗City Page 10
Larry Wright/THE RECORD
No more ballots for Betty BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
Five-term city councillor Betty McIntosh is heading into the homestretch with her political career. McIntosh, who was first elected to city council in 1996, won’t be seeking re-election in November’s municipal election. “It’s not quitting. It’s retirement,” she told The Record. “I am retiring because it is best for my family.” After working in Royal Columbian Hospital emergency department for 38 years McIntosh retired as a registered nurse in 2009, but she’s continued to serve on council. Her husband Ken retired in 2001 as an officer with the New Westminster Police Department. “Ken and I still want to be able to do more travelling. We have a trailer that we bought last year. This lets us be able to go away for two months – I say two months, he says six,” she laughed. “I am a bit of a homebody. I’ve got my veggie garden out back.”
Instead of planning vacations around meant to be difficult but to get details the best fit for council’s schedule, about the subject at hand. “I don’t believe in partisan politics at McIntosh will be able to travel whenever she wants. Not having to thoroughly city hall,” she said. “That really bothers read council reports will also open up me.” some time in McIntosh’s McIntosh said many comschedule. munity members have urged “It’s a responsibility you her to seek re-election – or take on, and you should ful- “I don’t believe to run for mayor – but she fill it,” she said. “It’s time. I said she’s given her service to am only in my 63rd year. I in partisan poli- the city and now it’s time to see health issues with coun- tics at city hall. retire. She’s looking forward cil. I think others should to seeing a new generation of retire due to health issues.” That really both- citizens stepping forward and One thing McIntosh says ers me.” running for council, includshe won’t miss in council ing some she knows well. chambers is the “rude” com“Betty McIntosh is retiring BETTY MCINTOSH ments she gets from some city from council, but there will be councillor councillors. McIntosh, who a McIntosh on the ballot. It’s was once a member of the the next generation – my son Voice New Westminster Scott,” she said. “I have been slate, has clashed with the labour mentoring at least two other people. You endorsed majority of council on various have meetings, you talk about strategy, issues during her time on council. She’s you suggest what they can do to get repeatedly stated that her direct line of ◗McIntosh Page 8 questioning on topics before council isn’t
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