Politicians defend annual expenses

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffMay 13 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

North Okanagan politicians insist every dime they pocket involves representing their constituents. The 2006 remuneration and expense report has been released for 31 directors and committee members at the North Okanagan Regional District. It comes to about $204,312. “There is a tremendous amount of workload,” said Rick Fairbairn, rural Lumby director, of the board’s responsibilities. Remuneration varies on the number of committees a director sits on, while expenses also differ. Topping the list for expenses was Herman Halvorson, rural Enderby director, with $4,967. “I don’t know why it is so high. I haven’t padded the books or done anything stupid,” said Halvorson. Halvorson believes most of the expenses may be related to travelling around his constituency as well as to the NORD office. He also attended municipal conferences. “I am going to get the details from staff and see what it’s all about,” he said.

The second highest expenses were $4,426 for Fairbairn, who is also chairman of the Electoral Area Services Committee. “The number of meetings I am expected to attend is high and you have to travel to them,” he said. “I am in a rural area, and every working day, I have to go to Vernon. That is a 60-kilometre round trip. I also have responsibilities in my area (1,797-square-kilometres). If I go to Mabel Lake, that’s another 60 kilometres.” Fairbairn believes he spent 30,000 kilometres on the road on regional district business last year. Fairbairn also points out that he is the only elected representative for his area of 2,837 people while Lumby has a five-member council for 1,634 and Enderby has a council of six for 2,828 people.

The lowest expenses were for the Vernon directors — Patrick Nicol at $20.21, Wayne Lippert at $20.72 and Pat Cochrane at $20.72. For municipal representatives to NORD, many of their expenses, such as attending conferences, are covered by their city hall. Electoral area expenses are covered completely by the regional district. The highest remuneration was $33,021 for Stan Field, BX-Silver Star director who also served as board chairman for most of 2006. Next was Fairbairn at $23,535. That includes his duties as an electoral area director and EASC chairman.
NORD is currently reviewing remuneration levels.