January 13, 2009
It's Revealing
Above a list of the Squamish Nation Band Council and Band Manger with their salaries including Honoraria, Travel Allowances, Out-of-Town Travel Expenses, and Other Remuneration. It totals over$1,266,634. Take note that the top five in that list make over $100'000.
The Squamish Nation has not had a report on finances in over 3 years, along with no General Meeting in that time also. It has borrowed over $25 million from the banks. $6 million was borrowed 5 years ago for the deficit the Squamish Nation created.
Some (like Band Councilors) will say they don't like this information being out circulating in the community. I, and most of the community, will disagree with that. This is public knowledge for all band members to know. We have a right to know where our money is being spent.
I'm not one to complain about money. At least, I try to stop "money" from being a nuance in my life. I don't see money as a negative or positive force, but just that: an energy force. It can do good and can do bad. I also know in this modern age, it's a resource. Money makes the world go 'round. It can accomplish many things in many area's. Which is why I can't help but feel that $1.2 million is wasted on these bozo's.
I think there are many wonderful things that $1.2 million dollars could do for many things. Language revival for example. Or perhaps working on the abysmal self-doubt our youth have. Investing in artistic practice in our community. I mean, more then plaques and carvings. Musicians, painters, writers, performers, and the like. Or perhaps seed grants for community involvement. Or even a grant fund for community events (like pow wows, salmon celebrations, Skwxwu7mesh Day Festival, etc.). There's a brilliant idea for every one of our brilliant people.
In November, the SN Band Council voted in favor of a 6% wage increase to it's 500+ staff members. In mid December it votes to another 12%-14% raise on top of that 6% for it's 12 Department Heads and it's 17 Senior Managers. Some of the Department Heads (Like Band Councilors/Department Heads Gibby Jacob and Krissy Jacobs) make over $100'000.
The Squamish Nation has a budget of over $51 million too.
Did I come from out of a rock or is $100'000 dollars a lot of money?
Here's a better question: What is it that they do for our nation that deserves them to make $100'000. At what point do we as a community define leadership to make that much money? What is an acceptable salary for an elected official?
With that, I'll remind all Squamish Nation members that at the end of this year, it's election year. These politicians have allowed this corruption and debauchery to exist because it gives them power and money. Why change a system that benefits them?
....Because it's the right thing to do.
That's why.
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Well I can imagine that Gibby's number would be highest. Being that he is the head of Project Negotiations and Development. He travels alot and makes arrangements that benefit our people. This is a compilation of all their expenses, so I find it amusing that with this you wouldn't put their base wage. Or the infiltrator did not have time to get that break down. It was about time that the employees had gotten an increase to their wages. Being frozen for audit for so long left workers behind and way below the regular wage rates for thier industries. And considering the situations with the loud ranting thankless can't be bothered to do anything but complain people that come into offices, it is suprising that they can't get hazard pay. The Nation is a bucket of crabs at the best of times. Can't stand to see someone trying to get up and do better. If you have something to say, then quit voting whoever in, or better yet, get out and vote.
For me, it's a question of defining leadership. Who set Gibby's wage at this? Why should we pay him over $100'000? I even asked these kinds of question in the above post ("What is it that they do for our nation that deserves them to make $100'000. At what point do we as a community define leadership to make that much money? What is an acceptable salary for an elected official?").
You are right that this is a compilation of their expences and such, which I state 2 times int he above post ("with their salaries including Honoraria, Travel Allowances, Out-of-Town Travel Expenses, and Other Remuneration."). I included the whole thing because for some people it looks extremely weird (Like Glen Newman having over $34'000 in "Out of town Travel". I intend to post more information about the breakdown for their expenses and such sometime this weekend, but just wanted to put the information our in waves as not to overwhelm people. I will add that Gibby's base wage is $110'392. Four thousand dollar difference, not a big deal.
BUT! One thing I really forgot to mention in this post (and will clairfy soon!) is that the above wages are from May 2007 to March 2008. It's from the last fiscal year. The above wages do not include the 6% and 12-14%. Gibby's wage (the above number) should include another 20% raise and THAT would reflect what he's being payed now. For crying out loud: is Gibby worth $132'000?
I have nothing against the staff getting raise. I have a problem with these awful leaders making thousands of dollars and stealing it from the community. It's wrong, it should not happen.
As for your voting comment: I do not vote. It's a philosophical choice. Voting accomplishes nothing. Some will say "If you don't vote, you can't complain", which is an argument I disagree with because, on one level, the voting political system is far fetched, backwards, and stupid and on a second level (more to do with the band council level) is a really messed up election system. For example, all of the elected councilors do not have majority support. Everyone of them received less then 48% support, with one councilor (my mother) only having 11% support. No wonder the community disagrees with their decisions. But this "no voting" stance is for a larger discussion some other time.
