Former MP increases call for increased stipend to Regional Councillors

Former Regional Councillor and Member of Parliament, Audwin Rutherford, firmly believes that
the stipend being given to Regional Councillors needs to be drastically improved. Speaking
exclusively to www.aroundtheregions.com, Rutherford said that the current stipend of 10,000.00
doesn’t afford Regional Councillors the scope and opportunity to meaningfully execute
initiatives and projects that they have. He further said that with the current stipend they are
unable to meaningfully execute their duties, thus he is leading a repeated call for a significant
and urgent increase.
The Former MP who recently resigned from his party, the AFC said that he will be utilizing his
time being a watchdog for the residents of Region Ten, stressing that the residents needs
improved and enhanced representation by all. This, he said, will be a mission that he will be
executing, adding that after five years as  Regional Councillor and a similar number of years as a
Member of Parliament, he would like to make a more meaningful contribution.
“I am in full support for increased numeration for Regional Councillors. The present is 10,000,
but it is documented that some persons come morning, afternoon and night to travel to increase
that to several thousand to increase that by the end of the month,” the former Region Ten
Regional Councillor and MP said.
Rutherford, known for his frank and open views suggested that Regional Councillors should not
earn less than 45,000 a month. He said that while this represents more than 300 percent increase
its pivotally important to ensure that the Regional Councillors play a more effective role in
holistic regional and national development
“You are not going after the 10,000.00 because it’s too little for you. What you are doing is
either making yourself a comic by coming morning, noon and night to get some transportation or
to bleed the system and get some contracts,” he argued.
Rutherford, the former legislature reaffirmed his determination and commitment to ensuring that
the elected officials and public officers are held accountable for actions and or decisions that
they make. This, he said, will see him calling out persons for acts that he deems unethical,
unprofessional and even illegal.
“If someone was to ask me what the average stipend should be, I would want to believe that
Regional Councillors should not get less than 45,000 a month as their stipend,” he declared
Rutherford added that the general view of many is that once elected to certain positions people
are of the view that you are capable of supporting every and any initiative that they have that
seeks to garner financial support. He reiterated that because of this ideology it continues to place
Regional Councillors and Members of Parliament in positions where they are forced to satisfy
supporters by digging deep into their pockets to lend support.

“We have a situation where people believe that every Bar B Que sale, every car wash and every
concert that persons are having.  As an elected official you must support this and that and this in
many cases proves very challenging for Regional Councillors and others,” he confessed.