Along with brighter weather appearing in the Valley comes news of a pair of bright happenings in Banff.
The Banff Community Foundation is launching SHINE 2013 and the Town of Banff and a public pay committee met today (April 25) to review appropriate rates of pay for mayor and council.
Brightest of these two items, of course, is the SHINE (Share Help, Inspire, Nurture, Enrich) initiative, which, like its inaugural success in 2012, will highlight the efforts of community members who were active, successful and making things happen in a number of different endeavours in the communty.
As an example of the wide net cast in search of these SHINE-ing lights, seniors, a teacher, a non-profit board member, a community matriarch and those who volunteer everywhere, were honoured, among others.
Here at the Outlook, we’re more than happy to update readers on SHINE happenings and, this fall, to publish the photos and biographies of those selected. Last year’s honourees can be seen in a photo exhibit now in place in Cascade Plaza.
All that’s needed now is for Banff residents to give some thought as to who brightens their day, who goes that extra mile in making things happen or making people smile or delivers stellar community service.
In a town like Banff, which prides itself on community-minded citizens who make the town a home for everyone, residents shouldn’t have to look too hard for nominees who motivate, inspire and create opportunities, do wonderful things on a daily basis, bring people together to rally around an idea and make it a reality or finds new and improved ways of getting things done?
As per SHINE’s website (www.banffshine.com), there are those who make big differences in the lives of others with small acts of kindness and there are those who stir the pot and shake things up. They are not defined by age, background or ethnicity; their impact is not measured by the length of time they spend in our community; they are the story-makers, the people who’s shining spirit moves us to share our appreciation for them with others.
Really, what better way to highlight the efforts of your neighbours?
Then there is the pay committee (page 12), a public committee of five members long overdue in its formation.
Finally, and we certainly hope this is the case, the burden of giving themselves a raise can be somewhat removed from those currently sitting on council. In tough economic times, a mayor and council may balk at giving themselves a raise due to nothing more than the optics of such a move; even though it’s deserved.
Hence, in particular, Mayor Karen Sorensen’s pay ($38,000) remains too low for the obligations holding the position entails. Yes, Banff is a slightly smaller town than neighbouring Canmore, but that doesn’t explain the wide, wide discrepancy in salary from Canmore’s mayor ($72,000).
Beyond the fact that as mayor of Banff, Karen Sorensen (and those before her) is often the very face of Canada’s highest profile tourist town, there are also plenty of weighty issues that must be dealt with.
In Banff, it’s time the mayor’s position be recognized as one requiring a full-time effort by a mayor enjoying an appropriate salary.
There’s little doubt that a pay adjustment for Banff councillors is in order as well, but one thing at a time…
In the end, a municipality that requires a Town manager who makes nearly a quarter million a year should have within its wherewithal enough wiggle room to properly address appropriate compensation for its top civic official.