Thanks for comment though. I enjoy it when people comment on my posts and am glad people are thinking about this stuff.
You are right that this is a compilation of their expences and such, which I state 2 times int he above post ("with their salaries including Honoraria, Travel Allowances, Out-of-Town Travel Expenses, and Other Remuneration."). I included the whole thing because for some people it looks extremely weird (Like Glen Newman having over $34'000 in "Out of town Travel". I intend to post more information about the breakdown for their expenses and such sometime this weekend, but just wanted to put the information our in waves as not to overwhelm people. I will add that Gibby's base wage is $110'392. Four thousand dollar difference, not a big deal.
BUT! One thing I really forgot to mention in this post (and will clairfy soon!) is that the above wages are from May 2007 to March 2008. It's from the last fiscal year. The above wages do not include the 6% and 12-14%. Gibby's wage (the above number) should include another 20% raise and THAT would reflect what he's being payed now. For crying out loud: is Gibby worth $132'000?
I have nothing against the staff getting raise. I have a problem with these awful leaders making thousands of dollars and stealing it from the community. It's wrong, it should not happen.
As for your voting comment: I do not vote. It's a philosophical choice. Voting accomplishes nothing. Some will say "If you don't vote, you can't complain", which is an argument I disagree with because, on one level, the voting political system is far fetched, backwards, and stupid and on a second level (more to do with the band council level) is a really messed up election system. For example, all of the elected councilors do not have majority support. Everyone of them received less then 48% support, with one councilor (my mother) only having 11% support. No wonder the community disagrees with their decisions. But this "no voting" stance is for a larger discussion some other time.
Thanks for comment though. I enjoy it when people comment on my posts and am glad people are thinking about this stuff.
Well thank you its finally out there ive always wondered and well i dont think Chrissy Jacobs helps to much everytime someone calls she never in the dang office always at the frickin mall and why is it the vancouver benifits more then the squamish peoples hmm i wonder were not part so i think its bs when they all talk we are here for the people whut ever come on now well i am ashamed of being a squamish nation member thats for sure with these people running it and well hey did anyone ever question how did chrissy get band manager i certainly dont remeber voting for her did you well thats my rant come on now people lets get with it and fix this we to need to benifit as well
Apparently the rational for Krissy's high wage is because she hold many hats. (?)
Here's Krissy's job:
- Acting Band Manager (because Glen's never there.)
- Event Coordinator
- Non-insured Health Benefits Officer
- Communications Officer
- Councilor
I agree with you. Why is she doing's Glen's job? Why is she doing any of those jobs to begin wit?
Here's Krissy's job:
- Acting Band Manager (because Glen's never there.)
- Event Coordinator
- Non-insured Health Benefits Officer
- Communications Officer
- Councilor
I agree with you. Why is she doing's Glen's job? Why is she doing any of those jobs to begin wit?
the mayor of squamish only made $30,000.00 last year and that is running a whole town with 17,000 population!
U should really should talk to the Dept head of finance or the staff. Although bound by confidentiality I am sure there are some issues that can't be held confidential ie anything other than a persons wages must be disclosed as it is of community purpose ( supposedly or why else would all the out of town trips and honoraria be necessary ) and therefore community members should be able to access the information
In the real world plenty of people make more than 100,000 I think u need to be in his shoes for awhile before jumping to hasty conclusions where do u think most of the revenue is negotiated people don't just offer to give us money
In the real world plenty of people make more than 100,000 I think u need to be in his shoes for awhile before jumping to hasty conclusions where do u think most of the revenue is negotiated people don't just offer to give us money
In many of the “intermediate” job descriptions posted by the Squamish Nation, it requires some sort of degree to earn a fraction of these kinds of salaries. With that being said, how many of these councilors earning $50k+ have degrees? Please do not take my posing this question as undermining what it takes to be a councilor, but let’s get real. I work in the corporate world and have a degree, extensive work experience and enormous potential but even I don’t earn the kind of money these councilors see fit to pay themselves. And while we’re on the subject of pay raises and travel expenses, I heard the head of Education and two of her associates were allotted a $3,000 stipend for a three day “workshop.” What kind of expenses can they have for three days that warrants that kind of money? This is exactly the kind of frivolous spending that takes away from helping Membership. There are those in need of housing, health care, education, and basic living expenses and this is how we allow leadership to spend our money? I am outraged and I do vote and will continue to voice my opinions and concerns.