Woolwich and Wellesley townships contributed seven members to a list of more than 123,000 people on government payrolls in Ontario earning more than $100,000 in 2016.
Across the province, the sunshine list – which includes doctors, nurses, teachers, police and firefighters in addition to civil servants – grew by 6.9 per cent over the 115,431 in 2015.
In Woolwich, chief administrative officer David Brenneman was the highest paid of township employees, taking in $148,449.06. Director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley, was paid $114,894.22, the same as director of finance/treasurer Richard Petherick. Township director of council and information services/clerk Valrie Hummel made $101,171.08. Township fire chief Rick Pedersen received $114,069.67
Public works superintendent Barry Baldasaro came in at $103,067.74.
Typically on the list, the director of recreation and facilities position changed hands during the year, with neither the departing or incoming employee around long enough through the year to break the $100K ceiling.
In Wellesley, chief administrative officer Rik Louwagie was the sole member of the list, earning $117,217.97.
At the Region of Waterloo, there were 272 people among those paid more than $100,000 by taxpayers. The list includes Chair Ken Seiling at $164,965.75. Top earners were Liana Nolan, commissioner, public health/medical officer of health, $289,617.64; CAO Mike Murray, $274,817.41; Hsiu-Li Wang, associate medical officer of health, $253,157.06; and Thomas Schmidt, commissioner, transportation & environmental services, $214,626.58
The Waterloo Regional Police provided 666 names to the list, led by chief Bryan Larkin at $283,984.69 plus $13,289.94 in taxable benefits; deputy chief Kevin Chalk, $230,729.40 plus $12,136.94 in taxable benefits and deputy chief Kevin Thaler, $229,996.91 plus $11,419.76 in taxable benefits.
