A few meetings ago in a relatively quiet move, the Town of Athabascaís council voted not to offer payment to town member-at-large on the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) board.
Coun. Joanne Peckham, who is also a member of the board, brought this up again at the Mar. 15 council meeting, stating that the board itself has now offered free babysitting services to anyone who wishes to represent the municipality and fill the seat that has been vacant for two years.
It is interesting that council members ñ who themselves are paid to attend council as well as committee meetings ñ did not want to pay someone from the community for their time on a board where the other representatives are paid.
Itís not like this is the board of the Rich People Who Spill Champagne While Living the High Life and Abusing Public Funds.
The FCSS primarily supports families and children who are in vulnerable situations. They provide services like Meals on Wheels to seniors, mentorship to elementary school students, and mediation and conflict resolution services for families overcoming challenges.
Those who have been helped by the service and could provide useful feedback about it likely do not have many hours to spare between work and home lives.
And this is seen in many areas of government. People who spend their days changing diapers, working two-and-a-half jobs and making mac-and-cheese are silenced by fatigue, childrenís screams and self-righteous customers.
Those who voted for this motion understood the value of paying someone to serve the town on the FCSS board. If you are willing to offer cash for hours of work, you get people involved who might not be able to do so otherwise.
Yes, volunteering is important to keeping a community alive.
But voices that represent the communityís different genders, ages, races, financial situations and general backgrounds are important, too.
The town should be willing to pay the relatively small amount it would take to ensure that diversity is there.
