Don Darling struggling over whether to accept Saint John council pay hike

Saint John councillors voted Monday night to give themselves a raise, but Mayor Don Darling said he'll consult constituents before accepting a raise for himself.

"I struggled all weekend with this, agonized over it," Darling said after the meeting.

"What I said is I want to reflect on the meeting, I want to listen to the feedback of folks over the next couple of days, then I'll make a final decision."

Darling said he doesn't want anybody to question his integrity.

• Is $29K too much for a Saint John councillor's salary?

By the numbers

Councillors receive $12,600 annually in wages and $6,300 in expenses combining for an annual salary of $18,900.

Hay Group, the firm paid approximately $20,000 for the report comparing Saint John and other East Coast municipalities, recommended the salary of each councillor be raised to $29,500.

Under the bylaw change, Darling would see his pay increase to$74,000 from $57,000, which still keeps him in the bottom half of mayoral salaries.

Likewise, the salary for the deputy mayor position will increase to $38,612 annually.

"It's not about the money. It's about moving Saint John into 21st Century" said Coun. Blake Armstrong.

Voting for a pay increase, added city manager Jeff Trial, is a "difficult decision to make."

While the council debate bounced back and forth for an hour and a half, the motion passed by a 7-3 vote.

Councilors around the horseshoe acknowledged that voting for a pay increase is controversial. Still, most agreed the hike is necessary to attract future election candidates.

"The ward I'm in had two seats," said Coun. Donna Reardon about the last election. "Only four people put their hat in that ring."

The last time council voted for an increase was 2004.

Culture of entitlement

Coun. Greg Norton voted against the motion. He disagreed with the argument that Saint John councillors should receive a raise based on the salaries of other municipalities.

He called it part of the "culture of entitlement."

"My pride and embarrassment [are] not hinged or hooked on the rate of pay I receive," Norton said.

Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary brought the motion to council.

McAlary receives backlash

Both the mayor and Coun. David Merrithew brought up the harassment McAlary has endured in recent days, including people calling her house only to immediately hang up.

"Cowards," Merrithew said.

"I was extremely upset," Darling said. "She's one of the most dedicated political figures this city has ever seen."

While Coun. Gary Sullivan voted against the motion, he said if anybody deserves an increase, it's McAlary. Coun. David Merrithew also voted against the motion.

The increase will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.