“Everything’s groovy, man!”
the old man in the hat
Fiscal responsibility. Living within our means. Right sizing. Building for the next generation.
All good sentiments. Catch phrases of our Torrid Government.
I am not sure what the department of highways has done. I do not know whether they are in favour or out of favour with the powers that be in Fredericton. All I know, that when it comes to saving money, that’s where it comes from. Squeeze the road crews until it hurts.
How do I know? Simple, I live in the country. No, not in back of the Halfway Inn, just a little side road outside of town. It might as well be behind the Inn though. I feel that I am in a time warp. 1960’s style. Yep, I do remember what the roads were like back then. The pretty white stuff that used to be scraped off was left to sit and mature into the finest, smoothest, shiniest ice that true memories are made from. Those types of memories where your whole life passes before your eyes as the car, seemly in ultra slow motion, does a 360 and a previously lush head of hair falls out like pine needles from a lightning struck tree.
1960’s roads. 1960’s hospitals. Perhaps it’s time time to have 1960’s politicians. What can it hurt?
The 2014 MLA version costs the tax payers $85,000.00. ONE MLA. In 2013, the legislative assembly of the province was in session for 52 days. FIFTY TWO DAYS. EIGHTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Now to be fair…., no, screw that- good thing that they are only there 52 days!
Let’s get back to that 1960’s vibe. If “we” have to live in the 60’s again, so do “they”.
Getting out my intrepid little Excel spreadsheet and my handy reference for historical inflation, I guesstimate that over a 43 year period the inflation rate has a yearly average of approximately 4.9%, and the $85K today should be worth about $10,750.49 in 1960’s coin.
$10750.49 for 52 days. Still sounds like a lot, but, much more reasonable, leaves a little bit for salt and sand and maybe some left over to pay a mechanic at the local government garage to fix the snow plow when it breaks. Just a thought as I reminisce about the exciting 360 experience! Groovy!
Further reading:
(I found in quite interesting that I could not find information on sitting days and salary on a Government of New Brunswick website, but had to find the info on a federal site. Weird. Or maybe not!)
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/ProvinceTerritory/ProvincialIndemnities.aspx
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/ProvinceTerritory/SittingDays.aspx
http://www.inflation.eu/inflation-rates/canada/historic-inflation/cpi-inflation-canada.aspx
